RECYCLED CANVAS HERE AT LAST

Think back to the last time you watched a young child in their highchair playing with their food. One dab of this and another dribble of that. On they play until their creation is completed, a quick glance to check if anyone sees their masterpiece. They needed a surface to build on. This is part of human nature to express what we feel. Dogs and parents are the clean up crew. We often hear of new discoveries of art on cave walls and clays and old ancient paintings. Messages from the past. 

Humans discovered paper made from wood pulp, tall grasses, mud, and animal skins. Anything that can be a smooth surface to create lasting messages in picture or developing words. Today plant based fibers have become the surface of choice. Fabric has always been labor intensive with growing, soaking, drying, rolling, spinning, and finally weaving. The products of the last few centuries were driving the humans involved to a long line of inventions. Until… 

Recently, I was hunting for surfaces to create on. I bagged a good one: A recycled 20x30 canvas. Recycled? Yes! This one is made 100% from 13 recycled plastic bottles for a smooth canvas surface. The canvas was even planet-thoughtful using stretcher bars with wood from 100% certified forests. 

Breakers, 20x30, acrylic on recycled canvas!

I bought the one canvas on display to test a painting. The painting went smoothly just like all other canvas surfaces. I felt liberated from the past and joyful for the future of this lovely place we call home. The sad part of this story is that I went back to the art supply store to buy more recycled canvas, but none were available with no expectation of ordering more from wholesale. The search is on.  I Finally found:

Liquitex.com/collections/recycled-plastic-canvas. I hope your search goes well. 

Happy painting, Joel

An Art Journey Continues

 We at Joel Ellis Art are in a new stage of working with paintings. First, of course, is the painting itself - thinking on visually prepping the surface, applying the techniques with brush and an assortment of tools, including lighting and securing the surface.

The next important step in developing a satisfying image is Time, uninterrupted Time. Some artists may require time to work on a project in a series of phases before the painting is declared acceptable. I generally operate in a long single session of the work. Next, for most artists, is the signature and a drying period. The intensity of this process often leaves me in a state of is-it-done? I remember my Dad took breaks from his very physical job to freely paint pictures just for the joy of it.

Purple Pair

Next, for me, however, and for the sake of accounting, each painting is recorded in an inventory log, I photograph the piece and when it is dry,
apply the finish. When ready, the painting is then stored numerically by its size on one of several metal racks in a secure holding room near the studio.

The business from here is to select some paintings for public viewing in one of our special galleries. This is a much grander experience. Making the painting is one thing. Promoting it is another thing altogether.

We hit a bump in the journey of selling the art works – a debacle with the email, an unattended website, a mailing list of multiple changes. We call the problem of such laissez-faire - Covid, but that is not totally the issue. Covid seemed to get in the way, but the truth is we must amend and face these barriers. We made a plan of showing selected pieces under a secure new email with art loving sources that we have worked with for years. We will also up the ante of the blog, play a bit with social media, and return to galleries that nurture Art and the artists.

                                                                Crystal Morning

Note: We could not have begun this new beginning in our communications without the astonishing assistance of our IT guy, Ryan, beloved grandson.

Currently some of my art is displayed throughout venues in the greater Mid-Michigan area, such as the beautiful Shiawassee Art Center in Owosso.

My new email is joelfellis.paintings@gmail.com

The blog address is joelfellisart@blogspot.com

I and my team (Helene) are looking forward to sharing with you the paintings I love. With all good wishes to you, Joel

Rue Nord South France

Spring is Calling Outdoor Artists

 
Signs of Spring are all about us. Robins dining in the wild cherry trees, geese heading north for their nesting grounds. They all seem so energetic. As for me, I’m looking through my Plein Air magazines for a spark to motivate the next painting.

I have tried actual Plein Air, or as some folks call it, outdoor painting. The preparation time is holding me back. Preparing to paint outdoors includes as many scenarios as possible that a painter might encounter. As I overthink the outdoor adventure, I ask myself questions and answer by gathering a lot of things that may need to be carried like the easel, canvases, the important painter case and all necessities. What if it rains? Will I need bug spray, tiedowns, a plan to deal with the temperatures (I live in Michigan)? Will I have to go, you know, go?  Will I need sustenance for this adventure?

Celebration

Dune Path

Vincent van Gogh also had a lot to say about painting out in nature. In his diary he lists a few of his nagging annoyances, like heat, rain, bugs, or the process of painting such as people watching and muttering about the work or about the painter. Even walking the dunes with a finished painting, Nature seems to play games with the artists' frustration - branches scratching the still wet work or sand blowing on a masterpiece, but somehow Van Gogh got the paintings back to his studio, his place of safety and comfort.

Lake Path 

I applaud dedicated Plein Air artists and their beautiful expressions of land and sea. But, for now I will stick to the place I know, my little studio with its work to-be-done and dreams to become real.

-Joel

If you are interested in seeing paintings by Joel F. Ellis, his art is appearing as Spring opens up in mid-Michigan venues.

The Mid-Michigan Art Guild member show in April will be presenting works by members at the Neighborhood Empowerment Center, Maple street in Lansing.

The McLaren Physicians Building; is presenting artists work from greater Lansing on three levels in the building– supported by the Lansing Area Arts Connection.

And a favorite venue in Owosso at the Shiawassee Arts Center has a popular Members Show in the great room as well as galleries throughout the building presenting inspiring original art in a wide variety of techniques.