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Joann Wells Greenbaum
Fine Art
Blog
by Joann on 8/26/2010 5:59:17 PM
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| Pencil sketch |
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| Trying out some colors |
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| Vertical Stripes are so Slimming |
From pencil sketch to finished watercolor, the process is shown here in 3 illustrated steps.
by Joann on 6/25/2009 1:26:47 PM
Within the walls of our home
Step 1, after preliminary pencil sketches, I transfer the sketches to watercolor paper and begin to lay down color and shapes in the composition.
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by Joann on 6/25/2009 1:24:06 PM
Within the Walls of Our Home
Step 2, coordinating color shemes and patterning in the design.
Significantly within the walls of our home is where I work and find inspiration.
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by on 6/25/2009 1:19:51 PM
Within the Walls of Our Own Home
This is the finished painting in gouache, an opaque watercolor. I removed the sun from the background because it was too distracting. The painting is an inspiration and dedication to the Austrian painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
I admire the artist's use of color, patterns and design, which I find very pleasing. Hundertwasser was also influenced by Gustav Klimt and Paul Klee.
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by Joann Wells Greenbaum on 5/1/2009 10:02:59 AM
"The wisest (wo)men follow their own direction.: Euripedes
I'm embarquing on a new direction in my work. As with the beginning of any journey, I have been preparing for the past month or so with researching techniques and materials to be beneficial in my "travels" . The process has been bringing insights into problem solving on aesthetics and practical use.
For now I will say that the direction is about translating my painted images into "tiny jewels". What this means precisely is earrings and pendants - visualize art that is worn, displayed on the human body. The body is like the transitory art gallery which transports the art work to new locations and new audiences.
While this is not a new or groundbreaking idea, because of the plethora of ways that it is in use currently through hand crafted fashion and jewelry by many others who have gone before me; it is new for me to be employing my images in this format, and it is a cause for looking at my work in a new way.
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by Joann on 3/12/2009 3:19:42 PM
I've been working on a pen and ink project that is really fun. It will be 40"x36" when it's completed. It consists of houses, churches, hotels, schools and mills from circa 1900 in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. It's a commissioned piece which will be a family heirloom for the client. Working with pen and ink is a very satisfying medium which allows for texture, shadowing and spontaneity with the stroke of a pen. I've always been attracted to black and white wood block prints which are heavily textured through the cut of the wood lines, and this medium is the closest I can get to that affect.
Wanda Gag [ 1893-1946] (rhymes with log) was an accomplished wood block artist whose prints were published as illustrations in childrens books.
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by Joann on 1/8/2009 1:33:42 PM
Self portrait 3
One more example of playfulness with colored paper, scissors and paste.
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by Joann on 1/8/2009 1:30:51 PM
self portrait 2
More cutting and pasting
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by Joann on 1/8/2009 1:27:49 PM
self portrait 1
This was made by cutting and pasting, one of the most elementary of techniques that we learned as kindergartners. It lead to some other fun experiments which I'll post soon.
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by Joann on 1/8/2009 12:43:19 PM
Endangered Earth and Intact Sun
I have been studying one of my favorite artists, Joan Miro
Miro's images look very childlike at first appearance, but they are loaded with his symbols which he created as his own artistic language. I'm also thinking about the importance of allowing myself to play and experiment with color and shapes and wondering how this kind of experimentation will lead to more visionary paintings.
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by Joann on 11/13/2008 9:14:57 AM
"Geisha in Sunglasses"
I'm writing about artists style in the hopes of determining how to descriminate my own artistic style.
I'm also discovering how many others have written about the same topic. Alyson Stanfield has made a list on her website about what is involved in determining an artists style.
I would like to say that one of the most important elements in discovering your style is “time”. That translates into spending many hours in studying othere artists works that you admire. Than spending many hours of time in drawing/painting, referencing the styles that you admire. It may appear to be copying at first, and these drawings are for study purposes only. But ultimately your practice will turn these studies into a style that reflects your own inner interpretations.
