Abstracts and Self-Value...a learning experience



Sunset Geo, Organic Zen Note Cards, Diana Campbell Rice, 
Note Card or Small Print

 Watercolor abstracts have been holding my attention for awhile.  There are times when I just love the freedom abstract impression gives me.  I am free to let my mind wander and my hands along with it.  This one, Sunset Geo, is one of the images in my latest line of fine art notecards, Organic Zen. 


A friend, CJ Jones, recently shared a post from social media guru, Jim Kukral, with the advice to stop devaluing what you know -   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSIJipEhUhY  I think many artists do just that -- they depend upon others to tell them their work is "good".   So many times we view our pieces as successful only if someone buys them.  I know, I have been there.     

This past year I have had the opportunity and time to explore, express and value -- value my own artistic ability and let it be expressed.  Yeah, I appreciate sales as much as anyone and depend upon them.  But what I have learned in this past year isn't about trending my art toward sales...it has been about loving the expression in the form it takes.  For me, art is sometime loose, casual drawings finished with watercolor and ink.  Sometimes my art is totally whimsical, with a simple, structured, and focused charm.  

Lately, the wildness and freedom of abstract design is all about trusting myself as an artist.  I love this new sense of value...so Jim Kukral's post resonated with me.  I hope you view it -- only a few minutes -- and take it to heart.  Thanks, CJ, for sharing -- I will pass on the message -- it is a good one.

Cheers...and...thinking of sales...the website to purchase my work is found at http://www.dcrdesign.us/

Best,
DCR

Texture/Splatter -- Yes, in watercolor!

For the love of trees

Forest Sunset, Organic Zen, Diana Campbell Rice
6.5 x 7.5

I love trees.  I love the movement of trees.  In this abstract, titled Forest Sunset, I wanted to capture that movement without putting it into an actual drawing of a tree. My goal was to emphasize the feeling of the forest at sunset -- looking out through the trees. The techniques I used worked out well. 

In this watercolor, pen and ink painting, I used a soft toothbrush dipped in the paint to cause the splatter and movement -- layering the splatter through each paint and dry cycle.   

I layered paint and splatters and used my favorite scratching tools to add texture and more movement -- again through each cycle.  The sunset is representational with the orange lines and tiny circles.  As a finishing touch I added the tiny orange squares.

Forest Sunset, is part of my newest line of greeting cards and small prints, Organic Zen, coming soon to my website http://www.dcrdesign.us/

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.

- Scott Adams 

Here's to creativity,
DCR

Jody Hollier, photographer, artist, writer...an introduction...

I am pleased to feature artist and colleague, Jody Hollier, on this week's blog.   A talented professional, Jody's photos are insightful, warm and relevant. She captures images we probably all see... but somehow don't register as significant of touching beauty.  I recommend you visit Jody's sites and support her as an artist.  I asked Jody to talk about herself and her work in an Artist Statement.   

Side note: Jody is the daugher of Judy Salamacha, a well-known community member, now living on the central coast

Jody Hollier
Artist Statement

After the rain, 8x8 photograph, JA Hollier

I grew up in Bakersfield, California, and at 18, life's adventures led me to Louisiana, where I attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts.

My artwork reflects my fascination with details- the varied colors and forms of metal, the grace of a rain drop clinging to a berry and the many images that surround us and often go by unnoticed in the hurry of living. It is my intent to draw attention to these details, elevating them from a fleeting glance and to offer them some permanence in this world.

The link to my Etsy site (direct to the photography): http://www.etsy.com/shop/jahollier?section_id=7136262

and to my FB page is http://www.facebook.com/jodyhollierphotography

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I borrowed this quote from Jody's facebook page...I think it speaks to the heart of every artist:

“I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is - Who in the world am I? -- Lewis Carroll

What was I thinking?

Spectre Halloween, Watercolor/Pen & Ink
Diana Campbell Rice 2010

When you look at an art piece, do you wonder what the artist was thinking about?  What was the vision?  How did the artist arrive at the final work?

