The sunflower images posted earlier this month were quick snips in ink and watercolor, this one is an acrylic painting.
Inspired by the new year, something bright emerging in the unknown.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37568979
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Here Comes the Sun
The sunflower images posted earlier this month were quick snips in ink and watercolor, this one is an acrylic painting.
Inspired by the new year, something bright emerging in the unknown.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37568979
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Quote for the Day
"It doesn't matter how the paint is put on,
as long as something is said."
as long as something is said."
~Jackson Pollock
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Flashback to Summer
Due to the recent east coast blizzard, I'm taking a moment to flash back to the barefoot days of summer.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Interview with an Artist: ValeriAtelier
My name is Valeria Polledro,
but all information about my art activity
is known as ValeriAtelier.
1. Please tell us a little about your background:
I was born in Turin, Italy where I attended school and worked at different jobs. I worked for many years in an accounting department. Now I live in a small town near Turin.
2. When did you become interested in creating art?
I’ve always loved art, since I was a little girl. Drawing is one of the first forms of expression that I loved.
3. How did you learn your techniques?
I attended the Art Lycee, a high school of art and after that studied at the University (faculty of Architecture) in Turin. These two schools gave me the basic forming in the fine arts.
4. What inspires you?
Mainly inspiration comes from the daily life and the surrounding world. They can be the elements of nature or also images you can find between people, in the streets or in reading.
5. Please describe your creative process.
The creative process is not always the same. Sometimes you follow a precise and usual plan, sometimes you act on impulse. If I want to describe a typical process, it would be as follows:
a) I define with precision the model to follow, a photographic image or a copy from life as a rule.
b) I develop the image by defining proportions and composition.
c) After that I put it into practice by deciding the support or medium to be used, based on the image.
d) I usually start painting, following the Pop Art trend, the style suitable for me for the time being.
6. What is your biggest struggle as an artist?
To acquaint people with my works and spread my own message.
7. What do you find most rewarding in this work?
The great satisfaction is to create, to note my expressive ability each time, show myself and other people, to have a special gift.
8. What is the best advice you have received, either about art or about life?
The best suggestion is to study and work on your own style, because this is characteristic of you and makes you unique and recognizable.
9. What is your best advice to emerging artists?
The same thing, mentioned above.
10. I know that you have been involved in interesting competitions. Let's see some images from a recent exhibition in Italy. The artists were given a photo of a face and were asked to interpret it. You immediately chose to paint it in pop art style. The work looks great displayed in the exhibition hall at Leopolda Station in Pisa.
11. Where can we see your artwork? What are your price ranges?
At the moment I have no works on permanent exhibition, because I’ve always taken part in exhibitions and contests with precise dates.
But is possible to visit my new blog http://valeriatelier.blogspot.com/. Now I created a new shop on Etsy (an American site) , where it's possible buy my art. Please, visit it at : www.etsy.com/shop/valeriatelier.
Prices vary and are determined from dimensions and difficulty of each work.
12. What would you like buyers to know about you and your artwork?
I’d like my drawings and paintings to be an attraction for all who have never been interested in art. I think it’s very important to help and give more visibility to art and artists. In Italy, especially in some areas, art is considered a minor subject. This because trade and industry are considered more important. Everybody should understand that there is art, not only in Rome, Florence or Venice. Every city must support the fine arts and artists. Italy is one of the cradles of the arts and culture for ages: all this must be remembered and protected.
Thank you, Valeria!
COPYRIGHT: Every piece of art in this article is protected under copyright laws and may not be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of Valeria Polledro.
1. Please tell us a little about your background:
I was born in Turin, Italy where I attended school and worked at different jobs. I worked for many years in an accounting department. Now I live in a small town near Turin.
2. When did you become interested in creating art?
I’ve always loved art, since I was a little girl. Drawing is one of the first forms of expression that I loved.
3. How did you learn your techniques?
I attended the Art Lycee, a high school of art and after that studied at the University (faculty of Architecture) in Turin. These two schools gave me the basic forming in the fine arts.
4. What inspires you?
Mainly inspiration comes from the daily life and the surrounding world. They can be the elements of nature or also images you can find between people, in the streets or in reading.
5. Please describe your creative process.
The creative process is not always the same. Sometimes you follow a precise and usual plan, sometimes you act on impulse. If I want to describe a typical process, it would be as follows:
a) I define with precision the model to follow, a photographic image or a copy from life as a rule.
b) I develop the image by defining proportions and composition.
c) After that I put it into practice by deciding the support or medium to be used, based on the image.
d) I usually start painting, following the Pop Art trend, the style suitable for me for the time being.
6. What is your biggest struggle as an artist?
To acquaint people with my works and spread my own message.
7. What do you find most rewarding in this work?
The great satisfaction is to create, to note my expressive ability each time, show myself and other people, to have a special gift.
