NAPLES, FLORIDA WORKSHOP

Just a reminder for anyone who wants to sign up for my 3 day workshop in Naples, Florida. It's January 19-21, 2011. Click here for their website.
I know I'm looking forward to some 75 degree weather and beautiful beaches. We just had 18 inches of snow so this thought is really nice. I'm going to fly down and my husband wants to drive!?? He figures we'll go to Key West afterwards and take a leisurely ride home. He says I can fly from where ever if I get restless. I think I'd rather stay in Florida but ah well, such is married life. He's always so good about supporting me when I give a workshop.

Having an Intention

This is the same painting as previous post. I thought it needed to be warmer and have a bit more color. You always have to be so careful with watercolor; too much and it's overdone, overbaked and beyond salvaging. Now I wonder if it looks more like a shallot. Oh well.
I do like having an intention before painting. It may be using three colors instead of my usual 15 or it may be trying to get the cast shadow and core shadow in one brushstroke as this study was. That was what I forgot a few days ago. But then it got me painting so that's good. Once I finished I forgot my intention. Maybe I'll write it down on back of the board before I start painting.
Onion" watercolor on board wc 1041

Garlic with Pencil and Limited Palette or "I can't remem ber why"

I can't remember why I did another one. I can't remember if I liked the first one and thought I needed to try something else. I do remember thinking now I should put it in a group; I never do just one thing in the center, what kind of composition is that? I also forgot to mention that both these were done with only three colors; new gamboge from Daniel Smith, cobalt blue (Winsor Newton) and quinacrodone red (Winsor Newton). I wanted to say that I liked working with only three colors cause I put them out fresh and they stayed wet! I live/paint in very well heated NYC apartment and everything evaporates so quickly. I think I may work this way for awhile and see if I get enough colors to keep me happy. I think the trick may be to work with more greys. I know artists need to expand and keep trying new techniques, concepts but at this point in my life I'm wondering if I'm just not adding brain weariness. My painting mornings are fraught with too many decisions even before I get near my drafting table: do I want to paint with oils or watercolors? what do I feel inspired to paint? which support do I use? which palette? do I need to go to fruit/flower stand for new subject? and it's such a short day (maybe cause I seem to be getting up later and later)!!! And what was I so excited about yesterday? There was something I wanted to try. I do write this stuff down sometimes cause I know I'll forget but how can I forget something I was so excited about less than 24 hours ago?
Thanks for listening to my rant. Just want to add that this isn't something new. It's been happening to me since I've been painting full time. Just felt like (and remembered to write it here!)
I don't know how well you can see it but I added some pencil at the end to define the left hand side of the garlic to try and make it look less than an onion. I figured if you can start with pencil and then paint you can end with pencil also.
Cool Allium" watercolor on board, 4x3 inches

Garlic

Merry Christmas everyone!! We usually visits our kids but circumstances didn't work out this year so I was able to get some painting done. Glad for the time since I've had this garlic on my stand for awhile!
Forgot by now what my original inspiration was for doing garlic (probably saw one during a blog hunt) so I went to local veggie store and spent many minutes pouring over their garlic; touching practically every one in the bin (good thing I finally got over my cold) while my friend patiently waited for me. Then I saw some juicy colored shallots and went through those. When I got home I saw an already half used piece in our bowl and ended up using it for the painting. Guess we've all been through this kinda thing. Hopefully I'll get to the shallot bbefore it turns color!
"Garlic" watercolor on board, 4x3 inches

Self-Portrait

I wanted to explore portraiture further and thought I'd use myself. Don't have to worry about offending anyone but myself!

In Treatment

The last few episodes of Adele on In Treatment (HBO series) had a grouping of white vases on the window sill. Caught my eye every time I saw the show. Whoever staged the set had a good eye in my opinion! First time I ever got inspired from watching t.v!
Also, I was reading Snow White to my granddaughter so that's how I got the title
"Snow Whites and Lemon Slice" 4x3 inches, watercolor on board
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Blog Award: Resource for graphic artists

I received an email from a graphic artists website saying I would be included as a resource for people considering a career in the graphic arts. I've posted their link (it's the badge on the right) so that you and I can look at other watercolorists for inspiration and learning.
Here is the link to see other watercolor blogs.
Also, I did another version of the previous post. I thought the rock formation on the lower left was too large and was hoping to get the background trees darker.
wc1035 Landscape 1035, 3x4 inches, watercolor on board

