Limited Edition Designer Collection

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Thank you for bearing with me the last month as I do my bit to get people masked up. Wherever you are in the world my thoughts and blessings are with you.

Most countries around the world are advising people wear masks to protect themselves and others. I hope these will become a conversation piece to show the grandkids, but right now they are a necessary accessory. So why not look good and face the world with a glimpse of your style.

My masks are made with great attention to detail using quality cotton and natural fabric. I consult with each person to find the most appropriate choices for their lifestyle. Various options include moisture wicking lining, organic, shaped or comfort styles, ear loops, head elastic and ear savers.

Now for the purpose of this blog. A couple of months ago I was part of a Facebook gathering of artists organised by Sheila Delgado. During the month long event, I held a spot contest and six friends around the world won a prize. Sadly, while I was organising addresses CoVid19 hit. Shipping descended into chaos and I decided to hold off until thing settled down. Thankfully our postal system is starting to normalise, so the time has come to ship.

Below is a full visual of fabric and styles available at time of writing. Some designs are custom orders which take a couple of days, or pre-orders with fabric due soon. Contest winners, please select your favourite which will be promptly shipped to you.

And... If you are not a winner, add your favourite in comments or contact me to purchase.

LIMITED STOCK - MOISTURE WICKING

VERY LIMITED STOCK

IN STOCK AND CUSTOM ORDER

SOLIDS - IN STOCK AND CUSTOM ORDER

CUSTOM ORDER - Fabric in stock

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Contest - Mask Task

I have not heard one report of someone who is truly isolating getting CoVid19. One of the challenges is that large amounts of the population are working in “essential services” and cannot isolate. Another problem are those who don’t follow guidelines, deciding to pick and choose”: Their choices affect others and sadly, as we’ve seen, it’s the aged and vulnerable that suffer and die.

I believe it is each person’s responsibility, that if they choose not to isolate they should shield others from their possible contagion in any way they can. Covering the nose and mouth is a simple way to do that. OK, so I get that medical masks should be conserved for essential services, but most governments are now recommending cloth masks in public and they are becoming mandatory for travel.

In a perfect world, every body would follow disease control guidelines and the world could be declared CoVid19 free quickly. It seems the tighter the restrictions and the better enforced, the quicker a country can turn around. A few pockets have succeeded, for instance, New Zealand, because they are an island with a strong government and compliant population. However, most of the rest of the world and most notably the USA, are struggling.

sea-dean.pixels.com

I believe it is our duty to do everything we can. One of the stumbling blocks is that the general population don't consider face covering cool, trendy, fashionable, sensible or necessary.

One step that can be taken is coming up with a catchy name for face masks, because I’m told that Marketplace is blocking advertising of them, unless of course you pay to advertise.

Mask is the correct term, but people consider it false advertising as they wrongly equate the term “mask” with N95 medical protection.

The federal government in Canada are starting to call cloth masks Face or Facial Coverings. Apparently they have the same problem with terminology.

“Cough covers” is OK but doesn't relate to those who don't cough and CoVid19 tends to be most contagious before people have symptoms, which is why it has been so difficult to stop.

Shield or guard are also a bit misleading.

Anyone......?

Above are some of my many designs in an effort to make facial covering fashionable. Just like any designer fashion, they come with a price tag that covers design, manufacture, printing, and so far shipping. And it comes down to what price you put on your life and the lives of those you come into contact with. I believe in covering in public, but choose to make a statement and do it in style.
sea-dean.pixels.com

The thrill of success!

I’m three days into my celebrated position as a feature artist at DPW. It’s quite thrilling to be at the top of the page both on the website and in the daily emails. I suppose its like an actress seeing their name on the marquee for the first time. To celebrate, if you are reading this blog you can claim 25% off any painting currently available at DOW. Just “follow” my blog, make the purchase, contact me to claim your discount and I will refund via Paypal.

Judges Pick for Daily Paintworks Monthly Contest - Yay!

MILES Pal Portrait by Sea Dean

Well, I finally made it! I’ve occasionally entered the monthly contest at Daily Paintworks and just recently I announced that I intended to do more in 2018. However, tonight I was told I was a contest winner for December. Wow! I won with one of my favorite Pal Paintings, MILES above.

