Cincinnati Skyline - palette knife painting time lapse

Today I was thrilled to complete this commissioned painting for a local collector. He has a deep love for the city of Cincinnati and wanted an original painting he could put up and enjoy in his home.  

He and I went through several sketch drafts prior to me painting this piece. I wanted to be sure to deliver exactly what he wanted. 

This piece took me about 11 hrs to complete. 

The beauty of setting up a time lapse is that you can easily show the progress of a painting (or anything) in a very condensed time frame. The audience doesn't have time to get bored and you look like the fastest moving human ever. 

Tips for using the time lapse feature (on iPhone):

1. Set up a tripod. You may need to pick up an iPhone mounting bracket for the tripod if your tripod doesn't have one. 

2. Prep before you begin recording. 

3. Once you're ready to begin, turn your video camera setting to time lapse. 

4. Pres the record button

5. Have fun. 

6. I like to check the camera a few times to make sure it's still running ok. 

7. When you're done, push the red button again to finalize the video. 

Bam! You're done. iPhone does the rest. 

Too bad I can't actually paint that fast. 😉

Why do I paint?

There's something so romantic about leaving parts of yourself behind - little footprints of yourself in a busy world. When I think about my paintings hanging on the walls all over the country and some parts of the world, I get a little smile inside just knowing that I'm there; I made an imprint or impression in someone's life. Maybe my painting was the topic of a conversation or an ice breaker for someone's first date, maybe it brought up a memory at a family dinner. 

Last weekend it was the Masters.  I watched as Jordan Spieth @JordanSpieth broke records in the golf world. I watched in amazement as his score continued to go down. On the 18th green, during the final round, he found himself surrounded by a sea of people.

I noticed the colors, the people, the course, and something about it grabbed the artist in me. So I set up a canvas, got my paints out, and went to town. 

I got lost in the piece and didn't know until I was finished that I painted until 5a. I had work that morning (in just a few short hours) but I didn't care. It felt amazing to get lost in it. 

Sometimes it's an image that inspires me to paint. Sometimes it's a feeling. Sometimes I force myself to paint when I really am not feeling it and then 1/2 way through, I connect with the piece. 

Mostly, I just paint because I love creating something with my hands, that I can leave behind, and make imprints in the lives of others. When I am long gone, my work will still be here and I guess that makes me feel like a part of me will still be here too. 

Here is the time lapse of "18 Under on 18 - The Masters". 

Palette Knife Painting Classes

Art classes are so much fun! It makes me giggle when we start classes and everyone is quiet and a bit reserved. I don't know if it's the music, or the fear of jumping into a deep pool of creativity that mellows everyone out but it happens every time.

This week we will be doing "Fresh Rain" together and I've opened the registration up to adults. I'm excited to see how it turns out.

If your Thursday evening is free from 6:30-8:30 and you live near Orem, I'd love to see you! More information found here:

http://www.theknifepainter.com/#/art-classes/

My New Website is live!

I am thrilled that my new website is finally live! Check it out here: www.theknifepainter.com

I've also started teaching palette knife painting classes for kids in Orem, Utah. If you're local please visit my new site for more details.

Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple Painting

I dusted off the paints and it felt so good to be back in the studio getting all rowdy with some paint and some palette knives. Yee-haw!

First I got myself a bunch of this stuff...

*Props to Mike Doyle for this beautiful work of art. http://michaeldoyle.com/

...then I threw some paint down on a canvas. I have several commissions to get completed and it was uber nice to finish this bad boy.

It turned out pretty great. I'm happy with it. I really love the muted colors and I enjoy LDS art that isn't so cookie-cutter. Deseret Book style is great for some but for me I want some texture. I know - I know, I'm always on my soapbox about texture but I just can't help myself. :)

Cheers. 

-T

Sneak peek at new series "buds"

My most popular painting is a painting called "petals". It's large globs of painting in bright neon colors in a abstract format. I've decided to release a new series in this similar style entitled "buds".

"Mint & Tangerine" was created using similar technique and style. Large buds of impasto color in turquoise, gray, white, tangerine, orange, mint.

I imagine this hanging in a modern family room or child's bedroom. The great thug about this style of painting is that it works for girls bedroom art, boys bedroom art, common area art.

I'm interested in trying this style in several color palettes. If your interested in custom palette knife paintings, please message me for an order.

-Trisha

Abstract Modern Thick Impasto Palette Knife Painting

I never thought I'd be one to paint a painting to match my sofa or room colors but I'm sort of obsessed with charcoal gray, black, cream and mint green color palettes right now and I have yet to find a painting in these colors that catches my eye so I figured why not see what I could come up with.
 

Here it is:

Maybe I'll put it in my front room... 

 Just in case you don't realize how much paint I used, take a closer look.

The look inspired me to create an entire series called "Marbles". If you have any color combinations you'd like me to try, please let me know. 

Modern impasto palette knife painting for sale in mint, charcoal, gray, silver, black, cream and white. The balls of paint stick off the canvas and make you want to touch them. 

Fancy Easter Eggs... Artist Style

A few days late but had to share these amazing Easter Eggs courtesy of Artilleries: Easter Chef d'Oeufres:
I love the impressions of these famous paintings a la Easter egg.

Famous artwork inspirations include:
Son of Man, Magritte
Composition, Mondrian
Starry Night, Van Gogh
Moulin Rouge: La Goulue, Lautrec
The Scream, Munch
Bridge over a Pool of Water Lilies, Monet
The Old Guitarist, Picasso
Velvet Underground Cover, Warhol

Happy birthday Vincent Van Gogh

Love these painted looking Van Gogh cakes. They are so colorful and beautifully done. Wonder if I could get frosting to a good consistency and do palette knife cakes? Food for thought..

