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

Photo Walks - More Macro

SNAKE by Sea Dean

The local Photo Walks group wound up its one week MACRO challenge today and I asked permission of some of the participants to create and publish the collage below on my blog. It’s a small group and I think the quality of the work is amazing. These are some of my favorites.

Photo credit - Brenda Gooder, Liza, Brenda Jones, Sea Dean

MACRO WORK

ANTI FATIGUE by Sea Dean

I thought I would share some more of my macro photography for the Photo Walks group challenge. RESIDUE is a shot from my studio of the remains in a bowl from prepping leaves, embellished with iPad drawing. THE SPINNER is my favorite, but ANTI FATIGUE is the best curiosity.

RESIDUE by Sea Dean

THE SPINNER by Sea Dean

DAY 17 of 30 - SHINE by Sea Dean

There are videos below, but if you receive this blog by email you will only see them if you click on this link. sorry for the inconvenience. http://www.paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

Its a little off topic for my 30 Day Creative Gathering theme, but I’ve been working on a slideshow movie of my carwash photography. It’s only a year or so since I stopped hand-washing my car and decided to let a machine do the job. I’m a bit of a Luddite, except for my iPad of course. It actually doesn't cost a lot more and with flashing colored lights and rainbow foam, its one of my little treats. Yup, I’m just entering my second childhood.. .

It was fast and easy to create a slideshow within the photo app on my iPad, but I just couldn't find a way to move it onto the net. Then I spent the best part of three days rebuilding a slideshow movie with iMovie, not the simplest app to work with. Each frame had to be loaded, manipulated with movement, and timed to the music. Of course because I was also learning there were many challenges to this. What a nightmare! I did gain a greater respect for editors though

The goal is to get better at producing video to market my art. I think I will be organizing some of these images into a series for limited editions, and eventually add them to my Artfinder shop. So here is SHINE in all its glory. I would love to hear what you think about the video and choice of music. I’m also interested in which one of the three links works for you because the first two were loaded through the video link which compressed them and the last was via photos. Sometimes things work differently for a visitor

30DCG2020  and ODP

SMOOTH - Day 11 - 30 in 30 Challenge

I was about to delete this line drawing when I took a closer look. Sometimes I spend hours trying to loosen up enough to draw a simple expressive line. This was a squiggle I did within Notes to try out the Markup. This took less than a second and its beautiful. Go figure!

With the first simple image I merely added a neutral background. It has an organic perhaps even human form. I’m glad I took that second look.

With the second version I created a modern textile design by twisting and turning the pattern in a four up block. I could see this made into a chic designer dress.

Number three is also a textile design, bold and bright for the person that loves to stand out.

FOREST RAIN - Day 6 - 30 in 30 Challenge

One of the things I love about taking part in group challenges is the feedback. Most feedback stays safe with ‘lovely’, ‘interesting’ etc. but you can tell when your art has made a real impact, partly by the frequency of comments and partly by the content.

In particular, I love feedback from Shiela Delgado, my cyber friend and organizer of the 30 Day Creative Gathering. See her blog here. Sheila studies hundreds of art works each day and gives very insightful feedback to me and probably hundreds of other artists. Yesterday I took her comment that it made her think of Christmas to heart and I took another look. I saw that the addition of complimentary red to the green pushed it that way. Hmmmm.

Today I duplicated “Treelight” from yesterday, turned it on its side and immediately Claude Monet’s garden with hanging wisteria came to mind. So, I added more from the purple area of the color wheel. Then I saw the influence of Carla Sta Fernandes emerging; she is an artist I very much admire on my platform, Artfinder. Next I noticed the original forest image behind the marks I had made and added raindrops. Voila, my own unique artwork ... ‘Forest Rain’

Fertile Valley

I’m still enthralled by the greyed turquoise technique I’ve discovered. There are many gorgeous views in our area to use for my new art card series. This is further north where well irrigated farm land creates some lovely pastoral scenes.

I originally had a heavier sky, but I think I like the top image better.

Over the Lake

Over the Lake

For those unfamiliar with my digital work, my drawings are created in the simple notes app on my iPad. The app is very basic wih only three types of line, a rule and an eraser, so I’ve had to come up with new ideas to make it useable. I’m constantly working on ideas and currently I’m fascinated by the ability to layer colour with the highlighter tool. With my knowledge of pigment from painting, I can build some interesting colours.

This one finger drawing is available as small prints and an art card.

Two Trees

Two Trees
An iPad drawing by Sea Dean, available as an art card and a variety of small prints.

This was created while visiting friends at Christmas. It is so much simpler to work through ideas on an iPad and prevents problems trying to get paints through security at the airport.

A long process

Another new iPad drawing, also as yet nameless. I started this last summer, but it needed more work and I didn’t get back to it till Christmas. The first stage is below.

