Restricted Palette

Sketch of "Five of a Kind" Necklace, available in my Etsy store

Last week I designed two more black snap necklaces for my collection on Etsy, and I still have more ideas. 

This led me to think about what in painter’s terms is often referred to as a restricted (or limited) palette; when an artist chooses to limit the colors he/she paints with.  You might be asking, with all the colors available these days, why restrict color?  There are a couple reasons.  The artist might be setting a mood, working in the colors of the old masters, traveling or painting plein aire and cannot carry a full set of paint, or they are challenging themselves to work within limited parameters to push their color knowledge and creativity to a new level. 

My Black Snap Collection is a restricted palette.  I’m only working in black and silver, snaps, jump rings, and the occasional embellishment with a bead or two.  I love working this way, challenging myself to create as many designs as I can with just a few elements.  It is also a relief.  I tend to freeze up and get artist’s block when faced with the endless possibilities of my bead collection.  I’m pushing the materials as far as they will go, which is exhilarating.

Other types of artists use restricted palettes: 

*”Igor Stravinsky used what he called creative limitation with time signatures, by restricting himself from using any, in his composition 'The Rite of Spring' as well as in alternate aspects of his other musical works.” – I found this quote on Wikipedia after looking up “Creative Limitation”.

*In culinary arts, some of the best recipes in the world require nothing but 2-3 quality ingredients.

*In fashion, the most timeless, classic pieces are elegant and simple.  No lace and frou-frou, they enhance the beauty of the human body.

I could go on, but I’m not trying to convince you of anything.  I just like the concept. It tickles my mind.  It’s like asking a child what they want to do with the refrigerator box.  There is no end to the possibilities.  I also apply the idea of creative limitation to my teaching.  The children are given a lesson and parameters to create within.  To say, “do whatever you want” (at least on a regular basis in the art room) would not foster creative thinking and skill development.

The only thing holding me back now (with the Black Snap Collection) is I’ve run out of black snaps and jump rings! 

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“It is by great economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression.” - Henri Cartier Bresson

Sketch of "The Centerpiece" Necklace, available in my Etsy shop

New Necklaces on Etsy

Design Number 10

Big news!  22 of my new ceramic “Myco Necklaces” are officially uploaded and for sale in my Etsy shop. 

They are one of a kind drawings inspired by microscopic views of mushrooms, slime molds and lichen.   Each tile is lovingly formed, sanded, fired, and glazed to be confortable on the neck.  They are strung on a black silken cord and secured with a hand-made sterling silver wire clasp.  Check them out and let me know what you think. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PamelaHeyda

Design Number 20

Design Number 18

New Website Design

It’s finally here, my new and improved art portfolio website, http://www.pamelaheyda.com!  I’ve been putting off reworking it for a long time because I thought it would take weeks to complete.  Not so!  I created the whole thing in less than a week.  

The original design was no longer working with my newer paintings, and it had become hard to navigate. Then earlier this year I updated my computer’s system software and lost the ability to open my website design software.  It was either learn a new program and start from scratch or use a web based portfolio system.  I went with Zenfolio.com because I found it attractive, easy to use, and affordable.  After setting up my website I contacted the kind folks at Domainregistry.com who helped me transfer my domain to Zenfolio.

Please check it out and let me know what you think.  I find the work looks better in the new format.  It is more crisp and clean.  

Adjustments

This past week has been an adventure in eating adjustments.  I’ve been slowly transitioning myself to a vegan, gluten free, low glycemic diet.  After getting sick on pizza last weekend I decided I could not longer make exceptions to the diet and went 100%.  I hope it helps.  I’ve had increasing digestive problems for about five years now. 

I’m trying not to focus on what I can’t eat, and more on what I can.  Smoothies, salads, rice/quinoa dishes, gluten free baked goods and pasta are some of my choices.  It will take a little getting used to.   I must say that my stomach no longer feels heavy after eating, and I have lost a few pounds.  I can still eat my favorite snack, popcorn (topped with olive oil, nutritional yeast, and spices). 

If you have any recipes or resources for me, please pass them along!  I hope to get back to making art this week.  More to come!

