DEMO FOR FINE ART LEAGUE OF CUPERTINO

DEMO FOR FALC

Here is the demo I did for the Fine Art League of Cupertino last night.  A nice group and I enjoyed sharing some of my ideas with them.    It is about half done.  I hope to finish it today.  The surface has a subtle influence on the painting.  I am thinking I would have liked a stronger background surface.  Next time, I will use a heavier gesso and see what happens.

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO!

3 GRACES STAGE 2

Here is the painting I started of my two sisters and myself.  I had run into a problem with the sister on the left.  In the original photo, she had a big smile on her face.  I wanted a different atmosphere so I needed a serious expression.  Luckily, I spent the holiday weekend with her and was able to take some photos from the same angle.  I brought a copy of the photograph so I would get it right.  Now I can finish this painting.  

Two exciting things to share.  I will be demonstrating using the watercolor sticks on a gesso textured surface on Monday for the Fine Arts League of Cupertino (FALC) so if you are in the area, be sure and come to the meeting.  You can check their website for time and directions.

I am also going to do a two day workshop for the SUNNYVALE  ART GALLERY on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27.  We will be focusing on ways to create texture with aluminum foil and creating printing plates with foam and some interesting tools.  If you like texture in your work, this should be very exciting.  The location is on El Camino in Sunnyvale, California.  You can call them at 408-737-8188 for more details if you are interested.  

TORN!

RIO

This week I am taking a workshop from the fabulous Derek Gores.  His collaged images made from magazines are spectacular and I was excited that the Santa Clara Watercolor Society was bringing him to San Jose.  My goal is to learn his process and then, somehow, incorporate it into what I do.  This process is amazingly difficult.  Just tearing paper is maddening.  It will tear fairly straight in one direction, but is almost impossible to control the tear in the other direction.  I desperately wanted to cheat and use a scissors!  I started carefully watching exactly how Derek was tearing the papers and got a little better at it.  Using text as form and value is an exciting element in this kind of work.  Derek's transitions are amazing and everyone in the workshop will never be able to look at a magazine in the same way again. 

 This was a large canvas and I am pleased that I was able to finish it in three days.  Tomorrow I will do a smaller square.  He suggests doing a simple single object like his demo of a shoe which I have posted below.  It is tempting, but this is a signature object for him and I don't want to do something so associated with him.  I decided to do a head (surprise!) with the idea in mind that I will then combine it in some way with other things to create my own look.  I don't know exactly what that might be, but I have a few ideas rattling around in my head.  I will probably do a number of different combinations just to see how it might work.  This has been a very enjoyable workshop and Derek is a very knowledgable artists and excellent instructor.  Everyone is producing amazing work.

RIO (STEP 1)

Here is how this piece looked after a few hours of work.  You can see part of the drawing that hasn't been covered yet.

This is Derek's demo of his iconic fashion shoe which was our demo for today.  If you click on the image it will come up in a new screen and you can see all the fun details.  

DEREK GORE DEMO: RED SHOE

RELATIONS!

SISTERS

I have been working on this painting the last few days.  I have 3 photos of myself with my two sisters taken over the last 20 years which I love.  I keep them together on my desk.  This is based on the earliest photo because of the composition, but I am adding a few years just because I want it to reflect us more as we are today.  In the photo we have big smiles on faces but I don't like to paint happy smiley faces, so it is a little tricky adjusting the facial muscles.  I also changed the lighting and moved the faces closer together.  While I am working on the painting I am thinking about titles.  So far, I have "The 3 Graces" and "Mom Always Liked You Best".  

I am particularly enjoying painting on the surface I created.  I took a failed Tyvek painting and covered it with gesso, then using a sponge roller, smoothed out the streaks and then stamped into the wet gesso and let it dry.  It took a long time because the paper is not absorbent.   I am using watercolor sticks (not crayons) for the color.  I love being able to draw and scribble, then work it with a wet brush.  The blue drawing was done with a diluted mixture of Dr. Martin's Hydrus liquid watercolor in Cobalt Blue.