A time for every season

Getting back on track for the new year and working on scheduling, I’m rather relieved to say that two major committments in my year have been suspended. Leslie Saeta is not hosting the “30 Paintings in 30 days Challenge” this January, so the next one will be September, phew! Also Kat Sloma will not be running “Liberate your Art” postcard swap in 2019, but it will return next year.

I had decided to focus on portraits for the 30 day challenge, to kick start my plans for more people painting in 2019, due to the success of my Frida series. Also, I‘m working on some new art card designs, so adding a set of postcards for Kat would have been easy; at least they will be ready in time next year.

I’m glad, this gives me more time to work on two Lake Country Art Gallery submissions, the annual intergenerational, “Welcome to the (neighbour)hood” and the annual members show “To the Dogs. Plus, Lake Country Coffee Shop called to move my annual solo show to the month around Easter. This is very close to my successful September solo show and means I have to put a fire under plans for more wood sculptures. I should also include some new blossom paintings.

On top of all that I have to organize some work for a new gallery that contacted me last year. It’s going to be a busy couple of months.

Above is a new iPad drawing as yet nameless, that is for the new art card collection. I was going to crop it as below, but I rather like the raged edge of the first version. What do you think? Which do you like most?

Smoking Gallery Sales

G97 on Hiway 97 just south of Peachland is open during the fires.

Brush fires sparked by lightening a week ago are now under control. There are no longer any evacuation orders in effect and it’s business as usual. For a while the fires were threatening Gallery 97 and staff persevered, staying open in spite of the smoke.

Tourist traffic is down, but the gallery has decided to go ahead with the second exhibition of the season. The opening is Sunday August 12th and my three latest iPad drawings have been accepted. The opening vent is packed with exhibiting artists and there are many demos and talks to take in. I’m looking forward to seeing the new art from all over the central Okanagan. If you’re in the area, drop in and add your smiles and support.

As you see, the smoke is fairly localised and this controlled burn on Sunday has really helped getting it all under control. Our die hard sun lovers don’t seem to be worried as they continue enjoying the beaches and lake. https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/South_Okanagan/Wildfire_season_not_slowing_down_Southern_Okanagan_businesses/

A controlled burn to manage fires

Gallery 97 is in the orange evacuation readiness area

Jewel Tree

I needed to step back for a while to decide whether to do more to this iPad drawing. I liked it just the way it is, but thought it may be a bit sparse once mounted. However, I think the tree has enough variation and uniqueness to carry the white space. We really do have a lot of very tall narrow trees around here, especially higher up in the hills. I felt the same way about my most popolar iPad drawing, BIRCHES when I had completed it. 

Surprisingly it was the lines of current on the lake which took the most amount of time: I drew the lines and changed the color of the pencil many times before I was happy with the result. The more I look at this the more I realise that any addition would ruin it. Possibly when I add paint I will only darken the body of the lake slightly.

I can’t wait to see this printed, mounted and embellished.

Lake Shimmer

LAKE SHIMMER iPad Drawing

In this composition I wanted to play with white space. I can always add more detail once its printed and mounted. I just had a thought that as these are sold as Mixed Media anyway, I can always add some collage to them ... that would add interest. Possibly over the top though. What would you add?

Lavender Lake

LAVENDER LAKE iPad Drawing

This is an iPad version of an acrylic painting I sold at the airport last year. Although the colors are brighter with the digital program I use, the limited selection was challenging. Althouh not very obvious here, that simple white squiggle tied the composition together without destroying the simplicity.

Lavender grows very well in our dry climate and needs little care, so many water conscious gardeners are including it in their landscaping. Also, we do have at least one commercial lavender farm with tours, a shop and interesting events.

iPad play

iPad play by Sea Dean

Something else I did on my walkabout was free up space on my iPad for more drawing. I have loads of inspiration photos taking up space and I haven't found a way to easily store them elsewhere. I don’t trust icloud with my art files and I can’t figure out how to save only inspiration snaps to the cloud.

However, I’m finally getting around to selecting only the important ones and deleting the rest. There is enough inspiration to last me 10 lifetimes. It feels good to skip the routine for a while and clear the clutter making space to play.

I like this one. I almost deleted it part way through, but after sleeping on it I decided to have fun and doodle. This would probably make a good surface design. It has a 50’s Jetson feel to it don’t you think?

Walkabout and Sunset Lake

Sunset Lake iPad drawing by Sea Dean

Walkabout, that’s the term Australian original people use when they go out into the bush to gain some perspective. I’ve always thought it was a wonderful term for taking a break. I’ve found that I need a break every three months or so and I haven’t had one for over a year, so I was waaaaay overdue. Blogging can be useful for staying on track, but it is very refreshing to get away.

I accomplished many things on my walkabout, including clearing out a storeroom, which gave me the opportunity to discover some old journals, photos, paintings and writings. I found a few gems which I will share this month. Most of the stored items were from about 10 years ago. I was a different person then, but I suppose the more you change the more you stay the same. By reading through old papers I discovered that I like myself and I’ve led an interesting and varied life rich in learning.

