Introducing New Exercises

I taught a one day workshop at the 

Cape Cod Art Association on Saturday.

where I introduced some new exercises. 

First, I combined "designing with three values" 

with a "value to color" exercise.  

It worked out well, but next time

we will use four values.

Using only three is too limiting. 

In the afternoon we did a series of 

"generational contour drawings",

zooming in on objects in a busy still life.  

Then we did paintings from our sketches, 

thinking about the relationships of shape, line, and color.   

My friend Page Railsback came up with this gem! 

These talented artists were all   

"willing to try anything"

and I learned so much from them. 

Now it's time to get to work,

 and practice what I just taught! 

Studio time

I've been using the cool grey days lately 

to put some time in the studio.   

This painting took many twists and turns

throughout the week, 

to be sure.  

"Sea Level Seating" 

12 x 12 oil 

NOTE:

That painting inspired me to do this collage

for the annual 

NRAS Festival Silent Auction donation.

Each artist member was given a 16 x 16 cradled wood support 

to create a work reflecting a word. 

My word is "Relax"

Letting it Out

While talking about our painting journeys recently,
a friend said,
"At this stage, it's all in there.
Our job is to just let it out".   

I love that.
                                     
I'm feeling like I'm at that stage these days, 

so I went to my favorite subject matter
and approached it without thinking too much. 

"Beach Happy"

On the easel (wip) 

16 x 16 

The use of large flat shapes of color 

has been an evolving element 

throughout my painting journey

and it feels good to be just 

letting it out! 

Spring is arriving (slowly)

Spring is arriving in New England 

without much fan fare this year. 

(little sun)

However, there are signs of it everywhere. 

Spring Project 

(study)

14 x 11

oil 

I painted this after a recent visit to my friend's garden. 

Her potting shed/ green house was just beginning to get organized,

and I found the chaos inspiring. 

NOTE: 

What a difference a season makes!  

Gordon's Pond February 1

same spot May 1 

Still At It

Another experiment with a play ground. 

Play Ground 2

20 x 16 oil 

Not sure how I feel about this. 

After taking so many new classes and workshops this winter, 

I'm feeling a bit over loaded with information. 

My work is all over the place, trying new approaches

and I'm getting lost. 

Think I need to take a break from experimenting,  

relax, breathe, and just paint for the fun of it.