8. What is the best advice you have received, either about art or about life?
The best suggestion is to study and work on your own style, because this is characteristic of you and makes you unique and recognizable.
9. What is your best advice to emerging artists?
The same thing, mentioned above.
10. I know that you have been involved in interesting competitions. Let's see some images from a recent exhibition in Italy. The artists were given a photo of a face and were asked to interpret it. You immediately chose to paint it in pop art style. The work looks great displayed in the exhibition hall at Leopolda Station in Pisa.
11. Where can we see your artwork? What are your price ranges?
At the moment I have no works on permanent exhibition, because I’ve always taken part in exhibitions and contests with precise dates.
But is possible to visit my new blog http://valeriatelier.blogspot.com/. Now I created a new shop on Etsy (an American site) , where it's possible buy my art. Please, visit it at : www.etsy.com/shop/valeriatelier.
Prices vary and are determined from dimensions and difficulty of each work.
12. What would you like buyers to know about you and your artwork?
I’d like my drawings and paintings to be an attraction for all who have never been interested in art. I think it’s very important to help and give more visibility to art and artists. In Italy, especially in some areas, art is considered a minor subject. This because trade and industry are considered more important. Everybody should understand that there is art, not only in Rome, Florence or Venice. Every city must support the fine arts and artists. Italy is one of the cradles of the arts and culture for ages: all this must be remembered and protected.
Thank you, Valeria!
Rhapsody
"Answer that you are here – that life exists, and identity,
that the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse."
(Walt Whitman)
Rhapsody: Ann Rudd, mixed media painting, 36"x36"
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Coming Soon!
Introducing a new series: Interview with the Artist
We'll meet artists from a variety of media, including sculptors, painters, silversmiths, papersmiths, beaders, jewelry designers, potters, knitters, clothing designers, and more. We'll learn about their inspirations, their process, struggles, solutions, and we'll see their work. This series will highlight an amazing range of skills and creations, certain to enlighten and inspire.
Our first guest will be a wonderful artist from Italy!
Stay tuned next week!
We'll meet artists from a variety of media, including sculptors, painters, silversmiths, papersmiths, beaders, jewelry designers, potters, knitters, clothing designers, and more. We'll learn about their inspirations, their process, struggles, solutions, and we'll see their work. This series will highlight an amazing range of skills and creations, certain to enlighten and inspire.
Our first guest will be a wonderful artist from Italy!
Stay tuned next week!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Quote for the Day
There's nothing like individuality and expression:
"Why do I paint this way? Because I feel like it."
~ Anonymous professor & lecturer
"Why do I paint this way? Because I feel like it."
~ Anonymous professor & lecturer
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
December Sales Storm!
These three paintings
have new homes!
This Don Draper acrylic sketch is now in Florida
via my online shop at etsy.com!
This soft paint and edgy/metallic piece
(above), floral "Whisper," was sold to a fellow artist,
photography guy at the Charlotte Art League's
Fall Into Art competition.
And this mixed media piece, "Midnight Writing,"
won a merit award and remained on the wall for a year
at Caleidoscope/ Charlotte Art League
until someone recently purchased it for $170.
Quote for the Day
"An artist should not be troubled by the indifference
of his contemporaries. He should go on working..."
~Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky
of his contemporaries. He should go on working..."
~Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky
Saturday, December 5, 2009
How Do We View Art?
Is there a perfect, written in stone, set of critiera for evaluating art? Probably not. Even googling for it comes up with nothing immediate.
Here are the factors I try to remember when creating art and the things that are typically there in pieces that that seem strong and compelling: Please add more or correct me if you disagree. These are gathered from aeons of listening to artists, instructors and books. From what I hear, it's pretty typical to have several throwaways for every piece that works out well. This is why I don't mind putting out some snips here with weaknesses, it's part of the process; hopefully at times, the pieces fall into place for a pleasing painting or drawing.
I think the "best" paintings have:
5 shapes (4-6 shapes, because more than that = chaos)
Structure (an organic "dragon-like" connection of darks or lights, without it = mush)
Contrast/Value range, able to see it across a room (without it = mushy and weak, believe me)
Color, ANY colors, but best if harmonious in hue and chroma (no neon yellow in a natural landscape)
Lines, moving the eyes around, not moving them out (curving and geometric, everywhere I go, I see lines)
Texture, strokes, washes, layers
Mood, expression = personal content, universal recognition
Focal points
Rhythm
Repetition
Balance
Someone (Jim Antley) once told me, many years ago, that painting is like driving a car. At first you get distracted by each action and have to concentrate on pressing the gas, glancing in the rear-view mirror, using the turn signal, but after some time, you do it all at once, automatically. And so it is with the elements and principles of art.
Here are the factors I try to remember when creating art and the things that are typically there in pieces that that seem strong and compelling: Please add more or correct me if you disagree. These are gathered from aeons of listening to artists, instructors and books. From what I hear, it's pretty typical to have several throwaways for every piece that works out well. This is why I don't mind putting out some snips here with weaknesses, it's part of the process; hopefully at times, the pieces fall into place for a pleasing painting or drawing.
