New Paintings

Hello dear readers! I'm very excited about the experiment in color I've been working on. I love color blocking and color psychology. And I'm very inspired by Mark Rothko. My last batch of paintings were all about pink. This batch I am seguing into aqua and turquoise. I am working on a color experience, it's slow going without the funds. Thinking of starting a GoFundMe page.

 Untitled, 24x24, acrylic on canvas

Untitled, 16x20, acrylic on canvas

 Untitled, 8x10, acrylic on canvas

Stay tuned for experiments in periwinkle, teal, turquoise, aqua, lavender and of course more pink. ❤

New Paintings

I'm happy to announce that I started painting again!  Here's a couple of my new paintings.

This work is still in progress.

Untitled, 16"'x 20", acrylic on canvas.

This painting is deceptive. Simple, but not easy. It may look like a solid color, but the color is actually achieved in layers.  Inspired by Mark Rothko.

 Pink City II: Underwater, approx 8" x 10", acrylic and pencil on canvas. Was part of a larger canvas that I didn't like, so I chopped it up.

All the art in my apartment is by me. More importantly, it's all pink -- which makes me ecstatic.  

Good Things Happening in Cleveland: Artist Justin Brennan

I'm very happy to be back in my hometown of Cleveland. A lot of good things are happening here, and a lot has changed since I left. The most exciting thing going on is, arguably, the art scene.

I recently attended Third Fridays at the 78th Street Studios, near my old stomping grounds. If you're in Cleveland you should definitely check it out!  I met a lot of fascinating artists, and one of my favorites is Justin Brennan.

Justin is a hardworking, prolific artist. So prolific that his art spilled out of his studio into the hallway. I spent a lot of time contemplating his work. I know it sounds strange, but when I say that his work spoke to me, I mean this literally. I could hear it. It sounded shamanic to me, like Gabrielle Roth or The Thievery Corporation, two of my muses.

I know it sounds arrogant, but dare I say that Justin is a kindred spirit. He has achieved something on canvas that I wish to achieve in my own art. Namely, simplicity, quickness of brushstroke, intuitive use of mixed media, movement and raw emotion. Justin is shy and humble when asked about his art, he doesn't over-intellectualize it.  I found this both endearing and refreshing.

I am not usually a lover of gallery walls in my decor, thinking they look too cluttered. But with Justin's art I would make an exception. So contemplative are his pieces, I could see them covering my walls and I would spend many hours meditating on them.

His studio is a work of art as well. I was so inspired upon entering his studio, I immediately wanted to move in and start creating.  Without further ado, I present to you the work of Justin Brennan.

This is my favorite. I think I need this.

More of Justin's work can be seen at his website here.

Stay tuned for more about the artists of 78th Street Studios.

All photos by Peggy for Creative Influences.

Square Peg, Your Curator: Abstract Paintings

I'm Square Peg, Your Curator. Today I have a special treat for visitors of my online gallery.  We are going to examine abstract paintings.  I dearly love abstracts, it is fascinating to see what the human spirit is compelled to create.  For me there is no greater joy than putting paint on a canvas. I'm currently unable to paint due to allergies.  But back in the day I'd turn the music up, go into a trance state and let the canvas speak to me. Time would stand still.  But just because I can't paint at the moment, doesn't mean I can't admire art.  I've chosen a few beautiful abstracts to share.  Each one visionary in its own way.  They are poetry, even meditational.  I could sit and contemplate the forms, colors and strokes for hours.  Hope you enjoy.

Vesna Antic

I dearly love this painting.  Though the shapes are a bit brutal, the painting comes across soft. Quite an accomplishment, not as easy as it looks.  And look at the way the artist coaxes the light out of the canvas.  Amazing.  I'd love to have this work in my collection.

Belinda Marshall via LEIF.

I love the softness of this one.  And those colors.  Divine.

Above three paintings by Jaime Derringer 

Jaime is one of the writers of the popular blog, Design Milk.  I've followed Design Milk for a long time, and I am astounded how Jaime's artistic talent has grown.  I'm especially jealous of the painting with the large amount of yellow.  Wish I'd painted that.  Again, it might look simple, but it's not easy.  Try to paint with the innocence of a child, it's not easy.  It amazes me when an artist can capture that childlike innocence.

Above two paintings by Laura Letchinger

I love the organic shapes in these two works.

Ella Carty

Chris Mundwiller

Any of these pieces would work well in an industrial loft.  I dream of an all white loft and large paintings.

Above two paintings by Cristina B Studio

It fascinates me how Christina was able to produce a light painting, and then almost its antithesis in the dark painting.  In both of these works she has successfully captured that childlike quality I described above.

What I've been working on

I have an exciting announcement.  I will be taking part in a pop up gallery tonight! My good friend Haley selected the works that will be shown.  They will be showing four of my paintings and four of my photos, based on a theme.  Stay tuned for more details.  In the meantime, I'd like to show you what I've been working on.  Even though I've faced several limitations recently (allergies and no studio space), I must create.  In my never ending quest to find a clean medium, I've been doing more digital work lately.  Here are a few of my paintings which I have enhanced with digital processes.

This is actually a digital enhancement of my blotter pad.  I'm always fascinated by the random patterns on my blotter.

