Art Post: Layers and Layers

So, I've continued my artistic output over the last few weeks and have a few more to share. As always, take it for what it's worth (which isn't much). 

"Electronics" - Acrylic and mixed media. 

"Electronics" started as an older painting of mine that I had hanging in my garage. I was never quite satisfied with it though, it just seemed a bit drab (you can see the original pink in the top half of the piece). I used old dictionary pages, a page from an animated Hobbit book, and additional pour techniques to get towards its final permutation.  As I was working on the piece it seemed like I was (it was?) trying to capture the idea of spreading energy. I wanted to continue to make it bright, loud and explosive....at least that's what came out in the process. The final addition was the word art at the center of the piece. It was from a comic book made by Radio Shack in the 1970s that I recently purchased. It seemed to fit perfectly for this loud piece, I loved the font too...so 70s and cool. 

Untitled - Acrylic, Oil Pastels, mixed media 

This untitled piece was also an evolution of sorts. The first iteration a few weeks ago was garish and too much of a try-hard. It relied on huge chunks of newsprint and comic books glued on the surface like snowflakes. I found it distasteful but I didn't know what else to do, so I just sidelined it for a few weeks. When I was quarantined because of my COVID case this past week (yay),  I pulled it back out. I ripped off the little snowflake papers, I used a ton of oil pastel, as well as added texture by use of cross-hatching. Now, it feels better. This piece had layer after layer of paper, paint, oil pastels, more paint, more pastels, more crosshatching, etc. it made me realize how much I enjoy the building of layers. I am eager to replicate the process soon and see what develops. 

"Circus" - Acrylic and Oil Pastels on cardboard. 

This one is just okay. It reminds me of something from the mid-20th century, I just added layers on cardboard because I ran out of canvases to touch up. It doesn't feel particularly interesting but it's pleasant to look at. The bright, primary colors reminded me of a circus. So, the title stuck. 

Untitled - Acrylic and Oil Pastels on cardboard.

This one might have the most layers of anything I have done thus far. It felt swamp-like and it evolved from being primarily green to this mix of green, purple, and yellow (with a bit of orange). At some point, the painting felt organic and I imagined it as moss or mold that you might find growing on a cave wall.  Again, I am eager to try this technique on a larger canvas. 

That's it for now, stay cool out there, and don't forget to not catch COVID. 

Art Post # 1: Barbar

Working on 2-3 different posts for now (one "Lost" related, a Pac-Man comic, and a blog about "spiritual masters"). 

Occasionally, I will be posting my artwork on the blog.  I draw/paint/create haphazardly and inconsistently.  I have a few unfinished works in my portfolio. 

Because I am a parent, I see many children's books and love experiencing children's books again (sometimes sharing books I read when I was a child).  This painting is a reproduction of one of our Barbar books.  I love the simplicity of the art in the Barbar books.  The art is bright, smooth, simple and well, appropriately child-like.  This particular picture was the second of three snow-themed panels on a page. With a little foresight, I could have done all three panels at once, but alas, it wasn't to be.  Now, I don't think I could mix the colors exactly the same if I tried.  I love the action of the picture...it just makes me smile.  For some reason the artist had the sky painted a brownish hue - so I followed suit. Odd, but it fits.

Snow Fight

      2010, Acrylic with Ink

      Copyright, Neil Lewis
 (of course I own the copyright to Barbar, you fools - how do you think I am independently wealthy?)