By Popular Demand!

Several of you asked for it...

 and it is my great pleasure to respond by showing you...

for the first time on this blog...

or anywhere else for that matter...

Some of my wonderful husband, Alvin Spicuzza's paintings!

This one fascinates me... It is done with alcohol inks on Yupo paper. The figure is a result of Alvin using a permanent black fine point Sharpie to outline some of the naturally occurring shapes created by manipulating the ink flow while the painting was still wet. That's what makes this art form so much fun, you never know what might show up.
He named this painting "The Dark Crystal" after a movie we saw a long time ago in which the characters were actually puppets created by Jim Henson of Muppet fame.

As you can see, Alvin leans toward abstracts. This one is entitled "Artifact".

There is one more of his that I absolutely love, but you'll have to wait to see it unless you come to The Crescent City Brewhouse on Decatur Street in New Orleans. We are both participating in an art exhibition being held there during the month of September.
So, if you are in the French Quarter next month, stop in and check it out!

A New Experiment in Art!

I'm finally trying to get back to blogging after quite some time. I've been pursuing my art career trying to learn more about the ins and outs of art as a business and I must say, it's a never-ending learning experience! I've also been dabbling in other mediums in addition to watercolors (which are still my favorite I think). My husband Alvin and I took a workshop on alcohol inks through the Jefferson Art Guild that we joined last year and it was great fun. It really teaches you to relax and not try so hard to control every little detail of a painting. See attached for some examples:

 

I call this one "Taming the Beast" because the image looks to me like a figure in the lower right corner holding a rope tied to some sort of giant mythical flying creature.

 

 

 

In addition to the inks I experimented by adding some sugar crystals at the lower right corner of this one.

 

So far I think this is my favorite. I call this one "The Juggler" since it looks to me like someone with arms raised to a variety of objects circling the central figure.

 





 

These were all created using various colors of acrylic paint or ink dropped onto Yupo paper that was either dry or wet with 91% rubbing alcohol and then manipulating the paint/ink by tilting the paper or adding additional drops of alcohol through a straw to create bulls-eye effects. I also created what looks like winged creatures by blowing air through a straw at the still wet circles of paint.

 

The key is to let your imagination run wild and experiment. This is what I call serendipity art! 

 

 

Latest Art - ACEO

This is my latest endeavor, an ACEO, which stands for Art Card Editions and Originals. They are miniature pieces of art always measuring 2.5"x3.5". They are considered very collectible and are often traded like baseball cards. I was inspired by a photo I saw on a Pinterest board I follow by Maryann Rizzo called "People of the World". I call this painting "The Mother" because her care-worn face and blue head-covering immediately reminded me of Mary. Since it is the Christmas season she spoke to me.
She is an original watercolor painted on deckle-edged 140 lb cold-press watercolor paper.
You can see the original inspiration photo on My Pinterest board "Painting Subjects"
Let me know what you think.
Enjoy.

Back to the Future - part 2

I'm kind of hooked on Louis Armstrong as a painting subject at the moment so here is a second watercolor that I just finished.

What do you think?

Back to the Future with Louis Armstrong

Hello again,

I've titled this latest post "Back to the Future..." because it marks my return to pursuing a future career in some sort of artistic endeavor. I have just begun the fall session of watercolor classes through our local Parks and Recreation department in Jefferson Parish Louisiana and I am inspired once again!
The following pictures are steps in my painting of of our first class subject - Louis Armstong. My husband, Alvin, thinks I should consider doing a series of well-known local musicians.
Hmmm... might be interesting.

What do you think?

                              

1. Work in progress with copy of painting subject provided in class:



 

 

 

 

2. Closeup of work in progress:

 

 

3. Finished painting matted:

Finished painting with copy of original photo I found online later:









A beautiful source of inspiration

Well, I have to admit I've been a little preoccupied lately but, with good reason.

Our first grandbaby has arrived!
Julia Carman made her debut on May 20th and she is the most beautiful baby I have ever had the good fortune to meet (I'm not prejudiced I swear).
Of course I cannot claim any resposibiityfor her genes as her beautiful mama is my step-daughter (the "daughter of my heart"). Nevertheless, I was inspired to paint a photo of her, a day old, sleeping peacefully in her PawPaw's arms.
PawPaw Alvin says " its like being able to hold my daughter again after all these years".

Of course I have't done her justice so I'll add the photo I used for inspiration so you'll see what I mean.

Who wouldn't be inspired by such a miracle?

Finding some focus in the Kaleidoscope

I know I've been remiss in posting to my blog for the past month but with a good excuse. I've been immersed in the world of watercolor painting. I just started my second class session through the local parks and recreation dept. and I've also been exploring the Wetcanvas website for all things artistic. A lot of their forums offer monthly projects in which you can participate and hone your skills.
This month I am participating in a miniatures project which calls for submission of your work  based on a selection of reference photos provided. The choice of medium used (watercolor, oil, acrylic) is left to each artist. Below are my first three attempts all using watercolor pencils and a #1 brush on 140lb cold press paper. Finished sizes are 2.5"x3.5".

They are based on reference photos provided as follows:

1. Red Icelandic Poppy 6 bt Stephie20
2. Old farm gatepost by ICanDoIt
3. Fisgard_Lighthouse by Pippen

The worldwide community I'm finding on this website is truly inspiring. You should visit!

www.wetcanvas.com