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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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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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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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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

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More paintings to be on NBC's Chicago Fire!

Thrilled to find out NBC's Chicago Fire selected 4 more of my paintings from The Leigh Gallery  - this time on loan - for use on their sets! I assume that since they're on loan they're not for the permanent sets but rather for single scene usage. Keep an eye out for them - I know I will be! 🙂

Previous post: Rochelle Weiner Originals on Network TV

"Daffodils in a row" - Watercolor and collage, 24" x 20" framed

"That's our baby" - Watercolor, monoprint and collage, 15" x 15" framed

"Autumn cliffs" - Watercolor and watermedia, 15" x 15" framed

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Monoprints in oil

A fun side product of this new technique I learned from instructor Lisa Pressman at her recent workshop (written about in the previous post) are a series of monoprints.

Using the R&F Pigment Sticks, draw on the surface of you painting, throw a piece of paper over it and use a rubber roller over the back - when you pull it up you have a monoprint. Or conversely, draw on the paper, throw it on your painting and roll the back and transfer your drawing to the painting surface. You can work back into the monoprint while it's wet or wait till it dries and continue drawing.

Love the fresh and free abstract quality of this by-product of the painting process. Here are a few of my favorites so far:

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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.

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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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Rochelle Weiner originals on Network TV

Wow - I am super thrilled. Jean Leigh of The Leigh Gallery in Chicago sold 2 of my paintings to the set of NBC's new series, Chicago Fire. I can't wait to see my work on TV! If you're watching, keep an eye out for these two  fall scenes. They're about 15" x 15" in size. I'm hoping to see them in some recurring set - an office space, one of the featured stars homes... something like that. But I'm only guessing here. (Really hoping they don't burn them!)

The pilot premiers tonight on NBC - and will be showing Wednesdays at 9pm Central.

Here are the paintings:

"Birches" sold to the set of NBC's Chicago Fire

"Fall Birch" sold to the set of NBC's Chicago Fire

Post Update: The paintings have been spotted! They are in lead role Matt Casey's living room, hanging above his couch! As far viewed clearly on Episodes 14 and 15.

Post Update: More paintings to be on NBC's Chicago Fire!

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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!

RO

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