Somewhere between worlds...

  
Six incredible things in my life right now:


1. Shared Palette at Heenan Blaikie, one of the 6 big sister law firms on Bay St, where the founding partner Roy Heenan has the largest collection of N.American Art
2. Rocking the Namta show with Tri-Art! -- this painting titled 'All Docked' is a Shared palette creation by Namta guests using Tri-Art paint on gorgeous Faux-Cadres artist canvas primed with Tri-Art Finest Quality Gesso!
3. Meeting wonderful people from around the world!
4. Moving to Kingston ON with Steve and Mordecai!
5. Renewed energy to create and to realize! Someone one said my work was 'somewhere inbetween the worlds of representation and abstraction"...which I am really feeling these days. I have so much to explore and create...and I am so excited!
6. Commissions and painting sales...oh my!Keep 'em comin' <3

Acrylic grounds for mixed media

It's really easy for me to fall in love with materials. These past few years I've been dating acrylics. First, it was Tri-Art's gorgeous Artist Acrylic colours that won me over, then their innovative recycled paint Sludge...then I fell madly in love with Dry Media Ground, and now I just can't get enough of Nepheline Gels (the following artwork is graphite, charcoal and pastel on Nepheline Gel Coarse, and it's published in the New Acrylics Essential Sourcebook: Materials, Techniques, and Contemporary Applications for Today's Artist mixed media chapter). Just as I'm known for charcoal, acrylics have now become synonymous with my mixed media works, blurring the line between drawing and painting. Acrylic grounds allow me to create a textured surface that is very exciting and different than just working on common surfaces. And just like paper, I can soften dry media (graphite, charcoal, pastel) to a velvet finish with a brush, and also leave crisp edges, intense with colour or value.

Dry Media Ground is simply perfect, and will always be my true love! When you apply it to a surface, the result is like a very fine sandpaper. If you have ever used a pastel paper or board, that's what I'm talking about - it's the same thing, only it's much more cost effective to buy the Dry Media Ground in a jar and then you can create your own surfaces the way you want them. You can add colour to it or even apply it on top of layers of acrylic paint, creating a new surface of possibilities! On the other hand, Nepheline Gels have a unique granular texture and appearance. It's available in a fine (which is not as fine as dry media ground), a coarse and extra coarse. Just like Dry Media Ground, Nepheline Gel can be mixed with colour or used on it's own, glazed over top of and anything else you can think of....and it's a brilliant surface for graphite, charcoal, pastel and other drawing materials.

Gesso is a common ground for sealing surfaces for painting preparation. I love drawing on Gesso with graphite or charcoal. Gesso is a very dense White, but it is also avail in Black, Burnt Umber or Canvas colours, and even better, Tri-Art recently came out with a Clear Gesso and it's absolutely fabulous for tinting.  I also find it particularly useful when I have a beautiful piece of birch that I want to prepare and yet incorporate the natural wood surface into the art itself. I use to draw right onto wood and yet have found that over time the wood gets oily and stained and dirty, and I can already see that my newer pieces will last longer simply because the wood is primed. On that note, though I am an experimental art materials pixie, I've learned that there are some rules you should follow...there will always be plenty of rules you can still break! A few rules I recommend for all artists: always use good quality materials, take the time to experiment and get to know your materials, and prepare, finish and safely store your art. 

A few secrets to relieve any fear of acrylics and mixed media:

• all acrylics and mediums are ok to mix. it's recommended to mix artist quality with artist quality/student quality with student quality and so on, but that aside don't hesitate to try new brands. Company's often has a signature colour or product, such as Tri-Art's new Artist Acrylic colour 'Golden Orange' and it's good to step out of your comfort zone even in regards to your favorite brand of paint!
• acrylics are the most versatile medium out there, and can be used on a variety of surfaces and combined with any dry or water-soluble medium....and you can really open up new worlds by exploring collage and sculptural materials. 
• Rheni Tauchid's book New Acrylics Essential Sourcebook: Materials, Techniques, and Contemporary Applications for Today's Artist will inspire and is a handy reference with detailed charts on how to prepare your surfaces, using acrylics with other mediums, media and materials.
• it's ok to fall in love with your materials ...the paint, the canvas, the brushes, the tools... and the play, the journey, the creative process ♥
  
   

 MY FAVORITE QUOTE TODAY!

Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play. ~Henri Matisse

Learning to see

Everyone can draw. Learning to draw is really a matter of learning to see correctly. Then add feeling and thought. It really is that easy, but most people are discouraged before they event get past kindergarten.

I read an article from an old magazine that a friend passed on about some artist's inspirational drawing experiment. They asked everyone they met in a cafe to draw a saltshaker in their journal and then sign it. Everyone could do it, but just needed some coaching on how to actually look at the saltshaker. I absolutely loved this idea. It challenged the inner bully that says 'I can't draw' and instead offered the idea that they just didn't know how to see. If a person can learn to observe clearly, then drawing becomes easy.

In my personal journey teaching art, I see that those who are able to connect with how they feel end up with the best drawings, even if there is no previous experience. For a first time in long time drawing, here are some guiding tips.

 Draw what you feel about what you see. (Jack Reid)

Move your object around (or you move around it) and see it at different angles. Find something about it you are interested in.

Once you have decided, look for the largest, most general shapes and start to draw those lines first (then draw in all the smaller shapes).

Proportion is relative, so if you are not sure, then compare it to something beside, around or inside it.

DRAW WHAT YOU SEE (not what you think...this means that you should actually be looking at what you are drawing more than looking at the paper ;).

Now put in the shadows (those are shapes too) and don't be afraid to go really dark! Notice that value is also relative to its surroundings, and that there's a variety of dark, mid and light values. Notice the edges....are they soft edges that change subtly or very sharp, changing abruptly from dark to light?.

DRAW WHAT YOU FEEL. The structure is all there now, so its time to delight in all the little patterns and details! Dots, lines and scribbles are all ways of creating interesting textures and expressionistic marks.

Let go of the idea that it has to be perfect....there is something fantastic about your own unique way of seeing and sharing that! So get that old kindergarten teacher's voice out of your head, she sucks and she's wrong. It's all about passion and more about self-expression than perfection. I'd rather say that it's better to be wrong and strong than right and light, and I would love to hear more people say "I can" ;)

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. (Maya Angelou)

So start with a saltshaker. The best part is, once you get past that first drawing, the more you draw the better you get as your eye-hand coordination skills improve. Drawing is quite enjoyable too, very relaxing and meditative. It's like writing, music and dancing. Creativity in all it's forms is a release that lights up our spirit and makes us feel alive. So draw just to celebrate, because you can see.

Cityscape mixed media paintings

My cityscape series was in a group show last October, and recently featured on the Empty Easel Blog with a fabulous review. These works explore offbeat urban environments, created by abstracting the architectural and natural design elements of our beautiful and yet edgy cityscape.

From my love of drawing, I have developed a process of charcoal worked into layers of paint. I begin by drawing the basic and most important shapes, then layering dramatic values with minimal, harmonious colours. I draw into the paint with a charcoal stick, and use large Escoda Bristle brushes to blend the dry media to create rhythm in the line. I live for the final stages of adding textured and dark energetic marks.

Working with charcoal reminds how simple line is pure and beautiful, and some lines are so wonderful that instead of working with them, I work around them. It is an intuitive process working in harmony with the properties of the materials. There are beautiful collisions of media that become the forefront of my work and I hope it allows viewers to be curious and imaginative about the artistic process and result. 

Please visit my website to see the whole series, and for prices and availability.

guest of motionball gala, engaged in Shared Palette

guest of motionball gala, engaged in Shared Palette
Originally uploaded by fizzbucket

the night was, as now I expect Shared Palette events to be, amazing.
www.motionball.com

A BIG, FABULOUS shout out to photographer Gary Hills for taking amazing pictures of guests painting with Shared Palette like this one at the VIP reception. His post was rated #12 on Sunday, February 7, 2010 for Most Interesting Photo of the Day on Flickr!

