Thursday, November 29, 2012

ready to show

All 16 small wonders are ready and hanging. These are numbers 17 and 18 and will serve as  replacements. I think I will continue to work in this small exploratory fashion for awhile. They are opening my mind to new possibilities.
If you are in the vicinity come by and see these little sweeties.
The show at the Waverly Street Gallery opens on Tuesday (December 4) with a reception the following week, Friday December 14th 6-9.

Monday, November 26, 2012

memory painting is like making a pizza

Painting from memory is like making a pizza. All the stored knowledge you possess is the dough... that all important part you use every time. The toppings are the manipulations- the new ideas you bring to the pizza to make this one unique. In painting we manipulate color, value and shape. With pizza it's the sauces, cheeses and toppings. One time it's heavy in roasted garlic and basil and another time the sauteed  onions and sun dried tomatoes sing the song.
So in order to use your memory you have to work at that dough and spend time in the field studying, drawing, painting. Then the dough recipe is solid. You can now focus on the toppings...the real fun.
 This one (above)  has the sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and onions on a chickpea garlic paste.

I end today's crazy blog post with  a quote from a most amazing painter, George Inness and a recipe for pizza dough.

"The purpose of the painter is simply to reproduce in other minds the impression which a scene has made upon him. A work of art does not appeal to the intellect. It does not appeal to the moral sense. Its aim is to instruct, not to edify, but to awaken an emotion." -- George Inness  


 pizza dough

4 1/2 cups  unbleached high-gluten, bread, or all-purpose flour, chilled
1 3/4  teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/4 cup  olive oil (optional)
1 3/4 cups  water, ice cold (40°F)
Semolina flour OR cornmeal for dusting 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

jennie's view (plein air) and thanksgiving quote

 For Thanksgiving I share with you a quote from the book "The Noticer"
 by Andy Andrews.

 “Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases...When you focus on the things you need, you'll find those needs increasing. If you concentrate your thoughts on what you don't have, you will soon be concentrating on other things that you had forgotten you don't have-and feel worse! If you set your mind on loss, you are more likely to lose...But a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person's life.

That quote works in so many ways...life (as shown) and painting.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 19, 2012

the freedom of memory


 After reading Lisa's comment on Saturday I realized that, for me, watching this series unfold has been enlightening and fun. Who knows what will happen next. She (the series) now has a life and body of her own.  She directs me in bolder, and previously (for me) unseen ways. All I have to do is show up. It's akin to what Elizabeth Gilbert says in her Ted talk about genius, that fickle and wonderful thing.
Check out Lisa's blog Seaside Studios here and Elizabeth Gilbert's Ted talk here.

I close with a quote from Whistler
"I wished to indicate an artistic interest alone, divesting the picture of any outside anecdotal interest which might have otherwise attached to it. A nocturne is an arrangement of line, form, and colour first. The picture is throughout a problem that I attempt to solve. I make use of any means, any incident or object in nature, that will bring about this symmetrical result." --

Friday, November 16, 2012

distilling an idea

I continue with finding variations of colors and ways to express and idea. This time I looked at one of my plein air paintings, shown below. I know it really doesn't resemble the painting...but it was simply a springboard from which to jump.
To me it says, when removed from the scene and allowed to distill the important information I tend to have more success.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

jennie's views

I am beginning to work on a commission. These are two explorations of color, also working 6x6" wonders.

Monday, November 12, 2012

nocturnes, georgetown at night

georgetown at night

"As the light fades and the shadows deepen, all pretty and exacting details disappear and I see things as they are in great strong masses. And that night cannot efface from the painter's imagination."
James Abbott Whistler
georgetown twilight
When Whistler struggled to find the right word to describe his night scenes of London a friend suggested the parallel between painting and music, Thus the word "nocturnes" began. Tonal harmonies are everything. The small shifts of color and temperature make the scene rather that details or dynamic value shifts. For me, the use of memory is the best way to achieve this.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

red sky at night, sailors delight

 
Here are two more small paintings that I am framing for the small wonders (holiday) show.




PS Remember to vote.

Monday, November 5, 2012

studies of color


It feels so good to be in the studio...lost in my head. I am trying all kinds of ways to achieve the idea I have. The possibilities are endless! The one thing that seems constant is the painting is only as good as the quality of its grays.
I will post another one or two tomorrow. These are for the small wonders holiday show.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

twilight no. 157 and no. 158



no. 158 6x6 pastel
no.157 6x6 pastel

My favorite field, done from memory. I keep struggling to get that unique vibration that is evening twilight. Lasting for about 4 minutes, it is elusive. These are just two (of many.) I switch papers and methods. I try different colors under and on top.

Upon returning from Sedona, I am settling back into my normal life- a balance between studio and plein air.