Just Below the Surface - Invitation to the exhibition

You are invited to the exhibition Just Below the Surface, exhibiting works by Gayle Reichelt and Bronwyn Doherty from 13th - 25th October 2015.

Click on this link to view the invitation:  http://eepurl.com/bAK3TL


Below is an example of some of the works in the exhibition.  Artwork in the exhibition includes over 80 paintings, glass lamps and resin jewellery.

by Gayle Reichelt

by Bronwyn Doherty

by Gayle Reichelt

by Gayle Reichelt    

by Bronwyn Doherty

By Bronwyn Doherty

Data Chips - Add More Paint series

Data Chips is one of my latest acrylic works, and is quite different from my others, but I really like it.  Hopefully eventually it will find a good home.  My husband John named it because he said that it reminded him of Data Chips.    It is smaller than my other pieces, 30cm x 30cm and is painted on a stretched canvas.

http://www.gaylereicheltart.com/store/c12/_Serendipity_Series_-__2014_-_Current_ENCAUSTIC%2C_OIL_OR_ACRYLIC.html is the link on my website for Data Chips.

Below are the stages that this painting went through to get to the final image.
In stage 1, I started with a lot of black, red and blue, then added some neutral grey, making sure that there was quite a bit of texture.  I used a squeegee to apply the paint for this stage - one that's usual purpose is for cleaning windows.  It is a very handy tool for adding paint quickly to areas, and leaving bumps of texture.

When stage 1 had dried, I took out some areas with black, still using a squeegee.  I think it looks very dramatic.

Added some more blue and red to some areas, sometimes using squeegee, and other using my brayer. The brayer is another excellent tool for adding paint.  It leave quite different marks to the squeegee.

In this stage, using bray and squeegee, I added some green, blue, red and more grey.   Then I took it outside to an old table, and spattered green and yellow paint.  It is starting to look quite interesting.

More spattering with different colours, mostly red.   I love adding red as it always brings a painting to life.

More paint added it various ways.  Sometimes with brayer, other times with a paint brush or the brayer.  Still more spattering.    The colour looks a bit different in this photo because it was taken at a different time of day.  Amazing what a difference the time of day makes to photography.   I find the best time is in the mornings.   This one was taken later in the afternoon.  I added a bit of crackle medium at this stage, but I don't think it worked properly because the paint underneath was too dry, but I dribbled some on, which left a ridge that I like.

It is getting close to being finished now, and I decided it needed some strong darks.  I used prussian blue with a little cobalt mixed in it and used a stencil to make the dark marks in this stage.

I added some black to some of the ridges, and it is really starting to take shape now.

The final stage.   I added more black to the x shape at the top, and decided to call it quits.   I really love the texture in this one.  I hope people find the different stages that the painting underwent in the process interesting.

Add More Paint - Emotion with Joy

Following my first attempt inspired by the #judyschallenge project on Facebook, I liked the process so much that I have decided to create a new series of abstract works using acrylic and just applying paint either to paper or canvas.  I will call this series #Add More Paint.  Most of my artwork has been very structured, and I nearly always had an image that I would use as a starting point that I would manipulate and abstract from.   My main body of work currently is my shipwreck series, which is very structured and essentially realist.  For example, my latest shipwreck painting #Gayundah: On the Beach is inspired from an real object.   I find it exciting that I can start a painting on a blank canvas or piece of paper and just start applying paint, using different tools and any technique I can think of to add marks.  The challenge is that sometimes in the beginning, I think "my goodness, how am I going to make something interesting out of this".

My painting below "Emotion with Joy" is the piece that I am going to document today.   It has proved a very popular choice and lots of likes on Facebook and Instagram.

These are the steps that I took to complete #Emotion with Joy

First stage.  I started this one with completely different colours to what I usually choose. I chose a burgundy colour, orange, red and pink to start with. Also approached it in a completely different way, using a paintbrush and brayer to lay in the first colours.  Wasn't really impressed with the painting at this stage, but oh well, we shall see how it progresses.  It is scary using such different colours.

For my next step, I introduced some grey green, and just worked on defining some shapes. A very new approach to the start of a painting for me. Still not liking it all that much.

