Tag: Deb Clarke

Debbie Clarke Answers your Questions

Posted on by capeannpainter

A few years ago I was playing around with some video clips made with my $100 kodak camera.  Windows Movie Maker couldn’t produce the video due to resolution/light issues, so I downloaded a trial home movie maker with a pre-loaded, wacky video editor.  The video I produced gives directions for making egg glue, also known as glair, which is a glue that can be used to adhere gold leaf to a panel.  Last week I received some good questions from Scott Songfeather, a self-taught iconographer: 

following are his questions and my response:

“Researching verre eglomise I was pleased to discover the vids of you at work with the technique and your blog.

1. Is the ratio of snow/crushed ice to the egg white critical? How much snow to egg white is good?

answer:  the ratio isn’t critical. I use about 2 tablespoons of snow/crushed ice.
2. Should the egg glue be used immediately, while still cold from the snow/ice?

answer:  the glue sets up to tack pretty quickly and can be used immediately, but it is better to let it sit refrigerated for 24 hours.  the albumen coagulate (chelaga) and other residue should be strained out to create a glue that will flow smoothly onto the surface to be gilded.

3. Is snow/ice necessary, or will water substitute satisfactorily?

answer:  Ralph Mayer in “The Artist’s Handbook” has a recipe using 1-2 tablespoons of water. I have never used this recipe, so I don’t know the results.  If Ralph says it works, it will work.

I paint icons in egg tempera and recently discovered online the Romanian technique of icon painting reversed on glass (verre eglomise/hinterglasmalerie) and plan to try it. Thus these questions.

Thanks, and best wishes,
Scott Songfeather

Scott Songfeather's first Icon painting using Deb Clarkes Method

Deb Clarkes Egg Glue Video http://www.youtube.com/user/pbsage#p/u/5/lXnZAvkuaeU

Scott provides some excellent pics and directions for writing icons under the username Celadonite on wet canvas. follow this link for his info.

If you have a question/comment that you would like to see answered through this blog Go to;

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

So I Lied! Get use to it.

Posted on by capeannpainter
I Promised not to Post another Bathroom related item I but I could’nt pass this one up.
This one is from my Friend and Art Teacher Deb Clarke;
“Hello Paul!  Going to church has taken on a whole different meaning in our house.  I have lived here for almost 2 years, cleaned that seat “Religiously” and only noticed this 2 weeks ago.  Maybe worth a post.”
Best,
Deb.
Thanks Deb!
When I was much younger after a night of Bar hopping around Town, I’ve knelt down in front of a similar Church a few times. I’m sure many readers of GMG have done the same.
I’m sure there will be a few Corn Dog Contest Contenders  praying in front of one Thursday Night.

Debbie Clarkes AHHT! It’s What I Do.

Posted on by capeannpainter

 Debbie Clarke  “AHHT! It’s What I Do”

This is an example of a reverse painted light box.  probably constructed in the 40’s.  This is not called verre eglomise because there is not foil or leaf attached to the glass.  it is simply oil paint applied to the glass.  the closest details painted first.  the second picture is a close-up of the painting showing the deep shadows created  by the paint.  the paint is peeling from the glass due to the constant heating and cooling of the glass.  there are fancy adhesives one could use to reattach the minute flakes of paint.  my instinct is to rub away the dry residue and repaint the whole thing.  then, change the light attachment to a led with a battery switch (non heat emitting).  then gild the frame.
 The subject of this painting exemplifies the rules of ‘courtship’.  These french style scenes were frequent patterns on wall papers of the 19/20th century. The craft (reverse painting) is known as ‘fancy women’s work’.  This is the work ‘refined’ women did to occupy their minds, other examples of fancy women’s work is Memento Mori (hair braided jewelry). 

 This ‘light box’ is available for sale at Bananas.  I’m trying to decide whether or not to buy it and put it to my own use.

AHH! Love is in the Air!

Visit

Another Magpie Nest

For More Debbie Clarke Art Info!

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Behind The Scenes

Posted on by capeannpainter

Here’s a Photo of  Behind The Scenes at The Video Taping of Debbie Clarke’s Reverse Glass Demo.

That’s Joey Screwing around with the Camera and Deb Clarke Holding the Unfinished demo painting. You may not recognize that guy sitting in the corner talking to Deb without a Mouthful of Food and his Signature Clint Eastwood outfit, But That’s the Infamous Food Contender Ed Collard. Fun Time.

Also Look for Deb Clarke’s weekly Post:  “Ahht It’s what I do”  premiering Tuesday at 10am.

http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Ready! Aim! Art?

Posted on by capeannpainter

 

Deb Clarke gave me the “Heads” up on this Info. So I knew it must’ve had something to do with Art.

Is it Art?  Is It Intelligent Design?   What do You think?

Urinal Art

This Just in from designer-daily.com;

“Sometimes your mind wanders in the most unusual places. It happened to me the other day as I was releasing the few extra beers I drank, and found myself concentrating on that little fly in the urinal. Then I thought about how that little insect made life a little better for the cleaning people who probably have less to clean, and for the customers of the place who have had a little more fun while in the restrooms (yes it doesn’t take much for a drunk guy to have fun).

So if you think about it, this simple drawing of a fly improved everybody’s life a little. But how?

  • By staying simple.
    A common advice for webdesigners is: “Don’t make the user think”. In our particular case, the urinal user doesn’t think and just follows his instinct: he pisses on that damn annoying fly that’s teasing him.
  • By understanding the user’s needs.
    In the urinating situation, all the user needs is a little guidance to focus on keeping the place clean, without even thinking about it. If the user instinctively knows what to do, your design is good.
  • By making a clever use of white space.
    Less is more, every designer knows this sentence I guess. If you designed this, many clients would probably have asked you to make the fly bigger or add more flies, which would in both cases be totally useless.” 
  •   From Designer-Daily

Decorate A Bowl!

Posted on by capeannpainter

The Open Door Pantry Benefit

Join the Good Time Team from North Shore 104.9 and The Open Door Food Pantry on Thursday, February 25, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to decorate a bowl for the annual Empty Bowl Dinner.

The decorating evening will be held at 28 Emerson Avenue in Gloucester. Bring your creativity and a friend. Children welcome. Decorating is free, but reservations are required. info@foodpantry.org or 978-283-6776.

Visit our web site for more information. www.foodpantry.org

Thanks to Jo-Ann Castano for the Info!  http://www.artsgloucester.com/

Debbie Clarke

Posted on by capeannpainter

I did some digging and I found some info on a Artist whose work I Love. Her Name is Debbie Clarke. If you have ever have the chance, stop by the Cape Ann  Museum and see her “Fish Paintings”   Joey has posted some of those in the last few weeks. Photos don’t do her works Justice. She works in Mixed Media; Glass, Canvas, Egg Tempera, Gold Leaf and more.  Joey will have a Video up of her painting me in the Nude soon. Not!  Actually She will be doing a “Gesture Painting” I’m really looking forward to it. Here’s a few Examples of her Work and some Links you can follow her on. She’s also on Facebook.

Right now Debbie’s work “Chorus Line” is in The Saatchi Showdown, a online art competition. You  can  vote for Debbie’s entry until Sunday. 

Here’s the Link:  http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/showdown/index.php?showpic=250296

Debbie is also a Great Teacher and is avaible for Lessons You can Contact Her through any of  her Websites. 

Chorus Line
Near 40
Title: "EB" Distressed Oil, Gold Metal Leaf on Canvas

CHECK OUT HER LINKS BELOW!  You won’t be sorry. The Best Part It’s Free To Look!

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

HTTP://www.youtube.com/pbsage

HTTP://www.myspace.com/clarkeart

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile/Debbie%2BClarke/79028.html

Deb Clarke’s Christmas Tree

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Deb Clarke’s Christmas Tree-

She writes- “We went to stop& shop during the storm and found the last norfolk pine. it’s a little crooked, charlie brown tree, but we love it! best of the season to you and yours.”
deb.

She’s a beaut Deb!  Merry Christmas!

Deb Clarke’s Christmas Tree, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

Chickity Check It! Deb Clarke’s Work At The Cape Ann Museum

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Deb Clarke is a fabulously gifted artist who works with glass.  She is one of the Bananarettes from the early days and also updates her work on her blog Another Magpie’s Nest.  Check out here blog here

click the pic to see her visually stunning work full sized-

click the pic for the full sized version

Deb Clarke’s St Peter’s Thumbprint

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
From Deb Clarke-
Hello there!  I just finished my commission and thought you might like to see it.  It is dedicated to the memory of my friend Captain Eddie Lima from whom I first heard of St. Peter’s thumbprint.  The painting is of hake.  24×36″, 2 panes of cold glass painted in reverse, with hand silvered mirror, off set on a stretched canvas backing.  the black drawing lines are drawn with a Sharpie Marker on the front of the glass.
Now you know why I love your fish pics.
Click the pick for full sized version-