tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72624854154478897112024-02-18T17:36:42.212-08:00D. A. Bickford / Bull Pine Studio Fine ArtI capture natural beauty that nourishes my soul and connects us all in this wondrous world.D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-89106723223340672222014-10-05T20:33:00.001-07:002014-10-05T20:33:38.782-07:00Sacred Partners 2014 UNE Solo Exhibition<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Saturday October 4th, I set up 16 environmental statement pieces at Campus Center on the UNE Campus in Biddeford Maine. I want to thank Diane Noble for giving me the chance to work on an idea I have had for a long time. Although working a full time job, living a full life and painting do not always mesh, this opportunity gave me the push I needed to step forward on my ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the set up there were many people coming and going. The images generated a lot of comments. I especially enjoyed the children's exploration of the work as they seemed very intrigued by the message. I was so thrilled to share my thoughts about the work with kids and listen to what they thought, for it is them who will be inheriting what ever we have left of this place we all share. It is my hope that they get to witness a global enlightenment that moves in the direction of balance and reverence for the natural world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After creating "Stranded at Sea" it was difficult to figure out how I was going to proceed, that painting became and, still is so dear to me. It took me most of the summer to distill what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. I pulled off 14 more paintings in less than a month and I have the research and imagery for many more. There are 16 all together. Sixteen environmental explorations and a desire to keep going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned many lessons while working on these paintings. Some of them are really kind of supernatural. My sketchbook is full of uncanny connections and happenings that I encountered along the way. The biggest outcome of this work is figuring out how to move beyond my first and favorite painting - "Stranded at Sea" - it is that painting that I envisioned first and, it was so different that is held me captive for a long time. Now, I am captivated by the possibilities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">UNE PR Write Up <a href="http://www.une.edu/news/2014/%E2%80%98sacred-partners%E2%80%99-art-exhibit-debra-bickford-display-campus-center" target="_blank">Click Here</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flickr "Sacred Partners" Photo Album <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/sets/72157641332721425/" target="_blank">Click Here</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Face Book Event Posting "Sacred Partners" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1554742051423002/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming" target="_blank">Click Here</a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Basic Human Rights"<br />Acrylic and Mixed Media on Birch Panels</td></tr>
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<br />D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-68271819873141028922014-08-22T07:07:00.000-07:002014-08-22T07:07:15.802-07:00"Sacred Partners" Progress<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Getting to a place with enough imagery for this series has taken a lot of time. I am now at the stage where I feel confidant to begin support building. Building up the surfaces can take as much time as the actual application of color. Here are two supports now in progress. All this preliminary work is documented in my sketchbook as notes and thumbnails. These are only bases and not even close to complete. More to come. </span><br />
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D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-89217236336349800332014-08-15T07:01:00.000-07:002014-08-15T07:01:02.844-07:00Sacred Partners Update, August 15 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Painting is easy. Deciding what to paint - not so easy. I use my sketchbook to record ideas and practice concepts. Below is what I have so far - cryptic I know. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What you are seeing is a thought process. I do so love landscapes but they are not really what I want to say.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My goal is for 20 works in all. </span></span></div>
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D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-76235846284426114772014-07-18T09:13:00.000-07:002014-07-18T09:13:01.292-07:00Sacred Partners 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">July 18th 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Progress has been slow but what I have is satisfying. I seem to have hit an information overload wall. There are so many images, ideas and bits of information in regards to environmental issues all crowding my mind in not enough order to make visual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each time I find a source, book or speaker that resonates it leads me to five more! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just when I feel I am starting to see some imagery through the cloud </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a breeze comes along and stirs up the fog in my mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of what is transpiring I struggle with the feeling of hopelessness - but then I find somebody like <a href="http://charleseisenstein.net/project/sacred-economics-directed-by-ian-mackenzie/" target="_blank">Charles Eisenstein speak</a> and feel a little sense of order and purpose. The fog settles a bit. I add more books to my list and move a few steps forward. Charles Eisenstein "<a href="http://www.ascentofhumanity.com/" target="_blank">The Ascent of Humanity</a>" George Monbiot <a href="http://www.monbiot.com/2013/05/24/feral-searching-for-enchantment-on-the-frontiers-of-rewilding/" target="_blank">"Ferel"</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not complete but closer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well - off to try and make my way through the fog of my thoughts.</span></span></div>
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<br />D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-31175177358106779792014-07-10T10:07:00.001-07:002014-07-10T10:27:51.233-07:00"Sacred Partners" July 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://flickr.com/photos/29000080@N08/sets/72157641332721425" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Sacred Partners"</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7262485415447889711" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Environmental Statement Series</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First stage: Create the Support</span></div>
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D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-23378801126271871892014-02-22T08:17:00.003-08:002014-03-09T20:19:47.441-07:00<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2014 "Sacred Partners"</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Honoring Environmental Beacons</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Having a full time job makes it very difficult to keep up with a blog. I have considered taking it down....but then I look at some of the things that I have posted and decide to plug away - even the gaps record.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am putting together a body of work on a subject I think about a lot. Our natural world and how we are connected to it. I am forever drawn to the idea of connection and how we fit in.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sketchbook detail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love painting landscapes and I am very attracted to any stunning geographic area but, doing landscape after landscape at times feels incomplete, as if I am only recording one small portion of something that holds a deeper message. It gnaws at me that there is more than a static vision. I want to create imagery that helps people appreciate our world and reconnects us to our place of origin. I want to slice open the numbness we have all come to understand as living and help reveal a more clear understanding of our connection to our planet. Not because it is the modern thing to do but because it is the joyful and fully alive thing to do. Not because I care more for the animal world than I do the human world but because we ARE the animal world. If we cannot correct our path of destruction of our home then we have no hope of creating better human life. In my mind they go hand in hand and, mother earth, as in the beginning comes first. A diverse planet is a healthy planet where all the parts are players in a constant battle of balance. We are now at a point where we have reached a critical mass big enough to tip that balance. My question - Is our collective mass intelligent enough to tip it in the right, corrective direction or will our numbness of life push it over the edge and foolishly bring us right along with it? I often contemplate how ironic it would be if the burning of too much fossil fuel will have us become fossils as well. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sketchbook Detail - Nanuk</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JLZKpF3_T_mqwOBdLY5B_8Yhh0jmmoYO1xh8aCKRQTd2iE1KPzfZNv1OJ62qwELFB0GGpB0huBtQuQAfLtMCo-jN6mMp1aeqGZpiZEggvBlAYaM3Qh2QMmx46Ue0O27_o9sPCOIApkDx/s1600/nicitine+pesticides.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JLZKpF3_T_mqwOBdLY5B_8Yhh0jmmoYO1xh8aCKRQTd2iE1KPzfZNv1OJ62qwELFB0GGpB0huBtQuQAfLtMCo-jN6mMp1aeqGZpiZEggvBlAYaM3Qh2QMmx46Ue0O27_o9sPCOIApkDx/s1600/nicitine+pesticides.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sketchbook Detail</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It feels to me as if we are in critical time, at a crossroads. I want to believe that we are going to see some sort of light and make the better choice, to change habits that make life better for every living thing. We are part of a natural system that has worked well without us for eternity. I want to raise awareness. To help people reconnect to what we seem to have lost touch with.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Helplessness equals hopelessness and I am not hopeless. I can help spread the word, grow food, support local farmers and vendors, consume less, understand the impact of what I buy, show honor and have respect for what we have been provided. There are people all over the globe who are starting to stand up for better ways, better ideas, a better planet and a better - sustainable way of life. I want to add my voice. But most of all, I wish to record my reverence and respect for our struggling planet. I wish to honor my connection. I wish to love what I came from. I wish to embrace that connection. I wish to live a fully alive life.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycwLpolFVuahW4PRl-5JCAOXbnhEXUGJqCN5MwMAMZl15nuiLeNOBgMVMa6dFL09z1EE8aP15etH-McvT4-Rn7LUa1E1FaDiIdcAdaIXFXDVtQt1JJ1yySPsID_2-Ofwk-vxOpjydExkY/s1600/vision+northern+lights.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycwLpolFVuahW4PRl-5JCAOXbnhEXUGJqCN5MwMAMZl15nuiLeNOBgMVMa6dFL09z1EE8aP15etH-McvT4-Rn7LUa1E1FaDiIdcAdaIXFXDVtQt1JJ1yySPsID_2-Ofwk-vxOpjydExkY/s1600/vision+northern+lights.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sketchbook Detail</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-XhzOBW1XyZZbSZCQol2EEop2HHjy80rqZ8xp09X2TLlXS5ySk_5ZaDQyEQAZd2WySJtbh35GBuTA50orFPDNIgkInLgys8SBzdaZBnuDjCnemDL9hYIiFSa5D8secKoSZEmcPw1S4_m/s1600/honey+bee+study.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-XhzOBW1XyZZbSZCQol2EEop2HHjy80rqZ8xp09X2TLlXS5ySk_5ZaDQyEQAZd2WySJtbh35GBuTA50orFPDNIgkInLgys8SBzdaZBnuDjCnemDL9hYIiFSa5D8secKoSZEmcPw1S4_m/s1600/honey+bee+study.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketchbook Detail</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I wrote this post I realized that "Icon" is not really the right word to match my intent - "Beacon" - fits much better. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This imagery will represent the "Beacon System" that is in play. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My work will offer prayers that we see the light. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our collective future depends on it.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ6GZ5J_j1lMBLNfj4JVI6MOZMd5iyHjN74_sKwqCe3CPKCKhdDjRPgHyrvMHoz6yIc8BLYK13L4fRvGzKqKRczdyEl4sf6_zIQr0nrd_j6umGfttOMP3NNC2GcDEpQXiar34qXEUM6Tv/s1600/stransded+at+sea+sketchbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ6GZ5J_j1lMBLNfj4JVI6MOZMd5iyHjN74_sKwqCe3CPKCKhdDjRPgHyrvMHoz6yIc8BLYK13L4fRvGzKqKRczdyEl4sf6_zIQr0nrd_j6umGfttOMP3NNC2GcDEpQXiar34qXEUM6Tv/s1600/stransded+at+sea+sketchbook.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sketchbook explorations. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmwO8uMOB160JRjWZejolYZE4-rfKNsWUUlOxXVOPAxa9Z1GvRamOSLRcUstTho8fsRrouLkh8waHCDnnzPHcSquDaRv8Rfalyger29lGMocusxF75GBRR-BBIASDGeEmfgGmAVD4FnD8/s1600/strandedatsea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmwO8uMOB160JRjWZejolYZE4-rfKNsWUUlOxXVOPAxa9Z1GvRamOSLRcUstTho8fsRrouLkh8waHCDnnzPHcSquDaRv8Rfalyger29lGMocusxF75GBRR-BBIASDGeEmfgGmAVD4FnD8/s1600/strandedatsea.jpg" height="320" width="178" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Stranded at Sea" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">24 x 60 Acrylic, Mediums and Silk on Birch Panel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The smaller bear painting at the top is a birch panel superimposed</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">over the smaller panel like a floating shroud.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIAILlKv8Xi4Xy3aH7vrIWcf13hAMRIVYSp0HZYiAJrJQaWS44-ZVQjPnd1HtSw5-gmsh8-R4FhyphenhyphenSq8h_RmfMltUMaqakVhXhEjVsRdtZMiTlsk_FXOnlyl42AciczwziO_0nyh98XIL4/s1600/sketchbook+polar+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIAILlKv8Xi4Xy3aH7vrIWcf13hAMRIVYSp0HZYiAJrJQaWS44-ZVQjPnd1HtSw5-gmsh8-R4FhyphenhyphenSq8h_RmfMltUMaqakVhXhEjVsRdtZMiTlsk_FXOnlyl42AciczwziO_0nyh98XIL4/s1600/sketchbook+polar+bear.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sketchbook explorations.</div>
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The notes on the right are about icons, beacons and beacon networks, mobius symbols, infinity, monoliths, illumination, polaris, alpha and omega, and, mana.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsEupvMb5bgX4VkFGLJOkFsgbeqtO2cez0UDiqxl2okZdWdisPiN63GRm0_UBTP1ww7MhzOThQUGAA0wSV5-m459RnFTOK_n900Q_Q8zyY3hsiqdGaxc4ee2uP4taTYBnEOkba1Kff4dJ/s1600/Sacred+Partner+Nanuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsEupvMb5bgX4VkFGLJOkFsgbeqtO2cez0UDiqxl2okZdWdisPiN63GRm0_UBTP1ww7MhzOThQUGAA0wSV5-m459RnFTOK_n900Q_Q8zyY3hsiqdGaxc4ee2uP4taTYBnEOkba1Kff4dJ/s1600/Sacred+Partner+Nanuk.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Sacred Partners" - Nanuk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12 x 14 Acrylics, Mediums, Paper Clay on Birch Panel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This work is a birch panel floating within another panel, moat like. The moon phases and bear are both relief made of paper clay and acrylic. All the surfaces are highly textural.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlBMFgX_Hiu_F0Cz0JsCPnYUDdaz6OPH1195IJjYQo1dVv23n9F0rNz0kCFAyxAZ0b_SBpZ-Jo9Jk0BwJsPvcvBGdeOuBasN4JeD6e9B2KMCVQDM6-9EyvKaRk62ZiF6w5K-Cp-xlhTkq/s1600/sacred+partners+honey+bee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlBMFgX_Hiu_F0Cz0JsCPnYUDdaz6OPH1195IJjYQo1dVv23n9F0rNz0kCFAyxAZ0b_SBpZ-Jo9Jk0BwJsPvcvBGdeOuBasN4JeD6e9B2KMCVQDM6-9EyvKaRk62ZiF6w5K-Cp-xlhTkq/s1600/sacred+partners+honey+bee2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sketchbook explorations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The notes are lists of of possible imagery and issues in regards to the listed subject. Right now I am exploring the challenges facing the honey bee. The model to the left are possible parts as I work. My overarching goal is to create imagery that has a certain spiritual expression. Something deeper than the individual parts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More to come. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-11985643546192082992013-02-14T18:45:00.004-08:002013-02-14T18:47:34.993-08:002013<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vacation next week. I am so looking forward to being able to get into the studio. This school year has been so fast paced it has been hard to carve out some creative time. I have been doing some work in my sketchbook trying to get some environmental ideas to gel into some imagery. I have a direction that I am pretty happy with so that's exciting. I will be posting some rough sketches next week.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is unfortunate that my adult Acrylics class did not run this winter due to a lack of adequate information distribution. Live and learn. I hope anyone who is interested will be looking for it next fall. I am thinking about running a summer class for CEU credits too. More to come on that later.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One more day and a night collecting student artwork at the Portland Museum of art. Love February break. <a href="http://the1stlanguage.blogspot.com/2013/02/youth-art-month.html" target="_blank">Here is the work of my student that I will be sending this year.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">deb </span></span>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-13820309002785944492012-02-04T05:59:00.000-08:002012-02-04T06:18:51.004-08:00Acrylics Workshop<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This blog post will be a supplement for my Adult Ed. Acrylics Workshop. If there is anything else you would like to know just ask in class and I can write a response in the comment section. If you want to be notified of any updated posts you will need to "follow" this blog.</span><br />