For me, I usually have a general idea of of what it is I want to capture.  In this case, I wanted to make a statement about Halloween in an abstract or representational format.  I like the idea that the lights look vaguely like candy corn, while the black lines could represent a spookish forest and the detailed dotting might conjure up the idea of poltergeists.  The repetition of orange in the background re-enforces the whole Halloween black and orange theme -- instantly identifiable.  In looking at it again, it could also be reflective of Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

This piece is available as an "Infiniti Crow Tiny Studio Art" (5 x 7 in.) print and may be released as a fine art note card in the future.  I have an entire theme of Halloween cards dancing in my mind -- mostly the cute variety.  I have made them and given away to friends for years, but haven't really thought of commercializing a line.

Anyway, many All Hallows Nights come and gone...enjoy!
DCR

New Abstracts - Organic Zen

Watercolor, Pen, Ink, Layering and Texturing


Organic, Organic Zen, Diana Campbell Rice, 5x7 card or larger print



   In one of my posts I promised to add artwork I created recently using non-traditional techniques.  This set, Organic Zen, features depth of watercolor through layering and the use of clayboard scratching tools.  I love the depth of color and textural touches.  You can also see my love of detail with pen and ink additions in some of the pieces to complete the design.  I encourage you to try the scratching tools in your own work.  I was happy with the results after a bit of experimenting.  Good luck!


Kiss, Organic Zen, Diana Campbell Rice, 5x7 card or larger print





Rice Agency photographs all my work and provides the digitization for print. I am very pleased with all the finished products, but in this group, it was especially difficult to capture the texturing.  Great job by Rice Agency.  The images turned out very nicely and will have great impact as fine art note cards on white, glossy, premium cover stock.  This particular set, Organic Zen, is also suitable for 6 x 8 in. prints.

I have included two images of the six cards in this set.  They are very dramatic as note cards and certainly out of the ordinary.  The set will be available soon through my website, dcrdesign.us    

O'Keeffe Online



Summer Days (1936) Georgia O'Keeffe



If you you enjoy the works of Georgia O'Keeffe, you will appreciate this site offered by the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.  I had the opportunity to stay in a lovely inn in Santa Fe where she and friends used to gather for conversations and parties.



We also had dinner in the Georgia O'Keeffe Cafe, next door to the museum - very simple, very elegant. The museum is lovely. 



Here is the link: http://contentdm.okeeffemuseum.org/

  

Ghost Ranch gives you a sense of the beauty of isolation -- underrated in our society by today's standards.  The landscape is immense and private.  It helps if you like the desert, which I do and find it irrevocably beautiful.

Quite private in her later years, I applaud her sense of irreverance and a comedia del arte in pulling the legs of establishment-climbing critics.

The enclosed photo is not a full representation of that particular piece.



More info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_O%27Keeffe 

Today isn't doing it for me...how to stay in the sacred creative zone... x10

Oh yeah, we have all been there.  It doesn't matter if it is an art piece, a book chapter, craft...whatever, there are times when we sit in the studio and flip through a magazine -- anything, anything, rather than create.  Worse, we don't even go into "the studio".



I have been thinking about the tools I use to pull myself back into that creative zone -- the point where I actually paint or write.  It might be called looking for inspiration.  Here are some suggestions that might help you -- they work for me.

1.  First, you have to be in the physical space -- just commit to that part.  Go into the studio or space where you do your thing -- create.  If it is not at your home, get into the car and actually go there.

Wait, wait, wait...

You know what, I take back #1. Go sit on the patio or spread a blanket at the park or take up some room on your couch.  Go visit your favorite coffee shop, clothing store, museum, cafe.   


Now, do your thing.  Shop , think, eat, look, take in nature...just let your mind wander -- don't force any issues -- and just be.  It isn't inspirational to demean yourself because you aren't creating. That little demon only adds to your frustration and spiraling self-esteem.  So you are going to mentally redirect your thoughts -- if the negative pops up, squash it.  You will get back to the studio soon enough.


