Spring Renewed: ArtPrize 2010

Spring Renewed: ArtPrize 2010

The time has finally come to show you what I have been working on for many, many hours recently.

I have the honor of entering and showing my artwork in ArtPrize 2010. Click here for more info on ArtPrize.

For this years entry I decided to try my hand at Encaustic Wax. Encaustic wax is basically beeswax, resin, and pigment mixed together and heated. I used my good old electric skillet to do the job. I should add that I really don't cook so don't worry about me not being able to use it for "food" use in the future. I applied the wax in layers with a paintbrush (a real one, not a synthetic one) in between the wax layers I would heat the painting up with my good 'ole Stampin' Up! heat gun to fuse the layer together.

The painting is made up of three canvases each 12" x 48". The painting was created so it could hang either all three pieces together, like in the picture, alone, or even vertically. I really like pieces that let the "owner" decide how they should go. There is no right or wrong for this painting.

Here is a close up of the grass. You can see the different layers and texture that the wax allows me to create. I also used some wax medium to make a glaze with the pigmented wax for even more texture.
Budding tree tops. Can you see the depth that I was able to create by using a glaze technique.

The good 'ole spring sky.

Side view of the paintings.

If you are in the Michigan area you can see my work at the Ottawa Tavern in Downtown Grand Rapids, on Ottawa st, in the Water's Building. Enjoy!

Spring Renewed (Spring @ ArtPrize) is for sale for the price of $325.00 This painting includes a letter of authentication by the artist.

Subway Art

Subway Art has been a recent hit in the decor world, such as Pottery Barn and home design blogs. I decided that I would try my hand at it & loved how it turned out!

Several people have asked if I would be interested in designing a custom Subway Art Painting for them. The answer is a resounding, Yes!! Please e-mail me at taraangus@gmail.com with your dimensions and quotes or theme that you are interested in. Prices will start at $45 and go up from there depending on size and difficulty.

Bedroom Painting

Recently, I was commissioned to paint and design a bedroom. This was a new venture for me but I did enjoy the challenge. I also was pleased with how it turned out.

Cornflower

Acrylic on Canvas, 2008

Circle Circle

Acrylics & Silver on Canvas. 20x27 2006

Art Prize 2009

Title: Urbanity
Art form: 2-D
Medium: Multi-Media
Year created: 2009
Description of work: Acrylic on canvas, wool, decorative paper.

The figure in the piece represents urban youth in the Grand Rapids area today. On the ribbons of paper surrounding and wrapping the figure you will see statements written by Grand Rapids teens. The teens were chosen randomly with no particular order, except that they all attend school together. Each piece of paper states something that either has happened to them, they have seen done, or feel is a barrier to their success. These statements are open and candid straight from them. They were told that they could write whatever they felt they should and this is what they wrote.
Work statement: Think back to when you were a child, is the world the same today?
Now think if you grew up in the city where there was violence, drugs, and poverty all around you, would you be where you are today? What if your parents died at a young age? What if your best friend died in a drive by? What if you held the gun? What if you had to sell drugs to feed your younger brothers and sisters? What if you became a parent at the age of 14 and again at 16? Would you be the same?

The piece Urbanity is a reflection on what urban teens face every day, the pressures that are around them, and what they see happen on a daily basis.

If they are not able to break down the barriers what will their future look like? Will they have one? Will they survive?

What part of the barrier are you? Are you the solution or part of the problem?
What are WE going to DO? How are YOU going to HELP?
Technical details:
Work width: 72 inches
Work height: 48 inches
Work depth: 5 inches