Abstract Art Blog by Mone' Musel

San Diego

2009-06-27T12:02:00.002-05:00

My short escape and first visit to San Diego fulfilled some of my ever longing need to feel the ocean. Anything to escape the sweltering 100 + degree weather we're getting here in Texas. I adore the jagged, earthy sandstone cliffs of La Jolla, framed by a big, broad sky and 70 degree temps, wow. And the pandas and gorillas! California is a real gem...some day I'll spend more time there...I could spend days just taking pictures of the rock formations, wiggling the sand between my toes and getting to know the seals by name.....

MYSTIC FALLS - New Painting of The Day

2009-06-02T07:57:00.004-05:00

I'm up early today taking photographs of many of my new paintings. The scorching afternoon Texas heat has gotten unbearable already while the mornings are still very pleasant. I enjoy taking photographs of my work outdoors in daylight where you can really see the true colors and nuance.

Here is a sneak peek at my latest abstract landscape work entitled Mystic Falls...available through my online gallery soon. If you look into it, you will get carried into a roaring riverfall that seems to come from somewhere right out of a dream. It's quite mesmerizing...a journey....love the way it turned out but I could never recreate something like this...totally in the moment dance with my subconscious.

Title: Mystic Falls
Size: 72"x36"x1.5 (36"x24" ea. canvas)
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Please visit my online gallery to purchase

Sculptor's Paradise

2009-05-28T12:21:00.008-05:00

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of metallics. You see it everywhere hidden in my art, my paintings, my clocks, all over my wardrobe. And, boy do I love texture-so much so that I deem myself more of a paint sculptor than anything else. So, in order to really take those elements to new extremes, it makes total sense that I would feel a deep pull to full fledge sculpting. For the last few months I've been deeply engaged, thirsting if you will, to learn as much as I can about all the various sculpting techniques.

It was bound to happen when I recently moved to a new East Austin space...right next door, it turns out, to the largest metal recycling yard in town! From my third story, I've peered over that massive metal yard for over a year now, my mind churning with creative juices over the potential of tons and tons of random pieces and scraps of odds and ends, shapes and textures. Ah! An artist's treasure trove of underappreciated, lustrous metals waiting for their potential beauty to be discovered.

So, lately I've been busily studying sculpture in Austin with a very talented, master sculptor, Steve Dubov. I have learned how to bring my obsession with texture to it's absolute highest potential...pure 3d sculpture. My fascination at the moment lies in metals ie. copper, stainless steel and aluminum...clay feels fantastic too...squishing it between your fingers...but metal has my heart at the moment.

Anyway, today I just returned from my newest favorite pastime--pilfering through the metal recycling yard--where I found this box full of magic goodies. I know it looks like a pile of "whatever" to most, but to my imagination, it's pure Sculpting Heaven. The guys at the yard look at scrawny little me like they fear for my life in this moshpit of ten ton, back breaking steel. Little do they know, we are only JUST getting started..I'm certain we are going to become very good friends in the years to come!

Stay tuned to see what these diamonds in the rough turn into.......

Off to awe at my finds and gear up the drillpress.........

Paramount Theatre's 93rd Gala Fundraiser

2009-05-15T17:44:00.004-05:00

Head down to Congress Ave. tomorrow night in support of the arts and put your best bid in for one of my original paintings! As a lover of all things art, most especially visual and theater, I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the most exclusive live and silent auctions in Austin, the Paramount Theatre and State Theater's 93rd Anniversary Gala. A sell out almost every year, it plays a huge part in funding world class performing art in Austin including the historical downtown Paramount Theatre. A live concert will feature the legendary Boz Scaggs, with Kate Edmonson and Radiostar. See you there! http://www.austintheatre.org

Feeling Blue

2009-05-08T23:05:00.006-05:00

Size: (3x) 5"x5"x1.5" ea. canvas
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Price: $95
Please visit my online gallery to purchase

Here's a little sneak peek of my newest painting-part of my small works series. I have really been drawn to these gorgeous, vibrant blues lately. The middle canvas is a sheer blue over silver metallic acrylic...I really like the way they turned out...they give the room a little pop. Each one was a little experiment in itself. You'll see more Blue sneaking into my next large series of works...fits my current mood, I guess. Enjoy!

