Monday, May 31, 2010

warmth and refraction

7x7 pastel and watercolor on marble dust board
My challenge today was to create both warmth and refraction. I had a lot of fun with the watercolor underpainting as a set-up. The pastel just painted itself.
Now I have to prepare all my things for the Mountain Maryland Plein Air. I am off tomorrow morning.
toodles for now....wish me luck!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

what makes an artist special

At last Friday's WK lecture Wolf began by saying that his talk would be "off the cuff" since he speaks better that way. Then he began to talk about "what makes an artist special" His words wove in and out. He said his Grandmother made him special, feel talented. She would share his work with everyone. He went on to talk about the let down one feels after art school when all of a sudden you aren't special anymore. That's when the real work starts. His advice was: don't think conventionally. Rules will hold you back. Invent color, make it come to life. Find who you really are.
This morning the air was full of humidity. I LOVE that. Color saturates those water particles. Color has always been the key for me. Learning to think value first was the work. You don't have to "make yourself," just be yourself.

Friday, May 28, 2010

more WK and the ditch

 8x8 pastel and watercolor on Uart


"Don't become ordinary. If you do what others want you to do you become a manufacturer, not an artist.
You can't worry about what others think of your work and don't paint more just because they sell."
Wolf Kahn-Friday, May 21 lecture


Self explanatory, right? I guess its the easiest way to kill your being. Yes, you might eat better for a while, but at what cost? Paint what drives you and in the way it tells you to go.

On that note, this is a runoff ditch down the street. I never really noticed it because you can't see it from the street. Today, I climbed the hill. This interests me. Water really floats my gondola.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

chaos, the canal and more WK

about 6x16 pastel and watercolor on Uart

Chaos and peace. I returned to one of my favorite places and decided to paint only the tiniest slice of water. Take out all parts of the landscape that would indicate landscape. I also chose the most extreme format I have. Starting with a part that defied easy description- the areas at the edge of the water, behind the main tree. I am not sure if anyone but me will know what it is.....but is it peaceful?


More WK quotes:
"To see real color, make mistakes, avoid the green disease."


"Let go, the best control is no control." (I like this one, don't you?!)


No control can easily happen in plein air when the subject is complex and making marks of colors in space makes much more sense than seeing things. The goal is to make it always happen.



Now back to the studio with barns, chaos, looking and thinking.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

more WK, the picture takes over

 8x8 pastel (top), 6x6 pastel (bottom) on BFK
"Watch the painting till something happens. It is then you are on a trajectory and the picture takes over and you are no longer imposing your will. The picture has its will."- Wolf Kahn, Friday night


These are work from sketches, with some photo help (something I do not like to use.) Both are done in the studio. I am trying to wrap my mind around  the landscape even though I am not there. I wish I  could be there. This is the best I can do.


Next, I will work with color.
We all know value does the work.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Even more WK, thoughts on color

Wolf Kahn on color, "Invent your way to make color come to life.  Don't think conventionally. Rules hold you back. Find alternatives. (It's good to know the rules, so that you can break them) The grass isn't always green, it's pink."
Now this is something  with which I can resonate. WK does it with more pazzaz, but I feel color is felt as much as seen....simply not what you know.
This painting was done yesterday purposely  at the same time/ same place as my May 21st entry.  The color is a little different, my choice.


Next here are some of my quick thumbnails from  two barns...With these as my guide, I think I will try to let loose in the studio :-)  This is a far departure from my comfort zone.
Sorry for the bad jegs. I did them in my sketch book with a number 2 pencil.


Monday, May 24, 2010

WK, barns, structure, chaos

Ok, it's a barn, something I never paint. Structures. I usually prefer not to paint them because they tell you what to do.  They insist.  Twelve hours after listening to WK and I was in Cumberland. I was equipped with my painting sites list (for the Plein air festival in two weeks.) I decided to stretch myself thin and experience a barn. My painting sites list was full of barns to paint. So I chose this one. It appealed to me because of the tremendous contrast:high noon bright light and the intense red of the barn. It turned out way to stiff. I think I caved in to the demands of the structure.

In the lecture  some one asked WK why he painted barns. He answered by explaining that "Barns are simple, imposing structures with a history-like a Greek temple. They also have great verticals."  (that is something WK likes about Vermont-all the verticals, which is the opposite of the usual landscape.)

