David K. Small, studio-art blog

Tiger Back

2012-01-25T00:00:00.004-07:00

Tiger Back
acrylic on canvas 96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

First Frost

2012-01-18T00:00:00.007-07:00

First Frost
acrylic on canvas 96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Canyon Flames

2012-01-11T00:00:00.047-07:00

Canyon Flames
acrylic on canvas 96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Abstract 6009

2012-01-04T00:00:00.002-07:00

Abstract 6009
acrylic on canvas
96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Through The Old Window

2011-12-28T00:00:00.001-07:00

Through The Old Window
acrylic on canvas
96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Whirlwind

2011-12-20T16:20:00.000-07:00


	Whirlwind acrylic on canvas 96" x 72" click images to enlarge

Mirror Marble

2011-12-14T00:00:00.002-07:00

Mirror Marble
acrylic on canvas
96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

A Star Is Born

2011-12-07T00:00:00.003-07:00

A Star Is Born
acrylic on canvas
96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Under The Surface Reflection

2011-11-30T00:00:00.001-07:00

Under The Surface Reflection
acrylic on canvas
96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Drifter

2011-11-23T12:01:00.002-07:00

Drifter
acrylic on canvas
96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Going With The Flow

2011-11-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Going With The Flow
acrylic on canvas
96" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Inner Triangles

2011-11-04T00:00:00.002-06:00

Inner Triangles
acrylic on canvas
90" x 70"

click image to enlarge

In All Its Glory

2011-11-04T00:00:00.001-06:00

In All Its Glory
acrylic on canvas
100" x 70"

click image to enlarge

Droplets

2011-11-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

Droplets
acrylic on canvas
96" x 96"

click image to enlarge

Floating Marble

2011-11-01T13:35:00.000-06:00

Floating Marble
acrylic on canvas
58" x 53"

Orange Circle

2011-11-01T13:04:00.001-06:00

Orange Circle
acrylic on canvas
60" x 70"

Vibrations

2011-11-01T12:33:00.001-06:00

Vibrations
acrylic on canvas
36" x 72"

click image to enlarge

Abstract 6004

2011-10-07T14:23:00.002-06:00

Abstract 6004 (72" x 48")
acrylic on canvas

This painting will be a background for my upcoming 2012 calendar.
(My thought at this time is, September.)

click image to enlarge

Abstract 6002

2011-10-05T12:24:00.008-06:00

Abstract 6002 (72" x 48")
acrylic on canvas

click image to enlarge

Five Red Dots

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-06:00

(click image above to enlarge)

So much of what I used was fluid, I worked on this flat on a table, as opposed to upright on an easel. With that view point, the "ladder" appeared more like floating stepping stones over a channel of fire. Since it was meant as a shape and not an actual ladder, I am happy with that image or perspective.

I was afraid the darker left side (see below) was going to appear too dark but making the wiggly curved lines off-white prevent that. The red dots pull the fiery color over to the left to spread it out well enough without taking focus away from the "ladder" or fiery path.

I saw I needed to add a small touch of color away from the "ladder" to balance out the fiery orange (actually red and yellow paint), so I used the complement blue to edge the raised wiggly curved lines (above). The "stepping stones" have blue in them so I wasn't introducing a new color. When this turned out to be too intense, I muted the blue with a wash of silver which blended in with the background greys and purples.

The "frosting" on the right side (above) was painted with raw sienna and then parchment, on which I put blue, purple and gold washes. The dots there are made with my own texture medium and are left unpainted.

The "stepping stones" (above) are painted with parchment, blue, and a wash of gold. The top of each is edged with yellow and the bottoms are underlined with a purple wash for a shadow effect. I like that this gives each a three-dimensional look to them. I kept both sides of the "ladder" area light to be a soft transition to the areas on either side.

I originally thought the cut marks in the texture medium, between the "ladder" and curved-line area (above), would fill dark enough to stand out. It turned out that they didn't so I switched the value and brought over the lighter colors from the right. It not only gave the cut marks the loose definition they needed but also helped spread out the light parchment color further. This area was textured more with raw sienna and parchment, applied with a palette knife, then colored with purple, green and gold washes.

When I thought I was done, it didn't seem right I had dots of paint on both the left and right sides but not in the middle. I didn't want to introduce more color. With so much texture causing shadows over the piece, I knew black would work. For added interest, I used micaceous iron oxide instead of basic black. Each black dot (above) looks as if it is made of shiny metal and not acrylic paint. As an unexpected bonus, these dots, added to the others, gives a bumpy texture over the entire piece now. That also helps unify the four areas.