Typically, creative opposition is a combination of external and internal forces:

• external -- the light doesn't work in your studio, so in order to produce, you have to find a new light bulb and put it in and all that.
• internal -- self-talk in the form of, "you know, my work isn't all that great anyway."

Creativity is also about choices.  You can choose to work your way past it.  You can choose to coax yourself to work past it.

Coaxing yourself (my deal is painting, but you can apply the tips below for other arts)


1. Go online and look at other people's work.  This inspires me to create every single time.
2.  Go to several art galleries -- the atmosphere is 98% pure creativity -- you can't help but soak it up.
3.  Get together with colleagues who create and see what they are up to.  If you have a group or collaboration, get into a discussion about the illusive muse.
4.  Buy new materials...love this one.  I always want to use them right away.
5.  If you can't bring yourself to paint -- write about it -- think about your next project and put some goals (and sketches) on paper.  Don't write a thesis here, just jot down some thoughts. Draw, doodle, connect.
6.  Play.  Play with your paint on paper.  Go back to creating a color wheel of your paints.
Really, once you pick up the brush...it's all good.
7.  Paint a familiar theme, landscape, style, still-life.  This technique makes you feel good immediately -- you already know you are good at it.
8. Bring music into your studio.
9.  Change the studio environment with candles, rearranged furniture, added artwork, posted sayings...you get the idea.
10.  Take a power walk around the block with the promise that when you return, you will go into the studio and do one of the things on this list.  Exercise frees us, changes our head and gives us a new view.

OK now.  You can stumble, step, dive or slip into creativity.  Stay focused and positive even if it is coaxed or forced...you will soon move into that creative space again and naturally, easily, happily... do your thing.

Best wishes!



 

Linked In...artists...connect!


  As a professional artist, if you haven't joined LinkedIn -- you may want to do so...soon.

You will need to create a free account to get used to using it, then can upgrade from there as it fits your needs.  Go to this link http://learn.linkedin.com/what-is-linkedin/



Photo courtesy of Rice Agency



LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 80 million members and growing rapidly. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals. 

In the groups section, you can join groups that pertain to the arts community -- it puts you in contact with people in your specific area of interest.

Take a look...I am so glad I did.

Best wishes,

DCR  

The art of scratching...love it!

As a watercolorist -- love that term -- I like to move away from traditional techniques from time to time.  I have discovered scratching tools that are designed to work on clayboard.  Guess what?  Those same tools provide interesting and unusual results when applied to a dry watercolor painting.  As I became a bit more brave, I applied deeper layers of paint before using the scratch tools and I have to say I like the textured results.  I had one or two mishaps where I used the tools a little too vigorously, but I actually like that finish, too. 

One of the tools is like multi-fingered wire stubs...oh my gosh, what it does for trees.  I am working in abstract right now -- if fits my mood -- and the tools were the muse.  I will post some photos for you soon.  I think you might be surprised and pleased with all the glorious texture. 

My greatest comfort zone is specfic color and detail, detail, detail.  Working in the abstract mode with these tools has given me permission to just apply color, more color, and then take some away.  Next, I added the detail -- splatter, dots, lines and connections.  I tend to work up to a design point after the majority of painting is completed. 

As a greeting card designer, I remember that my art can be digitized and sized.  I have a vision with each piece -- not only as a print, but a finished card as well.  I enjoy the freedom this discovery has given me.  I don't feel the need to worry over each little thing and, when I begin using the scratching tools, a new idea for the intention of the piece usually comes through.

I have included one of my pieces, which has actually become the logo for this site and a greeting card...Infiniti Crow. I am really pleased with it and will use it in a variety of sizes.

Try the scratching tools -- they can be found at jerrysartarama for $14.  Not bad... http://search.jerrysartarama.com/search?keywords=clayboard+scratching+tools

Photograph is infiniti crow art.  Makes me happy.  DCR

My love - Native American Artwork

Why Native American Art?

