Still Life Demo in 10 Easy Steps

I'm stretching "truth in advertising" a bit when I claim I can do it in 10 easy steps but I am going to try . . . maybe 11 just in case.   Fair enough?  Let's start with the idea.  As you know if you have followed my blog that I love anything to do with textiles.  And just so happens I got a new student  who is a quilter and a collector of antique quilts.  There is a god.  I was running out of linens from my own collection.   She loaned me two of her prize possessions to paint and I jumped right in.  This sentence should be followed by "where fools fear to tread."  When you see the quilt, you'll know what I mean.

You can't see it but between the red squares are pale yellow squares.  Otherwise it is a field of white.  Add a coffee grinder, jug, onion, and a few cloves of garlic and I'm set.  The lighting is high to give it a more ethereal feeling.  I know that the red squares are details and I know to save details till last, you know the old saying . . . dog before the fleas, forest before the trees.  But the pattern is so big and bold that I think I may need to block it in with the massing in of the fabric. 



First Step:  Working on a 16"x20" toned canvas, I began sketching in with raw umber and turpenoid.  I blocked in the dark areas with very thin transparent paint and lifted a few lights.  I will be posting everyday as I continue with this painting so following along and be sure to ask questions. 

Welcoming A New Year

My silence has been noticed by a few people and with no excuses by me!

I would like to share some reflections.  New Year's resolutions are common and are filled with good intentions.  I'm over making them.  Instead they are going to take a different form.  Not sure what yet, and that is why I have not posted.  I also had house guests before the holidays and had an Open Studio to display my body of work created over this past year.  That meant a week of cleaning house.  In doing so I came upon an old notebook filled with pictures and writings that had meaning to me over twenty years ago.  These thoughts expressed in this piece of writing resonates with me more now than it ever has.  As a Crone (over 55ish and feeling I have wisdom to share) I'm walking in the moment forgetting my failures of the past and looking toward being as real as possible for now in the future.  I don't know who wrote this--I apologize for not being able to give credit---so form now we can attribute it to 'anonymous.'

                                                                      The Dance
                                           "What if it truly doesn't matter what you do but how you do
                               whatever you do?
                                           How would this change what you choose to do with your
                               life?    
                                           What if there is no need to change, no need to try and transform
                               yourself into someone who is more compassionate, more present, more
                               loving or wise?
                                            How would this affect all the places in your life where you
                               are endlessly trying to be better?
                                            What if the question is not why am I so infrequently the person
                               I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person
                               I really am?
                                            How would this change what you think you have to learn? . . .
                                            What if you knew that the impulse to move in a way that
                               creates beauty in the world will arise deep within and guide you every
                               time you simply pay attention and wait?
                                            How would this shape your stillness, your movement, your 
                                willingness to follow this impulse, to let go and dance?"
    

Nuturing Creativity

After being away from the easel for more than a week, I know I need to get back or some how I will loose my "muse."  Serendipitously at this time  I was told about TED talks and found this great video that spoke to me.  Have you every created a painting that when finished you wondered if your hand was governed by someone other than yourself?   Maybe this could explain what is really happening when we create.  Elizabeth Gilbert of the book, Eat, Pray, Love, gives one possibility of this idea of genius and creativity.  Weigh in on your thoughts.

Season's Greetings

Thanksgiving is over, the dishes are washed, and there are lots of leftovers in the fridge.  The studio has been left abandoned for almost a week and I am looking forward to getting back at the easel.  As I reflect on this year, I want to thank all of you who took the time to read my blog and especially those of you who made comments.  It lets me know that I am contributing in some small way.  Although this year has not been a stellar year as far as sales, my productivity has been great and I am grateful.  For all of my readers, I wish you a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.

Demo Booklet

Just finished publishing my first booklet demonstrating the process of painting my last painting, "Italian Repast."  Documenting the process with images and writing about each major step was enlightening for me and I hope for those of you who want to see my process.  I share many techniques, products, and tips, as well as, color recipes for this 16 X 32 inch painting.  Check it out on the right side of the blog.  I would love to have any comments or feedback on it if you decide to  purchase it.

Painter's Tip

I have had specific questions from Twitter fans over the last few months prompting the idea that I would post a painting tip on my blog in addition to my regular blog posts.  It's easy to think that most people know this or that but not necessarily so I will give it a try.

Painting tip:  One of the first lessons I ever learned that has served me well over the many years is the colors black and umbers are substitute blues.  Black mixed with white will look blue especially against orange and warm colors.  Burnt and raw umber mixed with yellow will give you some great greens.  Why is this good to know.  Blue is a strong color and can overpower your painting.  Use a substitute blue in place of a pure blue for sky and water and other blues.

Threads of My Life

My last few weeks have been filled with the other side of art in order to be ready for last week's Halifax Outdoor Art Festival.  For all of my friends, students, and collectors I thank you for coming down and giving me such wonderful feedback on my new series--"Threads of My Life."  I'm still working on still life paintings that incorporate fabric and handmade textiles from family heirlooms.  My grandmother crocheted her entire life and I have inherited doilies, tablecloths, and runners with hand crocheted edge work.  The more I paint these beautiful fabrics and lace, the more I'm drawn to their individual beauty.  This piece is entitled Pomegranate and Crocheted Lace and was not as much of a challenge as I originally thought.  Squinting and massing in the light shapes and shadow shapes made it fairly simple.  Once the overall shape has been established then I painted in the negative shapes.  Can't wait to try a bigger piece!