Thursday, May 29, 2014

Exercises for Painting Figures in the Sunlight

In preparation for my 
class at NRAS this summer, 
I've been trying out some ideas for exercises. 
Figures wearing hats offer great opportunities for 
strong light and shadow patterns.

"Hat Girl"
I Pad painting 


Recently on a brisk, bright sunny late afternoon, 
I was outside my studio with some girlfriends,
and everyone needed a hat. 
I got out my "model" hats and 
was able to take some great "mud head" shots! 
I printed, then outlined them in magic marker to simplify the shapes,
then did some value sketches. 


To further play around with color and shapes,
I had fun doing I Pad paintings, using the Brushes app. 




The problem with I Pad paintings is,
you can't quite get the same graphic drama
 when translating them in to oils.  

It will be worth a try though. 
Stay tuned. 

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Back to My Roots!

My good friend and fellow Jersey Girl, 
just opened a wonderful new gallery in 
Surf City, New Jersey! 
(website coming) 

I'm delighted to be showing my work there this summer. 
I grew up summering on Long Beach Island, New Jersey 
so this feels like coming home. 

Here is a sampling of the paintings there now:

"Keepin' Cool"
8 x 16 

"Hat Parade"
8 x 8 

"Cherry Popsicles"
12 x 12 










Friday, May 23, 2014

Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, 
the "un-official start of the summer season",
(at least here in New England!) 
As we gather with friends and family to celebrate,
let's take time to thank all those who made the ultimate sacrifice  
so we could have our freedom.     

Back to the Beach! 
12 x 12 

Note:
Each year on Memorial Day at 3:00 pm local time, 
a national moment of remembrance 
is asked of Americans to pause for one minute. 
(A moment of silence or listening to "Taps") 
On Monday, we are to fly the flag at half-staff until noon, 
then raise it until sunset. 

Enjoy! 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Festival of the Arts this weekend!

An exciting time of year 
for artists on the South Shore of Boston! 
This weekend is the annual Festival of the Arts at the 
North River Arts Society.
Take a few minutes and watch this awesome video 
about how it all comes together! 


"Every body Loves a Parade!"
11 x 14 oil 

This painting will be included in the Juried Show 
opening Friday night.
If you are in the Marshfield Hills area 
Saturday or Sunday, plan on coming by!
Exceptional craft booths, artist demos, 
"art in the barn", 
face painting, a food tent;
something for everyone.  
Don't miss it! 











Saturday, May 17, 2014

Bring on Summer!

Bring on Summer! 
12 x 12 

I'm ready whenever you are! 

Monday, May 12, 2014

Influential Woman

I thought about my Mom all weekend, 
as she was certainly the most influential woman in my life.
As I get older, I feel blessed to have some pretty amazing 
woman my mother's age, 
as friends.  

Winnie Lou Rounds, a fellow Garden Club member,
has the most wonderful view on every subject on earth;
 from gardening, to personal relationships.
She is 90 years old and is "sharp as a tack"! 


"Winne Lou"
8 x 10 

Last week she took our members on one of her 
magical "walks" by the river.
Here's to you Winnie Lou! 
Thank you for all that share with us. 





Friday, May 9, 2014

Class Demos - fixed and framed

I often pop my student's work in to a frame in class,
to show them how it can enhance even the simplest subjects. 
I recently took my own advice and put a few of my "demos" 
(from the limited stroke exercise) 
in to some of my old distressed wooden frames.  





They suddenly become simple statements
with strong, dramatic designs!  
$150 each 

A few of these will be included in the 
"Faculty Exhibit"
during the Arts Festival 
June 13, 14, 15.




Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Everybody Loves a Parade!

Things are really gearing up for 
Memorial Day Weekend 
5/24 - 25

This year, member artists were given a 20 x 20 board
to portray a subject around "a word".
These will be auctioned off during the festival.


"Everybody Loves a Parade"
20 x 20 
mixed media /collage

NOTE:
This year there will be a not-to-be -missed 
"Giant Puppet" parade during the Festival. 

A group of artists have met every Saturday since January 
to design and build 
some pretty amazing characters.

I brought "Betty" home today to finish 
her up and fit her with her "cabana."


More info to follow. 
This is the most fun thing 
I've done in ages! 





  


  

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Another "big" one!

I started this one over the winter and 
struggled with the size and surface so much,
 I just put it away. 

Time To Go In?
12 x 36 

Re-visiting it this week, 
I changed the color of the sand three times.  
(It's important to keep it separate from the color of flesh in light !)  

Working larger certainly has it's challenges, 
and keeping things simple is probably the most difficult. 

One of my favorite quotes:

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. 
It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.” 
― E.F. Schumacher