Alchemy #2

Alchemy #2

12"x12"

Oil and Wax on cradled Ampersand panel

The Alchemy series was named because of the colors that were appearing as they were applied to the panels.  It was such fun to just see what happened and how the colors morphed and changed.  Alchemy #2 is a real mystery now because I have absolutely no idea what colors I used.  It will never happen again.

Cabin at Ghost Ranch is going to Dutch Art

Cabin at Ghost Ranch

12"x12"

Oil and Cold Wax

Sold

This is the second painting that was accepted to Dutch Art Gallery's next show, It's a Small World.  It was painted after returning from a wonderful art trip.  All of the colors and shapes that appeared as I was painting  remind me of old weathered boards and walls with warm last rays of sun shining on them.

I hope you can come to the opening reception on June 6,  11 am to 6 pm.  Come out early.  The gallery gives out goodie bags that contain original art by some of the artists in the show.

Dutch Art Gallery

10233 East Northwest Hwy

Dallas, TX

214.348.7350

Desert (Blue Planet Series)

Desert (Blue Planet Series)

12"x12"

Oil on cradled birch panel

$350 unframed

Next in the Dreaming series.  It is a view from somewhere above us all.  Clouds, lights, roads, water...It is what I think we would see if we were above.

Enjoy!

Dreaming is going to Dutch Art

Dreaming (Blue Planet Series)

12"x12"

Oil on Ampersand cradled panel

Oil

$350 Unframed

$450 Framed

Three of my paintings have been accepted to Dutch Art Gallery's next show, It's a Small World.  There was no theme for paintings that were entered.  They just had to be smaller than 11x14.   I will tease you by saying images of the others will be posted soon.

It is rather nice to get to repost Dreaming.  It is what has inspired some of my recent paintings.  It will be nice to see them all together.

I hope you can come to the opening reception on June 6,  11 am to 6 pm.  Come out early.  The gallery gives out goodie bags that contain original art by some of the artists in the show.

Dutch Art Gallery

10233 East Northwest Hwy

Dallas, TX

214.348.7350

Blue Planet Study #2 (Blue Planet Series)

Blue Planet Study #2 (Blue Planet Series)

12"x4"

Oil on cradled panel

Sold

The series continues.  Somewhere along the way, I may be changing the titles to be more descriptive. Until I see them all together, dates will have to do.

Last Saturday was my presentation to the Dallas Handweavers and Spinners Guild.  I really enjoyed meeting everyone.  I hope I inspired them to look for different sources for inspiration for their art.  Where I look at weavings and pottery for a lot of my inspiration, I hope they may start looking at paintings and other mediums for theirs.  Thank to Anne Cameron for asking me to talk to the Guild.  

This painting is hanging at Dutch Art Gallery.  Check it out in person!

Blue Planet Study #1 (Blue Planet Series)

Blue Planet Study #1 (Blue Planet Series)

12"x4"

Oil on cradled birch panel

Sold

I still surprise myself when I have a painting that is so organic.  I am a very geometric person.  I love the straight lines of architecture.  I like things lined up on the shelves in my pantry.  Yes, I do sneak some hard lines in an organic painting.  I love the contrast and I hope you do, too.

This painting is now hanging at Dutch Art Gallery.  Go by and check it out in person!

Demo for Dallas Handweavers and Spinners Guild

Everyone is welcome!

May 9, 2015   9:30am

The Point for Arts and Education at CC Young Center

4847 West Lather Drive
Dallas, TX

From the Guild's Newsletter:

Doris is a former weaver who has moved her work into painting.  She will be discussing not only her application of weaving to her current work, but also how color impacts the planning and execution of her art.  She will be giving us a virtual tour of her work, and also will have some small pieces with her to display.  See her bio here in the newsletter.  Plan to come and bring a friend!

