Category: the Life of anieKsteph

Where everything else falls…in the life category.

Red and gold in acrylic on wood

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My latest work is an experimental use of gold against red on wood board. Similar to my last two posts (See below) the use of wood enables a level of texture and complexity that is not easily achieved with canvas. The size is also comparably smaller.

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The orientation is more flexible, as seen above.  When viewing this piece it is really up to the observer to decide whether they prefer the gold on the bottom, top, or sides. But to be decisive, I created the piece to be hung as it looks in the first photo.

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The dimensions are 14 inches x 10 inches. I finished this (and the other wood board pieces) by adding a strip of decorative trim along its edges; however, I would like to try my hand at encasing these pieces in decorative wood frames. The millwork wood that is used for this purpose is usually available at Home Depot in 8 ft lengths. The cost is usually between $5 and $15 CDN so it would be very inexpensive to make my own.

The big question for me is: can I cut the angles right to make a perfectly fitting frame?

Thanks for reading,

S

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by @Lillybochic

RED: The Heart Beats

Inspiration comes in many forms; and for this piece I was inspired by love and the heart.

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St Valentine’s Day was last week, and as usual we become inundated with images of cutesy cartoon hearts, and cherubs with messages telling us to show love to our friends and family by spending money.

Most of what we purchase are useless trinkets that do very little to further any true affect for our loved ones, but fills the empty space of an average cosmopolitan existence. I suppose that is a topic for another day.

My latest piece is a reflection of the heart, without the fake imagined sentiment. The heart beats. It supplies blood to organs, and for most  of us we can only pray that it does not stop beating too soon.

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Thanks for stopping by,

S

by @Lillybochic

Floating, blending, and a swirl in acrylic on canvas

I love the colour blue.

In paint, in the sky, in eyes…

…and on rare occasions when I’ve seen the blue azure sea in the Caribbean where (half of) my people are from.

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My latest work is a blending of greens, blues, and yellows.  I used “swirling” techniques to bleed colours into each other and make the colours lead endlessly into each other.

The first photo is a bit dark, so I have included this one which adds detail:
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Note how vivid the yellows came out. I was super pleased with that.

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Green is quickly becoming my go-to. I suppose it has something to do with my desire for spring to return to Southern Ontario, and for my garden to bloom in the sunshine.

Thanks for reading,

S

by @Lillybochic

Star Blast in Acrylic on canvas

My latest work is a complex conception of iridescent orange against a dark turbulent sky.

The layers of colour in this piece were difficult to achieve. The richness of colour that I had hoped to achieve is not present in this piece, and to me it looks like it needs more paint.

The concept of this abstract piece is that of a solar flare against a dark space background.

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An interesting technique with this piece is the use of fibrous tissue for the sun. I experimented with cotton fibers and molding paste as an adhesive to construct relief lines across the piece. The result is a “realness” to those sections that would not have been possible without creating a raised and textured surface.

Thanks for stopping by,

 

-S

by @Lillybochic

Experimental Acrylic on Canvas 

A few months ago I created a piece that was very experimental in method, colour composition, and size. I wanted a wide canvas to hang on the wall behind my living room sofa that would not get dwarfed by the size of the wall. It needed to be at least 4 feet wide (48 inches ) and 2 feet tall (24 inches).

Failing this intent, I didn’t love the painting I created the first time around, so I re-gessoed  the canvas and started a new.

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Initially it was meant to have a landscape orientation, but I tried something new by creating an abstract portrait of an alien landscape. The center of the painting is highlighted by an iridescent violet splatter: a truly laborious endeavour. It took a lot of time to get it to look exactly how I wanted it to.

I like how it turned out of course; and that is why it has been hanging in my hallway for many months. I suppose that it fit so comfortably there that I plumb forgot to share it with the world.

Thanks for stopping by,

-S

by @Lillybochic

Beautiful Sky

I love the sun, sunrises, and sunsets.

My waking hours have me up by 6 am most days, and I can usually take my time to rise slowly and appreciate the beautiful landscapes as they are kissed by sunlight cascading from the rising sun.

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Hamilton Ontario at York Blvd
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Mississauga Ontario sunrise between condos

Sunsets are great too, don’t get me wrong, but they are busier and the worries of the day often cloud any appreciation of their beauty.

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Sunset sky over 401 near Kitchener Ontario

During this holiday season, take time to appreciate things that you may have been overlooking.

It may not be a sunrise or sunset, but I think that those are perfect analogies for phenomenon that are always present in life, yet are not always noticed. Be present in your holiday moments.
Thanks for reading and have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Xoxo

S

by @Lillybochic

Nigerian Princesses 

My recent work has drawn on inspiration from West Africa, specifically Nigeria. 

I used bright and eye catching shades of green with splatter and blending techniques in this piece, at first as a statement, then later as a background for what became a foreground of female figures.

Acrylic on canvas art African women known as Naija Princesses
Naija Princesses by Stephanie Konu

The female figures are representations of Nigerian Princesses  (aka Naija Princesses) that stand tall and show strength through their diversity and also through their poses. 

It is no accident that each figure has a unique hairstyle. The topic of hair in the African and Black community is a never ending one, and I believe it is important that the conversation contributes to a positive self image for younger generations of black women. -Stephanie Konu: Artist 

Thanks for reading, 

-S

by @Lillybochic

Submerged Gold Underwater: Acrylic on Canvas

My latest work is an abstract conception of underwater  (or sunken) gold.

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Gold Underwater sinking to the deepest of depths.

I have been fortunate enough to take a dearly needed vacation and created this during my time away from work.

This is a modest 12 x 24 inch portrait style original work, that features intense contrasts of deep blue and gold. The idea that I worked with was to have blue waves engulf gold as it sunk deep underwater.

The image is a passive commentary on the notion of sunken treasure and opportunities that are out of reach, but still visible.

Much of my art is conceptual, abstract, and utterly beautiful to the eyes of a kindred be holder. I’ve received a lot of interesting feedback on my technique and style from people; and the ultimate response is that I should keep on going!

I think 800 is a nice number for a lifetime goal of art work… 😉

Thanks for reading

-S

by @Lillybochic