Artist Derek Collins Blog, modern impressionist landscape paintings and abstract textured : May 2009

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

original acrylic painting of pine trees - Day 41

"Afternoon Delight"
original acrylic painting of pine trees
8x10
$58
$10 shipping to the US and Canada
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Just got back from a 8 hour drive to pick up my van from the mechanic. It's a glamour job.!

Monday, May 25, 2009

original acrylic ocean sunset painting - Day 40

"Weekend Warriors"

original acrylic ocean sunset painting

8x10 on Masonite
SOLD

I am still totally drained from my art show. So, I will just be chilling out for a while.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Artist Derek Collins Lament - original acrylic seascape sunset painting Day 39

"Dreamy"
original acrylic seascape sunset painting
8x10 on Masonite
Listed in My Etsy Store
You can purchase through Paypal, I can send you a bill
Questions?
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I did an art show this weekend in Lafayette Indiana, it was a three hour drive. I went to check the oil in my van before I left. I found a 2 ft x 2 ft birds nest wrapped around the motor. It took an hour and a half to clean it out because it was wrapped around wires and hoses. I got ten blocks from the show, and I got a warning light saying to, check wiring, and the van died. Pesky birds!

AAA towed me to a shop that won't be open until the Holiday is over. Remember this is a smaller city. I called all the rental places and they all closed at 6:00, it was 6:10. Finally, the last one I tried, went the owners cell phone. He came and picked me up and took me to his business. Because it was a Holiday I had to rent it for 3 days, lovely! $250 dollars later, I have a van.

After I get the rental, I go to the garage where they towed my van. I transfer my tent,display, and paintings to the rental. I couldn't get my Chair in the rental. There just wasn't any room. It is now 10 pm. So now, I go to the show to setup. I get there to find that I have to carry everything by hand up 10 steps of stairs. My dolly is useless. It takes 6o trips to carry everything to my booth location. When I start setting my tent up, I notice that it doesn't quite fit. One third of my booth has landscape mulch in it, with newly planted Ivy growing in it. My neighbor decided he wanted some room on the side of his tent, so he moved his tent 3 feet and pushed me over onto the mulch. It was nice of him to move the little block with my booth number on it, so it would look like that's how the organizers measured it out. Since he was already set up, there wasn't anything I could do.

I hadn't eaten anything all day, I'm now heading to the hotel at Midnight. The only place that is open is McDonalds. Wasn't exactly my ideal choice for supper. As you can imagine, I had a couple things on my mind, and having just eaten, I got no sleep at all. It was 2:00 am before I could even settle down. Up at 6:00 am. I am awake, so I figured I might as well go to the show and get close parking, it will make tear down easier. I'm still only partially setup.

The show begins!

As I finished setting up, I needed a bungee, you know the ones with the little ball. So I ask my neighbor. Yes, that neighbor. He pulls out a large bag of them. He give me one and says, "Don't forget to give it back to me". Like, if I went around stealing 18 cent bungees from people, I wouldn't need to borrow one.

Last year at the show, I got takeout at this Italian restaurant. It was the best Italian that I have ever had. So I had the whole day planned around getting some takeout for dinner. So at 3:30, I head over to place an order. You guessed it, this year they decided to close for the holiday weekend. I end up getting an Italian sub at a Mom and Pop deli. The sub came with oil and vinegar. It wasn't oil and Vinegar, it was Italian dressing, Yuk! That's false advertising!!

Back at the tent to eat my Sub. My neighbor thinks this is a good time to remind me not to forget to return the bungee. A little later my Neighbor says " Oh, by the way, why did you set your tent up so close to mine. A little passive aggressive and self absorbed, Don't you think.

I sold $58, that's it, and they bought it to put in an auction. Most of the painters around me had one sale or none at all. It was just really bad for everyone. Remember, I didn't have my chair, so I'm standing most of the day and can hardly stay awake.

Sweet relief, the show is over! So now, I have returned "The Precious Bungee". I literally have both hands above my head, trying to take down my tent. A college student(Purdue is in West Lafayette) says" Can I talk to you a minute. He gives me a spiel and wants to know if I would like to donate money to his youth group. Read the room!

My booth at the show, was under a Cottonwood tree. All day there was little fibers of Cotton floating around. I realise at this time that I have lost my voice. Pesky tree!

Now I am sitting at home with no money, no voice, exhausted, with no idea, how or when I will get my van back. And also with a rental that I need to return ( a 6 hour return trip).

Ahhhh, poor thing!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Original Acrylic Cardinal painting - Day 38

"Cardinal"

8x10

original acrylic cardinal painting

Sold

This is a big departure from the paintings that you have been seeing from me. I don't know what got into me.

