Monday, October 30, 2017

Abstract Exercises

Still working my way through 
the exercises in Jane Davie's 
"Abstract Painting" book. 

For this one, we were to use one shape
(circle, square, rectangle, cone etc) 
to make a composition using 5 different 
versions of that shape. 


This is harder than it sounds. 

NOTE: 
I'm gearing up for 
I'm taking at Concord Art 
this weekend; 
"A Thousand Collages and the Landscape".



We will be exploring abstraction in landscape 
through collage. 

"All along we will share a path away from copying and rendering, 
toward a more exciting and ultimately more real 
picture of what we find beautiful in the world."

It sounds just right for where I'm heading.








Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Drawing Class #2

This week at our Basic Drawing Class at 
 Linden Ponds 
we talked about measuring
using a view finder and a pencil. 




I give these folks a lot of credit. 
None of them have ever done this before 
and they are all 
 so enthusiastic and willing to try anything.  
My kind of students! 

NOTE: 
The painted wooden blocks were purchased years ago from 
Another favorite teaching tool.


Monday, October 23, 2017

Last Marine Painting

I focussed on the big shapes of color on this. 
Then put them together like a puzzle, 
trying to limit detail. 



"End Of Season"
Kennebunkport
18 x 24 oil 


My initial charcoal "map" 
on canvas toned with yellow ochre. 

This may be my last marine painting for the season. 
All the boats are coming out of the water!  



Thursday, October 19, 2017

Teaching Drawing

I've just started teaching a 6 week 
Basic Drawing Class
to residents at Linden Ponds,
an Independent Living facility in Hingham, MA. 

Having never done this before,
I'm using Joseph Podlesnick's
terrific book as a guide.
(Thank you Mark Daniel Nelson! )


The first class, we started out with 
Blind Contour Drawings
of apples, coffee cups,
and various other small objects.


We then moved to timed gestural
drawings of a "model".  (me)



They all got right into it,
loosened up, and had a few laughs.

(Regrettably, the time went by so fast,
I wasn't able to get many images.)

This is such an engaging and interesting group
and l look forward to working with them!









Monday, October 16, 2017

Paper Collages

I recently bought Jane Davies' book 


These are a few small cut paper collages 
done as one of her exercises. 



 I keep a box of small shapes 
of different papers
(left over from other projects)
for just this reason.  


A new way of looking and thinking,
for sure. 


NOTE: 
I am working on new lesson plans 
to teach soon. 
Will keep you posted! 


Monday, October 9, 2017

Landscape "Impressions"


Ever since my recent trip to Anderson Valley,
I've been thinking about doing a series of small 
landscape "impressions".

The light in that part of California this time of year 
is so crisp and the vistas are breathtaking.


 



"Wine Country"
(4) 6 x 8  gouache 
studies 


I used a limited palette
and painted them all at the same time.
(From I Pad studies) 





Friday, October 6, 2017

Small Works Season



Preparing for the holiday 
Small Works season.

Using references 
I've been thinking about since 
my Residency this time last year in Gloucester. 


Heading Out 
8 x 8 oil 


Like I've said, 
painting smaller is just so different 
than painting on a large surface! 

I like the immediacy of it.
Putting a stroke down and leaving it.  











Monday, October 2, 2017

Something Different

I had odd sizes of Canson Canva paper 
mounted on gator board last week
and this is my first experiment using oils.  


"Welcome" 
12 x 10 oil 
on canva paper 


I'm not used to painting on a white surface
and I kind of like it.
It is very freeing.

STAY TUNED:   
All new winter/early spring
 workshops and classes 
are in the works.