Going “Out On A Limb”

Share
Share

For quite some time now, I’ve been working on a post about painting titles but I keep getting stuck. I’ll finish it for sure but since it’s been quite some time since you heard from me, I thought, Get onto something else Gail! Then I realized I haven’t shared the work that I created for the Gallery 8 Christmas show, a series of six paintings each titled, “Out On A Limb.” The main criteria for the show is that the size of the work is 8 x 8 inches. You can see some of the other work in the show here. It runs until 3rd January.

 

So, I knew the deadline for the show was coming up but I didn’t have any work ready, at least, no work that was the required size. I had some 10 x 10 pieces and also some 12 x 12 inch works but nothing that was complete at 8x 8 inches. Rather than attempt to finish off the couple of paintings I had started some time ago, I decided to put lessons learnt at Bob Burridge’s workshop (read about it here) into action.

I was excited to work in acrylic on paper and then be able to mount the painting onto canvas rather than having the expenditure of framing the finished piece. So I prepared six pieces of paper, gessoed and cut to 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. I applied Regular Gel Medium in different ways on each piece of paper to create a variety of textures. Next it was time to apply paint.

You’ll see how I worked all six pieces at the same time. Each step of the way was a mystery. I had no real plan except for a vague colour scheme and an intention of creating movement, of explosive energy. There was to be no holding back!

 

 

1. The first paint layer for "Out On A Limb." I decided as a colour scheme to see if I could make green and red work without it looking too much like Christmas colours (even though in the back of my head, the colours were inspired by the fact that these were for a Christmas show). I applied the paint with a 2 1/2 in wide brush and used my whole arm. I also scraped and scratched the paint.
1. The first paint layer for “Out On A Limb.” I decided as a colour scheme to see if I could make green and red work without it looking too much like Christmas colours (even though in the back of my head, the colours were inspired by the fact that these paintings were for a Christmas show). I applied the paint with a 2 1/2 in wide brush using my whole arm. I also scraped and scratched the paint. Okay, now what?

 

2. This shows "Out On A Lime" quite progressed (forgot to take an interim photo). I applied black paint in large rounded swoops. Following that, I carved out areas of white wherever I saw the possibility of a shape already happening. Then followed thin lines of red paint that are straight in comparison to the black ones. They also form triangular shapes which sometimes cross over the boundaries of each piece of paper.
2. This shows “Out On A Limb” quite progressed (I forgot to take an interim photo). I applied black paint in large rounded swoops. Following that, I carved out areas of white wherever I saw the possibility of a shape already happening. Then followed thin lines of red paint that are straight in comparison to the black ones. They also form triangular shapes which sometimes cross over the boundaries of each piece of paper.

 

3. By now I've gone in with thick white paint and more black. I've brushed, scratched, scraped, and wiped.
3. By now I’ve gone in with thick white paint and more black. I’ve brushed, scratched, scraped, and wiped.

 

4. Out On A Limb - six completed pieces. As the paintings began to feel and look more finished, I took each one away from the group to confirm that it would stand on its own without the grouping. If it didn't, then I worked on it to make that happen. When I was satisfied, I mounted each painting onto a painted canvas and then varnished the entire thing. I am very pleased with the was they turned out!
4. “Out On A Limb” – six completed pieces. I have added more black and in places, I introduced touches of yellow to warm things up a wee bit. As the paintings began to feel and look more finished, I took each one away from the group to confirm that it would stand on its own. If it didn’t, then I worked on it to make that happen. When I was satisfied, I mounted each painting onto a painted canvas and then varnished the entire thing. I am very pleased with the way they turned out!

 

Gail Sibley, "Out On A Limb #1," acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in
Gail Sibley, “Out On A Limb #1,” acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in

 

Gail Sibley, "Out On A Limb #1," acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in
Gail Sibley, “Out On A Limb #2,” acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in

 

Gail Sibley, "Out On A Limb #3," acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in
Gail Sibley, “Out On A Limb #3,” acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in

 

Gail Sibley, "Out On A Limb #4," acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in
Gail Sibley, “Out On A Limb #4,” acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in

 

Gail Sibley, "Out On A Limb #5," acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in
Gail Sibley, “Out On A Limb #5,” acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in

 

Gail Sibley, "Out On A Limb #6," acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in
Gail Sibley, “Out On A Limb #6,” acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 8 x 8 in

 

Speaking of titles, “Out On A Limb” not only refers to the possibility of nature – trees, branches, leaves – it also refers to our precarious relationship with nature, that we are out on a limb maybe about to fall or perhaps if we hold on tight enough and we shift our balance, we can stay high and dry and safe. The title also refers to my own relationship with the work – I feel as if I’ve gone out on a limb with these paintings, moving further and further from representation to total abstraction.

Each painting is $195. Please contact Gallery 8 if you are interested in purchasing 🙂 If you have any questions, just let me know.

 

I will be with much of my family over Christmas (Mum and Dad, brother Brett, sister-in-law Janine, nieces Aly and Robyn, and my very own honey, Cam) and as that’s a rarity, it’s bound to be something special!

Wishing you a warm holiday celebration surrounded by love and laughter.

~ Gail

4 thoughts on “Going “Out On A Limb””

    1. Thanks Sally!!

      The papers were mounted on canvas on stretchers. The thing is, any bigger and I would have had to put a block of wood or something underneath when I was pushing the paper down…do you know what I mean? I think now I would always mount onto cradle panel whether 3/4 “ or 1 1/2 “ deep. It’s really liberating! Also, the heavier the paper (say 300b rather than 140b w/c paper) the more reliably it will stick down flat without ripples and air bubbles. So the bigger the size, the heavier the paper should be to work best. Hope that helps.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How to pastel website logo

Sign Up

Hi! Thanks for your interest in my work. Please join my mailing list! You’ll receive my blog, HowToPastel and lots of other goodies that I share with my communities! 

Your email is precious and will not be exchanged, lent, rented, sold, or become viewable by any third party.