Newsletter

Well here is a cheap post for you... as in I feel like I'm kinda cheating here by just linking my newsletter.  But, there is a bunch of information all together in one place.  I hope you will take a minute to read all the wonderful news that I have coming up.  Click the image below.

You can sign up HERE if you are interested in receiving my newsletters in your Inbox.  Thanks and happy almost spring!

Life has gotten the better of me

Well, life has been going at warp speed these days.  As such, I've neglected this good ol' blog a bit.  As a brief update for things to look forward to - please make sure you check out the sidebar for upcoming exhibitions.  I hope to be able to see you at one of these events.  Also, I thought I would post some info on some upcoming classes I'll be teaching.  Please contact Artspace to register.

Intro to Oil Painting
Artspace, Raleigh, NC

5 Mondays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, & July 8 2013
6:30pm-9:30pm

This introductory course will cover the basic topics of oil painting while also reviewing drawing fundamentals. The student will explore painting materials and techniques, basic color theory and color mixing, as well as the interaction of visual elements and various approaches to painting. Using simple still life set-ups, we will explore concepts of value and tone and warm and cool color relationships. This will be a fun way to learn many different techniques and safe practices of oil painting. Supply list will be provided upon registration.

Contemporary Portrait Painting
Artspace, Raleigh, NC

5 Wednesdays, June 19, 26, July 10, 17 & 24 2013
6:30pm - 9:30pm

Learn to create an accurate, dynamic portrait in oil as you capture the features of your model. Working from short to long poses, you will study structure, color-mixing strategies, and application techniques for creating lively skin tones and animated expressions. Supply list will be provided upon registration.

Artspace
201 E. Davie St. Raleigh, NC 27601
919-821-2787
http://artspacenc.org/create/adult/adult-classes-workshops/

 

Now, back to preparing for my upcoming solo exhibition...

Converge

I am super honored to be included in the exhibition titled Converge: Where Classical & Contemporary Art Collide curated by Allison Malafronte, former editor of American Artist Magazine.  Here is just a brief quote from her curator's statement which can be read in full on the website for the exhibition (and while there take a peek at all the work included in the exhibition).  www.convergeartnyc.com 

"If modernism took too drastic a turn from traditional order and beauty and if the post-modern resurgence of classicism went too far into static technical prowess, we are now feeling the push and pull of art being brought back to center—and the artists coming to the surface embody the best of both worlds. The exhibition "Converge" will capture this movement by highlighting painters who demonstrate both the skill and tradition of the classical world and the content and critical thinking of the contemporary world. Rather than looking in confusion or disdain at a particular approach, “Converge” aims to bridge the divide between the classical and the contemporary by bringing high-level paintings in various styles and subject matter together for mutual acknowledgement."

Allison has brought together a stellar roster of artists, most of whom will be in attendance (including yours truly) for the Opening Reception on Thursday, November 15th from 6-9pm.  Come by, see the work and say hello if you are in the big apple!  If you can't make the exhibition, there is a catalog available for purchase on line.  For more information on the catalog visit the Contact page of the website or Click Here.

CONVERGE: Where Classical & Contemporary Art Collide

25CPW Gallery

November 15-27, 2012

Opening Reception: Thurs. Nov. 15th, 6-9pm

25 Central Park West, at 62nd St.
New York, NY 11231
212.203.0250
www.25cpw.org
Converge2012NYC@gmail.com

www.convergeartnyc.com

Home Work

Home Work - Domestic Narratives in Contemporary Art

Green Hill Center for NC Art

September 14 - November 3, 2012

 

I am super honored to have several paintings included in this group exhibition curated by Edie Carpenter.  Focusing on the themes of repose, nourishment, pastimes and chores, this exhibition examines artists’ depictions of everyday life as explored in sculpture, installations, paintings, printmaking, photography, video and artist books.  This is a must see exhibition which is up for just over one more week.  Get to Greensboro North Carolina if you can.

