Let's Get Out of Here

Hello, everyone! No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. My art life has had to take a back seat to remodeling our kitchen and updating our house for an upcoming rehearsal dinner for my nephew, to be held at our house. (Really, the dinner is the catalyst for getting our house done).

So I have recently made time for a few paintings, and here is the first one - a favorite subject of mine - transparent glass, and the color orange. I'm not sure who wants to get out of here - is it the slices that are stuffed into the jar, or the "free" slices who don't want to be stuffed into the jar?

Christmas House Porch View

There is a local bed & breakfast inn which is a turn of the century Victorian house - lovely inside and out, and named Christmas House. I was there for plein air a couple days ago, and decided on this narrow view of a portion of the front porch. The light was just right.

Head Study 6/21

Once again, another breakthrough night of painting. Like last week, I was actually painting - I was free to paint without reservation, and able to be expressive. There's really no way to describe the difference between recreating what you see, and really painting. Even Joseph commented on that. I'm excited to apply this idea to other subjects.

Head study 6/14

This is last night's head study. I had such a exhilarating time. I felt that I was really painting, not just faithfully recreating what I saw. There's a difference. I am happy with the finished product, even though the process was way more important and satisfying. Not painting the eyes was only a little difficult for me. When I blurred my eyes, this is what I saw - the eyes were completely lost in the shadow.

Christine 6-2

This portrait was done in a monthly model session at a local winery. Gayle Stratford is the facilitator. This is her daughter, Christine. I feel ok about it - but I was a little too caught up in her likeness when I should have been thinking shapes and values. My favorite part is the red dress - straight cad red lite.

Head Study 6/7

I think I made it through a valley last night, as I have turned a corner in Joseph's class. This could possibly be my most successful head yet. I am starting to realize that I have to simplify my subject into accurate shapes that are either light or dark, before I start with any transitional values/colors, and long before any detail is shown. This was a two-hour painting, which is why it seems unfinished. I would have liked to get to some of the collar, but I am happy overall.

Head Study 5/31

This is the first head study I've done in a while that I actually like. I don't enjoy doing profiles at all, but this was the model's pose, so I just focused on the challenge. Joseph is really pushing me to see all shapes as dark or light, and to eliminate all details until later. Very difficult. But if I have the values and shapes correct, the details don't matter all that much!

Five Slices

Yesterday, I had the honor of demonstrating during a fine art charity auction for Learning Ally, formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. It's an organization that records books on tape for anyone with any reading disability. Artists from around the area donate a work of their art for silent auction. I had just under 2 hours to do this little painting - it was a lot of fun. The lighting on my subject wasn't great, but it all worked out.

Daisy in Red

Here's that great little red vase again. I just can't seem to get enough of that pure color. I love picking out the shapes in the vase - it's just never-ending! I'm not crazy about the daisy - I suppose I should concentrate on flower shapes at some point. One thing I do really like about this one is the orange ground peeking through that ties in with the reflection on the cloth.

Egg'N'Cream

My sister found this little blue creamer in a thrift store for a quarter. It's so vintage and cute! And the egg just fits so perfectly in this tiny glass bowl. The two items seem to belong together - and remind me somehow of living on a farm (even though I never did).

Where's the White?

This painting was definitely a challenge. We all know that white is never really white, and that if we're looking at something white, we can always find something more white. Same goes for black. The backdrop for this mug is actually a piece of scrapbook paper. I love all the colors and the things going on in it. The white mug kind of looks like a chameleon - just blending in, soaking it all in. Click on the link above to go to Daily Paintworks to see this and other entries.

Jerome Building

This is the last painting from the Sedona trip. Our group spent a day in the little town of Jerome, about 25 miles southwest of Sedona. It's like we saved the best for last! The town is about 100 years old - a mining town with many dilapidated buildings. The town is still very much alive, with a bustling population, many quaint restaurants, many shops, and lots of painting opportunities. This building was condemned, and I just loved the shapes and colors in it.

Karen Werner

While in Sedona, my good friend, Karen Werner, and I shared room. We took turns painting each other, which was challenging and fun. It's more difficult to paint someone you know, instead of just seeing the shapes, colors, and values that, if painted correctly, will resemble the person. With the exception of the shirt, I used the Zorne palette only, which is white, black, yellow ochre, and cad red. I learned this from my instructor, Joseph Todorovitch. To see Karen's portrait of me, just click on her name.

Karen Painting and Slide Rock Sedona

This painting is the result of painting in the cold, (44 degrees) the rain, the hail, and the sleet. And all of this mixed in with intermittent sun. Very difficult. There are a few major things I learned while in Sedona: that I can paint in plein air in any kind of weather; that my new guerilla box and tripod work perfectly for me; to always block in the largest shapes first, and to stick to my original value sketch, and never chase the light. Whew!

I'm back from Sedona, having had a wonderful week with my good friend, Karen Werner. This is a photo of her painting, under the cover of a women's restroom at Slide Rock. My easel is to the left. It was so cold this day, that at times I would look at the scene (see it above), load up my brush, go into the heated restroom, and paint. I would also heat up my hands and hat under the hand dryer!

Plein Air in Sedona, Day 4

The day started out to be great - a lot of sun, few clouds. Our group went to Slide Rock, where I did this painting looking down from above and slightly upstream. I am fairly happy with it, although it seems a little too abstract for me.

Well, it was so cold and rainy off and on that my friend Karen Werner and I decided we'd had enough of the weather, and we packed up and went back to the Sedona Art Center to paint from a photo - and this is the photo we chose. No, it's not a Sedona scene, but it's near Karen's home.

