Logo, light and estranging

And here's the Aquarellista logo (3X) - all the members cast their vote and this is the one they chose...

Last week our group did some research in "light" - leave only one part of your paper unpainted and work wet in wet. The results were exciting - these are two that I took a picture of, we may have more next week...

And then my own developments - I have started a new project in my atelier, not sure what it is going to lead to - but the idea is "estranging" everyday subjects. By giving them another perspective, or another colour or texture etc... I'll keep your posted, this is a first result that I'll develop into something. I like it, my husband likes it, but my mates from the model drawing class that I teach on Monday morning thought it was too "romantic"... What do you think?

a Logo for Aquarellista!

We are passionate about Aquarelle!

We'd like to promote painting with it. We found out that aquarelle is a fabulous medium to express yourself in. It is light, you can always carry it with you, it has no strong smell and is ready for use whenever you feel like it. Being good with aquarelle paint is regarded as difficult - and it does require a bit of technique - that you have to learn first. Not everybody can do it - but, it is not extremely difficult, just different!!

There have been great artists in the past that used aquarelle as a serious medium: Dürer, Turner, Kandinsky, Nolde... They were the first Aquarellista's!

Modern Art (I'm told) is only succesful when it is "shocking"... People watch tv all day, and are used to seeing shocking things, in general they go for the quick fix, the kick, and the sensation.

We would propose Aquarelle as a proud answer to that!
Aquarellista! is a movement that promotes the beautiful, fine and subtle art of painting with aquarelle. We' d like every artist that works with aquarelle to join this group - there must be a possibility to become a mature contrast to this decadent trend that art has to be scandalous to "work". Aquarelle can be the medium for serious abstract painting, expressing emotion - strong, maybe quiet, gripping but subtle, spontaneous and always striking.

Would you like to become a member? Send a mail, or write a comment below! Membership is free for the time being and the more we are, the bigger the chance that we will be accepted as serious artists!

We'll gradually build up the movement. A website is in the planning and, after careful consideration, we'd like to introduce 3 proposals for a logo:

Let us know which one you like best!! - That one will be worked out into a serious Aquarellista logo...We look forward to your comments...

Making aquarelles for a job-and the monkey problem

A girl has to eat - and that's why a girl cannot always work on expressing herself...
This Aquarellista earns a living painting houses and portraits, as a member of the Marina Artists team!
I just finished an aquarelle of a complicated house - and super rich in detail.
It was ordered by a group of girlfriends that wanted to give a present to one of them - she is moving from the South of France back to London... This is her house!

I took pictures of the progress during the days I was working on it - and put them in a presentation, which will give an indication of how it was done...


It was a lot of work but I loved every minute of it. That said, it did influence my cooking!
Where I usually am painting on big pieces of paper, detailed where I think it should be and for the rest, let the transparent paint do its thing - in the kitchen I like easy, fresh and just a pinch of salt. But during this all-detail painting project, I started to peel grapes for a fruit salad and making complicated dishes with really difficult sauces... Coincidence? The brain works in mysterious ways...
Talking about brain, we (Cathie and Marina II, the other aquarellista's and me) have an issue: the Monkey Puzzle.

I clearly see a monkey in this picture - the others see a crocodile (I see that too) but no monkey - where I cannot imagine that they can miss it. How come? Is my brain working in a different manner? Does that mean, like Cathie said, that other people are missing a lot when they look at my work? Wooha... Nice one. O well, more about the monkey problem (an explanation and maybe more riddles) in a later post!
And of course - don't hesitate to react (click on COMMENT below)

The Aquarellista! Membership

Just a little try-out paper of an Aquarellista! member

Aquarellista is still in the developmental stages, but there has been a lot of thinking going on already!

I am convinced that we need to have a membership, and for the time being that membership will be free of charge. We are in the start-up phase and I'll be happy and rewarded to find others that feel the same as I do.

Let's get started with a current definition for Aquarellista members:
They are "Every artist*) worldwide that works mainly with aquarelle and is proud of it and would like to join a movement that promotes the use of aquarelle!"

*) An artist is a person that takes responsibility for his creations and has a strong urge to create his artwork, whenever and wherever he can.

The advantages of being an Aquarellista! member

* You"belong"!
* Aquarelle will finally get the image and reputation of a serious medium that can bring forth important works of art.

*You are member of a group of "mates" that could help each other, with hints, tips and tricks, going from technical stuff to locations to exhibit to commissions.

To become a member: for now - just comment to a post on this blog - I'll receive that as an email and we'll take it from there. The requirement should be proof that you fulfill the above definitions - you are an artist, you work with aquarelle and are proud of it, and want to help promoting the fine art of Aquarelle.

We are developing a logo for your website or correspondence, a kind of hallmark that shows you are part of a serious movement.

We will seek publicity, press releases and have a website.

We will be in touch with all art schools, galleries, Aquarelle suppliers etc.

I'm up for any ideas! Aquarellista from all countries, Unite!Just an illustration: I'm working on a commission for painting a wonderful house in the South of France. Will keep you posted!