New Abstracts

I have been busy with some new abstracts.  I ran into a free trial of Flaming Pear™CS6 filters Flexify and Flood and just my luck I am in Love with them!  Here are some sample of the results of my trial: All of them mixed media digital assemblage

Titanic: the Final Stanza

Windshield

Blue Moon Over Windjammers

How to Paint with Color Pencil on Wood and MDF PANELS

New Color Pencil Paintings
by Alma Lee

How to Create a Color Pencil PAINTING on WOOD!
A step by step tutorial by Alma Lee

That's right I said painting on wood! After all these aren't your Grandma's color pencils. If you are like me you thought of your color pencil set only in terms of sketching, color selection, and drawings. Color pencil technology has increased hundredfold in the last few years. Making painting with color pencils on a variety of substrates including Wood and MDF panel a reality.

I decided to create a step by step tutorial for my technique and show my NIBBLEFEST entry; GEISHA KITTY & SILVER MOUSE SUSHI as a work in progress. I will be using all of the traditional color pencil choices in this piece. But one in particular trumps them all, when it comes to performance on wood and MDF panel. I want to introduce you to my personal NBFF (New Best Favorite Forever) Color pencils for wood, made by Walnut Hollow. These pencils are oil based, acid free, and photo safe. What makes them superior on wood is they are semi opaque, instead of transparent. Wood grains show through, but are not allowed to "overrun" the image. They truly have a buttery lay down and a excellent adaptability to blending, and shading. If you love working with color pencil, and longed to create "painting" like finishes on a heavy substrates, these are going to rock your world. Here is the step by step through the process and hopefully it will expand your creativity, and get you started on your very own.

PAINTING WITH COLOR PENCILS ON MDF PANEL:

You will need:
MDF or Wood Panel. ( Home Depot in a 2'x4' 1/2" sheet.),
Walnut Hollow Oil Color Pencils (Michaels or Dick Blick)
Liquitex Gesso (S) Surface Prep Artist Acrylic
Prismacolor Colorless Blender
Paper stick Blender
Prismacolor Matte Fixative
Winsor & Newton All Purpose Varnish
Foam Brush
Soft Brush (for whisking away stray pencil particles)

Step 1 Preparing your surface.
You will want to cut your board to desired size. I used a circular hand saw and then smoothed the edges with belt sander. Dust off any saw dust and debris. Next you will want to lay down the thinnest layer possible of the liquitex gesso. I squirt sparingly out of the bottle right onto the panel, then then using a foam brush with firm pressure "force" the gesso into the fibers on the board.
NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU PUT AS THIN A COAT OF GESSO AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN!
Because color pencils of any kind do not adhere well to an acrylic surface. You are not trying to seal the panel here just laying down a hint of white to reflect through the color pencil and markers. When you are done you will have a slightly irregular coat, but that is OK.
Step 2 Make your sketch and transfer it to the panel.







Step 3 Lay in Your base colors. I chose to use Dual Brush Pens for this. They have a brush end that is a little more flexible than a felt marker. (water based only at this point) You can use your color pencils, or art sticks for this instead of marker, if you choose. Bear in mind because the Walnut Hollow Oil pencils are semi opaque, you will be able to change the color slightly in the following layers. But they are not opaque so stick to laying down the median color or highlights
Step 3 Lay in Your base colors.

Step 4 Start with a thin layer of Color pencil
At this point you can use any brand of color pencil desired. I use the majority of my prismacolor and ergo soft colored pencils during this step, primarily for color range. Prismcolor and Ergosoft have more color choices than Walnut Hollow. So I just want to establish my color scheme at this point.
Note: you can use any brand of color pencil at any point from here to finish as desired. The chemistry of all these pencils interacts very well with the others.

Step 5 Blend your colors and add your shadowing.
This is the step where you are finishing your layers to desired opacity in order to get that faux oil painting sheen finish. Stick to prismacolor colorless, and the paper stick blenders. Using turpentine, or alcohol to blend will run your colors and distort them with the panel texture.

