Making Varnish

So my oil will be ready tomorrow. 4 weeks to thicken the linseed oil, but it is a beautiful honey-like consistency. I will strain the few bugs out of it tomorrow with the cheesecloth and hopefully my varnish will also be ready as well. Here is my first steps to making varnish. My ratio is 1-1 turp to damar crystals. I will let this sit overnight and hopefully will have a nice varnish ready to start making my glaze medium. If anyone has any comments or suggestions, please feel free to comment. Thanks, CP

Making a Palette.

So I decided to make my own palette. The ones at the stores are either too small, too big, or had more wood on one side and less on the other, didn't grip right, etc. Luckily, I had some material laying around and within one day I had my palette drawn, cut, sanded and stained. All that is left is to varnish, sand and varnish and I'm good to go.

The only thing I know for sure is that I know nothing, except that which is happening in this moment.

OK, so I've been schooled. I've never had a big ego, but what little of it remained has been washed away. When I'm told I don't know how to paint, when I'm told I know nothing, when I, and my art, are laughed at, well it is sort of hard to not take notice of this. So, I look at such things objectively without any attachment. Art was my life, my career, and it was all being torn away from me, laugh by laugh. So do I really give a fuck what someone else thinks? No, not really, but I'm not a fool either to see that such people come in with similar messages, at a time when I need an answer. Answers aren't always a pretty pat on the back, sometimes they are a kick in the crotch. This is all about me too, not them. They have their own baggage to deal with I am sure of it, but that is not my concern. What I have to do, is figure out why this is happening. It actually didn't take very long to get answers. I had reached a point where I needed growth. As an artist, but more as a person. So, I took all this criticism to soul, not to heart and then searched for answers. I found them quick enough. I bought books, resource material, started to ask for help and guidance of other artists. Didn't get me TOO far on that last one. Why are artists so secretive? Why not tell all? Perhaps it is best that way. Learn myself. I learned computer graphics all on my own. I learned how to build a shed all on my own, fix a washing machine, create a laundry room, make animation, etc, etc, so this fit nicely with my way of thinking/being. If the artists weren't going to talk (fully), then I would figure this out for myself. Experimenting would be my path. I'm kind of into that anyway. I live never knowing what the next moment has in store, so why not dive in deeper. So after 9 months of not painting, but researching, asking, learning, I made my first step. It is a learning step and I welcome any advice at any point from here on in from anyone who wishes to add input.

Before I post my first steps here. I will say that I DO think I have talent and I do think I am creative and I do know how to create an image on canvas. I just want to do it better, or (another way to say it), be better at who I am and see how that translates into what comes of it. What is made manifest because of this newness.

The Supplies:

Sun-thickened Linseed oil. I have a 13" X 9" X 2" glass oven dish, 2 pieces of wood (I used some old paint stirsticks, a piece of glass and a screen from an old window.

 The procedure:

I poured the linseed oil about 1/2" thick into the dish, laid the screen on top of the dish to seal the open edges - to keep out insects, dust. I then placed the two pieces of wood on either end, then laid the glass on top. I could probably do without the screen, but there are quite a few insects around and I want to keep the oil as clean as possible, and from what I have read, I don't think it will hinder the process.



I will let this set for about 2 weeks. Check it periodically, stir it and wait until it is the right consistency - a honey-like viscosity.

I will update this post when I see the results.

Constructive comments welcomed!
Thanks,
CP

Carmel Fine Art Show - Happening This weekend

The Carmel Fine Art and Music Festival is happening this weekend at Mount Carmel, located on Stanley Avenue in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. I will be one of the featured artists and 4 of the 8 series pieces will be on display. For more information visit: www.carmelfineart.ca
See you there!

8-4 (Heart) Oil on Canvas - 60" X 48"

8-2 (Language Leaves) - Oil on Canvas 60"X48"

Lots Happening!

If I were to ask for a more crazy year, well I got it. So I am quite careful about what I am asking for - from now on!
I went 6 months without picking up the brush, staring at canvases left and right and I soon came to the realization that once again I was standing in my own way. So I opted to get out of my own way and allow what wanted to be said, to speak. Within a few days I could feel the creativity coming back. Since that time, I have felt like I have a ton of energy and a ton of creativity. I've been dipping that creativity into many different venues at the moment, but all will be posted quite soon!
The new website: So I wanted a website with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I still have to add much more content (as there is art that I did that is still not up online yet) - so it is a work in progress, but I feel it represents who I am from an artistic standpoint. Form now on, here I will be posting daily rants, musings, thoughts, etc and of course art (mine and of others - both close to me and others that are inspirations to me). So please have a look www.christopherpew.com and let me know your thoughts.
I will be doing some smaller postcard studies, some more untitled sketches and of course finishing off the 8 series.
I'm so grateful for all the people who have supported me and have kept me going! Thank you! Christopher Pew

8-3 - Third Painting in 8 Series - 60" X 48" - Oil on Canvas

Website work and much more

Thank you to all who have been checking in to see what has been happening! The new site is just about ready to launch. A few more tests and additions and we will be ready to roll! Stay tuned, stay connected and check back often! All the best! CP

Silent Speaking - 60" X 48" - Oil on Canvas

Filming, new work and a bunch of other great new things coming soon! Thanks for stopping and taking a look!

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!

New website and new work coming soon! I am no longer on Myspace, but you can always reach me at artist@christopherpew.com

NEW SHOW AT THE HCAC!

The End Of The Great Deception - Oil on Canvas - 8 feet, 3 inches X 5 feet