Summer Studio 2014: Here we go...

Finally the Summer Studio is set up and work has begun. I do have a goal of completing several paintings by Labour Day as I think setting a number helps me to keep the whip cracking. Last year I completed 18 paintings between July 1 and Oct. 25th. That number reflects paintings that were to my satisfaction and ended up on the walls of a Gallery. It does not include the half dozen or so that were scrapped at some point and faced the the electric sander. I have no plans of being so prolific this year in the Summer Studio, but will do my best to turn out a small collection.
 I prepped all the boards I hope to paint  at the beginning of the month, but a wave of heat prevented me from working further on them as the temps in my loft were quite unbearable no matter how high I powered my oscillating fan or how tight the blinds were pulled against the sun. A wall of windows over the work space, two on either side and two skylights behind me proved too much even when covered and threaten to cook me alive up there. So, darn, I had to go to the shore to swim instead. Poor me.
Temps have been cool in the evenings now and I'm back on the horse. Started a painting 2 days ago (no title yet) but will post the progression for fun. I started with a board which has been coated with gesso and it's been sanded and a transfer of an antique photograph has been applied. I have been altering the scene with acrylics. So far, so good.
 Take note: I have been asked repeatedly as to why I bother with using a transfer as I do demonstrate my skills as a painter and could paint from the photo. Allow me to explain. I do so because I'm in love with the photograph and I want to give that subject another 'life', as it were. The transfers are grainy and 'ghostly" -further motivation as I do like a bit of dark to come through in the work-, and they are used as an underpainting. Hardly a bit of the transfer escapes my brush, unless I feel it must stay as is...that's creative license. I paint on top and change (sometimes drastically, sometimes minutely) their expression, clothing, pose and even the twinkle in their eyes. Doing this is my 'schtick' at the present time. No doubt at some point I will paint portraiture of my own, and I do have the chops to achieve this, but right now, I wish to give these nameless faces an encore in a theatrical presentation painted by me. The guestbook at my last exhibit had a few direct and almost terse comments about my decision to work this way. A short response would be: because I want to.
A wordy post, to make up for lack of posts in some time. Here we go...

work by Teena Marie Fancey in progress #1

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #2

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #3

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #4

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #5

work in progress by Teena Marie Fancey #6

WHOOO??

Portraits of Lord Stigidae and Lady Virginia by Teena Marie Fancey SOLD!

Whooo??  Great Horned Owls, that's whooo.  Mixed media painting on watercolour paper in refinished found frame.

 

 

The Trickster Fox

Like most creative/maker types that I know, I've got several works on the go at once. I'm diligently working on my Family Bird portraits for my "Home To Roost" exhibition pieces, but I am also simultaneously working on a growing number of other pieces for my "Altered Egos" show at the Craig Gallery in 2013. Having more than one piece in progress helps me to continue to work even when something has got me stumped as I can move on to another. This photo to the right is one of about 5 works I have in progress for the Altered Egos show.

The working title for this piece is The Trickster Fox and is inspired by the Archetype the Trickster, a vintage photograph, vintage magician posters as well as the dualities in our personalities and what effect our actions have on others. No matter how much I think I know about someone, I know there will be just as many, if not more things I don't know about them, so it always boils down to instinct and trust when it comes to relationships. Sometimes your instincts will tell you that their heart is true even when their actions say otherwise... and so trust you must.

The first pic is of the wood support that I have gessoed (12" x 16") and applied the photo transfer to using an ink jet transparency of the vintage tintype photograph. I always transfer using black and white ink, which ultimately
takes on a blue-ish tint. I like this as I will add my own colour with
paint, but there is a ghostly, netherworld quality to the image.

This next photo is after I have fixed up some of the detail with paint, (transferring in this method on wood can be a bit dodgy and rough) and I started adding and removing elements to the composition. I am still working out the background idea but know that there will be an owl if not a few in the painting eventually as well as some magician type paraphernalia...cards  and sleight of hand stuff maybe. Once the basic elements are added and established, I will then start adding colour. As I go along, I think I may write a poem as a companion piece. An ode to this Fox.

Will post more as it comes...

Teaser and a Shout Out

Here we are, it's April. This artist is celebrating a birthday ( coming very close to the half-century mark... how did that happen so fast?), it's finally feeling like spring on Cape Breton Island and I've got 2 short months until my lastest exhibit opens in June.
Still working on several images that I hope to include in the show and I will, no doubt, work as close to the installation date as possible.

Wanted to leave you all with a bit of a teaser...a detail pic of a new piece ( it shall remain nameless for now) that will be exhibited in
 When She Was Bad...opening June 2011 at the
Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design.

And, while I'm at it, I would like to send a shout out to the
 CB Centre for Craft and Design and invite you to check out their brand new website...it's lovely!
The CBCCD has a fabulous Gallery and Shop that showcases fine art and craft of its Cape Breton Artisan members and sports studios, workshops and courses.

 Back to the easel!

Redux, Redux...goin' solo

Redux, Redux will be showing at the Ross Creek Centre of the Arts in beautiful Canning Nova Scotia in July! I will be exhibiting solo as my Redux partner, Laura Moore has her hands full at her new boutique. Her presence and her fab work will be missed at Ross Creek but you can see her found object paintings and her other creations at Finders Keepers in Bras D'ors her on Cape Breton Island.

Meanwhile, I am excited to be showing off-island and hope that the Valley folk will come on out and enjoy my work.

Check out the Ross Creek Centre's website for info on my show and upcoming exhibits and their theatre company Two Planks and a Passion. I'm hoping to take in a performance of Rockbound, this year's play.

So Mainland Nova Scotia, here I come! Wish me luck all!

IT'S A GIRL!! IT'S A BOY!!

What do you know?

The arrival of the Blue Boy and Pink Girl is earlier than predicted! And I'm so proud!

These kids came

together quickly and enthusiastically for me. I hope you all like the results!

And, I have featured them on my Etsy site...just choose 'Sellers' and 'allmyfancey' on the search bar at http://www.etsy.com/ to have a look. This is a new venture for me and I hope a successful one! Gotta start paying for my painting vice!

I'd love some feedback on these kids and the blog or the idea of etsy. Really!

I thought for sure the Bread and Honey painting would have been completed first but no. Stay tuned as I am sure to get Demeter to the finish line any day now!