TOAF: The Abstracts

I am working in series for many of the pieces I am presenting for this first time at The Other Art Fair opening 11/8 in Brooklyn. In an earlier post, I highlighted my collage work created in series on sheet film holders from vintage cameras. Like most of my work, it includes many, many layers of both paper, thread, and metal (and other) embellishments.

But I also like to paint - and leave it at that. So for the fair I created a series of seven, small,  abstract pieces on 5" x 5" x 1.5" wood panels. The series is called Tangled up in Blue. 

I will admit that when completed, I was drawn to add marks, collage and perhaps even found objects. But I love the simplicity and elegance of these pieces as is and find new details in them every time I look.

SOULS IN MY MIND -sold

ECLIPSED

IN THE DISTANCE

RUNNING WATER

CLIOUDY MORNINGS

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

MAIDEN VOYAGE - sold

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The fair, presented by Saatchi Art, runs from 11/8 to 11/11 at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint. 130 juried artists are included in the show and I will be there in Booth 20 for the entire exhibition. 

TOAF opens Thursday night 11/8 from 6pm to 10pm with a private view party. The exhibition continues on Friday 11/9 from 3pm to 10pm, Saturday 11/10 from 12pm to 9pm, and Sunday 11/11 from 11am to 6pm. If you would like to attend the VIP opening on Thursday night, please email me at shap97@gmail.com for complimentary tickets. If you would like complimentary tickets to attend the fair Friday through Sunday, click here and use code ARTIST.

Art Tip Video 1: Painting Dark to Light

I have created a series of art tip videos with Artists Network, all 4 minutes or less, highlighting some techniques that are a large part of my mixed media work. 

The first is based on a question I often hear when I am teaching -- when you start dark...is it possible to go light? And, if so, what is the most effective approach? Click and you will find out.

PaperArtsy Paint Week

Last month, the PaperArtsy blog featured a series of projects made by 9 artists using one of my two, newly released sets of paint colors. 

Set 3: the summer palette

Set 4: the winter palette

The paint is Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics and the dry quickly to the most beautiful, matte surface imaginable. And it is also perfect for you journal as the pages never stick together and every pen works over the surface. You can see all my custom paint colors here.

Love the wide variety of creativity seen in the following projects. Click on each link for more pics, process shots, and details.

Corrie Herman

Keren Baker

Helen Chilton

Carol Fox

Alison Hall

Sue Carrington

Miriam Grazier

Nikki Acton

Ruth Mescall

NEW PaperArtsy Acrylic Paint

The palette grows. I am so happy to announce the release of my newest custom colors of paint from PaperArtsy. This paint is Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic and is among the 100+ colors in the line. It has a matte finish, dries lightening fast, and - perhaps best of all - will not destroy any pen/marker you use to mark it up. The paints in the line range in opacity, from translucent to semi-opaque to opaque.

Today's release includes 2 all new sets of 4 unique paint colors each. Coming up with the names was (almost) as fun as coming up with the colors. These colors are available now in my online shop. You can see the announcement on the PaperArtsy blog here.

The Four Seasons

Winter Palette

Venice Blue (opaque): the space between purple and blue

Glacier Ice (opaque): a soft, pale blue with a hint of purple

Spanish Mulberry (opaque): a pinky plum (or is that a plumy pink?)

Steel Grey (opaque): a cool shade of grey that works well with the blues

Summer Palette

Blue Lagoon (semi-opaque): a deep, tropical blue-green

Butter (opaque): a light, soft yellow with a crisp finish

Magic Moss (opaque): a cool and bright grassy green. mix with blues for turquoise

Double Denim (opaque): the color of your favorite pair of jeans

These new colors fit right in the pocket with my 2 sets from last year.

Autumn Palette

Buff (opaque): an off white neutral, perfect for paint mixing

Midnight (opaque): the darkest of blues with a green tone added

Terracotta (translucent): a translucent, rusty orange

Mahogany (semi-opaque): a cool, dark red-brown

Spring Palette

Smoked Paprika (translucent): a warm, translucent, spicy orange

Green Patina (semi-opaque): the color of aged copper

Key Lime (semi-opaque): a light yellow with lime green tones

Mud Splat (opaque): a cool brown. no more need to worry about making mud when you paint 

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Rust and Patina Set

I have also created a new paint bundle using 5 paints from my first two releases to create the perfect set for rust and patina effects: Mud Splat, Terracotta, Mahogany, Smoked Paprika, and Green Patina.

All my paints are available now from my online shop.

PaperArtsy New Paint Colors

Every January, timed to coincide with Creativation - the annual trade show of the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) - new products are released from art and craft companies. It is both thrilling and humbling for me to be part of this tidal wave of creativity. This year, I have releases with 4 companies and today I want to share my new paint set with PaperArtsy.

My newest collection of colors includes:

Smoked Paprika: a warm, translucent spicy orange

Green Patina: semi-opaque, exactly the color that copper becomes once it has aged

Mud Splat: a cool opaque brown that makes a great, rich first layer

Key Lime: a light, semi-opaque yellow with lime green tones

This paint is a Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic and currently comes in a range of 100+ colors. It has a matte finish, dries extremely fast, and - perhaps best of all - will not destroy any pen/marker you choose to use to make marks on it. The paints in the line range in opacity and are labeled as opaque, semi-opaque, or translucent.

