Last weekend, I was delighted to be a guest blogger this for Artistcellar and share my most recent mixed-media map painting I’ve created!
Lisa from Artistcellar sent me these fabulous Celestial and Shooting Stars stencils in the mail!
These are the newest 8 ½ by 11-inch stencils, and are part of the Arabian Nights Series.
I just love that these are inspired by Arabic geometry!
Lisa from Artistcellar sent me these fabulous Celestial and Shooting Stars stencils in the mail!
These are the newest 8 ½ by 11-inch stencils, and are part of the Arabian Nights Series.
I just love that these are inspired by Arabic geometry!
Immediately, I wanted to combine these stencils with my love for maps and thought of astronomy!
I found a few 40-something year-old books about the subject and some wonderful images to collage into my painting. Also included is a piece of map scrapbook paper I had left over from making a travel scrapbook.
After collaging these papers onto an 8” x 10”stretched canvas, I added light values with Unbleached Titanium acrylic and dark values with Iridescent Rich Silver and a 6B pencil!
I found a few 40-something year-old books about the subject and some wonderful images to collage into my painting. Also included is a piece of map scrapbook paper I had left over from making a travel scrapbook.
After collaging these papers onto an 8” x 10”stretched canvas, I added light values with Unbleached Titanium acrylic and dark values with Iridescent Rich Silver and a 6B pencil!
Next came the stencil fun! Woo-hoo!
I placed the Arabian Nights stencils directly onto my painting and applied Iridescent Antique Bronze acrylic.
I also grabbed my trustworthy Old World Map Series stencils and added Cobalt Turquoise acrylic.
Then I removed the stencils and applied more Cobalt Turquoise with a brush.
I really enjoy using parts of stencils and even wiping away some paint after stenciling.
I placed the Arabian Nights stencils directly onto my painting and applied Iridescent Antique Bronze acrylic.
I also grabbed my trustworthy Old World Map Series stencils and added Cobalt Turquoise acrylic.
Then I removed the stencils and applied more Cobalt Turquoise with a brush.
I really enjoy using parts of stencils and even wiping away some paint after stenciling.
Then I layered the Celestial stencil once more, this time with Cobalt Teal.
Again, I selected just a section of the painting to apply a portion of the stencil to and paint.
This stencil creates a wonderful sense of movement with its flowing pattern of five, nine, and eleven-point stars.
Again, I selected just a section of the painting to apply a portion of the stencil to and paint.
This stencil creates a wonderful sense of movement with its flowing pattern of five, nine, and eleven-point stars.
Finally, I added some complementary colors to my Cobalt Turquoise and Teal: Iridescent Copper Light and Iridescent Rich Copper with the Shooting Star stencil and brush. To give the painting a sense of depth, I repeated the comet tail shape from the Shooting Star stencil in a variety of sizes. Repeating shapes add to the visual rhythm of the painting.
I love the way the swirling comet tails form hexagons and flowing pinwheels!
I love the way the swirling comet tails form hexagons and flowing pinwheels!
The very last step was incorporating the text a balance – because I love the way one globe is balancing on the other in this composition.
©2013 Mary C. Nasser, A Balance, mixed-media/acrylic on canvas, 8 x 10 inches
This painting will be on display in my upcoming solo show Navigate at Schmidt Art Center!
The first day of the exhibition is May 24th! Super-excited!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog.
Hope you're having a wonderful week!
Mary^
The first day of the exhibition is May 24th! Super-excited!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog.
Hope you're having a wonderful week!
Mary^