Step 6. Add highlights with Color Pencils and markers. This is where you will be concentrating on the final touch ups and full color saturation. Once you are done with this stage you will be unable to return to either color pencils or markers.

Step 7. Spray a couple of light coats of fixative. You should do 2 coats about an hour in between. This sets your color pencils and prevents colors from "wax surfacing as it ages. Note: be sure that the entire piece is coated with fixative, otherwise your finish coat of general purpose varnish will make your colors bleed.

Step 8. Spray 1-2 Layers of Gloss Varnish. Again light coats are the rule. I used Winsor Newton All Purpose Varnish High Gloss. It is a permanent non-removable protective coating. I found that I did not end up with a High gloss finish, just a satin sheen, because the MDF panel absorbs a lot of it. But it is a very attractive sheen nonetheless. and certainly reminiscent of a oil painting finish.
Note: I did notice that it did cause the red tones in my piece to bleed slightly through my metallic silver markers, but it was very subtle and not an issue for me.

Here is the Finished piece. A little FYI it will be available for purchase for March's Asian Inspired Nibblefest Auction on EBAY starting 03/20/09.
Check out my Alma Lee Originals EBAY Store for details

GEISHA KITTY & SILVER MOUSE SUSHI
by Alma Lee © 2009
Color Pencil Painting
4"x6"
Available starting 03/20/09

When a Picture Paints.... Monday 12, 2009

If a Picture Paints...
Sometimes there are just not enough words, for what fills the heart and soul. This is when I look to the picture to paint. Every Monday I am going to share with you these wordless moments, when only a picture paints the voice of the soul...

FORSAKEN NOT, I DREAM OUT LOUD

Forsaken not, I
Dream out loud
And in doing so
The fool in every crowd

Mock not always
As unlikely it may seem
At the Lord’s leading,
Follow I this dream

As yet the smallest flickering
A match within his store
His love burns within me
Has caused a fire’s roar

And He the kingdom’s kindling
Within the Christian heart
Beating, burning, searing
His desire to me imparts

Shout I now
In my own defense amongst the mocking throng
Forsaken not, I dream out loud,
Alas awakened to fulfillment’s song

by Alma Lee ©2007

I wrote this poem in the lost year of 2006. I needed not only help but Hope. These are part of the words He spoke to me.

About this art:
Drawn on Wacom Tablet
Original: Not available
Prints available: http://www.redbubble.com/people/almalee/art/2114042-3-forsaken-not-i-dream-out-loud

For Sale: Our culture's collective soul

For Sale our Culture Collective soul



We all like deals and in fact the cheaper the more exciting the conquest. I am no different, but I would like you to give the following some thought the next time you decide that buying that pirated CD ect. from China, or pick up that little decorator do dad to hang on your wall, or clever little time saving device, (and by all mean do continue buying them without customers we have nothing), understand, someone has put their heart and soul into that piece, in an attempt to make your life easier, prettier and better. And it is hard work...none of us have a magic wand. Now turn over and see where it was produced. Then read this article from my business associate, Karla Buckley. And see if it doesn't change your perspective. It is time to value our cultural assets, our artists, engineers,inventors ect. We have become a get for next to nothing society, cheap fast and easy. There is a price...a huge price. And finally ask yourself how much are you willing to pay for the forfeiting of our collective cultural soul?

We have all heard about the huge piracy problem in China. One might think, "It's really not a big deal. China is just making copies of DVDs and software that big companies like Microsoft and Warner Bros. produce. Those big companies make enough money anyway." Unfortunately, not just large companies are affected. Small businesses are losing thousands of dollars as well.

Alma Lee Originals, Inc. is a small home-based business that creates artwork. The artwork is licensed to manufactures, who then produce art prints and home décor items. Alma Lee Originals, Inc. negotiates contracts, which give legal permission to these manufacturers allowing them to produce and distribute a specific number of items over a given period. The manufacturers agree to pay Alma Lee Originals, Inc. a royalty fee, which is a percentage of the sale on each item sold.

Many of the manufacturers contract with Chinese vendors to produce the product. Alma Lee typically sends the manufacturer a JPG file of the artwork and the manufacturer often sends the file to its Chinese vendor. Unfortunately, once the file is sent to China, the file runs the risk of being nationalized.

