Galleria refreshed

One way to monoprint

There are lots of ways to create monoprints. I learned a fun way to do it in a workshop with Karlyn Holman a couple years ago. I've used this process to create probably more than 100 paintings by now. I've done series of flowers, vegetables an fruits, portraits, birds, and most recently I have come up with a new series I'm calling "Absurdity Birdity".

I've found this process to be really versatile and fun, as well as freeing. You end up with smears and marks from the ink, and the collage paper ends up in places you don't expect. This gives you the opportunity to "make it work". I find it challenging and I feel some of my best work has come from this process.

I thought it would be fun to show how to do it.

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By Rochelle / Collage paper / How to / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Paintings / Watercolor / Watercolors - 05/28/2013

Opening on Friday May 10

I am one of 10 featured artists at the Deer Path Art League's show "Art is for the Birds" opening Friday May 10 in Lake Forest, IL.

Art is for the birds

May 10-June 14

Deer Path Art League & Gallery
400 E. Illinois Rd, (2nd Floor)
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Open Monday through Friday
10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Saturdays by appointment only

The elegant gallery space is in a beautiful spot on the edge of downtown Lake Forest, looking out over the treetops. Eighteen of my paintings are on display, encaustic works and monoprints, all featuring our feathered friends. The other artists will be displaying oils, hand made bird cages, mixed media works, jewelry, sculpture, acrylics, and etchings. I got a glimpse yesterday and it promises to be an amazing show!

I'm entirely disappointed I will not be able to attend opening night. However, if anyone else is interested in going that night, it promises to be a fun event. If anyone is interested in going any other time during the run of the show let me know and I'll do my best to meet you up there!

Following are my paintings that will be in the show:

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Art show / By Rochelle / Encaustic paintings / Encaustic paints / encaustic wax / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Paintings / Watercolor / Watercolors - 05/07/2013

Absurdity birdity

A new series of monoprints has been inspired by an upcoming show "Art is for the Birds" at the Deer Path Art Gallery in Lake Forest, Illinois.

I was looking at the bird paintings I've done in the past and at the many figurative paintings I've done in the past year and wanted to put the two ideas together.

I liked the absurdity of the presence of a bird on top of someone's head, as if it was an every day thing. The silliness of it makes me smile. Doing this series in monoprint/collage/watercolor allowed the dirtiness of the monoprint process plus the brightness of the watercolor and collage papers. All together I think the effect heightens out the absurdity of the image itself.

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By Rochelle / Collage paper / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Paintings - 04/22/2013

Art is for the Birds

I have been asked to show 12 works featuring birds in the "Art is for the Birds" group show at the Deer Path Art League and Gallery - yay!

I've focused on birds in many of my paintings and I will be showing a series of monoprints and encaustic works at this show. Very excited to be included! Thank you Deer Path Art League! 🙂

Details:

May 10 - June 14, 2013

Deer Path Art League and Gallery
2nd Floor, Gorton Community Center
400 East Illinois Road
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

Art show / By Rochelle / Collage paper / Encaustic paintings / Encaustic paints / encaustic wax / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Paintings / R&F Pigment Sticks / Watercolor / wood board - 04/04/2013

Felines & Canines - a very worthy cause

Last year I met some wonderful people. An amazing group of people who dedicate their lives to taking care of cats and dogs who have found themselves without homes. And they were right around the corner from where I've been living for the last 6 years.

Tink

Felines & Canines is a no kill dog and cat shelter headed by Abby Smith and Kelly Thompson, located on Chicago's far north side. Their current temporary location is at 1962 W Peterson Ave. Chicago - but only until their year-long renovation of their real home is complete. At that time they will move back to their place at 6379 N. Paulina St.

As a donation I just completed a series of portraits of their residents - some with heart warming stories. There is Tink - short for Tinkles - who is the sweetheart of the people who work there and pretty much everyone who walks in. He came to them at 6 months old having been hit by a car, leaving the back half of his body paralyzed. He has found a warm and nurturing home with F&C - he runs and plays and is cherished as one of the family.

Nana

Then there is Nana - their first canine rescue. Felines Inc had been their name since the 70s but with the renovation they have expanded their space and therefore are now a cat AND dog shelter. Nana came to them off the street and everyone fell in love with her instantly, and she found her forever home within days of being taken in by F&C.