Sweet Melody...New Painting of The Day

2009-05-07T21:49:00.006-05:00

Here's a sneak preview of a new original painting I created...I haven't released it yet...I will post this beauty to my online gallery soon but here's a little looksie (in natural lighting) for grins! This piece seems to entrance everyone who sees it...they smile....and gaze...and smile....and gaze....hmmm....come to think of it, I do smile a bit more too when it's around....plus, it does look pretty darn good here in my gallery....a keeper?

Title: Sweet Melody
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 36"x36"x1.5"
SOLD

New Small Works Series

2009-05-06T14:05:00.006-05:00

Title: Untitled
Medium: Acrylic and Patina on Canvas
Size 5"x5"x1.5" ea. canvas
Price: $95
Please visit my online gallery to purchase

My sneak preview of the day is a new SMALL abstract triptych painting I just finished. I'm really excited about my new series of small abstract works on canvas and board. I'll be posting them up this week. I started working on these flirty little guys after getting several requests from clients who were looking for unique art for those smaller, awkward spaces that you find all over your place ....I started realizing that my studio gallery has them too-everywhere-so these are a welcome addition to my environment as well. Working on them has been freeing...waaaay different for me after creating only very large works for several years. I'm having too much fun with them anyways...experimenting, trying new mediums and new techniques without having to worry about committing to an entire huge canvas. Enjoy!

New Painting of the Day

2009-05-04T16:03:00.009-05:00

Here is a sneak peek at my latest creation.....I find it very calming, yet pulsing...the way you feel when a very violent storm has just passed and you are left with a tremendous sense of relief and calm.
This piece will soon be available for sale through my online gallery....enjoy!

Title: After The Storm
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 48"x48"x1.5"
Please contact me to purchase

New Painting of The Day

2009-05-03T21:37:00.003-05:00

A sneak peek at my latest creation...not yet released...but soon available for purchase through my online gallery.

Title: Lost Moon
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 18"x14"x2.5"
Please contact me to purchase

New Painting of the Day

2009-05-01T22:51:00.003-05:00

Here's a sneak peek of my newest painting to be released soon...it makes a bold, yet minimalist statement...perfect splash of burnt red for that elegant, zen environment!

Title: In The Mood
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 36"x36"x1.5"
Contact me to purchase

My Orange Aura

2009-05-01T16:33:00.004-05:00

I took this quiz the other day on Facebook. It tells you what color your "aura" is. The results are very interesting...eerily true...since I have a thing for -almost to the point of obsession with- the color orange these days....I find that just a tad of orange balances out my chi so often. Funny, because most of my life I never thought I liked orange but when I learned how to use it and incorporate it into my style, a couple of years ago...it's like me and orange are soulmates....and sometimes I have to hide the orange paint tube from sight so it won't distract me...and I will feel free to explore some other colors....quirky, I know. Here is how the test describes someone, like me, with an orange aura:

Orange personalities are the creative adventurers in the color spectrum. They have an inner urge to be creative, active and enjoy life to its fullest. They are also individual and independent and integrate physical and mental qualities. They enjoy the challenge and excitement of forming and shaping physical reality. Orange personalities love to imagine and plan strategies for their next adventure or project and then put those plans into action. They need to be involved in the actual working process and want to physically shape and form their own ideas. They have difficulty sitting back and letting other people do things for them. They are always busy building, organizing and shaping their projects and physical reality. An Orange personality's motivation in life is based on how much pleasure and satisfaction they get out of their own adventures, challenges and creative projects. They want to be adventurous, creative and live out their own ideas.

Painting of The Day

2009-04-30T07:53:00.007-05:00

Sneak preview of my newest painting, to be released soon...