A friend on Face Book visited my website.  Happily, he loved it... and was surprised that I did Native American (NA) artwork.  His comments got me thinking about why I love creating NA art.  I began drawing and painting my own interpretations of NA art on my first visit to Sedona, AZ over twelve years ago.  We were fortunate to stay for two weeks -- long enough to absorb the beauty and history.  We explored, took photos (my husband is an excellent photographer) ate, talked to people, took in the historic sites and those off the beaten path.  We came to love the place. 

Eagles Return/DCR

While I was there, I filled up with a need to paint and communicate my own version of love for the spirit of NA culture.  I have wondered if my deep feelings for all things NA came from a family connection.  My great grandfather on my mother's side was full Cherokee.  As was common at that time, he was adopted by a white family, his name was changed and he became immersed in a completely different society than the one in which he was born.  I never met him.  My mom passed on when I was very young, so I really didn't get to know her side of the family and he had passed on at that time as well.

As well as watercolor and oils, my NA art has extended to the creation of fetish dolls and hand-carved, hand-sanded (38 times) and hand-decorated walking staffs -- many of them are in some nice galleries and private collections around the country.  I haven't created the fetish dolls or staffs in a long time and I am not sure I will return to them. They are very, very labor intensive and my heart has moved on for now. 

I used silver, elk hide, horse hair, fur, feathers, turquoise/other beads and copper on the staffs. The same materials went into the fetishes along with 100-year old muslin, wood, slate and pen work.

Last year, we took a trip to Santa Fe, NM.  Let me tell you, after a week in that art mecca, fabulous desert, Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch and the historic Turquoise Inn where we stayed, my being again swelled with inspiration to create Native American art.

We visited the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum in Santa Fe -- I highly recommend it.  Here is the link http://www.iaia.edu/museum/ if you are interested in American Indian art.  It is very contemporary and the artists are serious about their work.  

My NA artwork definitely has my own flair and vision.  You can see my Native American Collection of greeting cards on my website at  http://www.dcrdesign.us/index.htm

I would love in your feedback and comments.  Here's to inspiration!


Diana        

New website launched!



http://www.dcrdesign.us/

 The day arrived -- we launched the new DCRdesign art website featuring my greeting cards and art.  The site is simple, beautiful and very user friendly.  Please take a look -- I would love to know what you think -- either at this site or by email.  We have had positive feedback and a few orders already -- a great beginning.  A sincere thank you to Rice Agency for their beautiful web design, patience and great care to get it right.

I will begin updating this site (infiniti crow) more often, introducing new art and explaining the process behind different pieces.  Please visit my new site at
http://www.dcrdesign.us/index.htm 

Exciting...

Good news!  We are coming closer to unveiling the new website, complete with merchandising capability.  As you know, building a custom website takes time and commitment.  We are almost there and look forward to sharing it with you!

Regards,
DCR 

Coming soon...

DCRdesign is proud to introduce artwork by Diana Campbell Rice.  Diana's work has been featured in galleries on the Central West Coast, San Diego, Colorado and Alaska.  She has a national and international client base.  Her website, featuring a catalog of Diana's greeting cards and small studio prints, will be coming online in the next few months.  This blog, Infiniti Crow, will support the website in introducing new art and offerings.

Diana Campbell Rice

Artist Statement

Diana Campbell Rice
My first choice is a small format and main emphasis has been watercolor, pen and ink, with great attention to detail.  I am now exploring oil with happy results.

Along with than strategic college art courses, I am primarily self-taught.  Needless to say, the process has been an adventure and interesting journey.

"What art offers is space -- a certain breathing room for the spirit."
-- John Updike

Greeting cards fit my love of a small, minimalistic format with controlled design.  Working in oil has given way to larger pieces in experiemental abstracts and representational work with a focus on color and movement.

Art is limitless and the more we engage it, the more we understand our own gifts.  For me, it has been an organic process of learning, growing and finding new expression.

To describe my philosophy, vision and passion for art... I would say each of those areas continually develop as I learn to trust and communicate with freedom.