Still
painting smalls. Gearing up slowly for bigs. Experimenting with new
surfaces and substrates. For a long time I've used Centurion Linen
sheets mounted on either superior quality gatorboard (which survives a
surprising amount of abuse) or Ampersand gessoboard - which is more
recently. Going through my stock (you know, the stuff that we buy then
squirrel away for use in the next brilliant painting, which will
obviously be better because of it...then forget we have it), I found
some Ampersand wood blocks 4x4". I never used them for anything because
I hadn't realized I ordered the ones that were about 1.5" thicker than I
wanted. Anyway - found them yesterday and decided to try them out for
my smalls. Being impatient and ill prepared to do this the right way, I
painted directly on the wood without any kind of priming. Loved the
light color of the natural wood - very useful in establishing values
right away. And really love the way my knife sails right over the
surface. Which solves a lot of the issues I have with poorly made
strokes. They are never perfect as in my mind, but I think maybe on this
wood I have a better chance of making the strokes I intend. I have
developed a HUGE pet peeve about unexpected dips and valleys in my knife
strokes - especially around my figural pieces. It's because I use the
movement and direction of the knife to support the overall design.
Knives create depth in the paint. For me, I think this must be studied
carefully before making the marks. Sometimes I think about the next
single stroke for a very long time. Might be akin to surgery. Not sure
how I ended up with this mind set after beginning my knife painting
adventure years ago with large canvases so that I could experience
freedom and spontaneity. These smalls, though, have turned out to be
invaluable little lessons in all the important things that go into
successful painting. This painting has strengths and weaknesses. I am
trying to let go of the harsh judgements I make and find contentment in
the parts that are good and sound.
Important News:
• Private Lessons in my studio. Those interested, please call or email me at
321-331-3045 or scshisler@gmail.com to make an appointment for a 3 hour or more session.
• Palette Knife Technique and Philosophy
scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th - Friday September 26th at SoBo
Art Gallery in Winter Garden Florida. Please call or email me at
321-331-3045 or scshisler@gmail.com.
•
Palette Knife Technique and Philosophy scheduled for June 6th -8th at The Art School in Sandy Springs - Atlanta, Georgia.
Please call or email Donna Thomas at 404-313-7356 or
theartschoolinsandysprings.com.
•
Wine and Paint It's becoming a
wildly popular trend across the globe and now is soon to come to Winter
Garden Florida. Plans are being finalized for weekly
evenings at
SoBo
Art Gallery in Winter Garden Florida. Join me and other painters for
the fun - I will be facilitating. Schedule to come out soon.
•
"Sally Shisler - A Collection of Beach Paintings from 2010-2014 Keep your eyes peeled for my First Self Published Book of 4x4" palette knife beach paintings a la Potthast.
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🎨 ... A happy Wednesday to everyone!
I learned the art of acrylic and pastel painting through private instruction, after having spent my career as a designer of printed fabrics in the New York market place. I am a graduate of the College of Design, Art and Architecture at the University of Cincinnati, with a major in the History of Art, 1977. Later, I studied printed textile design at Parsons School of Design, in New York. Immediately afterward, I began free lance work for several design studios in the garment district of NYC, where I did re-coloration work for printed apparel fabrics, and sold my own designs through Bread and Butter Designs,also located in New York. In addition, during the 1980's and 1990's, I designed a number of needlecraft and stencil books for Dover Publications. Currently, I am working on a series of exotic birds and other animals done in acrylic paint, with a palette knife, for texture and brilliant color. I consider my paintings to be representational or impressionistic in nature, and I use fantasy colors because what I see often makes me feel these colors,and what would make an interesting composition, rather than using realistic colors.
Contemporary impressionist painter, Sally Shisler, has become internationally recognized as one of the premier palette knife painters in today's art world. Known as an artist with a unique ability to use knives to create lively, engaging, color rich paintings, she is sought after by students who desire more excitement in their own work. She currently teaches workshops and private instruction, and continues to receive accolades, not only for her workshop content, but also for her positive and encouraging way with students.
Contact me for more info.
"Life is an onion and one peels it crying."--French proverb
Escapism. Defying time. Serenity and solace. Reliving treasured moments...the reasons I paint and make artwork. The creative acts are surely the most pleasant and yet difficult of all. Color and form are special friends. The challenge of perfecting artwork is monumental and exhilarating. This effort has grown to be both friend and family, which are the two most important aspects of my life. Judaica is my most challenging art...Hebrew and I don't always get along!
I'm mainly self-taught in art, relying on intuition, experimentation, benefiting from studying books, visiting museums, galleries and learning painting techniques from other artist friends/relatives. I've studied pastels with Clive Tyler, taken oils with Daniel Edmondson. My newest medium is painting on glass, inspired by an Italian master, bringing this art technique home and applying my own topics. My oils are mainly with palette knife.
This art style might be called "abstract realism", an oxymoron in its own right. Favorite contemporary artists include Cruciani, L Horowitz, Berberian, S Stork, C Tyler, D Edmondson.
"Life is short, use color!"