I think the "best" paintings have:
5 shapes (4-6 shapes, because more than that = chaos)
Structure (an organic "dragon-like" connection of darks or lights, without it = mush)
Contrast/Value range, able to see it across a room (without it = mushy and weak, believe me)
Color, ANY colors, but best if harmonious in hue and chroma (no neon yellow in a natural landscape)
Lines, moving the eyes around, not moving them out (curving and geometric, everywhere I go, I see lines)
Texture, strokes, washes, layers
Mood, expression = personal content, universal recognition
Focal points
Rhythm
Repetition
Balance
Someone (Jim Antley) once told me, many years ago, that painting is like driving a car. At first you get distracted by each action and have to concentrate on pressing the gas, glancing in the rear-view mirror, using the turn signal, but after some time, you do it all at once, automatically. And so it is with the elements and principles of art.
Charlotte: NoDa Callery Crawl
Check out my paintings at Green Rice Gallery !
And all the cool stuff at The Boulevard boutique.
We got some Christmas shopping done there. Lots of food and music around NoDa, too. Most places are open for afternoon browsing every day and for evening gallery crawls on the first and third Fridays of every month.
Last night, walking by the windows at Green Rice, we saw two trendy ladies looking at my paintings, sweet!
Located at intersection of North Davidson and 36th St. Charlotte
http://www.charlottecultureguide.com/event.php?id=3692
Photo Credit:
Blue Wheel Photography + Design
http://www.bluewheelphotography.com/
And all the cool stuff at The Boulevard boutique.
We got some Christmas shopping done there. Lots of food and music around NoDa, too. Most places are open for afternoon browsing every day and for evening gallery crawls on the first and third Fridays of every month.
Last night, walking by the windows at Green Rice, we saw two trendy ladies looking at my paintings, sweet!
Located at intersection of North Davidson and 36th St. Charlotte
http://www.charlottecultureguide.com/event.php?id=3692
Photo Credit:
Blue Wheel Photography + Design
http://www.bluewheelphotography.com/
Monday, November 30, 2009
Snip: Here Comes the Sun
.
Sunday snip: Watercolor wash
Estimated time: 10 mins.
Same sunflower, like the way it resembles
the sun and clouds, kinda like this one.
Might go into it again for next snip
and add some edges. Or maybe not/
Snip: Too Much Sunflower
Saturday snip, same sunflower, ink, watercolor, salt.
Me no likey. Estimated time: 30 mins.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Quote for the Day
A creativity quote by Paul Simon: "As soon as your mind knows that it's on and it's supposed to produce some lines, either it doesn't or it produces things that are very predictable. You want your mind to wander, that's really what you want to happen."
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Why Am I Blogging?
Why am I doing this?
I don't really get blogging...
I'm just getting an early start on a New Year's resolution, to create something every day, some piece of art or some creative marks, every day. This blog will be an archive of those little efforts.
If anyone would like to comment about these or your own efforts, please do so. I believe that we are all doing creative things ALL day actually, and this archive is looking specifically at small art efforts. It would be nice to hear about similar daily efforts in writing, music, acting, dance, design, decorating, dressing, or cooking. I don't actually expect anyone to follow this blog, it's just an archive--but in case there are others with similar interests, welcome to this daily art snip.
How will I find time to create something every day?
I have a plan. Simple, easy to use supplies, on a little writing desk. right next to my bed.
So for actual paintings, I go to my basement studio, but for little daily marks, I figure there is always time for a quick pen & ink contour, or fast, gestural wash, in a little 5 x7 watercolor pad. This can be done during morning coffee or at midnight. At least I think it can, that's my hypothesis, we'll see!
How will these little art snips look? I don't know, and it doesn't matter.
Let's take a look at the first one.
I don't really get blogging...
I'm just getting an early start on a New Year's resolution, to create something every day, some piece of art or some creative marks, every day. This blog will be an archive of those little efforts.
If anyone would like to comment about these or your own efforts, please do so. I believe that we are all doing creative things ALL day actually, and this archive is looking specifically at small art efforts. It would be nice to hear about similar daily efforts in writing, music, acting, dance, design, decorating, dressing, or cooking. I don't actually expect anyone to follow this blog, it's just an archive--but in case there are others with similar interests, welcome to this daily art snip.
How will I find time to create something every day?
I have a plan. Simple, easy to use supplies, on a little writing desk. right next to my bed.
So for actual paintings, I go to my basement studio, but for little daily marks, I figure there is always time for a quick pen & ink contour, or fast, gestural wash, in a little 5 x7 watercolor pad. This can be done during morning coffee or at midnight. At least I think it can, that's my hypothesis, we'll see!
How will these little art snips look? I don't know, and it doesn't matter.
Let's take a look at the first one.
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