Michael Vallance Art

  • She is Beautiful.

    Following up on the ‘bunny painting’, I’ve switched from cool colours to hot and moved towards the type of image I wish to create.

    “Elle est” will be recognisable to many as French “she is”, whereas ātaahua will be less familiar outside of New Zealand. Ātaahua is from Te Reo Māori and means “beautiful”. She is Beautiful.

    She is Beautiful.

  • Sea Bunny.

    Since I have this pad of gesso-canvas sheets, it seemed prudent to get some practice in before committing my idea to canvas … and it’s a good thing I did.

    I find acrylic paint difficult. It is nothing like watercolour. Looks different. Feels different. Probably even tastes, smells and sounds different. Does not play the same game. The sheet curled up quite dramatically during the session, requiring the use of water-filled glass jars to weigh it down. Despite how much paint I put on, the gesso-sheet is still quite visible. Maybe the paint needs to be thinned with a little water? After drying, the colour looks a lot better.

    Why the rabbit? The rabbit had been lurking on my art table for several weeks following a child’s birthday. I have been meaning to sit aside a drawer for all those odds-and-ends that will probably be useful in a craft project … some day in the next millennia. Glad I had that glue-stick handy.

    Rabbit-problem solved.

  • A Great Moment

    Long, long time ago (i.e. 30 years), in A Guidance-Counsellor’s office far away (i.e. 2 hours drive from here), I was presented with a copy of “Being Happy” by Australian author and cartoonist Andrew Matthews. It is a good book. I enjoy Matthew’s philosophy but what sets Matthews apart from others in the “self-help” genre are the cartoons he draws to support the concepts in his books. The cartoons, as far as I can determine, appear to be line-drawings and some type of brush work for colouring and shading. If anyone can tell, please let me know.

    Whilst trying to discover what drawing style he uses, I came across a newer book of his called How Life Works. Cool. Not only are his books still in print, but he’s made others. I bought the digital edition and …. ooops! …. the drawings are tiny. I can only assume that the print version is better.

    Anyway…

    In chapter 15 Matthews addreses the question “Where does energy come from”. There is a short story, followed by the conclusion:

    Energy flows into your being every time you say, “This is a GREAT MOMENT!”

    Go ahead and try it right now. Say “This is a Great Moment!” out loud (yes, even if you are in the office or at a fast-food joint). How do you feel?

    That made it the perfect subject for a painting.

  • Screen Time

    Computers are amazing tools. I use them daily. Unfortunately, sitting in front of a screen for hours upon hours is detrimental not only to our physical, but also to our mental health. I worked in I.T. for many years and the worst part of the job (besides the chronic stress) was sitting in front of that glowing rectangle for eight darned hours every day.

    The beauty of painting, drawing and crafts is that no computer is necessary. Sure, we may want cameras, tripods and sound-recorders when we’re documenting the process, but take away all the paraphernalia and we will still make our art. We will keep creating when the power goes out (so long as we can see). They can not stop us!

    If you’re going to make videos, you are going to need screen-time. There is nothing wrong with that; Computers are just as much tools as brushes and pencils. But do try to minimise it for the sake of your health and sanity.

    Incidentally, I tend to find that the art I make off-camera is often more satisfying to me than the art that goes into a video. Now switch off your computer and go for a walk.

  • Engines Ready …

    Go!

    The Youtube channel Michael Vallance Art is up and running.
    A few likes and subscribers already. Early days yet. Will take a few months to get some momentum going. 👍

    Check it out!