A few weeks ago, I was thinking about the farm. My parents live on a farm and I grew up visiting my grandparents' farm every summer. So many happy memories and images rise to the surface of my brain when I think about those summers. I decided to make some farm-inspired art. I initially wanted to use a delicate, muted color palette, one that would evoke the worn-away, dreamy, wheat-colored landscape. But... well, I just couldn't do it. Those neon bright colors kept making their way into my hands. So, I gave up and created some technicolor farm life instead.
I used layers of water-soluble crayons, an oil paintstick, and gold acrylic paint. The textures were created by scratching through the layers with a pencil.
The gold acrylic paint looks a lot like gold leaf on top of the water-soluble pencil.
Notice... no drawing skills here... I decided not to focus on accurate depiction, just quick movements and lots of color!
How about you? How does your personal history influence your art? What themes come up? How do you put your own spin on those images?
A "happy bubble of art" seems an understatement today, Jenny! The beautiful arrangements of color have brought back farm memories for me, too! My grandparents lived on a farm in rural Illinois (a long way from Boston!). We didn't spend summers there, but pretty much every weekend. It was a period in my life full of good times and wonderful memories. Love your drawings and that you arrived there with such simple tools, yet masterfully constructed! Thanks so very much for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words, Kay. Where in Illinois? I went to high school and college there and know there are so many beautiful farms and so much rural space. (many hours driving through the cornfields to get back to school after winter break!)
DeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and your community as you all get through this difficult time.
Thanks for he thoughts and prayers for Boston, Jenny! We are healing, but are definitely waiting for judgement! I was born in Streator, Illinois, about 90 miles SW of Chicago. My grandparents farm was in Blackstone. My sister and I have found ourselves back in Streator on a couple of occasions and have visited the family homestead--which is not just cornfields.
DeleteOh gosh how wonderful are these, I want to meet all your enchanted farm creatures and live in that technicolor world. Luckily I can still see critters in my part of the world. xox
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised you like all this color, Corrine!
DeleteAAA! Love it, love it, love it!! Absolutely fantabulous!
ReplyDeleteGREAT color- I have a bunch of these water soluble crayons- went on a binge a few weeks back- I've been very timid using them because they were so very expensive- will have to throw caution to the wind and do this because it's really making me feel JOY to see it.
I love the scratches and I REALLY love that you used gold paint on this as well- it's positively popping off the page!
PS did you get my blog reply? I thought by just hitting "reply" it would send an email to whoever leaves questions but I guess that's not the case?
In any case the woodgrain veneer I used is Maple and it's super light and thin. I bought it an a custom wedding invitation shop and I tried to fold it over but it cracked. I guess it's more for painting and printing on.
I can send you some if they still have it in stock- I'm pretty sure you can find it locally in a high end wedding invite place. I know Michael's had some but it was thicker and had a paper backing- this one is pure wood- really gorgeous.
Thanks for swinging my blog by the way!
You do indeed need to throw caution to the wind and use those crayons! They actually last a long time. The color is so vivid and rich, you don't have to use that much to get great results.
DeleteThanks for the info on the wood. I am going to look for some at Michael's. It looks so pretty.
As always, great to hear from you!
These are so nice. I love the technique you used and can imagine you using it to draw non farm related things (although the farm animals are a really cute topic!). You have so many different techniques so your artwork is quite varied, but one thing always comes through, and that is the use of wonderful colours. That and your delightful sense of humor.
ReplyDelete