MAY MEETING - Doris Vasek in Color & Art 

Artist’s Statement ---  Doris Vasek
My paintings are all about the color.  
I started painting in watercolor in 2005.  It was the cleanness of their colors that attracted me.  It turned out to be an easy transition from hand dyeing my own yarn for weaving, fiber for spinning or fabric for quilting to my move to watercolors.  My paintings have always been representational.  No matter what I paint in watercolors, it is the color that first draws me to the image.  
Flash forward to 2013 and see my interpretation of color into my oil and cold wax mixed media paintings.  They are not representational but once again, the intrigue of color has pulled me in this new direction.  The majority of colors in my paintings will probably never be repeated because of the methods I use in painting.  It is an additive, subtractive and manipulative method that creates unique colors each time. It is sort of alchemy.  It is still about the color.
Everyone will see something in these nonrepresentational paintings.  I hope you enjoy creating you own imaginative ideas about my oil and wax paintings.  Stop and see if you find little magical spots of color, too. 
  (Artwork is “Dancing Colors” by Doris Vasek). 

Welcome!

The Dallas Handweavers and Spinners Guild is dedicated to promoting the art of weaving and the craft of fiber work through education, member activities and mutual support. The Guild promotes fellowship among members with monthly meetings, educational workshops and community demonstrations. The DHSG bi-annual juried show gives each member an opportunity to show off their latest treasures. We invite you to join us and experience the camaraderie of our members and the interesting topics at one of our general meetings.

Guild members meet every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November), usually on the first Saturday, at The Point, Center for Arts and Education on the campus of the CC Young Memorial Home, located at 4829 West Lawther Drive, in East Dallas near White Lake in Dallas, to enjoy friendships, old and new, and to learn from speakers on a wide range of subjects and areas of interest to our members. Each monthly meeting presents a different topic, and each year our program chair-people tempt members to experiment with a new range of ideas to explore.

If you currently live in North Texas, or plan to visit our area, please join us at one of our regular meetings, or sign up for one of our workshops or special events. For more details, contact us!

Dallas Handweavers and Spinners Guild is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and our mission is to educate the community about weaving, spinning and the fiber arts. Please utilize the programs below to support the Guild. Thanks to these retail partners, whose collaborative fund-raising programs help to support our mission, and our communities.

Towns

Towns (Blue Planet Series)

28"x20"

Oil

$1500 unframed

I have been promising myself continue to do some larger works that are based on some of smaller ones.  Towns was influenced by my January 7, 2015 painting, Dreaming.  It is 12x12.  So, going up in size and changing the format changed everything for me.  There was a lot of back and forth with layers of color and marks.  There was a lot of noise as I painted.  I had to really work.  The process was both artistic and physical.  I like it that the energy shows. 

And, yes, the composition is a little bulls eye.  I readily admit that.  But this is my view of what is straight below me.

  

Deconstructed (Chocolate Covered Cherries)

Deconstructed (Chocolate Covered Cherries)

4"x4"

Oil

Sold

If someone had told me that I had to do a pink and brown painting, I would say no way.  It just happened and all I kept thinking about was good, old fashioned chocolate covered cherries.  I do think of them more as a Christmas guilty pleasure but maybe they can be found at Easter, too.

As I was getting ready to do this post, TACILW came into my studio and ask, "Whose painting is that?"  Then he went on to say that he likes it.  Pretty funny.  

For PayPal link:

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/doris-vasek/deconstructed-chocolate-covered-cherries-/365518

March 30, 2015

March 30, 2015

8"x8"

Oil

$100 matted

Not often do I say that I think I am in love with a painting.  Today, I am saying just that.  It has energy.  I could hear it being painted.  The colors are vibrant.  Believe it or not, it is only 2 oranges, 2 turquoises plus chromatic black and white.  

I have a place on the wall in my studio where I hang a new painting to try it out.  Sometime I find myself looking over my shoulder just to get a glimpse of it.  Or walking out into the hall to see it from a distance.  Or I look at it in the mirror that is across the room from the try out spot.  I know if I leave it there and keep peeking at it then I am happy with it.  Gee, I keep peeking at this one.

  

March 27, 2015

March 27, 2015

8"x6"

Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

$75

This painting was inspired by colors I saw in an image of rusty metal on Pinterest.  The rust was full of organic shapes.  My interpretation became linear.  That was a choice I made.  I didn't fight my usual inclination for linear lines and shapes. 

