"A Light in the Forest"...again

This is a re-work of a painting I did a bit ago that was just too busy in my view, so I sanded and scraped off texture and re-worked certain areas to simplify it to what you see now.  See the previous version here...

I love pine trees almost as much as aspen, however, in life, they just don't grow that close, and even though it was my artistic rendition, I was always a little claustrophobic when I looked at it, so one day I just decided to simplify; which by the way, is my new thing. maybe...ha!

Don't be afraid to play with something you have once called complete.  As long as you are the creator, and it is within your grasp, if you find inspiration to make it better, so be it! 

There is something freeing about re-working a piece.  It is like looking into the depths of it and yourself and pulling out even more.  I actually really love this process.  I admit that it took some elbow grease to scrape some of the texture down, but i didn't want it so intense with the new subtlety of it.  If that is even a good descriptor.

As you can see in this side view, I've stained them a green that works with this painting.  These cradles are great as they are practically indestructible and with the thinnest version of MDF there is; 1/8", it is surprisingly light weight!  

Here you can see the texture scattered in an intentional way in "A Light in the Forest". It fills in the imagination about all the things that are in the thick of the woods. I get this texture by using modeling paste and a palette knife using those bags that some fresh onions or potatoes sometimes come in.  You just spread it like butter and lift it off.  

There is a chest across from the front doors of my home where a painting similar hangs, but I hung "A Light" up here so you can get an idea.

I hope this encourages you to not be afraid to try to re-work an older painting.  You might just love it best of all!

HAPPY CREATING!!

NECESSARY UPHEAVALS OF A NEW COMPUTER

Last week my old laptop was on its last legs, so I decided to change my life for a bit and get a new one.  I ended up with a refurbished tower, and have been adding things to it ever since.  This is awesome in a way, but very demanding of my time and life also.  I went from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and that came with changing my photo storage system as well.  WOW! I have been slipping away from it for moments at a time to re-work a painting I've never loved and adding some splash to another one I love but I think I can do better...It makes for a bit of upheaval for sure.

The video above is of the tweaking to a painting from a few years ago that always bugged me.  I LOVE parts of it, but other parts, YUCK.  I'm still editing this version, but thought I'd play with a video here.

I'm learning a lot about switching to a new system.  It isn't all rainbows and kittens.  But, I'll make it through...but, will my art business survive the glitch of time...yet again!  YES...eventually!

Wish me luck!

EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED...and that's a GOOD THING!

Dreaming Tree Epoxy Necklace NOW on FASO under my Jewelry Collection

I have been revamping my life and my on line presence and my classes for awhile now, and I FINALLY have found my creative voice and have gotten most of my p's and q's together.  After many attempts at many different sites, including Etsy and a few free websites I have landed in the best place online I could be!  MY FineArtStudioOnLine website!  As it turns out I was trying to find separate sites that would hold my paintings (that was FASO), my jewelry and creative treasures.  I failed miserably with ETSY as they take way too much and I was forced to raise my prices, AND, they would take money out of my account and I could never figure out why...I paid for ads with them and sold some, but again, they took WAY TOO MUCH...and the day I stopped the ads my sales went to zero!  I found out that they can bury your ads so you feel forced to advertise with them!  SCAM!

The day I found out that FASO would hold everything I do I was in heaven! Not only is that great, but they do not take a commission in the form of fees or anything else; no transaction, nothing but what pay pal charges for services; which is a great deal less than ETSY. AND, Fine Art Studio Online has an excellent customer service team that will chat with you on line, you can email them, or talk to them on the phone...VERY SOON!  Often within minutes!

SO, call me a happy artist! I'm busy loading my items in my website as we speak!  Give them a try if you paint and need a good reputable company!

HAPPY CREATING!

"A BEAR IN PARADISE" MIXED MEDIA ON CRADLED PANEL © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"A Bear in Paradise"

18"x18"

SOLD

Mixed Media on Cradled Panel

This bear painting was done as a request from someone who saw "Bear Visit" I did a year ago; that sold, and she loved it so much she wanted one similar...Which is good, as similar is all I would be able to do on something like this...You can see the first one below IS similar, but different...ha...I enjoyed working on it to try to give her what she wanted.  

I think each one has some fun qualities, so I didn't mind doing it...

 detail...I think she will enjoy the different paper...I know her well enough to know this...

 This gives an idea of size when put in some type of decor...

This one is cradled...I used a combination of grey and leather stain to compliment the painting.

STAY INSPIRED IN ANY WAY YOU CAN!!

"DRAGONFLY" ORIGINAL OIL ON PANEL; FRAMED © SAUNDRA LANE FINE ART

"Dragonfly"

5"x5" oil on panel

Permantly mounted on frame

$85

ON HOLD for the Mountainside Miniature Show

August 30-September 28, 2017

Lakewood Arts Council; next to Casa Bonita

This is my 3rd entry for the Mountainside Miniature show coming up in just a few days!  I love painting dragonflies...and...the story goes that...

When a dragonfly lands on you, you will hear excellent news from someone far away from home. A dead dragonfly symbolizes sad news. Dragonfly symbolism crosses and combines with that of the butterfly and change. The dragonfly symbolizes going past self-created illusions that limit our growing and changing. Dragonflies are a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity.

They are fantastic flyers, darting like light, twisting, turning, changing direction, even going backwards as the need arises. They are inhabitants of two realms - starting with water, and moving to the air with maturity, but staying close to water. Some people who have the dragonfly as their totem have had emotional and passionate early years, but as they get older they achieve balance with mental clarity and control. They gain an expression of the emotional and mental together.

Dragonflies are old and adaptive insects, and are most powerful in the summer under the effects of warmth and sunlight. Their colors are a result of reflecting and refracting the power of light. As a result, they are associated with color magic, illusion in causing others only to see what you wish, and other mysticism.

The are often represented in Japanese paintings, representing new light and joy. To some Native Americans they are the souls of the dead. Faerie stories say that they used to be real dragons.

Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so. "Let there be light" is the divine prompting to use the creative imagination as a force within your life. They help you to see through your illusions and allow your own light to shine in a new vision. 

 Whatever they are to you...a dragonfly is a pretty little creature for sure!

FIND INSPIRATION WHEREVER YOU CAN!