Not sure where this one is going or has stopped at, not sure if it's complete or still a work in progress. It no longer talks to me, it's voice is silent. Suggestions?
The yellowish / goldish color on this tile has a very nice gold sheen when viewed at an angle in bright lighting.
Thanks for looking!
Cheers,
Donald Hawkaye Hill
There are two types of art, or perhaps I should say there are two perceptions of art. There is art as seen from an artist perspective, which is personal, subjective, objective, and somewhat open ended. This perception is based on a background in and around the creative arena, be it formal or informal. This allows the artist to see within an art object what those without training may miss. This may be the choice of colors, the arrangements of elements within the work, layers of subtle expression, etc. Works that fall within this category may be experimental works, or works that don't make any sense to the casual, garden variety of viewer, i.e. the general public. Which brings us to the other perception of art, the broad general public.
I realize that I'm generalizing when I say that the majority of viewing public has little or no education/background in the arts that would truely allow them to view and perceive the subtle meanings of works that don't fall into the "Rockwell" or "Kinkade" genre of art. If the painting is of people, places, events, landscapes, etc., then the public will node it's collective head and say "Yes, that is art, that is beautiful". On the other hand, if you show them a "Kandinsky", their nearly universal response would be "So what, my toddler could paint that". What they don't realize or see is the specific choice of colors and the arrangement of elements, none of which are totally random or without rhyme or reason.
The vast gulf that exist between these two perceptions is one of the primary reasons I choose to paint primarily for myself, rather than the public. I'm expressing my own internal thoughts / emotions, to which I'm responding in a creative visual manner. If someone views my work and it resonates with them, that is great for both of us, but if another views it and finds it incomprehensible, then that is only because we don't have a common visually based symbolic language. We don't speak the same visual tongue.
As such, when viewing my works keep in mind they are envisioned and given form based on my personal visual style and language. Some will appeal to others with a similar affinity for my style of work. Others will find nothing appealing within my works (and a majority may be those who have never tried to create anything).
Painting isn't only an additive process, though there are many painters who feel and work as if it were only an additive process. Adding layer upon layer and detail up detail until the work in progress is completed to their satisfaction. Some internal voice will say to them "that's it, finished". This is a fine way to work, if it suits their style of painting. Other painters realize that painting can be an additive AND subtractive process, by which layers of paint and details are built up and then areas or even the whole canvas is sanded and scraped down and redone. Through this additive/subtractive process, subtle tones and hues are created that may be nearly impossible to recreate with the additive only process.
By using a combination of additive and subtractive techniques, not only can new effects be achieved, but one is more likely to encounter "happy accidents" which enhance the work. Call it serendipity.
That brings us to this next art tile, "Serendipity in Red":
Thanks for looking!
Cheers,
Donald Hawkaye Hill
This is one of my more abstract works in this series, and I'm really happy with the colors and resulting pattern. I feel that this one is nearly completed and ready for the final coats of poly and a new owner.
As each tile is hand painted, there will never be two exactly the same, though I can and will work commissions with similar colors and themes upon request.
This piece is "Linear Chaos":
Thanks for looking!
Cheers,
Donald Hawkaye Hill
Another work in progress, but getting closer to the completed minimalist look that I want for this one.
All of my art tiles are finished with multiple coats of polyurethane to protect the surface, though they are water resistant, they aren't to be considered water proof. These would make great insets for end tables, coffee tables, or framed and hung on the wall. I'll try to get some finished images of the tiles actually used as inserts or framed and hung.
Without further delay, here's "Red Moon":
This is one of my current works in progress in my art tiles series. This one is entitled "Watermelon" and is a tribute to the fast fading Summer, and the approach of Autumn. I say work in progress because I don't feel that it's completed, but not sure what it needs next. Quite often that is how I work. I'll have as many as 10+ projects gong at once, and as many sitting on the back burner waiting for the creative inspiration needed to complete them to my own satisfaction. So here is "Watermelon":
Thanks for looking!
Cheers,
Donald Hawkaye Hill
Time for a new direction of exploration, hand painted ceramic art tiles. I've got close to a hundred unglazed ceramic tiles (11.75" x 11.75") and needed something to paint on for my latest painting/drawing class. So what the heck, use what I have available, improvise as it were.
The following steps are taken in painting one of these tiles:
1) I wash them really well with a scratch pad, soap and hot water.
2) Then once they dry completely I clean the surface to be painted with 90% rubbing alcohol and allow to dry.
3) I prime the surface with Kilz stain blocker and primer and allow to dry thoroughly, sometimes I use two coats if needed.
4) I may or may not draw out my design with either pencil or permanent marker.
5) Paint until I'm happy.
6) Once I'm happy with the work, then I seal it with a water based polyurethane (for easy clean up).
7) Sometimes I coat with polyurethane between layers of paint, which requires a light sanding so the next layer sticks.
That about all there is to it. I'm currently using Liquitex acrylic paint, may switch to acrylic latex paint (indoor/outdoor) for durability and custom colors.
I haven't done enough of these yet to see how durable they're going to be, and if anyone has any ideas or input from personal experience, I'm all ears!
I'll be shooting photos of the works in progress, and once I feel a work is completed, I'll post it online for purchase. Come back often and see what's happening!
This is my first one I started, and I'm actually happier with it than any of the others that are currently in the works.
Thanks For Looking!
Cheers,
Donald Hawkaye Hill
