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 

a three day Ken Kewley workshop 

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.

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 

Peggi Kroll Roberts.

Another favorite teaching tool.

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!  

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!

Paper Collages

I recently bought Jane Davies' book 

Abstract Painting: 

The Elements of Visual Language

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! 

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) 

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.  

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.