Mona Vivar Fine Art

Friday, November 15, 2013

Why Paint Abstractly Too?

There are many artists who are strictly realistic painters and others who are strictly abstract painters. Throughout my painting career, I have been predominantly in one camp or the other, but not both at the same time. Lately, I have found myself following both paths. I relish the freedom and looseness of abstract expressionism AND the challenge of depicting scenes I find interesting. So I am doing both.

My work benefits from this unorthodox method of development. The abstract pieces have better composition and harmony because of my realistic work. My realistic work has more spontaneity and boldness as a result of my abstract work. Go figure.

Now at Mona Vivar Abstract Expressionism Painting on Ebay

Now at Mona Vivar Fine Art on Ebay

Now at Mona Vivar Abstract Expressionism on Ebay

Now at Mona Vivar Fine Art on Etsy

Friday, November 8, 2013

Artful Birds

Birds are one of my favorite painting subjects. They have all the elements necessary for visual interest--graceful poses, brilliantly colored feathers, funny feet, bright eyes and the ability to fly. Everyone from the ancient Egyptians to modern photography buffs have made the effort to immortalize these airborne creatures.

I keep a pair of binoculars handy by my windows just in case I see bird activity. I visit places along the coast and woods to see the large wading birds with their elegant long necks and legs. I can't seem to get enough of birds and their habitats. I come home to paint my impressions of birds. It's hard to do them justice. I keep trying...

Available at Mona Vivar Fine Art on Ebay

Available at Mona Vivar Fine Art on Etsy

Friday, November 1, 2013

Applause for Golden Artist Colors

This past week I attended a product demonstration given by Golden Artist Colors company at Alabama Art Supply in Mobile, Alabama. I use Golden brand paints and consider them my first choice of brand for acrylics. I wanted to learn best practices for using various mediums and techniques to make sure all my paintings are durable for my customers. As an artist, I also wanted to keep myself alert for new techniques to better my painting skills.

I was delighted with everything about the demonstration. Artist, K. D. Tobin, was an excellent speaker for the event. His painting style and process is very different from mine, but everything he discussed kept my thoughts clicking along on how I could use what was said to enhance my paintings.

The next morning I eagerly applied texture and shimmery bronze and gold touches to create shore bird paintings. What a difference those two additions made! Both paintings have a sculpture-like relief texture that adds atmosphere and mood. It is nice to see impressionism and abstraction meet. I will be doing more of this work.

Hats off to Golden Artist Colors, K. D. Tobin and Alabama Art Supply for a fine learning event! None of them paid me to say this either....

Friday, October 25, 2013

Stress Free Holiday Shipping

I know we all get tired of seeing Christmas tree displays appear in the big stores as early as July, but here we are staring down Halloween and beginning to have thoughts of what to give our favorite people for Christmas.

In an effort to make things as effortless as possible so you can actual enjoy Christmas, here is a simple listing of carrier deadlines for shipping in time to arrive by December 25.

United States Post Office

December 14 - Parcel Post

December 20 - First Class Mail

December 21 - Priority Mail

December 23 - Priority Mail Express

UPS

December 16-23 - UPS Ground (varies by destination)

December 19 - UPS 3 Day Select

December 20 or 21 - UPS 2nd Day Air (with confirmed pick-up)

December 23 - UPS Next Day Air/UPS Next Day Air Saver

FedEx

December 12 - FedEx Smart Post

December 17 - FedEx Home/ FedEx Ground

December 19 - FedEx Express Saver

December 21 - FedEx 2 Day

December 23 - FedEx First/Priority/Standard Overnight

December 25 - FedEx Same Day (I have no idea how they do this!)

These deadlines are for United States to United States shipping. International dates differ so be sure to check with the chosen carrier for exact information.

Now go have some cocoa.

Friday, October 18, 2013

The Power of Small Paintings

At the start of my painting career in the 1990's I mostly painted big (measured in feet not inches) abstract paintings. I enjoyed the freedom of a large canvas back then, but big always came with the challenge of storage, transportation and studio space. There was also the challenge of finding buyers who had the space to hang such pieces and the means to buy them.

But things changed. I became interested with realism in all it many forms and liked the plein air movement with it's smaller format. Soon I was painting impressionistic small and medium works. I continue to follow that path. I find it physically less demanding and certainly more convenient. My work has a fresher, more spontaneous look too.

Lately, I have tried my hand at miniature paintings. Officially, the name of a painting that is 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches is "Art Card Edition and Original" or "ACEO". The art world phenomenon of ACEOs started in 1996 in Switzerland as Artist Trading Cards. Now people buy and sell such art regularly.

Small paintings are easy to transport, mail, display and enjoy. They go anywhere. A small painting done well can open the door to the imagination the same as a painting of any other size. That's a lot of power in a tiny package!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Forget The News And Go To The Nearest Garden

As our governmental officials arm wrestled each other this week, I decided to turn off the news and go over to Mobile's lovely Bellingrath Gardens for an afternoon walk. There is a lot of benefit to be had from strolling a garden.

It is quiet--only birds, squirrels and bees going about their business.

It is an easy way to exercise. Bellingrath Gardens has 65 acres for walking.

It is beautiful.

It offers a multitude of gorgeous subjects for anyone who takes photos, paints or draws.

In the end, it offers peace. Wishing you many garden moments.

Friday, October 4, 2013

A Visit to the County Fair

Fall in my part of the country means the arrival of the county fair. This year was no exception, so I made a trip across town with my husband to see what the Baldwin County Fair had to offer. We were not disappointed. We saw:

old tractors

goats

donkeys

chickens (fluffy, crazy feathered chickens!)

turkeys

baby ducks

scary topsy-turvy rides

funnel cakes

corn dogs

prize-winning jams, jellies and pies

floral arrangements

children's' art

quilts

model trains racing around on lots of tiny tracks

and kazoo players.

So much fun even if we dared not eat the fried food (being well past the age where that is possible). If you live somewhere that is close to a county fair then get out and enjoy! It will make you appreciate all the simple good things that surround us.

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