Estranged and Reconciled Mental Cans

Reconciled Mental Cans

October, 25, 2008

9 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Oil on Board

Estranged Mental Cans

October 25, 2008

12" x 9"

Oil on Board

On Saturday I had an 'Studio Christening' to kick off the opening of my new home studio and classroom space. I had a group of fellow artist come over and fill the new space full of creative energy. We painted, we ate, and we talked about art. It was fantastic! The space really proved what it is capable of. The space can hold more people than I thought, which is excellent. So, thank you to all of those that attended.

Everyone had some great ideas that really got me thinking. Everyone has mentioned that they would like to do this again. Maybe I should have an artist drop in night? Also, I have now found connections to start up model sessions. They would be open to everyone. I maybe able to start up a figurative class as well. I think the space would really lend to that and it would be a great opportunity for local artists and art students since I have not found any model sessions or figurative classes available in my community. So, anyone interested in figurative model work or figurative classes, please contact me. As well, any artist who would like to attend a drop in night where you could meet other artist and get advice, tips, or just enjoy the environment of other working artists, please contact me. I would like to put a few sessions together for November and create a Calendar for regular artist sessions, classes, and workshops, starting in January, that is if people show an interest. So, contact me and show some interest!

Painters Alchemy

Painters Alchemy

September 20, 2008

12" x 4 1/4"

Oil on Board

I have been longing to paint glass for a while, and while I was fighting to open these little jars, I realized they would give me the perfect opportunity. I still have not managed to get them opened. They are filled with oils that I paint with but they have been sealed for over a week and have sealed themselves shut. I love how the light made the oils glow. The subject matter often makes me feel like a mad scientist. I use combinations of oil and paints and I try out new products and methods that appeal to me but while I mix all these things I never measure them or write them down. I experiment through feel. I may just be the messiest and most unorganized scientist.

Dependant Onions

Dependant Onions

September 6, 2008

12" x 12"

Oil on Board

These onions I did on Monday before my Adults Oil Painting class, Simple Beauty in Everyday Life, that I instruct. I had my students paint on a dark ground and so it inspired me to do the same. With the main focus being tone. These onions I set under dramatic lighting. It really got me interested in cloth. I think I need to work more with cloth. I find that one painting often, actually almost always, leads me into the next painting. It really influences where I will go next.

I have to thank my sister for bringing over really good tunes to paint to. I love painting to music. It is hard to paint without other distractions like music. I let my left brain get distracted by the music so my right brain can focus on painting. When I get to the point where I cannot hear the music anymore, even though it is still playing, then I know I am "in the zone". Nothing but good things come out when I am " in the zone".

A Pear On Date Night

September 4, 2008

A Pear On Date Night

9" x 6"

Oil on Board

I have been waiting to use this cloth as a background but everything I tried it with just didn't do. I needed objects that could be worthy of this cloth. It is a dress of mine and it really set the mood for this painting. It helped to personify these pears into not just pears but a pair of characters. I felt like they were caressing each other on an evening out in a corner of a darkly lit restaurant, maybe they are waiting for dessert.

Technically, I am having difficulty capturing the blacks in my paintings with my camera. They usually catch too much light and produce a glare or reflect a blue tint instead of a browner blackish value. I have also tried to fix this using my computer but with no success. I just try to capture the paintings the best I can and I avoid digital touch ups, I find it tampers with the true image too much. And, well, the real painting is always better than a reproduction anyway. Which reminds me, I should go to a local gallery to visit art in person. Maybe meet some new paintings. I encourage everyone to go out this weekend and meet some art in person.