Gold Sun - Sold

“Gold Sun” has been sold.  I was hoping to keep this painting for myself, but I couldn’t refuse the offer.

“Light Within” - Inspirational Pencil Drawing

I was asked, “What was your inspiration for this drawing?” My reply was, “Umm..inspiration.”  I could think of a million reasons why I drew this  - something I read in the Bible, a feeling that from within us we create our own reality, God’s hand, etc.  But it all comes down to feeling inspired.  By becoming inspired we become creators.  That’s what this drawing is all about.  Hope you like it.  The original is no longer available but a good quality giclee print on artist paper can be purchased for only $14.86.  Just Click Here.

“Create Love” - Abstract Word Art Heart Painting

Within the center of the heart is a very abstract form of 2 people coming together in love with their foreheads and the palm of their hands touching.  If you turn the painting  on its side the same form spells the letters “CRE 8″ which of course means create love.  I am pleased with the colors that reworking soft pastels can create.  The colors and form developed very naturally. From this painting I hope to create another variation in acrylic that portrays the image of 2 people coming together a little bit more realistically.  Perhaps, I will add it to my Spirited Expressions exhibit.  Overall I hope you enjoy the lightheartedness of this piece.   This painting is 10″ x 10″and is available for only $70.  If you are interested visit Cianelli Studios.

Purchase Print: $15.00

Greeting Cards: $3.00

What Do My Paintings Sell For?

This is a fair question.  Obviously it depends on the painting. The time spent, the creativity, and the amount of attention is gets. Originals have been selling anywhere between $200 - $500. I try to keep costs low for people to have an original. I don’t sell on ebay, I don’t spend money on marketing, and I don’t have to pay the cost of a gallery’s commission…yet.  I say this because in the future I plan to have a gallery represent me as well.  Right now I rely on word of mouth, homes and various places where my artwork hangs, and my website. Thankfully, Google can send me 100 or more visitors a day.

“New Path” - Abstract Landscape Painting

This painting ended up having the beautiful tones, thick texture, and the simplicity that I have a hard time parting with. Yes I would like to keep this one. But I won’t. It’s funny. The longer this painting stays in my studio, the more it grows on me. There is a lot of really good positive energy coming off this painting. Actually, after completing it I became inspired to create a collection of landscapes called Inner Places. Being that these open and airy landscapes form on the canvas and not from any actual place, I think Inner Places is fitting.

It might be hard to tell from this picture, but the sides are painted brown, not black.

“Gold Sun” - Contemporary Landscape Painting

I spent a lot of time building up the texture on this landscape.  I really wanted to add a tree or some kind of identifiable object, but every time I added something it just didn’t look right.  Sometimes, even though it feels right, it’s hard to keep something simple.   As simple as this painting looks, building up the glazed layers of acrylic paint on top of thick dark layers of paint was a challenge.  Quite the opposite of what you should do.     As any artist knows, lighter transparent paint on top of dark paint does not go over very well.  I had to constantly re-introduce my whites. But it was fun.  I captured the look I was going for and that’s all that matters.

I think the canvas gained 10 pounds from all the paint I added to it.  Here take a look at the depth of the paint in the sky:

Abstract Paintings Have a Purpose?

It depends on the artist, but generally, yes abstract paintings have a purpose. The purpose is simply to beautify your surroundings with intrigue. Ok, but why do people pay so much for what looks like a canvas with some paint thrown on it? Abstract paintings can actually be very affordable if purchased from an up and coming artist. And believe it or not, most often there was a deliberate attempt at where that paint landed on the canvas. The beauty of abstract art, both for the artist and the viewer, is that anyone can take what they see and interpret it however they see fit.

From an artist’s point of view, there are many different approaches at abstract art. An artist can be completely non-objective, or they can conjure up recognizable forms and symbols. Along the broad spectrum of abstract paintings, you will find landscapes, seascapes, natural objects, and colorful shapes and forms. All and all, abstract paintings tend to have a strong focus on color patterns, and/or texture. In this modern day, with photography, digital art, and the ability to create prints, it’s no wonder why artists are seeking to make it perfectly clear that what you see on the canvas was in-fact created with a more personal human element. How you ask? Through building up layers of texture, depth, or using a glazing technique that collects and redistributes light, making the paint appear luminous.

There is so much joy in painting abstractly because the walls of rigid preconception are torn down. Many artists are using abstract art as a means to release feelings, and also as a way to freely express what they have seen in nature. When something is done in spirit and spontaneity, it’s obvious and it shows in the work. The purpose of abstract art is to capture this essence and bring this joy into the lives of others.

“Spirited Expression” Exhibit

Why I Use Acrylic Paint

A long time ago I used oil paint. I practiced my Bob Ross wet-on-wet technique after I came home from school. I know, not your typical 11 year old.  I painted some beautiful paintings, but none of them were modeled after my own heart. When I came to understand acrylic paint for more than it’s quick dying time and inability to easily blend colors, I began to see its quick drying time as a way to re-work and layer. I quickly fell in love with texture. A million mistakes could eventually make a masterpiece. One painting became another, then another, and so forth until I had a painting I was satisfied with. Now I can plan ahead.

Besides that, acrylic paint cleans easy - off my brushes, off me, and off the painting. Some water and some rags is all I need to reverse paint and remove layers to find the old ones that can still be used. I can also combine a variety of medium like gesso, pastes, glaze mixture, sand, and even iridescent medium and none of them stink of chemicals.

“Relax” Abstract Word Art Painting

Some people can’t see the word Relax, while others notice it right away.  The idea for this came to me while  I was sitting on the edge of a pool.  To create this I used an actual picture of pool water with its dancing reflections.  I mapped it out on some very large canvas and as I painted it I separated the different shades of blue.