 Home Maker, 48" x 36", oil on panel

Allison at Mirror, 26" x 16", oil on panel

Love, 5" x 7", oil on panel

 Kitchen Window, 48" x 36", oil on panel

Green Hill Center for NC Art

200 North Davie St.
Greensboro, NC 27401
336.333.7460

http://www.greenhillcenter.org/ 

Autumn Updates

Hey folks.  If you are still reading this after my long absence from blogging, I very much appreciate your patience and loyal following.  Life has been a bit crazy, and when things get crazy I retreat.  I focus on the things that need tending.  All that being said, much of what is going on is actually quite positive - it's just been a lot.

So to catch you up on a few upcoming exciting exhibitions that my work will be included in, I thought I could share with you a link to my E-newsletter.  It shows a few examples of the work being included and of course has all the pertinent info about the events themselves.  I hope you will be able to join me at one of these exhibitions in North Carolina or NYC!  If you would like to sign up to be added to future email newsletters please just CLICK HERE to fill out the brief form.  You can also sign up there if you are interested in finding out more about my teaching opportunities.

Thank you for reading.

Ostrich Skull Still Life

Ostrich Skull, oil on panel, 12" x 12"

Here is a fun painting that I finished this week.  I wanted to choose a background and fabric pattern that had similar tones that I could see with in the ostrich skull itself, which would force me to use a narrower range of color and value.  Choosing a pattern that supports the "character" of the main subject of a still life painting has been a favorite past time of mine since I first started painting dead birds (has it really been about a dozen years?).  In 2009 Larry Groff did a wonderful interview of me on Painting Perceptions which about halfway down has a nice description of the dead bird series.  Then again a few years ago, I used this pattern idea in my Beautiful Vessel series.  I am enjoying incorporating this personal tradition into my current paintings of natural forms.

Here are a few progress shots of this painting:

humble beginnings...

  Sometimes an in progress glarey photo actually helps you internetlopers see the built up texture of the paint.

finished detail version.

And again the final painting.
Ostrich Skull, oil on panel, 12" x 12"

At the end of this post I can't help but think of John Baldassari's painting (yes, this is a huge acrylic painting in the Broad Collection) titled Tips for Artists Who Want to Sell.  Notice the items in parenthesis of the second bullet... I am doomed.

 

2012 Regional Artist Project Grant - Model Stand & Storage Racks

Back in February I announced here that I was honored to be chosen as a 2012 RPAG awardee.  You can read how I initially used some of the funds to purchase a professional lighting set up HERE.  I also proposed to use the funds to build studio equipment such as two rolling painting storage racks as well as a collapsible model stand.  I have managed to spend every last cent and with the great help of my husband Greg, we have finished construction on these new studio assets.   Take a look.

 

 My very handy husband putting on some locking casters for the model stand.

Final sanding before carpet.

Space is a limited in my studio, so I wanted to have the option to collapse my model stand when not in use.  My idea was to create a stand sort of like an upside down folding dining room table like the one picture above.  However, my husband tends to think of things like wishbone suspension - so combine those two ideas and you get this...

 My new wonderful model stand!

Then came the large painting storage racks...

My boys are so good to me!

 

This one has a shelf for smaller paintings above and medium size works below, while the second rack has just one large area open for my biggest works.

A few L shaped 2x4s make a nice display shelf on the outside of the racks.

 Thank you to the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, especially Jennifer McIntyre who works tirelessly to continue this wonderful opportunity for our area artists.  I very much appreciate the support and it will undoubtedly go far in advancing my efforts as a fine artist.  

The Regional Artist Project Grant is funded and administered by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County.  This project is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.  The program is operated in partnership with the Franklin County Arts Council, Johnston County Arts Council, Vance County Arts Council and Warren County Arts Council.

     

Workshop - Natural Object Still Life Painting

Nest, oil on panel, 8" x 8"

Natural Object Still Life Painting Workshop

at Townsend Atelier

June 8, 9, 10th 2012

9-5pm

$350

with Special Demonstration & Gallery Talk at  

The Hunter Museum of American Art 

Thursday June 7th 5-8pm

I am so stoked to be headed to lovely Chattanooga, TN in June to teach a wonderful painting workshop.  I hope you will be able to join me.  I also have the great honor of being invited to give a demonstration at the Hunter Museum of American Art.  If you can't make the whole workshop, I hope you will at least be able to enjoy the evening demonstration and gallery talk.  Here is the official description and a few links.  Please contact the lovely, helpful folks at Townsend Atelier if you want to sign up or need help finding accommodations. 

