Painting – justbluedutch

Getting to know your Art, messy ever after

April 28, 2021ART + FORM, JustbluedutchArt7 Comments

” How we choose what we do, and how we approach it…will determine whether the sum of our days adds up to a formless blur, or to something resembling a work of art” –Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

I started my art journey when I was 7 or 8 years old. This is as far as I remember.Of course at this age, my preceptions of Art is very limited to crayons and skizzes. I don´t even know what is an abstract art or what is the style of Mondrian.If a child draw something on a paper, whether it´s a circles of colors or a big chump of black pens, it´s always a masterpiece.You need to compliment the child and yes, encourage them.That masterpiece should end up being posted in the fridge or hang in the wall. Every work of art deserves and an audience and applause.

Well, not really.I never have those times.I don´t have any favourite artists at all, since during those times, I can´t recall having many books related to art. I didn´t even know what kind of art I was making. Because of constant move, I lost all my childhood drawings and I don´t have tangible recollections of my old drawings. But then I am sure, I painted a lot of fields,landscapes, mosaic and doll like perspectives.

Getting to know my Art style was hard for me in the beginning. It didn´t came easy. Puberty is also a crucial time and life itself offers daily obstacles to find the person who I want to be. In school there´s always an Art competition but it it doesn´t guarantee of winning always.I am exposed to an environment that doing better in Academics is better than paints, crayons and sketch pads. Drawing is a hobby, not a field to excel. So up to that time, I never really encouraged myself to do better art or even excel in it. I am just bent on at least getting a medal, or at least in the top 5 of graduating class. I could give so many weak excuses but at this phase, I haven´t get to know my art style…no, not yet.

I find this totally different from children nowadays. My daughter had a drawing exhibition at age of 5. She is constantly active in her Kindergaten years both in sports activity and drawing. She draw almost everyday.One time she came to me and said :

” Mama, please check in my Math book, in page 61, you will find there something that you will like. There is the famous painting of Wassily Kandinsky, the” Weiches Hart“: This painter is also included in the 50 famous Artists Book ( 50 Berühmte Künstler in der Welt).

I said to myself…Okaaaayyy. My God, she´s only 6. How on earth does she knows it?

Does she even knows the art style of Kandinsky?

In the end, she mumbled ” I also wanted to be in that Book Mama…”

I am sure she doesn´t know what she want in her life either.This phase is yet too fragile. The metamorphosis of growth,changing behavious, dreams and attitude and so on seems so infinitely wide.The journey is still far…

Getting to know my own style of art came actually late in my life. I am also a late bloomer in everything. The only thing that I am early is when I wake up in the morning because I am actually a morning person.I started drawing more and paying attention to details. I took noted on which Artist´s styles appeal to me and what elements of design is present in my creations. I pushed to maintain my patterns and made my own voice.

The flood of compliments and encouragement came I was reassured. I heard the voice signalling me to continue and hone my brushes and create something unique.I started an Art journal and watch my progress.

Looking back in Highschool I started joing poster making contests.Sometimes I skip it because I haven´t prepared well & my materials are limited. I got intimidated and success of winning doesn´t come quickly. My ideas were so little and I feel insecure of my art.I didn´t know that it requires patience and I haven´t really push myself to get out from my boundaries. I was too busy concentrating on life, studies, and other fields of survival. I got distracted again by the dust of everyday life.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life ” …-Pablo Picasso

Then I started to pay more attention to myself.I startted taking care of myself and doing what makes me happy.I searched in my soul and in my creativity bank to polish what I can and what can I do to make it better. I tried experimenting with different mediums and explore other dangerous, risky subjects. It feels more like getting to know what kind of coffee I would like to order, the type of bag I wanted to bring… a journey to being an Aesthetes.

I am always motivated by visual pleasure and I would trade a place inside an Art Gallery and admire the masters.I have dreamt of having an original artwork piece of my favourite Artist. I spend and spend more time and money on art than most people, or other material things.I go to exhibitions and join them If I can afford it and have the time for it…

I took risks, and developing my own art style didn´t come out from thin air.

I am still not even there, I am still a project in motion, a work in progress.

Everyday, I am still getting to know myself and my Art and at the end of every painting session, my hands are dirty.

I am happy though that it´s always messy ever after.

” Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures..” -Henry Ward Beecher

What type of Art do you love?

Do you still remember what you wanna be when you were 10 years old ?

This post is inspired by Lens Artist Photo Challenge “Getting to Know You, a great subject introduced by the witty Priscilla of scillagrace. If you have time to kill, head on to her page and see the other meaningful interpretation of this Theme.

Until then, Tschüss.

Wordless Wednesday

April 14, 2021April 13, 2021Wordless wednesdayLeave a Comment

It´s no Ordinary year

December 27, 2020Bavaria, BLOG AWARDS, GERMANY, KUWAIT, LIFE IN PHOTOS, NETHERLANDS4 Comments

The photo we entered for this year´s Photo Contest finally made it into 2021´s Calendar

This year is not only all about the tons of masks we bought and wore, or the excessive disinfecting of everything we´ve touched and our hands turning into a resemblance of chicken skin. Aside from all this hygienic crazy mantra that becomes a new norm now, I realized that this year was actually a no ordinary for me, personally.

This year also is the year for the first time that I joined a photography competition here in our local town, hosted by one of our local Bank, the Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Bayern Mitte.I actually mostly forget its name because you know, its long and its kind of twisting my tongue. Well, that´s what German does to me.Anyway, turned out that loved our photo and included it for next year´s Calendar called “ Die schönsten Motive Fotowettbewerbs 2020″.

I was thrilled and excited.I was not expecting that my photo could be chosen considering that there were so many nice landscape photos who were chosen in the whole region.We just got lucky, I guess. We received a prize and donated half of it to another organization.It was a great experience and I think it made our year a certain mark, to remember, to be thankful for the beauty of nature who seemed to be the only one unaffected by depressing situations around us.

The photo that I took is titled “Glacisbrücke im Herbst” ,or the Glacis Bridge in Fall. I love this photo particularly since it caught the mystic beauty of Fall in my neighborhood, plus this bridge is quite fascinating as well since its one of the landmark near to where I lived.

Whenever I crosses this bridge, I am being reminded of this recognition.Who could have thought….?

When I was still living in Kuwait, I took pictures of most of the places where I visited. It´s pretty normal since I am an Expat working there and yes, the culture is different and there are so many things that is new to me.My iPhone Gallery was filled with snapshots, candid selfies and landscape portraits which I even used most of the time in my Blog articles.Using these Photos rekindled my memories of being in there and appreciating the unique beauty that Kuwait has, like for example this “Mushroom ” Water Towers .

At first glance you wouldn´t even imagined that it´s a modern water supply system, but then it was.The shape, the color, the size, everything about this symbolic reinforced concrete system is unique.Maybe to local Kuwaitis it´s just a normal water towers but definitely not for me. I am still amazed and perplexed of its function and design.Clever design from VBB , A Swedish engineering company, with Sune Lindström as its chief Architect.No wonder it won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, cycle 1980.

The book ” Paddenstoelen in Kunst, Culture en Natur ” published in the Netherlands; 2020

Mr. Antoon Kuhlmann from Hortus Nijmegen in the Netherlands along with Dominique Clement sent an email to me informing me if they can use my photo as a research material to be used in their upcoming manuscript about Mushrooms.What a brilliant idea!

This book really expains what special role Mushrooms played in Arts, Culture and yes, in Nature.I was totally honored to be a part of this book, to think even that Kuwait´s Water Towers was used as an example how Architects used mushroom as a concept for building a modern water system.

Just in time before Christmas I got a copy of this Book and couldn´t feel more proud than ever.It is cleverly done !Unfortunately, it´s only in Dutch language.

This post is not a promotion of the book mentioned above. I just felt grateful that one of my post and photo was used to compile all the amazing information supplied by this book.The Dutch Autors did a wonderful job in coming up to this phenomenal piece. If you are reading up until this part and interested to buy a copy, you can find the link Here.

Thought this year was only staying at home, social distancing and wearing masks…not for us actually.It was a no ordinary year because of this Online Art Project by the International Youth Library in Munich ( International Jugendbibliotehek München) called ” Kinder, malen sich Selbst” or the I-solation, Children ,draw yourselves, an online Exhibition initiative organized by this Library . The exhibition was joined by 800 participating children all over the world!

And my little daughter joined herself into this exhibition and by Spring of 2020, her drawing was submitted to the Library.By around June, we were invited to visit the Exhibition and had a Tour in their Library and see the beautiful grounds of Blutenburg Castle. It was her first, at the age of 5.

But as I wrote before, this year was actually a legendary year for all of us.Came December and we are still under stressed because of Corona infections, in Isolation and wearing Masks in School.Christmas Markets are cancelled and we entered a second Lockdown on Dec 16. Another melodramatic feeling of isolation creeps us, but then home is where we felt the most safe, well I guess, for everybody´s sake it´s the ony way out.

Nothing more to expect, we can´t change the tides.But then, we managed to have a meaningful Christmas season at home, without the frantic craze and glittering lights.

Here in Germany, children and adults are crazy about Adventskalendar. It´s literally a calendar, a coundown from the start of Advent to Christmas Eve.So this time, our local town hosted a drawing competition for children for the Adventskalendar with Winter moments as a theme. Once again, my daughter had her entry and yes, her drawing was chosen to be in the 15th day of Adventskalendar. On that day,she met the Christkind to receive her prize but of course, with a mask and distance!

Little clever Artist being proud of her Artwork.

I guess a Not Ordinary year means that we stopped expecting, and more of appreciating and giving.4 days to go til this year ends and I just want to document it here in my Blog what a meaningful year it was as well.There´s nothing much to tell of what we did, but we did the best of what we can do…

I think we´ll do this again next year if there´s another chance again!

Did you have a no Ordinary moment this year?

Alles gute und Tschüss!

Little Women Mosaic Watercolor Artworks

October 27, 2020ART + FORM, JustbluedutchArt6 Comments

Little Women original watercolor Artworks / JustbluedutchArt 2020

Finally it´s Autumn…!

Lately I have been admiring the works of Alexej von Jawlensky, and I must say that He, among others as well, is the inspiration behind these latest paintings that I did.If you are an art nitwit like me, you must have realized that there are so manyyy talented Russian painters ,with extraordinary mind and brilliant art philosophies!Alexej von Jawlensky is part of the Blue Rider group, and later the Blaue Vier (the Blue Four) and is part of the New Munich´s Artists Association.Part of his life was also spent here in Germany.

In my free times, I love to read about the Gallery of the Masters of Art, especially the Classic Modern Art from 19th to 20th Century. I still cannot forget how moved I was when I saw the ” Nightwatch” by Rembrandt which is by far one of my favourites from the Baroque Dutch Golden Age era. And now, since I am also into Abstract painting, I decided to play more with colors and textures. I love it, I think I finally found the forte that I ´ve always wanted to do with my abstract pieces.As a self-taught artist, I love to widen my craft by learning more about the Art masters.I think there´s no harm in doing that, after all, there is no “must” in Art, cuz it´s free.

My favourites from Alexej´von Jawlensky´s paintings were the “Spanierin,1913 “ and the other piece of his painting of a lady in red holding a bunch of red flowers called ” Die Pfingstrosen” as shown below beside the portrait I have made. I love to paint women´s portraits combined with elements of nature and a bit of playful imaginary mosaic patterns.Big eyes, colorful burnt orange skins, proud noses and lots of bold accentures makes it all unforgettable!

Close up details of Little Women, original Watercolor Art painting /JustbluedutchArt

Alexej von Jawlensky´s works are full of wonderful sense of colours, just like his colleague, Wassily Kandinsky, also one of my favourites, Their masterpieces were colorful, vibrant and lush and at one point in time, evolving. I find it very fascinating that He also, loves to paint women´s faces in particular. Red is a very dominating color and the expressions in his paintings are gripping in my imagination. I love this type of style that moves me to think.

I began painting Women´s portraits I think last 2 years ago. I love the fact that women are great art subjects and it can convey so many different emotions and characters. Unfortunately, I cannot do any male portrait!

Here´s another piece which I highlighted a woman´s face and I remember looking at her eyes as if I was seeing a different character which reminded me of earlier years of my life.

Woman and a Child , Original watercolor Art /JustbluedutchArt 2020

Woman and a Child with Alexej von Jawlensky´s “Die Pfingstrosen”

Hard times let me escape from reality and dream of colorful world of Art. I guess my Art reflects of my dreams, emotions and experiences.I love different tints of colors, I seldom paint black and white or mono chrome tones.For me, colors play a huge part in delivering the emotions behind the painting, just like the lyrics which feed the poetry in audience´s ears.

Little Women original Aquarelle Artwork /JustbluedutchArt

Bring back Summer , Original Watercolor Art / JustbluedutchArt 2020

I would love to gather all these women in the future and bind them in a book. That would be a great refuge for me in the old days. Sometimes I dream that I have met all these women in my life and they have been part of me.It is like they are all in me and they all came alive in my canvas.But right now, I am still bent on creating more portraits of women with characters.I would still love to play with different kinds of forms and shapes and blend them in the background, just like depicting the life they live in. Many times, I think my art let me realized that contradictions are great push-overs to magnify your boundaries and edge of reasoning. When someone asks me to describe my art, I just let them view it as they please. I cannot dictate it´s meaning because my work has a deep magnitude for me. Maybe for others, it´s different, or maybe none at all.

” Color is the keyboard, the eyes the harmonies, the soul is the Piano with many strings. The Artist is the hand that plays, touchig one key or another,to cause vibrations in the soul.”- Wassily Kandinsky

Isolation. Children, paint yourselves! (Self-portrait of children in Corona Times)

April 20, 2020June 15, 2021Modern Parents, Munich8 Comments

I want to play Football outside and not in the garden! This is my daughter´s entry for this drawing exhibition hosted by the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany.

I am sure I am not alone in this dilemma.We don´t know yet until when will this all be over, but as long as it is not yet safe outside, children needs to stay at home.Here in Germany, the lockdown measures were relaxed, some shops are allowed to open, wearing mask is enforced, and some schools will open soon next week.But daycares and Kindergarten remains closed. I know personally that staying at home, confined and can´t visit playgrounds and play areas can be tough and is never easy, it is messy, chaotic,sometimes out of control and dramatic. But our times together these days become so meaningful, I guess there´s so much difference when we all take things slowly.

How does she feel about the isolation?
She said her inspiration for her Portrait is that she wanted to play Football and run in the field freely .She wanted to go back again to the Kindergarten and see her friends.

For those who are staying at home with kids during this Pandemic, what have you´ve been doing with your kids lately?

I love to paint and it´s one of my favourite things to do during this lockdown.I think I can paint the whole day and every single day. I just love to create something creative, whether it is with watercolors or Acrylics. Nowadays, I spent more time with my daughter painting, drawing and creating something. I created a journal of my daughter´s drawings so she can have an album of what she created.We even paint stones and joined the creative art here in our neighborhood.Here are some of her doodles and

Another interesting Art exhibition which we are joining is the Isolation, Children Paint yourselves! launched by the International Youth Library Foundation in Munich,Germany .This is an online exhibition of submitted images of children which depics their mood and how they are feeling against this terrible, dire times of Pandemic. I have talked to my daughter many times about Corona virus, especially when we are on the push of frequent hand washing and social distancing. It is very interesting to find and learn from little children about their feelings about isolation and being in restriction .Sometimes they cannot express themselves verbally, but with visuals, we can learn so much more.

The moment that I showed to her that her drawing was in the Gallery, she was thrilled and so happy. She is only 5 years old!

I really find this online exhibition super cool and my daughter is proud of what she have done.It´s amazing to see different entries already from different countries submitted and available in their online portal for public viewing wherever you are. I heard that they have received over 800 drawings from 42 different countries! Some portraits with paintings listed are from Mexico,South Korea,Venezuela,Sweden,Great Britain, Japan, France, Iran, Slovenia,Germany, and even the hard hit countries like USA, Italy and Spain! I think seeing another children´s artwork is also a great tool for encouraging the potential of your child to be creative since they can see it as a relatable issue and not just something to kill boredom. Difficult images of people who are sick and death toll are not easily digested in small children´s mind so we, as parents needs to guide them and be careful of the information we feed them. In this way, let them express themselves through their imagination through their hands, the explosion of colored pencils, paints, crayons and doodles.

Let them be absorbed with ART.

The founder of the International Youth Library, Jella Lepman, had already asked for such self-portraits since 1952 and showed them in an exhibition. By that time, it´s still very difficult to create a digital or online exhibition. Nowadays, it´s all handy and accessible for all, even most museums opened their exhibitions online for others to view while staying at home.If you are interested and want to create something different and has a global impact, start painting, start contributing, and start it now!

If your child is 3 to 13 years of age and wants to participate, you can send your child´s portrait or drawing as a scanned copy (with first name, age and country) to direktion @ ijb. de. The online gallery exhibition can be seen in here.

More artworks and creative Crafts we do while we stay at home during this Pandemic crisis.

Here she is when she finally visits the Exhibition in Münich where her own drawing was chosen!

View of some of the children´s drawing from different countries in the Exhibition Center in Schloss Blutenberg, in Munich.

Feeling proud of my daughter´s first ever artwork in display !

The exhibition “Kids, draw themselves” ( Malen sich Selbst) is displayed in the International Youth Library in Schloss Blutenberg, from July 15th up to 9th of September 2020, located in Foyer im Herrenhaus and is free entrance fee. The Library is open from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 Pm and on weekends from 12 pm to 5pm.

Feel free to share this to your friends!

To all parents out there who are taking care of their kids at home, I salute you. You are doing great and you deserved to have a big hug and pat on the back!

Stay safe and see you again next time!

Seven hues of Blue Paintings

November 7, 2019ART + FORM, LIFESTYLE, MY INSPIRATION, SHOP3 Comments

Abstract Painting ” Turquoise Dreams” 25 x 30 cm

Finally Autumn had arrived in Germany. Long enough, the “Goldener Oktober”( or Golden October) becomes November rain. Everyday here in Germany , or at least here in Bavaria, it seems that the skies loves to hibernate, clothed in dark clouds and keeps on raining! It’s official : The sun is on vacation and cold Rainy days are doing his massive work.

Funny because I am often daydreaming of warm sunny days. More of Spring actually! While the cold reality is biting me to the bones, I opt to do things that I love. Which is— being productive! Day by day, I try to do what I think I can’t do. I feel lazy many times, procastinating and giving in to excuses, or I am just totally exhausted from daily chores and demands from work. The colorful trees and foliage outside are standing still , braving the creepy cold and probably dreading for the dark Winter to clothed them. Many trees are already bald, but few ones are still holding on, with two to three leaves holding on tight. It seems like letting go for the last phase of seasonal changes takes time.The gush of winds and the mainstay of “regenwetter” {rain weather } and November rains, fog and short days are my constant company, but then, I have suddenly created my series of “Seven hues of Blues ” acrylic abstract paintings. So you see, something positive came out from this gloomy weather.

With my paintings– they are all bright sunny blue! Full of tropical hues, Carribean-sea-foamy textured layers of Turquiose shades, and full of love affair with waves and sea is the mood of these pieces.

It’s been quite always busy nowadays. Juggling family, work and life really makes everyday a rolling ball of energy. This year had been quite a productive year for me, in all aspects! Honestly, at the end of the day I feel so tired that when I sit in front of my laptop, I barely can’t think. Sleep was my daily dose of medicine. When my free days comes, I managed to paint. I still loved to paint my dreams and I am not letting go of it. I was talking with a colleague about my painting and then he asked me “Why do you need to paint and make those?” I just said,” Because it’s what I loved to do.”

What do you loved to do?

Close up details of the layers of colors behind this painting

I’ve been listening lately to Queen’s music, rediscovering their classics. I have always loved classic rock and during the time that I am doing large paintings, these music have helped me, inspired me in a way. Queen’s songs are stuck in my head for days, and weeks. It’s funny because my little daughter is already humming and singing “Don’t stop me now..”or “Another one bites the Dust, and “I want to ride my bike ..”! Similar to music, abstract paintings do not have clear, expressible meanings by words. Actually, as a painter, I couldn’t explain it quite well. It’s always been an enigma to me. So its really up to you to found its meaning.

For me, the process of creating it from the base paint to the series of layers are the most memorable part. I am always excited to what would it look like in the end. In my mind I have an image that I wanted to convey in my painting, sometimes I managed to bring it out, sometimes it takes a long time to express it.
Each piece of painting is a memory, inspired by a specific day, describing my moods and feelings like diary notes.

Each piece carries a bit of me, of my feelings and my emotions that’s why its priceless and special to me.

As of this time, I am still in the process of updating my listings in my shop. It will take quite some time but these pieces will soon be available for you to view in my online Gallery. I have made many new paintings and I am excited to share it all with you.

Feel free to comment below what do you think of these pieces! I would really appreciate it.

Thank you once again and until next time. Tschüss!

The mood of a Landscape painting

October 18, 2017ART + FORM2 Comments

Looking back from the time I started with my journey with Painting last year, I have received numerous requests of doing more Landscape artwork. People always have a thing for replicating nature—like flower fields, mountains, seascapes, mountain views, and yes, even the skies. I have received many compliments when I am doing the Galaxy-effect sky painting, from which I viewed only as an intermediate attention. I won’t lie, but I created that piece accidentally when I only wanted to use up my leftover paints.

I have the impression that choosing a particular piece and subject of artwork is definitely a personal thing. Like for example, some of my friends cannot appreciate any Abstract piece, while here in Germany, most of the people I knew value my Abstract pieces. But I have learned that as a self-taught artist, you created what you love. You paint what your emotions and mood dictates, from your brushes to your pinsel. the medium that you used is totally depending on where you feel most comfortable with delivering your thoughts on your work. Doing artwork for the sake of making money out of it and pleasing your audience is something offensive to an artist’s creed. It forsakes your own talent, your own mantra of creating something that personify yourself. Not unless you decide to become a full-time Artist and you rely solely on painting to pay your bills. That would be a different story.

IMG_3366 (1) — Messy pallete –Out from this mess, I create something good.

I have collected some pieces of my moody landscapes paintings and would like to share it with you here. To give you an idea, I personally loved landscapes, but I am definitely need a lot of learning more to do to make the best of this, especially when I am working with watercolors. These paintings are inspired by the beauty of landscapes that surrounds me. I tried my best to use my watercolor pallete to bring out the hues and texture to give an attitude to these paintings.Notice that they are moody, almost surreal and I used varying shades to re-create a view from my mind.

Here are some paintings I did for Moody Landscapes paintings in Aquarelle.

Autumn Reflections — 40 x 50.8 cm ( 16″x 20″) Aquarelle painting in 300G/M2 (140lb) Cold-press artist grade paper.

landscapes 1

Waves in Turmoil – 36 x 48 cm (14.2″x 18.9″) Aquarelle Landscape painting in Artist Grade paper.

landscapes 2

Prelude to Dusk – 36 X 48cm ( 14.2″ x 18.9 “) Original Watercolor/Aquarelle painting

Magical Spring Garden – 36 x 48cm ( 14.2″ x 18.9″) Original Watercolor/Aquarelle Landscape Painting

landscapes 4

Let’s Go to the Tropics – 36 x 48cm ( 14.2 “X 18.9”) Original artwork in Watercolor/Aquarelle .

IMG_3392 (1)

The “Autumn Reflections“is displayed in one corner in our living room before shipping to its new owner.

Some pieces were already commisioned for purchase and I am excited that my artwork will find new home.There’s a feeling of happiness whenever I create something and people would actually wanna buy it! I, myself haven’t purchase any original artwork in my life, so I truly respect the people who wanted to invest in my talent. It is a great encouragement and tool for motivation to continue mastering your craft. I guess that the best job in the world would be the kind that you really love doing, like a combination of your hobby or passion, and you got actually being paid to do it.

