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Artist R.L. Gibson

Category: color theory

DAY 28: Murmur

Murmur (5"x5" watercolour) by R.L. Gibson
Murmur (5″x5″ watercolour) by R.L. Gibson

It is Day 27 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; today’s painting is “Murmur” (watercolour, 5″x5″).  I am on the road from Virginia to Pennsylvania on my way to New York tomorrow for an art opening.  I am excited to have eight pieces in a show, and happier still to be able to attend the opening.  But, I have whispers of other work needling me.  I have all these paintings and that equivocal, nagging doubt about media that I don’t normally show to the world.  I have a new series of xerography work just budding, but I have to walk away for days to celebrate the work already here being shown. I’ve already been hyper-emotional mess this month; the last thing I need are these pulls at my artistic self that make me feel a little crazy –like voices murmuring.  But here I am anyway.  So, I’ll just make the art.  This is what murmuring feels like, fuzzy edges.  Happy with a shadow.

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice. 

I’m oversharing again.  I’ll try to reel it in on Day 28.

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DAY 26: Whir

Whir (5"x5") by R.L. Gibson
Whir (5″x5″ watercolour) by R.L. Gibson

It is Day 26 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; today’s painting is “Whir” (watercolour, 5″x5″).  Despite all the painting I’ve done this month, I started a new xerography piece centered around Columbus Circle, one of New York’s most heavily trafficked traffic circles. Virtually every image of this landmark feature one thing in common –the yellow cab.

Remember those first 15 days of acrylics?  They were studies for a new xerography series.  This could be the start, and today’s painting was inspired by that work.  I’ve been a busy bee.

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice. 

Today was better than yesterday. What will day 27 bring?

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DAY 25: Tenebrific

Tenebrific (5"x5" watercolour) by R.L. Gibson
Tenebrific (5″x5″ watercolour) by R.L. Gibson

It is Day 25 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; today’s painting is “Tenebrific” (watercolour, 5″x5″).  I had a such a hard day; an icy blue ugly day.  Everyone has had one of those days.  A day when you would have been better off pulling the covers over your head and waiting out the next revolution of the earth.  This piece is that bottomless pool whose weight around your ankles keeps pulling you down while lulling your into complacency.  How do I find the surface?  Tomorrow is another day.

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice. 

Fingers Crossed Day 26 is better.

DAY 23: Pulse

Pulse (5"x5" watercolor) by R.L. Gibson
Pulse (5″x5″ watercolour) by R.L. Gibson

We only have a week to go. It is already Day 23 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; my offering is “Pulse” (watercolour, 5″x5″).

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice.  This image reminds me of an EKG readout, a record of the beating of a heart.  Nearly 3 years ago, I rushed my young(ish) husband to the hospital fearful that he might be having a heart attack.  We were relieved to find out is was a common arrhythmia.  Although scary, it isn’t really harmful.  I remember those brief moments when I thought I might lose him, my stomach in my throat.  It felt like this piece.

Maybe more watercolor for day twenty-four?

DAY 22: Broadcast

"Broadcast" (acrylic on paper 6"x6") by R.L. Gibson
“Broadcast” (acrylic on paper 6″x6″) by R.L. Gibson

I can’t believe I’ve made it all the way to Day 22 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; my offering is “Broadcast” (acrylic on paper, 6″x6″).

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice.  This piece started as a technique study for a larger work.  I was testing my acrylic consistency for the alcohol disbursement, but I fell in love with the colors and forgot all about the bigger work, ha.  I am sort of in love with the pink, but it wasn’t intentional.  I got the pink when I was too impatient to let the cadmium red layer dry completely before adding the zinc white.  It is a beautiful accident.

Where should I go for day Twenty-Two?

DAY 21: Bosky

Bosky (5" x 5" watercolour) by Artist R.L. Gibson
Bosky (5″ x 5″ watercolour) by Artist R.L. Gibson

It is Day 21 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; my offering is “Bosky” (watercolour, 5″x5″). 

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice.  Limiting my palette often ends up informing content and composition.  Maybe we’ll visit the other end of the spectrum in the days to come.

Let’s see where watercolour takes us… on day Twenty-Two.

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DAY 20: Meld

 

Meld (5"x5" watercolour) by Artist R.L. Gibson
Meld (5″x5″ watercolour) by Artist R.L. Gibson

It is Day 20 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; my offering is “Meld” (watercolour, 5″x5″). Will be available for $40 in my Etsy Shop.

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice. Today’s painting is an exercise in controlled chaos. I didn’t make mud, so… success. 

Remember, this canvas is available for $40 in my Etsy Shop.

Let’s see where watercolour takes us… on day Twenty-One.

DAY 19: Disperse

Disperse (watercolour, 5"x5") by Artist R.L. Gibson for Day 19 of the
Disperse (watercolour, 5″x5″) by R.L. Gibson

It is Day 19 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; my offering is “Disperse” (watercolour, 5″x5″), yes watercolor. Will be available for $40 in my Etsy Shop.

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice. By popular request, I ventured into watercolour for a change.  I has renewed my love of Prussian blue.  Watercolor is not for the control freak. While you can predict and plan for path of the color, your control is, ultimately, limited.  I find myself holding my breath often.

Remember, this canvas is available for $40 in my Etsy Shop.

Let’s see where watercolour takes us… on day Twenty.

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DAY 18: Lateral

"Lateral" (acrylic on paper 6"x6") by R.L. Gibson
“Lateral” (acrylic on paper 6″x6″) by R.L. Gibson

It is Day 18 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; my offering is “Lateral” (acrylic on paper, 6″x6″), my do-over of yesterday.

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice.  Another day has passed, and I haven’t found any additional color.  This one feels more successful than yesterday, but it is still a lateral move.

I am ready for a big change… on day Nineteen.

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DAY 17: Rove

"Rove" (acrylic on paper 6"x6") by R.L. Gibson
“Rove” (acrylic on paper 6″x6″) by R.L. Gibson

It is Day 17 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge; my offering is “Rove” (acrylic on paper, 6″x6″).

As a xerographist, my work tends to be, almost exclusively, representational.  The 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge offers me an opportunity to revisit abstract painting as an alternate voice.  I didn’t manage to find more color today. My intention keeps getting stuck in the unintentional.  Yesterday was a hard day artistically.  Everything turned out wrong.  I’m not sure how I feel about this beginning.  I am going to try another take on this same unintentional roving tomorrow.

I will try again… on day Eighteen.