Clay Commission

"Crow Dreaming", ceramic with pearls and beads, 8 x 11", 2012

Over a month ago a friend commissioned me to create a clay piece for her atrium.  She needed art that could handle being outside.  Clay is perfect for that.  She told me I could create anything I like as long as it hangs on a wall and is not too large.  The possibilities were endless.  Hundreds of ideas ran through my head.  Finally I settled on an idea that had a personal connection to my friend.  After a couple of sketches I constructed the piece.  I had so much fun!  It was like drawing without a pencil.  This is my first relief sculpture, and certainly not my last.  I enjoy the process of working with clay.  It combines my fine art and crafting skills, 2D and 3D, and is a nice break from painting and jewelry.

Building Slime Mold (on Canvas)

I’ve been playing around with slime mold paintings.  They are like relief paintings, made with Golden brand Acrylic Molding Paste.  Recently I blogged about using cake decorating tools to control the medium.  Here is a photo of me at work, and another finished piece.

Untitled, acrylic and micro beads on canvas, 2 x 3", 2012

Evolution of a Slime Mold Painting

I thought it would be fun to document the evolution of one of my new paintings.  Unfortunately, I didn’t do such a good job.  After photographing the under painting I got carried away with the work and the photo series makes sudden drastic changes.  I just couldn’t bear to stop and take pictures while I was in the process of creating.  I also have a little fear of immortalizing the work at an unfinished stage.  This painting is tiny, just 2 x 3"!  Here is what I did capture:

Drawing

Molding Paste with a little color added

Layer of Underpainting

Color!

Glitter!  It is finished!

 

Lichen and Dragonflies

I just finished this painting.  The second in what may be a series of acrylic, myco, and glitter paintings.  The green objects are Cladonia Chlorophaea (lichen) from Scotland and the dragonfly is a darner.

My pendants inspired the painting.  I have several more in progress.  I’m not sure where the work is going, but I’m having fun on the journey.

More to come soon!!!

Mornin' Sunshine!

Almost every morning I make myself a green smoothie.  If I fail at eating well for the rest of the day (hopefully I won’t), at least I started the day out right.  Surprisingly, I notice that if I start the day this way I have fewer cravings for the bad stuff (sugar, fat, salty snacks, etc).  There are an infinite number of ways to make a green smoothie.  Mine contains: ½ a large cucumber, a celery stalk, an apple, a small carrot, 2-3 kale leaves, a couple handfuls of spinach, half an avocado, hemp seeds, spirulina powder, chlorella powder, cinnamon, coconut water, and ice.  All these ingredients are organic.  My smoothie will hold me until lunchtime. It tastes fresh and delicious and lightly sweet.  Everything get’s blended in my Vitamix in about 15 seconds.  Now I have energy to make some art! 

Cheers!

Studio News

 

For the last 12 hours of studio time I’ve been working at forming new clay pieces to become future pendants.  It’s more time consuming than I thought.  I’m making many more than I did in my first batch.  I roll out the clay, let it sit and dry for hours, cut out shapes, smooth and form them with my fingers, then set them to dry again.  When they are completely dry I’ll lightly sand them so I have a smooth side to draw on, and so they feel good against the skin.  Then they will be ready for the kiln.  It’s not the most exciting work; I like doing the drawing better.  But, I’m excited to have at least 130 tiny canvases.  

 

Easter Sunday

What better way to start a holiday than to go for a morning beach walk?  After stopping at The Devil’s Teeth Bakery on Noriega for some coffee and fresh baked scones, we continued on to Ocean Beach.  There was a minus tide.  I was hoping to find some sea glass, but the conditions are just not right this year.  At least the weather was perfect.  No wind and lots of sun.  Now I’m ready to get to work in the studio and make some stuff.  Happy Easter and Passover everyone!  

Morning Walk

Worm and Bird Tracks

Sand Waves

Acrylic Work

Last month I completed a slime mold/fungi-inspired abstract work using acrylic paint and glitter.  Though I was pleased with the result I was frustrated with the paint.  I used molding paste by Golden to make the shapes more three-dimensional.  The problem was applying the paste with a brush.  I really struggled to form the shapes smoothly. 

