We're honored to feature a guest post and video from Eco Artist Team member, Erik Abel. We've always been drawn to artists who connect their art making journey with causes and non-profits that they feel called to support. Erik is no different - donating 100% of the proceeds of this painting to his local, non-profit of choice. And how fun that this mountain is local to "Natural Earth Paint" as well - a 20 min. drive - up up up! Watch Erik's unique painting and layering techniques and see the painting unfold from beginning to end.
Erik: I first moved to Ashland, Oregon in 2000 to attend SOU, Southern Oregon University. I chose the town because the college had just completed their massive new art department, and I could be on a chairlift within 30 minutes from class. What more could an artsy fartsy snowboard kid ask for?
I recently decided to pay homage to the place that has provided me, and the entire Rogue Valley community, with so many amazing snow-filled memories over the years. We are truly so lucky to have this small, but mighty, mountain in our back yard.
As one of only a handful of non-profit ski hills in the United States, proceeds from the original painting and prints will go to the Mountain to help keep those chairs spinning.
I created the 48"x48" original painting using my go-to supplies, Natural Earth Paint’s fluid Natural Acrylik Paints, natural acrylik gesso, and natural matte medium.
As you can see in the video, I tinted the final coat of gesso with some paint to get that warm orange base layer before sketching out the design with pencil.
I started with a rough color sketch in Procreate on my ipad, and used a simple grid system to draw out the painting. I build up several layers of colors in most areas because I like to let some of the under colors peek though in some places to give it more dimension and detail.
Lately I have been getting away from finishing my work off with colored pencils, but decided to break them out for this painting in my classic style.
My finishing touches include covering the entire painting in a variety of paint splatters and adding my signature and year.
My buddy, Andy Lang, of Slang Woodworks custom built a beautiful walnut frame for the piece and I think it really finished it off.
Prints will be available soon at abelarts.com/mta.
You can view and purchase my work on my website at abelarts.com , and see a lot more weird stuff on Instragram at @abelarts.
