New Work - "Special Delivery"

  Special Delivery  © Barbara A. Freeman

 Graphite and Mixed Media on Film 9 3/4" x 7 5/8"

 

This is the VERY beginning of the new piece, whereas I have the reference photos and a vague idea of how I want to use them.  The setting was inspired by the wonderful tree (aren't they all wonderful?) that's near the trailhead at one of our favorite hiking spots.  I'll be presenting this as a work in progress to show the progression of it. 

The drawing was done on the frosted film, Dura-lar Matte, using a range of graphite pencils with a bit of colored pencil work on the back side of the film.

 

Some of the forest background completed, you can see the detail in the magnifier below.  I use magnification to mostly only check the work at this point, but do use it for adding the fine details near the end.

Below you can also see where I've placed the beginnings of a tiny door.  It seemed a perfect spot with the dark arm above to shelter it.

I've moved further down the tree drawing the bark, mostly from my imagination.  I use the photo reference which I have up on my computer screen, for placement of form, light and shadow.  Sorry about the yellow glow to this one.  I tend to photograph these before I end an evening which can be rather late when my brain has ceased to function! 

I've placed the crow, and two more openings in the tree. Crows are amazing birds and fun to watch.  I can imagine them being messengers for the forest spirits and have used them in my work many times.

There is much more progress here with details of the rocks and twisting roots.   I've also added the scroll for the message delivered by the crow.

 

Now the crow has form and feathers!  I've created the very dark areas of the crow by working on the underside of the film.  As you can see, more work has been done on the bottom of the tree and rock.

More progress on the right side forming the plants and ferns.  I also added folds to the scroll and more detail to the crow.

Almost finished, this time adding subtle color on the underside, to the passageway in the opening of the tree, the upper door and the window. I'm not sure it shows up well in the photos.

 

At last, finishing up with the runes on the scroll and all the last minute details.  I had fun with this, looking up the rune alphabet and making the letter shapes curve with the folds of the scroll.  I really enjoyed watching this one come alive with each session.  These pieces become a meditation for me.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing the progression of Special Delivery! As usual, I'll announce here when this work is in a show.  

I know it has been a long time since my last blog post.  Rest assured, I haven't fallen off the edges of the earth, even though it often feels as though I have.  Taking care of family responsibilities has to take priority.   Wayne and I still have a lot more work to do regarding family, so new artwork will be slower in coming.  I will have work in three miniature art shows coming up.  One show is invitational and a new venue for me, which is exciting.  I will be blogging about them soon with links.  I also have two new miniatures and hope to share them soon!

Until next time, thank you for taking the time to read about my work.  Enjoy this crazy spring!

Crow Series

This is a post to show my series of graphite drawings featuring a crow or crows. My friend, Mona Diane Conner has invited me to share my series of crow drawings to the Facebook Group, Birds in Art. There are so many beautiful images of birds on this site, so many talented artists and bird lovers!

In this series, the crow is part of the landscape, usually the focal point, but sometimes used as a symbol. I don't post my images on Facebook. If I want to announce new work to my Facebook friends, I post it with a link to be viewed here on my blog. Therefore, I have collected this series of work in a new post, in the order as created. If you would like to read my process or thoughts about each piece, you can click on the title of that work for it's blog link. Please note, you may have to go to the bottom of the link to find the matching blog. Thanks for looking and thank you Mona for suggesting it!

Finding Time, © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite on Film, 8 1/4" x 10 1/2"

Fine Art Miniature, The Key, © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Acrylic on Film, 2 3/8" x 3"

The Offering, © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Colored Pencil on Film, 7" x 7"

Fine Art Miniature, The Time Thief © Barbara A. Freeman
Graphite and Mixed Media on Film, 2 3/4" x 3 3/4"

This last work, above, is the latest work in graphite with a crow, to be titled soon. You can see that I've used the same crow twice in two of the works. They are everywhere until I get my camera to get new shots!

I've also included three works done in acrylic that the crow is used as a symbol.

Buddha in Austin, A Personal Altar*, © Barbara A. Freeman
Acrylic on Gessobord, (painting continued on deep sides and top)
Stones, Fossil and Root Fibers, 8" x 6" x 4" (*to see other views of this click on the title)

Fine Art Miniature, Buddha in the Pacific Northwest
© Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Claybord, 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"

A Meditation on the Pacific Northwest, © Barbara A. Freeman
Acrylic on Gessobord, 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"

"The Offering", Spirit of Giving Group Holiday Show

Saturday I delivered my graphite work, The Offering to Everett Artists' Supply and Framing for their Annex Gallery Holiday Show, "Spirit of Giving". The show was conceived around the simple act of giving and the joy both ends receive. They will be embracing that "spirit of giving" by donating 10% of proceeds to the Everett Battered Women’s Shelter and Cocoon House Shelter for homeless youth. Each individual aritst in this show reflects what giving means to them. Given that this is a group show, there will be a variety of styles and mediums! My friend, Janie Olsen will also be showing her work in this show. I'll be there, I hope to see you there, too! The Artists' Reception takes place December 4th, 2009 from 4-7pm. Their address is 9304 Evergreen Way, Everett, WA, just north of the Evergreen Branch Library. The show runs from December 4th through January 2, 2010. Remember, original art is a lasting treasure and makes the perfect gift! Support your local artist!

