PETRINA

From and image taken of the Gallery Manager and volunteers at Lake Country Art Gallery. The first is a highly modified but totally digital version created with apps. The second image is a digital drawing from scratch, created with no underlying digital photo. The first one can be created by anyone with knowledge of the apps and is more of a craft, the second requires an artist’s eye and drawing skills and therefore qualifies as fine art. It is interesting that neither of these would be saleable on Daily Paintworks because they have a ban on digital art, a decision I think they need to revisit.

PETRINA by Sea Dean

SHARON by Sea Dean

DAY 7 of 30 - WHITE MORNING Work in Progress

WHITE MORNING by Sea Dean 10”:x 10” wrap canvas

DAY 7 - White Morning by Sea Dean 

I worked on this painting a bit today. I like it much better now. The birds are circling on early morning thermals; I don’t know if they can experience joy, but it seems like they are having fun. Maybe I've overdone the bronze, but it is a type of acrylic paint which patinas, (Golden Bronze) so it will soften with time. The birds are in paint pen, but I think I would prefer Liquitex Flow with a rigger. I also see one tree trunk I still need to remove, can you spot it? 

The original is below and was crying out for adjustments, The white tree in front was odd and although the call was for a painting using only black and white, it was boring. I had added pearl white highlights but they didn't show up wll. The texture of many layers of heavy acrylic and gels was its only saving grace.

www.paintamasterpiece.blogspot.comwww.artfinder.com/sea-dean — in Kelowna, British Columbia.
30DCG2020 - ODP

PEACE TABLE

I’m proud to introduce my latest work of art, PEACE TABLE

This installation was specifically created for this years Lake Country Art Gallery Intergenerational Exhibition, entitled “A Winter Gathering”. I’ve been participating in this exhibition since it began about 7 years ago. Each year I try to step out of the box and create something unusual. I love the challenge and the locals are always sufficiently surprised.

Peace Table isn’t simply refinished furniture, it’s actually fine art painted on a recycled round table. I had been considering purchasing a large round art panel, but when I saw this unloved piece, I just had to give it new life. First I treated the surface, prepping with Golden GAC 100, two coats of gesso and then started painting with quality acrylic paints. By doing this I am following in the footsteps of many famous artists who, when faced with lack of funds, painted on anything they could find..

Most of the sculptures and installations I am producing now have been percolating on my back burner for quite a while. Peace table combines my love of repurposing furniture, my dislike of war, my belief in equality and my ongoing desire to simplify my work.

This painting comes with the option of displaying it as an occasional table or removing the legs and hanging it on the wall using the included attachments. Although it is curing at the moment I will finish with several coats of matte varnish.

Trending Decor 2020

SMOOTH by Sea Dean

Avid followers will know that every year I explore home decor colour trends in an effort to create art that fits with popular themes. This year I’ve been pleased to see that designers are veering away from grey and moving towards warmer and more earthy tones.

A NEST FOR TWO by Sea Dean

As for themes, Paris and Antlers are out, but refinished furniture and rustic is still in, although with a softer more textured and less “in your face” look. This suits me perfectly as I still have a mega hoard of interesting pieces ready to refinish. Farmhouse lettering is a bit passé, but well loved country is still popular.

BIRCHES by Sea Dean

More radical trenders will include deep earthy terra cottas and rich browns and golds, but the general look will be warm taupe, beiges, creams, etc. And being a Scandinavian design lover I’m pleased to see very light wood back in style. Also matte black (not shiny and not espresso) is making a come back.

SPARK found item assemblage by Sea Dean

Along with a rich matte look many designers are adding plenty of clear and white glass, skylights, bold accent lighting, sheepskin, homespun fabrics and linen. Leather is perennially popular, but it is definitely moving towards light beiges, taupes, creams and ivories. A nice luscious chunky throw finishes the look.

And is it silver, gold, platinum, oak or black hardware? It seems anything goes, but the look is softer brushed, textured, natural, matte and unfinished lighter wood.

I found this article from a local designer and its spot on.

https://www.kelownanow.com/columns/space_design/

Into the light - Final Version

This is the final version of “Into the Light”, a commanding certerpiece to my upcoming solo exhibition. I had excellent feedback from two internet artist friends whose work I admire greatly, Marion Hedger (www.artbymarion.uk) and Sheila Delgado (www.sheiladelgado.com): The resulting painting is something I am proud to sign my name to.

