New paintings!!

I haven't updated my blog in a really long time! I plan on getting to that soon, as well as updating my website.

I've set up an ETSY site here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/heidiclark7, where I've posted some of my paintings for sale. Many paintings on my website are not for sale, because I have a very personal connection with many of them. I find that when I am emotionally connected to my work, it is more genuine. However I love doing commissioned paintings for individuals. That is what I have mostly been spending my time on lately. I've also been painting for sheer enjoyment. Here are a few recent paintings I've completed recently:

This one is one of my recent favorites. I painted it after reading the hunger games. It has already been sold, but I would definitely be willing to make another one like it, or following a similar theme. I absolutely love painting trees, and I like creating scenes that have a spooky beauty to them. 

This is called "Christmas Sunset," based on a photograph I took on I-25 on Christmas day, 2011. It is for sale here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/92240812/christmas-sunset

This is called 'unknown.' It is for sale here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/92241538/unknown-original-painting?ref=af_shop_favitem

This is a quicker painting I did, and I really enjoyed doing it. It is for sale here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/92241340/home-original-painting

I painted this one with specific memories in mind. I chose to combine imagery of specific locations and settings, to create  nostalgic, magical reminiscence. I feel that when I am personal with my subject matter, my paintings are most genuine. This painting is also for sale: http://www.etsy.com/listing/92241841/first-snow-original-painting

I am currently working on some wood paintings of some very snowy magical scenes. I am very excited! I have about 6 or 7 in the works right now that I plan to complete before the end of May. As always, email me if you are interested in buying or commissioning a piece, or if you want more information!

Sometimes the smallest thing or the strangest stranger will completely change my mood..

The most beautiful gift of being human is our unavoidable and valuable ability to impact one another. Even with the smallest of actions, we impress upon each other. We should not strive every day to make impacts, but rather recognize how often and easily we already do, and insure that the impacts we make upon each other are good ones.

Art for Healing

It’s the beginning of my last semester at CU. I’m taking a few classes, and have upped my painting hours. I love the excuse to paint for several hours at a time. I’ve started two new paintings that while similar in mood will belong to different series. I’ll post progress photographs soon. I’ve also been toying around with stop motion and photography during the last couple weeks. I’m hoping to make a video this semester. I’d love to explore my ideas through a different medium and gain some perspective.

I’ve been teetering a lot lately, feeling the inevitable pressure that accompanies a closely-approaching graduation date. Some days I want to paint and do nothing else, and others I feel this obligation towards my other interests, ones that involve social justice, education, and human involvement. More than anything, I want to help people. Investing in my future isn’t something I  take lightly. I’m a very passionate person; my sense of conviction about one path might overwhelm me suddenly, then be eclipsed by another the next day.

Feeling gloomy about these impossible decisions, I took out my Thomas Kinkade book, a present given to me from my brother many years ago. I don’t mind what art critics might say upon knowing how much I love his idealistic, highly commercial scenes. He’s the reason I started painting. Looking and his paintings cheered me up. And now that I think about it, some of the most influential people in my life have been artists. Artists, and teachers. Art DOES help people. Maybe I’m on the right track after all.

Works-in-progress!

Hot air balloons over vista ridge

This is a piece I've been working on over the summer. It's part one of a three piece series. The location is the golf course and subdevelopments in Erie, over which the town launches tons of hot air balloons every summer. When this pieces is done, it'll have a few air balloons in it. I'd say it's about 70% done. I intend to keep it  partially in color and partially black and white. The two pieces to follow are from the same morning.


                                                                      Sean and me!

I started this piece of Sean and I last summer in acrylics, and tis summer I've been adding oil layers to finish it. I think it's about 90 percent done. I'm pretty happy with Sean's face, but mine needs some more layers. And I can always add more detail!

Website Up!

I have just updated my website and it is up and running! On the site are completed works, artist statement and bio. Check it out: http://heidiclark.org

While the website contains finished products, this blog will contain news and updates as I continue my artistic pursuits. Influences, ideas and works in progress will be posted to the blog. I will also notify you of website updates.