I do find something he said perplexing. He talked a lot about his desire to find chaos and paint that. I would say barns are the opposite of chaos. So structured. I am a little confused. Can anyone explain? I wish I had painted one before so that I could have had that question in my head.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

cumberland

about 7x10 pastel on Uart (no underpainting too wet outside)
The Maryland Mountain Plein Air Festival is right around the corner so I knew I needed to go scout out the area. I prefer not to go in "cold" to an event. I need time to wrap my mind around the possible landscape. I spent the morning driving around the county then called the organizer, Kelly Moran. She graciously invited me on a personal tour of the best places to paint. I not only saw the best places, met people, learned a lot of the history of the area, but also spent time with the witty dynamo - Kelly. Lots of fun!
By the time I was back to my hotel it was pouring...but should that stop me from painting? Nope. Good thing my shadebuddy covers my whole easel (but not me)...pastels hate rain.
I thought about what WK said on Friday. So when I began this painting of Cumberland in the rain and fog I began with what probably was an area of trees-left center, instead of the bridge or buildings. It was a total struggle, till it whispered to me.


More new WK tidbits tomorrow when I return home.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

wolf kahn

Last night was the Wolf Kahn lecture at Glen Echo Park. He was charming, funny, smart and engaging: plus which other 82 year old man would wear a deep pink shirt and matching pink socks? He won me over with that alone.  I will blog pieces of wisdom from WK as I process them. Here are a few which sing in my head:
*throw all formulas out the window, they only hold you back
*see, don't think
*it's only when the painting starts telling you what do do are you really painting
*and the most fascinating idea in this post.......when you begin to paint he suggested to start with the area you can't easily give a name to. For instance WK gave the example, when painting a portrait don't start with the eye, start with that small place on the side of the cheek that can defy easy description. Hmmmm. Think about that. It's another way to take you away from "things."

PS It was nice to meet some of my blogger friends there- Paula (from upstate Maryland) and Nika (who came in from Florida for the lecture!)
PPS hi ho hi ho it's off the Frostburg I go!

Friday, May 21, 2010

back to refraction/mid afternoon

6x6 pastel and watercolor on UArt
It's amazing to me how much my work with oils is now effecting my work with pastels. With a pre-selected palette and the idea of refraction I painted this one. Much more satisfying after yesterday's serious dog (sorry Sam...I didn't mean an insult on DOGS).
Tonight is the Wolf Kahn lecture. I will blog about it soon. Then early tomorrow I am off for an away painting weekend.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

balance and refraction


about 10x12 pastel/watercolor on twinrocker and lascaux
Balance... balancing what we see, what we know and what we feel is a challenging thing. Today the balancing had to happen with the idea of refraction, an idea I have been chasing for a while. There was fog on the river, yay! So I hurried east to find one of my pre-chosen locations. The land mass on the left was very dark. And the right was shrouded in light and fog. The dark mass began darker and warmer with the intent of cooling it on top. I had to balance the diva. If I gave the same amount of attention to the whole painting there would be no diva. .
If I want to show light I felt the dark could not be so dark, after all I wanted light. The fog and light moved fast. Therefore in just 5 minutes it was up to me and my memory. It's not a keeper, but it was good practice.
A side note: this is on twinrocker watercolor paper covered in lascaux pastel primer mix. I coated it once and then sanded it because I had made it too thick. Next time I will water it down a little before placing on paper (versus board.) The watercolor I painted on was thick. it took the watercolor beautifully and the pastel...well it was a struggle:-)

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

reasons for using an underpainting

10x10 watercolor and pastel on twinrocker watercolor paper
As many people know I am back to using a watercolor underpainting. Why? It's transparent. I love the luminosity that watercolor creates. The beautiful accidents that I can use or cover. It seems foolish to have left this method.
The reasons for doing an underpainting, whether pastel, oil or watercolor, are numerous. First, I get to establish all my masses. Second, I make the skeleton on which the pastel will lie.  The skeleton, what's underneath is very important. Third, I can create a tension between warm and cool quickly. Fourth, I can see my composition without making commitment. Changes are easy. And fifth,  I set up the value relationships.
PS It has been days of rain...very unusual for here. This painting was done in the dry, warm car.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

demo painting, the diva in time

10x10 pastel/ watercolor on Uart
This is the finished painting from Saturday's demo.  I said I would blog it when it was finished. The inspiration for it was a small plein air painting I did on the field recently. As explained at the demo the concept was two fold:
One, the idea of life's quick movement through time, beautiful, yet where does it go? Sunsets and dusk are like that...a minute or two is all you have to relish the beauty. Then you carry it with you.
Two, I wanted to sky to be a big part of the painting, yet keep the diva in the right edge of the tree. The feel needed to a special kind of warm- bittersweet.  Normally my concepts are what I see mixed with what I feel. And  I do not share all of this in my blog, instead it is reflected in the painting title.
One comment I heard when the demo was complete,  I had no idea that artists thought so much about the painting. I thought they just painted.

If you really think about it we do juggle a lot of balls, here are a few:
concept 
value
shape
light
edge
color - harmony, temperature, chroma
rhythm
composition
mark/stroke
application
Just to name a few things:-D

Amazing we get anything done without freezing, eh?

