Marta Baricsa's paintings: 2009

I had the opportuntity to do a commission for a wonderful couple in Calgary. Below is a bit of an inside look into some of the process involved when making a 12 x 7 foot painting!

THE SKETCH

After showing my clients many different sketches they chose this one. They had several ones they liked a lot and after some serious deliberating they selected this one as their favorite.

THE COLOUR PALETTE

I showed my clients the colour palette so they could see what colours I was going to use. They liked this all with the exception of the creamy parchment colour. As in other of my paintings they liked the silver which was a colour I often use. So they asked about it....for the top sphere. I agreed and knew it would work out great.

STRETCHING A VERY LARGE CANVAS!!!

Because I knew we could never get a 12 x 7 foot canvas out of the doorway of my studio....I worked by stapling the canvas directly to the wall. I process I always use when doing very large works.

PUTTING ON THE GESSO....also known as PRIMING the canvas.

I then prepare by painting the surface of the canvas with gesso.

SKETCHING OUT A BIG IDEA

Using ladders....or different sizes...I climb and sketch out the idea....in this case...as accurately
as I can to the original sketch. I need to leave plenty of room around the edges of the canvas for the framer to wrap around the frame. ( otherwise known as the "stretcher")

THE PAINTING IS NEARLY DONE!!!

When the painting is nearly done I check where I placed my crop marks to see what part will be wrapped around the back of the stretcher frame. This gives my a good idea as to how it will look when it gets installed.

ME WITH THE PAINTING....now titled "SWAGATAM" which means welcome

Swagatam is now complete!! The next thing I did with the Roy's help was to remove the painting carefully from the wall. How you ask??? Some mysteries....like the caramel into the caramilk bars must be carefully hidden ; )

Then the painting is rolled and shipped to the framer in Calgary for framing and later installation!!

SWAGATAM

Well here is Swagatam and to see the wonderful home Swagatam is in check out:

http://www.mckinleymasters.com/