photo by Laurel Casey
This winter in New England is… enough already. I’m not alone in feeling this. But in truth, it’s beautiful, in many ways. I’ve been doing some blue and white paintings as a result. Here is the process of my recent “More Snow”, mixed media on wood panel, 24×24″ (When I say “mixed media” I refer to the fact that the painting is not ONLY made of acrylic paint, but also pencil and water-based crayon.)
First a couple of quick value and color studies in my art journal.
I toned the panel with a random mix of phthalo blue, green shade; a small amount of lemon yellow; some teal; a little white. First time I’ve decided to use this teal color as a ground. Sketched out the image with hot pink pastel pencil. I like breaking rules, although I really don’t have too many in my studio.
Laying in darks, lights and starting on some mid-tones… Also lots of scribbling. I love scribbling. Mark-making is important to me; I love the freedom of letting the marks make themselves through my hand.
After I get things pretty well established, I often begin to get fussy, which is always a no-no. I take a lot of breaks, turn away from the painting, eat lunch, check my email, go back to the painting, play with my dog Theo, plan the next painting, go back to the painting, sketch some other ideas, read books, check FB, (oops), go back to the painting.
Anyway, after a few days, I decide it’s done, and here’s “More Snow” 24×24″ mixed media on cradled board. (My personal title is actually “More F$%^&ing Snow.” )
“More Snow” 24×24″ mixed media on panel. © 2104 Karen Rand Anderson
Theo, faithful studio assistant
cleaning up the studio 
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Nice Karen – concise and fun to follow! – Stuart
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thank you Stuart!!
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Very magical and absolutely captures that feeling of winter mood, winter light, the waiting and anticipation of winter’s end! I love the phases. It gives it even more power to see the layers and these areas of emphasis. We have so much snow here, that some days, Lowell has to plow 3x per day to allow us to escape from our hill. Last night he plowed until midnight. Better him than me. There is a reason I call him Sisyphus!
PS. Fun for me to see that you and my dearest friend, Julie, are connected.
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what a lovely response, Jos… ! Thanks so much.. I am so glad to have discovered Julie. !! wow. what a dynamic and inspirational angel. I’m reading her book “Nothing Short of Joy” right now. !! thanks so much for the connection.
P.s.When I make it to MOntana I will be sure it’s summertime. 🙂
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Loved seeing your progression… brave thing to do, as I find that it often takes many iterations, and ones I wouldn’t want to share, to get it where I want it.
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thanks Mimo… I’m getting to a place where I realize that being brave is the best thing for me. !!! sharing studio process feels like the right thing to do, even if it’s raw, rough, and maybe even somewhat sophomoric. 🙂 whatever. One foot in front of the other…
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Omg GORGEOUS! I loved watching your progression! I’ve not been bold enough to share mine, seeing as I tend to judge it as I go. Silly. I strive toward the final product instead of appreciating the whole blinkin journey of expression ❤ Your process is, of course, so similar to mine or to any artist – that's strangely reassuring – thank you! "I like breaking rules, although I really don’t have too many in my studio" hee hee you grow girlfriend 😉 Theo is also such a WONDERFUL piece!
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Thanks so much, Julie… !! I know about “judging the process”–I’m working to let go of that and just enjoy the journey. (Theo is my faithful studio assistant…)
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Thanks for sharing your process!
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