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<div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-fluid-acrylics-1-oz/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">GOLDEN MIXING KIT</span></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This set includes 8 fluid colors, color mixing guide and application guide. The link is to Dick Blick art supply. As of this post they are out of stock but will be available Feb 13. I also found them at <a href="http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/acrylic-paints-and-mediums/golden-acrylics-and-mediums/golden-fluid-acrylic-sets.htm?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping" target="_blank">Jerry's Artarama for $20.00.</a></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMvZVORe0pAIUIidGuuU-fchgQkBAB3ZJZRgJ7MJkPVVyYy3gpE83XK-Odd7azxsyVtxKpnGH59DozRIqDcQbjMtjzjuvXOTWGu0ZY5900V6w0TT050uhNDqS1thEYFc1N8GJ2P3zMYgI/s1600/golden+fluid+mixing+set" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMvZVORe0pAIUIidGuuU-fchgQkBAB3ZJZRgJ7MJkPVVyYy3gpE83XK-Odd7azxsyVtxKpnGH59DozRIqDcQbjMtjzjuvXOTWGu0ZY5900V6w0TT050uhNDqS1thEYFc1N8GJ2P3zMYgI/s1600/golden+fluid+mixing+set" /></a></div><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-100-200-076" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">GOLDEN ACRYLIC MEDIUMS SET</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I found this set for $16.00 at Daniel Smith on line. It's a great price and and good selection of mediums. For those who love heavy thick impasto the extra heavy gel would be yummy for this application. The set comes with a product sample card.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01YTHGp1bVgyPEscS83YuCDGJyj4KquQeM6yPz1u_X6TW4Ovlh7LMJT52lDd0Oz0VbsOA5zbKAEzrBh_YmeNufYg0-owhsS9JxW5l34WEljjlBI9JoREwSFw-5EqswhsfyavYRd0N0M1F/s1600/golden+medium+set" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01YTHGp1bVgyPEscS83YuCDGJyj4KquQeM6yPz1u_X6TW4Ovlh7LMJT52lDd0Oz0VbsOA5zbKAEzrBh_YmeNufYg0-owhsS9JxW5l34WEljjlBI9JoREwSFw-5EqswhsfyavYRd0N0M1F/s1600/golden+medium+set" /></a></div><b><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/princeton-best-synthetic-bristle-brushes-series-6300/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PRINCETON BEST SYNTHETIC BRISTLE BRUSHES</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These are my favorite brushes. I told one student that I thought they were a blend of natural and synthetic but they are actually a synthetic bristle designed to act like a bristle only better. They maintain shape when holding heavy paint. As far as size and shape goes that is so much an artists choice. I guess I would go for at least one flat and one round for now. As for size, the more choice you have the better but you might start with numbers between 4 and 12 for now. I have some <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-synthetic-brushes/" target="_blank">"Blick Studio Synthetic"</a> brushes that behave very well. They have a set of four at a good price. I also like <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/silver-brush-silverwhite-synthetic-long-handle-brushes/" target="_blank">"Silverwhite" brushes</a>. I tend to use these for more fluid applications like washes and glazes. I will tell you that there is nothing that can take the place of a good brush!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">OTHER RESOURCES</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/sets/72157606360136379/" target="_blank">acrylic sample boards</a> on flickr.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My <a href="http://www.dabickford.com/home.html" target="_blank">web site</a>.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/dabickford?feature=mhee#g/c/31537F3DBBBF3B0E" target="_blank">acrylics video collection</a> on youtube.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/dabickford?feature=mhee" target="_blank">youtube channel</a>.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My Etsy <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dabickford?ref=em" target="_blank">online shop.</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/D-A-Bickford-Art-Bull-Pine-Studio-Maine/212090175689" target="_blank">facebook fan page</a>. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Golden's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/GoldenPaints" target="_blank">youtube channel</a>. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.goldenpaints.com/" target="_blank">Golden's web site</a>. This is a fabulous resource!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a great <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mcYiLlGE7o&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Tri-Art fluid acrylic video</a> about color saturation and lush viscous mixes with gel medium. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.tri-art.ca/en/index.php" target="_blank">Tri-Art web site</a>. This is the Canadian acrylic manufacturer. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/tri-art-non-stick-palette/?wmcp=google&wmcid=products&wmckw=03099-1006&gclid=CNL33qS2hK4CFYPc4Aodm2um3w" target="_blank">Tri-Art non stick palette</a> at Dick Blick. Very Cool!!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we cover glazing you will really benefit from reading this entry by Canadian Artist Robert Genn. If you LOVE learning Genn's bi-weekly news letters are an awesome resource. THIS is the <a href="http://clicks.robertgenn.com/glazing-keys.php" target="_blank">Glazing Keys entry</a> by Genn.</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQoceORG-Z_oYXRDBC7dYMZ6E7_R8OnmvI-bdNlED1XALmhRRwJpRRCAZlDN6rJCEcQ82OG3EOvyOb0M4N_cik9drdJ5CHSz9F558DWuqeBQ8CKYfiJ-P0Z9L49IiRdqUoT31jMoHJJcL/s1600/golden+medium+set" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></b></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-54106870965347297732012-01-02T08:10:00.000-08:002012-01-02T08:10:53.898-08:00First Painting of 2012<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is my first painting of 2012. This is a 9x12 Soft pastel on Wallis paper with a water color under painting. This is the first one of two that I plan to do. The other one is after the same rain storm that ravaged my spring roses last spring. The next one will be the leaves after the storm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's to a productive new year!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJhZnNdYnOzzBzISEKzSmtHm4ZCVcqrbUSglQY8-eCoJWPGWsbvZDEon-LRfWUwbf5GYnhZ0MP3xmPYNiEMMDxHBqh3OpdVYKsUNn8u8URHFjKEU6Fpq7vH3oVtCZXapNVRqEw7Ewk3hX/s1600/After+the+Rain1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJhZnNdYnOzzBzISEKzSmtHm4ZCVcqrbUSglQY8-eCoJWPGWsbvZDEon-LRfWUwbf5GYnhZ0MP3xmPYNiEMMDxHBqh3OpdVYKsUNn8u8URHFjKEU6Fpq7vH3oVtCZXapNVRqEw7Ewk3hX/s320/After+the+Rain1.jpg" width="249px" /></a></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-85669924766923136052011-12-31T05:52:00.000-08:002011-12-31T05:59:37.049-08:00What's on the easel?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite artists is <a href="http://www.quillergallery.com/" target="_blank">Stephen Quiller</a>. I really love the way he uses transparency, translucency and opacity all in one painting. He also considers himself a "water media" artist and clearly describes the qualities of each medium. His knowledge of the personalities of each medium is so keen that he can pick the right one for the look he is going for. His color schemes are somewhat objective but subjective as well. The colors glow and interplay with each other in such beautiful ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.quillergallery.com/shop/Shiva-Casein/" target="_blank">Casein</a> is one of his mediums. I love the flat velvety color that it produces. Quiller uses it with transparent acrylic under washes to create stunning results! I have tried some play with casein but feel really inept at this point. This series will be my next attempt to gain some knowledge of this beautiful paint. The series of three yellow scapes are my setup pieces for some play with Casein.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2__UOT266qslxH_VTo2WmaAmqt_Y0_4zKCvFmHWbwxZl1lXZelnVlzdUHqQEvBln8Z3LtkxZtJJ_vDcwA1Kg4YiVAhn5d4XGWKLj4sYrLOF8EGqg-86njGLQzU4c3ETyY29OdrBFfhzF/s1600/DSC06321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2__UOT266qslxH_VTo2WmaAmqt_Y0_4zKCvFmHWbwxZl1lXZelnVlzdUHqQEvBln8Z3LtkxZtJJ_vDcwA1Kg4YiVAhn5d4XGWKLj4sYrLOF8EGqg-86njGLQzU4c3ETyY29OdrBFfhzF/s320/DSC06321.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUJqZNZKzATiMi4bhPSRNSqavkm3qFJdp_pXwDDQkfb3M-rL34D4SdwEdNYR4Z91c1aV_RZzyv6cwtFiQHcFFHmgSEsWwSE8vY2nEi6kxjbqHf2xSLtSGMebEpV-i-JaQYHiBpfluPZF-/s1600/DSC06323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUJqZNZKzATiMi4bhPSRNSqavkm3qFJdp_pXwDDQkfb3M-rL34D4SdwEdNYR4Z91c1aV_RZzyv6cwtFiQHcFFHmgSEsWwSE8vY2nEi6kxjbqHf2xSLtSGMebEpV-i-JaQYHiBpfluPZF-/s320/DSC06323.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have also started some different pastel pieces. I did not get in to the PPOM International show last summer. I am determined to create a piece that will make the grade! These pieces are on my favorite paper, Wallis, and have a watercolor underpainting. I use this process often. I enjoy the loose start and lcoking in the basics first.