NEW ART: September 2022

SHE'S COMPLICATED
24x36" gallery canvas 
mixed media: collage elements in the background, a variety of acrylics and finished with oil paint

Like most people, the closer you get the more complicated we all are. In this painting, you don’t see how complicated it is until you get close. Up close and personal… she’s complicated.

So, YES! Another detailed mixed media piece complete this month aside from the varnishing. Add it to the pile of other panels I have yet to varnish! Since she, and a few others, have been finished with oil paint, they each need to rest at least a full month before varnishing.

The plan is to use Gamvar Gloss varnish. On Gamblin's site it states that Gamvar can be used on oil and acrylic paintings and that Gamvar can be easily removed with Gamsol in the future if or when needed. Since this particular piece has some collage elements in the background with acrylic paint on and around them. Any of the collage paper that wasn't entirely covered in acrylic was covered with clear acrylic polymer.

Gamvar is considered a retouch varnish. While my panels need to cure for at least a month after finishing them with oil paint, a retouching varnish ensures that the young painting can still 'breathe'. According to the manufacturer, it's formulated as a low molecular weight synthetic resin varnish, Gamvar has a refractive index similar to dammar natural resin varnish. Therefore Gamvar can safely be used sooner than other varnishes. Gamvar's mild solvent will not dissolve the glaze layers of paintings. Does not yellow and remains easy to remove if necessary. Goes on water-clear and gives great depth, intensity of color, and a protective semi-gloss surface. Sounded like a good choice to me!

Anyway, this painting took an extraordinary amount of time to complete as well as plenty of concentration due to all of the detail within the hair itself. In the end, I was happy with it. I have to say that it's a fact that it stressed me out at times. I walked away from it a lot while waiting for paint to dry. I took many breaks during the detailing.

I have a habit of stressing myself because I question myself mid-stream. I think it all stems from self-doubt as an artist - something many (possibly most) artists deal with. I've found that the best way for me to deal with those moments is to push on and keep creating. While I can't always ignore negative thoughts that creep in - I can fully appreciate the times when I am on fire creatively! If I haven't had those "on fire" feelings for a while, I try to remember how good it feels when it comes.

Keep going! Keep creating!