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.

From my sketchbook

France, of course. hope you enjoy them,

Black ink pen and watercolor.

More photos

Dining in France...

An expensive but enjoyable experience.

My France Experience.

Eight of us spent two weeks in France, starting in Paris as we all "did our own thing", together and apart. Everyone managed to see the sights as we wanted.
 My roommate and new friend, Janet, is a walker with a purpose and managed to pull me along. She was also very good at figuring out the Metro stations. We went to the Marmotan
museum, an exhibit of Monet and friends. particularly enjoyed the works of Berthe Morisot.
Through the courtyard of the Louvre to see the "pyramid" and on to the Pont de Artes, a bridge the artists considered the best views of Paris.
Sketched with some local artists. Across the bridge is the Left Bank and the San Germaine area . Lunch at La Palette, a cafe' of early artists get togethers, palettes and Impressionist paintings create the ambience.
farmers Market, Montmartre and a walk around the Morais district a very old part of Paris.
Next was three nights at "Pluie de Roses", a delightful B&B abt a mile from Monets Garden in Giverny. Everything as  I expected in This town. Wonderful.
The second week we spent at Le Petit Rousset near Eymet in the Dordogne/ Perigord area.
Wonderful food, good friends, some old, some new.
Visited several old Bastide towns to sketch, paint and shop....and eat. Oh I think some of us gained a little.

POsting a few small quick pieces. More later.

Bon Voyage

Tomorrow I leave for Paris, France. By the time I get there it will be Wed morning.
I will be staying at the Villa Beaumarchais in the Marais area of Paris. This area has a history of being very old, The Jewish quarter and a bohemian area. Lots of things to see.
Not doing the Museums this time. maybe the Monet . We have had  great Impressionist exhibits in SF from the Orsay. And now Picasso. I saw two Picasso musums in Spain a few years ago.
On July 2nd eight of us will be picked up for a bus trip to Giverny where we will stay at
 La Pluie de Roses, a delightful B&B, formerly the home of the  caretaker of Monet's Gardens. There is a museum here with a Bonnard show which I plan to see. Of course we will spend time in Monet's gardens and see his home.
Then on the 5th of July we return to Paris and take the train to Bordeaux, then bus to Le Petit Rousset in the Dordogne area for a week. Some days we will walk to nearby town of Eymet and a little church up the hill. We will also have two outings by bus to small towns. chateaus and more.
We will sketch and paint with pencil, ink and watercolor, both on site and in the studio.
Of course you are envious, yes?
Will fill you in on my return as I dont expect to do much computer.
Au Revoir mes amis

Banner Painting

Several of us painted banners for Regan Nursery Show at end of June.
This is acrylic on canvas.

They are to be auctioned off with proceeds going to schools.

"Painting With Grace"

My students and I are having a show of some of our recent paintings in June at Mission Coffee Roasting Co, 151 Washington Blvd,  Fremont CA 94539
A reception will be held Sunday June 12 , 3-5pm.  There will be Music and Refreshments .If you are nearby come see us.

demo photos

• These pics posted on Olive Hyde Art Guild site following my presentation on sketchbook journalling

Successes

A fun cruise with Bonnie and Hannah to Mexico last week.
A couple of days to catch up and cataract surgery on Tuesday. Healing is going well, distance vision improved.

Portrait class

Mondays watercolor portrait class went very well.

Here are a couple of photos. Most had not done this before so I am happy.

watercolor update

These two small pieces were done last week;
First is the texture demo from Mondays class. Salt and aquapasto used.

The other is a watercolor done on aquaboard surface in the garden . The jury is still out on this surface . Colors seem to stay bright and I think it can be varnished and framed sans glass.