Everett Artists' Supply and Framing , Annex Gallery Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 2-6pm. The gallery will be closed on December 25th and January 1st. Happy Holidays!

Second in a series, "Buddha in the Pacific Northwest"

I enjoyed creating the Buddha that I did for my daughter, (see the last post, Buddha in Austin, A Personal Altar) so while it was still fresh in my mind, I decided to do another one. The first one, 8"x 6"x 4", I consider a small work. This second work, however, I did as a miniature painting in acrylic on 4"x 4" claybord. I placed him in a Pacific Northwest landscape, adding a crow, (they are plentiful here) on a pathway. As with the first work, this Buddha is a medicine Buddha so I placed a tulip and an apple in his hands, both being symbols of the area for me.* When finished with the figure, I glazed gold paint on the skin and added metallic iridescent paint as a glowing effect around the body. I was happy with the way the dappled sunlight filtered through the trees. The path could be leading you into or away from the area. You interpret.


This miniature is framed in black and gold and is wired for hanging. The frame itself is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2". The framed image is 3 5/8"x 3 5/8". It is available on my secure website, Buddha in the Pacific Northwest for purchase. Just click on "add to my collection". This piece would enhance any meditation space, and would work well as a traveling altar. Be sure to follow my blog for updates. I always announce when any work is in a show. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. Your comments are always appreciated.

(Please note, the framed image above is not as clear, nor the colors as brilliant as the actual image due to the shiny varnished finish of the surface and my photo abilities or lack therefo.)

* The first year after we moved here, my husband and I went to the Tulip Festival which is held in the spring in Skagit County, just north of here. Then in the fall we went to the Farm Tour, the same area, where we had a picnic in a beautiful apple orchard. It's such a lovely area to visit.

Buddha in Austin, A Personal Altar

It's almost been a week since my last post and I still don't have images of my new work. Therefore, I thought I'd share three works that I did of Buddha.

The one I'd like to share today is the first one I did as a gift for my daughter. It was done as a personal altar. In it, I have incorporated things that are part of her life and environment. Several years ago, on a visit to Austin she took me to a spot called Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve. Here Hamilton Creek spills out over a limestone cavern where a waterfall creates a beautiful pool at the bottom. Surrounding it was a very rocky trail along the creek where we did a fun hike. It was a beautiful wild spot and a fun day spent together. The trees and creek behind Buddha are from a composite of photos from that area. She also sent me some photos of a tree overhanging some rocks that she thought I'd like. Her little dog Zita was in that photo. I used all these images as inspiration for the background and sides of this work.



It's painted on a 8"x 6" gessobord with 2" sides in acrylic. The top and sides are all a continuation of the same landscape. The little dog is the photo of Zita that I printed out, covered with soft gel medium and then attached with the same medium to the bottom of the work, painting around it to blend it in. The Buddha (from the Medicine Buddha) figure is holding a red jalapeno pepper in one hand and a red tomato in the other. Foods that she uses regularly. Buddha is enclosed in a border to focus the attention for meditation. I did the border using some of the iridescent and gold colors. The black bird is from one of her mosaic works, where she used it as a symbol.

The bottom portion is a 6" x 6" gessobord attached under the 2" bottom, leaving a 4" x 6" base. This I did as a meditation finger labyrinth using tiny painted stones, also attached with gel medium as a glue. I painted the bottom as though it were water extending from the rocks underthe trees into a pond. The stones were were also to represent the mosaic work that she does. I've added a fossil from that area and some roots to bring the piece together.


It's wired to hang or there is also a saw tooth hanger to have it hang flatter. It can also stand on a pedestal as in the photos.














This was a very complex undertaking for me in many ways. I found it very satisfying to do, with thoughts of my daughter floating in and out while working on it. It was very meditative and brought me back to remembering to breathe and let go. I think she was pleased with it. I know it was a big surprise. It was done with love.


Buddha in Austin, A Personal Altar
8" x 6" x 4", Acrylic on Gessobord, (painting continued on deep sides and top), Stones, Fossil and Root Fibers

Please pardon the less than sharp images as I took photos and not scans of the work. This work is copyright of the artist, Barbara A. Freeman, all rights reserved.