This morning's class

Color Spot Painting, introductory demo

the colors are a bit florescent in the pic

the demo, started from the cad orange spot on the right. the reds are not as closely related as this pic would have you believe. i have to learn how to edit the colors in photoshop.  another time, and cobalt blue is a deeper value, and the yellows, well...another lesson for this artist.  and is the painting even in focus?  ugh.

and this beauty is a 20 minute color spot painting demo  that i did for a painting class back in '97.  wow, i gotta get back in shape, i used 'fatter' paint then.  the painting is as fresh as it was then.  again some photo issues, but this one is truer than the first two.

best,
deb.

artist at work

My Saatchi Showdown entry, knocked out

This is The Chorus Line, a verre eglomise mirror with marker on a mixed media support.  It is my entry in Saatchi Online's Showdown.  The link should click through to the rating page:  1-10.  Current stats show a few 1259 ratings with the overall average of 6.96.  If you are inclined, rate it!  The winner goes into the next showdown, and the ultimate winner will get to show the work at Saatchi's Gallery in London!  Thanks for your consideration and support.  This is the first time I have ever done this!  My gallery on the site needs to be updated. If you have questions about the work or pricing, let me know.

 best, deb.

i tried, maybe i will load up for the next round.  or not.

Flatrocks Gallery: Small Gifts

above: Debbie Clarke's oil/gild and
glass drawings installed at The Flatrocks Gallery.

Cynthia Switzer Roth of The Flatrocks Gallery in Lanesville MA installing

artist Joy Halsted's offerings for The Small Gifts show, a fundraiser for

The Gloucester Education Foundation.

Invitation to the show. The fundraiser weekend is December 4 - December 6.

wip (work in progress): oncorhynchus nerka

that's my kitchen workspace above. below is the sockeye. aluminum and combination leaf on panel with oil and wax on reverse glass. detail below:

The WIP (work in progress): Hake panel 4 continues

I have added gold leaf to the front and gilded the panel behind the glass with aluminum leaf. refined the drawing, pretty near done.

The WIP (work in progress) panel 2 continues

In the big pic you can see my reflection in the mirrored sections.

The WIP (work in progress): Hake panels

above: panel 3, gold leaf and sharpie on reverse
glass with canvas backing


above : Panel 2: sharpie with silver leaf on reverse
glass backed with oil on canvas



above: panel 1, sharpie and oil on reverse
glass with combination leaf, backed with
oil on canvas

These are for a commission. The commissioner will get first pick of 3 or 4 or 5 or...I'm on a roll and I am working. These are 24x36" and I keep getting more ideas.

best to all,
deb.

Work in Progress: Madame B. stage 2 and 3

Above is stage 2. the canvas is 30x32, mixed media with aluminum leaf, oil, egg tempera, chalk. this has been in the works for 2 years. I pulled it from the racks a month ago and started to rework it. Below is stage 3, as of yesterday afternoon. The values are very close, so i had to up the contrast and intensity, so that it would photograph. The work needs to be removed from the stretchers and re-stretched or placed on a board. The painting has been sanded and re-colored, the drawing refined. I am 'in-between' looking within, trying to determine if gold should be introduced.

My posts will continue to be intermittent. No internet at home, trying to live within a very tight budget. Until the next time the signal gods grant me some air time, dream some, write some, look some, paint or doodle or google or whatever fills you with joy, do it.

deb.

Progress Report: New Work, 1st and 2nd light

"Jahna's Chicken" 10x10"
egg tempera and silver leaf on panel
copyright debbie clarke 2008

"Elizabeth's Cardinal" 10x10"
egg tempera and silver leaf on panel
copyright debbie clarke 2008

Progress Report: The Trapper John and The Dog & I drawing

This drawing is done. needs to be sealed. then the final light will be applied. stay tuned.
"Trapper John and The Dog & I" 30x32" copyright debbie clarke 2008, gloucester ma. chalk, aluminum leaf, wax, sharpie on canvas.

Trapper John, work in progress, as of 9/01/2008

Eye on Main: Main Exchange August offerings

Work in Progress:minus Dog&I and Trapper John

Two views, same painting.
The egg wash and chalk drawing is completely covered in 1-3 layers of aluminum leaf, adhered with gelatin slurry . I am in the process of burnishing the surface with cotton wool to reveal the images beneath the aluminum leaf.

There is a tradition of devotional art in which the sacred is visited through repitious acts, such as tending the altar every day. I have seen Shiva altars in which layer upon layer of silver or gold leaf is encrusted inches thick on the yoni/linga. This painting reminds me of the practice. The aluminum leaf will continue to be added until the Dog&I and the Trapper John become iconic. Sometimes the light hits this canvas and I am momentarily blinded by the brilliance.

Can you see what I see?

Trapper John, work in progress

The Trapper John minus Dog & I. still drawing, constructing the picture plane. media: chalk, egg yolk, gelatin slurry, aluminum leaf. it changes with the light.

SOLD! "Hake" oil on reverse glass with metal leaf

Yes! Sold this painting last week. This photo was taken when the painting was first started, I need to get a final photo. It is extremely dimensional, and is highly mirrored. It is now owned by the folks that have been collecting my work since the 80's. They call their gallery wall the "Debbie Clarke Museum". This is the first glass piece that they have purchased. They are also looking at the new foil paintings for their next addition, which will be within the next few years.

"Dog and I" work in progress

This is the view. The tide comes in, the tide goes out, the boats come in, the boats go out, the boats rise and fall below the pier.

This is the first new work from my new nest. It is chalk, egg yolk, gelatin, aluminum leaf. 30x32inches on acrylic primed cotton duck.

Dog and I detail: The Dog and I (it will be yellow with green)

Dog and I detail: The Trapper John.

Sort of academic with a twist, a painterly drawing? some compositional dynamics to work out, then onto the next.