After much digging through photos and picking the “best” ones to post, I am finally posting one of my latest paintings. This is another addition to my In Our Veins series titled Cornucopia. (Totally a coincidence on the timing, given it is the week of Thanksgiving.) It is an acrylic on canvas, 10″ wide by 8″ high and is available through Wally Workman Gallery in Austin, TX. I’ve documented my painting during my process and have a few photos to share. I apologize for the poor quality except for the very last photo- which was professionally done. I’m not the best with a digital camera, but feel that these photos still get the point across. Just click the images below for a larger view.
Initial sketch on canvas for “Cornucopia” by Amy Guidry
Initial layer of paint- very rough
Finished the first rough layer of paint
Working on the next layer of paint to the sky, deepening colors
Adding the next few layers of paint to the desert, adding details- rocks
Finished desert and sky, now adding more paint and detail to cliffs
Adding detail to the cornucopia for a “woven” effect
More detail to the cornucopia, deepening color along the way
Details added to the coyote and ram, working on hares next
Details to hare and birds added; Working on elk’s details and color
“Cornucopia” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 10″w x 8″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
"Untitled" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4" x 4"; (c) Amy Guidry 2011; SOLD
The latest painting from my In Our Veins series has just sold. I just finished it a matter of weeks ago, so I feel like it’s still hot off the easel. I love working with small paintings given that I use such tiny brushes. Sometimes it can seem a bit daunting to finish a large painting when it consists of meticulous dabs of paint. That said, these small sizes are great for me and great for new collectors (or those with lots of art and not enough space!). Untitled was the last of my 4″ x 4″ paintings, but I will be creating more at this size. I will be posting them here, but I give my newsletter subscribers the first viewing, so if you would like first dibs, be sure to sign up here: www.amyguidry.com/contact.html.
“Heads II” by Amy Guidry; 12″ x 12″; acrylic on canvas; Sold; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
My latest piece is now finished and online! I had some back problems to slow me down a bit, but managed to pull through. This is the most recent addition to my “In Our Veins” series. It is a 12″ x 12″ painting, acrylic on canvas, titled “Heads II.” It is related to a previous painting- “Untitled (Heads).” I recently discussed this one and wanted to share my thoughts behind it. The concept behind this piece, as with several of my paintings, is that of humans viewing nature as a means to an end. We view animals as pieces and parts- head, tongue, rump, rear, breast, wing, etc. If they are not referred to as parts, they are named something other than what they are- chickens are poultry, pigs are pork, cows are beef, etc. They are no longer acknowledged as animals, but as food. Others are treated as trophies to hang on a wall, or turned into “luxury items” to wear or carry things in. I see animals as sentient beings- living, breathing, thinking, with offspring of their own to care for.
While humans typically treat their fellow members of the animal kingdom as a means to an end, I depict them with personalities, or what others arrogantly deem as “human” qualities (as if only humans can express emotions). For instance, many of the animals I paint have eyes that appear “human,” in that you see the whites of the eyes, or they have lighter colored eyes and not large, dark doe eyes as typically associated with animals. Some animals are positioned in a dominant stance or their facial expression is calm and serene- again, qualities typically associated with only humans. In this painting, the animals are confident and staring directly at the viewer, demanding attention and acknowledgement.
For a larger view (much larger, thanks to my recent website redesign), visit the following link: www.AmyGuidry.com/Heads_II.html
I’ve just finished another painting in the “In Our Veins” series. This one is titled “The Pack” and is an acrylic on canvas, 20″ wide by 10″ high. I took “some” photos of the painting as I was working on it from start to finish. Going through them, I just think “UGH!” I’m happy with the end result, but I have to admit that my back, neck, and shoulders took a beating after pouring long hours into this one. For a closer look at the finished piece, visit this direct link: AmyGuidry.com-The Pack.
Original drawing on canvas for "The Pack" by Amy GuidryInitial rough layer of paint for "The Pack" Finished rough layer of "The Pack" by Amy GuidryNext layer of paint is added to the sky, intensifying the colorSky has another layer of paint added, reaching the desired hueClouds are finished and have their final layer of paint added to brighten the whitest areasNext layer of paint is added to the desert sand to smooth it outFinal layer of paint added to sand to bring out the detailsFinishing touches are added to the desert- small rocks are addedInitializing the next layer to the cliffs in the background, starting on the leftStill working my way across the cliffs, adding paint, and then reworking details as I goCliffs are now finished, now on to the wolves, going left to right againWorking on wolf #1, adding another layer of paint, then cleaning up details as I go- hair, eyes, mouth, etc.Wolf #1 just about done, started next layer on wolf 2 before I finish the front leg of wolf 1Final details to wolf 2 added, then finished up the leg of wolf 1 since those fine hairs need to be added Adding next layer of paint to wolf 3, focusing on the darkest areas first to build up the colorsBuilt up the darkest areas, now adding details- hairs along the back- and working in lighter tonesFinished details to wolf 3, now adding next layer to wolf 4, building up dark areasNext layer of paint on wolf 4 complete, now adding hair detail, and lighter tonesFinished the hair details to wolf 4 as well as the detail in the feetFinally at the last wolf, adding next layer of paint, adding darker tonesBuilding up the tones in the last wolf, adding details as well- face, eyes, hairsFinished piece- "The Pack" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
"Burden to Bear" by Amy Guidry; SOLD; acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
I have a new painting to share- “Burden to Bear” (hmm, rhyming not intentional…). So I’ve been putting in some extra hours in my studio- sounds nicer than “overtime.” Anyway, this is another addition to my “In Our Veins” series and is an acrylic on canvas, 11″ wide by 14″ high. There are a lot of tiny details in this one that don’t translate well via jpegs much less a tiny photo on here. You can get a better look on my website. I love to hear what others feel about my work, but I’m going to go ahead and share a few of my own feelings about this piece. I am a vegan, and that does influence my work in subtle ways, some more so than others. I’m very concerned with the plight of nature and our planet. The animals and bones and skulls seen atop the “deer” are my own personal representations of those affected by the wrongs that we commit against others or the environment (be it land, animals, humans). I decided to keep it organic and not include nonliving things. I should also mention that throughout this series, pay special attention to the animals. Many of them have “human” qualities- such as animals with what would be considered “human-looking” eyes, or expressions, or their posture. I felt this gave them more significance, as I certainly consider them to be important. And to view the painting, please visit www.AmyGuidry.com.
