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Start of a New Series: “Fragments”

"Fragments 001" Oil on canvas 5" x 7" © 2013 Marilyn Fenn
“Fragments 001″ Oil on canvas 5″ x 7” © 2013 Marilyn Fenn

This year (so far), I am experimenting with lots of ways of finding images and lots of ways of painting them.

This is the first of my “Fragments” series — favorite snippets from larger works repainted on smaller canvases.  I think I prefer this in the horizontal orientation.  They look like snuggling friends to me (I see lots of characters in my abstract paintings.  Do you?).  What I was exploring here was painting in very thick paint over previous layers of thick paint in different colors.  I still like it better in the larger painting this was drawn from (“Comin’ Through!”), as I think some even cooler brush accidents happened in that one, but this one is sweet, too.

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Four New 5×7’s – The Harmoniums Series

"Harmoniums 001" Mixed media on watercolor paper 7" x 5" © 2011 Marilyn Fenn
“Harmoniums 001″ Mixed media on watercolor paper 7″ x 5” © 2011 Marilyn Fenn

I created a set of four 5×7″ paintings in late April or early May, but couldn’t post them then, as I donated two of them to the Arthouse for the 5×7 Show, and they needed to remain anonymous for the run of the show.  I think it’s safe to post them here now.  The two I didn’t donate are available for sale; I’ll add them to my gallery and shop pages soon.

Anyway, here they are:

Harmoniums 003 | Mixed media on board | 7" x 5" | © 2011 Marilyn Fenn
Harmoniums 003 | Mixed media on board | 7″ x 5″ | © 2011 Marilyn Fenn
Harmoniums 004 | Mixed media on board | 7" x 5" | © 2011 Marilyn Fenn
Harmoniums 004 | Mixed media on board | 7″ x 5″ | © 2011 Marilyn Fenn
Harmoniums 005 | Mixed media on board | 7" x 5" | © 2011 Marilyn Fenn
Harmoniums 005 | Mixed media on board | 7″ x 5″ | © 2011 Marilyn Fenn
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New Paintings: It’s a Small World

"Chemical Valley" Oil on Canvas 5" x 7" © 2009 Marilyn Fenn (painting based on some crystalline concoction of various chemicals)
“Chemical Valley” Oil on Canvas 5″ x 7″ © 2009 Marilyn Fenn

This painting is based on a photograph of some crystalline concoction of various chemicals.

Four new paintings

These little 5″x 7″ paintings are what I would call representational abstractions based on the stuff of life seen under a microscope.  I love knowing how things are made and how they look, and often I best understand how something is made by painting it.  Microphotography allows me to see the tiny things that make up the world.  These paintings are not strict copies, but are based on microphotographs of stuff like soap film, chemicals, silica and other crystals and crystalline structures.

Continue reading “New Paintings: It’s a Small World”

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I’m on Cloud Nine from the 5×7 Art Splurge at the Arthouse!

"Connections I" & "Connections II" Encaustic and ink or rice paper, mounted on panel each 5" x 7" © 2009 Marilyn Fenn
“Connections I” & “Connections II” Encaustic and ink or rice paper, mounted on panel each 5″ x 7″ © 2009 Marilyn Fenn

Thursday night, my husband and I went to the Artists Preview party for the 2009 5×7 show at the Arthouse.  It is always so much fun to see the huge collection of fabulous little paintings and other creations in a 5″x7″ format — and to run into so many of my art friends!

I was most surprised and thrilled to see that my two little paintings got a primo spot in the exhibition!  On the main wall, under the writing, top shelf.  They looked so good there!

Continue reading “I’m on Cloud Nine from the 5×7 Art Splurge at the Arthouse!”