DEAD SHOES 2

10x20 Oil on Panel

Below is a funny ballet video from the Vienna State Opera.  It's always a good time to laugh!

DEAD SHOES

8x10 Oil on Panel

I love ballet and all that goes with it.  My granddaughter, Lauren, is a ballet dancer and she hopes to dance in pointe next year.  In the meantime, she borrowed a pair of dead shoes (shoes that are worn out and can no longer be used) for me to paint.  I worked on two paintings and will post the other one soon, provided my computer will do its job.  It has been to the Genius Bar twice and is still acting a little crazy.

This short video tells a little about pointe shoes and how important they are to the dancer.

FACE No. 103

8x10 Oil on Panel

To view more mugshots click HERE.

I am continuing to work on mugshots.  I liked the white shirt that he wore and didn't want to cut it off by painting a 6x6 version.  His skin is warm and provides a good contrast for the cool in his shirt.  

FACE No. 102

6x6 Oil on Panel
To view more mugshots click HERE.

FACE No. 101

6x6 Oil on Panel

Click HERE for purchase information.

     I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted!  I have been painting and it has been, and continues to be, a very busy summer.  Where does the time go?  
     I am returning to my series of mugshots, which I love to paint.  The exploration of the face will never cease to interest me.  In addition, I am working on some other projects. 

SUBWAY MAN

20x16 Oil on Panel

I took a photo in the New York City subway a few years ago and pulled it out of my files and painted it.  I have almost 1,000 photos from our trip and it is really fun to go through them and find something to paint.

HAT LADY

18x24

Oil on Panel

I am still painting larger, but slow in posting.  I've been enjoying looking at the work of other artists.  There is always inspiration in my web surfing and it is interesting to see what others are doing.  The down side is the time gets away from me very quickly as I lose myself in all the art.  One site leads to another, and another, and another ………  Whew!  Does this ever happen to you?

BOARDING HOUSE TUB

12x24

Oil on Board

This is one of my larger paintings on which I have been working.  I've painted this bathtub before on a much smaller scale and I will probably paint it again.  It's a subject with which I can really push color so it is fun to paint.  

SPRING FLOWERS

8x8 Oil on Gessobord

For purchase information click HERE.

I had a blast painting these flowers!  I don't know what kind of flowers they are.  The tag said "stock."  Their fragrance filled my studio, which was amazing.  Don't you love having fresh flowers in the house?  It is such a treat!

I continue to work on three larger pieces and they are coming along.  I have to say that there still is a struggle, but it is lessening with each day and I am now looking forward to each challenge that comes my way.  I'm learning so much.  Happy, happy, happy!!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK-END!

VINTAGE SWIMSUIT and CREATIVE BLOCK

7x5 on Canvas Panel

For purchase information click HERE.

After attending two fantastic workshops, I found myself without focus and momentum to work in the studio.  Each time I did (thinking "just get in there and get busy and this will pass"), my attempts to paint larger were so bad that I would end up with wipe out after wipe out.  In between these times I would paint smaller and read about art with my books and magazines and on the internet.  Although my blogging stopped I have continued to look and admire all the work on your blogs.  I've reviewed my notes from workshops and watched DVDs.  It's been a difficult time.  Thankfully, my good friend and artist Linda Reedy listened patiently with my complaints and offered good advice and a wonderful book that I am now reading and will re-read again and again.  The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a book that speaks to every creative person that goes through a time of creative distress.  Thank you, Linda!  The last few weeks have been better and I am close to completing two large pieces.  They aren't great, but I will finish them.  I know that painting larger will continue to be a struggle for a while, but it is a goal I want to work toward.  This definitely was not an easy time and I hope I never experience such a long art slump, but now that the air is clearing and my thoughts are returning to times of less struggle I realize that this has been good for me.  I've learned more about myself (I don't think that ever stops!) and more about art.  

When an art crisis hits you, what do you do that helps pull you out?  I would love to hear from you!

MAGGIE SINER WORKSHOP

I have been in Florida visiting my sister and brother-in-law and taking a three day Maggie Siner workshop.  I am now home with good memories of my visit.  Maggie is a good teacher with an abundance of energy and knowledge.  I have admired her work for a long time and was thrilled when Eileen Corse squeezed me in at the last minute.

Below is a demo Maggie painted.  As you can see she finished just enough to get us started on our first painting.

Maggie stresses the importance of relationships with color, value and intensity.  Each exercise we did built from the previous one with the common thread being relationships.  Compare each color and stroke with everything that has already been established. 

There was so much to learn and absorb - my brain is still spinning (in a good way)!  My goal is to take another workshop from Maggie.  In the meantime I will continue to work in the studio and try to apply the new information I have acquired in the last couple of months.

Maggie Siner 

Corse Gallery and Atelier

DAVID SHEVLINO WORKSHOP No. 2

These are my paintings from David Shevlino's workshop.  They are not finished and I am going to leave them as is.  They remind me (I hope!!) of what I learned and can return to when needed.

I have to give a shout out to the Fredericksburg Art School.  Bill Bush provided a good space, was organized and very friendly.  I would definitely attend another workshop there.  Thanks, Bill!!

And another big thank you to David Shevlino!  He is an amazing painter, has a generous spirit, and teaches with enthusiasm and knowledge.

David Shevlino Blog

Fredericksburg Art School

DAVID SHEVLINO WORKSHOP No. 1

 We had a great group of artists in Fredericksburg at the David Shevlino workshop.  I wanted to get lots of photos, but unfortunately my camera lost a LOT of them.  I don't know what happened, but it is not a good thing.  Very disappointing!

We had three days with models and two days with still lifes.  I loved painting every day, but by day 5 I was exhausted with new ideas, techniques, etc. swirling in my brain.  I don't know about you, but I gain so much from good workshops and it is exhilarating!  

In my next post I will show you my paintings I did at David's workshop.

David Shevlino Blog.

Fredericksburg Art School

David's Demo

FOOD DANCE COLLAGE

This is the collage for my Food Dance Series.  I really like it and is a reminder of how much I enjoyed painting this series.  

I want to share with you my week in the David Shevlino workshop.  But, first I need to take photos of my paintings and pick some photos from the workshop.  It was a wonderful experience!  I shared time with some amazing artists, learned quite a lot, drank wine and had a great time. David is not only an artist with incredible talents, but he is a good teacher with a generous spirit.  It was a great workshop!

Click HERE to visit David's blog.

I'll BE BACK SOON!

Y'all have a great week!  Mine is going to be fantastic!  I'm in a workshop with David Shevlino.  I have no idea if I will post this week, but will when I return.