Abstract Design X

This design is like a mandala to my mind. I like the sense of water flowing and the flames of fire in the one digital painting. This is part of my wrapping paper design series but I am not sure if it would be good for this purpose. It is very different from much of my work – except I do feel incredible motion in this painting and does evoke an emotional response in me. Actually, now that you mention it, there is also a richness of color that is in harmony with my other artwork.

Abstract Design X, Digital © Diane Clancy

That is what I want to share about in this post tonight … this being different from much of my work. Lately I shared the quote “I love the whimsical and poetic quality of your work. A true inspiration!” I am very excited about a fellow artist (or anyone for that matter) seeing my work that way.

I have often spoken of color being the underlying unifying theme of my work. This quote from yesterday is making wonder if a “whimsical and poetic quality” could also be applied to my paintings of all kinds. When I think through my work, perhaps this does cross from my oil paintings to my kitty paintings to my designs.

But I have on my mind tonight … am I too spread out? Some reading today suggests that very important to specialize. To not do work that is different from what one usually does. I am going to continue this topic again.

~ Diane Clancy

Emanate II

This image has me going in several different directions at once. Sometimes it looks very cosmic to me with vision or an eye in the center, with cosmic rays radiating out. Other times it seems to be an icon for modern culture – somewhat garish and not quite on target. Either way to me it does look like a mandala – not like Sue O’Kieffe’s mandalas – but one nevertheless.

Emanate II, Digital © Diane Clancy

This is a digital painting that I made with Studio Artist. Sue has asked in a comment about this program and how it differs from Photoshop. When I am less tired, I will explain some of the differences. If you look at “Conundrum I” on the sidebar and then look at “Emanate II” again, you may be able to see some resemblance.

In this creative process I was playing with Studio Artist to understand how it works and I used “Conundrum I” as a base image to play with. Hint: with Studio Artist, you always start with opening a “source image.” You don’t have to use it – but you need to have it. When I look at “Emanate II,” I see “Conundrum I” very strongly – having spent dozens of hours creating “Conundrum I,” I know many of the scraps of quilting fabric quite well!

Let me know what you think. Do you see “Conundrum I’? Do you see an icon or a mandala? Or what else do you think?

- Diane Clancy

Animals III

I am sure that all these animals are journeying somewhere important. Clearly, there is a specific place they are going – even though the path is winding … do you know where they are traveling?

Animals III, Digital © Diane Clancy

This is a digital painting that  will be very good for licensing. I think these animals are incredibly fun and fanciful. The curves of the animals follow the curves of the paths they are following. Unlike much of my work, the colors are a little muted. Again,  these designs would be great cards and wrapping paper.

I am so hopeful that this weekend I can make some progress at getting my work more widely available at Etsy and ArtFlock. I am so excited – I think this is the right timing for me – and hopefully for the market! A new, important step for me.

~ Diane Clancy

Animals IV

This is one of the “Vivid Whimsical Designs” that I mention on the art business card that I am working on right now – see my other blog, Diane Clancy’s Art Blog. Lisa Call (blog.lisacall.com) made a helpful comment that sends me – and hopefully you in a slightly different direction.

Animals IV, Digital © Diane Clancy

In a comment, Lisa says, “Love the business card but I guess I’m not so excited about digitally enhanced as a phrase to describe what you do. It sounds so technical to me. You are doing something more decorative/arty – digital sounds to sterile to me for what you are doing. I’d also toss the word “digitally” because it doesn’t matter how you do it – you want someone to understand what it is. What type of enhancement are you doing? What word would you use for that?”

Lisa continues, “Colorful, Joyful, Playful, Nature … If I were you I’d make a huge list of words that describe the additions you make and maybe a combination will jump out at you. “

I think this puts the finger on what has been not quite clicking for me – whew! I think that “Animal Images” still works … but maybe in playing around something better will emerge. As I have been saying, each of you have contributed greatly – thank you. I am still *very* open to hearing your suggestions – particularly in this direction.

~ Diane Clancy