Summer's Fun

Starry Night, 30 x 20

Well, it was time for another  commission, and yes, I said yes, BUT... I did this painting as a wedding gift for a friend to give to her close friend's son and his wife.   Since I did one last year for a gift from this same friend for the sister of the groom, I could hardly say no : )  Below is the painting from last year:

Wedding Day, 30 x 20

I did not want the new commission to be a portrait, so I tried to keep it free but fairly true to the subject.

I think I mostly did that, and I didn't have to do two paintings this year (as I did last year) to end up with one, so that is a bit of progress, je pense ... photo reference below :

Meanwhile, kids have been back to see us in Atlanta from Alaska, and look at these cool paintings done by my little grandchildren last week:

 Eli, age 3

Sarah, age 6

Needless to say, I gave them only three colors, my limited, limited palette - see photo below:

Eli's mixtures

Creative Spirit

Going for it!

I taught a really fun one day workshop on Painting Children last Sunday at Huff Harrington, and will post on that next time!

Ooh La La

Les Couleurs de Provence, 20 x 20

Last night was the Bastille Day show and celebration of all things francais chez Huff Harrington Fine Art, here in Atlanta.  What a scene!  Loads of people,  beaucoup du vin, much excitement, and lots of fresh work by gallery artists, and most fun of all, great pieces by recent provencal travelers on painting trips to Les Murets (hosted by me last year and Bill Davidson in May, 2012 ).  

LesTournesols de Provence, 20 x 20

Glimpse of Gordes, 12 x 16

It's been a busy time, with trips to Colorado for the OPA National Exhibit, to South Carolina to spend time with Michael's family, and enjoying our Alaska kids here in Atlanta for the past week.  The  OPA show was great:  very impressive work, displayed beautifully at Evergreen Gallery in Colorado. Here is my painting on display, which happily sold at the opening : ) 

 

Back to real life now, with a workshop next Sunday on painting children, part deux, and catching up on everything else! 

Funday

 Quick Demo of Sarah, 16 x 12

Preliminary sketch, done for placement and understanding of the pose

Two days ago, I taught a one-day workshop on painting studies of children from photographs -- it was great fun, and the participants really rocked some nice paintings.  Look below to see some Funday, Sunday art!   (Excuse some of my poor photos, made on the fly)...

by Jacki Newell

by Martha Elder

by Carol Carmichael

 (check out her blog on our workshop day at www.carolcarmichaelpaints.com/)

by Berthe Mobasser

by Leslie Line

by Kathy Bowman

by Christine Bray

by Joann Richardson

by Elizabeth Lines

I am posting from Colorado, where the OPA National Exhibit opens this weekend at Evergreen Gallery of Fine Art in Evergreen, outside Denver.  Several people have asked to see the painting of mine that was accepted, which is below.  I can't wait to see all of the art, all of the people, and most of all, to attend a demo by Quang Ho (this year's judge) on Friday morning.  YAY!  Lots of fun...

Tulips in Mercury Glass, 18 x 14

Simple Shapes

In Motion, 12 x 12

I'm getting ready for my Summer workshop on painting children, which is happening next Sunday, June 17th....So I have been doing a few studies to get warmed up, focusing on the simple shape and attitude of the subjects.  

I use photos I have taken in the past few years, mostly of Sarah and Eli, my sweet grandchildren, as the basis for many of the children-themed paintings.  Usually, the photo serves as a reference for what I wish to convey.

Below, however, is a painting I did last year, where I was a bit literal -- the second painting is the revision done recently, eliminating unnecessary detail.  

Photo Reference

Here is the first one:  I put a pillow and the arm of the chair to fill in that space where I couldn't see the figures... i.e. "too loyal" to the source material.

Next photo is a recent revision of the same painting, eliminating the horizontal forms at the bottom; instead, I just suggested form with loose strokes, and I like it better.

Read to Me, 12 x 16

Painting colors are the same, more like the bottom photo, but different cameras and different light produce WAY different results, despite my editing efforts!  Anyway, to me, the bottom take on the subject has better flow.

This Sunday's workshop, "Painting Children from Photos," is being held at Huff Harrington Fine Art in Atlanta.  It is one day, from 9 until 4, and because it turned out to be on Father's Day, I have a few spaces that opened up.  If anyone is interested at the last minute, contact Sarah at Huff Harrington, 404-257-0511.   Also, I have scheduled another one-day workshop on painting children on July 22, 2012.  There are a couple of spaces left in that one as well, so call Sarah at HH if you are interested!

Annie, Take One

Annie, oil sketch, 16 x 12

Last Wednesday was a lot of fun.  Several local artists gathered at my friend Dianne's spacious studio, where she had a beautiful model in a beautiful pose, accompanied by beautiful music -- causing me to comment : "If there's a better way to spend a morning, I don't know what it could be!"
Then we moved on to a delicious light lunch, and un peu de Cotes de Rhone, supplied by my husband, who found a great one after we returned from Provence last year.

Lunch!

Just a lovely pose

Dianne's sparkling impression

Deanna, with clear focus, so painterly ...

We are invited back this week to paint again, with the lovely Annie as our muse...can't wait!

Bits and Pieces

Detail,  "Nuance, " 44 x 44

Sometimes I just love a bit of a painting -- in this larger piece, this is the bit!  I am into a soft palette lately, with just touches of contrast.  I like the play of colors here.

The set - up was tulips with the bulbs attached, which at first I attempted to include in the painting.

Set Up of parrot tulips

In-progress photo in my studio with bulbs in the water (sorry about bad lighting)

Nuance, 44 x 44, bulbs in the water are gone!

Michael came into the studio when this was in progress and said that the bulbs were competing with the flowers.  I agreed!  So they were painted out and now I do like the focus being up on the flower shapes and below on the shimmer --  proving once again that fresh eyes can be invaluable.

Spring Thoughts

Colors of May, 16 x 12, 2012

Well, last fall zillions of acorns rained down on our house and property in Atlanta -- more than I can ever remember.   So, of course, this spring I have been constantly pulling out little oak trees.  Now, however, forget The Year of the Acorn:  2012 is surely to be the Year of the Hydrangea!  We have many mature hydrangeas lining the street at the front of our home, and this spring they are laden with more blossoms than ever!!  YAY...the colors in early May are great, soft greenish whites and blues and purples.  Over the years, I have painted hydrangeas in various ways, always trying to simplify the form, yet suggest the detail.  Below is a shot of my new crop and a few old paintings of a favorite.

CURRENT PHOTOS

Best ever!

Pastel Close-up

PAST PAINTINGS

Blue and White, 16 x 16, 2008

Summer Story, 14 x 14, 2009

End of Season, 12 x 12, 2010