Category Archives: The Artwork of Ardith Goodwin

Making Acrylic Skin Magnets

I often use a glass palette when using acrylic paints and every few years it is time to peel the skin from the glass. This year I decided to use the skins to make bottle cap magnets, which would be a remembrance of the various paintings I have made over the past two years. You could easily transition this activity to work with kids simply by taking some of their original artwork, especially abstract pieces, and cutting the circles directly from that. These would make great gifts kids could give to mom or dad, or even as birthday gifts. They would also make wonderful fridge magnets to showcase their “masterpiece” artworks as well!

First step is to pull the skin from the glass.

Here is a large skin, you can see the gorgeous colors that the glass reveals on the skin.

After the skin is pulled, I place a gel thumbprint (that’s what I call them) onto the skin and cut around it. This makes the painting look like it is covered in epoxy.

I then glue the thumbprint, back side down, into the bottle cap and place a magnet on the back.

These magnets turn out gorgeous and are really simple to do.

R2-D2 Collage

Since today was Star Wars Day I decided to embrace it by creating this acrylic collage on canvas made out of painted paper. Hope you enjoy it and may the Force Be With You!

Angst- Mixed Media Painting

This was one of ‘those’ paintings.
Those paintings that called out from under the bed in want of attention, that I was never content with, but wouldn’t rest until it was dealt with. Today was that day when my emotions needing dealing with and this painting seemed like the best way to express the juxtaposition of living a happy life but being filled with angst for no good reason. I think it happens that way sometimes, at least with me, so the raw emotion of that frustration spilled onto the canvas and at last, this can rest. What you see here is the 7th revision to this piece and I am finally willing to say….done…all done…and walk away. Will deal with the emotions of that too,

8.5″ by 11″ mixed media on board by Ardith Goodwin

#mixedmedia #abstractarteveryday #abstractart

Miniature Square Abstract Collages

For the longest time I piled up a ton of watercolor and acrylic studies, paintings that just weren’t ready to market, and some that were pitiful. I couldn’t bring my self to throw them away so the collage artist in me decided to cut them up and create a square abstract series of miniatures. I have had more fun piecing together these little gems. Some have become part of my One Collage At A Time Series which you can see here: http://ardithscollage.blogspot.com, but most are being worked into smaller, stand alone paintings mounted on a floating canvas. Manyof these little collages are only 1-2″ square, as you can see in some of the photos. The canvases are gallery wrapped, 4″ by 4″ so that might help give the size some perspective. If you have paintings that are just lying around, you might consider cutting them up too if you can bring yourself to do it.

by Ardith Goodwin

In album Miniature Abstract Square Collages (50 photos)

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*Floral Acrylic Paintings"

It feels good to be slinging paint again and the colors and freshness of spring inspired me to paint flowers for our upcoming Artwalk. I chose to try my hand with a few new techniques such as using a wash and drips, texture with credit cards, and glazing with layers. It has been a fun process and I look forward to using some of these new tricks with works on paper. These pieces were painted over the last few days, I find it interesting how my style changed as well, as that wasn't something I planned.

In album Floral Acrylic Paintings (8 photos)

"Poppies" 6" by 6" acrylic on canvas

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Lake Painting

One can only feel blessed by being able to sit out by a lake and paint. There are days I don’t feel up to painting, but today was not one of them and I am thankful. Plein Air Painting is something that intimidates me and it is on that list of challenging art skills I would like to master but for today, abstract miniatures are in the works and I am perfectly fine with that. If you have been stuck in the studio lately, consider moving a table outside, capture a view, and paint on! Might just recharge those artistic juices!

By Ardith Goodwin

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Exquisite Corpse Collage Game

One of the things I love about being a creative is coming up with unique ways to share my love of collage with others. The history of the Exquisite Corpse had always fascinated me due to the Surrealist mantra and the unexpected outcome of the game itself, which is derived from a phrase that resulted when Surrealists first played the game, “Le cadavre exquis boira le vin nouveau.” or (“The exquisite corpse will drink the new wine.”) The game is played by a group of participants who create a series of words or images, through poetry, collage, drawing, etc. They begin with one word or image, cover up the initial image and pass it on to the next player who adds another element without being able to see the majority of the first one.

