Limitless

  2017 is almost here... Time for some reflection and new ideas!

I Can See Clearly Now, 44 x 44

What's it all about?  That question sums up the painting journey for me.  And it has been about

many different things: learning to capture the subject matter visually; finding my own approach to expression in paint; evolving the IDEA; growing bored with myself and my ideas; finding new

inspiration; and finally, continually working to release limitations! 

This is funny because it is so TRUE.  Many of us limit our best instincts with too much self-critique, surely the invisible "fence" in the studio.   In my workshops, I am able to verbalize these painting frustrations, but often don't follow my own advice to escape them (i.e., use big brushes, set a timer, paint more, care less, socialize more, get outside, get away from have-to's, discover want-to's).  

SO ... 2017 will be my year of putting joy and happiness on the canvas.  No longer will I paint roses, or children or Paris street scenes, but instead light and joy and color will be my subjects.  

I'm going to push it, exaggerate the light, and savor the experience.  Painting alla prima (in one session) is the ticket for the likes of me.  Otherwise, it's a private journey into hours of corrections, over-thinking and often over-working -- UGH.

Meanwhile, 2016 has been a stellar year...fun painting trips to Maine and Provence, lots of workshops with many fabulous and inspiring participants, and personal growth in my own work.  

2016, alas, was also the year that the art community lost Charles Movalli, a painterly painter who inspired me and many others with his work and his wisdom.

"It can't look like you've worked hard and long, even if you have.  A painting should be done quickly with both your intellect and your nerves. When they give out, stop,"  Charles Movalli

  

Charles Movalli, Villefranche

"The greatest temptation and danger is to rely on previous solutions and thus paint the same picture for the rest of your life, "  

Charles Movalli

I'm sending along a petite gallery of paintings done since I last blogged, and lots of great wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Blondie, 10 x 8

A Glimpse of Les Murets, 12 x 9

Of Petals from Some Magic Rose, 48 x 36

Yes Way, Rose´, 9 x 7

 Workshop Demo, 14 x 11

Go Figure!

"What we need is more a sense of the wonder of life, and less of the business of making a picture,"  Robert Henri

As we head off to Provence tomorrow, I am planning to emphasize that idea; perhaps some of the wonder and joy of being there will translate to the canvas.   Releasing investment in outcome is difficult at first, but once embraced, will set one free!  Eight painters and I will paint the countryside and enjoy the silky air,  as we share ideas and inspiration in the coming days - what a special privilege and opportunity for a re-boot and welcome respite from the studio!

Les Imberts, 12 x 10

En Plein Air, Painting Mt. Ste. Victoire, 12 x 9

Below are studies from a recent weekly figure painting class (taught by the inspiring Margaret Dyer) which I recently attended; while they are rough, I was able to catch a bit of truth, most likely because I wasn't worried about creating a painting!  

Model in Repose (from a photo reference),  12 x 9

Beach Study (from photo reference), 12 x 9

Speaking of the figure, a few spots have opened in my upcoming Figure Focus workshop on September 22 and 23, at Soulful Art Studio, just north of Atlanta in Cumming, GA.  This is a two day, fun session where we make "soulful" figure studies from photos of kids or any figure in the light.   Check out my website for details or call Jeanne Matey if you want to join us! (404) 403-8334.   

Look at this little French girl in blue shoes, 

full of wonder, as she watches an artist at the easel

Au Revoir!

Commitment

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart,"  Confucius

Heart and Soul: Victoria, 16 x 12

Or as Robert Henri said, "Do what you do intensely."

   

Children naturally do this, non?  I keep reminding myself to commit to that painting... perhaps losing some part of it that I wanted to preserve -- in order to make a better overall statement.  That's easy to say, hard to do!

During  a recent workshop at the Bascom Visual Arts Center in Highlands, NC, I noticed several participants using thinned paint and tentative strokes in passages they weren't sure how to handle -- i.e., cast shadows, or perhaps background areas.

How well I know that feeling, when I'm thinking, "What now?"

My advice to myself and to others too:  DECIDE -- decide on something, a shape, color or value, to at least try,  and apply the strokes with generous paint and confidence.   As oil painters we can wipe off, scrape and re-state if it doesn't work.
Take the plunge, for confidence looks good on a painting -- fear does not.
Always, always, I strive for the look of confidence and ease, however I get there!

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness; boldness has genius, power and magic in it."  William Hutchison Murray

Below are a few recents from my wonderful week in Maine, from my garden, where hydrangeas were abundant,  along with some reminders of Provence (where we happily return in about three weeks)!
This painting life continues to be a most special one ...

Study - Our Cottage, Maine, 12 x 9

Study - Friends' Cottage, Maine, 12 x 9

Dance of Summer, 36 x 36

Aix en Provence, 20 x 16

Coustellet, 12 x 12

Return to Les Murets, 24 x 20

Merci, Mes Amies, 14 x  11

Paint Diet

Dance Music, 40 x 30 - warm and cool color

I have found that it is vexing to many workshop participants to limit their colors - whether to six pigments, a warm and cool of each primary, or even worse to some,  MY everyday palette:
Cadmium Lemon, Cadmium Red Medium, and Ultramarine Blue, plus white.    

Yet, using a limited palette:

1.   Simplifies one's life, especially when traveling.
2.   Automatically creates color harmony, since all colors are derived from the basic three.
3.   Aids in understanding the Warm/Cool dynamic.
4.   And best of all, we can create some very subtle and sophisticated colors!

