Just to check in, yes I am still working on the painting from the previous post. Got very much side tracked by the holidays. A particularly nasty case of the flu was involved,as well. I have been busy, though. I have set up a shop on Zazzle http://www.zazzle.com/maryscove. Please check it out,when you have a moment. For those who are not familiar with Zazzle, it is a web based company that prints designs on merchandise. So if you would like one of my designs on,say, a tee shirt,this is the place to go. They have literally hundreds of options,mugs,clocks,hoodies,cards,messenger bags. I will strive to have different designs for this shop,than on my Etsy page. Though,if you would really like to see those designs on Zazzle merch, just let me know!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Friday, October 12, 2012
Plastic Ocean
Once begun is half done(I hope)! I don't do much in the way of sketching. My sketching is done to indicate where to put masking fluid. I work in acrylics,but I prefer a watercolor style. I like the effects that can be created by thinning acrylic to watercolor consistency.
This is really the first "layer". I will add more detail with each layer.
This is what the next step looks like:
This is really the first "layer". I will add more detail with each layer.
This is what the next step looks like:
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| From Plastic Ocean |
Monday, October 8, 2012
Art in progress
So,I just decided to (finally)begin a project that I have been thinking about for awhile. After last month's vacation,with all the trash I found in the Ocean,I have decided to attack this issue(with my paint brush,this time).
Most of my painting work is done in my head. Yes,it's true, at least 60% of art work is the time that I spend planning the painting. Most of my paintings are involved with trying to project the magical feeling of floating with the beautiful creatures of the Ocean. It is true that there are not very many other places on Earth that you can get so close to truly wild animals! So, that is what I have always preferred to portray in my work.
This time I think that I will proceed as if the painting is more of a still life. I preface this by saying that I have never liked still life,since I was an art student! For one thing,"still life" is such an oxymoron! Life is not still,life is constant motion.
Never the less,this is how I have decided to approach this painting. The working title is "Plastic Ocean",not really original,just a popular saying with some of the environmental groups that I follow.
So I start this painting with a photo of a collage that I made of various types of trash. I don't think I will use all of it in the final work,just needed a jumping off point.
This is the beginning of the project(though,I have been conceptualizing the beginning for some time).
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XmqVqNKOCnPgOcWlthSShX8F6n9l3Pq47hCXdJ8Rpn0?feat=directlinkhttps://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XmqVqNKOCnPgOcWlthSShX8F6n9l3Pq47hCXdJ8Rpn0?feat=directlink
Most of my painting work is done in my head. Yes,it's true, at least 60% of art work is the time that I spend planning the painting. Most of my paintings are involved with trying to project the magical feeling of floating with the beautiful creatures of the Ocean. It is true that there are not very many other places on Earth that you can get so close to truly wild animals! So, that is what I have always preferred to portray in my work.
This time I think that I will proceed as if the painting is more of a still life. I preface this by saying that I have never liked still life,since I was an art student! For one thing,"still life" is such an oxymoron! Life is not still,life is constant motion.
Never the less,this is how I have decided to approach this painting. The working title is "Plastic Ocean",not really original,just a popular saying with some of the environmental groups that I follow.
So I start this painting with a photo of a collage that I made of various types of trash. I don't think I will use all of it in the final work,just needed a jumping off point.
This is the beginning of the project(though,I have been conceptualizing the beginning for some time).
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XmqVqNKOCnPgOcWlthSShX8F6n9l3Pq47hCXdJ8Rpn0?feat=directlinkhttps://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XmqVqNKOCnPgOcWlthSShX8F6n9l3Pq47hCXdJ8Rpn0?feat=directlink
Saturday, September 22, 2012
About Art
People keep telling me that I should be writing about my art. Hmmm,since a picture is worth a thousand words,that could be difficult. Still, I should at least try. Since my work is directly influenced by my diving, I will start by discussing a little of that,first. My recent diving experiences have shown me that the Oceans are in a state of decline. I have seen it first hand.
My paintings have always been about the beauty and the joy that I feel when I am able to visit the Ocean. Now, I feel, I must come back to reality,a least for a painting or two.
Recently, my husband and I visited our favorite beach in Florida. We have been vacationing at this beach for at least seven years. This year we arrived early,on Labor Day weekend.
The beach was packed on that day,more people than we have ever seen at this beach. As we walked along the beach, we noticed a large amount of trash. All kinds of trash,but most notably,plastics. Unfortunately, this trend is not new. We began gathering bits as we walked. Plastic grocery bags,fishing line,plastic sandwich bags,bits of plastic children's toys,plastic water bottles,plastic coffee can lids,plastic sun glass frames,single serve plastic coffee machine cups,and one half empty can of WD-40 oil,just some of the items that we retrieved. In just a short,1/2 mile walk,we both had our hands completely full.
This area of Florida( the east coast) has a three tiered reef system. It is close enough to swim to from shore. My husband and I try to include a visit to our favorite "house reef" each time we visit.
