About Art ~ by Grace Augustine

I’ve always had a fascination with art. All forms of art. I love watching potters working with their hands and spinning the wheel. Looms and weaving and spinning yarn—amazing. Painting, yup. That’s my thing (other than writing, of course.)

When I was a child, my mother enjoyed doing the paint by number oil paintings. I cannot tell you how many of them graced every wall in our home. She wasn’t particularly good at it because her eyesight was terrible and she refused to wear glasses, but she had fun. And that is the prime reason to create art, to have fun and express yourself.

In high school, I usually took summer school classes and one was art. I also took art as a standard class during each of my 4 years. Then I graduated, moved, and art was no longer something I did personally. I went to many museums and admired the art of others. I went to concerts and enjoyed the singers/songwriters. But my art, well, it was shelved for other things.

It wasn’t until three years ago that I decided to pick up a brush. Mind you at that point close to 40 years had passed. I began watching videos on acrylic painting and painting along with the artists, putting my own spin on their projects. Bob Ross videos and television programs still make me smile.

I chose to do acrylics because it seemed easier than oils or

watercolors. I had tried each of those early on and found no satisfaction. It took too long for oils to dry and too quickly for watercolors. Recently I found another medium—gouache—an opaque watercolor. It doesn’t sound fun either.

Acrylic pours are extremely popular right now, but it seems so messy and uncontrollable (can’t tell I have control issues, can you?) I will leave that to those creatives who have the patience to deal with their quirky ways.

I love experimenting with new subject matter. My latest is Monet-like scenery and Santorini inspired blue doors. Most of my creations are calming in nature, maybe because I need it. May be because I enjoy it. 

Anyway you slice it, art is a way to unwind. Whether it is music, textiles, pottery, dance, wine tasting (yes it is an art!) or painting have fun. Branch out. Do something new, something you never thought you could.

To check out Grace’s other posts, visit her MEMBER PAGE or her OBD ART PAGE. You can also find her on FACEBOOK and TWITTER

All photos used are property of Grace Augustine and may not be replicated or used without permission.

 

 

 

The Art of Fluid Acrylics ~ by Artist Joyce Boyce

Clock

My expressive paintings are process driven; a meditation that allows me to tap into a connection to the world around me. Words, rhythms, images, sounds, and experiences that evoke a visceral response in me become the source and the reservoir that I draw from when I paint. 

Zia

Manipulation of paints and additives are used to create tension: warm colors vs. cool, texture vs. smooth. A painting is not complete until I sense in it a certain life or spirit. 

4 x 4 heat resistant coaster tiles

Ultimately, it is all about the process and the physical act of creation, becoming the brush, responding to the surface, the discovery, and the evolution of the painting as it changes. It is finding just the right balance between intention and intuition to bring the composition to a satisfying conclusion.

The dynamics of each fluid acrylic painting, coaster, or piece of jewelry can never be precisely duplicated; therefore, the uniqueness of individual pieces are treasured as being a window into the spiritual nature of life. 

Fluid Acrylic Handmade Jewelry

Individual financial budgets for art vary, and I consider that when we meet to discuss what your vision is, what you would like me to create. I create art for anyone who wishes to own a unique creation from my studio for any budget. I guarantee it will be a piece of artwork you will appreciate and love for many years to come.

Fluid Acrylic Handmade Jewelry

My art work includes recycled LP records that I turn into clocks, high heat resistant ceramic coaster tiles, 3D sculptures-like the beautiful Zia, and many on canvas of all sizes. My work is represented in Galleries in Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico. I would love for you to visit me and my studio.

Joyce Boyce, an emerging fluid acrylics artist, resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is self taught in the creation of this unique style of expressive art representing the emotional challenge of allowing the mixtures of paint, additives and gravity to become the master of the artist rather than the artist mastering the paint. Her varied styling allows for organic shapes to spontaneously appear creating a free-flowing composition of motion and energy, evoking a feeling of peace and calmness or of conflict and turbulence as the viewer meditates on the symbolism that speaks directly to them. To learn more about what Joyce offers, you may contact her via the links below.

INSTAGRAM
EMAIL