Winter Watercolor

I just realized that photo shop can give me ideas to help my paintings. When I look at an image in "Image" menu and then go to "Adjustments" you can click on auto color or auto contrast. Sometimes it looks so much better that it inspires me to do another painting. In this case I am going to do another one withe darker trees. Hopefully I'll post it tomorrow!!
wc1034 Landscape 3x4 inches, watercolor on board

Watercolor Winter Landscapes

Here's the progress on one of the previous landscapes that I posted and another version of the same scene. The trees were too monochromatic so I tried to mix it up a bit. Also wanted to get a looser brush stroke.
"Winter Landscape 1030 ans 1032" watercolor on board, 3x4 inches

Watercolor Landscapes

The views out my Riverdale windows have been amazing these past weeks. Funny I don't paint them but I do paint my idealized versions after being inspired by their colors. Here is an interesting talk on Ted Talks explaining why we might be drawn to a particuliar scene. Certainly explains it for me.
wc1029, wc1030, wc 1031 Landscapes on watercolor board, 3x4 inches

Hudson River Museum

I live near the Hudson River Museum and was there last week to see their autumn leave show. It's a small museum but I find all I need is one or two paintings that really speak to me and I'm a happy camper. It was so much easier than going into the city to a show that I've vowed to get myself over there at least once a month.
"Landscape #1028" 3x4 inches, watercolor on board

Self portrait and friends

These are all 4x3 inches, watercolor on board.
James McMullan has written some interesting articles in the NY Times recently. Here is one about drawing heads. There are links to his other blog entries from there. All really interesting.

Portrait Project

I've decided to revive a project that I started in '03 of miniature portraits. My intention is to get enough portraits of fellow artists for a museum show. I was learning to do portraiture (regular size) when my shoulder started hurting (rotator cuffe) and that led me to doing small paintings. I have to credit Barbara Bachner for getting back; met her at her open studio in Manhattan last week and she reminded me that I had asked her to do her portrait in '03 and she was still waiting! Check out her website she is an extremely talented painter.
"Barbara Bachner" 4x3 inches watercolor on board

Two Pitcher Meditation

"Two Pitcher Meditation" 3x4 inches, watercolor on board

Two Pitchers

"Two Pitchers" 3x4 inches, watercolor on board

Lemon Meditations I and II

I was thinking soft colors; how soft to go before it's too dull, how soft to go and then add color!
"Lemon Meditation I and II" both 3x4 inches, watercolor on board

Memories of Morandi

"memories of Morandi" 3x4 inches, watercolor on board

Yellow Cup and Cherries

Thought this was a better composition.
"Yellow Cup and Cherries" 4x3 inches, watercolor on board

Cherries

I was in the winter 2008 Watercolor Magazine and saw a few paintings by Stefanie Anderson which I really loved. Haven't been able to find her on line. I've been looking at her work for a couple of years. Funny how long it can take to be inspired and then be able to make it your own.
I'm having fun with her concept of really soft edges and light creamy background and foregrounds.
"Cherries" watercolor on board, 4x3 inches

Pitcher and Strawberries

The concept was to keep all the colors quiet except the strawberries. Also played with edges being very soft.
"Pitcher and Strawberries" 4x3 inches, watercolor on board

Drawing Lesson from New York Times

This lesson on drawing ellipses is excellent.
It makes such a difference in paintings or drawings to get the ellipse drawn well. One trick I use is to turn the painting upside down after drawing one side. Seems my hand always goes askew in the same direction so this is an attempt to get it even! Also helps to look at drawing/painting upside down to get a fresh look.

The Morandi Family

The Morandi Family 4x3 inches oil on board

Sugar Bowl Morandi

Got into a "line 'em up" Morandi thing!
"Sugar Bowl Morandi", watercolor on board, 3x4 inches

Got a Richard Schmid video

I've had a Richard Scmid DVD since my birthday (March) and just recently watched it. Nit because I wasn't excited about watching him paint but I like to keep new videos and books aside until I need inspiration. This happens all too often. I'm sure everyone experiences it; just part of the art process. We can't be "on" all the time. Sometimes a bit of slight depression sets in and I can't remember that I have this "jumpstart inspiration" device available to me. I also get extremely bored when my mind isn't busy art thinking. In my defense (not that we have to defend ourselves) I did have quite unusual family responsibilities this year concerning my husband and mother. Anyway, I finally got around to watching the video. I also saw an article about Daniel Keys in Workshop Magazine. Seeing the printed image on top of the video just pushed me over the edge to try a painting in their style. I think mine is a bit like theirs so it wasn;t so much of a push.
It was fun and now my mind is thinking of how to apply it to still lifes.