March 23, 2015

March 23, 2015

8"x8"

Oil

$100 matted

It is a beautiful spring day...finally.  It just made me want to work with springy colors.  So, out came a turquoise and chartreuse.  And as a neutral, Torrit Grey.  For a while, it was a real mess.  That is until I saw it from a distance and realized a landscape was emerging.  Then I was excited.  It just needed some big puffy clouds to truly define it as a landscape.  

I do believe the oak tree out my window is the real inspiration.  I have been watching the tiny leaves begin to appear.  I think the new growth has shot out several inches since yesterday.  I hope spring keeps it up.  We have had too many grey days.

March 19, 2015

March 19, 2015

8"x8"

Oil

$100 matted

Another day of doing things a little bit the same and a little bit different.  This is a design format that I love combined with a lot of neutrals that I don't often use.  Oh, how the oranges glow when surrounded by neutrals.

March 18, 2015

March 18, 2015

6"x6"

Oil

$85 matted

All of us have heard of Dog Days of Summer.  What about Dog Days of Winter?  Is that what I have been experiencing?  There have been so many grey days.  I needed to do something to get it moving.  So, today, I worked on something that is a little bit old and a little bit new for me.  A little bit comfortable and a little bit uncomfortable.  Colors that I love combined with circular marks that I don't do.  It started with black oil pastel marks.  Then  the color was added.  Then moved around.  More marked added.  Back and forth between color and marks. The photo does not show the different layers and textures.  Parts look like velvet.  Parts are smooth as glass. 

Dutch Art Gallery story continues

Ok, this is blatant self promotion but I get excited every time I see this on Dutch Art Gallery's home page.  They actually took one of my paintings and inserted it into a scene.  It looks so darn cute in that setting.

And along with that, DAG's Pursuit of the Southwest show is now over BUT they are keeping my paintings.  That is really exciting for me to be able to continue to display there.  So, they have 3 large oil and cold wax pieces plus a bunch of the smaller oil pieces.  

If you are in the neighborhood, go by Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas!!  You will be amazed at the art.

Last chance for Round Top show

Turmoil

32"x16"

Oil and Cold Wax

$750

Just a reminder that this Sunday, March 15, is the last chance to see The Gallery at Round Top's 2015 International Salon Exhibition.  I finally got to go last week.  It is a beautiful show and I am so honored that Turmoil, At Day's End and Distant are there.

A big thrill is that Turmoil won an Ampersand Award of Excellence!!  Thank you Ampersand!!!

On a different subject....my totally revamped website is up today.  I am liking the more modern look it has.  Please check it out.  dorisvasek.com

Many thanks to TACILW!

March 10, 2015

March 10, 2015

4"x4"

Oil

$75 matted

This little one was a color study for a larger one I am working on right now.   As of right now, the big one is eating my lunch.  I've said it before and will probably say it many more times...scaling up in size is really difficult for me.  But I am not giving up.  They don't have to be exactly alike.  One just needs to lead to the next one.

Teaser:  Another reason I am not posting as often is that I am working with TACILW to totally revamp my website.  Keep watching!  It should be very soon! 

February 25, 2015

February 25, 2015

4"x4"

Oil

$75 matted

I am always amazed at the different feelings the same pallet of colors can evoke.  February 23 and this painting are the exact same colors.  Soft and etherial.  Hard and strong.  It all depends on the mood of the artist.

This painting can ship when it is dry.  It will be sealed with Golden Archival Satin Varnish and matted in white 8x8 mat.  

February 23, 2015

February 23, 2015

6"x6"

Oil

Sold

I am hoping for a spot of sunlight today.  But it probably will not happen.  The view out my window is just tones of grey.  I will  keep hoping that I get to see the sun peeping through just like in this painting.

This painting can ship as soon as it it is dry.  It will be sealed with Golden Archival Satin Varnish.  It will be matted in white with an outside dimension of 10"x10" ready for framing.

February 21, 2015

February 21, 2015

8"x8"

Oil

$100

I don't know what to think about this one.  I didn't like it at first and now it is starting to grow on me.  My goal was large shapes with a limited palette.  So, I started with 3 big shapes, 3 colors and got to going from there.  It was challenging and fun all at the same time.  I will not tell you all the things I see in it!