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22SCtMc4pM9xL96A4y5imqqrnJixtZ9OL43Z3mpdFyFca-9X8-wVnYjK9kmwHxg6tuz6b1e-E0_sQs_B6wOB1G6gzfwaAvzG4xMsuaie1E4s5jZueHUYTbnSip_COCdaDdsg-ZMOSsFuA/s1600/DSC06322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22SCtMc4pM9xL96A4y5imqqrnJixtZ9OL43Z3mpdFyFca-9X8-wVnYjK9kmwHxg6tuz6b1e-E0_sQs_B6wOB1G6gzfwaAvzG4xMsuaie1E4s5jZueHUYTbnSip_COCdaDdsg-ZMOSsFuA/s320/DSC06322.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-76134658022221747162011-12-20T16:43:00.000-08:002011-12-20T16:43:01.795-08:00My Two Sons and Gallery 5!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past weekend I completed a drawing that I have wanted to do for some. A portrait of our sons. This graphite drawing is on a full sheet, 22x30 Lenox Drawing paper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The image is a compilation of both sons at the time of their Senior year in High School. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I plan on using this image as an image transfer for a Christmas present. I will print it on fine watercolor paper and mount it on a birch panel.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXVvyBrat-7eXl_lomis2OEuPff-EjPw_jgUrmc6sFr7BB1lt09rtVE8ZKHjiWWUtLTV0v4h0QjcE9qH59bKa2mrpMOLSZ-S-LWVV3vOKzIXyYIuVjweemvmsxDsDnK8toni3aMwDgKHC/s1600/andrew+nick+dec+2011+lrg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXVvyBrat-7eXl_lomis2OEuPff-EjPw_jgUrmc6sFr7BB1lt09rtVE8ZKHjiWWUtLTV0v4h0QjcE9qH59bKa2mrpMOLSZ-S-LWVV3vOKzIXyYIuVjweemvmsxDsDnK8toni3aMwDgKHC/s400/andrew+nick+dec+2011+lrg.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I also found out this week that all four of my entries into the MAEA show at <a href="http://www.laarts.org/visual/gallery-5.htm" target="_blank">Gallery 5 in Leweston</a> were accepted into our juried show! Yeeha! This is what I entered.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2I032nPdfKWY9dKeirLYczoz2TvkCCVvs0bMDWt5LXDMTe1o1Y1wnnQ9qaJyQir6caYKPVOrz4TTZWUezaKK9Qn-Sx_giI6gyBvuM8brtOYhQOeh4pxexRZTZjqXcdZ9tKPbmMdzgyxP/s1600/bickford_debra+Stranded+at+Sea-1a.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2I032nPdfKWY9dKeirLYczoz2TvkCCVvs0bMDWt5LXDMTe1o1Y1wnnQ9qaJyQir6caYKPVOrz4TTZWUezaKK9Qn-Sx_giI6gyBvuM8brtOYhQOeh4pxexRZTZjqXcdZ9tKPbmMdzgyxP/s320/bickford_debra+Stranded+at+Sea-1a.jpg.jpg" width="149px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUARvAR7lmO0pJjFjZECdlJ20n3uBTk2_WoEP3sK1Qu51ojB8CFaPfsAEdQtslZyWvDnfK-54KR3-pK3VbDrmGu3wpOgj_wlhu8PRCtpROZYITi9JIdWQ2qno0PrsCtZVZeC5x2gyuBEwR/s1600/bickford_debra-Winter+Light+Show.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUARvAR7lmO0pJjFjZECdlJ20n3uBTk2_WoEP3sK1Qu51ojB8CFaPfsAEdQtslZyWvDnfK-54KR3-pK3VbDrmGu3wpOgj_wlhu8PRCtpROZYITi9JIdWQ2qno0PrsCtZVZeC5x2gyuBEwR/s320/bickford_debra-Winter+Light+Show.jpg.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YgcrSr9bfxaHt-PEuxPcVIGTKWwnE3echPxtDUaolc0qCUDaINZWQg_zlrV0VfHuIFDldAdmbEE5wRSZi_k_489dsTIoc5MQEQEnkIM8H6GDhzJQuPXYvsiSktK9z4wb8k3ArlaW1D6o/s1600/bickford_debra-Eastern+Prom+series.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YgcrSr9bfxaHt-PEuxPcVIGTKWwnE3echPxtDUaolc0qCUDaINZWQg_zlrV0VfHuIFDldAdmbEE5wRSZi_k_489dsTIoc5MQEQEnkIM8H6GDhzJQuPXYvsiSktK9z4wb8k3ArlaW1D6o/s320/bickford_debra-Eastern+Prom+series.jpg.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnekV1QowzJhl7NW0QQvxz47PLjtdpi1lzvfz6EknL3oGokdXwPsRfoMXCLIANBLGrS7SuVfmEG6cNJq4AmBkCxd0eEVHwg-wxRINaRD63aTr8eMXO1mptJUtgc-PsyHv8dv56weJ-caVT/s1600/bickford_debra-Night+Owl.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnekV1QowzJhl7NW0QQvxz47PLjtdpi1lzvfz6EknL3oGokdXwPsRfoMXCLIANBLGrS7SuVfmEG6cNJq4AmBkCxd0eEVHwg-wxRINaRD63aTr8eMXO1mptJUtgc-PsyHv8dv56weJ-caVT/s320/bickford_debra-Night+Owl.jpg.JPG" width="224px" /></a></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-77964541472267747222011-11-20T04:36:00.000-08:002011-11-20T04:36:36.595-08:00What I do with all my time!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time of year is nearly impossible to get in to my room and work! School is especially difficult this year due to many changes. I decided that I would try to connect my school activity to my professional blog - my way of showing that Im not just slacking off!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out what is going on in my class room by <a href="http://the1stlanguage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">visiting the class blog</a>. There are some cool links on the recent post. There is a slide show on the right for our 2011 Camp Sunshine pumpkin installation but you can also <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickfordwestbrookhs/sets/72157628019585458/" target="_blank">go here</a> for the still shots.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For my artist friends, you might enjoy the <a href="http://the1stlanguage.blogspot.com/p/ap-studio-art.html" target="_blank">AP / STUDIO art page</a>. Students will be doing some assemblage collage art with inspiration from Joseph Cornell. This page is the actual lesson that they will work from. Check out the interactive links provided for instruction. Students will also be using some form of image transfer system in this piece. I have a youtube folder with tutorials for them to self direct with.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So - THIS is what I do with my time!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-92147573587121470602011-10-01T11:35:00.000-07:002011-10-01T11:35:44.487-07:00The Magic of Haystack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjpxLJAK_zsX29U6O0bBoYU16q-kydwmM4hL1vgUqlxraHyUkKCRbYLT7HWvSdK4k5hZVIzeMGUzMcvjI-7GKpFqnvGEpHXoep57HaYeiOfN3Nd5ajECYRo6QXYhSUqG-V7hsYU2wgY7a/s1600/haystack+2011+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjpxLJAK_zsX29U6O0bBoYU16q-kydwmM4hL1vgUqlxraHyUkKCRbYLT7HWvSdK4k5hZVIzeMGUzMcvjI-7GKpFqnvGEpHXoep57HaYeiOfN3Nd5ajECYRo6QXYhSUqG-V7hsYU2wgY7a/s200/haystack+2011+1.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Two weekends ago I got to have one of my dreams come true. I was honored to have the opportunity to teach fellow artists and teachers. I had 15 fantastic artist / educators in my workshop at Haystack Mountain School and, had the time of my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teaching a group of highly creative and motivated people is like being on some kind of drug. The energy is contagious and the work output is nothing short of spectacular! People worked until after midnight and got up early to work more. One participant even got up at 4am to get to the studio! The whole weekend was magic, even more magic than it always is.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQPTGYbXqCk02R52tqd2DRbTWerMHDFSNw298pEvyWbqgR_Y-nV7VtVEhnAEbmilffh0B00_4yih9WdhZn2LbEyfsR4FM4RyKlAO9orgg7FzE7eQDiF73a30CSRtLBJzCHI1PcUmgTDLE/s1600/haystack+2011+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQPTGYbXqCk02R52tqd2DRbTWerMHDFSNw298pEvyWbqgR_Y-nV7VtVEhnAEbmilffh0B00_4yih9WdhZn2LbEyfsR4FM4RyKlAO9orgg7FzE7eQDiF73a30CSRtLBJzCHI1PcUmgTDLE/s200/haystack+2011+2.jpg" width="200px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My mother and two aunts came up to see what I rave about so much. They got to see prints being pulled in the print studio, clay being thrown in the ceramics studio, freshly cast molds in the wood shop, beautiful pastel paintings in the brand new artists studio, movies being created in Gateway and a blacksmith demo in the hot shop.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWnfRgKjIpBYFS9Cppx9F2CSat8qc2gthkFrU1tO2P9z0fFVJVFQvImuDmPbVAa6Gvw1PlaH0JzHUn_layk9c_QkYonm3vAbSc4gr11sS1ye9vUdfOfuQyrTPShZLyVICnDo5BTukZ5Tt/s1600/haystack+2011+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWnfRgKjIpBYFS9Cppx9F2CSat8qc2gthkFrU1tO2P9z0fFVJVFQvImuDmPbVAa6Gvw1PlaH0JzHUn_layk9c_QkYonm3vAbSc4gr11sS1ye9vUdfOfuQyrTPShZLyVICnDo5BTukZ5Tt/s200/haystack+2011+3.jpg" width="200px" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was not nervous during my slide show (<a href="http://www.flickr.com//photos/dabickford/sets/72157627649614866/show/">click here</a>) presentation. It felt great to be there with such inspiring people in such an inspiring place. Check back soon for images. I will be asking my participants to send me at least one photo of work they did in my workshop. This experience will be hard to beat! Thank you Haystack and thank you for the opportunity M.A.E.A. Take a look at the movie (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/dabickford#p/u/0/847SRNsEFqg">click here</a>) that my Co Worker put together! There is a sound track but for some reason it does not play - we are trying to figure that out!</span>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-40606885450023954222011-09-05T15:48:00.000-07:002011-09-05T15:48:16.472-07:00Summer Work 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQZUom9ZnoM6pmoJHI2IFiZX1TXOc1kpUJhSfj_5mmPFmp-vKwO_x8PmuEK_MLrRUvnLgYQO4pXT2MZHHUFrIJLHni6R5_wNnCEr-a1WRU15TGUuJrGQ-tTZvMiT1Ja9WYki9zQjeYicW/s1600/Lands+End+pastel+Aug+2011+6x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQZUom9ZnoM6pmoJHI2IFiZX1TXOc1kpUJhSfj_5mmPFmp-vKwO_x8PmuEK_MLrRUvnLgYQO4pXT2MZHHUFrIJLHni6R5_wNnCEr-a1WRU15TGUuJrGQ-tTZvMiT1Ja9WYki9zQjeYicW/s200/Lands+End+pastel+Aug+2011+6x9.