The adjustments were very minor. First I eliminated dots and lines which had strayed too close to the edge, leading the eye away from the center of interest. The most important eliminations were some bright green lines above the figure, and one suggesting a face which was too bold and distracting. Another important elimination was the bright corner bottom left which has just been blended with the rest of the red area.

Of course I could keep adjusting forever, but that would I overwork and result in a watered down version lacking pizzaz. Not me at all.

Into the Light will be on show with all my other latest works, from April 20th at Lake Country Coffee House on Bottom Wood Lake Road, Lake Country, BC, Canada.

Into the Light

About a year ago I decided I wanted to create a series of large paintings for my upcoming solo, but life got in the way and now I have two weeks to pull something together. Hopefully if I manage to create enough larger paintings I will be able to add a few surprise 3D pieces.

I started planning this morning and was determined to get the best part of at least one painting done. Square compositions are always a challenge, but I stuck to my original thought and only strayed for the last layer. There are a few minor corrections to make, but overall Im pleased with the result.

This is the third largest one piece painting I’ve created to date at 36” square, which in itself was a challenge and I ended up sitting on cushions on the floor with a large tarp underneath. I rotated to complete each side but kept reaffirming that I keep the composition off center, each corner different, variety in focal size and use of different tools to apply the paint. I would love to place a big splash of gold leaf across the painting, but I’m holding back because I dont think it needs it.

The name came to me at the end and then the sun came through the clouds that had hung over the lake all day, as if to affirm my choice.

I Wish I could Fly

I WISH I COULD FLY 16” x 20” paper collage and feather  $295

I WISH I COULD FLY is a collage containing a Sea Dean one finger ipad drawing print and collage including real feathers in the thought bubble.

I have discovered a new and superior method of printing my iPad work and now I have more control over the cropped size and finish. I’m excited to have more flexibility. Here I discovered what I have long suspected, that the drawings, created on my 6” x 8” iPad have the capacity to print much larger. I’m not sure yet, how large I can go without losing definition, but at least 16” x 20” and possibly double that. Stay tuned for more experimentation.....

Colors include shades of white, black, yellow, orange, a dash of pink nose and gold

To purchase this collage please contact me through this blog as it is currently on exhibition at Lake Country Art Gallery, Lake Country, BC

Here and There

HERE AND THERE is another painting currently on show in the “Going to the Dogs” exhibition at Lake Country Art Gallery. The one finger ipad drawing is collaged on a backing of soft silver embellished with acrylic paint. Its always a challenge to create an image which has special effects, but the original is so much more impressive.

Here and there, 16” x 20” collage mixed media on silver paper $295
As it is currently on exhibition, please reserve by contacting me through this blog.

Quail in the snow

This painting began as a background to frame a one finger drawing, but I liked it so much I finishd it as a painting. It’s one of those works that came together without stress ... always my favorite kind. It is painted on foam board in two kinds of black plus titanium white.

I picture a similar work in a larger format if youre looking for a nature painting without an “in your face” landscape or wild animal painting. Commissions of all kinds and any size are welcome.

QUAIL IN THE SNOW is currently on exhibition at Lake Country Art Gallery, who is having a fun opening on March 31st with hot dogs, prizes and merchandise sold to support the public gallery and animal charities.

$295 Mixed Media on Foam Board. As it is on exhibition, contact me directly to reserve.

Lava Clouds

I was making a “Plein Air” sunset painting when I used too much heavily pigmented black in the clouds. I loved the way the ocean turned out, so rather than pulling out some color I decided to use some of the lava sand I was sitting on for texture. I wish I had some medium or gel here to set it, but I will take a bag of washed sand home to reconstruct the effect.

I tried various things my sister had on hand, hairspray that didn’t want to set and boot waterproofing spray, which didn’t adhere the sand to the paper. Luckily I used a test sheet, not the original. For now I will be content with some interesting black clouds and add the lava later.

Toucan by Night - Toucan at Night

TOUCAN BY NIGHT
40 cm x 60 cm (16" x 24")
oil on slim wrap canvas
Available on commission

You may remember that a week or so ago I showed a watercolor painting of a Toucan. Although an interesting painting in it's own right, it was conceived as a sketch for a larger painting. I was working through some ideas for an oil painting, which has now been completed (above).

