This poor guy needs a hug!

This is a photo that I took of the sculpture, Crying Giant, during a trip

 to the Kemper Museum of Art in Kansas City last year.

Don't you just feel him?  Love it.

Tom Otterness                         Crying Giant, 2002

Heading to Sunny Florida!

Okay, I confess.  I am not actually heading to sunny Florida, but this little 

framed print is!   

Little Print, Big Painting!      Heidi Carlsen-Rogers

Heidi Carlsen-Rogers - ETSY

Enjoy the weekend. :)

Happy Monday, Happy colors! :)

Some paintings that I was working on today in the studio...

Happy colors for a grey Monday!  :)

New Paintings

A series of small 12"x12" paintings on canvas that were photographed 

over the weekend.  They are studies for a new series I am thinking 

about doing...called Weightless.

It might be a while before I actually get around to starting a new series as my 

commission piece is at the top of my to-do list right now.

Heidi Carlsen-Rogers

Heidi Carlsen-Rogers

Heidi Carlsen-Rogers

Heidi Carlsen-Rogers

                        

These are posted on my website at www.heidicarlsenrogers.com if you want to 

swing by to take a look.

Painting Commission in Progress: Carving with Paint

In the last update, I shared some photos where I was covering the entire canvas with color.  The next step in my process is carving out shapes from that field of color.  This is still just a beginning stage in my process, but it shows how the initial composition starts to come together.

Here is what was happening mid-day in the studio:

                                                     

At the end of the day, I dragged a panel in to look at it in better light.  I stood one of 

my 36" x48"paintings to the right of the panel to show the difference in scale. 

It makes that other canvas look like a miniature painting!  

Spiders in the Studio! :(

Is anyone else completely terrified of spiders?  I know this is irrational and that spiders are beneficial bugs in nature, BUT, I almost injured myself today trying to run away from the giant spider that same rushing into my painting studio mid-morning.

Yes, I did step (or stomp really) on it eventually, but only after I tried to chase him back outside with my water bottle.  The poor thing was running towards freedom, when it turned and ran back towards me...at full blast.  I panicked and the results are below.

I was itchy and looking over my shoulder all day after my uninvited guest came to visit.

Pros of working with the doors open: fresh air and sunshine.

Cons:  see above.

Painting is a dangerous business people! 

Painting Commission in Progress (Step 3): More Painting!

As you might have guessed, we are going to be stuck on Step 3 for a while!  

Here are a few more pictures from the second day of painting.  I am laying down

more washes of color before I go back in to "carve out" the shapes.

And of course Delta, my trusty studio companion is hanging out to make 

sure I don't fall off the ladder!  :)

Painting Commission In Progress (Step 3): Start Painting!

This project has really been going on since last summer, so when it was finally time to actually paint, it was a huge milestone.  These are pictures from Day 1 Painting.  (I am further ahead on the painting than what is shown here, but am hoping my posting will catch up to my painting!)

This is how a painting starts...laying down big fields of paint.  This is the VERY BEST part of the painting process for me.  Pure pigment is just stunning when it hits a white canvas and there is such a feeling of creative hopefulness and excitement in a new beginning.  Happiness.  :)

Early in the day:

Later in the afternoon:

(I climbed up on a ladder to get this shot.)  Remember this baby is 15 feet long...it takes a lot of muscle and a boat load of paint to just start the underpainting!   (So glad that I work out with Jillian Michaels...she keeps me fierce enough to haul these 50 lb. canvases around.  Ha Ha.)

Painting Commission In Progress - Step 2: Gesso (3 Gallons and Counting!)

Starting with a gesso smile...

   

I have used three gallons of gesso so far to seal the canvas & get the surface ready to paint on- four coats on each canvas!  This painting will be 15 feet long, so it's kind of like painting a dining room wall.  :)  Almost finished with this part... can't wait to start painting!

A Pink Painting & Spotted Studio Dog

Heidi Carlsen-Rogers

Happy Valentine's Day! 

xxxooo

 Delta (Studio Dog)

Today In the Studio: Stretching Canvas

Hi!  I hope you are having a fabulous day so far. Very glad for my pre-blog post yesterday so I can just tell you about what I have been working on in the studio today.

It was a giant canvas stretching party! :)  

I have been working on stretching the canvases for my upcoming painting commission ... overall it will be 6' H x 15' W.  So excited & grateful to have the opportunity to paint on such a large scale!  

I have been working with the doors open as much as I can.  We have had unusually warm & sunny weather here in Arkansas and I'm trying to breathe it all in before winter sets in.  

(Sorry to mention lovely weather when you all on the East Coast took such a hit last week.   My family is originally from New York and Connecticut...part of my history & memories are there...sending positive thoughts & prayers your way.)

Here are some pics of the stretching process... 

Pre-Opening Day at the Art Blog

First day blogging jitters?!?

Actually, tomorrow is supposed to be the official start date of my art blog, but this morning I began thinking and trouble-shooting about all of the blog "things" that I might encounter from now until say like...maybe the year 2026?  Whoa!  Totally over-thinking & over-planning this...how very icky and a serious creativity killer as well.

So, I thought it would be best to nip that right in the bud, and jump right in with a little pre-opening day post so we can just get to chatting tomorrow.

Want to know why I'm blogging?

#1:  I'm an artist...an abstract painter specifically.  

In my artist statement I talk about how "graceful shapes and the connecting power of color are my artistic marks" and that "my paintings are windows that look into a color-filled world that swirls, floats, sways, and breathes with constant motion. They reflect the way I observe the quiet rhythms and subtle pulse I see all around me."

All that really means is that I am kind of color-obsessed, love big organic shapes, and create paintings that move and breathe.  That is the short version.  There is so much that goes into the creative process, being an artist, and running a creative business.  Thought it might be fun to share what goes on behind the scenes.   

So to my new friends, thanks for listening.  I like you already. See you tomorrow on opening day.  :)

(Almost forgot!  Here's one of my newer paintings for you to look at until then.)

   

Heidi Carlsen-Rogers      Garden in Full Bloom, 36x36 Acrylic on Canvas