As promised, here is my second post for the day. I was recently at the Wally Workman Gallery 30th Anniversary exhibit opening. It was packed, to say the least. Luckily, there were a few moments to get some photos (you pretty much have to wait until the crowd clears and then jump in with the camera). So here are a few photos for those of you that couldn’t make it. (Though there is still ample time since the exhibit is up through September 4th.) Actually, I would recommend that anyone at the opening come back for a second look. It is very difficult to get a good view of the art when it’s that crowded. One woman told me she felt claustrophobic! All in all, great show and should not be missed.
Oh, and for more photos from the 30th Anniversary exhibit, check out Michael Barnes’s post on Austin360.com. I am featured in one of the photos from the opening- here is the direct link- www.Austin360.com. And to view more of my work, visit www.AmyGuidry.com.
Artist Amy Guidry with her work at Wally Workman Gallery
Viewers at the 30th Anniversary exhibit
Artist Amy Guidry with Rachel Haggerty, Assistant Director of Wally Workman Gallery
Live music at the 30th Anniversary exhibit, Wally Workman Gallery
Viewers at the 30th Anniversary exhibit opening
Installation view of Amy Guidry’s paintings at Wally Workman Gallery
Someone recently asked if I ever post photos of my work in progress. Technically yes, but it’s usually just a snippet of a painting. So I dug through some photos for this “photo diary” post of sorts since I actually documented my work on “Untitled.” So here goes:
The initial sketch on canvas for "Untitled"Making the first mark with paint- very rough initial layerFirst layer of paint completeAdding more layers to the sky and clouds, building it slowlyOne of my helpers sleeping on the job. I inadvertently woke him up with the cameraThe sky is finished at this point. More detail has been added to the ground and the cliffs.Another helper- testing paintbrush durabilityFinishing details such as rocks have been added to the backgroundAdding more layers and detail to the horse head and ribcageHorse head and ribcage are finished, final details added. More layers added to carcass.Detail shot of the finished horse head and desert cliffsFinished painting- "Untitled." (c) Amy Guidry 2010
“Untitled” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 30″w x 24″h
To view this painting as well as more of my work, visit www.AmyGuidry.com. And while you are there, if you’d like to be informed about new work and upcoming events, sign up for my monthly newsletter on my contact page.
"The Wild West" by Amy Guidry. (c) Amy Guidry 2010
I’ve had a lot of interest in Studio Visit Magazine as of late. Hopefully most of you have found your answers in some of my recent posts. So low and behold, I received an acceptance letter (and email!) from Studio Visit Magazine. My work was selected for inclusion in the Summer 2010 edition. So this will be Volume…10? Not sure, but I think there’s a Winter edition about to come out…then the Summer edition. The juror for this volume was Dina Deitsch, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, deCordova Sculpture Park + Museum in Lincoln, MA. For those who don’t know, Studio Visit is published by The Open Studios Press and is the sister publication to New American Paintings. It is a nationally conducted juried competition featuring 2D and 3D work. Oh, and in case you haven’t seen it- the painting that will be in the magazine is “The Wild West” which I’ve included a small image of here. There’s a closeup of it on my website www.AmyGuidry.com
I have recently finished another addition to my new series of work. This painting is titled “Vulnerable” and will be featured in my group exhibition, 6@549, at Gallery 549 in Lafayette, LA next month. It’s an acrylic on canvas, 24″ x 12.” I included a hare in the last painting from this series but this time he is a main character. The concept of vulnerability is interesting to me since as humans, we assume that we are invincible- be it physically or emotionally. Obviously this isn’t true, and sometimes it’s the things that we least expect that harm us.
For more from this series, or to view my entire body of work, please visit my website at www.AmyGuidry.com
Upon the start of the Surreal Salon exhibit at the Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art, my painting “Complacent” has sold. The exhibit will be up through the 28th of January, so if you haven’t seen this piece in person, now is your last chance. It’s fairly large- 48″ across by 24″ high, so there’s a lot that can’t be captured in a jpeg on the internet. This painting was an image that came to me, but I sketched it out and waited to use it later when the time was right. It fit perfectly with the social commentary series I was working on at that time.
Also of note, Robin Miller’s recent article in The Advocate (the Baton Rouge, LA newspaper) about the Surreal Salon. My painting was also featured with the article, so I was happy to find that out as well. You can read it under the Press Section of my website at http://www.amyguidry.com/press.html.
