On Going Abstract

I've been going in two directions at once recently.  On the one hand, my paintings are getting very abstract, which is lots of fun.  It's so interesting to explore shapes, patterns and color without necessarily worrying about depicting a realistic or representational scene.  My Red Mountain series, originally inspired by the red desserts of Australia and the Southwest United States, is evolving into a delving into amazing color, brush strokes and design.  Here's an example:

 

Red Mountain XIV, Oil, 24 x 24



Seasons

Well, it's certainly been a while since I've posted, but I've been painting away like mad. My latest series is called Seasons, which is an exploration of the colors and moods of the seasons of the year. So far, I've completed "Summer Garden" and made great progress on "Autumn Blaze." I've just updated my website so you can see them there, but here's an example:

This is Autumn Blaze I, oil, 16 x 20, available framed for $410.00. Do please contact me to purchase. Free delivery on all orders.

Color Garden Series

I've just finished a series of pastel paintings which is absolutely gorgeous, if I say so myself. I'm calling it Color Gardens, because it's an exploration of super-saturated colors in rich pastels. They're each 9 x 12 inches, and I'm selling them for $225. each. They'll be framed in 3 inch wide gold frames, very simple and elegant. I'm just waiting for the frames to arrive - they're on back-order. How annoying!

You can see the rest of them on my website: www.LipkinGallery.com.

Pastel Demo at Plainfield Art League

At the Plainfield Art League, I laid out a variety of pastels, including Nupastel, Rembrandts, Sennelier, and Unisons. Explaining as I worked, I roughed in the painting, working top to bottom and back to front. Then I went back into it and added detail. The whole painting took about an hour. This was a nice group of people, and they asked a lot of questions, which is always fun. There is nothing worse than a roomful of silence, but I love it when there is plenty going on as I work. I finished the painting at home, increasing contrasts, adding details, refining the design. Here it is.

Pastel Demo at Plainfield Art League

In May, I was invited to do a demonstration of pastel technique at the Plainfield Art League. I prepared for it by doing a drawing first, and then an underpainting using oils on Wallis sanded paper. Here are some pix -

You can see that I did a thumbnail sketch, followed by a pencil drawing on the paper. Then I painted in, very loosely, an oil underpainting, using opposite (complementary) colors.

Top Artist

I attended the Art Expo in Lisle, IL this week-end, and got quite a few bargains. I also participated in the Top Artist Contest, and won 2nd Prize! There were 5 contestants. The organizers set up easels for us, with a sheet of sanded pastel paper, and gave each of us 3 Holbein pastel sticks: black, light gray, and pink. They set a white bowl with red apples on a table, and told us to do a still life painting in 8 minutes, using only the 3 colors. There were 3 judges from the sponsors of the Expo, and they took their time. But they eliminated 2 of the contestants after this round. I was really nervous, and didn't want to hear my name called, and when I heard 2 other names, I took a deep breath. Here's my round 1 painting.

For the second challenge, they recruited a model from the audience, and gave the remaining 3 contestants each a yellow and a blue pastel, to add to the gray, black, and pink ones we already had. The assignment was to create a portrait of the model in 5 minutes, using only the 5 colors. At the end of the 5 minutes, the judges studied each picture, taking their time, while we contestants held our collective breath. Each of the 3 portraits was well-done, and each very different, of course. But finally, the judges made their decision. I won 2nd Place. Here's my effort.

For having a really good time, I got all sorts of good loot. Can't wait to go to Dick Blick and spend my gift certificates and coupons.

Top Artist

I'll be at the Art Expo at the Hickory Ridge Marriott in Woodridge, IL on Saturday, July 11, at 4 to 5 pm, competing in the Top Artist Pastel Painting contest. It should be a lot of fun. The challenge is for 5 artists to each do their best work in the time alloted, using materials supplied by the various vendors. There will be a prize awarded by a panel of judges for the best work. Wish me luck!