Smashwords Summer/Winter sale - The Nations of Peace are on sale!

 The first seven Nations of Peace books are 50% off for the whole of July.

Series link to the sale books

Series link to the sale books

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step Z - it's finished!

Thank you for visiting my blog on the last day of the challenge. If you are an artist interested in taking part in a competition, there is still enough time to enroll. Check out the details on the AGAC website.

I will probably put the painting in an exhibition for sale, and before that happens I will sign it on the front, and then give it two coats of satin varnish.

Sharing the painting on social media can only happen once the competition is closed and the winners are announced.

But here is the first social media slash public image of the painting I entered in 2023. It was based on a painting by Wassily Kandinsky. Mine is titled Duality and it is for sale. It is a 120cm x 76cm mounted wood panel done in mixed media.

Mixed media on wood (2023)

Stay creative until we meet again.

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

 

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step Y - submission process (part 2: the paperwork)

 No one likes paperwork, that's for sure, but rules are rules. Part of the submission process is to fill out the submission document which you receive when paying the entry fee.

Once the organizers acknowledge receipt of all the files, then the painting is officially in the running for the competition.

Multiple entries are allowed, and that also means making sure the paperwork is submitted correctly for each art work.

Once I press the send button on my email, I relax and take a deep breath. Even as I write this post knowing that I still have to do the painting, it is still exciting to look forward to the process of creating a something new that will decorate a wall somewhere.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step X - submission process (part 1: the painting)

 

Depending on the paint medium, it is a good idea to take the required photos before varnishing the painting. Oil and acrylics tend to be shiny and will make for challenging photos especially if using a glossy varnish.

I prefer a satin varnish for both oil and acrylic paint, but it does depend on the painting. My husband is a professional photographer so I ask him to take my photos for me. Not because I can't take photos, I can, but it is about the colour correction afterwards. I am useless with Photoshop.

So I stand next to him with the painting in hand, while he adjusts the photos to accurately reflect the colour of the painting. Since I paint on a panel, not a screen, no other adjustments or corrections are allowed.

The file type and size restrictions need to be taken into account too. After my husband does the colour adjustments, I take the final files and resize them, or export them to the required file format.

The competition organisers want more than just the pretty pictures. More about that on Monday.

See you then!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step W - action steps (part 7: the last decision)

 

The last decision is sometimes the most difficult to make for many artists. I am no different. And that is the decision to stop fiddling. The painting is done and it is time to stop.

Knowing when that happens, requires stepping back and leaving the painting alone for a day or three. I usually cover it up too. If the painting it still drying, I will add clips to the easel to keep the dust cloth away from the drying surface. It will still allow airflow for drying, but covering it up takes it off my mind in a manner of speaking.

Overworking a painting can destroy many hours or weeks of work, so that decision to stop is crucial. I have been known to spot a flaw and fix it. Stuff like a spot of dust on a dark area, or a hair in a light area. I have very long hair, and it will show so I will fix that. But no touching the painting otherwise. After three days I will remove the dust cloth.

At that point my gut would tell me that it is finished. This gut feel comes with experience, and is impossible to explain. I just know it's done.

Signatures are not allowed on the front of competition paintings, so I will sign it on the back. Once I sign my initials, to my creative brain the project is done and I can move on to the next.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé