Back from South Africa

Let's Dance, 12 x 12

We are back from our 2-week sojourn to South Africa... a magical and beautiful trip with my husband and some friends.   It was not a painting trip at all, but nonetheless a wonderful experience. 

I did the study above before we departed, another small addition to my offerings as part of a group show at Huff Harrington.  Titled "A Grand Affair," the show featured paintings priced at $1,000 or under.  I attended the opening last Friday evening, complete with jet-lag, and it was quite the event!!  Lots of people, lots of sales, and a fun vibe... people were glad to get original art at a great price.  Personally, I was glad to be home in one piece!

Back in Action

Wishful Thinking 10 x 8

Well, the name of the painting above is an apt title for getting back in the swing of things after holiday fun!  I like to set up little arrangements to tune up my seeing after a break from the easel.  Below is a shot of the (very simple) set-up:

I eliminated the fourth leaf and just tried to get some paint quality going.  Time to re-learn an old lesson, namely, sometimes we forget how to paint ( at least I do! )  Remedy:  get back to painting from life, and use big brushes, just as one of my painting friends reminded me not long ago - don't forget the Big Brush Theory.  Oh, duh!  I need to take my own advice, as we are off and running into this new and exciting year.

Fresh Start

Good Morning, 8 x 6

I painted this one the other day to go in a frame that I had, since I removed that frame from another small piece, and replaced it with a new one.  You might say that I am kind of a frame nut, and probably spend more than necessary, but I do think that it makes a difference.  Having done many a painting on gallery wrap canvas, I still most often end up with the piece in a floater or restretching and framing traditionally.  My work just looks better (to me) with a border!  My gallery price point does not lend itself to expensive frames, but I am drawn to them.  Yesterday, I received an email from Deborah Paris, a wonderful painter who lives in Texas; her husband makes some really good-looking frames, and the prices are good too.  Check them out at www.mountainsedgeframes.com.

Meanwhile, I've been noodling a fresh perspective, composition-wise; the little painting above is one result.  I kind of like it; it was inspired by my friend, Nancy Armstrong, who created the "fresh start" below for a recent charity event!

Au Revoir, Poire!

Shine, 12 x 9

Well, the painting above was done about 2 years ago -- it has been in 3 different galleries and did not find a home, so when it came back recently from Denver, I took a look and went, "Oh, yeah!"

I could see that the pear totally didn't belong there -- too big, too bright, too too whatever!  So I thought that I'd delete the pear -- a simple study of white on white would surely be a better thing (if I could match the colors).  With a bit of tinkering, I actually was able to do that;  then I placed the painting in a nice frame, took it to Huff Harrington 2 days later, and it was purchased the same day!  The moral to my story is "simpler is (almost) always better."  The revised effort is pictured below... (background color looks way different, but I didn't change it - must be my new camera) ...

Gift of Love, 12 x 9

Painting at the Gallery

Ooh, Tiffany Blue, 12 x 12

Last Saturday, my friend, Brenda, played Christmas music on the piano at Huff Harrington Fine Art, while I did a small painting demo.  The Huffingtons served a bit of wine and some fresh cookies and it was a fun afternoon.  The idea was for me to paint a Tiffany box, so Ann and Meg got me a gift from the namesake store here in Atlanta in time for me to have on hand for the event.  I hadn't looked inside yet, because I wanted to paint it first.  Then I couldn't remove/change the ribbon till I finished the painting, which I did yesterday...so here we are... below is the wrapped box, and below that, the contents! 

I was able to approximate the Tiffany blue color pretty well with  my limited palette (ultramarine blue, cadmium lemon, cadmium red medium, and titananium zinc white, in case you were wondering)....I did have some cerulean blue on hand just in case!

Inside was a sparkly crystal votive, complete with candle, which is already now in use...Behind is the painting, in a nice frame by my friend, Munroe d'antignac, of d'antignac Custom Frames (www.dcframes.com).

Paper Towel Painting and Other Fun

Radishes and Roses, Demo in progress

Today was a great day... I painted with 4 other Atlanta artists at the beautiful, light and spacious riverfront studio of Dianne Harrison.  We had a wonderful time, sharing ideas and practicing.  I did a small demo, above, in the morning, then we had a delicious lunch to which all contributed (except me)!  After lunch, we painted with paper towels as our "brushes," forcing focus on large shapes.  One of the painters, Juanita Kauffman, actually painted on her iPad -- and got some cool results -- see pics below.

Juanita, creating a virtual painting...

Nice result - very free!

Kate Pendleton and Jan Eubanks using their paper towels 

(and they didn't even complain)...

Dianne Harrison, finishing her second paper towel creation.  

A good time was had by all....Stay warm!

Yikes! It's (almost) Christmas

Tiny Surprise, 6 x 6

Time is speeding by, the calendar is full, painting time is compressed, maybe that's better!  Perhaps one's focus can be enhanced by small windows of studio time...this year, I've decided not to worry about it all, just enjoy and paint when it works out...Cold weather has set in tonight, while last evening, on Thanksgiving, we all sat outside for appetizers and wine, because the air was balmy.  The cold is energizing to me, and I hope to be energized for this busy and fun season!