Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Closet Aprons



Closet Aprons
8x6in oil on canvas SOLD

Artist Note.
These aprons hang in the
 closet in my
downtown studio.
 I am given them as gifts.
Many people don't realise
that bright colors can reflect
back onto the canvas
so they do not get used too much.

This is a painting I did
three years ago.
I used a new brand of
paint and a new color.
It was a magenta type
red/purple.
and the problem was
it never ever did dry 
where I had left it transparent.
Well not for almost a year.
I have never had it happen
before or since.
I threw it into the
 Haz waste-pail
to go to the dump,
but should have written
down the name.

Has anyone else
ever had this problem?
Please share.
It would be neat to know 
what to look out for.




34 comments:

  1. I can see this as almost an abstract, Julie. You have these wonderful neutrals with a swath of bright color through the middle. Just gorgeous. I can see them as aprons, for sure, but it would be a lovely abstract, too. I've had some VERY slow-drying oil paints (water-mixable oils - Cobra brand), but no year-long waits. How frustrating that must have been!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Carol, thanks for your input about the paint. I am surprised at the WM oil type taking longer because they have a detergent mixed in to make them water mixable. Maybe they uses a slow drying oil to compensate.at least they were ALL slow drying. that is good.
      I adore all things avian so you can imagine how thrilled I was to see your diptych of two thrashers on the cactus.

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  2. I agree with Carol on the wonderful abstract qualities of this. Great colors and shapes.
    So nice catching up with your wonderful work. I never regret taking the time to visit. You are an inspiration!!
    Thanks for taking time to visit mine and give such kind feed back.

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    Replies
    1. I liked the abstract quality of this also, Carol. If I didn't title what it actually was you probably would have a hard time figuring out it was closet door with aprons.
      I truly ADORE your 4 chicks. You made them stand out with your colors and shapes. You will have a great time at the show.

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  3. I like it! Sorry I can't solve the mystery paint problem but would also like to know what it was.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Blanche - stay tuned. We may find out yet.
      Hope you are painting more like your flower seller. ..its a beauty!

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  4. Well Julie even if you don't wear these aprons they certainly inspired you to create something lovely. Sorry about that special paint not drying. Oils do take time to dry don't they? Never heard though of any that took a year. As always it is a delight to see your art friend. Hope you are having a super day - Hugs!

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    Replies
    1. Always good to hear from you Debbie and thanks for taking the time to wish me well. You are very special. That is why your husband likes your company so much he will take you for a long drive in the country so you can take the lovely photos you share on your blog.
      Have a wonderful week.

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  5. Lovely painting! This makes me think a group of cooks should come along, put them on, and whip up something delicious for us. :) That sounds like such a long time for paint to dry.

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    Replies
    1. Great imagination, Joan. Now I am hungry,
      I enjoyed seeing your great little sketch of the flowers.

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  6. Hi Julie :) I have never heard of paint taking that long to dry before! I love your aprons, especially that little shot of Turquoise and violet on the right in the window frame :)

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    Replies
    1. No - neither have I, but am hoping someone will speak up.
      The turquoise and purple is part of a little painting study an artist did when applying to join the Guild. I liked it so much I taped it to the wall.
      Good eyes!

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  7. Replies
    1. Thanks Margaret.
      Your new studio is shaping up very well and I enjoyed seeing your rabbit paintings.

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  8. Great patterning on those aprons and lovely colors against the neutrals. (Of course!!:)

    I hadn't even thought about the apron fabric reflecting onto the canvas but it makes total sense. You never consider how things like that can affect your experience but they do. I had a rug in my studio at one point with huge bright flowers. It was so distracting that I ended up giving it away!

    Libby

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    Replies
    1. thanks for the visit, Libby.
      You have another clever collage painting I really like.
      You are so good at explaining the thoughts on your inspiration.

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  9. I love the colors and shapes in your painting, especially the dots! How strange it took a year for it to dry. Very curious and frustrating!

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    Replies
    1. It is more frustrating to not have anyone else have the problem. I felt sure several others would have.
      Love your single Calla. Great design and colors.

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  10. I go with the abstract comments. Love it. I have two things that I do. One is to put the pile of paint on a paper towel to get some of the liquid out of it. The other is to leave a painting in my car on a sunny day. It really speeds up the drying. Hope one of these helps.

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    Replies
    1. Neat info. I read that Fechin placed all his paint on cardboard so the oil would leach out of the paint... he liked it drier.
      As for heat...I did all that. There was something totally different about this
      that I have not understood and I have been dealing with paint for many a year.
      It is truly wonderful to see you are back painting again.Love your flowers.

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  11. proving once again why I never want to miss a blog post of yours. I did not know bright colors reflected back on the canvas, but it makes perfect sense. I wear a tan coat when I paint, so I don't deal with that problem, but I learned another super great tip. I paint in acrylics so I've never had to struggle with something not drying either. But, I love the painting. So real and homey.

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    Replies
    1. You are always so positive Sharon. Thank you.
      LOVE your rooster - lots of energy in that painting.
      Hope you show the new chicks and calves.

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  12. This is absolutely delightful, Julie, and I agree with everyone's comments on your use of vivids versus neutrals as well as the abstract/realistic facets of this painting. Like the other commenters, I'm perplexed by the year-long drying time especially considering you were painting on canvas. Drying times vary among both oil colors and oil brands, but your experience is outside anything I've ever heard.
    Meanwhile, enormous congratulations again on the World Bank's use of your fabulous market painting. So very well deserved!!

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    Replies
    1. Hello Helen. You always write wonderful comments. Thank you for the great critique.
      The paint is still an issue as no one has experiences it before. An artist from our local university told me there is such a thing as non-drying oil ...coconut, almond, mineral oil, and others, but they are not usually used to make oil paints. I think someone had hand-made the paint and used the wrong oil.
      Thanks for the warm fuzzy too.

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  13. did you ad any mediums to the paint that might have done it?

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    1. Nope - no medium. I very rarely use medium preferring paint consistency from the tube. It is pointing to the paint being made with a non-drying oil as a binder.

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  14. I love the vibrant colors in this!!
    I never had this happen.
    Enjoy your weekend, JULIE!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sue.
      Love your abstract #1. Good - that means there will be a number two.

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  15. such an effective painting Julie, love your choice of exciting colour

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    1. Hi Lorraine - I fell totally in love with those little critters you painted. Great job - particularly with their eyes

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  16. I remember the first 'apron in a closet 'painting you posted , and I was blown away...just like here . Absolutely fabulous, and everything is clear and neat even though actually there is no going into detail .

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    1. You do? That reminds me we have been blogging friends for a few years now. Glad you like this one - thank you, Jane.
      Flowers are blooming all over so your gorgeous arrangement made me want to paint a bunch of colorful flowers. have a great week.

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  17. I remember the painting...hard to believe it's been 3 years!!! Beautiful vibrant colors.

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  18. Wonderful color in this whimsical piece. Leave it to you to make such a fun painting from a bunch of aprons in a closet!

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie