How to Paint a Chair and Thoughts on Painting

“How to Paint a Chair, a Work in Progress and My Thoughts on Painting.”

By Debbie Clarke

“Art is really a battlefield. Only when he no longer knows what he is doing, does the painter do good things.”
Edgar Degas, French Impressionist

Some music that I want for my studio archive: Sade. have always loved her work, and ’soldiers of art’ are ’soldiers of love’, in that if you are called to make art, you will make art for a very demanding mistress. a lover that will have no one between, that will wake you when you want sleep, that will delay you when you have appointments, that will make you not feel ‘well’ when you are not dancing with the muse. and muse seems too nice a word. dancing with a muse is neither romantic nor poetic. it is a hungry ghost in need of a door into this realm of reality. and when she truly decides to dance with, then through you, it is better than an orgasm.
the muse doesn’t dance every day, she is fickle in her love, and never obediant. i spend most of my days in the practice of seeing and drawing, so my hands, eyes, and heart are ready, whenever she decides to come, because that is her nature.

Here’s Debbies Interesting Video on How to Paint a Chair.

She filmed it with camera in one hand and brush in the other.

For more of Debbie Thoughts and Works check out her link below

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Welcome To My Kitchen Studio

“Welcome to My Kitchen Studio”

 Will be an on going Art series by Debbie Clarke.

This is a self portrait from the computer screens point of view.  yup, coffee in one hand, finger on the mouse, and everything hasn’t quite settled into place.

Good Mornin' by Deb Clarke

Goodmornin’, a drawing

Aluminum leaf, sharpie marker, litho crayon on aluminum flashing 5×5″

Copyright debbie clarke
gloucester ma
2010

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

 

Flounder Alley- Deb Clarke Wants To Know

From Deb Clarke @http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

had 2 visits from google.com to my blog within the last 24 hours, one from Orlando, the other Beverly Hills. neither could spell ‘alley’, they wrote ally. what were they looking for? Flounder Ally. so, i looked for flounder alley, a long gone place that was a in the area where broad street and atlantic ave meet in boston. long gone alley. anyway, putting this here because your blog is a more appropriate place to find out about flounder alley than mine.

ever heard of it?

best,
deb.

Funky Egg Glue Video

I had trouble uploading the Egg  Glue Video to go along with Tuesdays Deb Clarke Post.

It’s A Cool and Funky How To Video.

Here’s Debbie Post;

Gilder’s glue, also known as gelatin ‘slurry’ is used to create verre eglomise mirrors, and can be applied other smooth surfaces to adhere gold or silver leaf. this video is an early attempt to create a how-to video with a very primitive editing program that chopped up my video with some wacky effects. if you would like clarification of the procedure for making the slurry, please let me know. one of by objectives for this year is to make a few more ‘how to’ videos about verre eglomise, egg tempera, drawing, other gilding methods or whatever catches my artistic fancy.

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Debbie Clarke Answers your Questions

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.

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.

 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

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/

Debbie Clarke’s Reverse Glass Demo UPDATE

Debbie Clarke’s Reverse Glass Portrait Update

Work In Progress:

 Reverse Glass Portrait  progress report. Scraped the paint off the Glass to create the shape around the head.

 Foiled and toned backing canvas with burnt sienna (the darkest orange)

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demonstration Video Links

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/debbie-clarke-verre-eglomise-demonstration-video-part-i/

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/debbie-clarke-verre-eglomise-demonstration-video-part-ii/http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/debbie-clarke-verre-eglomise-demonstration-video-part-iii/

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/debbie-clarke-verre-eglomise-demonstration-video-part-iv/

 

 

Http://www.FrontieroGallery.com

 

Deb Clarke Checks Into The Good Morning Gloucester Flickr Group With This Update

Deb Clarke Sent This Update O The Verre Eglomise Work of Cape Ann Painter’s Portrait To The Good Morning Gloucester Flickr Group

100_2841, originally uploaded by debclarke art.

 

VOTE! NOW!

It’s the last day to vote for Debbie Clarkes Entry in the Saatchi Art Showdown.

It only takes a few seconds to Rate and Vote for Debbie’s Entry!  You don’t have to register.

JUST VOTE!

Go get off your Butts!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/showdown/index.php?showpic=252814

Here’s an example of Debbies Reverse Glass Painting featuring me;

Unfinished Masterpiece of Paul Frontiero

Debbie Clarkes WEBSITE;  http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Http://www.FrontieroGallery.com

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demonstration Video Part IV

We wrap up the segment of the verre eglomise technique and Debbie will be keeping us posted on the progress of the peice as she puts the finishing touches on it.

You can view

Part I

Part II

Part III

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demonstration Video Part III

Deb Clarke reverse glass painting with metal leaf.

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demonstration Video Part II

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demo

This is the painted and metal leaf demonstration which Debbie is working on.  We have part II of the four part video series which will eventually bring us to this stage in the piece. Part II will be posted today at 8AM. 

In the meantime you could check out the art Smackdown Contest that she has entered and vote for her.  Here is the contest where you can vote for her piece entitled Wedding House

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demo, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

 

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demonstration Video Part I

You can view Deb’s website http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demo Unfinished

This morning Debbie Clarke came down the dock to perform a demonstration of the verre eglomise painting technique which involves paint, silver and gold leaf and glass.  Our own Paulie Walnuts (capeannpainter) was the figure model for the demo.

Look for the video tomorrow morning at 8AM

In the meantime you should check out her blog by clicking this text

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demo Unfinished, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

 

W.I.P

WIP

Which means: Work In Progress.

Or Not Finished.

Here’s an Example of one of Debbie Clarkes WIPs.

“Tyler”

Deb Clarke's Photo of "Tyler" WIP

From Debbie Clarke;

“WIP: Metal Leaf Drawing of Tyler, from the series: Faces I Remember.
Tyler Devlin is a young artist and patron of Bananas (the vintage clothing store where i work part time). When I saw him a few weeks ago I surprised him by asking his name, because I was working on this drawing (then called a face with no name). I promised to post the progress for him. it is 8×8”
Thanks For sharing Deb.

 

Debbie Clarke

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