Toucan at Night,
6" x 4" watercolor
140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper

Bird on a tree

BIRD ON A TREE
6" x 4" cold press watercolor paper
Mixed media



I'm on a bit of a walkabout, so out came my wonderful Koi watercolors and off I went. I need to restock a few of the brickets soon, so I searched our local art supply shop and came really close to buying a whole new Koi set. My set has 24 colors, but I discovered they now stock a slightly larger pocket field sketch box with a choice of 36 or 48 colors. The new sets aren't even twice the size, so easy to slip into a carry on and so much more choice.

So this is my first travel painting which is watercolor with a touch of graphite. I'm still debating whether to add a couple more birds flitting through the branches, but perhaps that is another in the series.

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY THREE - MOONLIGHT

MOONLIGHT
IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 Unmounted
$69 Mounted on Birch Cradle
$150 Deep Mirror Wrap 9" x 9" Giclée

I struggle to stick to black and white. I want to add a ribbon in a bright color like turquoise or cerise, however, I know this would work with more color schemes. If I wasn't working in series I would at least add a bold black or white stripe. Circle or spot.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

For my patrons that love neutrals. This drawing serves as my 23rd entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as # 4

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWO - MUM

MUM IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

Happy Birhday Mum

Over the years I've worked in many mediums and many genre. Currently I'm experimenting to discover which genre suits my iPad drawing technique best. This Floral would make a lovely bright addition to a dark corner. You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This drawing serves as my second entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 11

IPAD DRAWING - Ocean Series - Abalone

ABALONE
Oceans Series by Sea Dean
Copyrighted iPad drawing
Available as a one time use download or limited edition print

I'm enjoying spending a bit more time on each drawing as I work through the challenges of the Notes drawing app. 

The secret is in learning how to layer the translucent colors of the marker tool. I use the white marker tool to lighten some of the colors that seem too intense. I rarely use the eraser because it absolutely returns everything to white. With the white marker you have to pass over the color several times to make remove all lines, so it gives you more options. 

I find that in order to create a full color rendition like the abalone shell above, I have to go through several stages of coloring and whitening until I get the desired effect. Once again I am learning not to slow down and put more and more thought into each stroke as I get closer to completion.

PS. This one really makes my heart sing 

IPAD DRAWINGS - Ocean Series - Ocean Bed

OCEAN BED
Oceans Series by Sea Dean
Copyrighted iPad drawing
Available as a one time use download or limited edition print

Divers know that the ocean bed can be a colorful place, particularly in a coral reef. The almost fluorescent colors really come to life at night, when many sea creatures create their own light.

IPAD DRAWINGS - Ocean Series - Tarpon Tyrant

TARPON TYRANT
Oceans Series by Sea Dean
Copyrighted iPad drawing
Available as a one time use download or limited edition print

Believe it or not, this is a digital drawing which was created from scratch. There is no underlying image. I'm building my skills in layering translucent colour and learing to use the primitive drawing tools to their best advantage. This Tarpon is a predator fish in the deep waters of the ocean. His sleek body gives him the advantage of speed and his large mouth allows him to scoop up huge helpings of tiny fish in a flash.

I quite like the greenish colorway and the shiny scales are my favorite part of the drawing.

 

IPAD DRAWINGS - Ocean Series - Mackerel Mahem

MACKEREL MAHEM
Oceans Series by Sea Dean
Copyrighted iPad drawing
Available as a one time use download or limited edition print

When Mackerel are under threat they swim in tight balls hoping that numbers are safer than swimming alone. If the hunter breaks them into smaller shoals they are more vulnerable. It's amazing how they manage to swim so fast while being packed so closely together.

Two more colorways.

 

IPAD DRAWINGS - Ocean Series - Playful Dolphin

PLAYFUL DOLPHIN
Oceans Series by Sea Dean
Copyrighted iPad drawing
Available as a one time use download or limited edition print

This Bottlenose Dolphin wants to play. He's having a wonderful time racing through the ocean. He seems to be saying "Come in and join the fun".

In black and white he looks classy like he's wearing a dinner suit.

 

IPAD DRAWINGS - Ocean Series - Ocean Reflections

OCEAN REFLECTIONS
Oceans Series by Sea Dean
Copyrighted iPad drawing
Available as a one time use download or limited edition print

More new media drawings. I love the variations in the colors below, but my favorite is still the original above. You may notice that it can be turned upside down and cropped in interesting ways. I would love to see this as a giant giclee print.