Joys of Teaching

I am newly inspired after teaching a 

 two day workshop last weekend a North River Arts.

We had a terrific group of multi-talented artists 

who were willing (and able) to try anything. 

 Designing with Three Values 

Translating Value to Color 

Two Value, Crazy Color Exercise 

"Pattern" Painting

Collages from Paintings

Paintings from Collages 

(I was so excited about all the work we were doing, 

I didn't get as many images as I'd like.)

As always, it was incredibly fullfilling 

to share ideas, exchange thoughts, 

and just talk "art" for two full days. 

The joys of teaching!

Abstract Exercises

Last week in Nancy Gruskin's class 

we were to integrate the model into a still life. 

This was my attempt using this Milton Avery painting.

Here is the model. 

 I just focussed on her shoes and that fun skirt. 

These are terrific exercises for me;

helping me think less literally

 and be more inventive. 

Collages to Abstract

I'm taking a wonderful abstract class
 at Concord Art with Nancy Gruskin.
This week we had a terrific model
who sat for three poses.
We used cut paper as our medium.

I loved those blue suede boots! 

 She had some wonderful outfits! 

We ran out of time for the last one
so I just focussed on her sneakers.

"Painting with Paper" is a great way to break things 

down into big shapes 

and force yourself to simplify! 

NOTE:

Here is Nancy Gruskin's interpretation.

I just love her approach and simplicity. 

It all works on so many levels.

Life Long Learning

The Fall session of Life Long Learning started 

this week at Linden Ponds, 

an Independent Living facility nearby. 

I'm teaching a "Painting with Paper" collage class

similar to the one we did in the spring. 

We started by cutting 5 differet shapes,

different sizes and color. 

Then they all just went to town.    

It's great fun to spend an hour with these very 

intelligent and fascinating people

while they create something.

And the conversation is priceless. 

Cape Cod Art Conference

I'll be doing a demo at the 

Cape Cod Art Association's
"Mastering Your Mark"
Art Conference 

this Sunday October 14.

My presentation will be the  

"Limited Stroke" exercise;

geared toward loosening up and using more paint. 

Come join in for a day of talking "art"! 

Paint Application

While looking closley at work by some of my favorite artists, 

I'm becoming more aware of differerent paint applications 

and the use of edges. 

As a quick exercise I set up a simple still life 

(a red apple on a white plate on a blue cloth) 

and painted it using four different approaches. 

(I will use these for teaching) 

#1. Large brush, simple shapes, lots of paint, dark to light

(oil a la PKR)

 

#2. Drawn with a ruler, flat shapes of color, sharp edges

(oil a la Catherine Kehoe) 

#3 Layered acrylics thinly with a small brush, without outlining any shapes.

(A la MDN)

#4 For this one I didn't use a reference, limited the number of shapes, 

applied thin layers of paint, scraped, wiped...just experimented. 

I'm not entirely certain where any of this will take me,

but I'm learning what approaches suit me (and my muse) best.

I tend to want to paint quickly and use a lot of paint,

so slowing down, layering, and using a small brush 

is a bit daunting!