This course will cover the essentials of oil painting from proper surface preparation to color mixing, with a primarily earth tone palette.  Using direct observation, students will learn about composition, color theory and paint application as well as gain skills and confidence in representing what they see.   Students will be encouraged to select their own items that will enable them to develop personal narratives or meanings within a still life painting.  This three day oil painting class will start with an optional walk to experience and connect with nature, as well as to collect the natural found objects that the student will bring back to the studio to paint.   Students who choose to skip the morning walk will be encouraged to bring their own natural form discoveries such as various botanical items, seed pods, skulls, feathers, bugs – whatever it is from nature that you are inspired by!  The teacher will also bring such items from her own collection to share.

Townsend Atelier

201 West Main Street Suite 107
Chattanooga, TN

423-266-2712
or toll free: 1-877-903-1488
www.townsendatelier.com

info@townsendatelier.com

The Hunter Museum of American Art

10 Bluff View

Chattanooga, TN 37403 

(423) 267-0968

www.huntermuseum.org

The Expedition & Beyond continued

This past weekend a dozen women from across the US (unfortunately our Canadian contingent Kate Stone could not join us this time) traveled to Alexandria, VA for the opening reception of The Expedition & Beyond at Principle Gallery.  It was a fantastic evening event filled with meeting new collectors and other artists.  Thank you to all the folks that came from near and far to join us for this lovely exhibition!  You can read more about this exhibit both HERE and on the WPW site.  Also, a few bloggers have offered nice write ups about the exhibit: Matthew Innis on the Underpaintings Blog  and Tricia Ratliff on Agile Arts Blog.  Thank you both!  (You can also see more photos of the reception on my facebook page).

I went back the next morning to take a few installation shots.  Then, most of us headed to rural Pennsylvania for a short painting retreat at the home of Catherine Prescott.  I will post more about that soon...  In the mean time, enjoy taking a look through these photos.  The exhibition is up through May 15, 2012.

Terry Strickland: The Three Fates; Mia Bergeron: Silence

Diane Feissel: Where the Land Meets the Water; Alia El-Bermani: Diane with Kitten

 Alexandra Tyng: Elemental Balance; Rachel Constantine: Departure/ Arrival

 (over fireplace) Stefani Tewes: The Stillness Beneath

 

 Alia El-Bermani: Becoming;  Catherine Prescott: Northern Interior

 

Alia El-Bermani: Becoming

(foreground) Cindy Procious: Jewels of the Ocean; Sadie Valeri: Self Portrait at 39 

 Rachel Constantine: Self Portrait with a Man

Stefani Tewes: Embrace

 Alexandra Tyng: Hot Enough

Cindy Procious: Where's the Tobasco;  Mia Bergeron: Away; Linda Tracey Brandon: China Frog and Red Peonies; Catherine Prescott: Death is Not a Domesticated Pet;  Linda Tracey Brandon: Mia in a White Turban

   (far right) Katherine Stone: Lucie in the Wind; Sadie Valeri: Undersea

Katherine Stone: Vanitas

Principle Gallery

208 King St

Alexandria, VA  22314

703-739-9326

www.principlegallery.com

Guardian

 

Guardian, oil on panel, 64" x 48"

My painting Guardian is now dry enough to photograph.  As I stated in the previous post (which you can read here), this painting is a deeply personal image that has stuck with me for approximately three years.  I'm not ready to verbally explain all the symbols and meanings of this painting - hopefully there are some that you will be able to read in the painting on your own.  I will share that this has been one of the most rewarding painting experiences of my life.  This painting has developed and evolved and gushed out of the deepest parts of my being.  I feel so much gratitude for being able to experience this.     

 Guardian (details), oil on panel, 64" x 48"