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Zen Garden 02
May 9, 2009
Zen Garden 02, 48W x 24H x 1D inches mixed media: texture medium, sand, white glue, modeling paste, kitty litter (new of course!), plaster. Wrapped sides painted, frame unnecessary. Sold but can be recreated, not exactly, but in the same spirit as the original.
This painting won the Visual Art Society of Texas title of Artist of the Year (2009) for me at Thursday night’s meeting. This piece hangs vertically, horizontally or can be flipped upside down 2 ways; four different orientation hanging options.
Most of the Zen Garden series are experimental, seeking various ways to obtain the raked sand look without having to pay high prices for the ready-made texture mediums that don’t cover much surface. Zen Garden #2 uses kitty litter bought at the dollar store mixed in varying portions with the above fillers, scooped into a large ziploc bag that was cut in the corner and squeezed out like cake icing onto the canvas. I still had to maneuver the medium into place with fingers because it was so thick coming out of the bag, due to the new absorption factors of new brands of kitty litter. I’ll experiment with aquarium sand and pebbles, or any number of other pet products that are far less expensive than art supplies.
While titles and awards can help refuel encouragement, finding our own source of motivation keeps us working and growing continually, regardless. Robert Genn in The Painter’s Keys has some interesting words about the subject of jurying and acceptance or non-acceptance, quoting Jung, Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.
Categories: 3D, Abstract/Realism, acrylic painting, award winner, contemporary, experimental, garden, innovation, mixed media, rocks, series, Sold, Zen Garden series | 6 Comments »
6 Responses to “Zen Garden 02”
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May 9th, 2009 at 11:06
Awesome, Nikki! Congratulations, you deserve it! (Make sure you put your new title on all your brochures, etc!!!!) I really loved Zen Garden #1…having seen it in person, I can say they are even more beautiful than the photos reveal. No one will guess it is kitty litter….rather they will imagine sand from Nepal, gathered painstakingly by Tibetan monks….
May 9th, 2009 at 11:06
hahaha, you’re too much Karen – sand from Nepal – the encouragement is welcome. Please critique directly wherever you see fit too. I always appreciate your feedback..
May 10th, 2009 at 11:06
Congratulations!!You’re amazing Nikki!! I love this new Zen Garden#2, you deserve the title.
May 10th, 2009 at 11:06
How wonderful to have your efforts validated! And by a group of peers!! I would have voted for you too.
I love your far flungs experimental nature! This is beautiful.
May 10th, 2009 at 11:06
The 3 of you are always so supportive, so thanks.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:06
~ Sold June 26th ~