Shared Palette Interactive Art for Corporate Events

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” — Albert Einstein

I created Shared Palette to fill the 'fine art' missing link in entertainment - party guests paint together with my guidance and create art for fun. It's interactive, and it's a winning idea - everyone who makes their mark tells me so. The return business and word of mouth kudos reaffirms any doubt. So 2 years in and 20 events later, I've put together snazzy media kits (which highlights an overview of process, artwork samples and case studies) to introduce my unique gig to new possibilities worldwide - Event Planners, Corporate Parties, Team Building, Charity Galas, Bat/Bar Mitzvah, Baby Showers and any other party situation where there is a group of people with cocktails in hand, I'll put a paint brush in the other! www.SharedPalette.ca

Send an email to sharedpalette@gmail.com if you are interested or know someone who would appreciate more information about Shared Palette, Interactive Art for Corporate Events and more. www.SharedPalette.ca

Upcoming - Feb 5th MOTIONBALL CLOUD 9 GALA - Shared Palette will be entertaining for the VIP reception at Centro Restaurant before the gala heads on over to the Capitol Event Theatre. motionball raises money and awareness for the Special Olympics in Canada to provide sport training and competition (and joy) for people with mental disabilities. EDUCATE/INTEGRATE/CELEBRATE. Get involved by buying a ticket to the gala, donating or networking and pass on word of this great cause. www.motionball.com

 photo credit kostelphoto.com

Today brings on wonderful news...

As this early morning I sift through email, with a great cup of coffee and listening to Koop (loving them right now), checked the Sunday EE 'Empty Easel' newsletter to find out I'm the feature artist for the week upcoming. Wednesday January 27th 2010. Check it out here *Feature Artist

And this afternoon was Shared Palette's first time creating for a baby shower for an amazing couple and their darling girl (a few weeks and she's due). Another highlight was working with artist Pam J Bell on this beautiful painting. It really tells a story about love, and what I love the most is that this little girl is going to grow up seeing this vibrant, beautiful painting, and know that everyone in her life helped create that for her!!! That is so awesome.

Such a good day.

I've been getting asked a lot about classes lately, so I'll post what I know:


2010 UPCOMING ART WORKSHOPS WITH ARTIST & INSTRUCTOR SHARLENA WOOD

>> Abstracting Reality -- A relaxing, fun and inspiring art day!

Get away from reality for a day! In a serene and meditative environment, Sharlena will guide to see beyond ‘what you see’, work intuitively, and see differently so you can abstract anything. Innovative drawing exercises, entertaining demonstrations and stimulating group discussions will inspire new possibilities for you to explore abstraction in your own works. Beautiful photos by photographer Hany Maurice will be provided as reference for you to reinterpret in order to push the boundaries of visual representation. I will bring all paint supplied by Tri-Art www.tri-art.ca - a very small supply list is required.

Spaces are almost filled, so if you are interested email sharlenawood@gmail.com now

Date: Saturday February 20, 2010

Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Price: $50.00 cash

Location: Port Credit Mississauga

>>Breaking Ground with New Acrylic Mediums

This inspiring workshop will introduce you to Dry Media Ground as well as demonstrating the innovative and unlimited possibilities of their many grounds, gels and polymers. Used on their own or combined with colour, these products produce extraordinary textures on an impressive variety of supports. This hands-on Tri-Art workshop draws inspiration from mixed media possibilities, and will prick your curiosity about drawing and painting with layers and textures and answer your questions as to which mediums are perfect for marker, pencil, charcoal, pastels, acrylic paints, and other media. There will be many samples on hand to examine and enjoy, and the opportunity to work from your own reference in an encouraging environment - practice, play and discover! *Tri-Art paints and mediums will be available for your use in this must-do workshop. Other course supplies extra.

Date: Sunday April 11, 2010

Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Price: $40.00 + gst (code: SWK06)

Location: Visual Arts Mississauga

To register, call 905-277-4313 or www.visualartsmississauga.com

and

Date: Mon August 9th - Friday August 13th (5 day)

Time: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Price: --

Location: Loyalist College, Belleville

To register, call (613) 969-7900 or toll-free 1-866-344-9944 or www.loyalistfocus.com

>>Abstracted Landscapes in Acrylic & Mixed Media

This studio week is for those ready and willing to explore new spaces in visual expression, in between styles and subjects and reality. Sharlena will guide to see beyond ‘what you see’ and work intuitively. Daily drawing exercises, demonstrations and group discussions will inspire new possibilities for you to explore abstraction in your own works. This is an opportunity to develop your skills of observation, integration, and invention, also experiment with a variety of tools, supports and applications with Tri-Art Acrylics and unique mediums! Imagery from your own photo reference will be simplified and reinterpreted in order to push the boundaries of rural and urban landscape painting. *Recommended Intermediate Drawing Skills *Tri-Art paints and mediums will be available for your use in this must-do workshop. Other course supplies extra.

