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.

 

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" 

 

Stories of Contemporary Reaslism

Several of my works are included in the innovative online exhibition and sale titled Stories of Contemporary Realism at The Brigham Galleries.  This exhibit was guest curated by artist Kyle Thomas.  "Stories" opened for viewing on March 27th and continues thru May 31, 2012.  

 Cary Ann, oil on panel, 18" x 14"

Each artist was asked to give the back story of each piece or grouping.  In my usual fashion, I got a bit wordy...

"This query forced me to see how my works are inter-connected. What I realized in looking back, is that these works very clearly represent my life and the changes that have occurred for me in the last few years.  Starting with the painting of my friend Cary Ann, which was painted from life in my former Pasadena, CA studio thru to the large nude that was literally JUST finished here in my new home in North Carolina, you can clearly follow how my life's recent changes have affected my work. I consider figurative painting my first love. Painting people defines who I am and how I process this world, so when this recent move to the South made me NOT want to paint the people around me, that was a huge deal for me. Feelings of being foreign and disconnected from the people here, forced me to turn to different inspirations for my work. I became fascinated with the often overlooked, very common southern plants and the abundance of green that now surrounds me. It was through researching these Southern Weeds (as I call the series) that I started to learn about the South and started to gain a connection to the history of this place and its people. I have been able to return to my first love of figurative painting. Now, I do feel a deeper connection and understanding of the people around me. Though it seems my paintings are merely a direct response to the experiences of my life as they happen, my hope is that there is some universal truths that we can all share in the work. Honestly representing the emotions, content and characters of my life is the only way I know how to express these universal human truths."

Nest, oil on panel, 8" x 8"

Globe Sedge, oil on panel, 16" x 16"

Goldenrod, oil on panel, 24" x 24"

 Study of Kat, oil on panel, 12" x 9"

Threshold, oil on panel, 64" x 48"

Artist included in the exhibit are:

Greg Bennett

Robert Bodem

Candice Bohannon

Stephen Cefalo

Marc Dalessio

Matt Dickson

Michelle Dunaway

Alia El-Bermani

Frank Gardner

Ignat Ignatov

Tara Juneao

Michael Lierly

Leo Mancini-Hresko

Alfred Paredes

Scott Prior

Tony Pro

Mario Robinson

Richard Scott

Kyle Thomas

Ray Vargas

Katie Whipple

You can also view a video preview and discussion of this online exhibition on The Brigham Galleries blog here.

Featured in American Art Collector

I am so honored and pleased to share that my work is featured in the current April 2012 edition of the magazine American Art Collector!  The article acts as a preview for the upcoming The Expedition & Beyond show at Principle Gallery, which opens Friday the 13th.  My painting Becoming can be seen on a nearly full page spread.  Thank you to American Art Collector for featuring the exhibition - it is a lovely article.  You can purchase a copy of this magazine at any Barnes and Nobles or other book store near you. 

Principle Gallery - The Expedition & Beyond

Becoming, oil on panel, 24" x 24"

I am honored and excited to share that three of my paintings will be included in an exhibition at Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA.  The Expedition & Beyond will showcase the works of thirteen incredible figurative artists.  I am so happy to be sharing these esteemed walls with this talented group.  

The Expedition & Beyond

April 13 - May 15, 2012

Opening Reception: Friday April 13th from 6:30-9pm

Principle Gallery

208 King St.

Alexandria, VA

703-739-9326

Artists included are:

Alexandra Tyng – Narberth, PA

Alia El-Bermani – Cary, NC

Catherine Prescott – Harrisburg, PA

Cindy Procious – Chattanooga, TN

Diane Feissel – Philadelphia, PA

Linda Tracey Brandon – Phoenix, AZ

Mia Bergeron – Chattanooga, TN

Rachel Constantine – Philadelphia, PA

Sadie Valeri – San Francisco, CA

Stefani Tewes–Laguna Beach, CA

Terry Strickland- Pelham, AL

Shannon Runquist, Charleston, SC

 Diane with Kitten, oil on panel, 20" x 16"