Title: Dream Magic
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 48"x48"x1.5"
Contact me for purchase

One step forward...two steps back

2009-04-29T21:23:00.001-05:00

Some artists sketch out their paintings, doing studies and organizing their thoughts on paper or canvas ahead of the actual final product like wise, wise people-NOT ME! I just dive right in-some days that works like a charm...creating fresh, unpretentious ideas and concepts...and some days, like today, I curse myself to tears for not preplanning...after the self loathing, I scribble over everything, throw my paintbrushes in the sink and retire for the night...that would be right now.

On days like today, I realize I've spent hours creating something that seemed perfectly on track for a while and somewhere...along the way...things. went. terribly. wrong. One step forward--two steps back--urghhh. What was supposed to be a very warm piece turned into a TOO warm piece...or maybe I just got into a gradually cooler mood, who knows...anyway, the painting got gradually cooler until it ceased making sense and now, except for the part shown above, it's just a big mess *sigh* ...Well, maybe, just maybe I can get a nice underlayer out of it later, we'll see.

This is exactly what I mean when I say I challenge myself to find my interesting stopping point...it's knowing where to stop that makes the artist...and sometimes, when we're at that crossroads, we take the wrong path and do a full circle....better luck tomorrow.

Rainy Day Bliss

2009-04-18T13:25:00.002-05:00

We've been getting some awesome thunderstorms here in Austin. I love them, bring 'em on! Rainy days compliment all my favorite things...hot coffee, wildflowers, watching movies, good conversation, cuddling, roaring fires and of course...PAINTING! I have been in the zone all weekend getting things done, primarily my last series of paintings where I'm taking metallics and mixed media an extra step forward. Can't wait to post them....

The Galapagos

2009-04-06T14:23:00.005-05:00

I just got back from an amazing journey through the Galapagos Islands. This wildlife lover's paradise has been unspoiled by the footprints of mankind and remains an enchanting eco corner of the globe...minimally changed from its origins thousands of years back...

There is something very minimalistic about the scenery here....wide open blue skies..framing the rocky, volcanic island floor...it's all so hypnotic.....yet, look even closer and you'll see more endemic and unique species than you can possibly take in during one trip....a constant battle of the senses....between the overall landscape versus the beauty of details.

This land, for me, emphasizes the importance of negative space....and how important it is to leave room to appreciate the tranquility and the precious gems of the land.

It was a worldly, sensual experience that is certain to stick with me for some time. See my new travel blog to read more about it:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/11f645/

Visit me on Facebook!

2009-03-13T19:40:00.007-05:00

I'm on Facebook. I would love to connect with more artists and more art lovers worldwide so stop by and friend me to chat or see what's new in my unpredictable world of art, travel and pura vida. Register for a free account.
Visit me on Facebook

New York Art Expo... & The Art Pilgrimage

2009-03-04T15:09:00.005-06:00

It's been a while since I've written; lately I've been doing a lot of soul searching...trying to figure out what direction I need to focus on in my career going forward...should I focus more on art shows versus internet sales versus retail venues etc?...it seems like there are so many different roads you can take as an artist, especially as a self represented artist. And, after wearing 10 hats, when you're at your most tired, the ever present thought of just handing all the grueling details over to a third person gallery is always looming there in the not so far distance.

Being an artist is a lonely job. You spend 90% of your time working alone...or with the guys at Fed Ex or the art store folks...blah...solitude can be a necessary evil if your art requires it...but...then we crash...and realize that it is absolutely essential that we get out of the studio to seek new inspiration, new artistic visions......absorb it...all types, forms and mediums....and ultimately fan the artistic flame....Introducing new thoughts to ourselves, seeing artists breaking the rules...awe, the courage...it can be very freeing...healing...even if you don't purchase a thing...

In the last couple of months I've dipped my muse into the oh so enlightening artscape of New Mexico which is so far my #1 favorite place to go when I need a good kick in the butt of artistic inspiration. I'll tell you more about that later....