Any limited palette DOES, however, mean lots of time mixing...but it means less time buying and squeezing out paint too.  Also, my personal tendency is to throw anything on my palette into the pile, which is a likely path to mud. 

To me, the pros are worth the tradeoffs, but each of us has to utimately find her own sweet spot.  
  
After my workshop two weeks ago, however, I rediscovered true appreciation of the Paint Diet, as its benefits unfolded before my eyes in the wonderful work each participant created (wish I had more images to share).

Below are some of my recent pieces, along with two by Kathleen Smithson, who has come to

embrace the potential of "limits," (offering Unlimited Potential).

 Beach Girl, 18 x 14 - mostly warm color

 Remembering Alaska, 36 x 36 - cool and muted color

Pattern Dance, 30 x 30,  strong and subtle, high-contrast color

Below are two paintings by workshop friend, Kathleen Smithson, who told me she has been on the  PAINT DIET for a year!  Look at the colors she achieves... 

(and again, I regret only having two out of SO many nice paintings done at my last workshop hosted by Jeanne Matey at Soulful Art Studio in Cumming, GA).

 Smithson, Spring Ideas,  45-minute workshop study

 Smithson, Light on Roses,  60-minute workshop study

So, why not practice with a simple set-up and just a few colors?

Warm Up, 9 x 12

  Slim Down and Have some Fun - try the 

PAINT DIET ;-)

Time Flies

Last Saturday was the 10th Anniversary Celebration at Huff Harrington Fine Art in Atlanta.  I have been lucky enough to be represented by them for the entire 10 years.  When Ann (Huff) and Meg (Harrington) joined forces, they decided to open their venture in a nifty small house, "Your Home for Art." 

Huff Harrington Fine Art
Rickenbacker Drive, Atlanta

Cozy and bright inside

It is not on a main thoroughfare (though just off one), nor located on a "gallery row," nor in a shopping area where walk-ins might happen.  No problem!  They gathered a group of artists, held spunky openings, with titles like "Splash," "Luminosity," and "Bastille Day." They got to know designers, advertised in magazines, held book signings in the gallery, and made it all work in a most splendid way!  Then, five years later they opened Huff Harrington Home, an emporium of good taste in furniture, all things French, cool jewels, and lots of art, bien sur!!  The amazing group of positive people that Ann and Meg have gathered sell loads of paintings and help collectors see the HH-inspired vision of artwork in their homes.  (My special thanks to Linda, Mac and Sam for all you do).

Last Saturday, there were painting demos during the day -- with Millie Gosch, Melissa Payne Baker and me at the easel, followed by a lovely party that night!  All enjoyed yummy wines, food, champagne and lively music by a group featuring the talented Pascal Bouterin, who not only is a long-term Huff Harrington painter, but a top jazz musician.

Below are a few photos of the goings-on!

Here I am painting in the gallery with Sarah, my sweet granddaughter, as model

Oil Sketch of Sarah, 18 x 14

My second demo done that afternoon

Festivities began in earnest at 6:00 p.m.!

Ann Huff and friend at the party

Pascal Bouterin on the drums, in front of cool paintings
by Lorraine Christie and Trip Park

My friend and fellow artist, Helen Farson, who came
from Greensboro, NC for the party.  She also
went to Provence on a painting trip with me in 2014.

A Provence-inspired painting by Helen Farson

Speaking of Provence, Huff Harrington sponsors painting trips to Les Murets, a lovely and charming getaway not far from Gordes.  I have been one of the painters leading these trips since 2011, and what a special experience it is.  Yesterday, I learned that two spaces have opened for the June, 2016, trip led by Bethanne Cople, who has been a gallery artist since the opening of HH as well.  If you are interested, give Linda a call at 404-257-0511, and check out The Artful Lifestyle blog on last year's art trip with Bethanne here - blog.huffharrington.com/tag/bethanne-cople/.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right," Henry Ford

Ann and Meg thought they could and they DID -- create one of the best galleries in Atlanta, that is --  Bonne Anniversaire!  

Let Go of Resistance

"Most of the shadows of this life are caused 

by our standing in our own sunshine," 

Henry Ward Beecher

That quote is so true -- as I emphasize at my workshops, relax!  Quit judging your work so harshly. 

Take time to appreciate the day, the cool air, the birds, the camaraderie of other painters and happy friends. 

Now it's time to paint. 

Breathe, appreciate, enjoy the process; fret not about the result.  Free yourself from worry - and let it FLY!

In January, I did a blog post at the request of Kelley Sanford on this very topic, where I discussed a few ideas for getting in the zone. 

(check it out at www.intheartiststudio.com)

"It is hard work and great art to make life not so serious,"  

John Irving

"Sunshine and Hope," 24 x 20,
Donation for Winship Cancer Center Benefit Luncheon,

March 1st

"Opening Night," 20 x 16,

Quinlan Gala and Auction, 

March 5th

"Possibilities," 30 x 24, 

part of Huff Harrington 10th Anniversary Celebration & Show,

February 27th

"Appreciation," 36 x 24, 

part of Huff Harrington 10th Anniversary Celebration & Show,

February 27th

"We Make Beautiful Music," 20 x 16, 

part of Huff Harrington 10th Anniversary Celebration & Show,

February 27th

And finally something fun, my paintings in the window

at Reinert Fine Art, Charleston, 

January 26th

So far in 2016, 
the primary focus has been on taking my own advice!  

Relax,  Stay in the moment,  

Release (self-imposed) pressure, Get back to the joy.

The joy truly IS in the process, not the result.