Wednesday, June 19, 2013
O'KEEFE COUNTRY!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
TRAVELS!
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| GHOST RANCH, NEW MEXICO, JUNE 2013 |
Wow, I didn't realize how long I have been absent from the blog! I promise to do better. The past month has been a series of travels and I have some paintings to prove it. We went with a wonderful group of artist friends to Santa Fe and then to Ghost Ranch in New Mexico where Georgia O'Keefe lived and painted. I had the opportunity to tour her house and studio which was a very exciting event. Sadly, they did not allow photography which was a big frustration to me. Santa Fe was full of inspiration and I have some images in mind to translate into future paintings. I only photographed in Santa Fe but I did some plein air work at Ghost Ranch. Landscape is not my oeuvre but I enjoy capturing my surroundings when I travel with a painting or two in my travel sketchbooks. Traveling with serious plein air artists put the pressure on and I was actually out in the parking lot at 6 AM one morning doing an ink drawing! I did bail on a hike up the trail and opted to sit on the patio of the art center (near the bathroom!) and paint the plants of the southwest. I know my limitations! I plan to post one image a day to draw things out. The image above was our view from the room. This fabulous rock formation changed every few minutes as the sun and clouds moved overhead. So far, this is my favorite painting of the trip. It is painted in my small watercolor handmade book on a double spread.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
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.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
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.
Monday, May 6, 2013
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!!
Friday, May 3, 2013
SLICK!
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| gesso stamped YUPO with a light glaze |
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| detail of gesso stamped YUPO |
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| 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!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
"WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS"
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| 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!
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