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Off the Grid
watercolor |
I am pleased to announce that "Off the Grid" was accepted in the Thompson Valley Art League's 2016 Regional Fine Art Show. I found this unique mountain landscape while visiting Marble, Colorado a few years ago. The light was just going over the cliffs surrounding me and illuminating this home off the grid.
This year the Regional show had 300+ entries and accepted around 70. I am honored to have my watercolor shown there for the month of June. Please join me June 10, 2016 from 6-9 during the opening which is free to the public.
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)
MGiacominiart.blogspot.com
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| The Kimono 16 x 12" Oil |
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| Ethereal 18 x 14" Oil |
I attended a figurative workshop in March at the Masters Easel Art Academy taught by Bryce Liston. Bryce taught a wonderful workshop where I learned to use the Zorn pallet and Gamut mapping. These limited pallet techniques were an interesting challenge. I am intrigued and am exploring them further.
In the workshop we had limited use of our OMS-Gamsol which helped keep the air clean with a dozen artists oil painting. I decided to take it to the next level and eliminate the use of all solvents in my studio. I have done some online research and was floored to find that the OMS of choice, Gamsol is far from non toxic. I have had students complain of headaches even though I keep an exhaust fan in the window and an air filter running. Those headaches are now gone.
For cleaning brushes, I found there are plenty of safe options. I wait until I am done with a painting session to clean the brushes I used that day. I use Viva paper towels, or lint free rags to get as much paint off as possible. I found that Murphy's Oil Soap straight from the bottle cleans my brushes just fine. I have also used Gamblin's Solvent Free Gel, Walnut Alkyd medium, Art Treehouse BioBased Thinner, Spike of Lavender and Linseed Oil but I keep coming back to the Murphy's because the cost is lower and it cleans just as well. I do rinse my brushes out with water after cleaning to remove any residue.
For toning a canvas, I use the Walnut Alkyd medium or Spike of Lavender with a little oil paint to knock out the white. I am still experimenting with the BioBased thinner to make sure it's archival.
I offer a Thursday morning Oil Painting class that is now Solvent Free. I just wish I would've made the switch years ago.