This was how it looked when I finished the demo. Watercolor underpainting with pastel on top. I knew I needed to show the sky holes and strengthen the sliver of a land mass before the tree. Now it's done.

toodles for now! Loriann

Monday, May 17, 2010

dipped in fog

about 7x7.5 pastel and watercolor on marble dust board

My lake, one of my favorite muses, dipped in fog. The color was so white this morning that the small nuances were very important. I chose to underpaint (watercolor) in pink and overpaint(pastel) in greens.
When painting it's quiet but in another way its wonderfully raucous. The bird songs are very complex and loud. I guess there are many more types of birds out there now. The fragrance from the flowering trees blows my mind.
I feel soooooo carefree!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

stress free, my life is normal again

10x10 pastel and watercolor on Uart

Ah, I did it. The opening is over and I did the demo. I was shocked and delighted that many people came to the demo. I talked and talked. I hope it all made sense, since I was so nervous and exhausted... not a combo with which I am familiar. I talked so much I didn't finish the painting. I will try to post it tomorrow, a before and after.
A big thank you to all my supportive family and friends and to all the new friends I met at the opening. I was happy to see artists and non-artists alike at the demonstration. All kinds of interesting questions.  I was delighted to see that Jake, the young artist friend I met when I  painted daily at the reservoir, attended the demo with his parents and grandparents. I was amazed at the questions he asked. He's a little thinker.
The whole experience was fun, exciting...but I am glad to get back to normal.

PS This painting is same location.....different diva.
PPS A BIG thank you to Leah, who cam all the way from Nova Scotia, just to be the supportive bestest  friend in the world that she is! Sometimes I think I am the luckiest person in the world.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

morning at needwood and demo this afternoon

5x16 pastel/watercolor on Uart


Wow! Thank you everyone for coming and joining the celebration last night.  Here's one photo. This is my artist friend, Barbara, (left) and me (right) at the opening.
Today is the demonstration. Yipes! More later!

Friday, May 14, 2010

beginnings of a painting

 grisaille
rubbed in color
6x6, oil on board

The  grisaille created by the subtractive method, I vigorously rubbed in paint and them removed with a rag and Q-tips. I do like working in this method as it focuses on big shapes and a more abstract nature.
The second photo is rubbed in color. If I do this step I find that it adds to transparency and overall color harmony. Tomorrow I will lay down a couch of linseed and OMS and paint the distant light and trees.

No I need to get ready for the reception. This afternoon my sister, my best friend and I dipped about 200 strawberries for the opening. It's a lucky thing I like to do.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

the last three and the realization



32. of breath we've spent

33.leah's moon
After blogging all the paintings for the show I leave you with the one fact, one very strong realization- the concept rules. Without a clear concept you have no painting. In order to to that you must ask yourself...why are you painting this painting? Write it down. Remember what it was that drew you to this scene/idea.  After that, your job is to orchestrate..be dramatic..exaggerate a note or two in the diva. Make her sing. But keep the back up players quieter.

I can look back at some real duds I have made and I know why they failed. Concept. I have learned that, even if it is plein air, I have to dwell on the concept to make it powerful. That is the reason I think about the place I will paint the night before. I visualize it. Plan where I will be and what my goal will be. Yes, they look spontaneous, and sometimes there are surprises, but I have a concept before I leave.

Tomorrow is the opening 6-9pm. Hope to see ya'all there.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

ten more paintings (of 33)



12. beginnings are ends 8x9


13. meditations on a square no. ,2 6x6


14. meditation on a square no. 1, 6x6


15. unchanged


16. tranquil veil 17.5x 21.5


17. skirting a secret pool, 12x5


18. hope and longing, 21x28


19. offering, 24x24


20. enduring, 6x6

Here are ten more paintings from the show. I have added the size as requested.
As I  stand in the gallery and look at this show I feel the calming. It might be strange for some...I am more likely to be described as hyper and stable(emotionally). All I crave is tranquil and moody.
Thanks for looking.......More tomorrow!

Monday, May 10, 2010

ten (of 33) from the show


2. topaz serenity, 20x20

3. melody in gold and pink, 14x7

4, sun fingers caress the field, 17.5x 22


5. subtle view of happiness, 9x9


6. more enduring than last night's dream, 24x30


7. summer sunrise, 6x12


8. it seems to sigh softly, 6x12


9. poised


10. extraordinary moment of calm, 28x28
Altogether there are 33 paintings in this show. It is a mix a small plein air studies and studio work. In another post I talked about realizations and how important it is to have a vision of what you want to achieve before you begin. Each one of these had a clear vision. The title reflects that vision.
I will post ten each day with the last day having just three. This is how they are numbered at the gallery. You may contact the gallery if you would like to purchase any.  I am happy to say that even before the show opened, number 22 has sold! Yay!