And The Winner Is . . .

As promised, I have given away a giclee print on canvas of one of my oil paintings.  Here is a video of the drawing and the announcement of the winner.  I apologize ahead of time for the amaturish quality of the presentation.  Hollywood IS NOT looking for me.

Our winner is Jo-Ellen Trecartin and she will receive a 12 x 16 (approx. size) print on canvas.  If you want to be included in the next drawing, please sign up on the newsletter link, the one with the Eiffel Tower symbol.  Again congratulations to Jo-Ellen.

Working in Flow

Today two pieces of information from two different sources came across my laptop that related to each other and were worth sharing.   The first was the newsletter from Robert Genn and the topic of happiness.  If you don't get his newsletters, contact me and I can forward it to you.   It seems certain regional areas and countries are more happy than others and it has to do with community and a tribal existence.  In my opinion, that is one kind of happiness that comes from relationships.  Does this state of mind foster greater creativity instead of being the lone painter creating in isolation? Personally, I don't think so.  The second piece of information that I came across today was a "Ted Talk" that began with the idea of happiness and how that state of mind related to flow and ecstasy.  I totally related to this information and found his charts eye-opening, especially the one that showed the relationship between challenge of the activity and the skill level of the person. This 19 minutes video from Ted Talks is well worth the watch and as most of us, as painters know, we enter into this state frequently when we are painting.  Please comment after watching and tell me what you think about tribal happiness vs. happiness created from flow.

Newsletter Finally Ready

We are ready to "go to press."  The newsletter is being reread and the final touches added.  So if you haven't signed up for your copy now is the time to do so.  On April 15th I will be announcing the results of our drawing for a freebee.  I am giving away a print on canvas of Florida Treasures.  This print can be stretched on stretcher strips or can be matted.

Besides writing the newsletter, this last week has been busy with creating color charts.  You know the kind written about in Richard Schmid's book Alla Prima.  Even after all these years of painting, I am learning so much about my colors and the beautiful combinations that I have never tried before.  With these twelve charts completed, I can match any color I see before me or use them to invent colors.

 I started them about ten years ago but wasn't willing to put in the effort in making the twelve boards required so I gave up.  Then about two years ago I found a new resource for making these valuable color charts.  I bought them but just kept putting off doing them.  After finishing the last big painting, I decided it was time. 

Check out their website from ColorFrontier.  Artists who are serious about mastering color, know the value of "doing the charts".  Now it's easier than ever and well worth the time.

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.