art

Weeping Land, revisited

New Artwork, Uncategorized

I recreated my Weeping Land piece and donated it to local nonprofit gallery Works/San José‘s for their annual auction fundraiser. The last day to bid is this Saturday, Dec. 2 by 6PM. If you’re in the area, please check it out – there are so many great artists who have something showing in the gallery.

IMG_2066

My artist statement from the show:

Being a curious individual, I often ask myself questions about the intricate designs of the world, observing and appreciating the detailed environment around me. In the past four years, I have been turning these explorations into my own creative interpretations.

The acrylic painting series I’ve been developing lately is called “LandEscapes”; in it I focus on natural landforms, utilizing bright colors, contrasting values, and line. Through these paintings, I hope to bring to light environmental elements that are around us, allowing space for viewers to feel a familiar connection to the earth.

The flagship of the LandEscape series was the inspiration for this artwork you see today – a new reincarnation of the original piece “Weeping Land”. I wanted to express how nature is greatly affected by human development and exploitation. As I was creating this, people everywhere were feeling the results of some awful natural disasters: hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. I weep for them, I weep with them.

But I also challenge us all to face the realities of climate change and to get involved to make a needed difference in our communities.

80% of proceeds from this piece will go to support the great things Works/San José is doing; 20% will be sent to help with California wildfire relief to the Community Foundation of Sonoma County.

__________________________________________

Here’s the original I did back in 2012:

weepingland_web

 

Movin’ On Up

New Artwork, Uncategorized

yinandbirds

Yin and Birds – Digital Artwork by Renae McCollum 2016

This artwork represents how I’m trying to see the world. My world, and all of yours. A place full of balance, freedom, peace and justice. It’s hard to imagine it though, and even harder to believe in it. I realize it’s just a dream, but perhaps a dream we all have in common? I can only hope.

Deep down I have to trust that all of humanity is rooted in the same desire to live in harmony with one another. We are all just a bunch of living, breathing organisms sharing the same resources and creating systems to “deal” with our surroundings. My hope one day is that we collectively can find a way to live respectfully and peacefully with each other AND with our own planet – to stop exploiting and abusing each other and our natural resources. It’s more than tolerance, more than acceptance, but real support, understanding, and unity. We have so much more in common than we realize…but I know it’s hard at the moment.

As for now, I can only keep the hope alive through art and music and kindness.

Perhaps Curtis Mayfield’s song “Move On Up” is the best thing for everyone to listen to right now. Such a gem 🙂 We’ll Move On Up…Enjoy!

Hush now child, and don’t you cry
Your folks might understand you, by and by
Move on up, toward your destination
You may find from time to time
Complication

Bight your lip, and take a trip
Though there may be wet road ahead
And you cannot slip
So move on up for peace will find
Into the steeple of beautiful people
Where there’s only one kind

So hush now child, and don’t you cry
Your folks might understand you, by and by
Move on up, and keep on wishing
Remember your dream is your only scheme
So keep on pushing

Take nothing less, than the second best
Do not obey, you must keep your say
You can past the test
Just move on up, to a greater day
With just a little faith
If you put your mind to it you can surely do it

 

LandEscapes 6 – you rock, rock.

New Artwork

Well, here it is, the latest of the series – inspired from Castle Rock S.P. in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Got my hands on a new acrylic pen…and new acrylic paints – courtesy of Riley Street Art Supply in Santa Rosa 🙂

Stay Tuned for more as the journey continues.

landEscapes6

Also, I became a member of a gallery in San José to explore the local art scene. It’s called Works/San José and they happened to be having a member exhibition called Vote Your Subconscious. I entered a small piece from an earlier LandEscapes blog entry. It will be on display until Sept. 11 and is tucked away, right next to a lively painting of the Donald. Contrasting beauties I guess…I’m grateful to have my escapism from this crazy world sometimes.

LandEscapes 5 – more rockscape

New Artwork

image

I’m almost done with this next painting in my series. It’s based off a striking rock I met while hiking in Utah about 5 years ago. If you look closely the rock that looks like a face also is comprised of figures. There are some final touches that still need to be done, but I thought I’d share my newest creation.

Next up, I’m moving on from my red rock pallet and will transition into some more aquatic and forested landscapes. Stay tuned!

LandEscapes updates and t-shirt graphics

New Artwork, Uncategorized

There has been a delay in this series, but it will continue soon, hopefully next week if time allows. I’ve been busy working on a few portrait drawings for a good friend, some sweet graphics for work and a few designs for a friend’s wedding this weekend (I’ll be updating my portfolio in the next few days, so stay tuned).

I finished this 4th painting over a month ago, by adding more lines and texture to the ground… about time I show it off 🙂

LandEscapes4_web

I have a few sketches worked out for the next two paintings; they’ll be smaller then these last two featuring the red rocks of Utah, but hopefully just as intriguing.

_____________________

In March I designed a t-shirt for the non-profit organization I work for; here’s the sketch I based it off of. The leaf at the top is part of the logo and is shown asymmetrically in the final design to give those astute viewers something to find.

TreeLungDrawing_web

TshirtDesign_front3

Breathe easy 🙂

20160423_162811