Date: Monday June 14 - Friday June 18 (5 day)

Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Price: --

Location: Loyalist College, Belleville

To register, call (613) 969-7900 or toll-free 1-866-344-9944 or www.loyalistfocus.com

>> Create your Own Art WORKSHOP!

Sharlena Wood invites you to choose your theme and she'll create a lesson plan just for you. Do

you need more drawing instruction? Always wanted to try oil painting, or feel daunted by acrylics?

Are you in an art rut and need personal guidance? Whatever your heart desires, this art materials

expert and muse and will delight you with fun and innovative exercises, demonstrations and

stimulating discussions to inspire new possibilities which will nurture your deepest love of fine art.

What: Private art lessons

Where: Port Credit

When: custom

Time: 10 am - 5 pm

Cost: $100

Alien Art

I'm trying to think back to when I started drawing the aliens in my head....maybe 12 years ago....I have piles of old sketchbooks that I hoard with some specifically filled with a beautiful alien girl. At some point I let her go and then these alien ships surfaced in my mixed media work. I surrounded myself with them. I loved these ships and their obscure planets more than flowers, landscapes or life drawing and maybe even my cat....but for some reason, perhaps not the right moment in time, that passion was overwhelmed by everything else.

I continued to paint them every once in awhile, but just for me and my own walls. I was emotionally attached because deep down I felt as though I was an alien myself, trying somehow to connect with the mothership so that I might not feel so alone...kindof like Superman living on earth, always hoping to meet his real parents, or another Kryptonian like him. That made them very personal, you know....a little bit of therapy for this pixie to survive the journey. So far I have been successful selling all those other things like landscapes and flowers and portraits and so on....except that over the years I actually have also sold all space and alien related artwork (only when I felt I had lived with it and loved it long enough that I could let it go to a new home and be loved again) and now the question pops up -- "You doing any more Alien pieces, Shar?"

hmmmm It seems as though these humans really do like these alien paintings. Maybe if I paint them, I'll discover I'm not so alone....

gotta stick together

10"x12" wood panel,

Acrylic

I guess I'm finally realizing that the Alien and Space Ship paintings I create come more naturally to me than anything else and that people want me to share them. So I've decided to paint them more often than once in awhile. They are already in my head, and they want out!

I'll post them on my website in the 'Out There' section. I've painted 3 since Christmas and one sold hot off the press. The two last night were my last birch panels so I'll have to buy some just for these and maybe open an Etsy store. Stay tuned.

Musings & fantasy paintings Book Launch

So as you know, my fairy-mum Claudia Jean McCabe wrote and self-published a book recently. Just two weeks ago the orders started pouring in as the shipments of whimsy, bright, and colourfully bound Musings & fantasy paintings Hardcover books arrived. A small group of Claudia's dearest friends, the Ladybugs, acted fast to organize a private book launch for the author just days before Christmas. I really can't put into words how special this was for Claudia to be surrounded by people that love and support her, and what an honour it was for us all to share with her the overwhelming success, joy and love of Musings & fantasy paintings....LOVE is what this book was written with and it is exactly what you feel when you read it. This is definitely a book you will fall in love with. Congratulations Claudia!

There were a dozen cheers and toastings and more musings by Claudia as she dedicated the book to the special people in her life....and I am blessed to be one of them. So you know when you read the book, my nickname is ping*! and that I will forever be her magical tinkerbell fairy-child. Each Ladybug chose a Musing to share and read aloud, which inspired a few impromptu freestyle musings and silliness! Then Claudia shared with us wonderful news of plans to give $1 from every Hardcover book to Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital....and that a volume 2 is being written as we speak!

Musings & fantasy paintings is a charming treasury of captivating colour and delightfully curious verse. The book was written in honour of artists, art appreciators, collectors, all creatures great and small, and for children ages one to one-hundred. You can preview the book and buy a copy here. To see more of Claudia Jean McCabe's artwork, visit www.cjmccabe.com

Claudia surely is an inspiration, bringing joy to the world with her paintings and writing, and her love ❤

Christmas 2009 promise

I will draw as much as possible over the holidays
I will appreciate my friends and family for all their uniqueness
I will be grateful each day I wake up (hopefully to sunshine, snow on the ground and frosted windows)
I will jump out of bed every morning yelling 'I am an artist'!!! how lucky, how brave, how proud am I...
I won't ever stop

love to my muse,
every artist should have one

as every one should have a fairy god mother
too

xoxo

latest drawing of Becca, charcoal on vellum