Saturday, January 30, 2016

Experimenting with Landscape

I was walking the local golf course with Cello last week
when I captured this view overlooking the North River and marshes. 


"View From Widow's Walk"
16 x 20
oil on stretched canvas
(over an old painting)   


I thought it would be fun to experiment with 
breaking down a complicated landscape into big geometrical shapes. 
I didn't like how the clouds translated with such sharp edges,
so I used my palette knife to softened them. 
Not sure they go with the rest of the painting, 
so this may just go in the "work in progress" pile. 
I'll keep you posted. 

Here is the image I took with my I phone.










Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Artist Residency Fellowship

I just found out that I've been awarded the 
Residency Fellowship
at the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, MA.
funded by the Charles Family. 

I will have an apartment and a studio in Gloucester
for the entire month of September!

House by Squam River, Gloucester
watercolor by Edward Hopper 1928


To live and work in such an
artistically rich community
for a month is a dream come true.
 (and September is gorgeous up there!)

I have no idea what to expect
and look forward to seeing
where this opportunity will take me
and my painting journey.

I'll keep you posted when I get more details! 






Sunday, January 24, 2016

Slowing Down

This is notable because it evolved over many sessions,
which is not my usual approach. 
I spent a long time on the drawing 
and mixing the colors for this one.

"Pink Sheets" 
16 x 20 oil on stretched linen


in my studio that was just begging to be used. 



Slowing down and planning ahead has opened doors
for some exciting discoveries and I am thrilled. 

More than ever, I am reminded of my favorite quote 
from an old friend Brooks Kelley. 

"I paint to see what it will look like". 





Thursday, January 21, 2016

Wall Of Work

 While prepping the studio for my winter "sabbatical"
I was reviewing the work I did in Dr. K's class.
I decided to "display" them so I could be reminded
 of the lessons I learned. 



It's a great motivator and fun to look at.
Happy Painting!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Refreshing Changes

Painting with a model every week 
was such a treat last semester and I miss that. 
Working from photos is not even close, 
but it can still be challenging.

Sun Day 
8 x 8 oil 


I tried to break down the image
into the fewest amount of shapes I could, 
and pushed some of the color notes.

I've added some new colors to my pallet,
am mixing them with a knife, and using synthetic brushes.
(Silver Brush Silverwhite Series 1502 Brights) 

Some refreshing changes for me.....  


Friday, January 15, 2016

So Excited

I am so excited for my good friend 
Marsha Gleason 
who won a Juror's award at the
 Concord Art Association's Juried Members Show. 

I got to really know Marsha while taking the 
Catherine Kehoe class at Mass Art last semester,
and it was great fun. 

This is the self portrait she did 
as her final project.
(In her 1966 Shasta Camper studio) 


11 x 14 oil 

An incredible likeness!
She truly captured herself 
as you can see. 


They even used her painting for the marquee! 

How fun is that? 

Here's her intersting bio:

Marsha Gleason is an artist who lives and works in Northboro, Massachusetts. 
Marsha received a BA in Fine Arts and Education from Westfield State University in 1974. 
She was a passionate art educator for 30+ years in public schools, 
achieving National Board Professional Teaching Status in Early and Middle Childhood Art, 
and Massachusetts Master Teacher Status. 
She served as a mentor and PDP Workshop provider for teachers 
in her school district of Southboro, Massachusetts.
Beyond the Art Room, and after a fulfilling life dedicated to her family and students, 
Marsha is refocused on her own work, painting in oils - mostly figures from observation. 
Her studio is a restored 1966 Shasta Camper/ Studio which sits under a tree in her back yard.
Marsha has recently studied at The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA, 
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA, 
South Shore Arts Center, Cohasset, MA 
North River Arts Society, Marshfield Hills, MA, 
which has exhibited her work. 
She is a member of Concord Art, and teaches at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts in Hopkinton, MA.
Influential teachers include Dorothy Bruce, Arno Maris, Nancy Colella and Catherine Kehoe. 

I have learned so much from her
and feel blessed to know her.   
Way to go Marsha! 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Another "Escape"

Playing around with more images I took in Florida
with my I Phone, 
the only creative "tool" I had with me.  
I found this view across the street from where we were staying.     

Unit #2
8 x 8 oil 


"Escaping" to my studio to paint scenes like this 
makes me eternally grateful that I'm an artist.
A great way to "winter" in New England! 

Happy Painting! 

Monday, January 11, 2016

Big Magic

I've just finished reading Elizabeth Gilbert's newest book,
and highly recommend it to everyone,
not just"creative types". 
The life lessons apply to everyone,
no matter how old or what life path they have chosen. 


Big Magic wants to help its readers live creatively…[Gilbert believes] creativity is inside all of us, 
it should be expressed, and it is not selfish or crazy or foolish to do so
 – it is in fact the best way to live a satisfying life
...[Big Magic] constitutes good advice…[in a voice that’s] charming, personable, 
self-aware, jokey, conversational….
[and] that Gilbert does so well.” 
—New York Times Book Review


A great way to start the New Year! 
Enjoy! 

Friday, January 8, 2016

Escape

I was lucky to grab a quick trip down to sunny Florida 
last week for New Years. 


"Escape" 
8 x 10 oil 


 I am always struck by the sharp contrast 
of the pure, bright light there 
compared to the soft, muted winter light in New England.

The turquoise tinted windows against the purply-blue 
sky especially caught my eye.
You don't see that in New England in the winter!  

That said, I'm happy to home 
with lots of studio time ahead. 
Happy New Year! 


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Vantage Point


I was pleased to learn today that these two recent paintings 
are receiving an Honorable Mention 
at the Vantage Point Show 
opening at the South Shore Art Center 
 this Friday. 

The juror, Catherine Kernan
 is a print maker and painter 
and the director of Maud Morgan Arts in Cambridge, MA  



The Meadow
8 x 8 oil 


The Paddock 
8 x 8 oil 



NOTE: 
I painted these standing just outside my studio 
while waiting for my Grandson Nico
 to be born back in November!
I think it was my way of "breathing" for my 
daughter-in-law!