Block

Seem to be in a bit of a slump production wise. Have taught some classes and did another YUPO demo in Castro Valley. Saw an old friend, Maybelle Rasmussen, going strong at 94!
So many ideas in my head I just have to let them roll around until something becomes obvious to me? I have had some false starts. Thinking about portraits more. I have always had a love of faces and perhaps I will do some family pieces. Who knows? I seem to at a point where some of the old standbys are boring to me. Not that I am a flawless painter. No way. Just different things appeal. Beginning to have better understanding of artists such as Picasso and the extreme changes in style they went through. Or maybe it's just Spring fever.

Keeping Up

So many things going on at this time of year.
Teaching some classes every second Monday . Good group.
The opening night of the art exhibits at Bankhead Theater  on Livermore was a nice event.
Four artists were being honored including "moi". Linda Beach and I are showing in the Founders Room. Another opportunity to meet the artists will be next Wed 6-8 pm.
One of my paintings sold. Another of Birch trees. Seems to be a popular subject.
Now busy getting ready for Open Studios this weekend. I will be at the Fremont Art Centre with 3 friends. Come if you can. 11am-5pm both days.

Here are couple of new paintings. One is on YUPO. The other on watercolor paper.

Spring has Sprung ! Maybe summer too.
This is the time of year when Art Shows proliferate and decisions about how much one person can fit in.
The Watercolor Beyond the Obvious  class I took part in for 10 weeks was amazing. I think I am still recovering. I have been in a bit of a slump since. However I have sorted paintings into..Finished, need work, and not going anywhere.
Want to keep you all updated on the next few weeks.
Today we hung a show at the Bankhead Theater Founders Room in Livermore. Eight of my watercolors and mixed media and eight of Linda Beachs pastels. The reception is Tuesday April 24th from 6pm -8pm. There will be a second reception on Wednesday, May 9th , 6pm -8pm. These are the only times this show will be open to the public and free. If you are in the area please come .
I have started teaching a Watercolor Basics class on several Mondays through June. First was on Monday. Four more scheduled.. April 30th, May 14th, June 4th and 18th.
The first weekend in May is Open Studios in Fremont. I will be at The Fremont Art Centre in Niles Sat and Sun, 11am - 5pm. Address is 37697 Niles Blvd.
In June I will participate in an Art Show at Regans Nursery in Union City. This is a great venue . I look forward to it. By the time that is over John will be out here for a week just before we leave for a trip to China with Bonnie and Hannah.

The Final Three

Je Suis finit

The final week of the Watercolor Beyond the Obvious. A great day was had by many. About twenty artists showed their accomplishments in this ten week journey. That is about 400 pieces, all 22x30". AmAZING? Went home after and slept for 3hours. have a cold too . Will show you last three as I get them on the I Pad. Or may have to go to the Mac. Havnt figured this out yet.

Number 16 and 17

 These two are more abstract. I reworked a couple of old pieces.
Three more to go!

Four more of the series

had a couple of difficult painting weeks. Here are the last 4. Keep in mind that some of them are not finished. the challenge had to do with color and in the third one putting black into other color which is something I have never done.

Book Review

Hi artists out there. Have you read "The Painted Word" by Tom Wolfe?
What do you think?
I am going to have to read it again, and again I think. When I have a very clear mind.

A must read.. "Creative Authenticity" by Ian Roberts . Very good, motivational.
Let me know.

Nine to go!

Her are the last three I have done. Numbers 9,10 and 11.
Need to work on 11 more but it is progressing.

9 is on a strange tinted paper that turned out to be very absorbent. Leaves an interesting surface feeling.
10 was fun Got carried away stamping with some stuff I found in the dollar store!
11 is on gessoed 300# watercolor paper so still putting paint on some places and lifting other spots.

Half Way

Working on number 10 today.

Posting 7and 8 here. First is a two value piece using black gesso over a watercolor under wash. Next is a collage  using pieces of old paintings, found papers, and something called crackle paste. It didnt crackle but gave an adobe wall effect. Both need small improvements. Number nine under reconstruction as it did not work the way I wanted.

Challenge continues...

Posting numbers 5 and 6 in the series.
Have just realized that to do 20 pieces in this 10 week period I need to do 14 in the next six weeks. So hope to get 3 done this week. Whew!

Here are the latest.

Still life Challenge

Here are the 3rd and 4th pieces in this series.
First on 140# Waterford paper with wet into wet underwash of three colors. Red, blue and yellow. Then creating a white shape of the objects , using pattern and value changes.

Second is on YUPO, that "plastic surface " that I enjoy. A lot of fun with random textures from stamping and using a paint pusher to indicate the shapes. Lots of fun to do.

