Rachael Padilla

Tuesday Update

Paintings, and more! Everything that is going on with me this week, plus my "yachtie" uniform.

Schematic Painting

On a bright yellow background I begin making marks in shades of blue.

This painting is based on a schematic for a radio transmitter. It’s a different kind of subject matter for me. But with the theme of communication for the current series of work, it fits. The yellow back ground is bright and energetic and the lines for the schematic are in shades of blue. The bright colors and the fact that it’s painted on canvas really seems transform the subject matter. It takes on a different feel from black and white on paper.

Just Add Blue

A behind the scenes look at adding blue to my giant yellow painting.

Sunday Afternoon

Taking time out of the studio to appreciate the backyard.

Yellow

Getting down a base coat on a canvas.

This 24 by 36 inch canvas has been gessoed, and is now got a base coat in yellow. Not too gold a yellow, but a nice, bright, energetic shade reminiscent of lemons.

More to come soon!

Yellow

Getting down a base coat of yellow. It seems to be the perfect color to depict the intended meaning.

Gesso on a Canvas

Gessoing a canvas, and why I do it on a canvas that's already been treated.

In the Time Between

Taking frequent breaks from editing, I do leg lifts.

It's so surprising to me that done consecutively, this takes so little time. It seems like such a big deal, such a feat! The reality is, this little break is just about a minute of work, with ample rest between sets. But in my mind, I can't imagine why I don't look like a body builder.

Selfie in Three Parts

The selfie in three parts is a reflection/collection of:

1. How I am perceived by others ( photo).

2. How I see myself (in the mirror).

And

3. My inner thoughts in haiku:

It’s been a minute.

Since I drew a self portrait.

Complete with haiku!

Wednesday Walk

Today's walk illustrates perfect juxtaposition between construction zones and meadows.

Not just in how they look.   

While the area under construction stunk from stale water that had collected in puddles from the rain, the meadow smelled sweet with the scent of wild roses on the air.  

Tuesday Update

After spending most of the day in front of the computer editing, compiling photos, and writing, I needed a break. I busted out the surfskate for a bit of exercise.

Sunny days like this are perfect for cyanotypes, so I got a few of those done, too!

Another Little Talk

I located an old story that I'll be including in my broadcast!

Little Talks

It sometimes requires a little bit of rambling in order for me to clarify my thoughts. This little talk is no exception as I consider my broadcast for my sculpture.

The Ultimate Self Portrait

It's been a long time in the making, and a long time in editing it all together.

Meet my Frankenstein's Monster! A multi-media, multi-faceted sculpture that I consider my ultimate self portrait.

Today’s cyanotypes

Taking advantage of a mostly sunny day, I did some reprints of these images. The bonus is cyanotypes such as these provide a great break from editing!

Wednesday Walk

It's a perfect day for a walk: not to hot, not too cool. A light cloud cover prevented the sun from beating down, and a nice breeze cooled me as I walked along.

As usual when I walk, I felt a mood of contentment overtake me. It's as if there were a lovely song playing in my mind.

Tuesday Update

I hope your week is going well.

I've got my hands full with editing, as usual. Here are all the other things that are keeping me busy!

A Multi-Layered Project

From sketch to negative to cyanotype to digital drawing. It's been quite the adventure creating this piece!

I wanted to see what I could create using multiple processes and mediums. I am most comfortable with a pencil or paintbrush in hand, so I started there by creating a simple graphite sketch of a beach scene. Then turning that into a cyanotype. Then ending on a process where I have the least confidence: digital art.

I'm excited with how this turned out. There isn't one aspect of this that could have been cut out in order to achieve the end result. Nor could I have arrived at a similar result using any one of the processes. It was largely experimental, and I'm happy with what was achieved.

Behind the Scenes

A little work and a little play.

I'm working on sketches and ideas that have a tropical or beach feeling.

I couldn't think of a better way to inspire the feel and vibe of the tropics than getting out in the sunshine. On a towel, close to the ground where the breeze couldn't quite reach me. It inspired some amount of creative thoughts, and some much needed Vitamin D.

A little sunshine

The weather has been pretty weird lately. Between the cold and rain and wind there hasn’t been much enjoyment of the sunshine. Yesterday’s wind took out traffic lights, power and internet all over town. It was a very quiet day with no internet.

This afternoon the sunshine was irresistible. I had to take a few photos.

Wednesday Walk

It's a fantastic day for an urban walk.

While I love nature, I find beauty in the city as well. There's something lovely about the concrete, street art, graffiti, tags, and paste ups. It may seem chaotic and unwarranted. But if you look closer, you may just see that it's actually fueled by a basic human need to create.

The busy-ness of cities with their dense populations fascinates me. It always makes me happy to visit one.

Tuesday Update!

It's time for a tour of the completed sculpture! Including tuning in on a radio to hear what it has to say.

Next steps will include coming up with a complete broadcast that will include stories, music and codes. It will then be the most comprehensive multi-media self portrait I've ever made.

Since this is only one (or perhaps the central) piece of an entire series on communication, many more works are to come encompassing and further expressing the theme.

In Progress

It's so close now!

It's come down to little details and last final attachments and touches. The sculptural part of this art project is almost complete. I'm so excited!

In Progress

With so much to do, and so many aspects to tackle, I proceed.

Working on the pedestal today with some hand painted detailing. I'll add the radio symbol to my plinth. Because, without a doubt, this will be a sculpture that transmits a signal.

In Progress

Today's progress took me in a direction that I've never incorporated into my art: electrical and wire management.

This 3D self-portrait that will broadcast requires electricity. But I want it to look sleek and approachable, as it will be visible.

I'm so excited about every bit of progress I'm making on this.

Wednesday Walk

Forget the crazy fluctuating weather.

The breeze may be bitingly cold at times, but I'm focusing on the warm sunshine and intensity of the blue sky and bright green new growth in the forest around me. It's absolutely beautiful!

Tuesday Update

Happy Taco Tuesday!

I am making so much progress on my sculpture, so excited to show you. I've done some repotting with my new clay pots, and all the other big plans and projects I'm working on in this Tuesday Update.

I hope your week is going well!

In Progress

Progress on my sculpture is coming together quickly now.

I am getting closer to completing the construction of this one. It will bring all the elements together: ceramic brain, paper clay face casting, caste torso, and plaster hand. Not to mention the element that this will ultimately be a radio transmitter! So excited about the progress....

In progress

My pottery and brain are complete!

These pieces are all glazed and fired and ready for business. The flower pots were made to house very specific house plants. They will all be transplanted soon.

I am absolutely thrilled at how well the brain turned out. There’s always a chance that something may break in the process of being fired. Especially hand built pottery because the thickness of the clay can vary so much.

My brain pottery will be transplanted to my self portrait sculpture currently in progress.

An Exciting Afternoon at Oakland Cemetery

On a beautiful spring day at Oakland Cemetery, flowers bloom and a warm breeze sweeps over the hilltops. Between the graves of Civil War soldiers, Amanda Palmer delivers a live performance of "In My Mind".

I'm so glad I got to be there.