I consulted a friend who is an acrylic master, who suggested cake decorating bags and tips.  Why didn’t I think of that?  After a trip to Michael’s Art Supplies I’m armed with my tools.  I’m a little nervous about trying them.  I guess I’m just afraid of failure.  Check back with my blog for updates.  I think I’m going to have a lot of fun!

Below are images of stage one and two of a painting I’m working on.  It’s an abstraction of a type of lichen.  In the first photo you’ll see the molding paste (under-painting), and in the second photo the painting I did over it.  I’m not happy at all because the paste is so lumpy and uneven.  I plan to use my new pastry decorating tools on this painting first.  Can I fix it?  We’ll see.

Stage 1 (Molding Paste Under-Painting)

Stage 2

New Necklaces

During my recent block of studio time I got to work on those clay pieces I blogged about a month or so ago. 

I glued bails (the looped hangers) to the backs of the ceramic drawings with epoxy that is strong enough to suspend an elephant from a chandelier.  I threaded the bail with a silken cord and created my own sterling silver wire wrapped clasp.  I was so worried that the wire wouldn’t hold the cord firmly, but it does!  I can tug on the cord with all my strength and it doesn’t budge.  I completed 14 necklaces and then ran out of wire.  Doh!  This week I’ll order more.  

I’m really happy with how these are turning out and plan to start molding more clay shapes this week for future pendants.  At some point, they will be available in my Etsy shop.  I'll let you know!

 

March Madness

I didn’t blog at all in March.  Ooops!  I guess I should explain my absence. 

March was a tough month.  It started with needing to devote extra time to teaching (not that this was bad; the work was fun, creative, and rewarding).  Then I’ve been sick for about three weeks.  The cold/flu thing that seems to be going around and doesn’t want to go away.  I still have it, but am feeling better. 

For the reasons mentioned above I spent little time in the studio, which resulted in little to blog about.  As my to-do list got longer and longer, my momentum slowed to a snail’s pace.  Ah, but this is par for the course of being an artist. 

As I was filling out my timesheet for my paid job, the little light bulb above my head went on.  Why not fill out a timesheet for my studio work?  I like the idea of keeping track and holding myself accountable.  Also, this way I can gauge my productivity.  The rules are that in order for the studio hours to count, I need to be doing something to further my creativity, career, or business.  As I blog, I’m on the clock.  Checking my e-mail, surfing the web, or messing around on Facebook does not count unless it directly relates to promoting my art.  The other rule is that I need to complete at least one hour of work in the studio per day.  If I miss a day, I have to make it up within a week.

But the timesheet wasn’t enough.  I needed some sort of reward for my time.  After asking for suggestions from friends on Facebook, I went with cash.  I get paid $1 for every hour of studio work.  Yeah, I’m underpaid.  The beauty is that those dollars can add up.  The more I work, the more money I make.  I could use it to buy art supplies, treats, or clothes, but I needed a more compelling goal.  Of course, I knew immediately what that was: Mendocino. 

I love the Mendocino/Fort Bragg area of California.  I’d move there in a second if I could.  There is something about that wild and wooly coast; it reflects my inner wild and wooliness.  And I love the woods, the art community, the quaintness, the funkiness, the remoteness and quiet.  I am saving for a trip to Mendocino.  The trip will be completely justified, because I earned it.  I’ll go for quiet and inspiration.  I may even go alone, and make it a personal, spiritual, artist’s retreat.  But, I’m getting way ahead of myself.   If I don’t put in some serious studio time, it could be years before I can afford to go. 

I started clocking my hours on March 25^th.  I’ll pay myself monthly, so in March my earnings are $10.  That’s okay for starters, but I can do better.  And for Joe Q. Public out there; I won’t be keeping large amounts of cash in my house.  Once the money jar becomes more that I would carry in my wallet, it’s going in the bank.  I’ll leave an IOU note in the jar. 

Disclaimer:  I am full of motivation and inspiration to make art, the savings jar is just to get me over the hump between wanting to create and laying on the couch watching TV because I’m tired from working all day.  I’m excited.  It’s the little extra push I need.  I did great with my goal of getting my Etsy store up and running by a particular date, so this goal will be good for me.

