Capturing Your Attention With Colour

Colour is one of the most significant pieces of visual information we get from the world around us. As an artist, I use it intentionally, but am also seduced by it, sometimes disgusted by it, but always find myself under it's heady influence. Chances are you too have become calmer at the spa, more talkative and engaged in conversation at the dinner table or inexplicably compelled to look at images on your computer screen because of how colours are used. The reason why prison cells, the waiting room of your doctor's office or the interior of your car are not painted fire engine red, whilst stop signs and traffic lights are red, is simple. Red signifies danger and literally "stops" us in our tracks. It causes our pulse to quicken, our hearts to race, blood pressure to rise and increases our appetite. Red assertively asks us to pay attention. 

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Gesso

Not the most exciting artist topic at first glance. But I am pretty excited about gesso these days. Especially after realizing the wide range of gesso products and figuring out how to use them in a manner that enriches my paintings in a meaningful way. Gesso is a layer of paint that literally comes between the surface you are painting on and your painting technique of choice. While painting with oil or oil and wax it ensures that the painting can adhere to the surface and that compounds in the wood don't come through and distort the painted surface.

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This is Your Brain on Abstract Art

If you don't like or feel confused by abstract art then this blog post is for you!  Straight from the burgeoning field of neuroscience, some compelling reasons to spend time with abstract art have emerged. It seems that abstract work may offer viewers some neurological advantages. I want to help you take advantage of these benefits.

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Getting Ready for the Riverdale Art Walk