Shift into Summer

Every year, the shift into summer
shakes up my painting routine
and I loose my groove a bit.

So in the mean time, I've been doing quick studies in gouache.

The really good  "reference material" is starting to show up

at the beach and I'm psyched. 

NOTE: 

When I move in to my "satellite studio" at the beach,
it takes me awhile to get used to the new flung shui.



Apparently, Cello doesn't need any adjustment time.

Plein Air, finally!

In preparation for my Artist Residency 

this September in Gloucester,  

I am gearing up for lots of plein air this summer. 

 Quick "pop up" sessions work best for me

so I'm working small.

Last week I went to the dunes down the street
around 4:00.
A soon as I set up, the clouds came
 so I quickly popped in these shapes of color.

Dune Fence 

45 minute plein air 

9 x 9 oil on carton board

It's been a long time since I painted plein air.
so I'm pretty rusty.
I'm looking forward to when it comes a little easier!
And I don't forget anything.

 

 My set up.
This was a long walk with my gear.
I forgot my shopping cart
with the big wheels. 

Edges and Texture

  Lately, I am finding myself drawn to paintings 

with interesting edges and textures
so I thought I'd try something new.

Harbor Hide Out,

(Rocky Neck)  

9 x 9 oil 

I painted this over an old painting that I had scraped down.
And I did it upside down.

It's a great way to allow unexpected things to happen,

and I was excited when I turned it right side up.

Then I layered and scratched and wiped, let it dry,

and did it a little more.

I've been inspired by the work of Andy Karnes. 
He does edges and texture better than anyone.
Go to his website and zoom in!
Wow.

"Our Neighbors"

20 x 16 oil on canvas 

by Andy Karnes. 

Georgia O'Keeffe

 Tonight, I went to hear Dawn Tripp  the author of  "Georgia",
speak about her popular new biographical fiction
about Georgia O'Keeffe 

and her relationship with Alfred Stieglitz.
It's a wonderfully engaging and thought provoking read and
I've been fascinated by all things Georgia ever since.

Georgia O’Keeffe, “Sunrise and Little Clouds No. II” 

(1916), watercolor on paper

article on Hyperallergic

This is one of her early abstract water colors,
done while she was teaching in Texas (in her early 20's)
before she went to NY.

One can only wonder how much of this pure expressive freedom
was lost when she went East?

Would love to hear thoughts from fellow readers out there....

Stuart Shils Lecture

I attended a slideshow lecture by Stuart Shils 

at Concord Art a few weeks ago. 

He is an engaging speaker 

and incredibly enthusiastic about painting.

Grey Day Roof Tops 

8 x 10 oil 

It was a grey day without any light and shadow pattern 

so I decided to make this about the shapes and edges. 

(Detail) 

farmhouse and telephone poles 

by Stuart Shils

2007 oil 12 x 13.5"

I am discovering so many new contemporary artists 

via the Concord Art Association. 

I'm going to an opening tonight - 

"Responding to Place" featuring 

15 outstanding artists, 

including Wolf Kahn, Stuart Shils and Lois Dodd. 

It will be up until August 16 so stop in if you are out that way! 

Beach Light

We've moved to the beach a bit early this year 

and I'm, once again astounded by the ever changing light. 

Close Quarters 

8 x 8 oil study

 Today, I finally got out on the deck

to work on this study I started a few days ago. 

Note: 

It was a much needed diversion from 

the horrific news of Orlando.

It's almost impossible to see light when 

there is so much darkness in the world.  

Garden Designs

I just got back from a two day trip 

to NYC with my gardening pals. 

We toured many amazing gardens 

and my favorite was the

  Central Park Conservancy Garden 

(5th and 105th St)

Gouache studies on paper

7 x 9ish 

Our knowledgable and enthusiastic guide gave us a 

90 minute tour that just took my breath away. 

 The dramatic designs with the various greens and pinks 

of this season were so inspirational,  

 I couldn't wait to put some of my impressions 

down on paper when I got home.  

Next time you are in NYC,

 it would be worth the trip uptown 

to see this horticultural gem. 

When is a Painting Finished?

We all struggle with that critical question
so I was thrilled when my good friend Ann Marie Dowd
sent me the link to an exhibit
currently showing at the Met Breuer 

"Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible".

I highly recommend watching the
one minute video. 

Portrait of Ria Munk III 1917-1918
  Gustav Klimt (Austrian, 1862–1918)

While working on this portrait Gustav Klimt died, 

so this unfinished work gives insight 
into the artist’s process.

(Paraphrased from a recent review on line) 
"The exhibit examines the critical question of when a work of art is finished. 
Featuring 197 works dating from the Renaissance to the present,
it demonstrates The Met’s unique capacity to mine its rich collections
 and scholarly resources
 to present modern and contemporary art 

within a deep historical context."

Oh how I love the internet. 

Designing a Painting

My painting pal, Page Railsback and I 

were asked to do a painting presentation yesterday

for our Garden Club.

Our theme this year is "Designing Woman",

with programs focussing on using design in gardening

and other creative endeavors. 

14 x 11 

acrylic and oil  

We set up a simple still life and Page started it in acrylic,

then I "finished" it oils! 

What a fun experiment!  

We also gave each member small cards, pencils and watercolors

and asked them to "design" a painting using just three straight lines

and coloring in the resulting shapes.  

This is an incredibly talented group of gardeners, 

so it was fun to expose them to another form of design!