Tag Archives: acrylic artist

Available Paintings, Exhibitions

Moonlit – abstract painting, Peacock series

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Moonlit
Moonlit, 24″x36″, acrylic on canvas, © 2015 Donna Grandin. $1400

Can you feel the movement in this painting?

Although my interpretation of the peacock feathers is more plant-like in Moonlit, I think you still get the feeling of them being swooshed around in the currents.

This was the first painting I created in my Hamilton studio during my 3 month “self-hosted residency”.

I remember there was a little happy dance involved. I shut my door, turned on the radio and stood at the easel. I was euphoric with the possibilities ahead … I’d carved out the space, privacy and time to work on a new series of abstracts. Freedom from photos, and any preconceived notions.

It was exhilarating. As I moved to the music I sketched a whimsical image in charcoal, and wrote down lyrics that resounded with me.

Eventually I started adding colour and the painting evolved, but I did take a photo and will show it to you … if you are the one who ends up collecting this piece. Otherwise, it’s WAY too embarrassing to put out there!

I will have Moonlit at the art fair tomorrow, but it may not be on display, so if you want to see it specifically, just ask!

Have you enjoyed my week of Peacock Painting Previews?

If you are on my Blue Roots Art Studio Mailing List, even if you’re reading this blog post now, take a look at today’s e-mail because there is something special in it for you!

I will probably not post for a while, as I will be wiped out after this event, and I will have some follow-up items to take care of … not to mention hanging out with my boys. Summer is flying by faster than I thought it would.

There is a big new art project on the horizon, I don’t want to announce it until all the signatures are on the contract etc, but it will keep me busy for the next 2 months. Just a hint though … it does not involve peacock feathers OR tropical foliage.

I am looking forward to seeing some of you at Art in the Park Oakville tomorrow. I will be in booth #143.

It looks like there will be rain, but the show will go on. I invested in a waterproof tent, to protect my paintings, so just dress accordingly and come on out!

Available Paintings, Exhibitions

In the crease – peacock painting

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peacock feather abstraction, green
In the crease, 20″x16″ acrylic on canvas, © 2015 Donna Grandin. $700.

One more week to go until Art in the Park, Oakville and I have a lot of details to attend to … so I’m going to keep it short & sweet today (ok, maybe tomorrow).

Do you have a favourite colour? People who are drawn to my art often remark on my use of colour, and I usually reply “yes, I grew up in the Caribbean so that’s probably why I use such bright sunny colours”.

However, I have been living in Canada for more than half my life now, and although I go back to the Caribbean to visit my parents, family, galleries, and gather inspiration for my art … even I can see how my use of colour has changed over the last few years.

It’s like my accent, which I only remember I have when someone new mentions it. When I first came to Canada, I knew my accent would be confusing to some people, and had fun with it. The surprising part came a few years later, when in St. Lucia, I was told I sounded like a Canadian!

For better or for worse, your environment shapes you. So i guess the key is to surround yourself with things and people you love, and that make you happy.

Turquoise has been my favourite colour since I was 12 – we were visiting family in Canada and on a trip to the mall, I bought a piece of costume jewellery, a silver ring with two turquoise hearts.

It was so beautiful to me then, and still is now, even though I don’t really remember wearing it often. It somehow just belongs in my jewellery box, a momento of a time, a place, an age. A miniature work of art, imbued with nostalgia.

Obviously, I have an affinity towards blues and greens – certainly it is reminiscent of the Caribbean landscape & seascape, and partially the reason I named my business Blue Roots Art Studio – and so peacock imagery was always somewhat special and magical to me.

And I hope you will enjoy this new blue-green thing I’ve created, maybe it can even bring some magic and happiness to your environment!?!

View this and other available paintings at www.bluerootsartstudio.com

Available Paintings, Exhibitions

Nesting – abstract painting, peacock series

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Today’s painting was created in my Hamilton studio, on the second floor of the building at 337 Ottawa St. N … around the corner from 337 Sketch Gallery. There are a few artists & photographers renting space there, but a lot of available space in case any of you are looking.

I was lucky enough to be able to rent a room short term for the project I had in mind – I’m calling it a “self-hosted residency”,  for the artist whose kids are still too young for her to apply for a proper residency.

Despite the crazy time frame (on a good day that would be the hours my youngest was in school, minus the commute back & forth), I was prolific during that time.

WIP pics of Nesting, 24" x24", acrylic on canvas, © 2015 Donna Grandin

I thought I would show you some of the stages that this painting went through … especially because I know there are a number of artists following along.

To be honest, when I started with the pthalo blue background, I intended to let the wispy bits of the feathers fade into the blue … but then I mixed up a nice buttery colour and I just got carried away cutting away the negative shapes around the wreath shape.

That left me with a blue wreath floating on a light background. So then I got the idea to add a pattern, to help integrate the different elements of the image  … and I started with circles.

How about a wreath floating, on a stoney riverbed?

I filled in some of the circles, creating depth, making them less like circles. In fact some looked a little like … eggs. After all, I’m painting peacock feathers … so eggs aren’t a stretch.

Up until this point I had been flipping the painting around and around as I went, not quite sure I wanted to assign a right-side-up to it.

As I played with the idea that the stones could actually be eggs, I really began working on the shadow. That’s when the orientation became obvious to me.

I decided to leave room for multiple interpretations of this image.

The research I have done on peacock imagery shows that over the years it has been used as a symbol of immortality, resurrection, rebirth. 

Nesting
Nesting, 24″x24″, acrylic on canvas, © 2015 Donna Grandin. $1100.

Every day until Art in the Park, Oakville which is on August 3, I will be posting a new painting from my peacock series. Join my e-mail list so you don’t miss any!

If you are already subscribed, and haven’t read yesterday’s notice … the daily e-mails are only for this week, after that it goes back down to 1-4x/mth!

If this painting catches your eye, and you can imagine it in your home or office, e-mail donna@bluerootsartstudio.com

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