Add Text to Acrylic Paintings



Wish, Acrylic, 3"x3", Diana Campbell Rice

 Ok, I admit it is an interesting process.  New techniques in art are much like any new learning process -- you do it until you have mastered it.  I have created four small paintings specifically so I could add text to them.  I have been in quite the abstract mood, so...the paintings reflect that, plus, I just like the controlled randomness of the design. 



Angel Muse Set, Acrylic, 3"x3", Diana Campbell Rice

 So far, I like this painting the best, Wish, top right, and it was the first one I did.  I particularly like the colors and how the text was incorporated.

The next design, found in the Angel Muse Set, was created as the final painting in the set.  Not sure if you can read the text...where angels dare to tread -- Perfect for bringing out the expression I wanted for this collection. Very pleased with the new addition -- finally, it all works.

It is so fun to stretch and try new techniques.  If you are interested in learning how to add print or any image to acrylic paintings, just follow the link and...experiment!

Cheers!
DCR

Here's a link to an indepth discussion on how to do it.

The elegant art of saying thank you


 

The gracious art of sending a personal Thank You note has almost disappeared from the human landscape.  Quite often these days, we say thanks through our electronic devices and social media.  Expressing appreciation is important, no matter how it gets done, but nothing replaces a hand-written note.  The receiver knows you had to go out of your way. 



Doors & Hallways, Organic Zen, Watercolor, Diana Campbell Rice



The personal note expresses you in so many ways...it is tactile and offers info about your tastes and sentiments.  Stuck for something to say?  I offer an article with the words needed for many occasions, including professional.  Please feel free to use in your notes.  Just scroll down on this site until you reach the topic titled Pages.  Click on Write a Memorable Thank You Note...and you have a great resource for a penned Thank You card.

Need a card?  I offer those too, and at great prices...$2 per card in the sets... for beautiful, professional art prints.  Here is the link.  http://dcrdesign.us/ 

Enjoy, and write that Thank You note, you will make a lasting impression!

Diana

Schedule Creativity? Yeah, it works!

Where did the time go?

Working Out Life, Native American Series,
Watercolor & ink, Diana Campbell Rice

Lately, I find my self more and more involved commenting on face book than writing my blogs -- including this one, which ties directly to my sales site.  So, I knew it was time to have a discussion with myself about priorities, creativity and a plan.

Creating art for the specific purpose of selling -- either originals, prints or notes -- is just like any other business.  You have to work at it.  Marketing, promoting and selling art is a necessary part of the business plan and these days, it includes social media. 

I write because I really, really enjoy it.  This blog shares my art, philosophy and some good tips for other artists.  I paint and draw because I love it.  So, how does that fit into a creativity plan?

The Plan
1.  Just like a job - you go to work at a certain time and finish at a specific time.  Pick the times that work best for you (a schedule) and stick with it.  Think about your daily routine and schedule a time frame when you won't be interrupted.
2.  Give yourself some adjustment time in the studio -- 15 mins. or so to mental review your project for the day.  Think about your work -- gather your ideas.
3.  Make sure you have the supplies you need -- nothing is as bothersome and disrupting as running out of paint, paper...
3.  When you are in the studio at your scheduled time, avoid distractions, including, kids, spouses, friends, and phone calls.  Often, people don't get it that when you are creating in the studio, you are actually working.  You have one goal -- create -- don't confuse that with laundry, food prep, house cleaning, chatting with friends or appointments.
4.  Dress the part -- I love my painting clothes, apron, etc.  Wearing them is the signal for me that I am ready to paint.
5.  Take care of yourself and prepare for your work day -- eat something before you start; have a beverage handy and take regular timed breaks.
6.  Build in a schedule that includes all the activities you need to get done -- for example -- Mon./Wed./Fri. - create/painting time; Tues. - blog, social media, return emails, work-related phone calls; Thurs. -- all the other stuff it takes to keep the studio flowing -- meetings, shopping, errands, mailing, responding, packaging, etc. (You can mix and match on Tues./Thurs. because life happens).

I am working with my creativity plan with good result.  I hope these ideas help you put together a plan that keeps you creating!

My art is offered at http://www.dcrdesign.us/. 

Cheers,
DCR  

Acrylics -- how to keep the paint wet and a great class for beginners.

Acrylic Painting -- you learn to move with it

Muse 1 and Muse 2, acrylic and pen, 3x3", Diana Campbell Rice

Talk about a whole new art experience.  I am taking an acrylics painting class and it has taken me out of my comfort zone in a big way.  My forte has been painting in watercolor with a little foray into oils.  Acrylic-based painting is an animal of a different color.  Here is a set of four small painting I recently completed.

Acrylic-based paints are a hugely versatile medium and can be applied to any oil and wax free surface. For an artist, it means acrylics can be used for almost any purpose -- painting on pottery, clothing, wood, glass, in addition to canvas or paper.

To put it simply, acrylic paint is fabulous. . . but unlike oil paints, acrylics dry very quickly. As I learned, ff you’re not careful you can end up destroying brushes and wasting paint.

Muse-touched 1 and Muse-Touched 2,
acrylic, 3x3", Diana Campbell Rice

The secret is to keep the brushes in water until you can thoroughly clean them -- do not let the paint dry on them or any reason.  And, I recommend cleaning your brushes after each painting session.

Oh, and what about wasted paint -- it will dry right on your palette.  Here is a link to a great article on paint-saving tips -- or how to keep your acrylic paints wet on the palette.  I have used these tips and can tell you -- they work.  http://emptyeasel.com/2009/08/11/how-to-keep-your-acrylic-paints-wet-on-the-palette/

Also, I am providing a link to the class I am taking at The Foundry.  The class is taught by artist, Linda Osburn.  She is an amazing teacher -- supportive with beginners; answers all your questions and nurtures individual expression.  You can contact The Foundry directly for information on this and future classes.  
http://www.facebook.com/dianacampbellrice#!/event.php?eid=166571410050917

I can say I am on my way to becoming an acrylic artist.  Man!

Cheers,
DCR 

A whole new look -- art + movement & music -- I like it

Kiss, Organic Zen
Diana Campbell Rice

Talk about inspiration...revamping my art website renewed my art spirit.  Funny how that works!  I have an amazing web designer who is not only creative, but actually cares about what I think.  Seeing my art and fine art note cards displayed on my sales site with movement and music made me see them in a new way.  It was so refreshing to view my work in an updated format.  

The purpose of any sales website is, of course, sales.  As an artist, the entire image of the web site matters to me -- from the words, to visual, to ease of purchase.  I wanted to delight visitors with my art work and cards...and create a site that helps them move from image to image easily.  I especially like the purchase page on this site featuring mini-versions of each of my current collections -- it is so helpful for purchasers.

Thanks to the Rice Agency for capturing my work beautifully and designing a site with visitors in mind.  If you are interested in a website, I recommend Rice Agency -- 661.588.2488.  Here is the link to my new website:  www.dcrdesign.us -- take a look. I would love your feedback.

Sincerely,

DCR

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

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!



 

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

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