"Repetition", mixed media painting on 8" x 10" canvas
Hello friends! I’m mixing up the long line of cityscapes with a mixed media abstract today. I started this piece almost two months ago and it waited patiently, half-finished, until I figured out what to do with it. Two things led me back to mixed media: 1. I’ll have some of my other mixed media abstracts on display at the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center from mid-May to mid-June, and 2. I attended an opening reception for a showing of mixed media digital art by local artist Ann Tracy recently. Speaking to her and looking through my own old work got me longing for the process of constructing a piece intuitively and without a plan.
Detail shot
Believe me, I have a long line of cityscapes waiting to be painted. But I do need to loosen up my style again, and stepping away from highly detailed work for a break- even if it’s a small one- gets the creative juices flowing again….sometimes. I have to admit I’ve been feeling kind of “meh” about my art direction lately.
Most artists will agree that when all else fails, getting your ass out of the studio and looking at other people’s art is always inspirational. So I recently signed up to be a “Sacramento Art Examiner” on Examiner.com. I contribute articles about the art community in Sacramento and reviews of local art shows. This is great since I admittedly don’t get out to as many shows as I’d like to. Knowing that my visits and subsequent write-ups with photos might prompt some people to get out and support local artists gives me the warm-fuzzies. Plus it gives me an excuse to check out new venues and I get to meet cool art people. Yay! Win-win. If you want to check out my reviews and recommendations for art shows in Sacramento, visit my profile on Examiner.com here.
Marianne Bland's Art Blog 
I too get a creative charge when I see the work of other artists. that’s why I enjoyed open studios in SOMA 2 weeks ago and it why I love working in my studio. at Art Explsion a bunch of us have open spaces so there’s always another artist around and there’s completed and in-progress work everywhere. great energy!
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what a great idea Marianne! I sadly don’t attend many art events either—I quickly fall into hermit patterns. And I know exactly what you mean about needing to mix it up!
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I really love this piece of art, Marianne, and love that you are dealing with the inevitable “meh”s that come in the process by mixing it up and seeing other folks’ work and writing about them. What a productive and creative way to deal with “meh”!
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