On the heels of a success like winning the 1st place award at the Stockade Art Show, a period of good productivity and a busy life, I almost fell into a painting funk! At times like these, I like to try something new like warm-up exercises. The goal isn't to produce a great painting or to change my style, but it's to help get back into the swing of things.
This time I reread Sarah Sedwick's book Dynamic Still Life for Artists. I really enjoyed it and many of her explanations applied true. So after putting together a still life, I did a drawing, a value study in black and white oils with 5 values plus white, and then did her alla prima technique in three steps, an underpainting, pre-mixing my colors and lastly applying the paint. I changed a couple of things, I'm not one for creating an underpainting but I liked to premix my colors.
My goal was to create momentum, to get started painting, relax and have fun.
I'm excited to announce I'll be participating in the 2nd Gallery 5 Show, Fall For Art, in downtown Schenectady from Oct. 27 through 29th. I hope you can come and check it out.
A great outdoor art show and sale in Schenectady’s Historic Stockade neighborhood.
Saturday September 9th 2023 10am-4pm (rain date Sunday Sept 10th noon-4pm)
I've discovered a new online frame company called WebPictureFrames.com. It's a frame outlet and gallery located in Eugene, Oregon. I've learned from their website they've been around a while. I purchased this floating frame for my new painting and it came today. Perfectly packed and beautifully made. I recommend them and the price was really reasonable, so I feel compelled to highlight them. Here are some images.
July has been a hectic month. I'm working on a larger still life painting 28" x 20". It's almost done, but I'm not ready to reveal it. Above is the parrot cigar box I painted in May and decided to paint and stencil the sides. It's fun, and I like it. I may play around with stencils for a while.
The biggest issue this past month keeping me from painting was that my husband fell and broke his elbow. He had a plate and screws put in. I'm amazed how fast he's healing. I'm also happy for him!
This painting sold at the Beekman Street Art Fair. It was a fun day and I thank the woman who bought my painting and emailed me to say it looks great in her place.
Here's the quote I originally posted with the painting. Not much has changed.
There is a quote by Henry Miller that a writer takes a path in order to become the path. It is the same with painters. To paint often and freely is to open oneself to all that we are and hope to become and in so doing fearlessly share ourselves with others.
I'm excited to be participating in this year's art fair. I'll be showing ~ 20 paintings ranging in sizes 6 x 6 in. to 24 x 24 in. Most have not been shown before. There will be 60 artists showing their works. My booth will be located in section block 1 from Grand to Oak Streets. Maps will be available.
It's been several years since I participated in this show. The art is always interesting. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to show two paintings.
Below are all the important dates
FENCE SALON | JUNE 8 – JULY 3
Artists’ Reception & Award Ceremony: Friday, June 30, 6-8pm
The awards ceremony will take place on June 30, 2023 at 7pm. We will be awarding cash prizes for Best in Show and Runner Up. The awards are made possible through the generous support of our community.
Troy Night Out, Friday July 28
Monday & Friday | 10 AM – 4 PM
Tuesday – Thursday | 10 AM – 7 PM
Saturday | 10 AM – 2 PM
New shoes, new golf season. A fun quick painting of my husband's new golf shoes. Luckily, he had a second pair in order to play.
This is the Oakroom Artists first group show at the gallery, which will include a diverse collection of member's works.
Mark your calendars for our reception on Friday April 14th 6-8pm (all are welcome)!
Below is one of my pieces in the show
It’s always nice to see my paintings in their acquired home.