I think the age old dilemma of merging the old with the new in art, technology, even in our concepts of ourselves, is an ongoing debate. I have been influenced in my art by the traditional Japanese woodblock prints. These have been a reference point which I translate in a new way with my current paintings on East Meets West. The three images shown here and below are the 1st and 2nd draft, along with this final painting in gouache, ink, and charcoal.
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by Joann on 11/13/2008 9:13:41 AM
2nd draft for "Geisha in Sunglasses"
2nd draft for "Geisha in Sunglasses"
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by Joann on 11/13/2008 9:11:30 AM
1st draft for "Geisha in Sunglasses"
First draft for "Geisha in Sunglasses"
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by Joann on 5/8/2008 6:57:33 PM
"Just Knock on the Door and Wait for an Answer"
Unlike some of my more fanciful "Cozy Cottages" , this one is painted in a more traditional style. I discovered this cottage not far from where I live. It's nestled amongst the trees and it's diminutive size suggest that a hobbit might live here. The title which I gave it is the course of action when contemplating a decision, to move in a certain direction than watch and wait for the answers to appear.
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by Joann on 5/5/2008 2:36:29 PM
gouache watercolor with pen & ink, 5x7
I often feel that my art is sending me a message about events in my life. About a year before we knew that we would be building our dream cottage, I began painting a series I call the "Cozy Cottage" series. This image resembles our cottage under construction with the stairs leading up to the front porch, and the steep pitched roof.
I painted this image with gouche, an opaque watercolor, and embellished the details with pen and ink. It is satisfying to stylize shapes for the trees and shrubs into simple designs that "read" at glance what they are. Some current artists whose work I admire that create stylized images are Cindy Revell and Hein Koh.
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by Joann on 11/16/2007 1:40:52 PM
Photo of a charming country home for a house portrait
You may commission an original house portrait painted in gouache watercolor or rendered in pen and ink. You may view other samples of house portraits by going to my House Portrait Collection on my website. A house portrait is an idea for a personal gift or a family heirloom to be treasured for generations to come. This is a charming country home in Barryville, New York. I was contacted through the Barryville Area Arts Association to paint a wedding gift for the couple who spend their weekends here, on retreat from their residence in New York City. This photo was taken on a crisp autumn day, capturing the natural beauty and light of the landscape.
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by Joann on 11/16/2007 1:35:07 PM
Pencil sketch of House Portrait in Barryville, NY
The first step for the house portrait was a pencil rendering. At this step I determine the composition and draw the bare bones outline of the house and landscape around the house.
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by Joann on 11/16/2007 1:31:48 PM
Laying the color for the house portrait
The next phase of painting an original house portrait is to lay in the large areas of color, establishing the shapes and the intensities of the color.
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by Joann on 11/16/2007 1:23:44 PM
Original House Portrait of Country Home in Barryville, NY
Here is the completed house portrait of a country home in Barryville, N.Y. The drama of light, color and shading was an exciting process of painting the house portrait. The layers of gouache paint and the play of primary and secondary colors interacting together give the painting a sense of robust dimension.
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by Joann on 11/2/2007 3:54:53 PM
Quick charcoal sketch
There's been a nice response to seeing works in progress, and so here's another to share. I had painted a Pear Geisha, than felt she was wanting some sisters. So in this very loose charcoal sketch I start with a very quick gesture drawing that takes a few seconds, and it records a feeling of fullness with a calm composure, yet she could take a step forward.
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by Joann on 11/2/2007 3:52:47 PM
Charcoal sketch for Pear Geisha 2
Second time around I quickly sketch in charcoal again, this time adding a few more details for clarity of form and compostion.
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by Joann on 11/2/2007 3:48:58 PM
First pencil sketch for Pear Geisha 2
This is the first pencil sketch where I determine the head shape and patterning for the kimono. I wasn't quite at peace with this patterning as you'll see in the next sketch. But I knew that I wanted to play with bold designs and colors for patterning.
