New to WC and this forum...

[JanB]

Hi everyone, I'm JanB. I just joined this wonderful place a few weeks ago and have been hanging out at the plein air form mostly. I'd been browsing around looking for another forum to participate in for my studio work and I felt this was the place for me to jump in. I recently began a new semi-abstract series of small works on paper with a "tree" theme (mixed media). The trees are just starting to turn here in Southern New England and I'm anticipating the beautiful colors of autumn.

Hi to Larry Seiler(sp?) from the plain air forum, nice to see you here :wave:
and Classical Vince Love the "autumn winds" pieces :clap:

[roger41]

Hi Jan,
I really like your stuff. The top one on the right is the one I like the best. It remeinds me of stained glass, but without the hard edges, It also has movement...like wind blowing through the branches and leaves of a tree. I'm normaly not into abstract stuff much......but this I find very pleasing to look at...with just enough definition to it for me to be able to form mental pictures of the subject matter. :cat: I hope that you will show us more. Very nice work.

Roger

[sassybird]

I like the first and the third one. The first reminds me of early morning looking up through the tree limbs as the sun rises. That always gives color a special jewel tone during the fall; ambers, carnelians, rubys. You just can't beat that time of day.

The third one reminds me of a crazy quilt where the sections lay were they fall and are sewn into place, but there is a lot of movement in this piece also. The texture is wonderful in this piece.

Welcome to WC! and the Inspirational forum:)

[Cyndi L]

Yes, that's it! That's what I was trying to think of ~ a crazy quilt! Love your stuff Jan :)

[JanB]

Hi all,
Thanks for the kind words. I'm excited about this series, I hope to do quite a few, maybe 50,since they are small 6x8 or smaller, and then pick the 20 -30 best and hopefully have a show. I'll keep posting to get your reactions, that's really helpful. I want the images to be pleasing to look at and to evoke a response, just like some of you gave, reminding you of a crazy quilt,or the sun through the tree tops at a certain time of day. I don't think that abstract art has to be ugly, I'm really not into "ugly art". I think art should be ennobling to the spirit and beautiful even if it tackles poignant or disconserting subjects. I also like to keep a fingerhold on reality so the viewer is given a clue or hint to what the work is about. I hope to have a few more by next week if the weather cooperates. I actually start these outside using a real tree, that's the plein air painter in me I guess LOL. They just don't seem authenic if I don't start them outside. And nature is full of surprises and I like to grab those kinds of unusual details and use them in my work. Once again thanks for the comments they're really helpful.

[LarrySeiler]

hi Jan and welcome...

the third piece is very strong compositionally, the shapes having a great repetition and theme. The colors well done...certainly grabbing and holding attention.

Was just in a gallery yesterday...interested in my work, checking them out... and this last piece would fit in well with a number of works by other artists there. The owner spends a couple months each winter in the Carribeans and the gaity, the color and celebration can be seen in her works influenced from time there over 20 years. This last piece of yours reminds me of that spirit.

lovely work...

Larry