Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Behind the Scenes

"Ecstasy" 48x48" ©Shayla Perreault Newcomb 2006 


'Behind the scenes' is going to be a weekly, regular feature around here that will show a picture of what's going on in my life (mostly artsy stuff, studio pics etc.) or will highlight another artist's studio. Here's a sneak peek before it starts with regular publication. 


This painting caused Jason and I a lot of excitement recently since RBC Dominion Securities bought it for their permanent collection. It's the biggest piece I've sold so far. It looks different from what I'm doing right now, still I found it satisfying to see in their space. It warmed it up and made it look inviting and dynamic. 


McKenzie College Gallery November 2006




This pic is of my first show while I was still a hobby artist. The venue was in a college with a space meant for encouraging 'would be' artists and this was the only wall that had any coherence. My style was all over the place, I hadn't found my 'voice' and I learned a lot from seeing all my experiments 'screaming' off the walls. Developing a coherent series is more like finishing a thought without interruption than it is copying yourself. It doesn't mean I don't try other things or I limit myself creatively. Now I get pleasure in seeing how one painting leads to the next, like a conversation. While that's my preference, it's not the only thing that works. Some artists prefer to put a little bit of everything in the show and can pull it off. 

7 comments:

Cherry Jeffs said...

Congratulations on the painting, Shayla :) It jumped right out at me at blog size but when I saw it in situ at full size I was even more struck. Beautiful :)

Love the new look of your blog as well. Hangs together really well. Well done :)

"Developing a coherent series is more like finishing a thought without interruption than it is copying yourself... I get pleasure in seeing how one painting leads to the next, like a conversation."

Yes, that's exactly how I felt about the mini-series that sprang up during 365 :)

"Some artists prefer to put a little bit of everything in the show and can pull it off. "

That's me as well!  

I seem to fall into both camps! My exhibition was made up a number of mini-series. It worked somehow!

Carole Reid said...

Shayla, thanks for showing us your earlier work. It is interesting to see where artists gone along their journey to today's work.

My preference is to develop a coherent series for a show but that doesn't mean I don't jump to other mediums while working on a series. I have too many interests to stick to one thing at a time.

My mom still has a couple of paintings I did as a teenager that I'd like to rip off her wall! I've given her new paintings but no, the old ones just get moved a bit to make room for the new. Sigh. Humbling.

Shayla said...

It's true, Wild C, you do fit into both camps. I noticed how you did several series and how they all made a complete thought yet they had flow when shown as a whole. Pretty cool! One of my favourite mentors, a local artist, also does this. I had you both in mind when thinking of successful juxtapositions.

Carole, that's a good tip to keep from getting bored or stagnant. I like to do that too. Eventually I want to share some of my embarrassing teenager art and even the art from that show. Not quite ready yet ;)

Jason Newcomb said...

A good memory!

Tracy said...

WOW... it's GORGEOUS work, Shayla! And yes, VERY different from your current works! Congratulations on the sale. Paid artist...that's gotta be a super feeling. :o) I love this painting, that spark of blue near the center just makes the soul sing! It takes time to find that voice, doesn't it. And it can be a real all over the place time while finding it. I like that you are still open to new challenges while still remaining true to the integrity of your true voice and calling. So glad you shared this with us. And look forward to more from your new series! Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

Gwen Buchanan said...

Congratulstions!!!

ArtPropelled said...

Wow! I saw this thumbnail photo under "You Might also Like" and it drew me right in. Congratulations on the sale..... No surprise!