Five days ago, the weather forecast called for a 70% chance of rain on Saturday, the day that the art show was taking place. Upon hearing and reading this, I ranted and raved around the house mumbling (actually considerably louder than mumbling), "typical - so typical of our luck!" This is the polite translation. Being that this is an outdoor show, weather plays an if not "the" most important part. A flurry (I like that word!) of e-mail communication followed between the organizers as to contingency plans for Sunday, which at that point was merely a little more promising.
"Think positive!" I told myself while monitoring the weather. For the next few days, my motto was "think positive - it won't rain. Think positive - it will not rain..."
Sometimes the gods do hear our plea. By the end of the week on Friday, the weather had made a 360 degree change and today the sun is shining bright and the temperature will be in the mid '70's. My paintings have been priced (she wrote optimistically) and my biggest dilemma today is what to wear. Should it be the short-sleeved blouse or the long sleeved jersey... These are important issues!
The by-word today is placement. As is the case and importance with real estate, location...location...location. The focus is to have the best vantage point where visitors will see us and our masterpieces. We live in hope.
Photos to follow - hopefully happy faces.
Country House
"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul"
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
A taste of my paintings for the show
As mentioned in the previous blog, I'm preparing for the outdoor condo art exhibition coming up on Saturday, June 9 - weather permitting - or if it rains, which it did last year, Sunday, June 10.
Right now I'm finishing up a canvas, which I'm calling, "Pond Life" focusing on green water found in ponds, with reeds jutting out. Really like it. Why? I don't know but there are some paintings that just make me happy and this is one of them. Hopefully, I won't screw things up as I tend to do placing some last strokes. I have to control this urge to fix what ain't broken! I'm also toying with working on two other canvases, one considerably larger than I usually do and am known to mess up, and the other a smaller, safe canvas. I'll see.
Meanwhile, here are some canvases that will be on display.
Will be adding more in the coming days. So whad'ya think?
Right now I'm finishing up a canvas, which I'm calling, "Pond Life" focusing on green water found in ponds, with reeds jutting out. Really like it. Why? I don't know but there are some paintings that just make me happy and this is one of them. Hopefully, I won't screw things up as I tend to do placing some last strokes. I have to control this urge to fix what ain't broken! I'm also toying with working on two other canvases, one considerably larger than I usually do and am known to mess up, and the other a smaller, safe canvas. I'll see.
Meanwhile, here are some canvases that will be on display.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Yearly art exhibition coming up in two weeks
It's been a while since I've updated this blog but it's time to share some exciting - at least for me - news.
As in past years, the annual condo art and artisan show and sale is coming up in two weeks. The call went out two weeks ago to artists and artisans living in our twin condo buildings, who are interested in displaying their artistic output. Last year was a bust given the cool temps and rain, which ended the show after two hours. Hopefully, this year we will have at least sunny weather since the show is outdoors in a beautiful setting near a river.
I'll be showing seven or eight paintings that were done over the year. The subjects as usual, are diverse ranging from a scene focusing on a mesa, some landscapes of which I'm particularly proud since I used palette knives, a volcano oozing lava (using palette knives) and some abstracts. I'm enjoying abstracts because they free your creativity and spirit but I still find myself drawn to landscapes.
Publicity is essential in attracting outsiders to the exhibit and we're distributing flyers to condos in the area. It goes without saying (or writing) that friends, neighbors, former neighbors, relations...anybody whose phone number I've held on to, will be notified. Although it's a bonus to be able to sell a canvas or two, inter-acting with people who drop by is a reward in itself.
Will be posting photos of the show and updating when there is news. Here are some photos of the show from a few years ago.
As in past years, the annual condo art and artisan show and sale is coming up in two weeks. The call went out two weeks ago to artists and artisans living in our twin condo buildings, who are interested in displaying their artistic output. Last year was a bust given the cool temps and rain, which ended the show after two hours. Hopefully, this year we will have at least sunny weather since the show is outdoors in a beautiful setting near a river.
