Abstractions - Sketches - My Creative Steps
Creativity is a wandering experience of “what ifs”, but also of building skills, and of responding to ones’ particular gift. Creativity exists in all fields, art, music, mechanical and technical pursuits, and in simple day to day problem solving. In this section, I’d like to share some of my creative explorations.
These lovely flowers deserved a painting! YouTube artist, Ian Roberts says, “If it’s worth painting, it’s worth planning”. Who’d have thought?
Here’s my light/dark sketch on a 9 x 12” canvas panel. I’m painting in oils.
My final painting, “Bouquet”, painted in a limited palette of green, purple, some yellow and white of course.
Bouquet
Oil - 10 x 13” framed - $95
The pale blue-purple was so wonderful that I had to paint these flowers!
The Foundry Art Market - Chambersburg, Pa
This is substandard photo (I’m sure you’ll agree), of morning light cutting across the field outside my window. I took the photo through the screen because I wanted to catch the light at that moment. The sun moves very quickly at sunrise, especially when you decide to paint! A photo or quick sketch recalls one’s first impression.
The first underpainting-drawing-value indications. (Oil, 8 x 16” panel)
Roughing in to catch the light/dark, warm/cool feeling, while building towards emphasizing the light.
Studio shot, looking out of the window
The finished painting. “Bright Day Ahead”
Rothko Sky
Oil - 13 x 15” framed - $95
I looked out one night and saw a sky that reminded me of Mark Rothko's amazing color studies. I attempted to walk the line between realism and nature's abstraction.
The Foundry art Market - Chambersburg, Pa
Flower Impressions
Acrylic base, pastel and gouche - 12 x 14” framed - $55
I layered water media and pastel over an acrylic base. It's fun to play and experiment!
The Foundry art Market - Chambersburg, Pa
Bright Day Ahead
Oil - 8 x 16” framed - Sold
I was inspired by morning light on the land, and used warm/cool colors, and contrast, to capture the view.
Snow Shadows
Oil on prepared panel - 17 x 19” framed - $55
I prepared this panel several years ago. It is acrylic used as adhesive (for two fabric pieces adhered to the panel, and then covered with gesso. I’m experimenting with hiding a second image in the painting, which may not be immediately apparent to the viewer. A surprise if you will. The painting is in oil.
Contact maryhickmanart@gmail.com
Thoughts of Mondrian
Acrylic - 18 x 24” Gallery Wrap - Sold
Acrylic paint is one way of dealing with “sparkle addiction”. This is an 18 x 24” stretched canvas painted with sparkly and metallic paints. The painter has to have the sparkles in the upper or top layers, or they won’t shine. Whenever one gets out masking tape, one thinks of Mondrian of course.
Sheltering Within
Acrylic - 20 x 26” Gallery Wrap - $275
This is another acrylic. It is somewhat bigger than 18 x 24”. I was trying to capture a feeling. I call it “Sheltering Within”. I think I did capture that feeling of quietly closing in on oneself, when the need arises.
The Cumberland Shop - Shippensburg, Pa.