Colorful Mixed Media Still Life Painting: Sweet and Sour

Sometimes I need to step out of my usual body of work of landscapes and city scenes, which I usually paint from photo, and dive into the fascinating process of painting from life using mixed media.

So, here it is, Sweet and Sour, an example of such a case. It came out colorful and fun, and I'm really happy with it.

I used acrylic paint, paper, and water soluble pastels. I did not use my stencils in this, I feel like it has enough interesting marks as is.

"Sweet and Sour"
10" x 10"
Acrylic, paper, and water soluble pastels.
SOLD

From An Abstract Start

I started on a wood panel that I had primed with gesso, and created a base using paint and tissue paper. Some of the paper had patterns on it, you can still be see some of the polka dots.
I really like that touch of whimsical :)

With An Abstract Way of Seeing Things

I added paint to created the forms of the different objects, focusing on one shape at the time,  looking at things in an abstract kind of way.
As I paint, I don't see strawberries, lemons, and utensils, I see lines, triangles, semi-circles, and so on. I try to replicate those shapes on the flat surface of the panel, paying attention to how they relate to each other in shape, color, and tone.

To A Representational Painting

I keep comparing and adding and changing until all the shapes make sense in relationship with the rest.
When I step back and look with "normal" eyes, voila'! I see the objects that I have just painted. It's like magic every time.  :)

Sold!

Thanks so much to the collector from Maryland that purchased this piece. I know it is going to look great with some other paintings that she bought in the past, I hope she'll send me a photo of how she hung my paintings and gives me permission to post it.

It is always a blessing when someone loves my work so much that they decide to pay for it and see it every day in their home. 

My heart is full.