I'll be showing seven or eight paintings that were done over the year. The subjects as usual, are diverse ranging from a scene focusing on a mesa, some landscapes of which I'm particularly proud since I used palette knives, a volcano oozing lava (using palette knives) and some abstracts. I'm enjoying abstracts because they free your creativity and spirit but I still find myself drawn to landscapes.
Publicity is essential in attracting outsiders to the exhibit and we're distributing flyers to condos in the area. It goes without saying (or writing) that friends, neighbors, former neighbors, relations...anybody whose phone number I've held on to, will be notified. Although it's a bonus to be able to sell a canvas or two, inter-acting with people who drop by is a reward in itself.
Will be posting photos of the show and updating when there is news. Here are some photos of the show from a few years ago.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Opportunity to display my art
I'm always looking for a chance to display my artistic output. Even if nothing sells, at the very minimum, people not familiar with my paintings will see and hopefully, remember something that struck their fancy.
Given the occasion - a few hours at the end of a seniors club meeting this coming Thursday afternoon - my expectations aren't high. It's for this reason that I'm displaying my "minis" 7"X10" canvases that are really good. In addition, I'll bring along some of the newer larger pieces.
Also thinking about and investigating summer art displays, locally. Hope springs eternal... Will report back on the quickie art display.
Given the occasion - a few hours at the end of a seniors club meeting this coming Thursday afternoon - my expectations aren't high. It's for this reason that I'm displaying my "minis" 7"X10" canvases that are really good. In addition, I'll bring along some of the newer larger pieces.
Also thinking about and investigating summer art displays, locally. Hope springs eternal... Will report back on the quickie art display.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Of palette knives and happy results
It's not that I'm not "into" using brushes anymore but for me, palette knives offer texture and depth to a painting. Perhaps this new enchantment is a result of having figured out how to use an instrument that is a challenge to many (including me) and being satisfied with the end result. Early trial and error resulted in many a cut canvas but the challenge to master or a least produce something substantial helped me persevere. I'm still using brushes to create fine or small images like flowers or leaves or I'll combine brush strokes and palette knives for large expanses such as background.
This summer I'm hoping and planning to display my latest additions in our annual condo art exhibition. It's truly amazing the number of artists living in the two condo buildings involved in the display. I mean, what are the odds? The exhibition, which is held in an outside setting near the river, lends itself to art - when the weather is favorable. Last year and the year before, it was cool and rainy. Still, given that this winter was warmer than average, hope springs eternal.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Back to the basics of art
For the first time, I'm taking an art course to see what I've missed - if anything - and to learn technique. Actually, painting entered my life in a big way four years ago, following a career as a columnist and freelance writer for various newspapers, when my son gave me some paint tubes and two brushes.
"Here - paint," he told me and I haven't look back since. Think I already shared this but it bears repeating because my introduction to my painting muse has changed my life immensly.
Whatever I've learned so far has been from experience, which in my opinion is a great teacher. My first painting, a still life, is hanging in my bedroom. Although it was very basic, the thrill of actually seeing an image that I created on a canvas is something that never ceases to amaze me. There has always been a feeling that something is missing within my art sphere. For example, my psychological dilemma when faced with a large canvas irks me, in addition to some other hang-ups. It's for this reason that painting course seems like a good idea. Let me share, for the record, that I've formed some very strong feelings when it comes to personal style if not technique.
To date and after one lesson, I've picked up a few simple and basic things that will definitely help me. Not too crazy over the instructor since she is very inflexible and regimented but I'll give it a chance. Maybe. Depending on her attitude and whether we can find a common ground.
Meanwhile, I'm painting on my own and feel that I'm growing as an artist. In the end, that's what's important. Meanwhile, I'll be posting/sharing my new paintings in a few weeks.
"Here - paint," he told me and I haven't look back since. Think I already shared this but it bears repeating because my introduction to my painting muse has changed my life immensly.
