Water Mixable Oils

Just thought I'd try the water mixable oil paints because I can't really get what I want from acrylics because they dry so fast. Not sure if I like the WMO paints, but I started with a small landscape, "Miami Garden" posted here. I'll try them on a few other paintings, maybe a larger one, before I decide. I also need to try the Open Acrylics and see how I like those.

Now that I am working part-time again, I find I am again low on energy left to paint, and short on time. But I keep trudging on. Not getting any younger. Gotta do it now or never.

Black and White Drawings

I did these to enter a show in Frisco, TX at the Gallery 8680. Hadn't done any drawing in a while. I took pictures of plants on a table in my house and worked from those.

Working Small

I did these two pieces for a fundraiser show at the Plano Libraries. I really enjoyed working on these small pieces (they are 4" x 4" x 1.5"). One is a back view nude sitting on a tiled background, the other is more whimsical with a tree and night sky. I used a lot of metalic paint, so they don't photograph as well, but look great in person.

Artist’s Statement:
I love color. I love to paint. I love the process. I am always excited to see what comes to the paper or canvas out of my original concept. Sometimes it is exactly as I had perceived it in my mind, and sometimes, especially with my abstracts, it evolves as I work. My greatest inspiration is nature, whether for a still life or landscape or abstract painting. From vibrant and vivid to soft and subdued; nature's colors and moods can be breathtaking. Most often, in my abstract works, I like to make the colors exciting, so they seem to vibrate off the canvas. I have always loved things that are shiny and metallic, so I often use those elements in my work.
I am also fascinated with the intricate patterns found in leaves, shells, flowers, rocks, and reflections in water. In abstracts, I am currently inspired by the fractals of nature, the controlled chaos that looks random but isn’t.
The challenge for me is usually to narrow it down and focus on one aspect in order to start a painting. Do I like the composition, or is it the texture of the subject, or the mood I am trying to create? Once I know what I am interested in portraying, I can begin.
When I am doing painterly realism, I usually work from photographs that I have taken. I try to frame the composition through the lens of the camera as I would like to paint it, but sometimes I use elements from more than one photo in the same painting, or I will crop part of the photo out of the painting.
I love it when someone sees something in a painting that I had not perceived or consciously intended. Naturally, my paintings are my interpretation of something I was inspired by, but, of course, the viewer brings his or her own perceptions to a work of art. It is always so interesting to hear what others see and feel when looking at one of my paintings.
Education: Bachelor of Fine Art, University of Tulsa, 1981.
Professional: Assistant Director, Gloria Luria Fine Art Gallery, Bay Harbor Island, FL 1987-1990

I had to miss the TVAA New Members Exhibit on Jan. 9th at the Gallery at Plaza of the Americas in downtown Dallas because it sleeted, snowed and froze, and I did not want to be on the streets. Sure hated to miss it, but since I was nearly killed last year at this time due to sliding on black ice and then was laid up for 3 months, I don't take chances in an auto during bad weather any more. I had three pieces in the show and was looking forward to meeting the other artists at the reception.

Self Portrait

My self portrait was accepted in the TVAA Self Portrait show starting Jan. 10 at the Collin College Arts Gallery.

Linda Brooks Alred
“Self Portrait – Reverie on Key Biscayne”
21” x 21” Framed
Mixed Media (Watercolor, Oil Pastel, Papers, Photo)

The photo in this piece was taken on my 4th floor balcony when I was living in Miami, Florida on Key Biscayne in 1986, as I sat peacefully basking in the bright, morning sunlight. When I came across the photo a few months ago, I wondered what I was thinking at that moment, and decided to compose a piece around what I believe I was feeling and thinking at that point in my life. It is about the flow of life, merrily by, and realizing how much of it is behind you. It is about how, at times, what is real and true in life can be blurred in our perceptions. It is about looking for meaning, longing to find your purpose, and how to begin the next phase of your life.