Then last weekend I made a pilgrimage to the 2009 New York Art Expo, looking to find the holy grail of artistic talent.

Now, holy grail it was not...New Mexico still far outweighs the Expo experience, as far as I'm concerned, but there was definitely a lot of art to be seen-a couple of artists that I really admired-and many, many networking possibilities. A few more "cheap, painting mill" stuff out of China than I was expecting but...for the most part...

Has anyone out there tried exhibiting at New York Art Expo? If so, how did it work out?

Going to extremes

2009-01-04T15:22:00.008-06:00

Ok, for some reason I can't pin down yet, I find myself in the mood lately to make really, really tiny paintings and really, really HUGEMONGOUS paintings...like some of the biggest yet....wonder what this means...hmmm???....in any case, I am going to be starting and finishing a whole series of both in the coming weeks so if you are curious, stay posted to see what these turn into.........

अर्त्फुल न्यू इयर!

2009-01-02T13:10:00.002-06:00

Artful New Year to all my fellow art loving friends! One of my New Year's resolutions for 2009 is to blog more, about art, about life, about travel...whatever...it's just nice to be able to ramble...to connect...to throw caution to the wind....let down the guard a bit...tune in to see if I can keep this one.....

Ecuador

2008-09-17T22:19:00.004-05:00

My travels through Ecuador this month have far surpassed my expectations and my expectations were pretty fantastic. My soul was crying out for the rainforest for a while now and it´s finally content after spending some time in the Amazon jungle and being as close to nature as one can possibly get. Every time I visit the jungle I find new colors and textures that amaze me...how does nature sculpt such intricate patterns? It astounds me that you can find actual primary colors almost patchwork quilted in the feathers of a bird like the Paradise Tanager and the Amazon Trogon.

I could hike these forests all the way down to Brazil if they´d let me! I´ll definitely be back in the spring to visit the Galapagos. There is just so much for the nature lover or adventure lover to do here it´s overwhelming.

I had an amazing experience a few days ago in Coca where my inn had a garden full of wild animals running around. I was in absolute heaven especially since there were NO tourists anywhere to be found and about 10 squirrel monkeys jumping all over me eating plantains from my hand, entertaining me like old friends. Also running around were coatimundis, another huge black fluffy monkey, green macaws, a wolverine, and jungle turkeys. I could of stayed there all week and been totally thrilled!

Quito is an adventure in itself...So different from anywhere I´ve been to date. There is a wonderful sense of culture here and picturesque views from every angle. One part of the town is cobblestones and colonial buildings, the old town, while the other is new and modern, so whatever suits your mood for the day I guess. The whole experience has been sensory overload which is why I travel. Like I always say after each journey...I think I need a vacation now!

Lighting...ooh la la

2008-09-04T21:29:00.002-05:00

Over the years, I've sold hundreds of paintings online and have had the chance to meet some amazing people, most of whom I have never had the chance to meet in person since they usually live out of state or out of the country. Every now and then my collectors will send me photos of my work hanging in their homes or offices, which is always so cool!

So, lately I've been working a lot with clients in person as well, helping them to select work and, in some cases, to hang work in their homes.

Well, suddenly a light bulb went off...literally!

Better late than never, but I've started to notice that not everyone thinks about their lighting when hanging art. Which is something you just kind of take for granted as the artist sending your work out to the world without ever seeing where it will be hanging. But, lighting is just as crucial an ingredient to a painting as the paint itself. Adding a little light will completely transform the way a painting looks. The colors will change dramatically depending on the intensity of the light in the room.

This is especially true with my own work in particular.

When I paint, I I work under a full scope of lights to create interesting textures and colors, all the while sculpting the way that the light interplays with the surfaces I'm creating.

Anyway, I always have fun doing a little lighting demonstration for my clients. Their faces light up, pardon the pun, when I show them how adding light can make their painting "come alive."