Spring Semester Watercolor ~ Project 3

 

What does a botanist, a mid-1980’s movie enthusiast, and someone who enjoys a play on words all have in common?

They might be the first set of folks to piece together some of the mysterious aspects of my latest watercolor project.

Titled: Under the Bleachers by Seymour

This painting ended up being more of an abstract piece than I originally intended, as if it came to life from another dimension. What do you see? What fascinates you, what is a bit unsettling? Most important did you find the egg?

Happy day to you all, and remember some ideas are beseeching for you to bring them to life.

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Spring Semester Watercolor ~ Project Two

 

Spring semester project two titled - Below the Radar.
Practicing bravery. Showing up. Being seen.

Happy end of the work week everyone.

Updated 4/5/21

Artist statement:

Below the Radar

Spring approaches and as the inlet ice begins to break up, a sly raven takes flight to observe the changes. Unwilling to draw attention, our raven flies below the radar in order to have first dibs on any newly exposed treasures.

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Spring Semester Watercolor ~ Project One

 

Spring semester project one titled - At the Cliffs Edge.
Practicing bravery. Showing up. Being seen.

Happy end of the work week everyone.

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Update: this piece of mine has been nominated to be in the 2D/3D Art Exhibition at the Hugh McPeck Gallery. Below is my artist statement to go with this entry into the exhibition.

At the Cliff’s Edge
Transparent Watercolor
14x18 inches
Arches 300-pound Cold Press

Searching for my voice, with a pen or with a brush, is a continual labor for structure and balance, a search for technique and individuality. As I practice my skills of persuading watercolor pigments across the paper to form shapes with shadow and depth, sometimes forcefully and other times fluidly, I wonder where it is leading me. To better answer this question, I turn to nature.

Nature can be beautiful, ruthless and evasive, consisting of a multitude of textures and hues. When we stand at the cliff’s edge we never know what we might find. This day we find a grouping of tender wildflowers clinging to a patch of soil hoping everything will turn out well in the end.

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Textures ~ Project 3 for the New Semester

 

It is finals week here at the University of Alaska Anchorage and I have just finished my last project for this semesters watercolor class. I titled this piece - A Walk in the Park. It is transparent watercolor 23 x 15 on Arches Cold Press 300 lb paper.

Did you find the egg? Heeheehee!  Happy day to everyone. All my best to you and yours and continued good health!

Updated 4/5/21

Artist statement:

A Walk in the Park

Walking through a park on a beautiful summer day we encounter many sights of wonder; tall trees, statues, birds or artwork that add to our enjoyment. When you view this watercolor piece do you see an owl about ready to take flight or a statue set in iron? As you walk in the park today I hope your eyes behold wonderment and delight.

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Reflections ~ Project Two for the New Semester

Project two for the new semester, reflections. What you see is the barn at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks Alaska, on a spring day.

The clouds and reflections sure gave me a paintbrush challenge and there were thoughts of becoming a quitter. But that is not me. Quitting was not an option so I struggled forward and completed the painting.

No rest for the weary - moving on to project three - textures.

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Inkdigo ~ Project One for the New Semester

Inkdigo by Julia M. D'June

My next watercolor goal is to take Advanced Watercolor, however this course is only offered in the spring semester. I decided that I would take Beginning Watercolor again this fall semester, to stay practiced and actively engaged in a creative pursuit.  

Project one (I did not count the eggs & lines this time) is the indigo assignment, and the parameters included the use of only indigo paint, and the gradient is to be light to dark with no light next to light or dark next to dark of the same gray scale. 

Last fall semester's Dragon Flyer.

Ready. Set. Go. On to the next assignment, reflections and the use of masking to achieve clean lines. 

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Semester Two ~ Final Project

The semester has come to an end, and I have submitted my final piece. 

Any suggestions on a title?   

I will miss my talented classmates and awesome instructor. This summer I hope to continue painting and keeping my skills sharpened and my ideas fluid. 

Summer... the thought of summer makes my inside giddy with anticipation.   

Have a great day my friends and an amazing May Day weekend ahead. 

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Semester Two Project Three

Project Three ~ Thiebaud's Approach 

Based off artist Wayne Thiebaud.

Project objectives:

Eliminate the horizon line

Dramatic cropping 

Eastern prospective 

Shadow & shape treatments 

I have titled this piece "Climb and Maintain 2000". 

Or it could be "Just Keep Flying"

Or "Chaos"

Or "My COVID-19 Piece", like Picasso's blue period.  

Anywho. Moving on to the final.

Continued health my friends. Stay strong. Share kindness.

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Semester Two Project Two

#americanpieintheskysoami

Project two, called Pittman's Layers by our instructor, had to have six of the ten elements listed below. 

Type/lettering

Continuous tone

High/minimum contrast

Transparency 

Graphic pattern 

Flat value of color

Silhouette 

Outline

Color scheme 

Textures 

The art pieces are intended to be abstract, which is not my natural affinity in art but I gave it my best shot. Google Lari Pittman for a bit of insight into what was presented to the class as examples for the completion of this project. 

Oh and can you find the egg? Heeheehee!

On to project three - Thiebaud's Approach. 

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Semester Two Project One

Shadow of a Kingpin ~ by Julia Mist DJG ~ February 6, 2020

Semester two project one, a Rack painting. Aerial view, one light source, items that are tied together in meaning (belonging to one person or topic), and the shadows are to give the viewer the perspective.

'Shadow of a Kingpin' - the composition is made up of items my Dad created plus a little bit of his heart.

Bravery in action - showing up to class - painting in front of others - making mistakes - planning a recovery- partaking in a class critique - sharing with you here.  It is by no means perfect but it was a labor of love (and for a grade - which in itself is a good motivator).

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