I am having these printed on large canvases.  I've always been fascinated by multi-media, multi-processing and meta-communication.  Remember my post about photographing toys?  A 2D image is rendered 3D by the miracle of plastic, then photographing it renders it back to 2D (see previous post here).  It's the same sort of thing here.  A canvas is processed digitally and then reprinted again.  Meta art.  I plan to push the boundaries of this art form.  I like to experiment digitally to help me decide what art to hang over my sofa.  I am also having some of my photos printed on large canvases.

This is one of my photos.  I'd love to have it enlarged.  I don't even mind if it loses resolution, in fact I think that would be kind of cool.  I'm into imperfection and low tech.

Hmm.  I always like the more minimal, simple paintings in my decor.  They may be simple, but are not easy to execute.  Here is one of my paintings from Sans Electric Chair series (see previous post here).  It has been sold, but this photo makes me want to do another version of it.

My Apartment for Today

I have a confession to make.  I feel like shopping.  But I have no money to spend.  Oh, what to do?  I know - I'll rearrange a few things in my apartment.  Truthfully, I don't need anything new - except a new lamp...and an ottoman.... I know it's an obsession.  My apartment's small and humble, but I love it.  I love living simply.  I want my place to flirt with minimalism.  I also want it to be clean and modern and girly with an edge.  Oh yeah, and cozy and Bohemian.  Quite a tall order for a modest place.  Moving a few things around always helps with the desire to shop.  I have plenty of pretty things.

I've been craving blue and turquoise.  I love the hot pink sofa cover, but decided to see what would happen if I lightened up things a bit with the white cover.  I wish I could paint the walls bright white.  Right now they are kind of beige.

This is the counter separating the living room and open kitchen.  The canvas is actually in process.  I am currently working on an experiment in color and texture.  I love gray and turquoise together.

Of course, I had to change the art in the hallway and rearrange the pottery.  I have several projects in mind and can't wait to get started.  Look at this super sexy lamp I saw at Etsy!  I think it would look great in my living room.  

I think this lamp would look fab with a tall lamp shade.   Lamp available at retroenvy.

Here's another idea I really love.  I adore this tension shelving!  Such a great idea for a small space.  In a small place it's important to go vertical with display.  I'm not allowed to make permanent changes to my apartment.  But I think I could use something like this on the counter separating my kitchen and living area.  I could display pottery there, and it would still appear open.  I love it.  This design is by Kris Swift, who is one of the designers who will be competing in the new season of Design Star on HGTV.  The new season will be starting May 29.  I can't wait!

Processing - Weekend Art Projects, Part I

I love minimal paintings.  They are much harder to execute than they look.  Simple is not always easy.  Simplicity demands perfection.  One line out of place and it's ruined.  I often see a simple shape and a color in my head, and I'm not happy until I can get it on canvas.  But this day I was working with paper.  With paper, it's a little different.  There is a communication with a canvas, where I become merely its conduit.  Paper also tells me what it wants to be, but in a different and more subtle way.  It must be caressed more gently, and is less forgiving of the mistakes.

Balance, 2011, 16" x 20", marker on paper.  Not perfect.  But I am digging it.  I could design a minimal room around this baby.  This baby needed a partner.  And here she is.

Balance II, 2011, 16" x 20", acrylic on paper.  I wanted to do an organic stripe.  I taped off the areas for the stripes, but honestly, I was not as caught up in perfection as usual.  I wasn't terribly concerned that the stripes be perfectly straight.  A real departure.  I messed up the side of the work when I tore the tape off.  Or did I?  At first I was disappointed.  But after sitting with the work for a while, I kinda like that bit of rawness.  I just took it as a meant to be.  Like I said, I'm just the conduit.

I was highly influenced by the tye dye rug from CB2.  I am madly, deeply in love with this rug.  But, it's not to be my darling.  Cest la vie.  I wanted to communicate something this organic in my art. 

I'm not sure whether I accomplished that, but I am digging these.  That doesn't happen too often.  Here are the two works in my hallway.  I might put them in my Etsy shop.

My Living Room for Today

Here's a look at my living room today, which was inspired by my new paintings I described below.  I decided to just hang two of them.  I'd love to paint the place (including the floors) white.  I've been craving sleek and modern.  I love an all white look with pops of color.

 My favorite lamp.  The moon lamp from CB2.

I love my new silver vase.  The only thing I'd like to add is some silver, metallic pillows.

Weekend Art Projects, II

Remember the Piet Mondrian-inspired painting I did last week?

I really love the way it turned out.  But, let me tell you, it was tedious executing this painting.  At times, painting is an exercise in frustrated perfectionism for me.  I am not gifted with a steady hand.  Still, I knew I wanted to attempt more of these paintings.  I wanted a tryptich for my living room. 

When working on a geometric painting, it takes a lot of patience.  And a lot of tape.  The key is to be patient and let the paint dry before peeling the tape.

I found these little sponge tools at the craft store.  I really love them because they give a nice smooth line.  No matter how careful I am, I still need to take a small brush and touch up some of the edges.

Here are all three of paintings.  I don't really like the one to the left.  Maybe I need to add some pink to it.  The first one is still my favorite.  I'm not sure if I'm going to put one or all of these paintings above my sofa.  My next version of my living room seems to turning out to be sleek and modern.  Now for my Rauschenberg and Rothko experiments.  And maybe Miro.... Stay tuned....