Palette Knife Painting Tips for Beginners

It always makes me laugh when I hear people say “I could never do that or I wish I could paint like that”. I didn't magically pick up a palette knife one day and just start creating masterpieces - ok, I may never create masterpieces but I work at it. 

Remember in the original Karate Kid when Mr. Miyagi teaches the super skinny heart throb Danny Russo (I still don’t understand that one but whatever – swoon away 80’s girls) how to catch a fly with chopsticks?

“You beginner luck”

That is not how painting has ever been for me. I’m not some prodigy… I work my monkey butt off. I try and fail and try again. I study, sketch, research constantly. It’s probably a bit of a sick obsession as I don’t see everyday objects like a chair in my office as just a chair; I see lines, dimension, and color. My eyes study the way a shadow changes when you move the light source around.

I believe if you put your mind to something, you can do it. It may come easier for some than others but we can all develop artistic talents. Here's some things I've picked up along the way.

Palette knife painting tips for beginners:

1. Pick a photo that you love. Make a photo copy in black and white to clearly identify the lines in the image.
2. Sketch the image in a light pencil. – This allows you to erase and get a feel for the painting.
3. Once you’re ready to paint, decide the colors you’d like to use and set your palette up.
1. Set up paper towel
2. A garbage can
3.  Leave your paints out so you can remember what colors you used.
4.  Additives or mediums aren't necessary but can be fun to play with. I use acrylic based painters caulk to thicken up my oil paint and help it dry faster. Mixed Media Impasto paintings are fun!
5. Select 5 standard knives.  I sell Starter Kits for $35 if you’re interested shoot me an email.
6.  Begin applying the paint but don’t over analyze too much. This is the fun of knife painting.
7. Step back several times during the process to see your painting from a distance.
1. I've learned that taking a picture of your painting during the process also helps you see where things need to be added.
8.  Paint another one
9.  Repeat and repeat again

Things to consider:

-Don’t take yourself too seriously.

-Listen to music. It is amazing how different a painting can look depending on the kind of music you listen to; it helps me “get into character”.

Happy Painting. 

Modern Art Salt Lake City LDS Temple Painting

I don't usually start with sketches but in this case I really wanted the temple and architecture to be identifiable. I had really good direction on this commission from my friend. She knew exactly what she wanted which made my job so much easier. For this painting of the LDS Salt Lake Temple, I printed out the image I was using and separated into 8 equal squares for scaling. 

 

  

LDS Temple Art blue sky spring time flowers red tulips yellow green palette knife painting original non traditional LDS mormon art.

How to pick a color palette?

I enjoy trying out new color schemes. There is a site called design seeds that I'm LOVING lately. It's great for color schemes ideas for your home decor and for me, it's awesome to be able to see color next to each other without having to mix it all up first. Check out this little hidden treasure:
http://design-seeds.com/

So my most recent painting I wanted to go with a Tangerine & Mint color palette. These colors are so complimentary and really BIG right now. 

'untitled' abstract by Trisha Lamoreaux

40x30x1.5

An abstract painting done in charcoal, white, yellow, gold, taupe, turquoise. 

'Dandelions'

'Dandelions' was a commission.

Subtle colors of sage, green, blue, gray and white with white dandelion buds.

(30x40x1.5)

Wild Flowers Series - Four

2012

Mixed Media

40" x 30" x 1.5"

Mixed Media on Gallery wrapped canvas

An abstract palette knife painting of wild flowers in pink, green, red, peach, brown, sage, mint showing with heavy texture.

Wild Flowers Series - Two

2012

Mixed Media

24" x 36" x 1.5"

Mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas

Wild Flowers Series - Three

Wild Flowers Series - Three

2012

Mixed Media

24"x 12"x 1.5"
Mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas 

Wild Flowers Series - One

2012

Mixed Media

40" x 30" x 1.5"

Mixed Media on Gallery wrapped canvas

Wild Flowers Series

The past few days in Utah have been uncharacteristically warm and sunny which has brought on an early dose of spring fever. I've been known to get pretty severe cases come mid-February but this year, I'm jumping the gun and ready for the heat say... now-ish. Since I can't really control the weather I've decided paint it. This new series explores my love of the beauty in springtime -- that can't get here soon enough.

2012 Calendars

I've had some requests for prints of my work and inexpensive options to support my art. While I'm not a fan of prints, I want everyone who's interested in my paintings to be able to enjoy them. Plus, the term "starving artist" isn't too far fetched. I appreciate the support of any admirer and hope this calendar gives those who want to purchase my work an easy and inexpensive option. Please pass this link along they are only available for a limited time!! $23.50 each  Click here to purchase

- T

Abstract Landscape

Abstract Landscape
40" x 30" x 1.5"

This weekend I've been working on a minimalist approach with the knife. The canvas show-thru is my favorite element of this abstract approach. As I worked on this piece I was a little discouraged by the way it was coming together. Then I took a break and when I came back in the distance is what made this one come together. I'm not sure how the picture will turn out online but I'm really happy with this one in person.

"By Sea"

"By Sea"

Trisha Lamoreaux (C)

18" x 20" x 1"

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

in Oil

* Ocean, tide, wave, sea, blue, sky, white, sunset, dark, night, dawn, impasto, knife painting, seascape

"Up"

"Up"

24" x 36" x 1.5"

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

in Oil

*Texture, messy, impressionistic, abstract, purple, violet, blue, green, red, orange, yellow, sunrise, painting, sunset, knife painting, impasto, thick, heavy, bright, lanscape, original

"Gust"

"Gust" 

36" x 24" x 1.5" 

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Oil

*Abstract, floral, impasto, green, lime, yellow, brown, white, wind, movement, texture, oil, original,