Wrapping Up 2023

Another year coming to an end. This one went super fast for me! Now it's time for a holiday break. I've got different things I'll be working on for a time, including wrapping up the corporate side of things and closing out the calendar year. But, I'm also going to take some recharge time. Time to spend with loved ones and time just to chill without any formal plans

I moved toward the end of 2023 by continuing to paint small and incorporate new techniques. This will continue into next year by adding and mixing more abstracted elements with realism. The two pieces you can see below, they were created by adding Liquitex Matte Gel. The gel is thick. I can admit it was scary as hell putting that palette knife into the container and spreading a thick layer of gel over the initial image. Mainly because the gel itself is white and it totally obliterates the image. Once it dries it creates a hazy effect, like something foggy or something underwater. You can add more paint over that if you want to. Eventually, I'll test the effects I can get from multiple layers. 

I'm excited to see where this all goes! The creative experiments will continue into the new year. I've got some gold leaf, mica powders, color changing powders, liquid gold leaf and more stuff to play around with. I've also stocked up on paint during recent sales, I should be good there for the bulk 2024. 

​It'll be interesting to see where I'm at creatively at the end of next year.

DAYDREAM 10x10" mixed media
1-1/2" deep gallery canvas with sides painted black

INGENUE 8x8" mixed media
1-1/2" deep gallery canvas with sides painted black