I don’t even have my own studio. I used our kitchen counter when I do some messy work and oftentimes, I am in our dining table to do what I love. Sometimes I do things simultaneously while waiting for other paintings to dry. I visited Art shops looking for art supplies and using the translator app in my phone (since almost all labels are in German), I make both ends meet. Many times, when I am painting, I am also doing some house work, looking after my child, and taking care of other tasks. If I give in to complacency, then I wouldn’t be able to do what I want to do.

There is really no excuse if you want something to be done.

I write this because for me——every piece of artwork is personal. Painting is something that I wanted to do until I grow old and that my hands can still grip on a brush.

What is your opinion of these landscape artwork? Do you like landscapes?

Feel free to share your comments, I would appreciate it!

Thank you once again for reading my friends!Until next time!

Tschüss!

Abstract painting : The rhythym of Crimson

September 19, 2017ART + FORM13 Comments

IMG_2753 (2) — *Abstract Artwork : Rhythym of Crimson ( 40 X 40 cm Acrylic painting on canvas , JustbluedutchArt 2017)*

“People, even those who don’t like abstract art, know art when they see it..”

Have you ever looked at a cool abstract painting and said to yourself ;

“I can make a painting like this myself “!

or I can do better than this!

and yes, even a 3-year old toddler can make that! ”

Oh yes, I know it’s not only me, I heard you and I can totally relate. Just like you, I’ve said it to myself a million times. But to tell you frankly, as a self-taught artist, when I started my journey in creating an abstract, I was also squeezed between this dilemma.It is not just all about splashing your favorite colors into your canvas. Not all people love Abstracts and many have raised their eyebrows, trying to decode what does it mean. In fact, there is a scientific study about this matter and based on the statistics, people, even those who cannot appreciate an abstract piece, knows a good art when they see it.

Before I thought it was that easy. As we all know that Abstract artwork can be a complicated artwork, sometimes they might look carefree, boundless, but also confined. But each piece shows a statement of the artist’s personality. Others see it as an organised chaos.

But how you squeeze an idea out of it?

When I started making an abstract painting, I said to myself that it’s gonna be an easy-peasy job. I remember visiting the Museum of Concrete Art and I saw this big painting in bold, plain pink and green paint, and I really thought, what is this?

Abstracts can be just splash of colors, few strokes and that’s it. I was wrong!I was disillusioned to the fact that I have made many bad paintings, muddy ones and I call a crap. It didn’t stir any feelings in me. It took a lot of time for me to finally create something that “pleases” my senses and feel a satisfaction with it. I’m still an amateur, a beginner and I still have a lot to learn.

IMG_2752 (1) — “Gone Fishing ” ( 50 x 70cm Abstract / JustbluedutchArt 2017 Acrylic painting on canvas)

I personally observe as well that artistically inclined persons tends to enjoy more abstract than people who only “see “it at a glance. I have tried to ask opinion of my mother or my friends about my work and their opinions are all varied. Someone even said “Why is the color like that? or What figure is that? It’s totally different when I have conversations with my fellow-artistically-inclined friends. Not that their opinion is biased, but their comment is really more than the normal “I like it, or It looks so nice “.

Wassily Kandinsky, a widely credited as the first abstract artist, called it the ‘science of the soul‘ and his art explored the relationship between colours and form. I personally believed in this because I consider my artwork very personal, but it needs to follow the trajectory of technical skill. For me, I think it’s just impossible to create something “moving” without putting your heart into it, no matter how talented you are!

Shades of Autumn, plum, scarlet red, blacks, and mauve, Burnt sienna and lots of texture.

But how can you really tell a good abstract from a good one?

What makes an abstract a good one?

Visual Art Collage : Koleidoscope world of Abstract Acrylic paintings

Take for example this piece I have made last week. I called this set the “Rhythym of Crimson“, a 40 x 40 Original acrylic on canvas which is inspired by the scarlet skies, mauve reddish plum autumn colors. I used a lot of layers and colors of red, burnt sienna, black, white, yellows and burgundy. I painted with various strokes of brushes, but I achieved the texture using a pallet knife. When I was making this, I don’t have any concrete figure in my mind, I just let the mixture of colors and composition says what I wanted to impose. The metamorphosis of autumn, the natural course of changing colors and them decomposition of matter.

What is your opinion of this artwork?

acrylic abstract 1

I remember the time I walked through the Gallery of the Dutch Masters inside the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands. For me, that was one of the highlights of my artistic endeavors. To be able to see the works of the famous works of Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, Vincent Van Gogh, and Johannes Vermeer leaves me in awe. Their painting moves me. Their works are ethereal and considered as legacy. But talking about Impressionism, you learn to appreciate an artwork because the subjects are clearly noted in the painting, the story can be clearly seen and even so much more insights comes to those who took time to study a certain artwork.