The new colors work well with my first release of paint colors, initially slated to be a limited edition but not part of the permanent range of available colors.

The 2 sets from my collection, plus a limited line of my favorites of the other PaperArtsy colors, are available for purchase in my website shop. They will soon be available from PaperArtsy, a UK-based company and other online and brick and mortar retailers.

First Look: new paint colors

Hi all. The excitement continues as Creativation, the trade show for the Craft & Hobby Association, is less than one week away. It is there that the new art and craft products for the season will be revealed.

Today I have a sneak peek of my new set of paints coming from PaperArtsy...

They have been designed to work and mix well with my initial set of paints...

These paints are Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics, with a fast-drying, matte finish. They are perfect for mixed media and journaling, as any and every pen/marker you choose to use will make marks on it - without destroying your pen. The paints in the line vary in opacity and are labeled as opaque, semi-opaque, or translucent.

I love this piece from Nikki Acton, who has demonstrated that by mixing a variety of paints from the first and new sets...you can make rust and patina. And we cannot live without rust and patina!

You can see and read more right now about my new paints on this post on the PaperArtsy blog. And stay tuned...the paints will be available for purchase later this week from my online shop. 

Seth's Favorites: Now In Stock

As many of you know, I recently released my own, limited edition set of 4 paints with PaperArtsy.

Thrilled to announce that because they have been so well received, they are no longer "limited" but instead will be available on an ongoing basis.

Thrilled to also announce that my second set of 4 paints, with all new colors, will be released next month.

Many of you who have tried the paints have asked me about easily ordering the paints in the US since PaperArtsy is a UK-based company. Ask and ye shall receive. I have decided to begin to stock and sell a select grouping of their paints in my online shop.

Starting today, my first set of favorites is available.

Additional sets of favorites will be added soon.

And my own, original set of colors is also available (although it is again backordered and will ship in early December)

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I have been using PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic paints for several years. They have become a go-to for me for several reasons...

1. They dry fast. As any lover of layers knows...quick drying means you can move to the next layer faster too.

2. They have a matte finish. This is good news for you journalers and mark makers - any and every pen/pencil/marker writes on the surface. No more ruined pens!

3. The paints come in a variety of opacities (Opaque, Semi-Opaque, Translucent) and are clearly labeled so you know which paint has which property.

4. There is a range of over 100 colors and that gives you a major choice.

5. And perhaps the most important reason - the names of the paint are too cool to pass up: Guacamole, Purple Rain, Smurf, Yellow Submarine, Cheesecake...

Bittersweet Autumn

Donald Kaufman Color, makers of interior wall paint, choose a Color of the Month every month. Their color for November is Bittersweet Autumn.

Their description: Pigments responsible for autumn's violets, reds and golds reside in in foliage throughout the year. They reveal themselves as the diminishing sun of autumn weakens summer's green chlorophyll, and light shines through creating more luminosity.

Excited to be right on trend with my Mahogany paint, a cool dark red-brown,  that I released in September as part of a four-paint set with PaperArtsy. 

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And speaking of on trend...the following is an excerpt from an interview featured on My Domaine with Cristina Frederick, Anthropologie's customer styling director:

Q: What color will dominate home decor this winter?

A: Midnight blue is my timeless neutral of choice this season...

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Thrilled to find this post from Trena Brannon, showing how she was able to create a full color wheel from this set of colors given that the set includes a yellow, a red and a blue. Thanks Trena!

My Limited Edition Paints and...

Thrilled to announce that I have partnered with PaperArtsy to create a limited edition set of paints. PaperArtsy is a UK-based company that is best known for their paint products and stamp line.

I have been using - and loving - their paint for years. It is called Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic and currently comes in a range of 96 colors. It has a seriously matte finish, dries extremely fast, and - perhaps best of all - will not destroy any pen/marker you choose to use to make marks on it. The paints in the line range in opacity and are labeled as opaque, semi-opaque, or translucent.

The set of paints have an autumn palette and consist of the following 4 colors:

Buff: An opaque, creamy off-white with a warm tint.

Midnight: An opaque, deep, dark blue

Terracotta: A translucent, warm orange shade.

Mahogany: A semi-opaque, rich shade of brown and red.

In the US, this limited edition paint set is now available for preorder from my online shop. It will be shipping in mid-September. Outside the US, the sets will soon be available from both numerous online stores and directly from the PaperArtsy website shop.

AND

I have also released 2 stamp sets with PaperArtsy. Because you can never have enough stamps.

Designed by hand and made in the UK, these stamps are deeply etched, red rubber cling. Each set has been cut from a 5x7 inch sheet. The designs include drippy words, circles, background texture and other grungy elements. 

Both sets are available for pre-order in my online shop for US consumers, with shipping in mid September. Those outside the US can order them directly from PaperArtsy, with immediate shipping.