Have to run. I have an art show this weekend, I have spent 1 1/2 hours this morning cleaning my vans engine, it had an enormous bird nest in it.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Original Abstract Western Painting- Day 37

Original Abstract Western Painting

in My Etsy Store

In the days preceeding an art show, there are long hour and sleepless nights. It seems to be the time when I am most motivated and produce the most work, through blurry eyes I must add.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Large original landscape abstract painting - Day 36

"Landscape Abstracted"

Large original landscape abstract painting

24x36

on wrap around canvas

In My Yessy Store

$250 plus $18 shipping to the US

I have just started this new blog, I hope to give painting lessons and talk about selling art,the process etc. artistderek talks art, painting lessons,how to sell,etc

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Original watercolor painting of fall trees - Day 35

"Falling Down"

original watercolor painting of fall trees

SOLD

My Etsy Store

A second watercolor offering, got to get some Coffee on and start framing.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Original watercolor landscape painting of trees - Day 34

"Summer Green"

An original watercolor landscape painting of trees

5x7

$28 in My Etsy Store

I have switched gears, I have a show coming up this weekend and I anticipate selling watercolors based on past experience there. It is reinvigorating to change mediums. I was starting to get burned out painting acrylics. Painting Watercolors is a whole different thought process. So I think I am using a different side of my brain, that has been resting for a while.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Inspire Me Thursday - 5 ft modern landscape painting

The topic of PETALS

This is my entry for Inspire Me Thursday

Where a topic is given and different artist express that topic in art, poetry or thought.

"Fall Leaves"

5 feet x4 feet Acrylic on canvas

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One definition of petal is leaf. I choose this painting, because the comment that I always get is that the trees also look like individual leaves. A very thick impasto type painting, with over $200 worth of paint on it. I hope you enjoy it.

Derek

original acrylic painting of fall trees - Day 33

"Fall in the Mountains"

An original acrylic painting of fall trees

By artist Derek Collins

18x24 on canvas

SOLD

If only Fall could last forever, I have been on a creative roll and have been painting like a mad man. I am starting to feel the mental drain. Such is the life of an artist. I must continue while thought are bouncing around in my head, because a dry spell always follows.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

small original acrylic abstract sunset painting - Day 32

"Reflecting Light"
A small original acrylic abstract sunset painting on Masonite
8x10

$68 in My Yessy Store
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A little bit abstract in the Foreground. I was working with a really bad ,cheap brush. At first, I almost thew it away, but then I saw all of the little lines and interesting shapes that it was making. Since then I have painted a series of paintings with that brush, it is 1/2 inch wide . I painted all the trees and the foreground with it. On the ground, I used long horizontal strokes to get all of the textural lines. The trees were dabbed on.

Friday, May 15, 2009

original acrylic painting of fall Aspen trees - Day 31

"Tree Grove"

original acrylic painting of fall Aspen trees

8x10 in MY Yessy Store

$68 Free shipping to the US And Canada

Questions?

I'm getting a little schizophrenic right now. I have started painting some watercolors, so I'm jumping back and forth between watercolor and acrylic. Really weird,Huh! I have never been quite normal, only when I became an artist did I realize why.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Original acrylic painting of water reflections - Day 30

"Around the Bend"

Original acrylic painting of water reflections

8x10 on Masonite

In My Yessy Store

$68

Questions?

I was teaching painting and someone had a picture that they were trying to paint. I tried to get her to tell me what see wanted the painting to look like and she couldn't tell me. If you don't know where you are going, you won't know when you get there. So, I set my easel beside hers and painted my interpretation of the picture. This was the final painting.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Large original landscape pamorama on canvas - Day 29

"A Day Remembered"

A original landscape panorama on canvas

$175 in Artist Derek's Ebay store

I know a lot of people think of Indiana as being a flat state, and it is, especially in the northern part of the state. However, the lower part of the state is rolling hills. This is the kind of view I have from my backyard.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

An original dramatic cloud painting - Day 28

"Tree Enlightened"

12x36 on canvas

SOLD

I'm getting ready for an art show, Around the Fountain in Lafayette,Indiana. It's really going to challenging, to keep the "A Painting a Day" thing going through the show season. My first show went really well, and the weather was great. I hope it's a dry year this year, at least on the weekends. I have had a lot of shows rained out in the last few years. There is nothing worse than sitting in a tent all day while it is raining. If it's a thunder storm , well that's really spooky.

