Artist R.L. Gibson

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Artist R.L. Gibson

Tag: Inspiration

Watercolour 100317

Posted on by R.L. Gibson
watercolour 100317 (8'x11") by R.L. Gibson
watercolour 100317 (on 90 lb. paper, 8″x11″) by R.L. Gibson

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So, I whined my way through the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  A couple of days before it ended, I headed to NY for an opening at the Scarlet Seven Gallery in which my work was included. As I was reading each artist’s statement, I came across the work of Susan Spencer Crowe.  Midway through I came across the words, paraphrased, “I painted a watercolour every day for 5 years.”  FIVE YEARS.  I whined my way through 30 days.

So, I have until January for the next 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge, but I am going to try to post something new nearly every day.  Most days I will just name them for the day they were completed.  I worked this one to death, but I love that cadmium orange.

Let’s see where this goes…

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DAY 28: Murmur

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

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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.

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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 9: 167°

Posted on by R.L. Gibson
"167°" (acrylic & gold leaf on 5″×7″ unstretched canvas) by R.L. Gibson
“167°” (acrylic & gold leaf on 5″×7″ unstretched canvas) by R.L. Gibson

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It is Day 9 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge sponsored by painter Leslie Saeta.  My ninth offering is “167º” acrylic & gold leaf on 5″×7″ unstretched canvas.  Will be available next week for $50 in my Etsy Shop.

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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.  More angry yellow today surrounded by the rosy glow of the ease of submission to apathy just on the perimeter of my vision.  Round & round the I go on the traffic circle meeting road blocks at every turn.  I will find my way — in time.

167º is ninth of a number of paintings inspired by traffic circles:  “As a frequent traveler, I am both comforted and amused by the familiar behaviors found while traversing the traffic circle.  Well-intentioned drivers lean forward to afford themselves a better view of street signs, use their right turn signal despite all options being right turns, momentarily hit the brakes not quite certain of their choice before barreling ahead often without noticing the presence or location of other drivers on the circle or having to go ’round again because they missed the mark the first time.  It is sort of a perfect metaphor for navigating life.”

Remember, this canvas is available for $50 in my Etsy Shop.

Next stop? Day Ten.

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DAY 7: 42°

Posted on by R.L. Gibson
"42°" acrylic & silver leaf on 5″×7″ unstretched canvas by R.L. Gibson
“42°” (acrylic & silver leaf on 5″×7″ unstretched canvas) by R.L. Gibson

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It is Day 7 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge sponsored by painter Leslie Saeta.  My seventh offering is “42º” acrylic & silver leaf on 5″×7″ unstretched canvas.  Available for $50.

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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 spend 99% of my time working on the paint, but the 1% spent on the circle and street make all the difference.  The other 1%.

42º is seventh of a number of paintings inspired by traffic circles:  “As a frequent traveler, I am both comforted and amused by the familiar behaviors found while traversing the traffic circle.  Well-intentioned drivers lean forward to afford themselves a better view of street signs, use their right turn signal despite all options being right turns, momentarily hit the brakes not quite certain of their choice before barreling ahead often without noticing the presence or location of other drivers on the circle or having to go ’round again because they missed the mark the first time.  It is sort of a perfect metaphor for navigating life.”

Next stop? Day Eight.

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SUN bathing…

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

Inspiration for Artist R.L. Gibson!INSPIRATION
or rationalization?

As I continue to sort through the imagery of my youth and the days when those I have loved were young, inspiration for “living on vacation” continues.  I am inspired to create vacation memories to share in vivid saturated color, but I am also inspired to get out of the studio & take a trip to the lake.

Is that inspiration?  Or is it rationalization for soaking up a little sun & swigging a glass-bottled cola as though I were posing for an ad?  I must admit, the fashion makes is all the more tempting.  Another happy place…

Find your happy place. Go there.  And, go often.

Be sure to Follow Artist R.L. Gibson on Facebook!

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LIVING on vacation…

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

Inspiration for Artist R.L. Gibson!INSPIRATION

While “Do I Know You?” is still installed at the Emporium Center, I find myself yearning for new work & COLOR.  Yes, I’ve always had the ability to transfer in color, but I find myself wanting to paint in deep saturated tones.  Consider it a vacation of the mind.  Afterall, isn’t it more your mind that needs rest & adventure than your body?

I am inspired, once again, by vintage family photographs.  As I start the creative process anew, I am going to keep my mind’s eye on vacation and what it really means.  At today’s pace, my family finds less and less time for vacation.  Hell, we often struggle to find a day off.  So maybe finding a happy place is the answer–whether your happy place is the beach, mountains, lake or a simple cowboy costume.

Go there.  And, go often.

Be sure to Follow Artist R.L. Gibson on Facebook!

⊕ ⊗  ⊕  ⊗  ⊕  ⊗  ⊕