painting, casey and the key

Yesterday, at 6:20 am I had the privilege of meeting and painting with fellow blogger, Casey Klahn. He was down in Kirkland for an art show and rolled up this way. Lucky me!  I took him to one of my favorite places, the slough. I hope he posts his painting as well. After painted we enjoyed breakfast together. Art talk the whole time... how wonderful! Bloggers are fine people!
On Thursday it supposed to rain so I will finally get caught up on answering comments, blogging about the workshop and checking fellow bloggers' sites. It's hard to stop painting for a moment. Thank you everyone for all your comments. The journey continues. Friday, Saturday and Sunday I will participate in an oil workshop with Richard...then it's travel time!  More about that later.
A little side story-last night, after a late painting session at the slough I drove home, only to find out my key had fallen off the ring somewhere that day! Yipes! My host family is away, so flashlight in hand I scoured everywhere I had been for the last 6 hours! No luck. Finally, it was 1:00am, too late to call a friend  so I realized it was sleep in the car night. It was freezing so I wrapped myself in bubble wrap, which was stored in my car to ship panels and stuff here for my painting trip.  Long way of explaining my rather disheveled appearance the the photo. That's what one looks like after a night in the car! I am happy to say I have the key now and will sleep in a bed tonight!

sweeping

10 x10 oil on linen
After all my work at Lake Needwood at sunrise I am finally feeling like I know it and can paint it from inside me. Trying to get the glow and depth is the challenge. Whistler's idea of very "saucy" paint put on in thin layers is singing in my head.
Casey "the colorist" Klahn wrote a post on Friday that included lots of information on Wolf Kahn. One piece that really struck me was that WK pushed his colors right to the edge. He said “I am always trying to get to the danger point, where color either becomes too sweet or too harsh; too noisy or too quiet”      I love that idea. Thanks for sharing Casey. Here's to pushing the edge.

mark making and the artist

The goal for toady was to paint something with which I did not resonate. My choice was the reservoir at white out time-1:00pm. Then it became about something entirely different.

the hand of the artist

The hand of an artist is a very personal thing. It shows an emotional response, unique to that artist. A personality. It is very important to hold onto your own uniqueness.... that's what makes us artists. Look at your own hand. What do you think it says? Is your work distinctly your own? Can you feel it? Examine the beauty of Casey Klahn's, Richard's, or Tracy Helgeson's work. You can savor his/her exquisite hand in each piece.
I know when, in my comfort zone, my hand can be sensitive and playful. It's funny someone asked me, "Why do I continue to only go to Richard's workshops, do you want to paint like him?" Well the answer is, Richard is a true teacher. He does not teach me to paint like him. His works are absolutely gorgeous, but I will never be Richard. There is only one Richard. With Richard there is a dialogue on the learning process, something every artist must continue daily or stagnate.
Now, examine your work:-)

Noblesse Oblige Award

A big thank you to Jala Pfaff for bestowing the "noblesse oblige" award upon me. Please visit her site and be amazed by her range of work. From abstract pastels to painterly oils that rival Sargent's brushwork, Jala can do it all. Wow, I feel honored to receive this honor from her. I am not quite sure I can really live up to what it means. ...although I can try. Here is a description of the attributes this award recognizes:
1.The blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances of different cultures and beliefs.
2. The blog inspires, strives to encourage and offer solutions.
3. There is a clear purpose at the blog and it is one that fosters a better understanding of social science, politics, economics, the arts, culture, science or belief.
4. The blog is refreshing and creative.
5. The bloggers promotes friendship and positive thinking.

Blogger who receive this will need to perform the following steps:
1. Create a post with a mention and a link to the blogger who presented the award to you.
2. Display the award conditions.
3. Write a short post about what your blog has thus far achieved.
4. The blogger must present the award to blogs in concurrence with the award conditions.
5. The blogger can display the award at any location on their blog.

I am passing this honor to Niels Henriksen-My Camera World and Casey Klahn-The Colorist. Please check out their sites to see why they too will receive the award. I must admit there are many worthy sites which make it difficult to choose.
Maybe tomorrow I will write about what my blog has achieved so far. I need to think about this.:-)

Down River/ Interview

about 4 x11, pastel and oil on marble dust board
Exploration. I kept thinking about this painting and couldn't sleep so why not just go to work? This time I changed the format and underpainted in oil (for more vibrancy). I like this stretched out version as it gives a whole different feel. I think I will do another.
On another note, Casey Klahn has posted an interview he did with me called Plein Air On Purpose-Loriann Signori. If you have a moment please check out his site Pastel to see it. I really feel honored. It's my first interview ever! Thanks Casey!