Camouflage

"Camouflage"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood (2013)

This is another one of those "take something and change it up and make it unrecognizable" paintings.  What I've learned after the last four abstract paintings is that this is not my favorite style.  I think I like the freedom of the "flow and go" paintings.  And if you'd asked be before we started, I would have guessed totally the opposite.  Interesting.  I guess that's why I continue to take classes.  I'm learning new things about painting and myself each time.

It's Only Paper

"It's Only Paper"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood, 2013

So this is a further exploit in watercolor abstract.  I had started a painting on my own as we first began this segment of class and when I had completed it...the only word I could think of was, "Bleech!"  (That's not a good thing.)  I couldn't figure out how to fix it and I was actually prepared to cut it into strips and use the back for testing colors as I paint.  But then I thought of what we're always telling one another in class -- "It's only paper."  So I started by using resist and writing some admonitions to myself.  Then I began adding layers and spraying them into different directions and creating drips and spatters.  (Note to self -- cover a larger area underneath the painting next time before spattering to aid in easier clean-up!)  And voila -- it's bright, it's bold, and it's fearless.  And I think I won't cut it into strips!

Mission San Juan Capistrano Revisited

"Mission San Juan Capistrano Revisited"   (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood

This is actually something I painted this summer and set aside, forgetting I needed to post it.  We are fortunate to live not too far away from the beautiful Mission San Juan Capistrano.  We were there in January on a cloudy winter's day and the shadows were really neat.  There has been much restoration work since I visited this mission as a child on field trips and weekend adventures with my parents.  I can remember going there to sketch.  So it seems appropriate at this stage, as I return to my art, to revisit an old location and make a painting.

Incognito

"Incognito"  (Watercolor)   C. Eastwood, 2013

Okay -- abstractions continue.  This time the assignment was to take something and change it up so that it is no longer recognizable -- hence the title for this piece.  There were thumbnail sketches and everything and it took considerably longer than any of us expected.  I discovered that it's difficult to look at something as a model and then purposely not draw it.  At least it is for me.  The funny part is that I was feeling the painting was too stiff -- and I'm the one who is always getting hammered for not painting loose enough.  The instructor says this works.  I'll take her word for it.  

Discoveries

"Discoveries"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood, 2013

So we're giving abstract painting a shot in class and trying a technique that involves pouring paint and tilting the paper to make it run, blowing on it, spraying it -- basically anything but using a brush to move and direct the paint.  WHAT?!  So after some initial experimenting, I wrote myself a note in resist across the paper as a reminder -- sort of like a secret message -- and went for it.  Surprisingly I kind of like it.  It changed with each new layer and became something quite different.  Definitely not as much control as I'm used to.  But I just kept reading the words as they began to appear and finally arrived at the finish line.  There were definitely a lot of discoveries along the way to this piece.