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.

DIFFERENT!

UNSURE

It feels good to finally finish a painting.  Lately I get to a stage in a painting and seem to get stuck somehow.  I am pleased that I was able to keep the painting dominance on the warm side and that I have a balance of texture playing against opaque and semi transparent.   The odd expression adds a narrative mystery.  I think I will try this approach again and see where it leads.

WHAT'S BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER?

SELF PORTRAIT IN RED

I started this painting today.  I have another I am working on but I didn't feel like   painting on it and wanted to get some art done, so I thought I would have several going at the same time.  My wonderful husband bought me a new Mac computer with a 27" screen and WOW!  The imagery is awesome.  Now I want to paint in my office so I can utilize the screen.  I was playing around with the Photo Booth  app and took a few pictures then did a little photoshopping.  This is the basis for my new painting.  I usually paint the dark value in cool colors, so I thought I would use red this time and see what develops.  So far, I am breaking the "rules" by centering the image a bit too much.  I will see if I can pull it off, otherwise there is always the option of cropping to create the balance I need.  Working directly instead of drawing and transferring does create challenges.  Starting with a Notan (2 values) helps to focus on shapes and relationships.  I thought I would keep this one 80% warm.  I am fascinated by the 80/20 idea of dominance, often 80/15/5.   Just one more thing to be thinking about which  adds complexity to the process.

MYRNA AND MICKEY...WHO KNEW?

The California Watercolor Society is teaming up with the Walt Disney Family Museum, located in The Presidio in San Francisco, for an exciting weekend of events on Saturday,  April 13th and Sunday, April 14th.  I will be teaching a half day workshop on Saturday in their gorgeous studio space.  I am keeping it basic and simple as I have no idea the experience level of the participants.  It is open to anyone who would like to participate and I am just going to assume they will be beginners to watercolor.  I can always make it more challenging for those who are have some experience.   The materials are very student grade so we will be putting gesso on the paper and go from there.  The great thing about gesso is it takes care of the poor quality of the paper and one doesn't need expensive brushes for that surface.  It will be a fun day and I feel very honored that I was selected to be the instructor.  If you want to be part of the class, you will need to purchase a ticket.  Space is limited to a maximum of 25.  You can find more information on the Walt Disney Family Museum website: http://www.waltdisney.org/the-masters. 

 There will be other artists from the California Watercolor Society painting in the lobby and two plain air artists in the Overlook Gallery both Saturday and Sunday.  There will also be a lecture in their Theater on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  It is going to be an exciting event.  I hope some of you will be able to make it.

COMING TO LIFE FROM THE INTERNET!

KEHINDE WILEY ISRAELI PORTRAIT

KEHINDE WILEY EXHIBIT NEW JEWISH MUSEUM SAN FRANCISCO

JENNY SAVILLE AT THE SF MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

I don't remember when I became aware of a young black artist named Kehinde Wiley, but I was instantly a huge fan!  Amazing talent with a contemporary message and unique presentation, I loved looking at his paintings on the internet.   You can find lots of information on his background, message and technique on line.  He has continued to grow in stature and recognition.  I was excited to find a notice in the local newspaper that there was a new exhibit at the Jewish Museum with paintings by Kehinde Wiley.  At first I was a little mystified at the connection but Kehinde travels around the world and paints local young black males.   He did a series of Ethiopian Jews and some Arabs which were the feature of the exhibit.  I shared my interest with my critic group and we decided to take a field trip into San Francisco.  Great fun!!!!!  The subway let us off less than a block from the Jewish Museum.  Another block and we were at the SF Museum of Modern Art.  I managed to get through the gift shop without buying any heavy books I would have to cart around although there were several very tempting volumes.  A nice gourmet lunch followed by a tour of the museum brought about the discover of a very large Jenny Saville nude!  This is another artist that I fell in love with from the internet.  There is nothing like seeing art in person.  As wonderful as photography is, it can't capture the scale, color, texture and atmosphere of the actual art.  

We saved the New Jewish Museum for last and it definitely was like dessert!   The color in these portraits is delicious!  The patterns in the background are a trademark of Kehinde's work and these were taken from traditional ceremonial embellishments as well as ancient crafts like paper cuts.  Even the frames were custom made with the top having flanking Lions of Judah, the tablets of Moses and the sign of the priestly blessing (two hands with the fingers split between the middle finger and the ring finger) (which Star Trek "borrowed").   The Arab portraits did not have the 10 Commandments Tablets or the Priestly Blessing, instead the Lions and a single table with the phrase, written in Hebrew, "Can't we all just get along".  Wisdom borrowed from Rodney King.  Many of the portraits on exhibit are quite large and all are stunning to view in person.  

It was a very special day to share with my very special friends.  

STILL ON THE HUNT!

JERRY COLLAGE & ACRYLIC

JERRY COLLAGE & ACRYLIC IN PROGRESS

I finally got the studio organized (for the umpteenth time!) so I could move around and paint in comfort.    I am still exploring what is the best process for me to get the results I have in my mind's eye.  That internal vision is always so elusive!  So here I go again.  I decided to try putting down collage papers in the approximate place I think is right and then draw on top of that.  Lastly I am adding acrylic paint.  I am trying to use non-brushes in much of the paint application.  I have scraped acrylic on with a plastic card, used those new rubber shapers (not thrilled with this tool yet but more experimenting to go) and an inch wide sponge roller.  At this point I have practically obliterated the collage papers on the face.  I may go back and add in some.  This piece is very experimental and I am going to keep trying things until I like the look.  

LATEST DEMO

LAS JUNTAS DEMO OF JERRY

I had the pleasure of doing a demo for the Las Juntas Art Society in Pleasant Hill, Ca.  It is normally an hour's drive from my house, but it is always a challenge traveling in the commute direction during rush hour.  I never know how much extra time to allow.  Fortunately, my husband came with me so we were able to drive in the carpool lane.  There was a very bad big rig accident with a seven mile back up along the way.  Without the carpool lane, I think I would have never made the meeting.  Those of you who don't experience California-like driving, consider yourself fortunate.   Anyway, I arrived in plenty of time to set up and calm down.  The demo went so smoothly, I finished in record time.  When the painting was dry, I was able to check for distortions.  I was very happy to discover that I was fairly accurate this time and my model/husband likes the Einstein quality that slipped in.  You don't always have to make them look more handsome.  Brainier works too!