You know how you have that one Aunt(could be Uncle or Cousin,for that matter),who you only see once a year? If they loose twenty pounds,people who see them every day might not notice. Because you only see them that one time a year, you can really notice how much they have lost. This reef has been that favorite "Aunt" for us. Every year that we go back to visit, we notice a little bit more of the reef that has simply disappeared.
I don't pretend to know the cause,let alone the solution. If I lived there full time, I might be able to help with the problem.
So for now,I can only write about it,and create art about it. My sincerest hope is that I can in small way be "a part of the solution",more than I am "a part of the problem"
Meantime, here is the video that we created while we were visiting Florida,this year!
My paintings have always been about the beauty and the joy that I feel when I am able to visit the Ocean. Now, I feel, I must come back to reality,a least for a painting or two.
Recently, my husband and I visited our favorite beach in Florida. We have been vacationing at this beach for at least seven years. This year we arrived early,on Labor Day weekend.
The beach was packed on that day,more people than we have ever seen at this beach. As we walked along the beach, we noticed a large amount of trash. All kinds of trash,but most notably,plastics. Unfortunately, this trend is not new. We began gathering bits as we walked. Plastic grocery bags,fishing line,plastic sandwich bags,bits of plastic children's toys,plastic water bottles,plastic coffee can lids,plastic sun glass frames,single serve plastic coffee machine cups,and one half empty can of WD-40 oil,just some of the items that we retrieved. In just a short,1/2 mile walk,we both had our hands completely full.
This area of Florida( the east coast) has a three tiered reef system. It is close enough to swim to from shore. My husband and I try to include a visit to our favorite "house reef" each time we visit.
You know how you have that one Aunt(could be Uncle or Cousin,for that matter),who you only see once a year? If they loose twenty pounds,people who see them every day might not notice. Because you only see them that one time a year, you can really notice how much they have lost. This reef has been that favorite "Aunt" for us. Every year that we go back to visit, we notice a little bit more of the reef that has simply disappeared.
I don't pretend to know the cause,let alone the solution. If I lived there full time, I might be able to help with the problem.
So for now,I can only write about it,and create art about it. My sincerest hope is that I can in small way be "a part of the solution",more than I am "a part of the problem"
Meantime, here is the video that we created while we were visiting Florida,this year!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Oil Spill Solutions
I have been avoiding discussing this subject for a long time. It makes me sad and sick. I don't have enough words to express my disgust for what has happened. I don't doubt that we will be dealing with it for decades to come.
Having said that , I am sick and tired of dwelling on the negative aspects of this tragedy. I am pretty sure that there are going to be many solutions to this problem over the coming months and years. I am not suggesting that this can ever be a "make lemonade from lemons" situation. I am just saying that we will find a way to repair the damage.
I have a sarcastic sense of humor. I usually try to reign it in. However, today , I will disclose my personal solutions for the oil spill.
1. Cola. Yes,cola,soda pop,could be Pepsi,Coke or generic. They all work on oil spills on my garage floor. I am assuming that would work in the ocean. Hey, probably would not do any more harm than what ever "dispersants" are. And it will probably taste better to the fish. I nominate the head of the board at BP to open and pour each can. Then he can pass out straws to passing Dolphins. If we are lucky, they will use said straws to spray him with his own oil.
2. Giant,industrial filters strung across the Straights of Florida. You know, the kind that they use at Sea World,and such. I nominate the guys who stopped the bill to force BP to foot the bill for the clean-up to remove and change the oil filters. They,then could carry the filters to a mechanic,who will charge them the same fee that the rest of use pay for proper disposal of used oil filters.
These are the two ideas that came to mind immediately,something tells me,I can come up with a few more!
Seriously, I do support organizations that help the ocean. My favorite is Ocean Conservancy: www.oceanconservancy.org
If you can't find any other way to help, try to make a donation. This is our future that we are talking about.
Having said that , I am sick and tired of dwelling on the negative aspects of this tragedy. I am pretty sure that there are going to be many solutions to this problem over the coming months and years. I am not suggesting that this can ever be a "make lemonade from lemons" situation. I am just saying that we will find a way to repair the damage.
I have a sarcastic sense of humor. I usually try to reign it in. However, today , I will disclose my personal solutions for the oil spill.
1. Cola. Yes,cola,soda pop,could be Pepsi,Coke or generic. They all work on oil spills on my garage floor. I am assuming that would work in the ocean. Hey, probably would not do any more harm than what ever "dispersants" are. And it will probably taste better to the fish. I nominate the head of the board at BP to open and pour each can. Then he can pass out straws to passing Dolphins. If we are lucky, they will use said straws to spray him with his own oil.
2. Giant,industrial filters strung across the Straights of Florida. You know, the kind that they use at Sea World,and such. I nominate the guys who stopped the bill to force BP to foot the bill for the clean-up to remove and change the oil filters. They,then could carry the filters to a mechanic,who will charge them the same fee that the rest of use pay for proper disposal of used oil filters.
These are the two ideas that came to mind immediately,something tells me,I can come up with a few more!