Whatever I've learned so far has been from experience, which in my opinion is a great teacher. My first painting, a still life, is hanging in my bedroom. Although it was very basic, the thrill of actually seeing an image that I created on a canvas is something that never ceases to amaze me. There has always been a feeling that something is missing within my art sphere. For example, my psychological dilemma when faced with a large canvas irks me, in addition to some other hang-ups. It's for this reason that painting course seems like a good idea. Let me share, for the record, that I've formed some very strong feelings when it comes to personal style if not technique.
To date and after one lesson, I've picked up a few simple and basic things that will definitely help me. Not too crazy over the instructor since she is very inflexible and regimented but I'll give it a chance. Maybe. Depending on her attitude and whether we can find a common ground.
Meanwhile, I'm painting on my own and feel that I'm growing as an artist. In the end, that's what's important. Meanwhile, I'll be posting/sharing my new paintings in a few weeks.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The artists show their work
Nothing better than visiting an art gallery to view the art work of a fellow artist. It's important to lend support by attending opening exhibitions. Last night we dropped by the Wentworth Gallery in the Boca Raton Town Centre Mall to see the opening of artist, Alexandra Nichita, who is reputed to be the new Pablo Picasso in style and means of expression. The artist was there in person to discuss her work and many people took advantage of the opportunity to find out more about this exciting creator.
As an artist, my focus was on her design and brush strokes and of course, the finished product. What colors does she prefer? How do the lines define the overall picture? Cubism isn't "my thing" but her work is definitely exciting.
Samples of her work: https://www.google.com/search?q=alexandra+nechita&hl=en&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=smklT77RJKX40gH4yo1B&ved=0CFsQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=599
Meanwhile, in another gallery in the same mall, took advantage to take in the creative output of artist, Sveta Esser. Absolutely love her work! She combines landscape (my favorite subject of choice) with texture achieved through the use of palette knives. In her use of colors and technique, she manages to achieve landscape settings that are light and airy. I've started using palette knives seeing what can be achieved inspires me to continue experimenting.
This is why her art reaches me:
ttps://www.google.com/searchq=sveta+esser&hl=en&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=6W0lT96rG6i40AHX1cWHCQ&ved=0CEwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=599
Recently finished a black and white abstract painting, which I call, "Broken Window - Broken Dreams." The focus is a window frame with three thick lines of varying darkness depicting how life starts out as a series of hopes and dreams that are not always realized. Will share photos of my new paintings in a couple of months, when this snowbird returns home.
Meanwhile, I'm going to buy some new paints and perhaps - not sure yet - try the water based oils. Having never used oils, I'm a bit apprehensive. Still the idea excites me...
Isn't this the truth: "
As an artist, my focus was on her design and brush strokes and of course, the finished product. What colors does she prefer? How do the lines define the overall picture? Cubism isn't "my thing" but her work is definitely exciting.
Samples of her work: https://www.google.com/search?q=alexandra+nechita&hl=en&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=smklT77RJKX40gH4yo1B&ved=0CFsQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=599
Meanwhile, in another gallery in the same mall, took advantage to take in the creative output of artist, Sveta Esser. Absolutely love her work! She combines landscape (my favorite subject of choice) with texture achieved through the use of palette knives. In her use of colors and technique, she manages to achieve landscape settings that are light and airy. I've started using palette knives seeing what can be achieved inspires me to continue experimenting.
This is why her art reaches me:
ttps://www.google.com/searchq=sveta+esser&hl=en&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=6W0lT96rG6i40AHX1cWHCQ&ved=0CEwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=599
Recently finished a black and white abstract painting, which I call, "Broken Window - Broken Dreams." The focus is a window frame with three thick lines of varying darkness depicting how life starts out as a series of hopes and dreams that are not always realized. Will share photos of my new paintings in a couple of months, when this snowbird returns home.
Meanwhile, I'm going to buy some new paints and perhaps - not sure yet - try the water based oils. Having never used oils, I'm a bit apprehensive. Still the idea excites me...
Isn't this the truth: "
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