February 19, 2015

February 19, 2015

6"x6"

Oil

$85

She's back!!  Yes, I took a couple of weeks off from posting.  Reorganizing my studio.  Framing and delivering paintings to galleries.  I even went to a print making demo at a Print Austin event.  I don't think I will be doing that any time soon.

February 19 is my return to posting.  It may be renamed Back Lit.  It just seems to glow from within.  

3 Paintings going to juried exhibition in Round Top!!

                                                       

At Day's End

aka Tiny and Tall Grew Up

Turmoil

Distant

I am so excited to announce that these paintings were accepted to The Gallery at Round Top's 2015 Juried Salon Exhibition! That means I get to do a road trip to Round Top to make my delivery.  I always love going there and it is even better to be going to make a delivery of art for the show. 

The exhibition opens February 21 and runs through March 14.  The opening reception is February 21 5-7pm.  Check it out!!!

thegalleryatroundtop.com

Tranquil Times

Tranquil Times

8"x8"

Oil

$175 Matted and Framed

Please note: This painting is now available at The Gallery at Round Top.  Please contact the gallery at 979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com.

I painted Tranquil Times a couple of days ago and have been studying it since then.  I had to do that before I posted it because it is a little different for me.  I guess I had to let it grow on me.  Sometime, I wait and make changes days later.  Not today.  I decided it didn't need any changes.  It is ready for the world. 

Trees? Roses? Underwater?

Trees? Roses? Underwater?

4"x4"

Oil

SOLD

Everyone that has seen this little jewel has seen different plant life.  Sometime I think it is tree trunks.  The next time I see rose stems.  Barbara, the new owner, sees underwater plant life.  I am going to let her live with it a while before we decide on the final title.

This is another limited pallet painting.  French Ultramarine and Indian Yellow.  They were mixed on he painting surface to make the luscious greens.  It was pure manipulation of the wet paint that made the shapes appear.  This really was one of those magic ones that had the shapes appear.

I am going to miss this little one but she is off to the best home possible!!!

Colors, Shapes and Marks

Fireworks

4"x4"

Oil

$75 matted

How many colors do you see?  I see yellows, oranges, reds, blues, greens, blacks....and probably a few more.  I hate to tell you there are only 3 and one of those is almost all wiped away.  This painting was done with Chinese Orange and Indigo with Buff Titanium wiped off.  It is interesting that if I can catch Chinese Orange at a certain stage of drying, it leaves yellow.  This was a spontaneous little painting.  Lots of fun.  Sort of like fireworks.

Sky and Wind

Story of a Storm

8"x8"

Oil

NFS

This painting has quite a story to tell.  It has been everything...an absolute abstract with geometric shapes.  An orange painting.  Wiped off with Gambol.  A blue painting.  You name it and I probably tried it.  Suddenly, a greyed green appeared in the foreground.  It was the silver green that I see on the lake some days.  Sometime, it is an absolutely still lake, and other times, it is boiling.  It all has to do with the sky and the wind.  Today, I choose the stormy one.  

I will never get tired of getting to watch the lake from my studio.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/doris-vasek/sky-and-wind/315893

Colors of Evening

Colors of Evening

8"x3"

Oil

$155 Matted and Framed

Please note: This painting is now available at The Gallery at Round Top.  Please contact the gallery at 979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com.

I just could not decide what to do today.  I messed around all day.  I finally had to look out the window to see what was going on with the sunset.  Most of it was gone but sometime that is the most dramatic time.

Tiny and Tall Trio

For the fun of it, I thought I would show how the Tiny and Tall group looks together.  The original one is about 3"x3/4".  The second one is 9"x3" and the big one is 24"x8".  The surfaces are mat photo paper, Terra Skin and Ampersand Gessobord.  It was fun and educational all at the same time.

This is one of the reasons I try to "make something" out of the paint that may go to waste on my pallet.  I never know what will happen.  It may be that I just have a clean pallet or I get something that I want to grow into a larger painting.   

Total Experiment

Total Experiment

7"x5"

Oil on Canvas

Total Experiment was just that - an experiment.  This was my first time painting with oil on canvas.  That probably seems counter intuitive.  Everyone starts with oils on canvas.  Right? Well, not me and as of this moment, I don't know if I am liking it one bit.   

