Sunday, December 30, 2012

studio gremlins and new years

6x6 memory painting, lake needwood
Artists work and create constantly. In order to not be static and continually push ourselves into new realms we constantly make some work we don't like. They are the path to discovery ....but they, themselves are lacking. Maybe you were working out color combinations or pushed a painting so far it went past its beauty. These are called studio gremlins. Do you really need your gremlins to haunt you next year?
In a little over 32 hours it is 2013....and that is time to burn the studio gremlins. Go through all your work, find the ones that you KNOW have to go and have a little burning ceremony.
I can't wait for New Years Day in the studio! Join me and let me know how it feels.
Happy New Year!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas morning and Chardin

This time it is Christmas morning on the field and another quote, this time from Chardin.
"Who told you that one paints with colors? One makes use of colors, but one paints with emotions." Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin (master of still life, 1699-1779)

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!
basket of strawberries, Chardin 1761

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Winter Solstice and Wolf Kahn quote


“Eighty percent of painting is color. The problem is that when you mention color, people automatically assume you’re talking about bright color–colorful, loud, or boisterous hues. Color used in an uncontrolled way, without proper concern for the tone and structure of a painting, comes across as garish.” Wolf Kahn

 I admit it, I can be guilty of too much color. Finally, I realize now that the painting is only as good as the quality of its grays. Therefore my quest is to create the most beautiful grays and have color support them.
In the studio I work to capture the feeling of the winter solstice.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

new colors


6x6 pastel
 As I heighten my palette some of my other works appear whimpy.

oh dear.
So many small wonders have sold that I am quickly trying to make replacements. Here's what one looks like framed.
Do remember that if you are in Manhattan go see Lisa Breslow's gorgeous exhibition  at the Kathryn Markel Fine Art.  The last day is Saturday.


In addition there are some breath-taking works by Julio Reyes at the Arcadia Gallery. Here is a link to his website.
And this is one of his amazing drawings.

Monday, December 10, 2012

painting snow- winter solstice

6x6 pastel
Snow is such a wonderful thing to paint because it is a softened reflection of what is above. Transitions are soft, temperatures are soft, Snow makes the land seem lighter, even after the sun has set. Snow is very rarely white, it is an absorption of color.         It's important to observe and paint snow on location to understand its unique qualities. A photograph will never give you the information you crave. Since we do not have snow yet, and I wanted to paint a "winter solstice"  scene as a holiday greeting, I had to rely on many  of my snow paintings as a guide.
I will blog later about some of the beautiful work I saw in NYC this weekend.. and in the meantime I will hope for snow soon.....till then....... toodles!

Friday, December 7, 2012

new color and bits of sketchbook wisdom

Still working with stretching the idea of possible color combinations. Normally I would not choose browns or yellow, so I intentionally those  two sticks of pastel to be dominant.
Bits of wisdom I found in my sketchbook:
1. Think about what it is that attracted you and stick with it. Find it in what you see.
2. Always lean towards the temperature you have chosen, don't jump around.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

neutralize with complements


 New colors, ones I normally would not choose. Pushing. In order to keep the lime green/yellow  in check I neutralized it on a pinkish grey tone.

You must check out this interview with painter Lisa Breslow in the Huffington Post . Her work is gorgeous and right now she has a show at the Kathryn Markel Fine Arts galley in NYC. I am going up to the city to see it this weekend. Link

PS This is my 1500 post!

Monday, December 3, 2012

venus comes out to play and singing the blues

another 6"x6" pastel, venus comes out to play
New thing- I am using watercolor paper, but no watercolor. Instead I am sanding it to a soft velvety finish. Feels good on the fingers.
Singing the blues 6x6 pastel
I keep experimenting with new color combinations, but using the same field. Color, but grays still rule.






PS A big thank you to all the wonderful people who came to the gallery last night and celebrated with us!