More Winter Tips for Creativity!

Texture Tip:

Gesso on various surfaces affords experimentation. Apply gesso to quality paper surface such as watercolor or heavy drawing paper (may also be used on canvas). Drag a comb, palette knife or spackle knife through wet surface to make various marks and textures. Allow to dry. Using pencils, paints, pastels-create lines and shapes. Suggested subject matters for gesso include--flowers, trees, rocks, abstract, people and doodles. Design is still a

very important element. Notice the interplay of textures, shapes and lines.

Winter Painting Tips, Cont'd.

Pouring Paint

Pre-Mix 4-5 colors of acrylic or watercolor into small cups. Pour 2-3 colors onto a prepared paper * or canvas surface. Allow to mingle together in interesting ways by tilting the surface of paper or canvas. Allow to dry. See what shapes you can pull out to create a start for a compostion. Layer more shapes by repeating the pouring procedure until you get a desired product.

* prepare surface with gesso on canvas or medium (matt or gloss or a mixture) on paper..allow to dry

Musical Mania

Put on your favorite Sound

Warm up your body, stretch a few minutes. Then, pack up a few colored pencils (or media of choice)-- scribble and doodle for a while and see what occurs. Set a time limit of 10 minutes. Notice how your choices respond to the music. Are your colors bold if the music is bold? Tune into your responses. After the ten minutes are up, stop and assess what is happening on the sheet of paper. Find interesting shapes, change the music and the mood, and repeat. Be sure to stop throughout the process and be aware of the changes happening on the page.

More Winter Tips to Paint and Create!

I'm glad that some of you found my last post helpful! Here are some more to get your creative juices flowing this season:

1. Journal Refresher-Using a moleskine journal (e.g. 5" x 8" or smaller), unlined or similar, draw ideas with notes whenever and wherever you venture to. Carry a black fine line permanent marker and a few colored pencils in a ziplock bag in your jacket pocket or purse. Observe the things around you, such as people that are traveling, baren trees, the winter landscape, and objects in waiting rooms are all perfect subject matter to voice your creative spirit while you're on the move.

2. Get inspired from a "Master Artist"-Select someone you admire and connect with. For example, I chose Matisse for his line and color. Start with a piece of quality paper. Use ink, twigs, brushes, paint, and charcoal. Draw with calligraphic lines (thin, medium, and thick marks), add color pools and then respond with new layers. The key is not to copy another artist, but to get into his/her spirit through imitation. This can lead to a full investigation of the artist which is fine for gaining insight and motovation to produce your own work.

Winter Tips for staying motivated to Paint and Create!

1. Try doing six to nine mini-paintings (6" x 6"). Divide paper into 6-9 chunks or squares with 2" spaces around each chunk. Let yourself go-- paint, draw, scribble, work fast, set a timer for no more than five minutes per square. See what ideas emerge and where you can go with this. You may surprise yourself.

Here is an example of mini-paintings that started as five-minute studies and evolved later to more finished pieces:

2. Found Object Mark-Making--You can use pine cones, sticks, tennis balls, twigs, leaves, anything you find around the house. Dip an object into ink or pre-mixed paint, and start laying the objects down on paper or canvas. See what images and textures appear and where you can go with them. Try different colors, look for varied textures, and different shapes. A great starting place to inspire future paintings!Coming soon on my website, more tips!

Check out my new website at http://www.deborahbriskerburk.com/

Happy Holidays!

Paintings in Christmas Show at Philip Morton Gallery, Rehoboth, De.

If you happen to be in Rehoboth, De. this year for the holidays, you can stop by the Holiday Show at Philip Morton Gallery.

47 Baltimore Avenue

Some of my work is part of the exhibit, along with many other talented artists.

Show Closing and Holiday Musings

Framer’s Choice Gallery Show will close on Thursday, Dec 9th @ 5pm.
The experience showing at The Framer’s Choice Gallery was very positive –the opening was wonderful. I enjoyed catching up with old friends and meeting some new art admirers. The exhibition was hung very well by the owner of the gallery, Steve.

Thoughts at the end of the year turn to what I will focus on in my art as the New Year approaches. The plan is to continue working on the figurative form and expand even further toward abstract. Images from my travels to Spain, Italy and Tunis continue to percolate in my mind. Even during our current cold snap in D.C., my thoughts are heated up with the intense Mediterranean sun. Rich corals, flame reds, honey oranges and coal browns are swimming next to cooler purples, shimmering turquoises and royal blues… It should be an interesting surge into the next period of artwork.

Show Closing This Sunday, Dec. 5

This Sunday is the final day for my exhibit at the Framer's Choice Gallery in Gaithersburg, MD. If you haven't had a chance to stop by I hope you will have an opportunity to do so. I would like to thank everyone that took the time to view my work, you helped make this show a success!

Also, I am very excited to be launching my new website, http://www.deborahbriskerburk.com. Check it out to view and order artwork and find out information about upcoming events and exhibits!