Above is a new iPad drawing created on my walkabout. The combination of colors speaks of the desert origins of our local climate while honoring the life force in our deep cool lakes.

Long time no see

WILDFLOWER LAKE by Sea Dean - various sizes and finishes

Sorry I’ve been a stranger. I can’t believe its been so long since I posted, but all I can give as an excuse is that sometimes you need to focus on yourself. That’s not to say I haven’t been busy wih art, it’s just a different kind of busy, largely on the thinking and planning side of things.

This is my year for clean up and completion and I’ve been very focused on that. Still lots to do, but I’m pleased I’m making progress. I’m one of those people who always puts family and friends before my own needs, but this year I’m shifting focus to deal with all the personal stuff I never seem to get around to.

I purchased a condo in January and launched into the reno from hell. I’m still working that through, Still no cupboard doors or in home studio. Stuff scattered between two condos, two partial studios and four storage areas. Ug! I am however, starting to see the light.

So to update on the art front, my work has been accepted again at G97 Gallery in Peachland, BC, Canada. I’m prepping several new pieces and some old friends for delivery on Tuesday. The season opening is next weekend. I’m still working with Ritchcraft Gallery in Kelowna, BC and my Art Cards are available at Kelowna Art Gallery, Lake Country Coffee House, G97 and of course online. I’m in negotiations with two new venues, which I’m very excited about, but more on that later.

For my online presence I’m phasing out Daily Paintworks and new art will appear on Artfinder. Artfinder seems to be a very progressive online gallery and I like their format. I also plan to re-organise and upgrade my personal web presence later this year, probably in time for the holidays.

After the G97 opening on June 3rd I’m taking a month off for some much needed R & R. I will be back in mid July, rested, with a fresh outlook and loads of new images and art.

Meadowbrook Annual Art and Hobby Fair

Mrs Laing hosting the snack table

Blink and it’s gone. Hours of volunteer work go into this event each year and at 2 hours, its probably the shortest exhibition I have ever attended. Possibly due to the concentrated  schedule, it attracted huge crowds of residents, friends, passersby, plus the artists themselves.

The Happy and rather dapper wine hosts

There were electric train hobbyists, model ship builders, jam makers, quilt makers, wood turners and of course fine artists. It was a blast! A good time was had by all.

My Selection of iPad work

Twelfth Night

Angel in the snow by Sea Dean

It’s Twelfth Night, the holidays are over, the decorations are boxed for another year and we’re well into 2018. For the first time in many years I’ve taken a long break from blogging, but I’ve been active in other areas of my art business. Changes are afoot, but many of my yearly events are also in prep. It’s going to be a busy and diversified year. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Firstly, I would like to thank all my loyal supporters for inspiring me in 2017. In many ways it was a tough year and your visits to my blog, websites and in person have shored me up and made it possible to keep moving forward. I love reading your comments and visiting your blogs and websites, so keep up the good work.

I started to plan 2018 waaay back in June 2017 and all those exciting possibilities are now starting to unfold........

I have one exhibition still running till February 3rd. Kelowna Art Gallery Annual Members Show, Encounters, is very high quality this year and well worth a visit if you’re in the Okanagan. Admission is free on Thursdays. KAG is in the hub of the arts district, with the Rotary Center of the Arts, Community Theatre, Prospera Place, Kelowna Library, Opus Art Supplies, The Japanese Gardens, Lakeside Boardwalk and Stuart Park Open Air Skating Rink at the big bear sculpture. Along the boardwalk you can also visit the Ogopogo sculpture and the world famous “Spirit of Sail” sculpture. Bring your camera to capture the majestic Okanagan Lake in the snow.

My Artfinder website http://www.artfinder.com/sea-dean is superceding Daily Paintworks. Towards the end of last year I started to update my presence at Artfinder and there are now nearly 200 artwoks in my gallery. It is a place where, unlike DPW, I can exhibit all my work, traditional media, sculpture and new media like my One Finger iPad Drawings. Click here to see the changes. I will still add the occasional piece at DPW, but I find the daily painting mode no longer fits with my business plan, but I will still be entering some of the contests.

The first event of the year will be ”Leslie Saetas 30 paintings in 30 days”, which this time takes place in February. As January is generally my accounting, planning and catch up month, the deciasion to run this challenge one month later suits me perfectly. To read more about the challenge and/or join the event, click here. 

Another Annual event for me is the “Kat Sloma Liberate Your Art” Postcard Swap, which takes place April 13-15. Click here for details and/or to join the swap.

Lastly, Lake Country Art Gallery’s Intergenerational Exhibition “Who are we?” will start the end of February and I’m already planning collaborations. I love this opportunity to share in creation, and I’m as curious as you are about the works to be produced. For more info click here.

In the first few months of 2018 I am organising a roomier place to work, where hopefully I will be able to create larger and more experimental art works. All will be revealed as the project unfolds.

More soon.......

Sea