FINE TUNING!

This is a painting that I posted a week or so ago.  I decided to tone down the background after fresher eyes had advised me. I am always open to hearing the opinions of others.  I am not unduly influenced by any one person and make up my own mind about the advice.  I do think it is valuable for me to hear honest feedback from the public.  I can loose perspective after looking at a painting for a long time.  My husband, who is not an artist, is getting very, very good at critiquing. He has learned what to look for.   

I think the skin tone is much richer looking now and it was a good decision.  I entered it into the Rocky Mountain National.  I will have to wait and see if it made the cut.  

I had a stack of competition entry forms on my desk that I finally made some decisions on.  One was the 50/50 Sanchez Art Center show in Pacifica.  I didn't feel very motivated this year but finally thought of an theme for the 50 paintings and entered today.  The deadline to enter is May 23rd.  I had a very complicated idea to create abstracts using simple geometric shapes of 3 squares, 2 lines and one circle and use the elements of design to create 50 variations.  It seemed like more work than I have time for so gave up on it for now.  I still think it has merit.  Anyway, I decided on watercolor portraits of children.  If I get in, I will be soliciting images from anybody who would like me to do a portrait of a family member as a small child or infant.  The person doesn't have to be a child now.  There will be no obligation to purchase the painting but that is the hope, of course.  This idea may not be innovative enough for the judge, so I'm not sure of getting into the show.  I will let everyone know the outcome as soon as I hear.

LATEST DEMO!

I had the pleasure of doing a demonstration for the El Cerrito art association last night.  It was a wonderful turnout with a very diverse group of artists, judging from the work brought in for their monthly competition.  It was nice to see a few friends in the audience.  

I only had about an hour to work on this painting, so it needs some additional work.  Working flat is always a challenge as far as perspective so it is always a bit of a surprise when it is dry enough to put it upright and study my progress.  Two areas really jump out at me that need adjustment.  I will post the finished painting whey it is completed.

A SPECIAL REQUEST

I received the following email from the director of the Northeast Art Workshop Retreats Fine Art.  This place looks incredible and a true bargain in today's economy!!!  Wish I was available to take this workshop myself.  Maybe some of you are lucky enough to be able to attend.

Would you mind terribly to post this picture of the location and that it is only $99/day (includes Oceanside Lodging, Excellent Meals & taxes)....normally it is $250/night without meals for summertime seaside lodging around us.

THANK YOU SO MUCH - I REALLY DON'T WANT TO CANCEL THIS EVEN IF I HAVE TO LOSE A FEW THOUSAND ON IT AS HE IS THE SWEETEST, KINDEST TEACHER THAT REALLY CARES ABOUT HIS STUDENTS LEARNING!!

Kat Masella

http://

Northeast Art Workshop Retreats Fine Art

978-729-4970

SLICK!

gesso stamped YUPO with a light glaze

detail of gesso stamped YUPO

limited palette painting stage one

I am trying  texture techniques on YUPO.  This one has gesso partially scraped onto the surface then stamped into.  I pressed the gesso covered stamp onto other parts of the paper.  Lightly glazed, then drawing the head and proceeding to paint.  So far I am using a very limited palette.  When I have the shapes perfected, I will add a few other colors.  It's great having a very liftable surface, because the hands need to be enlarged!  

"WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS"

Texture painting from a Gerald Brommer workshop 

I received a request from the Northeast Art Workshop Retreats Fine Art to help promote a workshop they are giving with Gerald Brommer as the instructor.  It seems he doesn't have a website and they wanted to get the word out.  I am happy to help out because Jerry Brommer is such a National Treasure  and I absolutely love his workshops.  I have taken three of them and have some of the many books he has written.  We are so fortunate to have a man of his knowledge and talent still able to travel and teach.    If you haven't had the wonderful experience of a Gerald Brommer workshop, now is your chance. Here is a link to the Northeast Art Workshop website where you can learn more and sign up!  

Northeast Art Workshop Retreats Fine Art

HUMAN NATURE EXHIBIT NYC

HUMAN NATURE 

HUMAN NATURE

Just back from a wonderful trip to New York City to attend the American Watercolor Society show and dinner.  It was a fabulous exhibit and some of the paintings will be traveling the country starting in a few weeks.  If at all possible, try and see it.  

Monday morning I walked over to Rockefeller Center to see the exciting Human Nature sculptures.  They have a Stonehenge feel to them, massive, imposing, powerful and primitive.  I was happily surprised to see a press conference with the Mayor of New York, Bloomberg!  If you are interested in knowing a little more about these sculptures, the clip below is the Mayor talking about them.  They will be up into June.

A GOOD DAY'S WORK!

REVELATION

I found a few sheets of heavy weight YUPO in my studio and decided to try an idea on one of the sheets.  This handsome gentleman was a guest at a recent art event I went to.  He even knew I was taking his photo and didn't mind.  He is one of the few people I know that doesn't look self-conscious or pose when a camera is aimed his way.  

I wanted to see what would happen if I stamped an acrylic pattern on the paper first and then drew and painted on top.  I forgot to photograph the stages...a sign I was really into the painting and not thinking about anything else.  I kept the paper upright, which is a risky thing to do with YUPO, and surprisingly, I was able to control the drips pretty well.   I used diluted liquid acrylic and some acrylic ink.  Watercolor would have been impossible at the angle I wanted to work at.  Part of the reason I wanted to work upright is to get an accurate drawing without distortion,  I had fun drawing with these rubber shaping tools.  I thought they were intriguing but this is the first time I have found a good use for them.  I'm not sure what they are designed for but probably clay or heavy acrylic or heavy oil.  

Now that I have a good realistic portrait, I think it will be fun to try some stylized versions.  If you click on the image it should bring up a different screen where you can see the details.