After a successful computer science career, Joan Tarbell-Plato dove into the art world studying painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and studied printmaking at the University of Maryland at College Park. For more than 20 years, her works have been shown in solo and group exhibits in Baltimore, Frederick, Columbia, Ellicott City, Frostburg and in Washington D.C., Virginia and Florida.
In this article, Joan explains her painting process for using acrylics on Yupo paper, which she used to create her painting 'Attentive Nature'. Joan works in her art studio (seen in the photo here), using a glass table for a flat surface, and her easel to study the results. Additional painting supplies are stored on the table on the right, and the artist's books are stored in the bookcase on the left for quick reference.
Painting Materials
Joan's painting materials include Yupo paper, a flat wooden board, a sheet of plexiglass, scrap materials for texturing the base paper, acrylic paints (fluid acrylics and medium-bodied acrylics), flat watercolor brushes, plastic water containers, and paper towels.
The first stage on Yupo is texturing the base. The heavy Yupo paper is placed on a wooden flat board on the floor and coated with water using a large flat brush. Three liquid acrylic colors are placed on a white palette sheet of paper inside a plastic box.
Joan explains her process for creating 'Attentive Nature'
Step1: Texturing the Base
For this piece, I brushed on Prussian blue, Ultramarine Blue, and Nickel Azo Gold with Golden Fluid Acrylics quickly and observed them loosely mix on the Yupo paper. I then pressed pieces of saran wrap, aluminum foil and cotton net, in different shapes and sizes, into the wet paper to create areas with interesting texture. Next, I put a piece of large plexiglass over it and weighed it down with books, and it dried overnight.
Step2: Removing all materials from the dried Yupo paper
The next day, I removed all the materials from the Yupo paper. This image shows the actual results, giving me an inspiring base to work with. Sometimes, if I am not happy with the results, I redo the first step, in a layer over the current version, by applying new liquid acrylics, pressing the paint, drying it, and finding more exciting images to work with.
Step 3: Study for Images and Highlight Them
Next, I studied my initial base to determine if any images spoke to me. I saw two birds and several pear shapes, my favorite symbols, which I brought to life using with white acrylic. On further contemplation, I added a unicorn, my granddaughter's favorite icon.
Step 4: Create Black & White Study
I then created a black and white version of the image using Photoshop to study the placement of values and shapes in the overall design.
Step 5: Work Images and Values
I then added darker blues in the background, highlighted the tulips with more acrylic washes, and decided to create more pear images. I sometimes collage items with my own uniquely patterned paper to add accents where needed.
Step6: Fine-tune the Final Design
In the final version, I eliminated any unnecessary images, lightened and darkened some value areas, and rotated the work to ensure a successful design. I added paint to some areas to achieve this.
Recently, I have been drawing on different paint layers with colored pencils, crayons, or ink, which moves the painting in new directions. Sometimes it is a loose abstract drawing or more realistic drawing to accent an image. I may also adhere scraps of paper, material, parts of my drawings, and rarely a solid object such as a stone. Using a layered approach with multi-media has added excitement to the painting experience!
This painting was developed over several weeks. I work on 2-3 paintings at once as that gives me flexibility in my creative process. Creating art for me becomes a two-way conversation between the art and myself. I do not dictate to the art nor does it dictate to me. We have (most of the time) an enlightening conversation and from our intersection the painting evolves. My ideas flow naturally and it is a stimulating, fun experience!
Joan's advice for Artists
My philosophy is that each artist is unique and it is best to evolve your own process while studying the works of other artists. Evolving your process while adhering to the core principles of art will culminate in creating your true artist voice. Go for it!
Painting Honors & Attributes:
This painting was juried into the ISEA (International Society of Experimental Artists) Show and also the Howard County Center for the Arts Show in 2023. It is framed 30 x 22 with a 2.25 white matt in a high-quality silver wood frame and sells for $1200.
View Joan’s work in our on-line store here. You can also view more of her work on her website.