How To Build a Simple Big Easel

With a stirring to paint abstract expressionism I came across a fun book entitled "Expressive Drawing (A Practical Guide To Freeing the Artist Within)" by Steven Aimone. I was intrigued by Aimone's format of taping a big piece of paper on the wall. The, with a container of black house paint and a 1" china bristle brush in hand, position yourself as a fencer, holding the brush by the end of the handle, and impulsively begin swishing away! 

Taping paper to my nice white studio wall was not something I wanted to do. What if I got carried away and found my freedom of expression bigger than my paper?! So I designed a simple large easel that 'leans' against the wall, and with strategically placed drop cloths I am free to swish away!

This 4' W x 6.5' H easel cost me about $4.00 to make! The $4 was for my four 1x2's. It would have been a bit more but my professional framer just happened to have this spare piece of quarter inch masonite which he graciously gave me. Say, if you are in the Lincoln, NE area and need a great framer (actually he is a "Master Framer") then go to Jeff Griffith, owner of Frames for You (4727 Lowell, 402-486-3505). Plus, he is just plain fun!

Back to how to make a big easel! The size of your easel will be determined by the size of your masonite backing. 

Basic materials needed:

• four 1" x 2" x 8' (they were ninety-five cents each at Home Depot - make sure they are straight!) - for easel support frame
• fifteen 3/4" wood screws - to secure 1x2 supports for back of masonite (I had some scarp 1x2's on hand for this, if you don't have any, then buy a couple extra 1x2's - again make sure they are straight)
• two 11/4" bolts, wing nuts, washers (secures bottom of masonite to 1x2 frame)
• two 21/2" bolts, wing nuts, washers (secures top of masonite to two joined 1x2 frames) 
• 3/8" dowel - cut in 3" sections. I used a broken 'wand' from a discarded wooden blind. (supports for the cross piece on which a canvas will set)
• cross bar - I had on hand a scrap of 1" x 2" oak strip (cross bar to hold canvas) - oak is nice because it is a hardwood and less likely to warp

Pictures are worth a thousand words! 

Here is the finished big, light weight, easy to move easel:

  

Easel completed in all its humble glory! I taped some large white paper on the masonite to catch some paint and provide a white background for smaller paintings while working on them.

Back of the easel masonite are three braces (white strips). I screwed them on from the front and counter sunk the screws. Without these braces the masonite too springy.

Side view - note the horizontal braces on the easel framework about midway down - they help with stability of the triangular framework.

Adjustable dowels/pegs on which to put the cross bar - see the spaced holes for adjusting. This way I can put whatever size canvas I am working on at the appropriate height. 

Notice the blue rubber band (bands that come from bunches of broccoli at the grocery store). I wrap these rubber bands around the cross bar and both pegs to keep it in place. There was a tendency for the cross bar to fall off when I was moving canvases on it, so came up with the rubber band idea.

I cut these shims from the left over 1 x 2's. They came in handy to help 'shove' the easel firmer against the wall (due to base board being in the way at the bottom of the wall). I also used shims at the top of the framework - pictured further down.

The corner wedge at the bottom added stability to my triangular framework. Notice the shim underneath the frame which helped push the whole easel snugly against the wall. And note my canvas on the floor - spills and drops will happen!

Shims used at top of framework to secure the two vertical 
1 x 2's. I used 2 1/2" bolts with washer on front and wing nut on back to secure the masonite, frame supports, and shim. I also ended up taping a 'bumpon' at the end of these bolts to cushion them against the wall.

  
A short 1x2 about in the middle of the masonite back helps stabilize the easel against the wall.

 




This old time tripod enables me to lay my painting flat so I can easily paint the sides of my gallery wrapped canvas.







Here is my new work station in my studio! What a fun place to experiment, play, learn, and produce. Hopefully some good expressive abstracts will result - a new direction in my artwork.



Hmm, a light thought. If there is no change in our lives, then there is no growth. With this big shift in my art, even though a little scary (but fun!), I am anticipating more growth and experiencing another facet of the joys of just being alive! Yay!

Here's to many opportunities for growth in your life too!

Maple RED

My favorite color is red. So you can imagine my autumn delight when certain maple trees transform their green leaves into bright red. Of course I love those bright golden leaves too, but there is something about that 'red'!

Last fall I went on some red maple leaf hunting expeditions. Over the course of several days I found just the right ones, having drifted to the grass below. I so enjoy discovering these special treasures, knowing that no two are alike. 

What is also fun is to see how they change just by turning them in the sun's light - shadows shift, light reflects differently - adding another one-of-a-kind look and feel. To illustrate here is the same leaf from different perspectives.