But with abstract painting, you have the fundamental elements of design like size, shape, color, texture etc. that compose together to create a statement. Well I am not going to talk about the theoretical fundamentals, I simply wanted to share my own experience how do I view an abstract artwork and what difference does it made to me when I decided to plunge into “creating “one.

How do you distinguish an abstract to be a good one?

If you might want to know, I consider an abstract artwork a “good”one if it stirs me, if it has the “moving factor”that catches my attention. If it holds my stare and made me hold my gaze further, longer than expected, and that my feelings are affected. Sometimes it made my mind travel into deeper context and start creating a story out of it. It’s like a puzzle I need to put together.

Have you ever experience this feeling when you walk into a Gallery or into a museum and you see a painting that is so striking and instead of just passing through it, you’ve stayed?

A good art can be a matter of good concept or excellent skills in execution, but I think a great art touches the mind, heart or soul of the viewer. No matter if you’re an art enthusiast, a collector, a housewife, a carpenter or just a random stranger. Art is art when you see it. That moment when you just can’t take your eyes off from it. But as a budding artist, It takes one to know one.

“Everyone wants to understand art. Why not try to understand the song of a bird? …people who try to explain pictures are usually barking up the wrong tree.” ( Vincent Van Gogh)

acrylic abstract 3 — 20 x 60 cm Abstract paintings /JustbluedutchArt 2017

Now the opinion of the viewer is totally different from the Artist itself. Many times, I asked my husband what does He thought of a certain piece and his opinion is totally different from my views. There are just some things that I can perceive that He can’t .This made me understand more and more how I see Abstract.

I respect the fact that my works can’t be accepted by others, or other people might not see it as an artwork either. Abstract for me is never subjective. It’s something that you see that strikes your soul to the very depths, that opens your eyes and your mind to the beauty of it.

How about you, how do you appreciate an abstract painting? Do you like it?

Let’s get connected! Please don’t forget to visit my Instagram page for more updates of my Journey with Acrylic Painting. Oh do you fancy Acrylic pouring ? All my artwork are available for purchase and I can do some commisioned artwork or customed-made pieces.For inquiries, please send me an email at justbluedutch@gmail.com!

Thank you so much for reading , looking forward to read your comments and wishing you all a lovely week !

Acrylic pouring and why its a Thing!

September 12, 2017ART + FORM7 Comments

acrylic painting 1 — **“Bluecrush ” Acrylic Abstract painting on canvas**

Do you like acrylics?

Lately I indulged myself in experimenting with another medium, one that is still strange for me, Acrylics! This time, I got my inspiration from a fellow friend who also paint with acrylics and pushed me to try it.Also, in my Instagram , my feed is flooded everyday with all these gorgeous, vivid and exceptionally creative artwork done with Acrylic pouring. This technique is unknown to me since I am working more with Aquarelle, or watercolors and as a self-taught artist, where I don’t have a formal learning about art, it’s just all in my mind and my own creative drive. I did some research , look into some other artist’s works and observe. Watching video tutorials really help especially about the technicalities of mixing paints. This process reminds me of my previous work where I also mixed many powder coatings in different shades to create designs. I just realized that colors, chemistry and creativity revolves continuously in my life.I am all about colors and that’s why I’m so happy that I finally be able to share all the bits and pieces I’ve been learning so far from painting.

Acrylic Abstract painting for beginners!

Soon ,I saw myself hauling and hoarding for acrylic supplies and stuff. I got tubes and pots of pots of the primary colors, more whites and blacks, and some metallics. This time, I wanted to paint on canvas so I got canvasses of different sizes to try on. I am super excited for this new adventure of creativity.

IMG_2699 (1) — Creative art : Wouldn’t this look great as a throw pillow case ?

At first the idea of using acrylics intimidated me, but then I give it a go. It’s not that easy to get the paints and supplies that I specifically needed. I’ve searched many art shops here locally but I can’t find almost everything.When you are just a beginner, you can try on student’s grade paints first and small canvas, or if you can get it online, it all depends on your budget and preferences.

Just look at these magical colors, all stunning! IMG_2672 (1)

I love the pouring process where you see crazy patterns, cells developing and the sheer shine of the paint forming into a myriad of beautiful artwork. Gravity knows its way!

“Bluecrush” ( Justbluedutch acrylic painting on canvas )

Acrylic pouring is simply mixing different acrylic colors and pouring it directly on the canvas, rather than using a brush or other painting technique. This involves using a medium like an acrylic medium to make the paint more fluid and flow easily to create patterns which called “cells”. There is a chemistry behind this process but I can’t tell you more since I am just starting. I find the whole process so challenging. In watercolor, I am in control of my brush and the degree of strokes I wanted to make, but this time, I let the time, gravity and the chemistry do the creative part. The thing is, the agitation and the flow of paints during the mixing part is also something that you need to master.

You think acrylic pouring is easy? I don’t think so…

Pouring is a great way to smooth out unwanted texture, get marbleized effects, rich colored glazes, and add some fun to many painting process. Although pouring is a relatively simple technique, ( as people say it) , it is not always easy.

