Art Exhibitions: Art Competition Exhibition Water
by David Jay Spyker
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Three Paintings at Carnegie Center for the Arts
"Vessels", 2008, by David Jay Spyker, Acrylics on Canvas, 30" x 42"
It’s that time of year again, and each year I express my fondness for the Carnegie Center for the Arts and the annual regional art competition held there.
This year I am pleased to show three paintings at the competition, and I do hope you will visit the exhibition.
The opening reception is always well attended by the artists and by a very supportive regional community of art lovers.
"The Journey", 2009, by David Jay Spyker, Acrylics on Canvas, 24" x 36"
Both of my larger paintings, “Vessels” and “The Journey”, should be fairly easy to spot right away.
You can read more about “Vessels” in a previous article.
“The Journey” was also exhibited last Autumn at the Art Center of Battle Creek’s 28th Michigan Artist’s Competition.
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My third piece on display will be the small painting “Water Study”, which was done in 2008.
"Water Study", 2008, by David Jay Spyker, Acrylics on Canvas, 5" x 7"
The 2010 Regional Art Competition runs from January 17 through February 20; the opening reception and awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, January 17 from 2-4 pm. You’ll find the museum in Three Rivers, Michigan. Please visit their website for directions and additonal information.
Art: Acrylic Wash Acrylics Painting Techniques Watercolor Paper Waterfall
by David Jay Spyker
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A Waterfall Study, Acrylics On Paper
I have been using Golden Paints’ Open Acrylics line of paints now for a while, and because of the extended working, or “open” time of the product, I thought I would try them on paper in a watercolor style. The finished piece is a nice little interpretation of Niagara Falls.
"Niagara", 2009, by David Jay Spyker - 5.5 x 8.5 inches - Acrylic Wash, Minor Drybrushing, and Paint on 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor Paper
The bulk of the painting was done on slightly damp to wet paper, but included some minor drybrushing, and some basic acrylic paint layering (particularly with whites and cobalt-tinted whites to achieve a misty look, and to bring back some highlights).
To thin the paints I used a mixture of distilled water, and Golden’s Open Liquid Acrylic Medium. The watercolor paper absorbed the paints very well, but I could tell toward the end that the pores in the paper were starting to get full of acrylics. Also, once fully dry, the paints will not become resoluble, so there is no going back in to blend colors later.
While not traditional watercolors, I think the acrylics performed very well in this application, and I may work on more acrylic washes on paper.