The challenge is that any new works I create as of this moment will be published at the top of the email that goes out daily to 4,200 subscribers and I also receive a one month subscription for February, when I’m taking part in the Leslie Saeta daily challenge. I had better get my skates on.

Click on the link above to see MILES and all my available paintings.

Stay tuned.........

Art Battle Review

I've finally pulled in images from various sources to show you what my Art Battle experience was like. I was painting, so no time to do a progress montage. Images Maxpaq Photography and my friends Tammie and Karen.

For those of you that missed the lead up to the competition, I applied and was selected to compete against 11 other artists to win prizes and perhaps progress to regional, national and international heats. I was under no illusion I would win my heat because the other artists were mostly in Uni or just out and had large followings. This was not a juried event, it was decided by spectator voting, so as I only had two people in my cheer group, winning was unlikely.

Art Battle June 2017

We had a blank canvas start. As you can see, it was very dark, with blinding spotlights: Hardly condusive to painting. I couldn't tell what colors I was mixing, so it was all instinct. The guy on the right kept flicking paint on me, in hindsight maybe that was a distraction strategy.
It was very noisy, with loud music, cheering and intrusive MC announcements, but surprisingly that didn't distract me. Overall I was quite comfortable. Earlier in the week I had visited one of my galleries and the owner, Cathy had said that I had no cause for nerves because I was a very experienced artist. I suppose she was right!

I had trained in case I got through to the final heat, but it was an ambitious painting and I was very relieved not to be selected. Nevertheless, I gained the experience of painting in front of a crowd and painting FAST, which was very liberating.

Nearing the end

Distraction strategy? The guy on my right kept flicking paint
all over me, so I moved as far to the left as I could and turned my canvas away.

Signing my Masterpiece

The finished painting was auctioned off and I got half the proceeds.

The Winner is on the left 

20 Minute Painting - Lake Breeze

LAKE BREEZE
16" x 20" approx.
Flat Canvas with about 1.5 inch border for framing or mounting
Price on Request

This is the first painting in a new series inspired by my participation in Art Battle. In Art Battle you are only given 20 minutes to complete an 18" x 24" painting, in a boiler room competitive environment. You must start with a blank canvas, use only 11 acrylic paint colors (see list), no medium, gel, or additives and use only brushes and non mechanical tools. You are not even allowed a water spray bottle.

Allowed Colors

Titanim White
Unbleached Titanium
Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber
Black
Bright Yellow
Bright Orange
Bright Red
Phthalo Green
Pthalo Blue
light Cyan

I found that the limited palette and timing forced me to make quick decisions about color mixes. I worked with a bigger brush and stood a t an easel to give myself freedom of movement. The larger canvas forced me to move faster with sweeping strokes. Standing made it easier to step back and gain perspective. The result was a fresh and impulsive painting that embodied everything I've learned in my painting career.

The new series builds upon the Art Battle concept to produce a more finished and saleable work. Painting fast means sometimes little mistakes happen and places are left bare in error. Therefore this new series allows 20 mins for the initial painting with an extra 10 mins for adjustments after allowing the paint to settle and any errors to emerge. I also don't want to build up an inventory of large paintings, so I will probably paint a bit smaller and likely on unstretched canvas which is easier to store.

I'm not sure how often I will create one of these paintings, or as yet what I will name the series, however, it will be at least one a month. If you have an idea for naming the series please leave me a comment.

Art Battle Kelowna

I have a history of being impulsive, so a few days ago I submitted an application for Art Battle, never thinking I would get in. Lo and behold, I was accepted for the battle taking place on June 16th in Kelowna, B.C. This will either be a great way to test my boundaries, earn some cash and participate in a cool night out, or an absolute disaster!

Art Battle is just that ... a battle between 12 artists in two 20 minute rounds, with the winners of those rounds battling it out for top place. The finished works are auctioned and the artist gets 50% of the proceeds.

Art battles take place around the world. If you would like to enter as an artist, or attend one of these fun events, check out this website.

If you have any idea what I should paint (in 20 minutes), feedback would be much appreciated. I need to pick two things I can paint quickly on approximately 18" x 24" canvas. It should be something that people are inspired to vote and bid on. The last Art Battle I attended the supplied paint was basic colors of very low quality, gloopy paint that all the artists were complaining about, so no fine detail or major mixing possible. You are allowed to bring your own brushes, sponges, palette knives etc. but you can only use their paint. No gel, medium, collage, stencils or anything produced mechanically etc.