In all the dimples that I made with a dremel, I put in a speck of blue. It catches the eye nicely when viewed close and makes use of the blue throughout the entire surface. My initials are carved into the texture medium in the lower right corner.

As I indicated above, I am very satisfied with this painting. I have four areas of interest not hard-outlined from one another, a variety of textures that transition well, color balance and eye-catching details. I am not a fan of orange however there is enough in this piece to tone it down for me to enjoy it.

This painting is ready to hang and supported with bracing on the back which makes it seem to float away from the wall. The edges are painted black, blending into the shadows created on the wall.

Vivid Mineral

2011-08-11T12:24:00.008-06:00

Vivid Mineral (48" x 72")
acrylic on canvas

Canopy Ablaze

2010-05-17T00:00:00.004-06:00

Canopy Ablaze
acrylic on acid-free heavy hand-made paper
24" x 24" unframed

click image to enlarge

Ocean Flora

2010-05-16T00:00:00.003-06:00

Ocean Flora
acrylic on acid-free heavy hand-made paper
24" x 32" unframed

click image to enlarge

Slice of Agate

2010-05-10T00:00:00.002-06:00

Slice of Agate
acrylic on panel / 24" x 36", floats off wall

click image to enlarge

Space Cloud

2010-04-29T00:00:00.030-06:00


Space Cloud acrylic on panel 8"x10" unframed click images to enlarge

Liquid Rock

2010-04-26T00:00:00.036-06:00


Liquid Rock acrylic on panel 8" x 12" unframed Volcano images in the news inspired this little work. *click images to enlarge*

Van Dyke Red

2010-04-22T00:00:00.003-06:00


Van Dyke Red acrylic on cradled panel 24" x 24" unframed textured with acrylic mediums and textile pieces

Earthly Abstract III

2010-04-18T00:00:00.014-06:00


Earthly Abstract III acrylic on panel 11" x 14" unframed click images to enlarge	(close-up)
Colors used: quinacridone burnt orange, unbleached titanium, green gold, sepia, yellow oxide, black, raw umber

Earthly Abstract II

2010-04-17T00:00:00.017-06:00


Earthly Abstract II acrylic on panel 11" x 14" unframed very textured click images to enlarge	(close-up)
Colors used: quinacridone burnt orange, unbleached titanium, green gold, sepia, yellow oxide, black, raw umber

Bottom of the Bed

2010-04-15T00:00:00.010-06:00


Bottom of the Bed (think riverbed) acrylic on panel 8"x9" unframed	click images to enlarge

End Of Time

2010-04-13T00:00:00.003-06:00


End Of Time acrylic on panel 11" x 14" unframed		*click images to enlarge*

Blue Marble

2010-04-10T00:00:00.008-06:00

Blue Marble
acrylic on panel
11" x 14" unframed

click images to enlarge

I created this just to prove to someone I could do it with acrylics (as opposed to oils) in under an hour. I made three in forty-five minutes. This was dry by the time her hour was up. She is now going to give the new acrylics a try. I used only three colors (blue, purple, white).

(I did not use the traditional marbling technique where color is floated on a surface medium then manipulated.)

Good Old Days

2010-04-02T00:00:00.005-06:00


Good Old Days acrylic on canvas covered cradled panel sides painted also, very textured 24" x 24" ready to hang *click images to enlarge*

Sun Water Land Abstract

2010-03-18T00:00:00.095-06:00


acrylic on canvas-wrapped braced-panel, 24" x 36" framing not necessary, appears to float away from wall I had a very difficult time taking photos of the full view. I am still not pleased. So much detail seems lost to me and the light purples in the water area seem to disappear (see close-up images below). Even though there is a lot of detail in this work, it went very fast. I really like this painting and haven't decided yet if I am willing to part with it, at least not until I get a professional series of images. Then I can have giclées made, for myself and/or to sell. To view details, please click on the close-up images to enlarge.

Touch of Violet

2010-03-16T00:00:00.004-06:00


Touch of Violet acrylic on canvas wrapped cradled-panel 24" x 24" x 1-3/4" deep click images to enlarge Iridescent violet (and some iridescent blue) on textured black background makes this piece very shiny and reflective. Intensity changes as one moves about while viewing it, and as light changes. Ready to hang, no framing necessary as the panel is cradled - sides painted / textured same as front.