Cathedral Rock and Slide Rock

This one was a simple value study, using only 4 values and massing in large shapes. This is from day 1 of the workshop with Jennifer McChristian.Today was FREEZING - about 40 degrees and pouring rain and hail, when our group went to Slide Rock. A beautiful place! The only problem was the light that changed every 1 minute!

It was really tough to capture anything at all with the values just fleeting constantly. So this view was one of my attempts.

This is a view of Cathedral Rock in Sedona. Again- this is all about values first, and color second.

No details - just large shapes. This was one of yesterday's paintings.

PleinAir in Sedona Day 2

Today, our wonderful group, lead by Jennifer McChristian and her wonderful husband, Ben, went to Cathedral Rock to paint the absolutely stunning landscape. The weather was beautiful. The goal was to do value studies by massing in large shapes only, then doing the same vantage point again in color - referring to the value study as needed. This pair is the result. I have another pair to post tomorrow that includes the famous Cathedral Rock.

A day of plein air painting in Sedona - what can get better than that??

Plein Air in Sedona

This week, I am in Sedona Arizona studying plein air painting with Jennifer McChristian. Today was day 1, and I had such a great time. It was all about values, and simplifying shapes. These are two of my studies - and I am generally pleased. And being in Sedona is just amazing, and I feel so fortunate.

Glowing Bottles

Gosh, I love transparent glass! I like to look for old bottles in antique stores, etc. This green one really appealed to me. The other ones are just meant to be next to it! So much fun. . .

Succulents in Red

Well - I know it's been a long time. I've missed posting and being involved with other daily painters. It's that whole balancing act between being an artist and the other hats I wear. I realize that once I pick up the brush and start something, I know this is what I'm supposed to do, and eventually, I will be a true daily painter.

I found this little red vase at a garage sale for a quarter, and I love the color. It's just so intense!

The succulents are from my sister's garden. The orange was meant to be with the red.

Mr. Lincoln

10x8 oil on canvas board

$80.00 plus s&h

This painting is the result of the Daily Paintworks Challenge. Each week, an artist from that group posts a challenge for all artists. This week, it's to paint Old Abe. Here is my solution, painted from a photo. Since I've been painting from life for quite a while, it was interesting painting from a photo again! I like how this one turned out.

Head Study 3-1

Last night, the scheduled model didn't arrive, so one of the artists in our class volunteered.

And a great model he was! He was so still. The fact that he was focusing on my mineral spirits jar was a little unnerving at times, because I felt he was watching me paint the whole time.

Another great night of painting! I'm quite satisfied with this one.

We Know We're Cute

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

70.00 plus s&h

These two little mugs look like models on the runway, posing in the light with their hands on their hips. You know, it's weird - when I finish a still life, it tells me what the title should be. On this one, I tried to change the title to something more academic, but the painting just wouldn't let me! I got these hand blown mugs at an antique store, and the red just grabbed me and I had to buy them.

Head Study 2-22

Another great session of painting last night! The model was beautiful - she reminded me of a modern day Pocahontas. I'm learning a lot about the portrait, and how a limited palette is so unifying to use. I'm working on seeing the head as a ball, and identifying values as they recede from the lightest part.

Head Study 2/15

I feel I've had a breakthrough in painting the portrait. This one was especially rewarding, because I captured her essence, her attittude. Her direct gaze is a little intimidating and raw.

Again, a limited palette was used, and the darks are finally dark enough.

Figure Study 1/31

I have been studying with the renowned artist, Joseph Todorovitch, for over a year now, and the focus is on academic painting concerning the figure. I tend to focus on the head, as I am more interested in portraits. This particular model is excellent and is serious about her work. I work with a limited palette - white, ivory black, yellow ochre, and cad red light. It's amazing what colors can come from these! It also makes decisions about colors easy. I will be posting several more heads this week.

Green Bottle with Lemons

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

70.00 plus s&h

I really love the shape and color of this green bottle. I painted it once before, and sold it the same day. I like the many little bits of light and color, esp in the bottle and on the surface. Transparent objects are so much fun to paint!

Teenage Boy

This young man posed for the first time at one of my painting groups. He was a good model. I like the strong shadows and lights. A warm direct spotlight was used here.

Sectioned Off

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

70.00 plus s&h

Each orange section goes off the edge of the canvas - an open form design I love to incorporate into my paintings. I chose the blue plate as a complement to the orange. A simple subject - but not simple to paint!

Victorian Engagement

This young couple posed for a painting group a few days ago. They are engaged, and one of their common interests is the Victorian era. They dressed in Victorian costume - which was beautiful and enjoyable to paint. The real challenge was doing two people in under four hours and have them look at least a little like who they really are.

Rains House

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

$70.00 plus s&h

I enjoy plein air but am fairly new to it. Wow - it's a whole different game out there! The bugs! The changing light! Forgeting your turpentine!

This house, the John Rains historic home in Rancho Cucamonga, California, was built in the 1840's. It is the oldest house in our area, and was built with handmade bricks. It's a beautiful home with an interior courtyard. John Rains and his wife, Dona Merced, owned much of the area where we live, until his murder, which is unsolved even today. The house, abandoned and dilapidated, was set for demolition in the early 1970's, when a school teacher and her students (my husband was one of them) stood in front of the bulldozer that would start the demolition, and stopped it in it's tracks. It was saved, restored, and is now a county museum.

Tryin To Fit In - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I posted - I really miss painting when I don't - and I know you've all heard the "too busy" excuse. Well - I'm making every effort in this new year to paint more regularly. It feeds the soul, and makes everything else in life easier to deal with.

In this new painting, it seems the smallish apple is just trying to fit in, and there seems to be some question whether he will or not. This painting was so rewarding for me - such a simple subject, but so complicated in it's lights and shadows.