The main reason I am posting it is to make note of the day it was painted.  I am wondering how long it is going to take to dry.

Tiny and Tall Grew Up

Tiny and Tall Grew Up

24"x8"

Oil on 2" cradled Ampersand Gessobord

$490

You are not seeing things.  Tiny and Tall, from 2 days ago, grew up.  It went from 3"x1" to 9"x3" and now, 24"x8".  Painting with an end result in mind is never easy for me.  I am challenging myself to do it more often these days.  I know that the sooner I do the next size up, the easier it is to accomplish.  

I will probably be changing her name but, for now, it will be this way.

  

Calling to Me

Calling to Me

8"x8"

Oil on Terra Skin

$175 Matted and Framed

Please note: This painting is now available at The Gallery at Round Top.  Please contact the gallery at 979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com.

This painting has be calling to me for a couple of weeks.  She was started in December but remained unfinished because I ran out of the colors I was working with on my pallet.  Today, I found her and had to figure out how to continue.  That was be a challenge for me.  I usually paint the small abstracts in one sitting.  Maybe I should work this way more often.  I like that it allowed me to layer more and keep some harder edges.   

Tiny and Tall

Tiny and Tall

9"x3"

Oil on Terra Skin

$155 Matted and Framed

Please note: This painting is now available at The Gallery at Round Top.  Please contact the gallery at 979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com.

This small little painting grew from a color sample I made that was about 3"x1".  It may need to keep on growing.  The simplicity of it really appeals to me.

Turmoil and Serenity

Turmoil

32"x16"

Oil and Cold Wax on 1.5" cradled Ampersand

$750

I am in a wild river.  No matter where I look, there is turmoil.

Serenity

32"x16"

Oil and Cold Wax on 1.5" cradled Ampersand

$750

I above the Earth.  Looking down at the serene scene below.

I am leaving it up to the viewer to decide.

This painting is on two panels that will be bolted together.  I love working on multiple panels this way.  Long rectangular paintings, either vertical or horizontal, are so interesting. 

Swirling and Falling

Swirling and Falling

16"x12"

Oil and Cold Wax on  2" cradled Ampersand

$400

Update: Swirling and Falling has been accepted to Irving Art Association's Texas and Neighbors 2015 Exhibition.  Whoohoo!!  The show hangs April 18 - May 16 at the Irving Arts Center.

Today, I am posting a rather controversial painting.  That is, controversial around my house.  TACILW hates it.  I say I am trying it out for a while.  My thoughts about it have ranged from Too Dark to Too Messy to Rather Interesting to Not My Usual.  It is really textured and rather odd.  I think it is so different and I do like it!  I wish you could see it in person.

The Sky Made Sounds

The Sky Made Sounds

16"x20"

Oil and Cold Wax on 2" cradled Ampersand

NFS

12/13/15 Update: It has been changed again; so, it is not available in this form. 

I have to be honest.  I came to this painting the long way around.  There is a totally different painting underneath.  I hated it. TACILW hated it.  But still, it hung around the studio for over a year until a couple of weeks ago.  I was suddenly in a devil may care mood and just painted over it.  

I painted vigor and motion.  There was a lot of actual sound to the painting process.  Cutting.  Scraping.  Pushing paint.  This is one of those paintings that I wish you could see up close.  Those little jewels are showing up in it.

And, I am going to be honest and say, this painting did not have a title until just now.  Writing about how she came to be told me what she wanted to be called.  Once again, the painting was leading me.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/doris-vasek/the-sky-made-sounds/312616

Dreaming

Dreaming

12"x12"

Oil on 3/4" cradled Ampersand

$350 unframed

$450 framed

This painting is currently available through Dutch Art Gallery.  It is framed and ready for hanging.

Maybe yesterday's Flight was just a lead in to making me brave enough to post some of the larger paintings I have been doing the last couple of weeks.  For me, they have an etherial feel of flying and looking down or being on Earth and looking up.  Either way, they are not my usual geometric.  