Alma Lee Originals, Inc. was recently the victim of such a theft. Alma Lee, the creator of a line of roosters, was shopping at Hobby Lobby and noticed a set of clocks featuring roosters from the Alma Lee collection. When she examined them closely, she also saw her signature. The back of the item was labeled with Hobby Lobby's copyright, but the artwork was clearly produced from Alma Lee files.

Hobby Lobby was contacted and made clear the fact that they were not responsible for the alleged copyright infringement. They did not design, develop, or manufacture the items. Hobby Lobby simply purchased the items from a third party vendor in the course of their normal business operations. Their vendor, manufacturer of the product, Fuzhou Profit International Trading Company was unresponsive to both phone calls and written responses. Alma Lee Originals, Inc. was left without recourse and was simply told by its art licensing agent, "As you know, it is very difficult and expensive to prosecute piracy cases in China. It is a huge problem."

The situation is disheartening. The Chinese manufacturer makes a profit by manufacturing and distributing Alma Lee's artwork. The U.S. retailer makes money by selling Alma Lee's artwork in its stores, while Alma Lee receives NOTHING. (Please note Hobby Lobby pulled the Alma Lee inventory from its shelves and is no longer doing business with Fuzhou Profit International Trading Company.) Alma Lee Originals, Inc. is a small business with limited resources and cannot afford a legal battle with the Chinese government.

The lesson learned is simple. The U.S. is part of a global marketplace. Since we are no longer a manufacturing society, our main commodity is our intellectual, trademarked and copyrighted property. We are giving away our competitive advantage, and run the risk of our property being taking over by the Chinese government every time a piece of intellectual property is sent to China.

Key Definitions:
• Licensing - legal permission to do or own a specified thing
• Nationalized – to be taken over by the government.
• Communism – collective ownership of property

What is Art?

I have asked myself for years...What is Art. I have wrestled with its real purpose? It is beautiful, for sure, but does its value end there. Is art merely for the beautification of our lifescapes? Home, lawn and business? Who determines what is beautiful? Furthermore what is art's value? To me as a creator, to the individual viewer, to us as a whole? Can it value be measured by the size of it's price tag? I have wondered about these things for years. It was in the midst of such pondering, one night, I grabbed an old book off the shelf. I had originally bought it years ago to paint on its cover as altered art, but I never had the heart to do it. It was so beautifully worn, still and warm. Someone had not only owned this book, but it was loved. How it came to be for sale for 10 cents at the budget shop I will never know. But that night, I was positively drawn to it and, and opened it to an essay entitled simply ART. How delightful and fortuitous. As I read it, the book so old, and paper brittle as I would turn the page, it often would separate from the binding. So there I sat, spellbound and awestruck at its lyric, as it fell apart in my arms, breathing it's last will and testament, I gently cradled it, and realized I was in love........ Here is an excerpt from what I read that day.

(copyright free, public domain)
ART Essay by Ralph Waldo Emmerson, second series, 1844

But the artist must employ the symbols in use in his day and nation, to convey his enlarged sense to his fellow-men. Thus the new in art is always formed out of the old. The Genius of the Hour sets his ineffaceable seal on the work, and gives it an inexpressible charm for the imagination. As far as the spiritual character of the period overpowers the artist, and finds expression in his work, so far it will retain a certain grandeur, and will represent to future beholders the Unknown, the Inevitable, the Divine. No man can quite exclude this element of Necessity from his labor. No man can quite emancipate himself from his age and country, or produce a model in which the education, the religion, the politics, usages, and arts, of his times shall have no share. Though he were never so original, never so wilful and fantastic, he cannot wipe out of his work every trace of the thoughts amidst which it grew.

I had my answer, more that mere decoration for our dwellings. True art finds it's it's beauty and purpose in it's ability to cause it's viewers to pause and take notice of the reality of a temporal exsisitence, and give place to the beauty of it's being. Art is the point of origin, not the mere destination of marketing. It is the best place to start!