3/30/2025 12:28:14 PM

Continuing the abstract journey

Dana Pelham (Art by Dana) / Comment on this

                                                                           

 

Started fleshing the thought and image out but still not sure of where I'm going with this... all thoughts appreciated.

 

On another note starting a new series called water... below is the first offering.

 

 

 

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3/15/2025 5:26:32 PM

Playing with abstract

Dana Pelham (Art by Dana) / Comment on this

As a new endeavour I'm experimenting with abstracts; in this one a 36 x 24 oil on wood board my mood was one that bespoke of a cavelike confinement while at the same time I felt a need to explore human form.  Although initially rock structure was a core intention I began to feel a need for more colour and form so introduced life forms and some crystalline aspects... now I'm not sure where to go with this...still playing about... any thoughts appreciated. 

 

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3/14/2025 3:03:22 PM

A New Beginning

Dana Pelham (Art by Dana) / Comment on this

Hi and hello, 

 

First a little about me,

 

Here I am, redefining who I am once again at 68 years old! New to web pages and blogs, as that wasn't a part of previous iterations of my existence. But forging forward nonetheless. I love art, all forms of art and over the years have dabbled in pen and ink, water colours, sketching in multiple mediums, block printing, relief carving, pottery, multi-medium works and of course oil and acrylic painting.

Although I'm an untrained artist I have had the privilege to teach art classes to children's groups, seniors groups and art for therapy groups through my associations in recreation.  The joy that has brought to others has always struck a cord with me and fed the part of me that needs art in my life. During the Covid shutdown I was also privileged to run an art appreciation group online for a recreational organization, discussing both past masters and contemporary artists. I learned just how very passionate and knowledgeable people are when it comes to the topic of art, and in the process learned as much from them as they from me. A part of me has always wanted to work exclusively as an artist, these experiences as well as retirement has inspired and enabled that for me.

My approach is one where I generally do not particularly plan out my piece or even my approach to how I will construct it. Rather I search my mood and emotional state and let that dictate perhaps a concept which may lead to a series of pieces or just an individual piece. either way my technique is constantly in flux. Often I'll just pick a colour matching my mood and throw some paint on the canvas letting it speak to me as to form as I move it about. Having set a mood and a general sense of form I begin fleshing out the work. Years ago I was much more structured always refining the image and correcting perceived errors in values such as perspective, light, form, tonality and such. I've come to appreciate however the feeling that can sometimes come from these flaws and now incorporate them were it seems to work.

I'm writing this blog to share my journey with anyone who may be interested, and to create some interaction with others who share a love for art.

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