I play this through the game of Exquisite Corpse Air Mail. To begin, I start a small collage element on paper or board, cover the majority of it with paper, and leave just enough for someone to add to it. I then mail it to the other player who has done the same, each being careful not to peak at what the other has hidden. We can each remove the paper we used as cover to add new elements, but we can’t remove the paper they placed, which by the fourth turn becomes a fun challenge. After five turns, we each receive our initial collages back and have an “uncovering party” together to reveal our finished collages. Most of them are a total hoot! The images in this album show the first collage and how the white paper is used as the covering to the final collage. You can tell how each tiny element is added and how the final image turned out.

I usually play this game with a group of about 5-6 folks which means I will receive a new collage in the mail to work on every other day for a few weeks. There are times I only swap with one person though depending on my life schedule but this game can be adapted in so many ways. If you have grandchildren or friends far away, you might consider playing an Exquisite Corpse game with them. Here is a great website that explains the history of the Exquisite Corpse and shows some of the original images/drawings of the game when Andr’e Breton and friends played it back in the 30′s. It also makes for a fabulous Exquisite Corpse Party, where you actually play round robin over the course of several hours in creating the collages and swapping with one another. When the wine starts to flow that party becomes a total riot. I will post pics of that later,
http://www.exquisitecorpse.com/definition/About.html

In album Exquisite Corpse Mail Art (10 photos)

This is the finished Exquisite Corpse Collage when all the turns were finished. The small collage is in the center and was added to a background on the final turn with the fans at the bottom lower left of the piece.

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by Ardith Goodwin

Art(ology) Gallery in Mobile, Al

Sitting on the beautiful Cathedral Square is our gallery, Art(ology), which is a co-op of 7 local female artists. The co-op business model has been a great success for us, but I think the key is getting the right partners with the same vision. I get to hang out here in this cool space a few days each month, listen to jazz and meet tons of wonderful visitors to downtown Mobile. I can’t image a more perfect gallery for me. Hope your day is filled with beauty friends, I am sending you some your way just in case ((((beauty))))!

www.artologyinc.com

By Ardith Goodwin

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Watercolor Zen Painting

I don’t know about you but there are times throughout the moments that I just need to step back, take a deep breath and calm my spirit. Today gave me lots of those moments and thankfully, a window to escape them a bit. I often do this with Watercolor Zen Painting, at least that is what I call it. As a creative, I quite my mind, breathe in peace, breathe out everything else and let the colors flow as they might. There are no rules, no expectations, no outcome desired, simply the act of connecting my creative spirit with my outward one. When I taught elementary school I would teach my students this type of ‘taking a break’ to help them focus. They used words, or doodles, or any type of medium that they felt drawn to and it made a difference in many of them, as it does me. I miss teaching little ones, but the connection through this type of creative outlet always brings me back to being with them. I wish you peace today…and if it is one of those days or moments….grab something to express yourself with, take a deep breath, and just be…..
(This watercolor was given a solar filter to enhance the mood of what I felt, I am pleased with its intensity.)

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By Ardith Goodwin

The Gift Of An Ordinary Day

One of my favorite Pinterest group boards is called “The Gift of An Ordinary Day” curated by +Zina Harrington It showcases the photographs from members who choose to celebrate with images of an ordinary day, which turn out to be extraordinary moments to be honest. Today, after two days of dealing with sleep studies and stress, I had lunch with a dear friend at The OK Bike Shop in our downtown area. It’s one of those quaint little pubs that the locals love and you can’t beat their fish tacos. This image pretty much captures its spirit and the mood I hope to get back to…..after some sleep that is.
(captured on my Galaxy Nexus Panoramic with Lomo Filter)
http://pinterest.com/zina/the-gift-of-an-ordinary-day-group-project/

By Ardith Goodwin

#project366

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