Next I added more colours to lighten some areas. It is looking a little brighter but not sure at all that I like this approach - although it is good to challenge myself. This one might prove to be a very interesting challenge. The good thing about this way of painting, is that I know that I can always paint over it with different colours and completely change it at any time.

For this step, I  used the brayer with yellow, orange and a different green. Then took the canvas outside and spattered the whole painting with the same colour paints. It is looking a little more interesting so not quite as unhappy as my previous stopping point. I wonder what my next step will be. Will have to contemplate for a while.

I decided that the painting need more blue, so using a couple of stencils, I added prussian blue with a little cobalt.   Hmmm, starting to really like it now.  

It is looking good now, but just needs a few more touches.   I added some yellow.    Now I really like it.  The yellow was the final touch needed to bring it to life.  

One of the most valuable things an artist must learn is when to stop.  Many a painting has been spoilt by the artist going too far and taking away the spontaneity and vibrance of a work.     When I joined #judyschallenge the aim was to add some paint each day for 30 days.   Some of the artists who joined this challenge did succeed by going through and changing their work for 30 whole days, and posted their daily results.  Sometimes at a particular stage, I thought - I would have to stop here but they diligently continued on.  I admire them for being able to stick to complete the challenge, but for myself, when I had the work at a stage where I really liked it, I just could not make myself do something different and potentially ruin what I thought was a good work.     I will continue working in this way, and maybe, just maybe I might eventually get to do 30 days.


#emotionwithjoy  #acrylicpainting  #addmorepaint

What is Encaustic

Recently I had an exhibition at the Arts Cafe at the Gold Coast City Gallery.  I exhibited 10 Encaustic paintings.

When asked about my art practice, I usually tell people that the latest passion in my artwork is that I have begun exploring the art of Encaustic.   Many people have not heard of beeswax being used in artwork, and I am frequently asked, “What is Encaustic”.  Click on the link below to see my post about the fascinating art of Encaustic.  Feel free to leave a comment, or to ask a question.

http://www.gaylereicheltart.com/blog/what-is-encaustic


Here are a few examples of some of my Encaustic paintings from my Transition Series.  Many more can be found on my website in The Last Fleet, Serendipity Series and my Miscellaneous folders -

  http://www.gaylereicheltart.com/store/c4/Transition_series_-_2014_-_current__-__ENCAUSTIC.html

Coastline

Eruption

Floating Kelp Bed

Kelp Bed

#Encaustic  #EncausticArt  #Encaustic paintings  #BeeswaxArt  #Beeswax #GoldCoastCityGallery  #TheArtsCentre

Gayundah: On the Beach

My header photo is the latest in my shipwreck series called "The Last Fleet".    This series is being prepared for a solo exhibition at the Gold Coast City Gallery from 6 February to 27 March 2016.

A link to my website to the folder with the artworks that will be in this exhibition is here:
http://www.gaylereicheltart.com/store/c11/The_Last_Fleet__-_ENCAUSTIC_AND_OIL_-_current.html

I aim to have about twenty paintings in the exhibition, and so far have completed sixteen paintings, so need to get cracking on creating 4 more.   I have the images picked out, so it is just a matter of getting them finished.

Below are the processes I used to create Gayundah:  On the Beach.    Feedback would be much appreciated.

The canvas is 2 metres x 1.2 metres.   I had the canvas made up for me by Eckersleys and initially, when I saw the size of the canvas, I panicked, thinking how am I ever going to do justice to this painting on such a large canvas.  
But, having purchased the canvas, and being strongly encouraged by my husband, I had no choice but to push on, so bit the bullet.
Me with the blank canvas.

Pencil study for the canvas.   I sometimes do a preliminary drawing for my paintings, especially when they are on a large canvas and I need to work out detail beforehand.  The pencil sketch will become an artwork in its own right eventually.

First I  photographed and scanned my drawing into my computer.

Next I project the image onto my canvas.

Then I trace the outline of the drawing with pencil.

My lovely husband John secured the canvas to my easel.    Back view.

Front view.  Oops, John secured it beautifully to the easel, but forgot to check if it was the right way up.   lol.  Lucky we both have a good sense of humour.

