Peter Andrew works for Liquitex, the brand of paints that I've been using since I started painting. I took a couple of classes from him and finally learned vital info about color that I should have learned in college about 25 years ago! He is a passionate student of art and an excellent teacher. He has amassed an amazing amount of information about the history of color, and acrylic. I received an excellent art history lesson about some of my favorite abstract expressionists who were the first to use acrylics.
Throughout the weekend, I got to learn and experiment with different gels and mediums, and liquid acrylics, as well as new colors. I bought several to be able to continue experimenting and using them in my work. One product that may appeal to oil painters or others who like longer drying time is the line of Open acrylics. That was the one product I did not like. I like to squish paint and I like it to dry fast so Open acrylics were not for me. Some of my favorites were from Golden Paints: Glass Bead Gel, Crackle Paste, Fiber Paste, and Tar Gel. I even learned how to print with an ink jet printer onto acrylic skins! I got to use several of the new interference and travel colors, as well as micaceous iron oxide, and irridescent and metallic colors.
Another great thing that happened this week was that my art show opened as part of the One Year Anniversary Celebration of Inner Movement Wellness Center. It was very well attended and I received great feedback from many people. The local firefighters stopped by to show their appreciation for any donation I may be able to make. None of my original artwork sold that evening but it will be on display for a few more weeks so I am hopeful for future sales.
The massage and chiropractic deals available at the event were amazing, so many of those services were sold that evening. I am an enthusiastic advocate of these healing therapies. However, I also know that living with uplifting pieces of artwork can have long lasting health benefits. It can improve ones quality of life by adding beauty and positive energy to ones environment. Surrounding yourself with objects and images you love and that have joyful meaning to you will support your sense of well being, and can lift your spirits with a glance. That is the kind of artwork I choose to live with and enjoy, and also the kind I choose to make and share with the world.