Un-official finished pieces.

I just finished my latest paintings.There is something about the lack of refinement that is both attractive to me and vexing to me. There is a homey-ness, painterly feel; simplicity in the execution. Or maybe the desire to have simplicity in the execution. I will be doing more paintings like this.

In the end, it about beauty and color and things that are shiny.

Like the days spent playing in your mothers jewelry box or something. The preciousness and value in the gems are the ones you feel inside; the value is personal and internal.

Two paintings: Affordable Opulence and Opulence is an Illusion. Both by Karmen Brown (2012)

 

New stuff….

I have always wondered whether or not it is smart to show my works in progress. I enjoy the creative process but I wonder if someone will see something I’m doing, incorporate that into their work and then accuse me of copying them or something. I may just be paranoid.

BUT, I’m working on a series featuring patterns and rhinestones and tissue papers. They are small pieces of individual paintings, but will all work together to tell a story. Perhaps six to nine panels. Here are two the panels now:

Opulence is an Illusion by Karmen Brown 2012

and here is the other

Affordable Opulence by Karmen Brown (2012)

Collage Art

One medium I was just testing the water on before I left for Japan was collage art. I was especially interested in integrating rhinestones, sparkles, and glitter with my paintings and also using traditional Japanese/Japanese styled papers.

It was important for me to have a reason to use those items in the work. How does it help tell the story?  I’m currently working on a series of  designs that intergrate the rhinestones into the works. The first one is really quite pretty (although, I’m not quite done).

In regards to my Etsy shop, I have decided to sell my early jewelry.  I wasn’t going to at first but I believe in the designs and the works. They have the quirky feel

Telling the story

What do you want to say? What are you saying with you creation? What is the story behind the art? Those are the questions I ask myself  when I start and as I do a project. As I work on  project, it is like journey. I’m going on an adventure through my mind; through my subconscious. Sometimes, I’m looking for answers. I rarely find what I am looking for.

I’ve hit a wall where my jewelry line is concerned. I have pieces that are almost ready, but I won’t take that final step to complete them and put them on the market. I’m not sure what I am waiting for.  It is kinda of like a writing block; it is a designer block.

Back to the grind, I suppose.

Exercises in using photo filters.

I like taking photos. I wouldn’t call myself a photographer. If  I did, I would be pretty amateur. But this current trend toward old school Lomo/Holga/Insta film look and feel is something I can no longer ignore. It is almost like a backlash to the super realistic 3D digital cameras or something. So, I’ve been testing my creativity using some photos I took this weekend and using lighting/color/camera effect filters in a photo editing program.

I’m pretty happy with the results. Here is just one of my creations:

Playing with filters

Since almost everything that is electronic now has camera, everyone fancy themselves a photographer. Which is fine. Whether you are an amateur or professional, we all want to capture that moment. Some people have a natural talent for photo composition and framing. Other people not so much. Why do I mention this. Filters. The world of photo editing and filters has turned into kind of an art form. When to use which filter. Holga or  Lomo?  Lighting effects. The art of applying filters to make an image “pop” or tell more of a story than what is really going on.

Giving photos personality? Hey pretty flower, what is your story??  

About my latest piece, Seasons Speak

It is an abstract painting  done with marker, oil paint, and gel ink. It is chaotic and colorful. It is also unsure of itself. Much like the weather around the world and weather that is in our minds.

Seasons Speak

original abstract art by Karmen Brown 2012

Why sell the original?

The other day, my sister saw my Etsy shop.

She wanted to know if I ever thought about selling prints of artwork instead of the original piece. I told her no. And then I thought about why.

The reason I sell some of my original paintings is because I want people to have a piece of something unique. I have painting collections that are more personal or part of a message about life or some such stuff. But the paintings I decide to sell are pretty gems from my subconscious and I believe there is someone who can appreciate that part of me. There are people who can see what I see or maybe they see something completely different. It is way of communicating and sharing.

Breaking the Silence, breaking new ground

Hello,

After a long sabbatical, I have returned refreshed and full of ideas.

In 2007, after the passing of beloved cat Kitty Ike, I decided to live one of my dreams. I moved to a foreign country to live and work. I was only supposed to be gone for one or two years.

I ended up living overseas for about 4 years.  In that time, I helped to teach children and adults English while learning a new language and trying to find my place within the community and country.

Some days were very difficult, some were very easy. I learned a lot about myself and got a lot of inspiration from the people around me.

I am back in the United States ready to work harder than ever to establish myself as a Avant Garde illustrator and painter as well as jewelry designer. Sometimes, we have to take the road less travelled to find out place in the world.