Painting White--Again

I'm drawn to white and fabrics like a moth to a flame!  And, since my last painting of my french lace table cloth and pot quickly sold, I wanted to do it again. French Lace IV is the latest in this series.  As I have experienced before when I get in the middle of folds, lace, and embroidery,  the words come out of my mouth, "what was I thinking?"  I keep asking myself as I put in the lace work, did this detail or that detail make the work a better painting, or is it just too much and detracts from the overall quality of the work.  Not long ago I had someone say about one of my lace paintings that I was just showing off.  It was said in jest, but it made me think.  I don't paint every detail, but rather keep a lot of the lace just as a suggestion especially toward the bottom of the work.  I didn't finish French Lace IV in time for my last outdoor show for this season, so this is it's debut.

                                                                    French Lace IV        
                                                                 30 X 40 oil on linen

The subject of French Lace IV is morning light reflecting on my favorite things--lace and pottery.  Just like a landscape painters who is drawn to the elements of the outside world,  I am drawn to the "landscape" of fabric and hand thrown earthenware with there peaks and valleys. I have the same feeling about my subjects as does the landscape painter.

I now have a true north light studio which is good, but the one big drawback is I can only paint in the morning.  Shadows and color temperatures changed drastically as the sun move across the sky.  Because of my work on this major piece, I have not recently painted anything small---my weekly small gems.  Small gems will return soon.  So what do you think?  Your comments and questions are always welcome and are greatly appreciated. 

Good News

Just learned that my painting, French Lace, was accepted into this year's Oil Painters of America National Exhibition in Evergreen, CO.  This painting is one of many in my series, Threads of Life.

This is a cropped image but basically you get the idea.  Because I am working on another painting with this tablecloth and its intricate lace work I haven't painted a small gem for this week.  Painting white cloth is a passion for me and I never tire of capturing the subtle color and light that is reflected through the fabric.  For all of you living in the area, come on out to the DeLand Outdoor Art Festival and see this painting in person.  Next week I will be attending Deborah Paris' workshop in Dade City, Fl.  Looking forward to expanding my repertoire to include landscape (maybe). 

Off the Easel

Because glazing requires drying time, I began three pieces all within a day or two of each other.  The other two have already been posted and in all the hoopla of going to Texas, I forgot about posting this one. This painting began with  traditional elements of  grapes, bread, and a bottle of wine.   Although this type of still life has been done many times before by many artists, I felt I could bring a mood to it that spoke of a romantic/intimate ambiance. 

This was a photo of the original set up before I went out and bought real grapes.  The two glasses together bothered me so in the final arrangement I separated the glasses and put one on the left behind the bread.  Didn't like the style of glasses so I changed them to a broader, fatter shape in keeping with red wine.  The space behind the objects needed added interest so I draped one of my scarfs diagonally from top right to bottom left.  The result is a triangular composition that leads the eye to the focal point of the white fabric, to the dark grapes, up the bottle and back down to the bowl.  It's all Good!

Here is the block-in done with raw umber and white making it a closed canvas.  Obviously the glasses aren't added until the very end since glass is basically highlights and reflections.  I got so involved as I went along, I didn't get any images of the process. The diagonal drapery was slowly executed.  First I painted the pattern as accurately as possible and when I finished using a palette knife, I scraped back to the canvas leaving a ghost like shadow of the pattern.  Edges of the design and any scraps were softened with a soft hair brush.  This method really sends the cloth into the background while still retaining the pattern.  Once dry, layers of glaze was added to darken and bring out a richness to the color.  The bottle's glass was created in layers of glaze also.   Here it is framed and ready for sale.

Romantic Evening

16 x 20 oil on linen canvas

To buy this painting now click here

Painting of the Week

As Dr. Seuss says, "Oh all the places you'll  go."  I feel like I have been moving at warp speed with my fingers in everything.  Today's Small Gem was a commission so it has already been sold.  Thought I would share it with you anyway.   Classes are now three days a week and I am loving my students.  They sure keep me on my toes.  Everyone loves painting the grisaille first and are looking forward to learning about glazing.  Beside classes, commissions, getting ready for an art show in DeLand on the last weekend of this month, I am beginning another big piece in the Threads of Life collection with my heirloom tablecloth.  So if you don't hear from me for awhile, I'm up to my derriere in lace.

One and a Half

5 x 7 oil on stretched canvas

SOLD

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Be sure to check out my Events section for the time and place of the DeLand, Florida Outdoor Art Festival.  Hope to see you there.

The Good Art Co. Gallery-update

I'm doing the happy dance this afternoon.  Just got a call from my new gallery, The Good Art Co. , that French Lace sold.

It is bitter-sweet since this was a painting that held an emotional tie to my family.  It also was a labor of love, heavy on the labor.  I'm still in disbelief because they hung it last Friday and sold it on Thursday.  That's a record in my book for a sale of this magnitude.  As they say, "back to the drawing board."  Last month I purchase a piece of pottery that will make an interesting contrast with this same lace tablecloth.




French Lace
36 x 48 oil on Linen
SOLD

New Gallery

I've finally crossed the Mississippi River and have branched out into the great state of Texas to show in a gallery in Fredericksburg.  David and I arrived here today with the paintings so we could meet Mary Katherine Fickel owner and entrepreneur of The Good Art Company.  This energetic lady has selected an impressive body of work for her gallery and I am honored to be part of it.

We arrived today and it just so happened that it was the first Friday and their monthly Art Walk.  Tonight the community was alive with people who filled the streets and galleries to enjoy impressive art, good wine, and lots of catered food. The people were warm and very proud of Fredericksburg.  After spending time with Mary Katherine and talking with her patrons, it is apparent that she is well connected with her community and is highly thought of by art collectors from around the country.   Take a look at my work hanging in the front room.  We arrived early so we could take photos before the crowds came.

An extra treat was our late lunch in a restaurant called The Crossroads owned by the owner of the Food Network.  The lunch was unbelievable.  Thank you Fredericksburg and the gracious, warm welcome you extended to me and David.