Here is a close up of the surface and paint.  If you want to experiment with Tyvek, the post office has envelopes you can practice with.  Here is a company where you can order small quantities if you decide you like this interesting paper.  http://www.allweatherblueprints.com/tyvek-sheets-printing.html

detail SISTERS

50/50 SHOW RECEPTION!

50/50 DISPLAY

I thought I would start with my display!  It was an exciting night with so much to see....70 artists times 50 images!  After quickly making the rounds to see everything,  I was feeling dizzy but then realized it was probably the wine!   I sold seven of these images and was surprised at people's favorites.  Mine are still on the wall.  A good lesson not to influence others with your opinion.  The show is up for awhile so if you are in the area, be sure and stop by.  The Sanchez Art Center is open only Friday, Saturday and Sunday.   I photographed some of my favorites before the sold ones were removed.  I didn't get a chance to photograph all of my favorites, but here are a few so you can get some idea of the scope of the show.  It was a wonderful crowd and I want to thank those who were able to come.  I hope you loved the show.

50/50 LESLIE LAMBERT

This work is by my good friend Leslie Lambert.  I love her ink drawings which are all done from live model sessions.  They looked fabulous as a grouping.  The addition of areas of color adds to the appeal.

50/50 CUPS

This next series had to do with a single cup.  Each piece individually was okay but I think the aggregate was much more compelling.  This was a real favorite of mine but I would like to see it sold as one.  This is an excellent example of the power of a series.  Often we are looking for something unique or exciting to paint when a simple everyday object is really all we need!

50/50 GLOWING ABSTRACTS

This next series was all about color.  I don't know if you can really appreciate it in this small photo but each panel had a wonderful glow. Again, a very simple construct using color imaginatively.

50/50 QUEEN FOR A DAY 

I totally loved this series.  This was another that I would love to keep as a complete set.  It combined collage and some pencil work with a wonderful whimsical appeal.

50/50 SUN PRINTS

This set of panels was beautiful.  Each image was interesting in it's own right, but wonderful together.  I always thought sun prints were blue, so I loved seeing the variety of color.

50/50 LAYERED CUT WORK

This work was most intriguing.  Each layer looked like it had been laser cut and collaged over the previous layer.  There were 3 or 4 layers to each piece.  Gorgeous!

I'M READY FOR MY CLOSE UP!

50/50 INSTALLATION

50/50 CARTOON FOR NAIL PLACEMENT

50/50 INSTALLATION WITH MY ASSISTANT AND ME!

It was a gorgeous day, so Jerry and I decided to drive west over the mountain to Half Moon Bay and have lunch before we headed up the coast to Pacifica to the Sanchez Art Center.  When we arrived, I drew a number out of a basket to determine where I would be in the art center.  It turned out to be in the central hall of the main building.  I was happy with that space.  They handed you a cup with nails in it and some wall putty to secure the bottom of each panel to the wall.  We brought the hammer and a level.  There were several people walking around giving guidance, suggestions and help where needed.  I really appreciated my husband helping me with this, especially the top row which would have required a step stool for me.  I was a little unhappy with the lighting but was told they don't set the lighting until after the entire show is up.  There are two more days available for artists to bring their work.  I was going to use the first photo in my blurb book but I realize there is a piece of blue tape that has to be removed.  I think I will reprint my bio with a bigger font size because it is up high and it is too difficult to read the way it is.  I can switch it out right before the show.  I am happy with the final effect and can't wait for opening night.   It should be fabulous with everyone's work up.  I hope some of you can make it to the show.

SOMEONE'S MISSING!

50/50 #50 

50/50 (50)

Math was never my thing but I used to be able to count to 50 without any trouble.  Not anymore!  I am missing an image and I can't figure out which one I left out.  Maybe tomorrow when I post the installation, one of you will find the culprit and point it out to me.  

I thought I was going to have trouble with this background but I think it worked quite well.  The red spots add an interesting dimension to the face and by glazing the green with sepia, it quieted the bright green down.  I thought about glazing the white highlights with a neutral or warm color but decided to just leave it the way it is.  A good piece to finish the series with.