 The Gibbes Mausoleum, oil on linen on panel, 10” x 8”

This exhibition is a direct result of the Women Painting Women blog, which I helped to co-found, the subsequent 2010 exhibition of the same name at Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC and the painting retreat we called "On Expedition" that coincided with that initial exhibition of over 54 international artists.  This time around, The Expedition & Beyond  focuses on the work created and inspired by that week long retreat of a baker's dozen like minded artists.  We will each exhibit one study that was painted on location as well as 2 works that were created in our studios after the retreat. 

A beautiful catalog accompanies this exciting exhibition which not only shares all the paintings that will be on exhibit, but also includes stories and pictures from the retreat itself.  With a lovely foreword by John O'Hern,  American Art Collector, Santa Fe Editor,  the very talented folks at Matter Deep Publishing have done a fantastic job.  This catalog can be previewed and purchased by visiting HERE.

A preview video was also created by Matter Deep Publishing which you can view below:

You may also read a very nice blog post by Matthew Innis of the wonderful and always informative Underpaintings blog by clicking HERE.  

Lastly, today I found a nice mention in Fine Art Connoisseur magazine's March-April 2012 issue.  It is currently on newsstands. 

If you are in the Alexandria, VA area on Friday April 13th we all hope you will be able to come to the Opening Reception between 6:30-9pm.  Most of the artists (including yours truly) will be in attendance.

2012 Regional Artist Project Grant - Recipient

I am very pleased to announce that I have recently been awarded a grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County to purchase new studio lights and materials to build new studio equipment such as a new model stand and storage racks!  These Regional Artist Project Grants (RAPG) are awarded annually to qualifying applicants to provide financial support for projects that will advance the applicant's career in demonstrable ways.

Britek Halogen light set, including boom, 2 stands, and three adjustable lamps!

All recipients are required to spend all project funds by December of 2012.  So, I dutifully purchased the above beautiful set of three Britek Halogen lamps, soft boxes and stands (including that awesome boom) right away.  I have been trying them out for both lighting my subjects that I choose to paint, as well as using them to take more professional photographs of my artwork.  Using these lights to photograph my work has made my least favorite aspect of being an artist a much more palatable chore!  Next will come the building - of storage racks and a new model stand.  My models will no longer have to pose on the floor or propped up on a hobbled table!  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.

Better Photos & closer details.

 Threshold, oil on panel, 64" x 48", 2012

Threshold, detail

Threshold, detail

Threshold

Threshold, oil on panel, 64" x 48", 2012

As a figurative painter, it is pretty hard to avoid painting a female figure or two or twenty.  The nude is an essential component to the study of representing the human form.  Here is my most recent attempt.  

 detail - Threshold

At first, my intentions were admittedly simple.  I wanted to represent the female nude figure with dignity and respect.  There are so many images (including within my own oeuvre) that show women as objects of desire, as sexually available.  This has become a prevalent practice even or especially in advertising.  Let's face it, sex sells.  But aren't we capable of showing women as more than that?  Am I capable of reclaiming the female nude (please pardon the potentially dated feminist speak)?  Over the course of this painting I started to doubt the validity of my intentions.  Who am I reclaiming the nude female figure from?  Male artists?  Well sure, there are plenty of over sexed images of women painted by male artists of past and present - but so is true of female artists (again I am not discluding myself here).  Alternatively, there are also fantastically painted female nudes that ooze humanity, dignity and create empathy within the viewer, painted by some contemporary artists such as Daniel Sprick, Richard Maury or Catherine Prescott.  In the end, I'm not sure where this painting lands.  Is this a successful painting despite the vacillating ideas present between strokes?  If you hadn't read all this, would you more likely be questioning the validity of some woman walking to the porch in the buff?  Questions just raise more questions.