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Allan and I took short day trips this summer. We explored Lands End on Bailey Island. No luck fishing but the weather was beautiful and we had never been there before. The crib stone bridge is quite a sight and the only one in the US. This is a small pastel that I did for the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took several day trip together this summer. Much enjoyed after the summer spent in the hospital last year. One trip was a particularly beautiful afternoon at Winslow Park in Freeport - again, no fish, but, the light and scenery was fabulous. This is one of our favorite camp spots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6x9 on Wallis Paper, looking towards the camp sites from the NEW stone pier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next outing was a glorious day painting with Pastel Painters of Maine. The weather looked awesome but it was a very hot day. The things I learned that day were amazing and made me long for more time to paint with this group. They are fantastic teachers and very giving. I long for the days when I can join them MOST of the time.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O0Eo15I67R87FM2WJym2LhXwPy8l1s4UGXoMPxBKabQ4OwrNIvyHod8sdphcznd2tqMseRElZrEs2sj_wNy6laXtUTEM_zu4aqK5oq27gfk1w1ZOeQafEyeEu2L4mdHcrmowbyZV690l/s1600/Wolfs+Neck+Woods+Farm2+Aug+2011+pastel+6x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O0Eo15I67R87FM2WJym2LhXwPy8l1s4UGXoMPxBKabQ4OwrNIvyHod8sdphcznd2tqMseRElZrEs2sj_wNy6laXtUTEM_zu4aqK5oq27gfk1w1ZOeQafEyeEu2L4mdHcrmowbyZV690l/s200/Wolfs+Neck+Woods+Farm2+Aug+2011+pastel+6x9.jpg" width="130px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka0xe76S8Sqt4SZ53VjNuiP8qGvP4kv8DXIlQH0NfjQTrb57cYoaWlFreu6y3ZyG49YQKRe7kxkHXCv3VXYKsHdYI4uEvcwXM1kojeNqS54x9QLbNLhgVFRWVU_8cLgcCbizfajTvyEba/s1600/Wolfs+Neck+Woods+Farm1+Aug+2011+pastel+6x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka0xe76S8Sqt4SZ53VjNuiP8qGvP4kv8DXIlQH0NfjQTrb57cYoaWlFreu6y3ZyG49YQKRe7kxkHXCv3VXYKsHdYI4uEvcwXM1kojeNqS54x9QLbNLhgVFRWVU_8cLgcCbizfajTvyEba/s200/Wolfs+Neck+Woods+Farm1+Aug+2011+pastel+6x9.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">both 6x9 on Wallis Paper, looking out across the water on the bridge before the farm.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The last piece is something I have wanted to do for my self for some time now. This drawing is not complete. It is about 80% done. It is a composite of our sons about the time of graduation. I still have some fine tuning to do and some personality to add but I'm pretty happy with the progress. Have to go for now! First REAL week of school starts tomorrow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgCb5EXPnxd_8d3UG9ghCmrlAUHd_nidK0FFUQV4Am5tUmV659tKn7UimzTylA4NkD9Xsz9uRzzIXWiP-mYrsjkjt7IwpbnulBdeUgxIGTRJmYL6wCr0qW8YSD4owb1ItCfzeqZGwJW8t/s1600/andrew+and+nick+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgCb5EXPnxd_8d3UG9ghCmrlAUHd_nidK0FFUQV4Am5tUmV659tKn7UimzTylA4NkD9Xsz9uRzzIXWiP-mYrsjkjt7IwpbnulBdeUgxIGTRJmYL6wCr0qW8YSD4owb1ItCfzeqZGwJW8t/s400/andrew+and+nick+progress.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-10337947354007433972011-07-28T18:09:00.000-07:002011-07-28T18:09:25.527-07:00Step by Step Quote Series<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur0UjEszj_JiRhyy0SwXlRNzP71cKFs4lzF4r5KG8wJjlDGf6qu0PzVMBGPicHZed7hTTuiXx2tH5dhG_kGZ8D8ct3VFZW85bc-DrJBE9eEuittSVk-ZN1dK7trdcosExOdmeC-uQweLf/s1600/step+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur0UjEszj_JiRhyy0SwXlRNzP71cKFs4lzF4r5KG8wJjlDGf6qu0PzVMBGPicHZed7hTTuiXx2tH5dhG_kGZ8D8ct3VFZW85bc-DrJBE9eEuittSVk-ZN1dK7trdcosExOdmeC-uQweLf/s200/step+4.jpg" t$="true" width="200px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 4 Quote Commission / Collaboration</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a step by step documentation, creating a Quote Panel</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- another layer of violet washes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- addition of some iridescent pearl acyclic color</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- the digital images have been varnished and adhered to the surface</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- the quote is printed on vellum, varnished and adhered to the surface</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- in this photo, self leveling clear gel is allowed to sit in droplets on the surface....tomorrow, these will retain the circle shape and round dome so that I can add color rings</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More later.</span>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-10950155097352665382011-07-27T13:16:00.000-07:002011-07-27T13:16:55.895-07:00Step by Step Quote Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMh818QC6eg3jgKA6JshQVr0ZK4BSARfnAjYqh9dq4LFDxm5fINqA_rpz4D6kiTaUwnAoEVogOdUGGN7uz009ZSkQDVNXGLpLBPSL6aquzaG0MVH-5Q258b2qIXUcgc-l2eSJHCg7u28E/s1600/step+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMh818QC6eg3jgKA6JshQVr0ZK4BSARfnAjYqh9dq4LFDxm5fINqA_rpz4D6kiTaUwnAoEVogOdUGGN7uz009ZSkQDVNXGLpLBPSL6aquzaG0MVH-5Q258b2qIXUcgc-l2eSJHCg7u28E/s200/step+3.jpg" t$="true" width="150px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though I am on step three of this commission quote panel I thought I should post the process. When I teach, I can use these posts to support teaching and learning. This work involves two images on the same panel, violet colors and a motherhood quote by <a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/all_that_i_am-or_hope_to_be-i_owe_to_my_angel/181215.html">Abraham Lincoln.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. prepare and prime the support by sanding and then coating both sides with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesso">gesso</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. print out the images, seal them with varnish and coat the support with requested acrylic medium...</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in this case, acrylic fiber paste (<a href="http://www.goldenpaints.com/VIDEO/library.php">Golden's video library</a>, the fiber paste video is in the second row down)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. apply the first layer of color using <a href="http://www.goldenpaints.com/technicaldata/flreleas.php">flow release</a> and acrylic colors / the flow release allows the color to really run around fast, just like it does on wet watercolor paper</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Watercolor is actually a great medium to learning painting techniques. Many of the same processes used to create a watercolor are used in other kinds of painting processes. This layer has wet into wet, controlled bleeding and a water spritz for added drama. This is just the under layer. More later.</span>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-46723213256622997352011-07-26T17:12:00.000-07:002011-07-26T17:12:32.790-07:00Summer Moves So Fast!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrqipQPayP1DSy1qYWnH-38iDQw-_PjJyg9C_idecCtMNrX3CyR9iN1J1Re7WsPi1K7jydtq0_8lUhQ6v2qTTYssWnJv50ppy6BLjBse97z7YlXmeRxPiQs1_EUZD5a4FRL611owsh1PE/s1600/6x9+pastel+camp+ellis+saco+river6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrqipQPayP1DSy1qYWnH-38iDQw-_PjJyg9C_idecCtMNrX3CyR9iN1J1Re7WsPi1K7jydtq0_8lUhQ6v2qTTYssWnJv50ppy6BLjBse97z7YlXmeRxPiQs1_EUZD5a4FRL611owsh1PE/s200/6x9+pastel+camp+ellis+saco+river6.jpg" t$="true" width="200px" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After two weeks of cleaning my class room, getting it ready for floor scrubbing and a new school year, I could officially start my "Summer Break"</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took a week to complete the <a href="http://mainearted.wikispaces.com/Haystack+Info">MAEA Fall conference at Haystack</a> registration packets. If you click on the link you can see the studio space that I will be teaching Acrylics in for this conference! I'm very excited about this opportunity and already have some products donated by Golden. Fun fun FUN!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next - a photographer pal of mine, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pam_davis/">Pam Davis</a> asked me if I would be interested in being in the local Community Days. She got a booth and I said sure! Good practice! I prepared 6 new quote series and 8 small (6x9) pastels to have in my booth. I now have fine art card reproductions available and I also got a display tree that I had seen to display my work. Fair booths take a whole lot of work! It ended up being the hottest weekend of the summer! I had a great time and now I know how much I can fit in my car. All in all a good experience. No buyers but lots of interest and many cards passed out. We shall see. Below is a small sample of new work. I tried to keep things $100.00 or under. To see all of the new work <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/?saved=1">click here.