Hmm, a light thought - it is good to enlarge our perspectives! There is always more to see than we think. 

 

 

'Maple Red 3' 8x10" acrylic on watercolor board

©Nancy Teague

'Maple Red 4'  8x10" acrylic on watercolor board

©Nancy Teague

Leaves Fall and Hope Comes

It was a Sunday afternoon on a windy day walk - crisp fall leaves dancing,rolling,bouncing in the street going clickity, clickity, like miniature popcorn popping. Oh the sounds of fall! 

On top of that I relish the brilliant colors of fall - fiery reds, brilliant oranges, lush golds, and touches of splashy greens. A vibrant hue study of delight just before they independently waft downward or they scurry along, to who knows where, driven by the wind.. 

Now that it is December, the leaves are long blown away or raked into bags to wend there way to the landfill. Their colors are quickly forgotten as barren brown and gray branches display a slumbering presence. Hmm, a light thought - in the barrenness is a hint of hope and expectation that new life is brooding deep within the brown and gray forms. 

Because of my years I am coming to appreciate even more the seasons of life. They are all necessary to experience the fullness of being here. Each season has a purpose with their respective colors being symbolically significant. All to be appreciated and valued.

Sugar Maple Gold II

©Nancy Teague

In spite of the plethora of empty trees around me this new painting of a maple leaf reminds me of the blazing colors but two months ago. It is also a reminder of my leaf hunting trips. Hey, have you ever noticed no two leaves are alike? Just like snowflakes' design and zebra's stripes! Isn't God something in that in His immense creativity He always makes one of a kind! Just like you are!

Looking for just the right leaves is like going on an adventurous treasure hunt. Oh what fun it is! This adventure is better than being in a one horse open sleigh! Well, obviously the sounds of Christmas are upon us, and the sounds of fall long gone.

May this leaf, that packs a punch, with its golden expression, brighten your day in some way. Perhaps a little reminder that change happens, season come and go, and hope is always eternal.

Wishing you bright colors, one of a kind expressions, and fun simple adventures.

NOAPS "Best of America" 2012 Nancy Teague Painting Accepted

This year the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society (NOAPS) 22nd Annual "Best of America" 2012 Exhibition will feature 85 paintings that were selected from a total of 659 paintings submitted by 269 artists.

I was very pleased to learn that my painting "Fall Tomatoes" will be part of this exhibit!!!

Fall Tomatoes acrylic on canvas 11"x14"

©Nancy Teague 2012

The NOAPS 22nd Annual "Best of America" Art Exhibit will be featured at two locations.

 Dunnegan Gallery of Art

Bolivar, MO

Exhibit from October 14 - 28, 2012

Opening Reception and Awards on October 14  2:00pm 

 The Vine 

Wine Bar Restaurant and Art Gallery

Osage Beach, MO

Exhibit from November 3 - December 1

Opening Reception on November 3  6:00pm 

As an aside, check out an earlier post about "Fall Tomatoes" that brought forth a light thought about Tomato Times. It is so easy to 'spin and toil' and worry, but these tomatoes remind us to wait and rest for the ripening to happen. So be encouraged no matter what!

If you are in the area and like to see great artwork then stop by to see the NOAPS 22nd Annual "Best of America" 2012!

Nancy Teague Art Sold At Richard Schmid Auction

This being my first time to participate in the Richard Schmid Art Auction I must say it was a well planned and finely executed art event on September 2, 2012! The Big Top on the left in this image housed all the fine art paintings for the Live Auction and the Silent Auction.

Here is a view inside the Big Top during the Live Auction.

 
The Rist Canyon Mountain Festival was held in conjunction with the art auction. Lots of yummy baked goods, inflatable play toys, pony rides, Police Dog demos, a live wolf,used book sale tent, food vendors, on and on. Lots of fun for the whole family! 

A big thanks to all the volunteers who helped put on this event to raise funds for the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. Obviously due to the massive destructive High Park Colorado fires in that area this last June, the need was even more heightened.

Morning Door Geranium ~ Acrylic

© Nancy Teague

By the way, I was pleased to have sold "Morning Door Geranium" at the Live Auction. 

Sugar Maple Gold ~ Acrylic

© Nancy Teague

In addition my painting "Sugar Maple Gold" was snatched up in the Silent Auction.

If you are looking for some great artwork, love the mountains, want a unique family activity - then watch for Richard Schmid's 18th Annual Art Auction next fall.

Here's to art and fun with a worthy purpose!