Long Time, No See!

Last Blooms, 10 x 10

This one was painted as a donation for the High Museum fundraiser in November

Well, somehow six weeks have slipped by since my last post!  Meanwhile, I just returned from Italy, where we have been for almost two weeks, painting with a wonderful group for 7 of those days; I will have much to post soon.  We experienced just a great trip, with fabulous sunny weather and shimmering Tuscan vistas.  That was my first painting trip to Europe -- with little hassle -- i.e. paints made it through security (albeit it in checked luggage); we all used Golden Open Acrylics, which worked out pretty well.  

It was nice to have water soluble paint in the fields, but we all missed the richness of oils.  I will be posting some of my field studies, as well as some great ones done by the other painters -  (we also cooked, and drank plenty of vino, laughing all the way : )  Bye for now!

Going Big?

Champagne Breakfast, 12 x 12

Well, the small painting above turned out to be popular at the fun, festive, and very French Bastille Day celebration at Huff Harrington Fine Art, here in Atlanta.  That piece is 12 x 12, and sold quickly.  It was requested that I do a large version of this painting, which I had painted from a photo taken at Les Murets, the lovely Provence home of Ann and Bill Huff.  So, I started to go big - a 36 x 36 version; quickly I realized that I did not have enough information to make the image interesting in that large size -- at least to me.  Deciding to ditch the project after 2 good days of tinkering and lots of paint, I did two other pieces from Les Murets -- sized 24 x 24:

Salut!, 24 x 24

Wine Time? 24 x 24

Then I again began the 36 x 36, for some reason ( well, since a gallery patron requested it )!  I am still noodling it and not sure how it will turn out.  I am tired of painting from all of these photos,  certainly tired of tables, and am realizing the folly of painting to please others.  Not following my own muse, I surely have no way of knowing what it is someone else might like.  Oh well, I am looking forward to other things: painting with art friends on Monday, live model; then I'll set up something here in my studio.  Au revoir, la table!

Painting Group

Sketch of Leah, 12 x 9

My friend Yvonne Mendez has a really nice studio here in Atlanta, and she sometimes hires a model, calls a few painters, and hosts a 3- hour session.  I haven't done this in over a year, and I can tell!  Last Monday, we met at her studio, the model that was hired forgot the appointment, so Kathy Wochele's daughter, Leah, came to the rescue. My sketch is not much of a likeness, but there is a quality to it that I like.  It was my third attempt after a few wipeouts ... Luckily, there are 3 more sessions scheduled for this summer!  

Postcards from Provence

Ooh La Lunch, 12 x 12

Well, I have been painting from photos this past 10 days, mining for scenes from France, and especially Provence, for the Bastille Day show and celebration at Huff Harrington Fine Art, here in Atlanta.  Not that I am central to this show of mostly French artists and work, but I have enjoyed doing some small "postcards" in the past, so I thought I'd do a few this year.  A week of travail -- I didn't have any images that captured my fancy, so I painted some that didn't, to poor results.  I then painted over 2 of them and I have 3 - 4 fairly decent ones now.  They are vastly helped by some lovely frames from my friend and artisan here in Atlanta, Munroe d'antignac.  Below are are couple of photos of other postcards in these new frames (sorry for the out of kilter shots).

Provencal Patterns, 12 x 12

Champagne Brunch, Provence, 12 x 12

Evie

Evie, 20 x 16

Well, I finished and delivered the painting of Evie ( I had posted the initial sketch a month or so ago),  and promised to post the final result, so here she is.  I am so happy that her mother is very pleased with this study, always gratifying when doing a commission.  The mother is a beautiful writer, and expressed so well to me the feeling she wanted in the painting, which really helped!  

Workshop Demo

Favorite Things, 16 x 12

Well, technically this is not a workshop demo, since I had to pull it together at home, having wiped off lots of the bottom half at the workshop I taught 2 weeks ago on painting children.  I like, however, the sketchy quality of the piece, and decided to quit before I lost that effect.  I see some things I would change -- for instance, the book could be simplified, and I don't think I like the pink border being the same size as the pink dress straps.  This sketch was done from a photo of Sarah - pictured in yesterday's post - when she was nearly two.  I am almost finished with the portrait study of Evie (sketch was posted several weeks ago), and I will share it when complete!

Home Again

Nestled, 6 x 8

Well, we are back from our 2 week visit to Alaska, and we had the BEST time.... above is a little "warm up" painting I did prior to leaving, and I posted it because it is so WARM and that is the understatement for Atlanta right now, especially after our return from Sitka, where it was 52 - 65 degrees the entire time!  I was able to get some wonderful photos of greyish, smoky harbors and nice skies for future paintings.  I did not take my paints, as Michael and I devoted our time to the kids and of course, the grands - Eli and Sarah, ages 1 and 4.  I am posting 2 nice little photos of 2 of my favorite subjects!

Also, check out www.theartfullifestyle.blogspot.com today for a nice post with a petite mention of a small warm up painting of mine!