</a></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD1yXvakF81_gAMPfdYEprCdIDmaAg-ib_JTssFZgEdBVeeF7GQX2M-uIg3Nu6HUQTcfGj6Qr9r0zecnRwk-QbZ61MyQX1ULRYgajfH5oxKZ9CrnmNnK0bEyZ6BP2QSrsI29m4RHn7Mc8/s1600/8x8+acrylc+quote+Edward+Wilson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD1yXvakF81_gAMPfdYEprCdIDmaAg-ib_JTssFZgEdBVeeF7GQX2M-uIg3Nu6HUQTcfGj6Qr9r0zecnRwk-QbZ61MyQX1ULRYgajfH5oxKZ9CrnmNnK0bEyZ6BP2QSrsI29m4RHn7Mc8/s200/8x8+acrylc+quote+Edward+Wilson.jpg" t$="true" width="200px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgrQZuSL3uyCANUXZX6GppH7sTky624zER2s7e4Q5uXntI2AxrhYWiVsjTeZGY3DD6STUDPN98zu2fsAI3qtYVTF2zJbNYk3atcC2iCuC2s6m2vmI1e2wR6RyYe0Y-S4McsDUl851Ry2S/s1600/6x9+pastel+camp+ellis+saco+river3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgrQZuSL3uyCANUXZX6GppH7sTky624zER2s7e4Q5uXntI2AxrhYWiVsjTeZGY3DD6STUDPN98zu2fsAI3qtYVTF2zJbNYk3atcC2iCuC2s6m2vmI1e2wR6RyYe0Y-S4McsDUl851Ry2S/s200/6x9+pastel+camp+ellis+saco+river3.jpg" t$="true" width="133px" /></a></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-7299976385474364052011-05-01T19:20:00.000-07:002011-05-01T19:35:16.723-07:00Commissions Complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HJypBX8L5fM-RzH3kOcmlr2vble_6Yz6k34tRDu1SHzKTbu_Bi53VrLqGP_GCLXlloNuhaV45ODh01oXoYePbsSSm7EtKRYMep4SYZLYHlC30i_CHPmF4DinL50EmZpQQecaw0K8MM09/s1600/AC+complete+series+of+three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HJypBX8L5fM-RzH3kOcmlr2vble_6Yz6k34tRDu1SHzKTbu_Bi53VrLqGP_GCLXlloNuhaV45ODh01oXoYePbsSSm7EtKRYMep4SYZLYHlC30i_CHPmF4DinL50EmZpQQecaw0K8MM09/s400/AC+complete+series+of+three.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AC series is now complete! They do look lovely. This is really what I had in mind for my quote series. The client tells me what image they want or gives me a photo and picks out the text then, I combine the parts to create a whole. This was a lot of fun!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1q3JiJWcNml1DbqCng9iqD71UpK76BUYYLVsNC6wCh1k6ImZSqdqoKBeDVa7knimMsMZsioL4ma-zM_1Mja9vQ1Q0nbjzUFcbQwYWIo4UXuo4Fr20UThaZod47ALnX-u_HCtODGY5wBj/s1600/AC+black+eyed+susan+complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1q3JiJWcNml1DbqCng9iqD71UpK76BUYYLVsNC6wCh1k6ImZSqdqoKBeDVa7knimMsMZsioL4ma-zM_1Mja9vQ1Q0nbjzUFcbQwYWIo4UXuo4Fr20UThaZod47ALnX-u_HCtODGY5wBj/s320/AC+black+eyed+susan+complete.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdqaQiuCQRTXxwX9QahCgYH2PyO28FNsUiuWbhc1dZrOicND85EjpHn4OeMtoYl-eh0RnbMsgd36u5U8UFXseZBKG3VR5bycxfQx5_19ooEGLb_Y5JF5Naxtojr5vAld_zx0kHosWRrVk/s1600/AC+gardenia+compltete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdqaQiuCQRTXxwX9QahCgYH2PyO28FNsUiuWbhc1dZrOicND85EjpHn4OeMtoYl-eh0RnbMsgd36u5U8UFXseZBKG3VR5bycxfQx5_19ooEGLb_Y5JF5Naxtojr5vAld_zx0kHosWRrVk/s320/AC+gardenia+compltete.jpg" width="313px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ByBp5iHkl9tXPCldz-tTGOsIEikvmmrQHhauwn49PODY1mjqoyMmdnetX59-EqLSARnVDflimGarBdX8J5Gpsj0Uba6MzS7IwnFXtTQkjmnN1N92ycx4-kkCCu5MdFmBOutdRQ9fbZZ1/s1600/AC+lilac+complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ByBp5iHkl9tXPCldz-tTGOsIEikvmmrQHhauwn49PODY1mjqoyMmdnetX59-EqLSARnVDflimGarBdX8J5Gpsj0Uba6MzS7IwnFXtTQkjmnN1N92ycx4-kkCCu5MdFmBOutdRQ9fbZZ1/s320/AC+lilac+complete.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JS still life is also now complete. I love working with glazing! I am pretty happy with the color and the symbolizm. I hope the people who are getting these like them!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmWkyvFucbLdwKnND6e9b01L6X3hk7VXW2yFihQj5gDLgir_zKFFAl7_qgMTPonUnzOYVJEgFCKhm25KH8pvHzEZtTxFNojEw21mMQxrssRnM5LAt4NGWF9icUzo0KzC_tRaSxqMxATJ4/s1600/JS+complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmWkyvFucbLdwKnND6e9b01L6X3hk7VXW2yFihQj5gDLgir_zKFFAl7_qgMTPonUnzOYVJEgFCKhm25KH8pvHzEZtTxFNojEw21mMQxrssRnM5LAt4NGWF9icUzo0KzC_tRaSxqMxATJ4/s400/JS+complete.jpg" width="311px" /></a></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-17168300344128821312011-04-24T18:24:00.000-07:002011-04-24T18:24:45.097-07:00What's On the Easel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Break is over and my two commisions are about 95% complete. These little 6x6 inch squares don't look like they take a long time but they do. The biggest challenge is to focus on the text and yet allow the visuals take part too. I really love the textural qualities of these. I hope the client likes them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb34R9bNIY39m0RfRNGU_6FujCNuKtW1RNFSFvH268LGSa1gF0fUnXEhFU68zQsAxCXJJmsaCP9v6eeLJVshYm7IE6KRXXd1Yui81X3bFip0J1t6YYXy_iAJiA1Nkb1QuMiHqbppuvr4c/s1600/AC+step4+color+layers+details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb34R9bNIY39m0RfRNGU_6FujCNuKtW1RNFSFvH268LGSa1gF0fUnXEhFU68zQsAxCXJJmsaCP9v6eeLJVshYm7IE6KRXXd1Yui81X3bFip0J1t6YYXy_iAJiA1Nkb1QuMiHqbppuvr4c/s320/AC+step4+color+layers+details.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This piece has a few color layers now. Glazes are so beautiful and rich. I love the way they shimmer with color and allow the under layers to show through. This work will likely be darker around the edges so that the interior glows.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWw9TH9O27_m5c7IIaO5EBL9dShzx6rTLPNPXyxbroMnk-_m2PBLskXRu2bMX_LofIcDdDXcinRpVA_JeubirtULJzdOm2QCSsm5YaGNzeESAQSpV1SOEKafR2MKpPu2JLfBVOyz2RNcS/s1600/JS+step3+glaze+layers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWw9TH9O27_m5c7IIaO5EBL9dShzx6rTLPNPXyxbroMnk-_m2PBLskXRu2bMX_LofIcDdDXcinRpVA_JeubirtULJzdOm2QCSsm5YaGNzeESAQSpV1SOEKafR2MKpPu2JLfBVOyz2RNcS/s320/JS+step3+glaze+layers.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-83783466285874339932011-04-22T12:42:00.000-07:002011-04-22T12:42:15.159-07:00What's On the Easel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AC - Step three. Add the Image and the quote. These look really beautiful together. The hardest one is the Gardenia. White is always hard but this is getting there. Next comes some tweaks. Additions of elements that compliment what I have, lead the viewers eye and adds polish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOLqJwUCwltTvucybo-HBPsL3LlmW1kP5OXoKfzro7lr6GYzUsfAMhrsh3aMNkYUFt_B-zT83TBTP_j5MOSnh5hE4Kl4yl0o5SgWx7xJczZIYurAuNB4eLYX7gB5JTNS9yD9VuPdoZ_qd/s1600/AC+step3+image+and+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOLqJwUCwltTvucybo-HBPsL3LlmW1kP5OXoKfzro7lr6GYzUsfAMhrsh3aMNkYUFt_B-zT83TBTP_j5MOSnh5hE4Kl4yl0o5SgWx7xJczZIYurAuNB4eLYX7gB5JTNS9yD9VuPdoZ_qd/s320/AC+step3+image+and+quote.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JS: Step 3 - another glaze layer. The final colors will not be established until I am pretty happy with the values. For now the layers will remain neutral. Sheer color will be added to the top along with opaque highlights and darks if needed.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6gwd6PlBem08AdKfvxwMsNbTA8ujFbNkHkg2JpW1jgQ3sOqXQMZiqDIHIMpb76j01wL-C8QrElBRfgyfunLRa7QlpkM6dvdumkVtuPP70xWLLv0V2KoB_Dlg3yViss5sJdkQOFcghp2F/s1600/JS+step3+glaze+layer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6gwd6PlBem08AdKfvxwMsNbTA8ujFbNkHkg2JpW1jgQ3sOqXQMZiqDIHIMpb76j01wL-C8QrElBRfgyfunLRa7QlpkM6dvdumkVtuPP70xWLLv0V2KoB_Dlg3yViss5sJdkQOFcghp2F/s320/JS+step3+glaze+layer.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-78312572562539157422011-04-19T18:26:00.000-07:002011-04-19T18:26:32.937-07:00What's On the Easel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Step 2. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">These now have two layers of glaze colors. In order, Gardenia, Black Eyed Susan, Lilac. The images and quotes will go on after 4-8 layers of glazed color.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiublE9gBFvf4pVvG-BG2SLxu2EYhnsrZYqCK9EDau9X6E758VhsaJmg8ei3htEMFtC42r4-wdqiUlMtTCz0n55W3UXdZtCOh6TjZpIUDm_W7iO6ay9_ceLOV-M0hSagIqRnPL2zkfmISag/s1600/AC+step+2+glaze+layers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiublE9gBFvf4pVvG-BG2SLxu2EYhnsrZYqCK9EDau9X6E758VhsaJmg8ei3htEMFtC42r4-wdqiUlMtTCz0n55W3UXdZtCOh6TjZpIUDm_W7iO6ay9_ceLOV-M0hSagIqRnPL2zkfmISag/s320/AC+step+2+glaze+layers.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 2:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One layer of glazed color to set the drawing and begin the development of 3/D value. I used a polymer medium mixed with gold metallic. This layer mixed a bit with the graphite giving it a rich painterly texture. While this layer was still setting up I used alcohol to rub out and lift light areas. Symbolism: There are 5 objects lined up across the bottom. 4 candles and 1 vase with the Mayflowers. May is the 5th month and the Mayflower has 5 petals. Pretty neat huh! more later.