Monday, May 11, 2009

original acrylic knife painting - Day 27 A Painting a Day

"Light Overcoming"
original acrylic knife painting of a forest and a road
18x24
on wrap around canvas, no frame needed
$125
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This painting is lit up like a Christmas tree.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

original acrylic modern landscape on canvas - Day 26

"Oh,Happy Day"

SOLD

original acrylic modern landscape on canvas

12x24

I incorporated some negative painting on this piece. I painted the red trees first. The red came all the way down to the ground. After it had dried, I painted the lavender trees peaking throught the foilage. The red is a little brighter and more sharply defined in person. I remember this old song by Charlie Peacock, called "Yellow is a Happy Color". That's what the painting reminded me of,hence the name.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

original acrylic colorful dramatic landscape sunset - Day25

"Boldy Exclaiming"

original acrylic colorful dramatic landscape

8x10 on Masonite

SOLD

This is another example of dark values against light, sorry that I was so timid with my color choices. No time to talk, I'm leave now for an all day paint outting. Ta,Ta!

Friday, May 8, 2009

original acrylic painting clouds storm - Day 24

"Light Shining Through"

original acrylic painting clouds storm

8x10 on Masonite

by artist Derek T. Collins

$68 in my Yessy Store

free shipping to the US and Canada
Questions?

This is an extreme example of how bright an area in a painting can look when surrounded by dark values. Below is my March 19 Blog entry, it is also an example of bright cloud surrounded by dark values.

another example of a bright white clouds against a dark background

These are exaggerated examples for sure, but you can see

how the white areas pops against the dark values

How to layer a painting with lights against darks

My February23rd Blog entry

Thursday, May 7, 2009

How to Paint Dramatic Light Effects - Day 23

"Tree Enlightened"

original acrylic painting with dramatic light effects

8x10 on masonite

by artist Derek T. Collins

$68 in My Yessy Store

Questions?

How to Paint Dramatic Light Effects

I seem to be in a Phase where I am trying to take lighting effects to an extreme level. I keep saying to myself, bright is good, then brighter is better. A bright light shines brightest in the dark. If you are a painter and you are wanting to acheive a bright lighting effect. Then you have to have sufficient dark areas in your painting. A flashlight shines brightest in the dark. Check back, in the next couple days I will show you some more examples, where the darks are even darker. You will be able to see how much brighter the lit up areas appear against a darker value. So many artist get hung up on the color that they are using. I pay very little attention the the color. In most cases it doesn't matter what the color is, if the green is slightly off, it's still green. A tree or grass can be a multitude of greens and it will still look like a tree. The important thing, is how dark or light, what is the value of the color. Take your focus off of, "What colors do I have to mix to get the particular shade of green". Instead, think in terms of the value. Do I mix more white or yellow in my green to make it a lighter value or do I add some blue, red, or brown to the green to get a darker value. The color is secondary. Color by itself, can't add drama to a painting.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

original western acrylic modern colorful cloud landscape -day 22

"Textures"
original western acrylic modern colorful landscape with clouds

8x10 on Masonite

$68 in My Yessy Store

Questions? I'm friendly.

This painting has a lot of texture and veers almost into abstract, especially with some of the textures in the foreground.

I got in the Penrod Art Fair yesterday, good for me. It is on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It cost $12 per person to attend and 40,00o people attend in a single day.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

original painting of reflecting water and trees - Day 21

"Reflections of Water"

Original painting of water reflections

8x10 on Masonite

$68 in My Etsy Store

This painting has a very textural feel, with a lot of expressive brush strokes. It's a little different type scene than I have been doing. That's the advantag of working very freely, sometimes it takes me in a little different direction than I had planned, which is usually a good thing.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Original acrylic abstract sunset painting - Day 20

"Colorful Retreat"

Sold

This is a little different, the foreground is a little more abstract, with more of a textural feel. I would like to contunue the painting a day, it is a great motivational thing to know that I have to paint each day. It keeps my mind more engaged in the process.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Day 20 - original landscape on canvas

"The Slow Descent"

original acrylic realistic painting on canvas

18x24

by artist Derek T. Collins

$175 in my Etsy Store

$12 shipping to the US

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Illustration Friday- topic Hierarchy original pine tree painting

To Illustrate the Topic

Hierarchy
http://www.illustrationfriday.com/

Illustration Friday is a weekly creative outlet/participatory art exhibit for illustrators and artists of all skill levels.

This is my entry.

To see what others contributed,click the link.

Isn't that funny,trees are as competitive as people. Each one trying to out grow the other. I have 2 sons. We saw this start to happen to each of them the 6ith grade. Up until then their school classmates were a big happy family. In the 6th grade they started picking on each other, some bully started. They were developing a pecking order. I guess we are still doing that as adults. We no longer pick on people for wearing glasses. But we are still doing our best to beat them out for that promotion, any way we can. Some things never change.