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/doris-vasek/dreaming/312287

Flight

Flight

6"x6"

Oil on Terra Skin

$85 matted

I do not usually allow myself to "see things" in my abstracts.  I think naming a painting based on the "seen" thing may turn off a viewer/collector/buyer.  TACILW (the art critic I live with) will walk into my studio and say, "I see...." and I stop him before he can finish his statement.  I don't want to be skewed by his idea.  

You know where this is going.  Today, I am in flight with a Red Winged Blackbird as he soars over fields and forests.  I couldn't help myself. 

This painting can ship when it is dried.  It will be matted in white with outside dimension of 8x8.  It will be sealed with Golden Archival Satin Varnish. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/doris-vasek/flight/311936

Finding the Angles

Finding the Angles

4"x4"

Oil on Terra Skin

$115 Matted and Framed

Please note: This painting is now available at The Gallery at Round Top.  Please contact the gallery at 979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com.

As you have probably noticed, I am a very horizontal and or vertical painter.  I love the organization of a grid.  Horizontal formats are just soothing.  Vertical is more edgy.  With all of that in mind, I decided to try a different direction - literally a different direction - a diagonal.  

One of the joys of painting daily is the freedom to try new things.  Recently, I read Carol Marine's new book.  She talks about, that when you paint daily, each painting not being as precious and that you don't have as much invested in them.  I am still mulling that over.  I am beginning to think that daily painting just gives me the freedom to work without fear.

Meant to Be This Way

Meant to Be This Way

4"x4"

Oil on Terra Skin

Sold

Before I post a painting, I usually do a "try out" in all 4 possible direction.  Twist it around.  Hold it in front of the mirror.  Some time, I am undecided.  Not Today!  Every turn of the painting made me say "Nope."  When I came back to this, I knew it was meant to be.

This painting can be shipped when it is dry.  It will be matted in white with an outside dimension of 8x8.  It will be sealed with Golden Archival Satin Varnish.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/doris-vasek/meant-to-be-this-way/311384

Yellow Path with a Twist

Yellow Path with a Twist

4"x4"

Oil on Terra Skin

$75 matted

Yellow Path with a Twist was painted to follow in series with the previous two days.  I have quite enjoyed having turquoise back on my pallet.  Adding the buttery yellow with it has really delighted me.  I have proven to myself that the two colors play together very nicely.

This is day 3 of the January 30 in 30 Challenge.

This painting could ship when it is dried.  It will be matted in white with an outside dimension of 8x8.  It will be sealed with Golden Archival Satin Varnish.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/doris-vasek/yellow-path-with-a-twist/311027

Yellow Path 2

Yellow Path 2

4"x4"

Oil on Terra Skin

$115 Matted and Framed

Please note: This painting is now available at The Gallery at Round Top.  Please contact the gallery at 979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com.

YP2 was done right at the same time as yesterday's post.  I was continuing my brain experiment of changing the painting's format but trying to do the same painting.  At first, I liked this one better.  After a looking at them for a couple of days, I like them both.  Just like moms and their kids.

I am still having the darnedest time photographing these paintings.  Blame it on the weather.  I think my new motto is Make Your Photos While the Sun Shines.  The problem is that it isn't shining lately. So, please excuse this one.  I may have to replace it later.

Yellow Path

Yellow Path

12"x4"

Oil on Terra Skin

Sold

Please note: This painting is now available at The Gallery at Round Top.  Please contact the gallery at 979.249.4119 or ARTtgart@aol.com.

Today brings a lot of new things for all of us.  I decided to start things off with a stretched rectangular format that I haven't used in a while.  Standard format paintings have never been a favorite of mine.  That is why I use a lot of squares.  It is amazing how difficult it is for me to go from square to rectangular.  All those little shapes that I love so much need to change to go with the format.  I have to think in a different format, too.

This small one is a start toward something I have been planning for a while.  I have 5 24"x6" cradled panels that have been calling to me for months.  I have the idea that they will placed end to end to form an extremely long (or tall) painting.  Hmmm....What will happen to them in 2015?

Today also brings another 30 paintings in 30 days challenge with Leslie Saeta.  I just signed up for it yesterday.  I was being totally indecisive.  I have only committed to myself to paint "a lot."  I hope it is every day but I don't know about that .