"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home" (Twyla Tharp)

Final Assignment ...




It's difficult to believe it's been two years ... twelve assignments - and this is the final artwork before the most important part of the course - the diploma portfolio works.  For now I am happy to breathe a sigh of relief I managed to get this far.  You can see the familiar brown envelope in which our artwork travels across the globe - 'students work of no commercial value' always makes me cringe a little. 


The assignment called for three or more flowers or berries and fruit brought together in a mixed composition.  Continuing from my previous post I managed to include the final elements - being the strappy leaves of the society garlic, the stems of all the subjects and to refine the painting as much as time would allow.  I can't believe I still have plenty of that blue painter's tape left - I use it to secure the paper to the perspex board and it clashes terribly with my painting - time to get a neutral coloured tape :)  It is supposed to keep the artwork flat while working with watercolour.


As you can see here it doesn't work as well as hoped - but then I work quite wet and always end up with warped paper.  I love to see the way the colour interacts with the wet paper - I am not so keen on working dry.



Back to my method of stretching artwork  - I was organised enough to have two days spare to use this technique of flattening the artwork on completion.


Voila!  Nice and flat - and no ugly blue tape.  I could have done a better job of the stretching but rushed it a little and after talking to another artist have picked up a few more tips to assist with an even better result.


 Now it's back to the drawing board.  While this is our final regular assignment of the course - we now launch into the diploma works - three artworks required in half the time.   They are also worth around forty per cent of our overall mark which is quite daunting.   There are a lot of weary students around the world having to do some serious time management to meet the final course deadline in three months.  Fingers crossed we have learnt enough along the way to help us all over the line.  Thank you for your lovely comments and for being a great support - it makes the road a lot less lonely ...

All images © Vicki Lee Johnston









14 comments:

  1. The statement 'of no commercial value' is quite ironic, these paintings would sell in a flash if they were available Vicki. Beautiful work.

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    1. Yes it's a little hard to see on all that work .. thank you

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  2. Your work is so beautiful. You must be a bundle of nerves sending those beautiful works of art through the mail. I know I would be! Congratulations and good luck with the next phase.

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    1. I am Gustia, sometimes there has been damage - thank you x

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  3. LOL! I love your way of stretching the paper afterwards, I think it's really 'you'. Spectacular work Vicki - I agree with PErthDailyPhoto - this painting would sell in a flash - brilliant.

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    1. I do have my own quirks - thanks Jess maybe one day I will sell one :)

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  4. Wow! You did a really good job with this assignment. I like your triangle composition and the pink flowers.
    I agree with the others, this painting would definitely sell.
    Good luck painting the last three pieces.

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    1. Thank you so much Jennifer, appreciate your good wishes.

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  5. Vicki, Your painting turned out beautifully, and I agree with the others that it would quickly sell. Now onward to the next phase of the course!

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  6. It is spectacular. SO gorgeous, Vicki, you are amazing!! love to you,Diana

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  7. I cannot imagine you would have a problem selling your work, Vicki Lee. It's just beautiful.

    (That "no commercial value" mention. It keeps the cost down, right? And with so much heart and sweat in these creations, how could they be replaced, really? When we pour ourselves into something, how can it ever really be replaced? We can just hope that it finds a home where it is loved. That's how I've always felt when purchasing art, and when having to sell a work of art.)

    Excuse me if I should know this already, but haven't you sold some of your work yet? (Perfect holiday gifts if you ask me. Exquisite work.)

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    1. Thank you so much - yes the 'no commercial value' is for tax purposes in the postage system as we send our artworks around the world to be assessed.

      At this stage I haven't considered selling until post graduation as they are all diploma works.

      Exciting times ahead though - first exhibition next year with a group of fellow artists.

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