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKY4MD5hNGumZrBaTE82p8ERll5t9kktc9NfoOg1WjwgFs4t42VA8TgALa7gl0nGXXyCse7TP7mLrySRSlZoLMmij6jNyZ8hO2kjACUJybaI3ocpOspzNPCqD1rit71c2IKvUtBATL6lr/s1600/JS+step2+glaze+layer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKY4MD5hNGumZrBaTE82p8ERll5t9kktc9NfoOg1WjwgFs4t42VA8TgALa7gl0nGXXyCse7TP7mLrySRSlZoLMmij6jNyZ8hO2kjACUJybaI3ocpOspzNPCqD1rit71c2IKvUtBATL6lr/s320/JS+step2+glaze+layer.jpg" width="239px" /></a></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-6050103901141164432011-04-19T06:36:00.000-07:002011-04-19T06:47:10.547-07:00What's On the Easel <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seems it's really hard to post with a full time job commitment! This week - April break, and I have two commissions to complete!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One is a series based on my "Quote Series" I'm very excited about this because it will be the first time I get to integrate my quote series idea with the concept of the client. This client wants three! This very cool idea combines three favorite flora with three lines in the Lennon "Imagine" The three flowers are gardenia, lilac and, black eyed susan. All three are 6x6 and the text will be a focus. Color will be decided based on the flowers. I decided to actually purchase a gardenia since I have never seen one in real life. WOW! The smell was intoxicating and I will definitely recall that while I create this piece. Gardenias are kind of flat and very open flowers. The white creamy petals almost don't look real. I wore my gardenia corsage to school on the last day prior to break. It reminded me all day about my commission. Step one - gesso then a textural coat of heavy body titanium white. Each one got a different treatment. More later.</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRHr8P7TpxrkGorwu8RYTztcUSDZSyFB495ZkYn5j28qBBGWUrA0zaKhNx8wvW3N2QPJly5qmDs-wETVmEQRliLyrcKWytupMpH6-oTRAd9DVI70WenHx1YjlC4iNLdAxfO9rdl5ERa5_/s1600/AC+step1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRHr8P7TpxrkGorwu8RYTztcUSDZSyFB495ZkYn5j28qBBGWUrA0zaKhNx8wvW3N2QPJly5qmDs-wETVmEQRliLyrcKWytupMpH6-oTRAd9DVI70WenHx1YjlC4iNLdAxfO9rdl5ERa5_/s200/AC+step1.jpg" width="149px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZ3GvF_wFrwoHKtgZHMsgvsAP9WkaESl1ansqCa4-jY6zPoCZuR8Ba9YdCkTU1RjengA0VS9OGhUUyfVEDDbSjU6_Lr7W2g0N6bGOur-8wbYNsI3UfZv1LtfozGHs7IJ81rxtb0ST821u/s1600/gardinia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZ3GvF_wFrwoHKtgZHMsgvsAP9WkaESl1ansqCa4-jY6zPoCZuR8Ba9YdCkTU1RjengA0VS9OGhUUyfVEDDbSjU6_Lr7W2g0N6bGOur-8wbYNsI3UfZv1LtfozGHs7IJ81rxtb0ST821u/s200/gardinia1.jpg" width="113px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrcIddEcTAvFj67PSsRdJ7P0jz1TGr4cIVZS2lBKH9TmREGHJA66yz_wYvoVHC8o5zGJBUUkcn2JBO9VUJ7iXW0CdPhf1zxaa1Bu_zJTExZEfKY1hDZRgrhb6-w_Ih2JNxkj0YtWh_I3i/s1600/gardinia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrcIddEcTAvFj67PSsRdJ7P0jz1TGr4cIVZS2lBKH9TmREGHJA66yz_wYvoVHC8o5zGJBUUkcn2JBO9VUJ7iXW0CdPhf1zxaa1Bu_zJTExZEfKY1hDZRgrhb6-w_Ih2JNxkj0YtWh_I3i/s200/gardinia2.jpg" width="192px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next commission is for a wedding in May. The painting will have a musical theme and a symbolic mayflower for the month in which they will marry. I love the still shots the client sent me for the composition. I think the interaction of the objects and the symbolic flowers will set up a quite dynamic. During my research I found out that mayflowers are considered endangered! Who knew. I plan on walking down back this week to look for pine tree that are growing near sandy, rocky soil because apparently mayflowers love that. More later.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTJtD6cLsndAtIGyQ9_Fk2Fnt3JvKwLDtQ7eKlagU4Q8vZPVbivspCTVbqbRxqD3HIS0w2xWBuuyTlZ-I7NQaWn6OWNMj5PQFVHNMzWKFexSoMYrq8c7yW8dhzH7_p9bOLRMrHv7zICcn/s1600/JS+step1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTJtD6cLsndAtIGyQ9_Fk2Fnt3JvKwLDtQ7eKlagU4Q8vZPVbivspCTVbqbRxqD3HIS0w2xWBuuyTlZ-I7NQaWn6OWNMj5PQFVHNMzWKFexSoMYrq8c7yW8dhzH7_p9bOLRMrHv7zICcn/s200/JS+step1.jpg" width="149px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rough compositional sketch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAypxgytXrf2xivg1IZjOQwCzLR96ijkNZDsBes_TUo7PsrvoMxzC8PS6Q6IdolW7lv8owfyK4lrAivzEQy2JYle9pLM6bvJSIdjzeWrGZxZ7kyivtRmQp9GCRE7DBE5KkH_KbVo_geGU/s1600/mayflower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAypxgytXrf2xivg1IZjOQwCzLR96ijkNZDsBes_TUo7PsrvoMxzC8PS6Q6IdolW7lv8owfyK4lrAivzEQy2JYle9pLM6bvJSIdjzeWrGZxZ7kyivtRmQp9GCRE7DBE5KkH_KbVo_geGU/s200/mayflower3.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-39164153211767177692011-03-31T19:19:00.001-07:002011-03-31T19:19:22.002-07:00the Sketchbook Project 2011<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350384310/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="cover if you lived here" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5350384310_c323b30963_s.jpg" alt="cover if you lived here" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349772227/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="cover2" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5349772227_aedcc8c643_s.jpg" alt="cover2" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350384974/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="cover3" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5350384974_57b466d6e7_s.jpg" alt="cover3" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350385478/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="inside cover front" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5350385478_551d4f0826_s.jpg" alt="inside cover front" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349773527/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="pick apples" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5349773527_08aca92e39_s.jpg" alt="pick apples" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350459236/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="pick pumpkins" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5350459236_650a381ac0_s.jpg" alt="pick pumpkins" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350386242/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="hang laundry" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5350386242_8113b7fbc1_s.jpg" alt="hang laundry" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350386626/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="smell a wood fire" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5350386626_21b91cc116_s.jpg" alt="smell a wood fire" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349774711/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="taste colors" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5349774711_c70c3b9b7c_s.jpg" alt="taste colors" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350387292/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="fallen leaves" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5350387292_4d4e1a0cb5_s.jpg" alt="fallen leaves" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350387656/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="watch pond fog" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5350387656_624471d55b_s.jpg" alt="watch pond fog" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349776649/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="frozen leaves" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5349776649_6d68ca7ddc_s.jpg" alt="frozen leaves" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349777033/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="acadia" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5349777033_ff841f0918_s.jpg" alt="acadia" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349777379/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="blaze orange" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5349777379_435224475b_s.jpg" alt="blaze orange" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349777695/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="see breath" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5349777695_021f477570_s.jpg" alt="see breath" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349778083/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="shrimp" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5349778083_366ef29c4a_s.jpg" alt="shrimp" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350390602/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="shrimp stew" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5350390602_f6e58a9c81_s.jpg" alt="shrimp stew" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349778863/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="drive in snow" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5349778863_ce4b161216_s.jpg" alt="drive in snow" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349779275/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="christmas decor" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5349779275_b6236b91ff_s.jpg" alt="christmas decor" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350391684/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="window frost" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5350391684_a12a73ab90_s.jpg" alt="window frost" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349779971/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="window frost2" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5349779971_f25d431897_s.jpg" alt="window frost2" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5350392368/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="snowballs" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5350392368_47a90b9296_s.jpg" alt="snowballs" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349780667/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="winter solstice" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5349780667_ac0f774f39_s.jpg" alt="winter solstice" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/5349781015/in/set-72157625684448857/" title="winters end" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5349781015_81cd697d5e_s.jpg" alt="winters end" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabickford/sets/72157625684448857/">the Sketchbook Project 2011</a>, a set on Flickr.