Greek Key

2010-03-13T00:00:00.006-07:00

Greek Key

acrylc on canvas on panel

24" x 24"

(floats, frame not necessary)

Organic Abstract 03/11/10

2010-03-11T00:00:00.012-07:00


Organic Abstract 03/11/10 acrylic on panel 11" x 14" (unmat/framed)	*click images to enlarge*

Organic Abstract 03/10/10

2010-03-10T00:00:00.003-07:00


Organic Abstract 03/10/10 acrylic on panel 11"x14" (unmat/framed) Greens, yellows, metallics gold and copper. Textured. click image to enlarge

Organic Abstract 03/09/10

2010-03-09T00:00:00.046-07:00


Organic Abstract 03/09/10 acrylic on panel 11"x14" (unmat/framed) Deep turquoise, greens, yellows, metallics gold and copper. Textured. click image to enlarge

Vineyard Sunset

2010-03-07T00:00:00.010-07:00


Vineyard Sunset acrylic on panel 8" x 10" (w/o mat & frame) click images to enlarge (and see all the grapes)
Oranges, yellows, magenta, purples, and metallic gold (shown here as the reflection in the images).

Grape Juice

2010-03-06T00:00:00.008-07:00


Grape Juice acrylic on panel 10" x 7-1/2" (w/o mat&frame) click images to enlarge The image to the right shows the acrylic medium texture that I first applied to the panel.

Colored Snow

2010-02-26T00:01:00.014-07:00

Colored Snow
acrylic, texture medium on panel
7" x 11" (unframed)

click images to enlarge

I made this simply to experiment with a new acrylic texture medium. Before it was painted it looked just like snow crystals.

Orange Bark

2010-02-23T00:00:00.004-07:00

Orange Bark

acrylic on panel
6" x 11"
textured

oranges
greens
gold

~ click image to enlarge ~

Red Dots

2010-02-20T00:00:00.216-07:00

Red Dots
24" x 24"
acrylic on canvas on panel

(panel floats away from wall, ready to hang)

Click any image below to enlarge.

What I did for intergration is to add a lot of small dots of various colors, to pull in color from surrounding areas. For added interest and to draw the eye, are the large red dots. Because of their size and the amount of paint to create them, I did these on level glass first. Once dry, I carefully scraped them off the glass and secured them to the background (with acrylic gel) after playing around with various placements. The stippled lines (lines changing direction without crossing) I added just because I wanted some sort of lines in this piece. In three areas I added pumice gel (actual ground pumice in an acrylic gel) and painted it to blend-in with what was surrounding each area. This greatly added texture, something else I desired here. Each has metallic gold dry-brushed over the peeks (which rise at least 1/4"), evident as the bright reflection spots on their close-up images below.

The long yellow area (top "centerish") in the Before background (see below) I didn't like. No matter how I rotated the panel it stood out too much. So as you can see in the After image, I shortened it. It still drew my eye too much, (yellow does that) so I added the stippling (with a complementary color, purple) to give one something to see there and to tone down the yellow. I did a lot of little puddles of thin watery-color to give the eye something to see upon closer inspection (see upper right corner of first close-up image for an example). A reward of details. This created added blending, ripples, veining and such. In some areas there is faint gold glazing which catches and reflects light nicely as one moves about in front of the hanging work. You can see some of this in the close-ups were it pooled into cravesses.

Click on the image below to enlarge a side-by-side Before and After image.

Now I know some of you will prefer the Before Image over what I did to it. That's okay and please don't hesitate to tell me (but please say why so I understand you). As the artist I have to do what I like, and so I did. You not liking what I did does not make it wrong, or me right, and I will not be offended if you tell me so. This will hang on one of my walls until someone else just has to have it. In person there is so much to look at than what is captured in these images.

Pin Stripes

2010-02-18T00:00:00.003-07:00

Pin Stripes

acrylic on panel
11" x 14" (unframed)
channel texture

~ click image to enlarge ~

Strata Cut

2010-02-16T00:00:00.024-07:00

Strata Cut

acrylic on panel
11" x 14"
heavy impasto.
micaceous iron oxide.
metallics: bronze, copper, gold. unbleached titanium, terra rosa, sepia, burnt orange, dioxazine purple.

~ click image to enlarge ~

First in Earth Series.