Then meet Thelma - a long term resident of F&C. She is not friendly with humans - one of the many feral residents at the shelter. She skulks around the place with her funny little face - taunting those such as me who want to scoop her up and give her a cuddle. Don't let her fool you, she's not having it. Because of this, she is unlikely ever to leave the shelter, but that is ok. F&C is a no kill shelter so Thelma will have a home with them as long as she wants it.

Thelma

Anyway - I can't say more about this place and these wonderful people. Following are the finished paintings. In time for the grand opening I will be getting these framed and they will decorate one of the walls of the newly renovated home.

I can't wait.

Click the thumbnails to see any of the photos up close.

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Art show / By Rochelle / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Paintings / Pet Portraits / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 10/25/2012

Now showing in Lincoln Park

On Thursday I installed my paintings at the new art gallery opening soon in Lincoln Park. It's called "Fortunate Discoveries", it's located at 1022 W Armitage, and is a similar business model to the Andersonville Galleria. I've signed a lease and I get a wall all to myself.

Fortunate Discoveries' focus is original artwork of all types. I am one of a few 2D artists showing there, and there are jewelers, photographers, sculptors, potters and more. It's a pretty fab place!

All the artists are installing their work this week. I decided to focus on my florals, still lifes and cheery landscapes seeing that spring has made an early appearance here in Chicago. If all goes well Fortunate Discoveries opens doors within a week. Soft opening meet and greet with the neighbors is April 1 and grand opening is Friday night, May 4 from 6-9pm. Hope to see you all there!

Art show / Collage paper / Cray pas / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Original portraits / Paintings / Pet Portraits / Portraits from photos / Salt / Watercolor / Yupo paper - 03/16/2012

Pet portraits from photos

I recently finished two new pet portraits. A portrait makes a wonderfully personal keepsake to remember someone who has passed to to commemorate a beautiful moment in your life.

The portrait of Allie below was completed some months ago but was only just given as a gift over the weekend for the owner's birthday. I knew this cat personally - I used to cat-sit for Allie as she and her owner, my good friend Barbara, used to be my neighbors. Allie had the most beautiful blue eyes, so I chose a bright blue background to really make her eyes pop. Barbara's mother commissioned the painting so I had to keep the portrait on the hush hush until the gift was received but now I'm free to post it. We all miss you Allie!

The dog portrait was a gift I gave to my good friend John this weekend. He lost Bernie (the dog on the right) just a month ago. I had already planned to do a portrait of the dogs for John's birthday - I took the source photo back in November. But now that Bernie has passed the gift is even more poignant. Bernie - most wonderful of dogs - you are greatly missed!

I personally love doing portraits and love to try and find the soul in each subject. I have recently offered a donation of a series 9 pet portraits to Felines & Canines, a nearby pet shelter, to serve as featured art in their new facility currently under construction. Stay tuned for posts following my progress in creating these nine images.

Allie - portrait, monoprint with watercolor and collage

Nina & Bernie - portrait, monoprint with watercolor and collage

By Rochelle / Collage paper / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Original portraits / Paintings / Pet Portraits / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 02/14/2012

Valentine's Day at the Galleria

Woot! Thank you to Scott and Ken at the Andersonville Galleria for featuring one of my Valentine's paintings in the front window display.

I've just finished 4 new small lovebird paintings in time for the upcoming holiday. New greeting cards will also be available soon. Looking out the window right now with the snow coming down I can see why Valentine's Day is so well placed this time of year - everyone could use a warm-up!

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By Rochelle / Collage paper / Gifts / Masa paper / Materials / Monoprints / Paintings / Watercolor - 01/20/2012

Fun portraits for special events

Portraits make great gifts. Our lovely Bonnie just celebrated a milestone birthday, so I created a portrait of her as a birthday present. I found a great fun pic of her on Facebook and created this portrait from the photo. Went over very well at the party - Robin even found the hat from the photo and put it on Bonnie's head! Everyone laughed for a good ten minutes and Bonnie seemed genuinely touched! It was great!

This style of painting which is a combination of collage, monoprint and watercolor, is a fun and interesting style to use for portraiture. I've mainly used it for pet portraits but lately have tried a few people portraits and I am really loving the effects.

Happy birthday Bonnie!

Bonnie Huber - portraits from photography

Our lovely Bonnie! - portraits from photography

By Rochelle / Collage paper / Gifts / Masa paper / Monoprints / Original portraits / Paintings / Watercolor - 12/04/2011

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