In other news: during my month of "March Sickness" I started working on a clay commission for a friend.  I’ll share it with you later in the month when it is complete.  I finished the sculpting and the piece is currently drying.  It will be fired, glazed, and fired again.  She hasn’t seen it so I can’t share it yet.  It’s a surprise!  I also completed a commission of a wire wrapped beach stone pendant.  This friend found a beautiful piece of quartz on the beach and I wrapped it with sterling silver wire.  For some reason, I didn’t take a picture to share!  Finally, my paintings will be on display for another week at Studio Gallery on Polk Street as part of an Easter display in their front windows. 

Wow!  Look what happens when you don’t blog for a month.  I sure am chatty today.  I’ll be back to my 3x a month schedule, so stay tuned!

My Studio Door

Delicious 2012

I stopped by “Studio Gallery” this afternoon.  “Delicious – Art Inspired by Food and Drink” opened today.  The paintings are arranged in the order you might eat the subject.  Appetizers, then main course, drinks, and dessert last (in the back room).   Three of my paintings are on the wall (in the back); others are waiting in the wings.  I’ll be there for the opening reception on Sunday, March 4 at around 2pm.  I hope to see you there!  Happy eating, art, and shopping!

Save the Date

"Peep Family", oil on canvas, 12 x 6", 2011

Dear friends, I will be participating in “Delicious – Work Inspired by Food and Drink” at Studio Gallery in San Francisco next month.  The show opens Wednesday, February 29^th and goes through Sunday, April 1^st.  I plan to be at the opening reception on Sunday, March 4^th (2-6pm) on the early side.  “Delicious” is my favorite show at Studio Gallery, perhaps because I am a foodie, but also because it is just plain fun.  The show features over 90 local artists working in all styles and media.  I hope to see you there!

Studio Gallery

1815 Polk Street (between Washington and Jackson)

San Francisco

415-931-3130

http://www.studiogallerysf.com/

Glitterama!

"Orange Lichen", acrylic on canvas, 10 x 10", 2012

I finished the painting I started yesterday.  Inspired by orange lichen, it has become much more.  It was fun to paint, and refreshing to work on something abstract after years of realism.  It contains several shades of glitter, microbeads, and the tiniest seed beads.  Some might be thinking “Why all the glitter?” and the answer is; I just don’t know.  It’s fun and sparkly.  I needed it.  In fact I need to start another glitter lichen/fungi painting now! 

(The painting looks even better in person.)  

detail

detail

Going Abstract

When inspiration strikes, it’s time to act.  I find that if I wait (out of fear or convenience) the window of opportunity closes and I often don’t come back to the idea.

So you are probably wondering what is going on with the painting above.  Over a year ago I was inspired by the encaustic work of an artist friend.  The paintings were mostly abstract and incorporated glitter.  Ahhh glitter!  I knew I needed to do something with glitter.  I bought the Martha Stewart glitter collection but never used it.  I felt blocked.  I couldn’t just jump into a painting without some sort of idea.

Now, after all this time, the moment has arrived.  After all the tiny myco drawings for jewelry pendants, inspiration struck.  I was lying in bed thinking about the fun, intriguing and beautiful world of slime molds and lichen when I had the idea; I can paint this subject.  And, these paintings would be the prefect place for a little glitter, maybe even tiny beads. 

So, this morning before making breakfast or tea (I’ll eat when I finish writing this blog) I got to work.  Oil paint is not great for any sort of collage; the oils break down materials imbedded in it.  So I got out the acrylics.  It has been a long time since I used them!  I put down a thin underglaze, sketched out my design, and started painting with modeling paste.  I am going all out, exploring the opposite of what I’ve been doing with paint for the past couple years.  I need to wait for things to dry before I do more.  The wonderful thing about acrylic is that my wait won’t be long.  What you see above will look very different when it is finished.  If I like it, I’ll do more!

Does this mean my style is changing?  Who knows?  Maybe this painting will help bring new life my candy/shell/sea glass work.  Maybe I’ll make more jewelry.  Maybe everything that I have ever wanted to express will gel and I’ll be at the top of my game.  Or, perhaps it will just be a fun exercise in self- expression.  Am I worried about any of this?  Not a chance. I'm just enjoying the flow of creativity.  A beautiful gift on a sunny, warm winter day.