Turquoise Woman

2010-02-14T00:00:00.005-07:00

Turquoise Woman
acrylic on panel
palette knife painting
8" x 16" unframed

Click close-up image below
to enlarge

This work was painted with just a palette knife, shown above.

Circle With Squares

2010-02-06T00:00:00.011-07:00

Circle With Squares

acrylic on two panels

each panel - 8" x 16" (unframed)

~ click on images to enlarge ~

Purple and Gold

2010-02-05T00:00:00.010-07:00

Purple and Gold

acrylic on canvas on panel

30" x 30" (unframed)

~ click on images to enlarge ~

Split

2010-02-04T00:00:00.012-07:00

Split

acrylic on two panels

each panel, 8" x 16"

~ click images to enlarge ~

I envisioned two panels, matted and framed as depicted above, to look as though they were one panel when painted, then cut apart. They actually were side-by-side when painted. They could also be shown individually matted and framed, and hung side-by-side.

Orange and Blue with Gold

2010-02-01T00:00:00.010-07:00

Orange and Blue Abstract with Gold

acrylic on panel

11" x 14" (not matted/framed)

hues of orange and blue, magenta and metallic gold

tree bark-like texture

~ click image to enlarge ~

Bronzed Web

2010-01-19T00:00:00.004-07:00

Bronze Web

acrylic on canvas on panel

24" x 16" unframed

(floats, framing not necessary)

~ click image to enlarge ~

What may not be very evident in these images is the "brown" texture you are seeing is actually metallic bronze (highly reflective). This painting is all about the texture and is very rich looking. The edges (unseen here) are painted solid bronze so this work does not necessarily need to be framed to appear finished. It is ready to hang and floats away from the wall. This is one of my favorite pieces to just stare at.

Close-up view:

Incoming: From out of the Darkness

2010-01-16T00:00:00.004-07:00

Incoming: From out of the Darkness

acrylic on canvas on boxed panel

24" x 24" x 3/4" deep

(ready to hang)

~ click images to enlarge ~

I like blue, I like texture, I like geometry, I like the red glazing, but I don't like this painting. Well I don't dislike it either really. Some others who have seen it in person actually like it a lot. So, I am going to do another, same design (probably) and see where that takes me. That is why I posted this. Now I have to do another because you will be expecting to see it. I am so glad you are there. Perhaps you can say why I don't like it?

Laced One

2010-01-10T00:00:00.006-07:00

Laced One

acrylic on canvas on boxed panel

24" x 18" x 1" deep

(ready to hang)

~ click image to enlarge ~

Pretty obvious I used a lot of different kinds of lace to create the texture. Kept it almost monochromatic. I learned if I didn't, multicolored distracts from the texture. I have been working on Lace Two for over a year now - still playing with color. I don't think it photographs well, or I haven't done well with lighting, so do check out and enlarge the close-up images below.

~ click images to enlarge ~

Circles

2010-01-08T00:08:00.024-07:00

Circles

acrylic on canvas on boxed panel

(circles continue on painted sides)

24" x 24" x 1.5" deep

boxed, ready to hang

~ click image to enlarge ~

River Of Fire

2010-01-07T00:00:00.006-07:00

River Of Fire

acrylic on canvas on panel,

16" x 24" unframed

(floats or can be framed)

~ click image to enlarge ~

Gilded Crinkle

2010-01-04T00:13:00.009-07:00

Gilded Crinkle

acrylic and gold leaf on canvas on panel

24" x 24" (floats or can be framed)

~ click image to enlarge ~

Paint colors: brilliant blue, cerulean blue, prism violet, quinacridone blue violet, quinacridone burnt orange, cadmium orange, iridescent gold fine, and 14 karat gold leaf.

Canvas wraps to the back of the panel. Can hang by the bracing making the painting appear to float off the wall, or may be framed. Very textured. Highly reflective - hues really pop out when it is spotlighted (shown below) - very dramatic and interesting.

~ click image to enlarge ~

Nautilus 1

2010-01-02T00:10:00.017-07:00

Nautilus 1

acrylic on canvas on panel

24" x 30" x 1"

sides painted, does not need to be framed

~ click image to enlarge ~

Pumice

2010-01-01T11:11:00.010-07:00

Pumice

acrylic on canvas on boxed panel

16" x 24" x 1.5" deep

(sides painted as well, no frame needed)

~ click image to enlarge ~

This work is so named because I used an acrylic medium with pumice in it (Golden "Pumice Gel") to create the main texture. I also used Golden "Tar Gel" which is more evident in the close-up images below. This is a very glossy piece, thus the shine in the images (sorry, my claim to fame isn't photography). Private collection.

