From surrealistic painting

“Fool” Tarot card close to done

So I didn’t get in as much painting today as I would have liked. Nevertheless, “The Fool” is coming along. I felt inspired late tonight!

I was actually feeling kind of depressed since I was convinced I had ruined the painting the other day. But I decided to let my imagination go and not worry about it since what was there to lose?? In actuality this attitude freed me. I think I was getting too tight about it.

"The Fool" work in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2016
“The Fool” work in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2016

I decided too to not worry any more about all the symbology. There is more than enough there without getting so carried away. So I simplified some of it and just let the artist in me take over.

It is a much more complicated piece in a narrow area than I am used to dealing with. The zig zags plus brightening the Fools clothing saved it, IMHO! That plus  making the fish and mer/sky woman both more dramatic and in the shadows plus defining and  highlighting the Fool’s face.

More to do but am hoping to have it all done sometime Monday at the latest!

Whether or not I choose to keep the carpet in front will be the next challenge.

Other question is, is this Visionary Surreal Art? I would guess it really is. With quite a bit of magic methinks. The gods and goddesses seem to be inspiring me despite my daily struggles…

 

“The Fool” Tarot card in progress with acrylic on faces etc.

I worked on my tarot card (“The Fool”) late last night after the debates. Somehow this card seems very appropriate at this time of crazy politics from both sides, IMHO!

I had to enlarge the width of the painting a tiny bit so it will make the right size card when reduced down. Thankfully I could since its on watercolor paper…and I just use blue painters tape to hold the paper down.

I decided to go ahead and use acrylic paint.  I have found that acrylic is much more durable than watercolor or gouache.  For instance, I have a wonderful painting of the almost mythic Wild Ox that got ruined due to my studio being too damp, and that was in San Jose, CA!! (Yes sometime I need to make another one…).

"The Fool" acrylic on faces & appendages work in progress by Bea Garth copyright 2016
“The Fool” acrylic on faces & appendages work in progress by Bea Garth copyright 2016

Plus if I need  to go in and change things, with acrylics I can do so without sweating it. I have found the acrylics stay cleaner and are easier to frame too.

So as you can see, last night I decided to work on the faces etc. first. And in a few, I will be working on it again. Maybe work on the Sun and background before the rest..  We will see! I let my subconscious guide me in these matters. Its always fun to see where it takes me!

The Mermaid’s Dilemma

I just got my new art biz cards in the mail. I am jazzed! I used this image on it which I call “The Mermaid’s Dilemma” by Bea Garth.  I finally completed it late last year. Its based on a coastal Native American myth here in the Northwest. The mermaid princess has fallen in love with a landlubber. As a result the weather changes; it stops raining. Trees are falling and people are beginning to die. Even the ocean water is at an all time low! The whales try to beckon the princess, come home! She needs to return to the sea to be with her own people, but its breaking her heart…

I definitely think of this piece as being related to current day ecological issues.

This piece shows the great ability of  gouache on paper to capture subtleties of color and feeling.

If you are interested in buying (or showing) this or other artworks of mine, please let me know at bgarthart@gmail.com.

The Mermaid's Dilemmagouache by Bea Garth
“The Mermaid’s Dilemma” gouache on paper by Bea Garth, copyright 2015

Picnic at Sundown

I finally finished the pen and ink I shared with you all a few days ago. Its now transformed

"Picnic At Sundown" by Bea Garth, copyright 2016, mixed media
“Picnic At Sundown” by Bea Garth, copyright 2016, mixed media

with color and a few other additions–though to do it justice I really should do a version of it as a painting on canvas. We had a picnic at the beach last week during sundown, thus the colors and the theme…

I decided to let my natural surrealistic tendencies to come in with more force by adding the Earth Sprite reaching towards the Tree’s all knowing Eye. I almost called this piece “Connected” since that is the energy I was trying to express, how we are connected to the Earth and the Universal Spirit around us.

And yes its mixed media (ink and watercolor pencil and colored pencil) on watercolor paper.

“Music Genie” painting in progress…

"Music Genie" painting in progress, by Bea Garth copyright 2015/16
“Music Genie” painting in progress, by Bea Garth copyright 2015/16

This will be one of my first projects I get back to when my studio is done (which should be soon!!): the painting “Music Genie.” I had to quit working on it in order to focus on fixing up our old house to sell and then our move north. The painting was inspired by my boyfriend (now husband). I had made a pen and ink drawing (please see below) and then later decided to make a painting from it. Its all about music and the altered state it inspires. The Genie emanates from out of the music, which really makes sense given my husband’s trance like state when it comes to composing music.

Yes I am now thinking I should call the type of art I do “Magical Realism.” I have long felt a kinship with the art in Mexico and South America for starters, although as said, I also have many other influences too. Feedback on this? Is “Ancient/Modern/Surrealist” better??