Through The Looking Glass

Through the Looking Glass

I gotta wonder about myself when I paint these abstracts. Somehow that red thing on the left makes me think of a portal into alternate universe. Or maybe it's my subconscious looking into Mars the red planet.

See more flights of fancy in my Abstract Gallery

Walker

The Sky - Paint Matters

In my last post I mentioned I use canvas boards for practice. It's an inexpensive way to experiment. I also mentioned that, in my opinion, expensive brushes are not necessarily better.

As far as paint is concerned I have been using student quality aka Liquitex Basics and Michael's Artist's Loft Level 1. I consider my skill  Level -5 with no intention of persuing painting for anything other than a most enjoyable hobby. Economizing has been a focus.

I even went so far as using Exterior Latex paint I bot at Home Depot. That's really economical. I bot the primary colors red, blue, yellow plus white and mixed my own colors from there. House paint has UV protection built in. Funny thing is I painted my all time favorite this winter using house paint. I liked it so much I framed it!

My Montana

The main drawback to house paint is that the colors are muted but they were perfect for the feeling I was going for with "My Montana", rustic and warm. I was also quite proud of myself for being able to mix the colors from the primaries.

Had to use the flash to take this and got the flashback off the glass. If you're interested you can see what the colors really look like by clicking here.

This past week Michael's had a 60% off coupon. I have a pretty good inventory of canvases and I wasn't about to buy another expensive brush so I decided to treat myself to some Winsor & Newton Series 1 which Michael's calls a Level 2.

I bot the Cerulean Blue Hue and took it out for a test drive on a canvas board. OMG! What an amazing color and it goes on so smooth! I was so enraptured by the color I just kept painting away until I had covered the entire 11 x 14 board. Now I can't bare the thought of sullying it by painting anything else on the field so I'm just calling it "The Sky". It is now an abstract celestial painting. 😎

The Sky

At this point I have to recommend one buy the best quality paint they can afford. It makes a world of difference.

©Walker Barnard

Impassioned Sky

It's been awhile since I posted. Not because I haven't been painting but because I went off on a tangent writing a blog about rocks and crystals. Actually, I have been painting quite a bit and loving every minute of it.

As it turned out there was to be one more in my "Sky Series" and here it is.

Impassioned Sky

It's been a brutal winter here in NW Montana but I have barely noticed. The time has just flown by what with painting, rock collecting and guitar lessons. But, starting to get twitchy for spring now. Once spring gets started everything but the rock collecting will be taking a back seat to hiking. I'm hoping to go rock hounding at Garnet this spring. If we make it Molly will tell about it on her blog...... Maybe.

©Walker Barnard

Sky Rockets in Flight

I seem to be on a celestial bent. I have absolutely no idea why. It's just one of those things where I choose colors and let the paint brush go where it will. LOL! I think I have just developed my very first series, quite accidentally. "Sky Rockets in Flight" is the fifth in an accidental series of abstract paintings. The others are "Kootenai Sunset", "Cosmic Sunrise", "Spirit Sky" and "The Source".

Sky Rockets in Flight

The name Sky Rockets in Flight just popped into my head along with the tune to Sky Rockets in Flight Afternoon Delight. My fellow seniors may recall the 1976 Starland Vocal Band song by that title.

Here are the five pieces in the series. Oh yippee I have a series!

Celestial Series

I have no idea if there will be others in this series. It will just depend on how the celestial winds blow.

If you've never tired your hand at painting you really should. You most likely will surprise yourself like I did.  It's just a colossal joy to watching your creation being born. And, an even more colossal joy to look at it on the wall whilst thinking, "I made that".  And, painting is so much easier than photography.

©Walker Barnard