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by Joann on 11/2/2007 3:45:55 PM
The 2nd pencil sketch before painting
This is the final pencil sketch for Pear Geisha 2. In this sketch I worked out the shape and direction for the head and feet. I also finalized the pattern for the kimono.
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by Joann on 11/2/2007 3:38:02 PM
"Pear Geisha 2"
The final painting in gouache (an opaque watercolor) and pen and ink of the Pear Geisha 2. This painting gave me the opportunity to play with patterns and intense colors that play off of each other, creating a very full experience for the senses. All three of the Pear Geisha series can be seen in the East Meets West collection of my website.
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by Joann on 10/17/2007 9:27:56 AM
Kadampa Buddhist Center
I have been a member of the Kadampa Meditation Center in Glen Spey, NY since January, 2007. This beautiful temple is dedicated to the study of Kadampa Buddhism for the purpose of world peace. I highly recommend a trip to visit this exquisite site where you can tour the grounds and structures or participate in whatever way you would like. I feel so lucky to be asked to produce some images of the temple to be on display in the book store as matted prints and greeting cards for others to enjoy.
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by Joann on 10/17/2007 9:14:49 AM
sketch for KMC
A collection of women artists belonging to our Milford based Artist Way group met on Tuesday, October 16th at Cathy Neri's home and studio. The members who attended each brought their current project and we spent a lovely day producing work, sharing ideas, deep thoughts and laughter and enjoying a drawing session led by Mary Paterson. This is the initial pen and ink drawing of the Kadampa Meditation Center that I completed while at Cathy's home.
by Joann on 8/7/2007 4:25:16 PM
First pencil sketch for Hardshell Finish
Lately, I've been thinking about turtles. Maybe it's because we're currently living in a small apartment while waiting patiently for our house construction to begin. Like the turtle, our living space is small, and the new house project is slow.
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by Joann on 8/7/2007 4:22:50 PM
Turtles and girtles
I wanted the girls to have bodies shaped like the turtles, squat and low to the ground.
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by Joann on 8/7/2007 4:20:40 PM
Sketch #3 for hardshell finish
What's the point of being a turtle if you can't race other turtles?
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by Joann on 8/7/2007 4:18:00 PM
Watercolor Sketch
I painted a very loose watercolor sketch before the final painting.
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by Joann on 8/7/2007 4:06:15 PM
Hardshell Finish
I love using gouache because the brilliant colors allow me to have fun with the patterns and shapes of the different figures, animals and trees. The trees are also a frame for the girls, and they repeat the "squatty" shapes of the girls.
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by Joann on 7/18/2007 12:33:42 PM
Girls Dancing
The Japanese Woodblock Prints of the 1700 & 1800's are very inspiring to me. I am awestruck by the skill in portraying expression and detail, while maintaining an integrity of style that is elegant and recognizable. This one is by a ukiyo-e master, Kunisada (1786-1865). Ukiyo-e, which means "pictures of the floating world" were prints that documented the interests of the urban society of the time. The Girls Dancing are from a series called The Five Festivals.
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by Joann on 7/18/2007 12:30:14 PM
pencil sketch
I wanted to use the previous print by Kunisada as a jumping off point for a more western and contemporary theme. I researched basketballs, hoops and shoes to get the details right. This is the last of several pencil sketches that I did to begin the process for the final painting.
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by Joann on 7/18/2007 12:28:04 PM
watercolor sketch
I produced a loose watercolor sketch to test out my color choices.
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by Joann on 7/18/2007 12:16:44 PM
"Hoop Skirts"
"Hoop Skirts" is the finished painting in gouache with pen and ink. While it is a "tongue in cheek" subject matter, it is with no disrespect intended to the Japanese Woodblock masters. The original Dancing Girls were a very prominent part of Japanese society in the 1800's. Female basketball teams are becoming more the norm in our culture, yet they are not yet on equal "footing" with male teams.
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