</p></div><p>going to see the Sketchbook Project Tomorrow! YaaaaaaaY!</p>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-83380468940598922312011-02-25T13:03:00.000-08:002011-02-25T14:44:32.655-08:00Just Dessert Chapter 3<div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">This process took me four tries! Oh what you learn when you try something new! I had to dissolve one image OFF the skin due to lack of ink in spots. I also lost a great image due to incompatible mediums - the whole image crackled when I tried to seal it with matte medium! The results were cool but not usable for this! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">NOTE TO SELF: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/GoldenPaints#p/search/0/miZFvyGrHdk">using digital ground </a>is NOT a basic technique!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21SQAgOLfpogOMvjYYxR5x2PwPFqIeMs546vVz-tz7YwGYH3hpSjGYT_VEIkKYkFjBdI460eCgzGD6wlFtzOMkPByjreAr_LZn3LL2R3tWxUlE3dbtVYv8J2_CPnG4hTGv-H_w3k0qbMJ/s1600/stage+3+close+up.jpg"></a></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT42F8h9W5m7_H2DCqjzYmXiPVKbvPBz0ctGnfxn38OpvBAFXYUoQfP4eH8Yegog-5a3QIMgtHnNU-vZ_6KU-7T3ETWKtwKR9NsHeMtBHSknDw6eg0ZOSwFMrDOVmsI1BFQRZcjCGr5FK/s1600/stage+3+composing.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577737435422233906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT42F8h9W5m7_H2DCqjzYmXiPVKbvPBz0ctGnfxn38OpvBAFXYUoQfP4eH8Yegog-5a3QIMgtHnNU-vZ_6KU-7T3ETWKtwKR9NsHeMtBHSknDw6eg0ZOSwFMrDOVmsI1BFQRZcjCGr5FK/s200/stage+3+composing.jpg" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">This stage is all about composing. Only two of these elements are staying right now, the image and the quote. The rest are just possible options. My aim is to make the piece look visually yummy. This exhibition is about desserts so I want a piece that makes you feel like you do when you see a beautiful frosted cake or some other confection.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21SQAgOLfpogOMvjYYxR5x2PwPFqIeMs546vVz-tz7YwGYH3hpSjGYT_VEIkKYkFjBdI460eCgzGD6wlFtzOMkPByjreAr_LZn3LL2R3tWxUlE3dbtVYv8J2_CPnG4hTGv-H_w3k0qbMJ/s1600/stage+3+close+up.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577737440618302210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21SQAgOLfpogOMvjYYxR5x2PwPFqIeMs546vVz-tz7YwGYH3hpSjGYT_VEIkKYkFjBdI460eCgzGD6wlFtzOMkPByjreAr_LZn3LL2R3tWxUlE3dbtVYv8J2_CPnG4hTGv-H_w3k0qbMJ/s200/stage+3+close+up.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UjFenpDlVvoaSiJolAQWGpbhyphenhyphen5jA0UNQ11kcLOwG_KA4VYweUqtyzFOIhkengNdr_6TmerF7xJYgO8D6wTMwu8eUW2mKzSxJqFWlhQqvWSomqIi12SywSRguooZo5uu7zXZT6Jx_6sT5/s1600/stage+3+close+up2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577737442659753106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UjFenpDlVvoaSiJolAQWGpbhyphenhyphen5jA0UNQ11kcLOwG_KA4VYweUqtyzFOIhkengNdr_6TmerF7xJYgO8D6wTMwu8eUW2mKzSxJqFWlhQqvWSomqIi12SywSRguooZo5uu7zXZT6Jx_6sT5/s200/stage+3+close+up2.jpg" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The close up shots show how beautiful the mixed gels and mediums take the acrylic colors and create a textured and varied surface.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The author of the quote was one of the very first gastronomical writers. He wrote about the aesthetics of eating food with all senses. When you read any of the contemporary books on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=acrylic+paint+books+patti+brady&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Aacrylic+paint+books+patti+brady&ajr=3">Acrylics</a> they often speak in terms of food. Words like luscious, viscus, stringy or creamy are often used when describing acrylic mediums. My goal on this piece is to accentuate that idea.</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I really love watching some of the more creative food channel shows. I think because they are a lot like painting! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">One of my favorites is <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-best-thing-i-ever-ate/index.html">"The Best Thing I Ever Ate"</a></span></div></div></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262485415447889711.post-23933080154636838352011-02-24T17:39:00.000-08:002011-02-24T18:07:33.094-08:00Just Dessert Chapter 2<span style="font-family:arial;">Usually I use digital images in my "Quote Series." I have been using photo paper as a collage element but wanted to try the new digital ground for non porous surfaces by Golden.</span> <div><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The first step is to make a skin and I have done that many times before only THIS time I decided to use a cool new product mixed in with the skin by Tri-Art called Liquid Mirror. BIG mistake. Although liquid mirror is acrylic paint it sticks like crazy...much more than regular acrylic paint. The mixture would not pull off of my acrylic release board at all! I had to scrape it off with a putty knife! I will likely use this beautiful pile of skin, it looks like thin sheets of butterscotch ribbon candy or some kind of caramelized sugar.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97uyPwrckKbgcrb-n5xQ2EG9DmQpnOsY1fAy1my4wS4ZdEvH-l9-7k87AZg85MGB9R-jDE5AqhhZDlrbG2ZrYz3A5_V6YfaqyCUur-9XtDVTI0gORHjgNhjF7WKE39v0OmogquHtSMOPu/s1600/flop+skin+for+digital+ground+what+u+eat.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577440180027737746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97uyPwrckKbgcrb-n5xQ2EG9DmQpnOsY1fAy1my4wS4ZdEvH-l9-7k87AZg85MGB9R-jDE5AqhhZDlrbG2ZrYz3A5_V6YfaqyCUur-9XtDVTI0gORHjgNhjF7WKE39v0OmogquHtSMOPu/s200/flop+skin+for+digital+ground+what+u+eat.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv0RRPBQWSMUjpAtc9PEOAzXPcKnvuuUGHoSaR-vFi26Wi0VwquU61t3d280QyiXd-Ye6hVyz5pfNGV7Y3YIX9r_twzumoMmagXmllgwWuuQ0TzSXvjo1yYYbig9wcL_Pneq7vlx0YIWf/s1600/failed+skin+liquid+mirror+what+u+eat.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577440483353880210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv0RRPBQWSMUjpAtc9PEOAzXPcKnvuuUGHoSaR-vFi26Wi0VwquU61t3d280QyiXd-Ye6hVyz5pfNGV7Y3YIX9r_twzumoMmagXmllgwWuuQ0TzSXvjo1yYYbig9wcL_Pneq7vlx0YIWf/s200/failed+skin+liquid+mirror+what+u+eat.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The next skin worked like a charm. I laid down a coating of gel gloss and let it dry. Then a coat of the liquid mirror on top. Success! The skin lifted right off the sheet! Tomorrow I can print the image of the tea cup and lemon square right on the skin then integrate it into my painting. Next step, two coats of digital ground. The ground allows the photo to be printed with amazing clarity right on the acrylic skin.</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5rZ252NBY89KjIGryiNQul51mxOx07ufc8NseL3U_2YqZizXMatFI4kK2aQjAWnzmP0sVm7wyp8d0wmXYyiVEk_a8OdK_dDApu2UrTF90anRPANEHYLmkTfTr6KZvEMB2pAJ-HiWqeY_/s1600/success+skin+what+u+eat.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577440663481596098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5rZ252NBY89KjIGryiNQul51mxOx07ufc8NseL3U_2YqZizXMatFI4kK2aQjAWnzmP0sVm7wyp8d0wmXYyiVEk_a8OdK_dDApu2UrTF90anRPANEHYLmkTfTr6KZvEMB2pAJ-HiWqeY_/s200/success+skin+what+u+eat.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The support is a 14x14 Elephant Birch Panel. Gesso both sides first then several layers of acrylics gels and mediums. I use a variety of viscosity's and finishes so that when I add the color glazes the grounds take the color in different ways for a beautiful surface effect.</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUYMwNFFmparv92JkEMeAzmFmnUW07rNwVfcNHHKWqfTYUvAac8FILwTc1gXq5EKDmIw-h3cBrVZiwKQMfjPjvhKzxdiXNta03EZrjNtc8WfzzNAaG8vqaZLCZuA718GR1UDX_cFYuybu/s1600/quote+series+stage+1+what+u+eat.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577441112154442114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUYMwNFFmparv92JkEMeAzmFmnUW07rNwVfcNHHKWqfTYUvAac8FILwTc1gXq5EKDmIw-h3cBrVZiwKQMfjPjvhKzxdiXNta03EZrjNtc8WfzzNAaG8vqaZLCZuA718GR1UDX_cFYuybu/s200/quote+series+stage+1+what+u+eat.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">More to follow. </span></div></div></div></div>D. A. Bickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630357953968434222noreply@blogger.com0