First Week of Bailey class

I have actually completed 4 paintings now but will only post 2 today. I chose to use my Scottish gurgle bottle in a still life( the assigned Project for 10 weeks and 20 paintings), then added a vase that belonged to my mother-in-law and a wine bottle with an interesting label which is often how I choose a bottle of wine. These will be the starting point for all 20 full sheet watercolor paintings. In the first one I also added a fish shape to the back ground to hold it all together. This is a wooden fish that hangs on my bathroom wall.
The first image represents the objects as they appear.
The second is a line dominant image.
Both are on 140# cold press Arches paper 22x30"

Tomorrow is class critique of no. 3&4

An amazing week.
Saturday and Sunday I gave a workshop on painting watercolor on YUPO "paper"
This is a plastic surface developed in Japan for use in printmaking. It also takes watercolor well. The paint is totally removable for a period of time but adheres pretty firmly in time.
When that happens you can remove it all with Mr Clean sponge cleaners. Similar products may be fond in Asian markets.
Rumor is that an older artist made the comment when entering a nursing home, "just give me one piece of YUPO and my paints. Thats all I need"

Here are a couple of students art work . We did some abstracting as well as representational. A fun experience for all. Bottom is my unfinished piece.
Thanks to Patty O'Rourke for photos.

My presentation on watercolor painting on YUPO was a pleasing success. The upcoming workshop is almost full. This photo was taken at the demo and is part of a ad for the workshop

YUPO: From Abstraction to Realism

I will be demonstrating the challenge and enjoyment of working on this synthetic surface with watercolor. Surprises abound but control is also possible.
Come see at Fremont Art Association in Old Town Niles
Wed. 7pm...37697. Fremont CA. Niles Blvd

A NEW YEAR COMING

It is time to start planning for 2012.
Some things already underway are: January 4th I will do a demo for the Fremont Art Association on Painting Watercolor on YUPO, an exciting , scary and unpredictable surface.
This will be followed on Jan 21 and 22 by a two day workshop .
Then right after that I have enrolled in a 10 week watecolor class with the exciting painter, Mike (M E Bailey). This will be a challenging and exciting class and highly recommended.

"Merry Chris-me-one"

This is how my Mom's parakeet said Merry Christmas everyone. I always think of it at this time of year.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas with this small painting of my granddaughter on Christmas morning when she was younger .

"A Capital Stroll"

This has been waiting for a few last brushstrokes for awhile.
It is watercolor on Masa (rice) paper crumpled, flattened, painted and then mounted on museum board.

Have you found a story in it?

"Marty"

You saw this awhile back. I have finally decided it is done.
Things learned from this portrait painting.
--It is much more difficult to paint someone you know.
--Pencil under watercolor is impossible to erase. Live with it.
--Values are very important, as, of course, in all paintings.

Dont give up.

Update on recent events.

We have been in our RV in Coarsegold for two weeks. Have visited with old friends from our RV life as well as  artists in the Fresno/ foothill area.
Weather has definitely changed . Frost one night. An early winter, everyone thinks.
Visited friend and artist, Kathleen Mattox in her new gallery and studio in Sanger Ca. It is a really fun place with her unique decorating ideas and art work. Wishing her much success and joy. See her at " Mixed Messages by Kathleen Mattox"

Fremont Art Association 46th Annual fine Arts Show

Opening reception today was very well attended.
The first show for this new gallery at 37695 Niles Blvd, Fremont CA. The show continues until Oct 25th.

Gallery hours are Wed thru Sun 11am -5pm.
The juror was Brent Jensen , an accomplished oil painter from Mare Island CA.
I am happy to say I received the Silver award in Water Media for this painting, "Autumn Birch"

Lian Quan Zhen demo

Yesterday Jaci and I went to see this artists demo. He did a Chinese style floral in about half an hour using Chinese paint..heavier than watercolor.
During a break  he autographed books of his with PAINTINGS!, each one unique. Then he did a demo in watercolor of grapes and foliage
I remember him from 15 or 20 years ago when he lived in Livermore . He is now well known nationally and internationally.
Fun to watch.

Home again.

Alaska cruise was great although we had some rough water as a storm hit on second night. . I guess some folks were affected.
Yesterday I taught the twice postponed watercolor portrait class. 11 attended and  good results. Some were first timers. Some more more advanced. Fun had by all.

Alaska cruise

Leaving Sat to Vancouver and the Inside Passage to Alaska on Celebrity Century.

A la Montemarte Painters

Here are two oil paintings I did ages ago. Just ran into pics of them.
Here they are.

hope you enjoy them

Big Bird

I think this is an eagle. Jack says it is a hawk. What do you say?

Portrait class

One day into this class I came down with something. Dr thinks it is whooping cough.
The good news is that I am recovering and will hold another session next Sat.
This is the demo I did then, just first washes. I like it so well I might just call it done.

What do you think? I think I caught the "essence" of my friend, Marty.

Watercolor Portrait Class

I will be teaching this class again by popular demand.
Sat and Sun Aug 6th and 7th
10 am -4pm both days
Sign up at Fremont Art Association's new location
37695 Niles Blvd, fremont Ca
510-792-0902

or contact me

Cruising

I have just accepted a teaching assignment on Celebrity Cruise line' ship the Century for the week of Sept 4-11 2011. Vancouver, Inside Passage, Icy Strait Point( new port), Hubbard Glacier, Juneau,  Ketchikan, Vancouver.
Anyone want to go? Quick decision required as date is so close.
You have to get yourself to Vancouver and home on your own.

Watercolor sketching , eating , and fun.

Let me know.