April Update - New Paintings

Michelle Wiebe Relationship 18" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas 2016

​ The past few weeks have been a little crazy. I am really excited to show the first piece, Relationship, in a series that I’ve been working on.  I’m so excited that it was chosen for the Leighton Art Centre’s Annual Juried Show. It runs from May 7th to June 14th, 2016.
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 In this series, I’m revisiting stacks of highly detailed china plates. Anyone who has followed my painting evolution will know that I seem to enjoy going cross eyed as I unravel complex patterns. There is something about becoming familiar with the repetition that I find almost relaxing. 

​This time around, these paintings are different on a few levels. Originally, I had worked on deeply textured canvas, placing the image over the grooved surface and creating depth with washes of thin paint. This time, I’ve chosen to paint on the smooth surface but add a push/pull in the colour with the application of fluid acrylic against heavy body acrylic. This results in strange layers of colour that aren’t apparent on the first glance. Hansa Yellow, Phthalo Green and hits of Quinacridone Magenta are a departure from my usual palette. The photograph doesn’t do it justice.

This is an older painting from 2007, Collection of Plates. As you can see the texture is very different from my new painting, Relationship. At the time, I never felt I had properly finished this series so I am happy to return to this subject and explore it more deeply.

​ Another thing that has kept me busy is that I took a trip to Chilliwack to compete in Art Battle 383. It was an awesome event and very well organized. I was really pleased with my final round painting this time. Something I am trying to get better at is having enough creative energy to paint in a second time in battle - it is really hard to maintain momentum. It was well worth the journey because I won! This qualifies me to compete in the Art Battle Provincials for British Colombia in June. 

Cherry Blossoms - Winning painting for Art Battle 383 done in 20 minutes!

 In the middle of all this I also found time to work on my upcoming Intersection Art Project painting (that post is coming soon), pull some prints to take to the Leighton Art Centre as well as complete a large landscape commission to take with me on my trip to British Colombia. Like I said, it’s been a busy month! 

Michelle Wiebe Cultus Lake 24" x 30" Acrylic on Canvas 2016