Thursday, October 31, 2013

Make Up Challenge

This month the Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge is 
Make Up.
I have never been very good at wearing make up,
and always looked like a clown whenever I tried.

Clown Face 
6 x 6 
oil on paper 

I found an image on the internet,
printed it on heavy paper, and glued it to a foam board. 
Then I covered it with clear gesso. 
My idea was to paint directly on the photo,
as if I was putting the make up on her! 

I used soft acrylic brushes and did a lot of blending. 
Two things rather foreign to me. 
  Now you can see why I don't wear make up! 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Waiting for Inspiration


I have been "blocked"lately,
just waiting for inspiration.  

Old Salt House
6 x 8 oil 
Cohasset Harbor, MA 

Today, I finally buckled down and tackled this idea.
AfterI found this link to the new work of
Michael Daniel Nelson.

Parking Lot BBQ
8 x 10 oil
 by Michael Daniel Nelson

You gotta love those guys who have a 
graphic design background.
He makes it look so simple.




Saturday, October 26, 2013

Exercising!

I like to call the lessons we do in class "exercises"
because after all, we are "stretching" ourselves right?
This week, we did my two favorites:
Limited  Stroke (or Golf) Exercise
 

You have to state how many you need, then try to make that number. 
(I said 16 and had to use my mulligan!)  



The "Simplified Shadow" Exercise

By painting everything in shadow ONE dark value, 
then everything that is in light in actual color, 
you really get to see how important the value pattern is!  
You can get some pretty powerful statements this way.  

I always love a good workout!

Meanwhile.
GO SOX!  

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Another Surprise


When I found out that 
my friend, fellow teacher, 
and incredibly talented impressionist painter
was taking my 
I was a bit daunted.
And, of course,  thrilled.  

5 minute studies 
by Margaret McWethy

Turns out;
she is the perfect student, 
follows the exercises precisely,
and adds great insight during the discussion. 
Thank you Margaret! 

Just another surprise in 
the life of an artist. 







Friday, October 18, 2013

All Set for HAW this Sunday

I am all set for the Hingham Arts Walk this Sunday.
Really looking forward to seeing old friends 
(and meeting new ones!)
If you are in the area, do stop by North Street Studio.
12 - 4 
"Sleepy" 
6x 6  oil 
$125

"Romper Room"
6 x 6 oil  
$125 

I'll have some new, smaller works 
available in my distressed wood frames. 
There will be music, wine, light bites,
and lots of fun! 

GO SOX! 


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Playing Around (with Mitchell again)

I have had this image of a Mitchell Johnson painting 
hanging in my studio for over a year now. 

Truro (Blue and Yellow) 
2012 22 x 28 oil on linen
by Mitchell Johnson

Then yesterday, I found this photo
I took in Truro in 2001.  
 (before digital) 
and thought I'd play around a little.  


I realized my fascination with MJ's paintings is the texture. 
( he uses a dry brush and a linen surface? )
I painted this on my usual canvas board, using lots of paint. 
Then took a palette knife 
to blur the lines and simplified the shapes.
Interesting. 
At best.  

Truro (pink) 
10 x 12 
oil 



Sunday, October 13, 2013

Hingham Arts Walk!


I'm putting together some small works for the 
Next Sunday!  
October 20 from 12 - 4 

"Baby Blues"
9 x 9  framed  
$125


I'll be at the 
NORTH STREET STUDIO
with:
Page Railsback, Barbara Gifford, Ruth Jensen, 
Kelley MacDonald and Sally Dean

COME ON BY! 
A fun day to poke around beautiful Hingham, MA 
and meet some very cool artists! 











Thursday, October 10, 2013

Love in the Air

It warms my heart to see an older couple holding hands. 
Lucky them!
No matter how long they may have been together, 
it's testimony that love exists in many forms, 
and at all stages.


"Happy Couple"
8 x 8 

Our son recently got engaged! 
And I am thrilled that he has found someone so lovely and so special.
May they hold each other's hand for a very long time!
Congratulations you two!     

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

You Never Know

"Ice Cream Man" 
11 x 14 

I did this rather unusual painting two years ago
and it's never left the studio. 
(I think it's because it's on a stretched canvas) 
However, there has always been something I really liked about it,
so I submitted it to the International Juried Show 
at the South Shore Art Center
opening November 8. 

And it got in! 
I guess you just never know.   


Friday, October 4, 2013

Photography Class

I'm taking a digital photography class
at the SSAC this term.  
We're talking a lot about composition
and that is making me see things differently.
Especially when thinking about potential painting subjects.

" Lawn "
9 x 12 

I liked how the image below 
blocked everything into big shapes of color. 
The painting became more about that 
than the light and shadow pattern. 


Here are a few more images I've taken 
as part of my homework! 




This photo class
and the incredible light we are having this fall,
is getting me incredibly inspired!