Monday, August 19, 2013

this is for the birds...again

It's been a good last couple of days in the art studio. A couple of cute little birds flew out of the woods and right into some new paintings!

Check them all out here:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (click here)
Red-winged Blackbird (click here)
Pine Warbler (click here)

As an artist I am constantly amazed at how some paintings just fight you and others are smooth and flow and are completed lickity-split.

These three paintings each were flowy pieces. It was as if they wanted to be seen by the masses because there was no struggle at all.

Each of these paintings are about the size of a cd case, so if you're looking to add to your art collection but think you don't have room, think again!  Everyone has room for a painting this size in their home or office.

And the idea to paint a Pine Warbler came from a discussion I had with a local bird enthusiast who informed me that just down the road is one of the worlds greatest places to view warblers as they migrate to Canada. Who knew??

I have to say...one of the MANY benefits of painting these little birds...is learning a little bit more about them.

Want to see more?  Visit http://www.racheldickson.com


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Observation #4,503

Music = Art = Music = Art + repeat

It's true. Or at least that's been my observation. Isn't that how scientific experiments are quantified? By visual confirmation (evidence)?  Anyway, I'm talking about music and art.

Test my theory.  Go to any art festival...and there will be music.  Go to any music festival and there will be art.  I think maybe you can't have one without the other.  Yet another piece of evidence would be npr.org and the main categories that can be found on the homepage.  News, Art, Music...and in that order too (from left to right that is). 

I myself have music playing while I'm painting...so no doubt that music is influential in my creative process. But I wonder if any musician has ever played while looking at art?  When you attend an art opening...no art opening is complete without some kind of music playing (which of course you can also say about shopping...who wants to shop without having some music playing in the background).

Just like a bottle of wine can be paired with a fabulous meal, music can be paired with great art and visa versa.

Hmmm, maybe that should be my next painting...a visual of what music and sound LOOKS like in color? I'll bet I'm not the first artist to think about this.

http://www.racheldickson.com

Monday, August 12, 2013

Pink?

Well, I did it. I painted with pink paint.  This may come as a surprise to some of you.  But then again, maybe I'm the one making such a big deal about it.

After visiting a friend of mine who has decorated her house with a very classy, hip color palette (bright green, hot pink, black and silver) I got to thinking...pink can be VERY COOL!

So here is my latest abstract work...this time using pink, aqua, black and silver acrylic. 

Measuring 6 inches wide by 13 inches tall by 3/4 of an inch thick, this piece is painted with acrylic on wood and is about the size of two cd cases put together.

Affordably priced at $45.00 you too could add the flair of hot pink and an original painting to your home decor.

Click here to view this painting in more detail  or to view others like it.

And hey...only a few short weeks of Summer remaining!
Get out there and pack it full!

http://www.racheldickson.com


Monday, August 5, 2013

Toledo's downtown Artwalk coming up on August 8th, 6p-9p

Old brick buildings, sidewalks and fine art!

619 Monroe Street in downtown Toledo will be the site among many sites for Thursday's (August 8, 2013, 6p-9p) Art Walk hosted by the Toledo Art Commission.

To view the map of all participating art venues from the previous event click here.

Come on downtown Thursday evening and stop by what's listed as #13 (Hannon's Block, 619 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH) on the art walk map and check out some of my newest art work that will be on display and for sale there.

The 2013 Thursday Art Walk series celebrates the 6th year of the program. Art Walks will take place on the 2nd Thursday of each month, June through September. Remaining 2013 Art Walk dates are August 8, and September 12. Art Walks are free to attend and open to the public. There is no official starting point for Art Walks, guests are invited to come Downtown, download a map in advance or pick one up at a participating venue, and then walk, bike, or drive to explore the wealth of creativity and great local businesses that make Toledo a vibrant arts center.


Toledo Art Walk (downtown)
Thursday, August 8, 2013
6:00p-9:00p



Click here for a map of participating art galleries and locations


See you there!

For more info about Rachel's art visit http://www.RachelDickson.com

Joe COOL with a twist of pink!














I've known many artists who paint exclusively commission work for their clients. Pet portraits are just one category of commission work, others consist of family portraits, architecture (homes or business buildings) and the like.

But let's talk about pet portraits. I used to say and think that the true art of nailing a commission piece (creating a stellar painting versus one that's crap) had to do with capturing the "essence" of the dog or cat or bird.  What I meant by that at the time was that I thought the artist must have had some magical intuitive sense that enabled them to capture this lil pup or cat or whatever and depict it in a painting as you might see it in real life.  "That's my BOO!"  Turns out...it's SOO much more than that!

I have a WHOLE new appreciation for pet portraits today.  My opinion began to evolve the moment I started painting this piece.  Funny how when you paint something coming from a place of what you "used to think" your philosophy adapts as the painting unfolds.  (This is one of the MANY things that I adore about being a painter...spills out into life itself.  Life reveals itself to you in a completely different manner when you're a painter. You view things in color tones, shadows, depth, focal point, framing, etc.  Your view of the world as it unfolds changes completely!  Or maybe it's just my perspective that's changed?)

Well, there's a whole lot of gibberish about painting psychology. The fact of the matter here is...this painting was FUN!!!!  I'd been aiming to paint a piece for my dear friend and dog extraordinaire, Lori Eberly.  Lori has owned and raised Brussels Griffons for as long as I've known her. And I wanted to give her a painting as a gift because she has and continues to be such a fabulous dog sitter for Reese (our miniature fox terrier). We refer to Lori as "Aunt Lori".

I was nervous when I took this piece over to give to Lori.  Was she gonna like it? Are the colors true to a Brussels Griffon puppy? Did I get the beard right? Did I get the ears right? Well, good news...she loved it! Which was naturally a huge relief to me.

This painting is about the size of a cd case, painted with a hot pink background and lots of browns and grays.  I have since explored the Internet for other images of various dog breeds wearing goggles. FUN!

Lori suggested that I paint portraits of other peoples dogs.  Sounds like a fun new avenue of Rachel art! We will see where this adventure leads?

Want to purchase a painting as a gift for a friend or for your own collection? Shoot me an email and let's get started!  rachel (at) racheldicksondotcom