I wanted to share with you what I've been up to in my studio lately. As some of you may know, I have a passion for abstract art and I'm happy to say that I've returned to it in full force. Recently, I created two small paintings that have a unique cruciform appearance, made up of bold vertical lines that appear three-dimensional as they rise from the surface of the canvas. To achieve this effect, I blended my acrylic paints with plaster and modelling paste, which added texture and depth to the paintings.

What I love about abstract art is the freedom it gives me to experiment with different techniques and materials. For these paintings, I wanted to create something that was not only visually striking but also had a tactile quality to it. I wanted the viewer to be able to see and feel the lines rising from the canvas, almost as if they were tangible objects. That's why I chose to use plaster and modelling paste, which allowed me to create a relief-like effect on the surface of the canvas.

But I didn't stop there! I also incorporated silver and gold metallic particles into the paintings, which really made them shine and sparkle. I've noticed that bling is still very popular these days and it was fun to incorporate that into my art. The metallic particles catch the light and give the paintings a luminous quality that changes depending on the angle and intensity of the light source.

In addition to these two small paintings, I also created a larger piece that may solicit mixed reactions from people when they see it. It's a bold composition of reds and blues blended together to create a balanced effect overall. Of course, I couldn't resist adding a little bit of bling to this piece as well, so I used silver particles once again. The result is a painting that is both vibrant and subdued, with a sense of movement and energy that draws the viewer in.

I'm really pleased with how all of these pieces turned out and I would love to hear what you think too! Let me know in the comments or feel free to reach out to me directly. I’ll be adding these to my website soon.

In addition to creating art, I've also been trying to embrace Instagram a bit for highlighting and profiling my artwork. A popular trend right now is for artists to show their finished paintings in a short video clip with accompanying music. I decided to give it a try and you may have seen some of my attempts in the cross-posts that go to Facebook. I'm not sure I have quite got the hang of it yet but it is a fun and interesting way to show my art. If you have seen the videos do let me know what you think.

As some of you know, I haven't been in my studio as much as I usually am because I'm currently working on my first-ever full-length novel. It's been a big undertaking and I'm dedicating a lot of time to it this month. The writing process is very different from the creative process of making art, but I find that both require a similar level of focus and dedication. With art, I'm able to express myself visually and explore different ideas and emotions. With writing, I'm able to delve deeper into characters and storylines and create a narrative that is engaging and meaningful.

If you're interested in hearing more about this project and receiving regular updates, please sign up for my newsletter. I'll be sharing insights and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my writing process, as well as updates on any upcoming art shows or exhibitions.

Thank you for reading and I'll see you next time!