Artist's Statement

I am always excited to see what comes to the canvas out of my original concept. Sometimes it is exactly as I had perceived it in my mind, and sometimes, especially with my abstracts, it evolves as I work. My greatest inspiration is nature, whether for a still life or landscape, abstract painting or collage. I use the colors in nature, from vibrant and vivid to soft and subdued; either can be breathtaking. Most often, I like to make the colors exciting, so they seem to vibrate off the canvas. I am also fascinated with the intricate patterns found in leaves, shells, flowers, rocks, and reflections in water. In abstracts, I have recently been inspired by the fractals of nature, the controlled chaos that looks random but isn’t.

The challenge for me is usually to narrow it down and focus on one aspect in order to start a painting. Do I like the composition, or is it the texture of the subject, or the mood I am trying to create? Once I know what I am interested in portraying, I can begin.

I love it when someone sees something in a painting that I had not perceived or consciously intended. Naturally, my paintings are my interpretation of something I was inspired by, but, of course, the viewer brings his or her own perceptions to a work of art. It is always so interesting to hear what others see and feel when looking at one of my paintings.

Education: Bachelor of Fine Art, University of Tulsa, 1981.
Professional: Assistant Director, Gloria Luria Fine Art Gallery, Bay Harbor Island, FL 1987-1990
Exhibitions: University of Tulsa, Special Recognition in Painting, 1974
Key Biscayne Arts, Key Biscayne, FL - One Person Show, 1987
Bakehouse Art Center, Miami, FL – Group Show 1988
WCA (Women’s Caucus for Art), Miami, FL – Group Show 1989
Blue House, Too, Watters Creek, Allen, Texas – Cooperative Gallery, 2010

Work in Private Collections:
Southwestern Payroll Service, Inc., Tulsa, OK
Daylight Donuts, Inc., Tulsa, OK
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip W. Brooks, Atlanta, GA.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Belcher, Allen,Tx
Mrs. Monica Theis, Austin, TX
Mr. and Mrs. Humberto Sevilla, Miami, FL
Ms. Claire Garrett, Hollywood, FL
Mr. and Mrs. David Weinstein, Houston, TX
Ms. Caroline Wall, Tulsa, Ok
Mrs. Andrea Davis, Rockwall, TX

I have been busy with the Visual Arts League of Allen gallery at Watters Creek and with my exhibition at Horizon Unitarian Church and the upcoming exhibition at Blue House Gallery in Allen. Plus, life got in the way for a while. Spent time with family which I enjoyed very much.

At the Watters Creek gallery last night we had a special event featuring the international artist, Kat, - http://www.katfineart.com/album0.html - who does wonderful paintings related to music, musicians and musical instruments. She worked on one of her paintings in the gallery. Watching another artist work is an experience I always enjoy and learn from.

A few weeks ago we had the "Interactive Art Experience" with artist, Kelly Bartlett, who offers a collaborative experience with clients who can choose colors and make marks on paper which she then turns into a unique composition which she completes.

Sally Meding has been making and selling her fabulous woven bead jewelry on special evenings in the gallery, and has branched out to woven beading for christmas ornaments which are unique and beautiful.

I can't wait to get back to my own work.

It has been too long

I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted to my blog. But it has been time well spent. I finished enough work to have a show at Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church in Carrollton, and I have a show in November at the Blue House Gallery in Allen.

I have been exploring abstracts which I had never previously done a lot of, and I have been doing collage which I had also not done much of. I find it very fulfilling and engrossing to do both of these.

Also have done a couple of landscapes and find I much prefer the abstract. It is just more fun to work freely, rather than interpret from a photo or sketch.

But, I will continue to do both. Representational work sells a lot better in this area and the kinds of places where I am now shown, than the abstract work does.

This has been a good day. All afternoon I was hearing that Black Eyed Peas song "It's gonna be a good day" in my head. An opportunity came my way to place three pieces of art in a Million dollar home in a gated community to be viewed (and possibly sold) during an event that is taking place there. I got a lead on a part-time job, which I would like to have. I finished two collages that I was working on and I like them. I had a nice dinner with my best friend of 37 years. I found two table top easels that I needed for $5 each at Big Lots. Yes, it has been a good day.