"Landscape 1030" 3x4 inches oil on board

After Fantin Latour

"After Fanin Latour" watercolor on paper, 4x3 inches

Big Deep

Big Deep is a swimming hole in Woodstock, NY. A place that's dear to my heart. Especially when it's 90 degrees and I'm stuck in NYC!!
"Big Deep" 5 1/2 x 7 inches watercolor on paper

New Flower Painting blog

Check out this new new flower painting blog
It's in Spanish (Fernando Peno) has started it but there is a translation available.
I am honored to be one of the first to be included. Maybe you will be also!

Silver Coffee Urn

"Silver Coffee Urn" 4x3 inches on Fluid block paper

Like this paper better than the WN paper I was using.

Copper Cup

"Copper Cup" 3x4 inches on 4x6 inch paper

Bubble Glass and Grapes

I haven't worked on paper in quite awhile. Mainly because I have found the boards from RTsTx so pearlescent (if that is a word). The boards are ready to paint on. No preparation necessary, no stretching. And I can use the same frames that I have for my oils.
I do like the edges of the painting on the paper. So maybe i will work this way for awhile.

2nd Ebay auction painting

"Homage a Morandi" watercolor on board 3x4 inches
To bid on this painting click here.

First eBay auction!

"Onions and Grapes" 3x4 inches, watercolor on board.
Bidding starts at $75.00!
Click here to bid.

SOLD

Yellow Pitcher and Flowers

I haven't been able to paint because my glasses are out for new lenses and I'm using my distance only glasses! How's that for an excuse? I use progressive lenses and my cheapo insurance covers this lab that seems to be in Siberia! And this is the second time they have them cause the first time they made them the reading and the mid distance were so off I really couldn't see out of them. So I decided to look at my pastels and see if any of them needed more work. The thing about pastel is that I don't mind reworking them (to a point). With the oils it seems that it's just as easy to start one over.
I think I improved this one since i did it last year about this time.
"Yellow Pitcher and Flowers" 4x3 pastel on board

Red Tablecloth (twice)

I spent a lot of time mixing and thinking about the grey background knowing that this would make or break the painting. It couldn't be too warm or too cool. I did adjust it with subsequent color mixtures so that it would be as harmonious as possible with the rest of the painting.
I also used a yellow/purple palette which means there was no true red available. I mixed my reds with permanent rose and cadmium yellow deep!
"Red Tablecloth" 2 1/2 x 3 3/8 inches, oil on board

New Workshop!

For those of you who like to plan ahead; I will be giving a three day oil workshop in Naples, Florida from Jan 19-21, 2011. It's at Naples Art Center. Their website is www.naplesart.org. Phone is 239-262-6517.
I've been to Naples a few times and liked it alot. Their beaches are quiet and beautiful. Lots of galleries and nature. Hope some of you can make it!

Watercolor DVD clip

Here is a clip from my watercolor DVD. I in the process of putting in a new order so it may take a bit longer than usual for delivery.
Enjoy!

American Artist Magazine "Still Life Highlights"

Here is the link to read the article that's on the newstand now !!
Enjoy!

Homage to Stanley Bielen

I love Bielens' work. Never saw it in person (yet) but hope to eventually. His brushwork is so pure. Colors are great also.
"Homage to Bielen" 4x3 inches, oil on board

"Yellow Bouquet" times three

If I have the paint and more importantly the energy (it helps that the days are long now and there's abundant light) I can explore the same composition three times. I also cancelled girlfriend dates so I could stay home and paint! Doesn't it feel great when you feel like painting and everything else is no fun in comparison? Hope this feelin' lasts awhile!

More from Fantin-Latour

My good friend, Janet Spiegel had given me prints of Fantin-Latour's paintings. One was more green and one more red. It was interesting to have the contrast. I suppose you can see that I'm playing with brushstrokes and trying to be less literal about defining the petals.
All paintings are 3x4 inches, oil on board.

Homage to Fantin-Latour

I keep a colletion of photographs of paintings and periodically leaf through them for inspiration. I've had this one for years and never did anything with it. These paintings are actually a bit darker; they looked darker in photoshop but appear lighter here. I used the red/green palette and instead of using pure white used Old Holland Light Yellow. I think it helped to keep the colors in harmony. I wouldn't suggest working from photographs without having done a lot of work from life. It was nice not to have to spend a lot of time setting up a still life and of course the composition was pretty much there. Hope he doesn't mind my interpretation!