Learning and Growing

It's been quite a while since my last blog post.  For me, my art journey ebbs and flows like the waters of our beaches here in Florida.  After months of daily painting, I felt a need to refresh myself with new information and strengthening my skills and knowledge.  This usually produces a different daily routine with little actual creation of new gallery quality work.  Even my writing goes on hiatus.  So what have I been up to?

Let me begin by saying that as a painter I am always evaluating my strengths and weaknesses and setting goals to move in a direction that I have deemed worthy.  Basically, I look at what I am good at and determine what needs to be improved in order to create paintings that say what I want them to say.  Upon close examination of my work, I felt I could improve on composition and design.    My studio is filled with paintings that are basically painted well but lack a strong composition that pulls you in from a distance.  Any professional, seasoned painter will tell you design/composition is critical.  My background on composition is not what I would like it to be and so I set out on a journey to fill that educational void.

By accident, I came across a school that offered intensive instruction in drawing, design, and color.  The Barnstone Studio seemed to fit the bill.  With further investigation, I discovered Juliette Aristides was a student of Myron Barnstone, the master teacher of this Pennsylvania school.  One of my students purchased some of the DVDs and from that I decided to invest in the experience.  As some of you may know I don't take workshops anymore because I believe we are our own best teacher and have to seek out the information we need.  The Barnstone Studio DVDs are intensive and require hours of work outside of just watching the many hours of instruction.  I'm excited by what I have learned so far, but I am a long way off from finishing the course. 

One element of the design portion of this course is the Golden Rectangle.  Now I knew that many of the old masters used the Golden Rectangle as an armature in design their paintings, and that putting your focal area in one of the four "eyes" make a more pleasing picture design.  That's about all I knew.  After watching, and watching again (four and five times) and taking copious notes, I have gained a better understanding of how to apply this concept - plus the other route rectangles - to compose the elements of my paintings.  Here is an example of some of these rectangles.

Looking at the diagrams above, you can see why it is taking me some time to become proficient at using this designing system, and why I have been so silent online. Is it worth the effort?  In one word, YES! More later, but for now it's back to the books and the DVD's.

Tea Time

After painting large images, these small canvases are quick to cover and producing quick results.  I took images, about 60 with my new time lapse guizmo, and edited it down to eight images.  Not sure if it's a keeper but it was fun painting my favorite tea pot, and of course, lace.

TEA TIME  8x10

Oil on Canvas Panel

As a reminder, I will be teaching a one day clinic March 8th focusing on creating beautiful grays and navigating the classical palette.  Check out The Hub on Canal in New Smyrna Beach, Florida for more information.  You can contact me directly for any information and to register.

Playing With Light

After a couple of month of painting big, I have returned to small canvases and panels.  This one is inspired by two things; light and crocheted lace, my two favorite elements in a painting.  Creating a light and "air" feeling on this one included Naples Yellow which helped to create this effect.  I truly get lost in bliss when I paint the delicate threads of my grandmother's crocheted pieces.

                                                                       Hand Work

                                                                   12 x 16 oil on panel

Portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge

There has been a lot of buzz about the portrait painted by Paul Emsley of the Duchess of Cambridge.  Some of the buzz has been negative by those out there that think their opinions mean something.  As one who was interviewed who is a portrait painter said, and I loosely quote here, "There are only two people who have to be happy with the commission, the painter and the client."  Here is an interview with the artist who did a marvelous job and I applaud him.  Enjoy.

Great Storage Idea

Just received this idea for some of my organization issues.  Love the idea and wanted to share it with all you folks.  Take a look.

I see a project for my dear, sweet, talented carpenter husband!

New Year's Resolutions-HELP!

It's that time of year to take stock in the year that has passed and make new goals for 2013.  Okay, I get it.  Most of us make them and within the month have totally given up.  My first resolution is to stick with the resolutions or goals which makes more sense to me.  One biggie for me is to get more organized as an artist and this is where I would love helpful suggestions from my artist friends.  How do you organize your work spaces so they don't take over your house and your life?  I think I have been watching too much HGTV this week.

Let me give you some ground work so you can be as helpful as possible.  We live in a 3,000+ sq.foot house and almost every room (except the bathrooms) have something of the art business in them, including every closet.  Forget the garage.  I use it as my studio and share it with the students that I teach and for workshops.  Walls in the studio are lined with still life props, flat screen TV for teaching and all my supplies.  We have three bedrooms and a bonus room.  One is the photo shoot room that David uses for making all my images and his.  The bonus room is his and I don't dare touch anything in there.  Not necessarily a man cave but would you believe three computer monitors a wires that look like you have walked into MIT.  Halls are used for storage and a sun room that is now used for storage of frames and a table for framing, etc. 

Until I can build my dream studio somewhere on our acre lot, I have to get this "business of art" under control.  Any big or little suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated.  I do know I will be throwing things out.  Oh another issue are the paintings that are framed and waiting to be grabbed up by my galleries.  I can hang just so many on the walls.  Can't wait to hear from you.

Happy New Year and Happy Painting.

Busy and Big

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  Silence here means I've been in the studio.  Lots going on in addition to painting so let's get caught up.  Next month's issue of The American Art Collecotr magazine features still life painters and samples of their work.  I am honored to be part of that feature and can't wait to get my hands on a copy. 

In addition, a couple of my galleries are really working hard and asking for more of my "Threads of My Life" paintings.  Consequently, back to the lace and painting big.  The first painting has a tapestry rug under the delicate lace tablecloth.  Kind of a ying and yang, soft/rugged feel.  Also wanted to give it an environment that reflects a light filled room.  Images were made with my phone camera but are pretty clear.

 Moving on, I had a call for another Carolina Blue painting but I don't do exact repeats.  I used a different hand thrown pot (same artist) and of course, the cloth arranged in a more challenge drape. 
Another big canvas (30x40).  This will be sent to Lagerquist Gallery in Atlanta.
 

Our newsletter winner this is is Linda Oesterreich and recipient of a print of one of my paintings.  If I don't post before the year's end, wishing all a happy holiday and a prosperous new year.