These are some of my most popular paintings and I thought I would do something like a couple of them. What do you think?

PS If you are in the Okanagan, please come out and support me. I'll need a few friendly faces around me. Perhaps you can pick up a fab piece of art for a bargain price.

SUPPLY LIST FOR ACRYLIC PAINTING OUTDOORS - PLEIN AIR

INTERIOR HEAT by Sea Dean

I've painted plein air before, but only close to my home or vehicle, so not knowing what to expect in a restricted competition area I decided to get everything organised in advance for tomorrow's Opus challenge. I looked online, but mainly came up with plein air OIL painting lists, so I decided to compile one for ACRYLIC painters.

This is what I consider my most brilliant idea. Last year I found a cheap and easy to use walker in a thrift store and kept it because you never know when you may need one. I am kitting this walker out so I can plein air in the park across the road. It is great for both transport and to use as a seat.

For paints I'm taking my Atelier Interactive set, which I've never worked with, so as a back up I'm taking some old favourites. I've also listed only a few brushes, but as it's a timed contest, I will take several of each size so I can keep my colours on separate brushes and don't need to bother to wash as often.


Plein Air Supply List

Paints

Titanium white (Open)

Cadmium Yellow Medium

Cadmium Red Light

Prussian Blue
Pthalo Blue (Red shade) 

Alizarin Crimson

Dioxazine Purple

Cadmium Orange (Open)

Transparent Iron Oxide

Black paint pen

Acrylic Medium and varnish
Acrylic heavy matt or gloss gel
Acrylic gloss soft gel

Tools
small liner, small angle,
1/2" Angle, 1/2" Flat,
3/4" Angle, 3/4" Flat,
large under-painting brush, 2" varnish brush
two or three palette knives, painting scrapers
Container for water
Bottled of water for cleaning brushes
Fine Spray bottle of water

9" x 12" Canvas or Canvas Panel (supplied by Opus)
Comfortable folding chair or stool (don't need this with a walker)
Plein air box or aluminum folding easel full height model for standing
Paper towel or rags
a bag for trash
Stay wet palette(s)
Screen to keep wind off palette(s)
Business cards
Studio tour handouts
A bag to put it all inFully charged cell phone or watch to keep time
Fully charged camera
Camera cable to load on laptop
Laptop
Bottle of water to drink
Packed lunch and snack
Good shoes for walking and standing
Several layers for all weather clothing
Painting smock or apron
White or straw hat
Raincoat just in case
Umbrella to shade from the sun and rain

Most importantly if you are a slow painter, a flask of coffee or tea or a good friend that will keep you supplied with expresso.

DAILY PAINTWORKS CONTEST and PAINTING YOUR PET

MILES by Sea Dean - 10" x 8" Arches Board

Every month, the platform where I market my art online has a contest. The judge is usually a fellow artist and this month it's Johnathan Aller. You can submit any 2D work whether it is available or not and whether you are a member of DPW or not. The cost is $10 for members and $14 for non members. The prizes are 1st - $500, 2nd - $300, and 3rd - $150 and the top 15 artists become DPW featured artists for a month for free! I enter because the prize is attractive, but more importantly I would like the exposure of being a featured artist.

This month I submitted my painting of Miles, a little doggie I've never met, but I'm told he has quite a personality. It is painted on one of my favourite surfaces, Canson Arches board, which I discovered at a demo by famous local watercolour artist Alex Fong.

The surface you paint on has quite an effect on the finished work, and I love the velvety and very forgiving texture of this board. It give a more realistic and smooth look to a painting with soft edges, perfect for fur.

I'm currently available to paint PAL PORTRAITS, so if you know someone with a special pet, or if you want to immortalize your own special companion, please contact me in comments. Years ago, before I became a professional artist, I had a portrait painted of my darling cat Kitza and it still brings me joy every day, even though she passed a long time ago. So I know first hand what a wonderful gift they make.

PAWS by Sea Dean - 8" x 10" Canvas Panel

REF 4168 Miles - REF 3060 Paws