Varnishing Paintings

Windsor Newton has information about varnishing fine art paintings on their website. I can't help but notice that some of the paintings in the art shows I have been in are very shiny and intense. Mine, on the other hand, are more matte because I have not varnished them. Why did I not varnish? Because I use thick paint layers and oil paint normally takes 6 months to a year to thoroughly dry. You are not really supposed to varnish a painting before that. Still, I know that my paintings would be much more vibrant in color if I varnished them. So, before every show, I debate whether I should varnish or not. Is it dry enough, I ask myself? I usually decide not to. Besides, varnishing is very difficult to get just right. The Windsor Newton website also says that acrylic paintings actually need varnish more than oil paintings do. I never knew that!

My Progress

Okay, it's time to blog about myself again. What's a personal blog for if I'm not using it keep people informed about what I am doing? I've been working hard at paintings for my next big show. The show is not until Feb, but it will take tons of time to get everything ready for it. My art is not quick art and I don't just "crank it out" (read that somewhere on a blog), although lately I have been working on some things simultaneously out of necessity. I don't want to reveal too much about my plans yet because I have some surprises in store. Let's just say, I am incorporating more music into my art daily.

Also, my number two Tickler Ukulele has been a long time coming, but it is definitely coming soon. I can almost taste it now. Good things come to those who wait!

And, I have been thinking about which prints to release next. I have a hard time deciding these things. I don't release a lot of prints, but plenty of people have asked me about certain images, so I have been batting it around in my head. Feel free to drop a note to me if you have any favorites. Thanks, as always, for your support and nice feedback. You have no idea what it means to me.

The Art of Amy Crehore

P.S. Look for 5 pages of paintings by me in Prevention Magazine, Nov. issue... and for my "Deja Vu Waltz" painting in the new issue of The Oxford American which I just got in the mail today! The painting is a spread.

Vintage Arcade & Souvenir Photo Collection

I have blogged about his collection of vintage paper moon portraits before, but Steve Chasmar has now organized them into 3-page set on flickr with additional souvenir portraits such as the ones shown here. They are hilarious and lovely. For more, visit this link:
Arcade and Souvenir Photos

ameta 1903

ameta
Originally uploaded by undream

A silent film posted on flickr by undream

Paintings of Gottfried Helnwein

His paintings are very intense and unforgettable. Like war itself.

Here are two from 2005. More here:

Helnwein

Audrey Kawasaki Does it Again

"Stare"by Kawasaki

"Uria" by Kawasaki

It's really nice to see someone's art develop in front of your eyes, only to get more mature and fluid as she goes. I think these are my favorite Kawasaki paintings and drawings to date. She is following a great tradition of Japanese masters of the fine line. The design quality of these new pieces is really nice: abstract, simplified, mysterious, making use of snowy drips and calligraphy only to enhance the whole. Her paint drips add texture and atmosphere, they are not frivolous. These are exciting times for Audrey K. who is in Rome, Italy as we speak getting ready for her show at Mondo Bizarro. (via boingboing) LINK to more images

The Art of Amy Crehore

100 Year Old Uke Man, Bill Tapia

Here is Bill Tapia in 1939 testing out a pineapple uke. He loooks pretty spiffy in his 30's attire."Young Willy, age 10, gave ukulele lessons to grown men. Willy was the first in the Hawaiian islands, or, for that matter, anywhere, to produce divine jazz from, yes, a ukulele.
He became Bill Tapia, the accomplished jazz guitarist, who jammed with such all-time greats as Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Billy Holiday, Fats Waller and Charlie Barnett. Now he's 100 years old, still elegant, in his tuxedo and shimmering silver hair and beard"...read the rest of the story at the

OC Register and be sure to check out the amazing slide show of Bill performing in Honolulu. (Thanks, Ukulele Hero )

The Art of Amy Crehore