Personal Art Blog

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

Friday, March 3, 2017

Avian Symbols - Alcohol Ink.

Avian Symbols
6x12inches Alcohol Ink on copper plate.  
Framed 500.
Purchase HERE
Avian Sanctuary
6x12inches Alcohol Ink on copper plate. 
Framed 500.
contact artist

Artist Note.
I loved painting these two companion pieces.
I was experimenting with the alcohol inks
and using more control in layering and line.
It is hard to get an accurate color 
as the copper reflects thru the inks.

Framing.
I floated/glued them on a sheet of tin 
with a neat dark frame.
I really like the combination of metals.




34 comments:

  1. Particularly like the second one - so original. The metal appeals to me let a alone the painting itself which is gorgeous.

    Word of warning: bringing dissimilar metals together can result in one corroding the other (galvanic action). Make sure the paintings stay in a dry environment. (What you don't know is that I am a metal-worker: Shipwrights don't just build wooden boats we build metal ships.)

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    1. That's a great reminder on metals! My husband and I have found several things on our boat where the previous owner used incompatible metals and they melded together!

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    2. Thanks for the heads up about that John. After a kitchen fire due to an aluminum plug in a brass and copper lsocket, I have more respect for different metals together.
      This one has a thin layer in-between which should prevent galvanic action.
      Your point does lead to an interesting area. Aluminum panels -which are becoming more popular. It they are put in a metal frame would that cause a problem? Curious minds want to know, John, and your answer could be very helpful to a friend on mine who does this.

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    3. Potentially aluminium presents such a risk. Best to have some sort of separation between them.

      There are lots of surprising things in nature: If you fix oak to steel and expose them to salt water the oak will cause the steel to be 'eaten away.' Don't get me going, Julie or I'll write pages on metals!!!! :) Did I ever tell you about the heat treatment of metals ............?

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    4. Thanks so much, John. I will pass this valuable info on. Heat treatment???.... curious minds want to know.
      I put a blow torch to the copper to get a color.
      Good or bad?

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    5. Not bad. I would heat the copper to Cherry Red, and then quench it in cold water to anneal it (soften it) if I were beating it into a bowl ... so heating it to change the colour (or color comes to that :) ) is OK

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  2. Very nice! I like too the companion materials, the metals. Definitely all goes together:)
    Libby

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    1. Thanks, Libby.
      The interesting thing about the inks is they have a life of their own and I sometimes like what they do better than what I could do. In other words, the accidents make the process exciting for me. I have started to think about trying to duplicate those areas in oil. Should be stimulating... and probably frustrating! Part of the journey.

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  3. Just another testament to your creative process! I love how you use different mediums and surfaces! These are lovely together!

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    1. Thanks, Kaethe - I was interested in your experience with melded metals on your boat. Amazing. Thanks for the reinforcement.
      Your painting with the yellow tablecloth has to be one of my all time favorites. Are you entering your work into International Artist Competitions? You should be for sure.

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous Julie... I would be put to a hard test to say which one I prefer. Both are just stunning. Your artistic endeavors always amaze me dear friend. So glad you shared these two works. Hope you are having a blessed week. Hugs!

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    1. Hello, dear Debbie, I am looking forward to seeing your new post... they are always uplifting.
      Thank you for the encouraging words. They mean so much.

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  5. Love the two metals. These both are so beautiful with such depth. So much to see and consider in each.

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    1. Thank you and may I thank you for the great little video you did on framing work in a professional manner. I am passing that on to beginning painting group I know. It will be valuable.

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  6. The glow from the copper is irresistible!

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    1. I think so too. It speaks to me.
      That is a wonderful seascape on your blog. Dramatic weather conditions and luminous light in sky and on the clouds, always gets my attention but then the little glow from the lights added such a great touch. You must be flowing with the light because it really like the bedroom painting, too.
      Have a wonderful week, my friend.

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  7. Very creative and unique! More please:)

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    1. I do them all the time now. They are very absorbing.
      I am trying to translate some of it into my painting technique. These things take time. For me anyway.
      Have a great painting week, Bruce.

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  8. Simply amazing, Julie! So creative - one of a kind companion pieces.
    Have you considered writing a book (a la Carol Marine)? I would buy the first copy!

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    1. Happy you like them Chris, and thanks for the compliment about a book.
      If I took all the sheets I have done for the classes I teach there would be enough for a book but my pleasure is in painting and teaching and not the discipline of publishing on top of it all. I am too old for that pressure.
      I was very touched by your Lion. I looked up the Mark Twain reference. I can see why he was moved by it.

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  9. yeah like someone said try to keep the glued pieces dry. I don't know much about it, but hubby does due to welding and he has shown me what can happen.

    love the colours you get from paining on the copper. and thanks for the close up, really helps to see the details and how the inks reacted on the copper :)

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    1. Happy u like it, Jennifer. Me too. I have all kinds of ink projects going on.
      Your left handed drawings are great. Good for you.
      Love the feathery effect you got on the owl.

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    2. I keep meaning to get some alcohol inks, they might have some at the uni art store, but havent been there for 3 weeks but should be able to check on monday. they have almost everything there, so hopefully they have a set of inks i can try. I want to see what they will do on the yupo paper for me :)
      and thank you about the owl :)

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  10. These are wonderful! I love the effects you achieved. I use a lot of pewter, but have never worked on a copper plate. Fascinating.

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    1. Pewter- how interesting. Does it come in sheets? I have a friend who paints on aluminum and really likes it.
      Love - love - love your strawberry!!

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  11. Fascinating, intriguing and downright beautiful!

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    1. Always good to have you visit, Susan, especially with a neat comment like this. Thank you.
      Hard to find words to complement fully enough on your new post. The hounds are downright wonderful but so are the drawing and the jockey and horses backsides!

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    2. Wow Julie, these look absolutely BRILLIANT! I've want to try the Aluminium supports for a while, I think I'll add copper to that :) Love seeing your new work :)

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    3. I like the warmth of the copper, but the Aluminum adds a cool neutral which is useful.
      Happy your show was so successful- wish I could have seen it. I am in love with your sculptures as well as paintings.

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  12. These are so special and delicately done. They made me think of the Keeper of the Plains footbridge (I took you there) where there are all kinds of native symbols and their meanings on display on a wall. Some of the native symbols by themselves make beautiful art.

    Your skills are amazing, Julie.

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    1. This was painted from the imagination - responding to the accidental mark making of the inks. The subconscious memory bank is certainly at work and
      Maybe the many petroglyphs I have seen and the Wonderful, "Keeper Of The Bridge" you showed me is all coming thru here.
      We both rely on our inner vision don't we?
      Like your rabbit inspired interior. I loved it and immediately responded to the sense of place it invoked.
      Thanks as always for your true friendship and supportive comments. Hugs.

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  13. This makes me want to reach into the computer and touch this lovely piece! Hard to pick a favorite of the two.

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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