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Why Mark Easton paints with acrylics ...
and other stuff you might find interesting.
Doodling got me here, from grade school paper book covers to long, boring “adult” business meetings. That is where I honed my craft. When I was a teenager I took art lessons for one year from two amazing artists, Lee Bean and Ann Bjorklen. They showed me so much about color, design and kindness. They were also the extent of my formal art education, I am basically self taught. Keen observation and endless experimentation. I started painting with watercolors in my late teens. I liked their soft translucent quality and I could afford them!
In my twenties I put away my watercolors, got a ‘real’ job, got married. My wife to be was an accomplished artist who was just beginning her career. Wildlife, landscapes and still lifes in oil, also ink drawings became her focus. I intended to go back to painting when her career was established. Twenty two years later, after a divorce, too many moves to count, several careers and some very interesting stuff... I picked up a brush!
About eight years ago I was attending a retreat where my good friend Elaine brought a ton of art supplies for us to play with when the mood moved us. I spread out some craft paper, picked up a brush, dipped it into some acrylic paint for the very first time... it was love at first swipe. I still have that painting, I tack it up on the wall wherever I am living.
"Universe Salmon", 25"x35" acrylic paints on craft paper. c.1999 m.easton
So my introduction to acrylics was from a place of discovery, fun, joy and no rules. That carries over to this day in my painting. Thanks to my parents I have always been aware of the beauty in this world, the simple beauty. Like the sunlight across the floor, rippling water, color, the shape of a leaf; the sights that are all around us every day no matter where we live or what we are doing. My folks were forever pointing out sunsets, sunrises, the moon. The ordinary that is exquisitely beautiful. Which I have come to discover is the stillness in the moment, in my breath... the stillness between breathes, the stillness within me.
Three years ago I started painting again, this time with acrylics, remembering that joy. I like everything about acrylics, the smoothness, the workability of them, their luminance, brilliance. I can be bold or gentle, thick or a delicate wash; they compliment my style, my vision. On a very practical level I like using water to thin the paints, to clean up with... especially splatters on the walls and carpet... I really do fling paint. For me any craft is a continuous learning process, exploring and experimenting with new products, methods and ideas. Right now I am using a mix of Dick Blick and Golden heavy body acrylics. I like their fluidity, their consistency and depth of color. I use many styles and brands of brushes; I have no favorite. Though I do tend to use for the most part long handle brushes. On a painting I will go back and forth, in a constant motion of up close and arms length brush strokes, using my whole body.
I use small stretched canvases and canvas panels for my studies because my finished paintings are all on canvas. I want the same feel, tone when I am working studies to carry through onto the final painting. I prep them with the same attention and care I do all paintings. I paint on stretched canvas of heavy weight and quality, using 1 1/2” to 2 1/2” stretchers. I will look at a blank canvas a long time before I even apply the gesso. I love gesso and put many layers on the canvas to provide me with a smoother surface. I also use layers of gesso to start the under painting process; creating texture and motion that will lend itself to the finished painting. An example of that is the painting
"Who Brings The Sun".
My paintings are sold without frames. With the thicker stretchers, 1 1/2 and bigger, no frame is needed; the painting can be hung directly on your wall. Paintings that are on 3/4 stretchers I recommend framing. It helps prevent possible warping.
"coyote dreams the night" c.2006 m.easton, framing suggestion.
Frame selection to me is as personal as choosing the painting. There are many things to take into consideration to make a nice fit in your home, the biggest being the colors in your home. The classic question is, “Does it match the sofa?” Over the years I have worked with both custom frame shops and ready made frames. Both have benefits, but I recommend establishing a good relationship with a frame shop you trust. They can not only provide you with a frame that enhances your painting, but also “fits” in your home. With any work of art I recommend keeping it out of direct sunlight. Care of my paintings is as simple as dusting, if needed a light wiping with a damp lint free cloth. Anything more serious than that, contact your frame shop.
jOy!
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