Fire In The Sky

2009-12-31T00:22:00.005-07:00

Fire In The Sky

abstract acrylic on canvas on panel

12" x 24" unframed

~ click image to enlarge ~

Geometry On Blue

2009-12-29T12:02:00.009-07:00

Geometry On Blue

acrylic abstract on panel, 16"x20" unframed

~ click image to enlarge ~

The circles, large triangle, stripes and checkered-shape are thick (1/8"+) impasto, where the other shapes are flat on the surface. The backround is textured as well.

close-up

~ click image to enlarge ~

FYI - In English, the borrowed Italian word impasto most commonly refers to a technique used in painting, where paint is laid on an area of the surface (or the entire canvas) very thickly, usually thickly enough that the brush or painting-knife strokes are visible. Paint can also be mixed right on the canvas. When dry, impasto provides texture, the paint coming out of the canvas. Impastoed paint serves several purposes. First, it makes the light reflect in a particular way, giving the artist additional control over the play of light on the painting. Second, it can add expressiveness to the painting, the viewer being able to notice the strength applied by the artist. Third, impasto can push a painting into a three dimensional sculptural rendering. (quoted from Wikipedia)

Aged

2009-09-26T18:51:00.007-06:00

Aged
40" x 40" / acrylic on canvas on panel

Spark

2009-09-25T18:50:00.007-06:00

Spark
20" x 60" / acrylic on canvas on panel

Warm Agate

2009-09-24T18:54:00.008-06:00

Warm Agate
36" x 44" / acrylic on canvas on panel

Kitchen Collage

2008-01-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Kitchen Collage

cut-outs from magazines / acrylic medium

24" x 36" stretched canvas frame

~ click images to enlarge ~

I don't make a lot of collages but they are a fun challenge - that being trying to get everything you want exposed, not covering it with what you add after, without leaving any holes... balancing color, lines, shapes (lots of round things here), texture, subject, text / images... oh, and no air bubbles - big challenge in itself. It is also important to have places the eye can go to rest and/or focus on. In this case I included recipes, large type, large "solids" and even a story-line. I only included images of things I like to eat or that have some relevance. Can you tell I have dogs ? (Okay, I ate Milk-Bones as a kid too.) I love the lady with the bowl. I wonder what she was eating? It must have been very good! For some reason I really love this piece. It pleases me to look at it. I would never part with it.

Close-up:

Super Friends, comic collage

2008-01-01T00:00:00.000-07:00


Super Friends paper on panel with acrylic matte medium / 24" x 36" This collage was made by cutting out images from two books: DC Comics: A Celebration of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes and Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics. Both books I bought from alibris.com for $0.99 (actually bought two of each). I used an acrylic matte medium to adhere the pieces and top coat the work. This project took awhile to do. Not because of the time to cut out everything but in the arrangement, trying to balance color, tone, texture, characters, text, and to make sure what I wanted shown wasn't covered up by something else. (Also to hide what I didn't want to show.) I worked in a two phase process. First the background then the main characters. Some images seemed too new looking so I distressed them before gluing them down. My goal was to create a piece in which the more you look at it the more you see. *Click images to enlarge.*

Some Pen and Ink

2007-01-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

Fungi Town 16"x20" (closeup images on my web site.)

Landing 16"x20" (closeup images on my web site.)

Waiting For Dinner 13"x20" (closeup images on my web site.)

Today 16"x20" (closeup images on my web site.)

Sunflower study

2007-01-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sunflower Study

11" x 14" (unframed)

Pen & Ink, Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils

Strathmore 400 series 140# watercolor paper

~ click image to enlarge ~

No Going Back

2007-01-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

No Going Back

Concept Study

shown in 16" x 16" mat

(real mat is actually black)

Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Strathmore 400 series 140# watercolor paper

click close-up image to enlarge

This, That or the Other

2007-01-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

This, That or the Other

16" x 16" (shown in a square black mat.)

Concept Study. Prismacolor Pencils. Pen & Ink (Staedtler Archival Pigment Liners).
Strathmore 400 series 140# watercolor paper.

~ Click on close up images to enlarge ~

Winter Bunny

2007-01-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Winter Bunny

10" x 12" (unframed)

Pen & Ink, Prismacolor Pencils (study)

Strathmore 400 series 140# watercolor paper

~ click image to enlarge ~