TamandaArt

Creating space for large canvases. This year I am planning on going big. Big canvases. It will mean less posts of finished work but I am hoping people won't be bored with process shots. It looks like I have about half of the studio sorted and I have goals to paint the furniture and tidy everything up a bit more. It still seems dark. We will see what we can do. The rug is essential in the winter. The floor is concrete and freezing.  I am wearing shoes, without the rug I would probably have to wear boots.  Brrrr.   

Here we go. Here's a look of the floral in process. There was quite a lot of detail to draw in.  It is taking some time just to fill in all the colors. The lighting is slightly brighter in this photo but you can see how more color has been filled and some colors have changed or had more value placed in and or around prior. About half way done.  

 Here's a little painting that I have had sitting on the shelf half finished for a few months now.  I finished it off last Friday. It took longer than I intended but it is done!  First painting finished for 2022! "Sorbet Surprise" (#22-01) 12" x 9" oil on canvas Will be sold on Etsy and DailyPaintworks.

One corner is finished! If you haven't noticed yet, I have shopped at IKEA once or twice.  My favorite place though is Kijiji (similar to Craigslist), and Facebook marketplace. The glass and metal shelves were an amazing deal $40. The drafting table came from a business that was renovating. $50! I try to get all my baskets on sale (although that's getting harder to do since COVID) That square basket with the lid was a 50% off deal! I love bargains!  

Although I do mostly floral work I do like to sneak a landscape in here and there. This is one that I have been meaning to paint for well over a year.  I took the photo October 2020. Don't look at the current date! You'll see how much I procrastinate. Here's the start and you can see the form of the composition coming along. There are some incredible greens to come. I even bought a wonderful new paint color just for this.  

Here is another that I am currently painting. I put up this photo that I am working from in November. This particular composition was tricky with so many branches and leaves in the photo. I started with a grid to help keep everything where it was supposed to be. As with most paintings, you have to change a few things, omit and alter as you go. This one was no different. We will have to see as it comes along.  

Niagara is nestled in one of the most southern parts of Canada.  Yes, we get snow but not this much and not all at once! This snowstorm stopped everything. This photo above was at 8:30 am January 17 and it was still snowing but we had to start digging out because it takes a few hours to get the driveway cleared. We also only have shovels. By 11 am we had one car out and the pile at the end of the drive was the same height as me.  Or close enough. About five feet. I dug snow tunnels for the dogs.  They are much happier once they could run around since a dog walk will take a few more days for everyone to clear their sidewalks. So no art happened yesterday. Sorry everyone! I'll get to it soon.  

This is a big one! 24" x 24" and it's just one flower! I took this photo this past June (my peonies were a little late this year). My peony shrub wasn't happy in the front yard and the plant drooped before they bloomed. Luckily I was able to save a few. This one turned out well. I am about halfway done.  There are so many colors in the whites, it's hard to choose cold or warm. I hope this one turns out.  

In the upcoming week I am going to put up what I am currently working on.. Despite the studio being in complete disarray for the past two weeks,  I have also been trying to organize my projects (even if I couldn't get to them under the piles).  Here's a sneak peek of one of them 18" x 24" This floral is going to be in a dining room.  This is my attempt at sophisticated elegance with a lot of color and energy with a bit of old Dutch influence. It almost has the feel of wallpaper to it.  I don't have a title in mind yet. We will have to see as it comes along.  

Is it New Year already? We kept busy over the holidays renovating the living room and it got me to thinking...how about the studio too? This photo below was from over a year ago and my studio has cluttered up more ever since.                       Hard to believe I know. Where did I fit it? Now, how to turn this into that??? Hmmmm? Dream art Studio Being in the basement gives me space I need but that is about the only feature. It gets cramped very quickly. And messy, so very messy. I have gone on-line several times to try and find out how others organize their mess. I am noticing that they all have a large glass window or door.  So jealous! What I have taken from all of the above is this: Paint everything light and white.  Clear away the counter surfaces and have them white if you can (don't put everything on display) Uniformity - visual consistence allows your eyes to not focus on clutter Maybe some better lighting - fingers crossed on that one. Also, add a plant or two. I am goin