Then I started laying in colour.  First the sky, then I concentrated quite heavily upon the prow of the ship, adding lots of texture and colour.  This is really the main focus.  Quite nervous about painting the water as I have not often painted wanted.   Foreground just sketched in roughly at this stage.

More details added.

Getting there.  More detail added all over.  Foreground close to being finished.

The finished painting.   I am so pleased with it.  I think it is my best painting ever.   I wonder if anyone will ever want to buy it.    It is ready now to be included in my The Last Fleet exhibition in Feb/March 2016 at the Gold Coast City Gallery, Surfers Paradise.

http://www.gaylereicheltart.com/store/p273/Gayundah%3A_On_the_Beach.html  is a direct link to the painting in my website.

To give people an idea of the size of the painting.   I am standing between my pencil sketch and the finished painting.   Feeling very pleased with myself.    

The best place to store a painting if possible is on a wall.  So here it is on the wall in our loungeroom.  It looks fantastic.

#Gayundah  #HMQS Gayundah #Shipwrecks  #Marine Art #Maritime Artist #TheLastFleet  #TheArtsCafe  #GoldCoastCityGallery  

My first post on Blogger.

This is my first blot on Blogger, so is a steep learning curve for me.  I do have a blog on my website  http://www.gaylereicheltart.com but want to link it to this account.  So here goes for my first blog.

Post from my website Blog.   HOT OFF MY EASEL - Five new abstract paintings have been added to my Serendipity gallery.  They are all acrylic and offered at a very affordable price.   Check them out on my website by clicking on the link below.

http://www.gaylereicheltart.com/blog/hot-off-my-easel


Beneath the Surface.   I created this painting inspired by Judy Wise challenge on Facebook called #judyschallenge and like the process so much that I decided to do a series of acrylic paintings based upon the idea.

For this challenge, there are no set rules beyond starting with a blank canvas, and using acrylic paints deciding on the time-frame (it doesn't necessarily have to be 30 days - just whatever you choose), then each day add a little then photograph and post the result.   You can spend 30 seconds or half an hour each day, or whatever amount of time you choose each day.   Just make sure you add some and then photograph and post the result.

 I only got as far as Day 6 for my first effort, and at that stage decided that I just could not go any further as I really liked the painting as it was then.   So I stopped but there is a possibility that at some stage I might add more to it.   

Below are the daily steps that I took to make my first painting using this process.

This is the finished painting.

Below are the daily steps that I took to complete this painting.,

Day 1.  Because I like texture, I started my blank canvas by randomly applying modelling paste, then went for a walk whilst this dried. I decided that today I would use blues, greens and white acrylic paint. I began by applying colours with a brayer in random directions then splashed or dribbled colour.

Day 2.  I started today by taking a line for a walk in black. Didn't like the result much so next I mixed a nice orange and poured it on. Then the same with red. I let it drip down a little on the canvas. The red and orange bring it to life I think. I wonder what I will do tomorrow.

Day 3.  Added some pale yellow today. Not liking it much yet, but decided that was it for this day.   I will think about it during the rest of the day and see what tomorrow brings.

The first three stages uploaded were taken with my mobile phone, because my computer was at the computer doctor for repairs.  My usual way for recording stages of my artwork is to take the photo with my camera, and process using Photoshop.  Thankfully I now have my computer back and my next images will be of better quality using my normal process.

Day 4 ‪ Still not sure that I like today's effort, but it is all part of the process - the good, the bad and the ugly. lol. What will tomorrow bring.

Day 5 .‬ Added some red and white using the brayer in random strokes, then some blue and white, also with the brayer. I like today's effort. I am almost tempted to leave it as is. Will decide tomorrow if I press on or not.

Day 6.  Felt very reluctant to make any changes today, as I really like Day 5, but decided that I must push on. Having made the decision, I chose a dark blue and using 2 stencils and very thick paint, made a very subtle change.    I am liking the painting very much now.  

Now I really like this painting, and have decided that I don't want to continue adding paint to it as I am scared that I might ruin something that I like.   So am chickening out at this stage, but there is a possibility that at some time in the future I might decide to add more to it.