Acrylics is a water-based paint so the ratio of mixing with water depends on the amount that you need to use for a painting. Normally, and as per experience, I don’t dilute the paint not more than 30% of the paint or else it will lose its binding properties.

Colors and acrylics are always a marvel to watch!

The luminous sheen created by pouring paint

What I’ve enjoyed much is the “pouring part“. I did the swipe method where I poured the paint and swipe it all over the canvas to cover all areas, then adding paints as the flow goes, and the other one is the “dirty pour“. This time, you mixed all the paint in one cup and pour it on top of the canvas one time and let it flow to create patterns. The thing with acrylic pouring painting, the idea that you squeezed in your mind is solidify only when the painting dries. You don’t have a control over the course of the flow. That is why every artwork is unique. Yes, patterns maybe duplicated with similar parameters but it’s never the same as the other. To master repetition, you need time. This is one thing I have learned while doing the Acrylic pouring painting ; learning to paint with time on my side. If you rush, then you miss out on its essence.

Over the next days, I will be sharing more of my paintings with you .Stay tuned. Meanwhile, please don’t forget to check out my Page for some artworks that I am doing while I squeeze time to paint.My artworks are available for purchase if you want to have one and I can also accept commissions. Just drop me a mail at justbluedutch@gmail.com.

What about you, have you ever tried Acrylic painting?

Oh did I tell you its getting chilly over here! Sweater season is definitely back. It is almost Fall season here in Germany, my favorite season as it brings the fire in the skies with the lovely colors and the different shades of trees. Soon my whole neighborhood will be transformed once again into another world.

What are the first signs of Autumn do you have in your area ( if you are having one..)?

Artwork : Face Values and green hues

August 24, 2017ART + FORM12 Comments

JustbluedutchArt : Face value and some green hues

Hello friends!

I was feeling ecstatic recently when I received a notification that I got now 502+ followers! I know, I know, maybe I am shallow but I thought “How in the world did it happened?”I don’t post regularly, let alone being less interactive with other Bloggers! ( I am trying my best to squeeze time!) I wish I could do so much more. Even so,I am thankful and I wanted to extend my gratitude to all my friends and people who “notices ” my Blog and my posts. I may not follow every Blog, or reply to every single comment, but I just want to say that I am grateful for your support and wonderful feed backs!

So here’s a little update on my Art+Work side. Sharing with you another addition to my series “Faces in the Crowd “series. Another mosaic painting with lots of hues of green and playful imagination. Sorry ,but I am still not over with the “Dunkelbunt” ( darkcolorful) world of Hundertwasser after visiting the Kuchlbauer Turm and Kunst Haus in Abensberg! So much inspiration from the works of the modern masters of Art!

Have you seen how colorful and intricate the details of the Tower?

First drawing out this naked face, then adding some depth through layers of colors, adding personality and feelings to the painting. I used lots of warm tones , yellow, greens, and browns. I blended it with Paynes grey and lots of detailing using geometric patterns and doodles.Finally it has some “Face value”.

Painting details : The One with the Greens { 30 x 40 cm / 11.8 x 15.7 inches } .This one I worked with Van Gogh Artist ‘s grade watercolor paper in 200 g/m2 cotton fine grain finish and my new Schmincke watercolor pallete.

I actually made this painting out of the blue. I haven’t painted for quite sometime and when I picked up my brush, I saw that my pallete had a numerous amount of “green hues” and I don’t want them to completely dried up.

Oh yes, I do save paints! I do more abstract pieces just when the urge to clean up the “mess” comes , and I was happy about the result. Tried it while doing some Night Skies and Galaxy Effect Artworks, constellations cards. Also, this painting was inspired by my recent-love affair of growing my little indoor jungle. I have always love plants but just like painting, I never had the chance to actually cultivate something “green”a.k.a plants. I remember the first time that I brought my first cactus and looking back, this is actually one of the plants that I haven’t killed. I love to incorporate pieces that I love in my paintings. More like a reflection of who I am. For those of you who follow me in my Instagram, you can see that I love nature, plants, and find my joy when I see something surreal in the artistic world.

face value 1

What do you think of her personality?

I think she still looked fine with the fine print and just as clear as the Sicilian Carretto glasses.

Do you also see painting as “Face Value”or you see something fancy ? Tell me what is your opinion about this artwork.

Is this something that you might want to put in your walls given the chance to own it?

If you are interested to look at my gallery at glance, you can check out my Instagram where I post daily my new paintings. If you want to purchase or inquire, just send me an email —justbluedutch@gmail.com and I will get back to you as quickly as possible. I will post soon and share my experience on “How I made my first sale from my paintings”!

For those of you who are thinking of expanding and having an outlet of your hobbies, then take it from me, everything requires hard work and best of all: not giving up! In the end, it all boils down that you are happy of what you do, and doing what you love!

Until then !