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“Images of my Abstract Painting No. 60 ‘Brick Wall’ – from a raw canvas to hanging on the Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery wall at my very first solo exhibition 2015…”
INTRODUCTION
My art for therapy journey – has been about, being able to find meaning and purpose in my daily life. Much of my earlier art work, has been about very personal feelings, emotions and thoughts. It has also been about – loss and grief. But slowly and surely, art has brought me to a place, where I look for joy, in each and every day! The following painting was inspired by thoughts about the whole of my life after just turning 60 years old this year 2015. It’s a milestone in my life, and a time where I have taken some time out to think about its value and purpose – and about what still need to be done! In this ‘I do art discussion blog’ I have included images and slide-shows below, showing the process of painting this painting from beginning to the end; and to the point of being placed upon the wall of the Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery at Craigieburn, Melbourne Australia for my very first solo exhibition titled ‘…When words are hard to find’.
PAINTING IMAGE & DETAILS – ‘Brick Wall’
Painting No. 60 – Title “Brick Wall” May 2015 – by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws (2).JPG
- Painting No. 60 Titled: ‘Brick Wall’
- Acrylic on Canvas
- 100cms Length x 100cms Wide x 3cms Deep
- May 2015
- Abstract Artist – Karen Robinson
PAINTING STORY – ‘Brick Wall’ Writing the painting story is always, an important part of my art for therapy journey.
We get a life to build and each brick in that wall of life represents our struggles and our successes – our human endeavours. In my wall, the black represents grief, despair and sadness, the yellow represents sunny joyous happy days, the orange/red represents anger and frustration, the pink represents passion and love, the green represents steadiness and security, the brown represents the ‘done-and-dusted’ and the forgotten, the grey represents dullness and boredom, the purple represents adventure and secrets I have shared, and the pale blue represents ‘the sky’s the limit’!
Written by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 2015 – ‘Copyright’ Protected
PAINTING PROCESS
My painting process starts with a conception as described above. With this concept, I pencil sketch onto my canvas, the outline. Then I paint, one colour at a time on the canvas, allowing each colour to dry throughly, before starting with another colour. Once the entire sketch on the canvas has been painted, with a single layer of Matisse acrylic paint, I then fix blue tape on the outer edging of each shape. I then proceed to paint the boxed in taped shape, allow it to dry throughly and then remove the blue tape. This helps give the edging of each shape a sharper appearance. This process, I repeat another two times, to obtain a richness of each colour. After allowing the painting to throughly dry, I then sign and date the painting on the bottom righthand corner. I also turn my painting over and put all the relevant details on the back of the canvas. I then spray varnish it three times which gives it a nice shine. In order to keep track of my work – I photograph the painting; write the painting story; print it off and put a hard copy in my art portfolio folder; and then write the blog. Quiet a process!
- First stage of process for Painting No. 60 – “Brick Wall”: Painting each shape with its designated colour
- Second stage of process for Painting No. 60 – “Brick Wall”: Blocking in the colour gold around each shape
- Third stage of process for Painting No. 60 – “Brick Wall”: Blue tapping each shape in readiness for the second coverage of paint
- Fourth stage of process for Painting No. 60 – “Brick Wall”: Applying the second coverage of paint within the blue tapped area – repeat process
GEE LEE-WIK DOLEEN GALLERY SOLO EXHIBITION 2015
In May/June 2015, I had been given the opportunity to exhibit this painting, along with 15 other of my paintings at my very first solo exhibition called ‘…When words are hard to find!” at Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery – Hume Global Learning Centre, Craigieburn in Melbourne, Australia.
No. 63 – ‘When words are hard to find’ Solo Exhibition of Karen Robinson 6.5.15 Gallery ready for Opening night at Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery for Exhibition.JPG
CONCLUSION
Since 2008, I have been using art therapy along with creative writing processes as a means of improving my sense of wellbeing. Whilst I paint for myself – it is wonderful to share with others my art for therapy journey by taking up small opportunities to exhibit. It has given me the opportunity to talk directly with viewers about their thoughts, impressions of my work. It has also allowed me to understand more fully how art is a powerful way of being able to communicate with others. It can get people to stop, think and question, it can give them something to mull over long after they have viewed the art work its self. For detailed accounts of some of my other paintings please click here
NB: To view my Abstract Painting Gallery, please click here.
Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist/Blogger/Story-teller/Photo-taker
ido art karen robinson 
Super talented artwork karen!!! I’m so happy it helps you also with things, art is magic.
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Hi Eddie, thank you so much for your comment about my art. And yes art for therapy is like magic – it has really helped me with my post-traumatic growth over the years…warm regards Karen
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I loved your painting Karen! It looks kike a Piet Mondrian painting …
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Thank you Tania … yes – I see what you mean now – I just googled this painter and can appreciate what you say – please let me assure you that my painting was very much from my own imagination, an abstract reflection on my life’s journey. But thank you for such a compliment – he was a very fine artist! … warm regards Karen
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Congrats on your solo exhibition! The painting is wonderful! Love all the color!
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Thank you – it was truly great to have a solo exhibition where I was able to show a good selection of my abstract paintings and have them accompanied with their painting stories. Two very large groups of school children from local schools came in to have a look at my work. I was not there but the creator told me that there were lots of ooohhhs and ahhhs. Made my very happy … warm regards Karen
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