Exploring Different Mediums

My favorite medium to work with for my art is acrylic. Sometimes I add ink in a pen form to my acrylic pieces for emphasis and to draw attention to some of my more hidden elements. But overall, I love the sliding of acrylic on a paint brush. To me, this medium is the easiest to manipulate and flow on to a canvas along with where the brush may take me in my creations.

I have explored many mediums in my artistic creations. I've done paper mache, floral arranging, scrap booking, card making, carving wood, painting wood, watercolors and drawing. I've used different shades of lead pencil in drawing. I have several of those pieces in my poetry scrap book. Most recently, I wanted to explore what I could do with color pencils.

The piece displayed here is named "Abuelita's Curiosity". I sketched out my piece initially using a lead pencil, then I colored it with color pencils.
The drawing depicts my grandmother (Welita), who died in 1967. I remember her in her apron and she always seemed to be doing laundry. I actually took two places I remember her living and combined them into a new and original place in my mind. She lived in a little house next to railroad tracks and then she lived by an airport in a little house with her washer in the back yard. She always had Nopales Cactus in her yard, because she made the most delicious nopalitas.
She often stood at the edge of her yards just looking out aimlessly at things. In this piece, I have her standing on a crate (she was less than 5 foot) to catch a glimpse of a bird she heard through the fence, which sparked her curiosity. I was 7 when she passed away, but her memory forever lives on in my mind and heart.

I framed this piece and it hangs in my dining area of my house as a constant reminder of the beautiful soul she was. I have a hope of one day seeing her again.

Morning Glory

This canvas didn't start with "Morning Glory" in mind. It was actually going to be an abstract with a rooster in the center. When I looked at the piece, it didn't appeal to me at all. So I took the 8" x 8" gallery wrapped canvas over to the sink and started washing my error off the canvas. As I removed the rooster, I noticed how the abstract colored lines I had painted gave an interesting background. So I left some of the original painting to use as background. I painted over it and you can see the artful effect it provided.

I've always loved to visit gardens -- one of my favorite gardens is located on Vancouver Island. I love Roses, especially because of how beautiful they are and because of their fragrance.

My mother grows the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen in a yard. She always has an arbor full of morning glories. In the early morning when I drive up to her house, there are always birds feeding off her flowers and seed trays. There are usually one or two humming birds buzzing around. I chose to paint the birds in white and gold because there is nothing more heavenly than those two colors together.

In my art, I use alot of clusters of three. Those three elements when grouped represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I usually, along with listening to music and lost in my creativity, ask for assistance from God in guiding my hand to be used in a vision which will make those viewing feel happy or like what they are seeing. Like myself as a collector, the pieces that I have collected from other artists move me emotionally in one way or another.

Also, in many of my pieces you will see swirls. I don't like alot of open space in my life. I love being around beautiful things and love being around my family and friends. The swirls bring me comfort. I think it is residual stemming type tendency from my childhood autistic world.

And the color in my art. I love color, color and more color. My first born son brought color into my life. I've always been attracted to color and glitz (sparklies), thus my art is colorful -- sometimes I think to the extreme. To me color represents diversity and I have acceptance and tolerance to each unique person, who I feel has purpose in this life for each moment that we have breath. I also have a hope that our purpose continues after this one!!

I have a sense of humor like no other. I love laughter. I love happiness and good times, thus most, if not all of my work is whimsical and bright -- just like "Morning Glory".

What Inspires Me To Paint?

I know like others, when you are someone who networks via the internet, you are going meet individuals and they become consistent tweeters and facebook friends. Although I haven't met these fabulous individuals, they are a part of my life and I look foward to chatting with them on almost a daily basis.

One particular day, I was ill and had stayed home. I was using facebook as a means to not remain idle. I had several ladies from UWIB United Women In Business who kept me company via the Internet for the most part of my morning. By the end of our time together, they made me feel reenergized and creative.

I went into my studio and thought how often, people we know are down or going through a crisis. The bird by the nest depicts one of these individuals and her heart is dark and her head bowed down. Flying toward her are two birds who bring with them love (as depicted by the red hearts in their beaks). I called this piece, "In My Sorrow, You Brought Me Love". This piece is a tribute to all those who go to the rescue of their friends who may for some reason or another may not be themselves and need that extra love to get through it!!

I gifted the original to a friend of mine, who whenever I see her, always exerts positive energy, love and encouragement towards me.

Cindy's Colorful Canvas In Cafe Press Shop

This past week, I upgraded my Cafe Press Shops to the Premium Level. Now all my artwork can be purchased in one location rather than having to go to separate shop links to view.

Along with Fine Art America (http://cynthia-koch.artistwebsites.com/), I found another way to provide my art on various products that can be securely purchased and shipped safely through Cafe Press. This site provides mugs, journals, clocks, totes, tiles, prints, greeting cards, postcards and note cards. (Prices range from $3.99 to $39.99)

Cindy's Colorful Canvas can be found at:

www.cafepress.com/CindysColorfulCanvas

Because I work full time as a Human Resources Manager, I don't have alot of time to market my art or spend time in art memberships or art associations, so until retirement, in hopefully five years, I want to introduce my art in its beginnings to hopefully build a fan base of interested collectors.

Eventually, I'll buy what I need to securely package and provide a safe means of payment to collectors for my original art.

Anady's Trophies and Engraving in Hemet, California (http://www.anadystrophies.com/), through my friend who is the owner of this shop, is generously displaying my original art and offering it for sale to her customers. The original pieces are gallery wrapped canvasses ranging from 4"x 4" to 8" x 8" various sizes. Those pieces featured at Anady's are Robyn 1, Robyn 2, Snail Trail, Morning Glory, Everything Is Rosey, Hibiscus In The Morning, Warm & Sunny, & Purple Night & Blue Birds.

I thank you for your time and interest in my art!! If you have any special requests you would like me to paint and post for possible purchases though these means, please be sure to drop me a line.