Seriously, I do support organizations that help the ocean. My favorite is Ocean Conservancy: www.oceanconservancy.org
If you can't find any other way to help, try to make a donation. This is our future that we are talking about.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Scuba Diving Movies
O.K., so typically, movies that involve diving are more about the romantic adventure of diving,than the technical accuracy of the sport. Having said that, these are my top five picks. Lets just say that these movies are more of a guilty pleasure!
5.Into the Blue(2005); Jessica Alba,Paul Walker. A group of divers discover a crashed plane containing drugs. Well, some of these movies really are just eye candy.
4.Fool's Gold(2008);Kate Hudson,Matthew McConaughey,Treasure,romantic adventure on the high seas, and diving. A bit zany,at times, but good for the pure escapism of it all.
3.After the Sunset(2004);Pierce Brosnan, Selma Hyak, Woody Harrleson. More of a comedy about retired jewel thieves. Nice scenery, and of course,diving.
2.The Deep(1977); Jacqueline Bissett. Kind of a tie between this and Thunderball, for me! This one was shot on the RMS Rhone,so, brownie points for authenticity.
1. Thunderball(1965);Sean Connery as James Bond. One of the best. The dive scenes are pretty improbable,what with the knife fights,and all. Still, just good fun. And you can actually dive some of these sights,in Nassau!
.
These were just the movies that came instantly to mind, when the subject came up. I am guessing that you can come up with a few more!
5.Into the Blue(2005); Jessica Alba,Paul Walker. A group of divers discover a crashed plane containing drugs. Well, some of these movies really are just eye candy.
4.Fool's Gold(2008);Kate Hudson,Matthew McConaughey,Treasure,romantic adventure on the high seas, and diving. A bit zany,at times, but good for the pure escapism of it all.
3.After the Sunset(2004);Pierce Brosnan, Selma Hyak, Woody Harrleson. More of a comedy about retired jewel thieves. Nice scenery, and of course,diving.
2.The Deep(1977); Jacqueline Bissett. Kind of a tie between this and Thunderball, for me! This one was shot on the RMS Rhone,so, brownie points for authenticity.
1. Thunderball(1965);Sean Connery as James Bond. One of the best. The dive scenes are pretty improbable,what with the knife fights,and all. Still, just good fun. And you can actually dive some of these sights,in Nassau!
.
These were just the movies that came instantly to mind, when the subject came up. I am guessing that you can come up with a few more!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Earth Day
When I woke up yesterday morning,I didn't really plan on doing anything for Earth Day. Not that I don't think it is a great idea, I do. We should all try a little harder to do good things to help the Earth. Other than planting seeds in the garden with my children when they were small, I can't say that I have every really thought about doing anything. As there had been patchy frost over night, I knew that I would not be doing any seed planting.
So, I went about my day,starting with my usual trip to the Mega Grocery store near my home. As I rounded the corner of the aisle across from the sea food case, I noticed 4 men in suits, with clip boards. They, along with the store manager were inspecting the cases and taking notes. Ahh,the Big Wigs,from headquarters. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head! I remembered that I had put a copy of the safe seafood list from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium in my purse. I walked up to the nearest man and said "I see from your signs around the store,that you are interested in being more organic and green,yes?" He was polite ,and replied that he was very interested in any suggestions to help the store in this area. I put the list in his hand,and, he did look a little puzzled,at first. I explained that the columns on the page represented fish to choose,and fish to avoid. He said,"That's great, but I am not sure what to do with it?" I suggested that he take the list and give it to the fish buyers back at HQ. That way, they can make better informed choices.too He asked to keep the list,so maybe that is a sign that he will actually do something about it.
I do know that it made me feel like I had actually done something for Earth Day! It seems like a pretty simple thing to make more informed choices. Especially with the internet. Information is only a click away. And let's face it, as divers, we have a front row seat to all the beauty in the oceans. Making informed decisions is one thing that we can all do,everyday!
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx
So, I went about my day,starting with my usual trip to the Mega Grocery store near my home. As I rounded the corner of the aisle across from the sea food case, I noticed 4 men in suits, with clip boards. They, along with the store manager were inspecting the cases and taking notes. Ahh,the Big Wigs,from headquarters. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head! I remembered that I had put a copy of the safe seafood list from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium in my purse. I walked up to the nearest man and said "I see from your signs around the store,that you are interested in being more organic and green,yes?" He was polite ,and replied that he was very interested in any suggestions to help the store in this area. I put the list in his hand,and, he did look a little puzzled,at first. I explained that the columns on the page represented fish to choose,and fish to avoid. He said,"That's great, but I am not sure what to do with it?" I suggested that he take the list and give it to the fish buyers back at HQ. That way, they can make better informed choices.too He asked to keep the list,so maybe that is a sign that he will actually do something about it.
I do know that it made me feel like I had actually done something for Earth Day! It seems like a pretty simple thing to make more informed choices. Especially with the internet. Information is only a click away. And let's face it, as divers, we have a front row seat to all the beauty in the oceans. Making informed decisions is one thing that we can all do,everyday!
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx
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