Workshops for growth...

In all things, we must constantly strive to grow.
Art is no different.
Aside from school, local sketch clubs, art schools,
I think that workshops help you grow and learn skills
 from successful artist in the field. Of course cost can
be a factor, but I believe in getting the best bang for my buck.
So I try to focus on workshops given by those I most respect
and also try to attend workshops of local artists I admire as well.
Even better when an artist you love comes for a workshop locally
like Mary Whyte did last year here in Florida.

Here's a few of the workshops I've been fortunate
to have gone to in recent years.

Scott Christensen Workshop in Wyoming...

An amazing trip and experience.

one of the quick plein air paintings done in Wyoming...

Scott Burdick workshop in NC, 

I've been fortunate to take a landscape class

and a portrait class with Scott.

Mary Whyte workshop in North Florida

 one of my studies in the workshop...

I've also taken a workshop with Scott Wadell who held a class locally.


However...this year... a workshop in Ga with
a local favorite artist of mine, Larry Moore.

Moving forward in life and learning is a necessity, less you die, or feel dead!

Almost Home

final touches...and details..

I love the sereneness of this image...

I found this horse at Montpelier in Virginia.

I tried to get his attention, but he refused to leave 

his serenity of chomping on that grass.

The field was a mixture of the remnants of summer and 

the transformation of fall all in a strong light.

It made the painting a challenge, but I love the warmth of his color, 

and the strong values the direct light created. 

"Not For Burning" still life...details

I think this is finished....

While the oil can is cool...

I'm ready to move on!

 

 

 

Here's some of the details up close...

 

 

 

 

Why the name you may wonder? Well the old book I found was titled,

"The Lady is not for burning", but Not for burning is all you see..therefore..

the title. How could I argue with fate?

Still Life #2 White Pitcher

White Pitcher


The Process:

So, since I decided to go a little larger for the new still life.

I've completed the drawing, transferred it to my canvas

and have completed an initial wash.

 

I'm still using the little wooden box that I found at an antique store

for my still life setups.  I wanted one that had wood with a warm glow.

I also bought the old book and little oil tin can, but the white pitcher

was an something I already had. The leaf was complements of the oak

outside my door.

 

Lots more work to do....
 

 

Day 3

moving forward.... continuing to build layers of paint
to create depth I focused on the pitcher...
really trying to keep in mind the light source,
the reflected shapes/colors,
and modeling the convex curve of the
pitchers shape as it turns away from the light.

I'm anxious to get that leaf going...
I hear fall calling me!

Day 5

details, details, details

working on the wood grain and more details...

 

final touches...

I worked on this painting about three weeks...
finished on September 28th...
My favorite part is the little red knot on the
top right corner of the wood box.
I'm ready to move on to the next project...
and ready for the fall...
my favorite time of the year!!!!
 

Florida Museum of Women Artists- 2011 Juried Show

I have been fortunate enough to be accepted in the 2011 Juried Show at the FLORIDA MUSEUM OF WOMEN ARTISTS in Deland, Florida. Along with many other talented women artists, I'll be at the opening this Friday from 5-7:00 p.m. I hope you'll stop by if you are in the area, or view the exhibit, which will be from Sept 10-October 23, 2011.  "American Summer", which is my depiction of a sunburned, rubenesque beauty jumping into a pool, is the accepted painting. I'm very honored.