Storing Acrylic Paints by Tracy Haines

If you paint in acrylics and are tired of wasting paint because of the fast dry time, try this!


A short video on storing acrylic paints:

This painting has SOLD

Abstract acrylic paintings studio tips good books, quotes, art festivals Tracy Haines art

Happy June!

It is summer and that means......... Summer Art Market time!

Be sure to stop by the 2015 SUMMER ART MARKET!!  June 13&14th , 9-5 Saturday and Sunday
2nd and Grant st in Denver, Colorado.  Please stop by booth #6 and say hi!

I am excited to showcase new work in a very different style this year.  I will have many large ( up to 36x48") mixed media and acrylic paintings in a more stylized landscape format and a few purely abstract works like the one below.

Fresh off the easel:

Lazy Summer Day
16x20 acrylic on stretched canvas
$ 395.00

I've a new and huge respect for abstract artists.  I had no idea how difficult the struggle in painting something without reference material as a guide.  This new endeavor has been challenging and very exciting.

Today's studio tip:

Make your workplace as inviting as possible; a place you look forward to spending time. Hours and hours of time ;)

My studio is located in my basement.  For good lighting, and after quite a bit of research, I ordered the natural spectrum fluorescent lights from Verilux Lighting Company.  I can paint any time of night or day with these.   Still, the studio feels basement-like and sometimes a bit dark, despite the lights.  To make it a comfortable place to spend time, it helps to light a candle ( kept a good and safe distance from things volatile, of course!) and put on music while working.  Keeping the studio clean and organized  helps.  I am slowly decluttering and adding small touches here and there to make the studio itself feel like a piece of art.  It's a work in progress and I will keep you updated.

Quote of the Day:

Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling. ~G.K. Chesterton

Current books on my bedside dresser:

Acrylic Solutions by Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard- excellent review of materials and techniques in abstract and acrylic art plus great images.

Burn Your Portfolio by Michael Janda-  fun read with tips on succeeding in business and life.

One Nation by Ben Carson, MD-  This presidential candidate gives a clear overview of his ideas for healing the political and many other divisions in our country.  His life story is fascinating.

Coming soon:

You Tube pastel demo

Enjoy your day!

Tracy haines Original fine art for sale affordable pastel oil acrylic paintings on canvas wall art impressionism expressionism colorful colorado trees flowers floral red green blue purple mountains streams skies sunsets

Deer Creek Rhythm is a 5x7 mixed media painting using acrylic, marker, ink and pencil on 140lb watercolor paper.  There is a small margin around the image to allow for  framing with a matt, if desired. This piece is up for auction on eBay and through Daily Paintworks ( link to your right) and starts at 99 cents.

Driving along Deer Creek one evening, while driving my son Nick's friend home, I was forced to a screeching halt by this scene. The play of cool blues against warm willows just arrests me everytime!

Oh, the beauty of this earth!

Note to artists: Did you notice what I just noticed? The composition sort of slides the eye right down and off the left side of the painting, doesn't it? Don't you hate it when you inadvertently break a rule you are well aware of? I  bet lifting the tree on the left up and over the mountain, or sloping the mountain on the left up and to the left, instead of down would help. I will sit on this for the time being, and just try to remember the rules next time.

Tracy haines Original fine art for sale affordable pastel oil acrylic paintings on canvas wall art impressionism expressionism colorful colorado trees flowers floral red green blue purple mountains streams skies sunsets

You may recognize this scene if you have driven through Leadville, CO.   I love this conglomeration of structures.  This little sketch is a cropped and abstracted acrylic and pencil done from one of my larger paintings that is currently hanging at Leomyka Gallery in Leadville.

Thanks for stopping in to take a look at my blog!

Bid on eBay here