A week today

This is it!  A week before our show opening on July 18^th.  Geez….. now not only does production of the work get a bit more time conscious but the technicalities of getting the show on the road become apparent!

I have finished 20 pieces, the majority painted for this show has opened new doors in my creative journey, not only in the painting process, but also in the preparatory steps prior to dipping my brush into colour.  A lot of research went into each piece, ideas drawn from sketches, some came instantly, yet others took months to visualise.

Getting comfortable with plans abandoned to a different path was daunting. Erika has truly inspired me to be more that I could be as a painter, from this I believe I have grown in many ways as a visual artist. The vision we had towards this show inspired me to push forward. 

I am thankful for my family who understood my everyday work mode and gave me the space to create! 

Detail for "Rhapsody in Blue" 80" x 120" Mixed Media

As I finalise details, varnish each piece, wrap then deliver them to the gallery, I am filled with pleasure that each painting has a special story to share.  A journey that I hope you can experience shortly.

 

Hugs,

Marissa

www.marissasweet.com

My Nemesis!

For the past two weeks, I have been painting a 36" x 36" canvas for my Passages Between Two Worlds exhibition and as soon as I thought it was finished, I had a spark of madness!!

This piece is called " My Nemesis" inspired by a sculpture of my artist friend Erika Takacs. It took about 3 months to come up with the concept and how to assemble my ideas.  I decided on a mixed media piece and started collecting materials to help tell my story.

Paint, assembly, collage... work work work...then two days ago, I decided to add another layer of mixed media which took the painting into a place I did not want it to go.  It went too far!!! Crap! I lost my initial layers and lost some of the technical work I wanted to convey.  I was mad! Frustrated with myself.

But giving up is not an option... I kept on working on it, until today, 2 days later, it has morphed into a combination of the past work mixed with new.  It looked and felt it is now finished.  It has been reborn!!

Come to think of the title of the piece, "My Nemesis",.  led me to think that I am my worst enemy, and that if I focussed on the negative, I am unsure how things would have gone?  I focussed on the positive and saw the opportunity to turn the painting around....


Till the next time...
Marissa

My palette for "Nemesis"

 

 

Whoo hoo!!!

So honoured and proud to have been accepted to the ECOAA ( East Central Ontario Art Association) 56th Annual Juried Show at the Art Gallery of Bancroft!  What was special was that I won The Jeanne-Marie McAdam Award - Most Innovative, for my piece "Ebulient" !!!!!  That was a big surprise and a big Whoo Hoo!!!

This group has the most amazing artists, all working towards their passion and conquering painting outdoors!  It is a humbling feeling to be among all these recognized and respected artists in East Ontario!  Congratulations to all!!!

Happy Surprises

As an artist, I encounter alot of people who love my work, perhaps admire my work,  pretend to like my work and do not say anything about my work.  There are alot of factors that come into play when selling work either through a formal art show such as juried shows, local art group shows, art fairs, private galleries, on-line and through word-of-mouth.  Being in the industry now for 12 years, I have come to realize that art is such an emotional investment.  Most people have to be touched by the piece for them to invest in it.  When a painting has spoken to them, they just should not let it go.

Just in the last month, I have had many people telling me that they were touched by my paintings.  I have sold more this month compared to some years of 'drought' and several art shows.  I am glad my paintings are speaking to people and making them happy.  These are happy surprises!!

Feel blessed,
Marissa

Fragile Nature 24" x 36" Mixed Media  (SOLD)