figures

Solace

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Solace, 36” x 48”, Oil painting on wood panel

I used to paint primarily with oils in college and in my 20s. The paintings were messy, bright paintings that were confused, ambitious, disjointed and passionate, much like I was at the time. Since then, my style has evolved and changed profoundly in conjunction with the events in my life. Working as a scenic artist, faux finish artist and mural painter gave me the love of large format, alternate materials and commercial impact. Painting live at places like Cafe Tu Tu Tango and street painting chalk festivals taught me to use the power of an audience, and selling my work at art festivals installed the love of connection with art buyers and fans. Rediscovering my love for fabrics and incorporating them in my mixed media pieces most profoundly changed my work. But through it all, I have always most love drawing. And what I mean by that is, taking a medium, any medium, and creating a 3D object with it on a 2D surface. To me, its alchemy. Turning pigment into visual gold. Nothing fills me more!

I believe that part of growing as an artist requires stretching limits and learning from the people you consider the best. Since college, I have learned from so many brilliant artists that I have shared studios with and so many fabulous artists that I have had to privilege to call my teachers. Recently, I took Jennifer Gennari’s pet paintings with oils workshop and fell back in love with using oils.

So here I am, full circle, or perhaps full spiral, back to my love of drawing with oils. Something about the texture and process has completely pulled me in again. But this time I feel more focused with my ambition and passion. I am ready.

4 Paintings A Week

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Our Daily Painting group is at it again! Heather Earnest, Pat Weaver, Nancy Johnson and Lynn Ashford and myself have committed to the challenge. To encourage bigger works, we have redefined our goals and decided on 4 paintings a week and a blog about it on Thursdays. My first week at it resulted in only 3 pieces but they are huge and I love them!! Here's what each of us did.

Christine Peloquin;  acrylics, charcoal, fabric and paper collage on wood panel

Heather Earnest; watercolor

Pat Weaver; watercolor

Nancy Johnson; watercolor

Lynn Ashford; watercolor and acrylics

Florida Watercolor Society

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I have had the huge honor of being asked to do a demo at the Florida Watercolor Society 45th Annual Convention in September. (wahoo!) I figure it is my duty to attempt a watercolor piece and to enter into the show to go along with my acrylic (done in an aqueous manner.) My challenger insisted! Well I love a challenge and I just love how this piece came out!! Here is The Inspector done in stages. I'll let you know if I get in! 

15" x 22", watercolor, casein and graphite aquarelle on 140# arches paper

Using Acrylics in an Aqueous Manner

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Yeah. You people know who you are! I have been challenged to get a piece into the Florida Watercolor Society Show. So here's my new piece per instructions. "Using acrylics in an aqueous manner...". Nothing ventured. Nothing gained. Butter Me Up.

Butter Me Up, 21" x 15", graphite aquarelle pencils and acrylics in an aqueous manner on 140# arches paper

Butter Me Up, 21" x 15", first layers; graphite aquarelle pencils on 140# arches paper

My great-grandmother

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I love the women in my family. I just happened to end up the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter....in other words, the first child, grandchild and great-grandchild. One straight line of strong willed women!  My grandmother told me stories about how she remembered sitting in a car with no heat in the middle of a snowstorm, with her 4 siblings, during the depression, while her father went into the bar for 'a' drink and to gamble. My great-grandmother found the courage to go into that male only bar and demand that he bring them home. She was brave. She was filled with only love and gratitude for us grandkids and great-grandkids. She was the glue that kept the family together for a long time. She was simply amazing.

My Memere was a huge source of love and compassion for my Mom and her sisters. I am so honored that I got to experience being her first great-grandchild! (That's me in the first drawing.) These drawings of her were commissioned by my Aunt for her two sisters ..and I did one for my Aunt too. Happy Birthday Judy, Elizabeth and Shelly! Memere's love still shines down on us all. 

In my haste to hit the birthday deadline, these got shipped out without being photographed! Thanks for taking these pics of them Mom!