New "Hidden Treasures" -Just released!

When my mother died back in March, I found that sorrow and grieving made it difficult to pick up a brush, let alone paint anything. Then, shortly after she passed away, I was at a workshop and we were working on completing a series. I was struggling with all the sad feelings inside of me, and wondered what on earth I was doing along side of some very respected artists that I admired when my heart was so heavy. I wasn't about to miss out on a wonderful workshop that I was looking forward to for a long time, so I forced my self to go-even as my heart was aching.

I was feeling a bit teary that day, trying to hold my emotions in, all the while painting on these 4 paintings that were to be a series. After working awhile, I realized that just the process of painting again became pleasureable, and my heart became energized and joyful. I just let the colors flow-it was like tears coming from my heart to the canvas. I picked the color blue to be the base color only because it reminds me of water and I felt my whole heart needed to have all that space, if I was going to cry into the painting. I never shed a tear-it was all the emotions from my heart emersing themselves into the canvas. The other colors were added into it with an energy that I find even today, hard to describe. It was like I had no control over what I was doing- I just needed to get the color into the work, all the while watching my compostion forming into an abstract that had my tears and sorrow into it. But, there was something more to it..

It was life again-that feeling of coming alive. As I was working, I was thinking about how I need to remind myself to discover again what it is that makes me want to be an artist and a painter, and I realized it comes from the discovery of our gifts and talents that is God-given--and the joy that comes from doing what we love. I looked around the studio where we were, and felt a connection with all the other artists that were working on the same thing-using whatever gifts, talents and hidden treasures we have in our hearts to create our own pieces of artwork. And, when we get stuck, we use discernment to try to figure out where we want to proceed. The joy comes from the actual process of creating, and not the end result-at least for me. By the way, the workshop was hosted by Susan Fryer Voight for fine art painter, Robert Burridge. www.RobertBurridge.com Thank you Susan and Bob!
So, I want to invite you to visit my website and take a look at the "Hidden Treasures" series. Let me know what you think. This blog really states in detail my feelings about the series - come and visit me: www.DebMagelssen.com

Finished!

Well, here it is! The finished piece: "Moving Mountains" One of many in my Series- "Mountain Messages".

I had a bit of a challenge in that there was that body of water that was ever changing, moving, and growing lighter while I worked on it. You can see some of the changes from the previous photo. But, after some tweaking, and looking, and seeing, and then looking some more. And waiting, and having it cook a bit- I am done. Finished! More "Mountain Message" paintings will be posted in my website soon. (June 08) www.debmagelssen.com

Ta Ta 4 Now. Love, Deb

The Winds of Artistic Change

As some of you know, I have painted in watercolor for over 20 years. I did not prefer the chalk like apprearance of the paint after it dried. Part of it was my own ignorance of the medium and all that goes with it. I thought it looked so awful,and told myself that it would "be a long time, if ever, that I would work with the medium". I began to take many watercolor classes with Victor Cagliati at the U of M and also painted under the late, Malcolm Meyers and found my love for watercolor. Malcolm and Victor were instrumental in my development as a watercolor artist. Both gave me the freedom to "paint my feelings", however, I had little training in the techniques that I needed. So began my own journey to develop my skills and I learn the techniques to achieve the realistic qualities that are evident in my previous works.

In the last year, I started painting with acrylics after taking a workshop with Robert Burridge.

www.RobertBurridge.com. I purchased some Golden paints and started painting in a new direction. I was thrilled and for once enjoyed the "process" instead of working toward the end result. Painting this way today has become a wonderful way to advance my artistic expression. Thanks, Bob, for "Permission".

One of series I am developing is a mountain series. It is based on the idea of faith and moving mountains. I am still working on these and will post the changes as I go. I have several series I am working on, and they can be viewed on my website. However, for this blog, I will keep the mountain series here.

Posted is the "Moving Mountains", piece. It is not finished. I will be posting the changes by the end of this week. I love the fantasy-dreamlike qualities of this piece and will continue in this direction. I will be discussing my intentions, thoughts and feelings about this piece as it develops. I will also include other new works that I am developing as well. Keep in touch!

Newbie Contemporary Acrylic Artist Blogger

Hello everyone! My name is Deb Magelssen and am a professional artist. I have a studio in my home.
My goal and intention as an artist is to "Paint Creatively with Inspiration, Hope and Heart."
In 1994, my business, Creative Clinic, Inc. was born.

My God-given gift is being an artist and have loved making art since I can remember. During high school, I had a wonderful teacher that allowed us to try our hands at jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, painting, and a whole host of other mediums. I was always in the Art Room! It was in high school where I fell in love with painting, (oils), and sold my first painting. I painted in watercolor for over 20 years and now I am finding acrylics to be my choice for my contemporary and abstract work. I am having the time of my life!

I consider myself a painter and have painted most of my life. I took time off for raising a family and have quit my "day job" and started a professional career in Fine Art. I have a website for you to visit- http://www.debmagelssen.com/. I would love to hear your thought's and idea's concerning my art. If you see something you love on my website, and it isn't quite what you were looking, for or maybe the wrong size, feel free to contact me for a Commission. I can give you the details by email or over the phone.
Ta Ta for now. Check back soon! Paint with your hope in your heart. Deb