Better late than never

Cleo

Value Viewer img

Value Viewer img

This is really embarrassing. So much time has passed without a comment from me.
What have I been doing? A lot it seems.
February: I will fill you in starting here.
IPad is working and some of our Tuesday Painters Group have become quite clever with them.
My fave app is Value Viewer . I use it to check values in preparation for the actual painting and again when I think it might be nearing completeion. Easy to take a quick snapshot with I Pad and move it to the app.
Did I tell you I did a demo for Fremont Art Association on various approaches to collage? From the use of handmade and rice papers(washi) combined with watercolor to torn paper collage, no paint, using material from quality magazines which I scrounge as the only mags I buy are Art publications.
Standing room only I am told. Son, Tom, did a video which I have not seen yet . Hope to have an excerpt for U TUBE soon.
This was followed by a 3day workshop in March. Lots of fun but tiring for this old bod.
Also held a Monday Drop in class for a few weeks. Worked well. Averaged 5 students per day. Nice size group. Am taking summer off and to consider how much more teaching I will do.
Still plan to do the cruise ship gig.
Visited the De Young Museum in Feb and again in March. Jack and I went to see "The Girl With the Pearl Earring" by Vermeer. felt like I had watched it being painted after seeing the movie. Also showing were amazing etchings by Rembrandt and others as weel as paintings by Rembrandt and other Dutch artists of the time. Think many of the old master works were painted by candle light which could explain the darkness of many. After all Holland would have short daylight hours .
Of course Rembrandt brought us his well known "triangle of light".
The second visit was to the Annual "Bouquets D'Art". My first time to see this. very worthwhile.
A pre picked group of florists were assigned to do an arrangement that represented a painting in the Museum's collection. Pretty spectacular!
Also saw the "Girl" again as a friend had an extra pass. Then Carol, who was driving took us to coast. Had drinks and deep fried calamari at the Windmill . Yum. Did not know there was a restaurant there.

Am going to stop here and post some photos, then get back later. Promise!

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

Another effort from Nuttall workshop

From a photo taken in Mexico several years ago.

Giverny to the Dordogne/Le Petit Rousset

This is an invitation to join me on a 11 day trip to France in 2011. 
Travel by air, train and bus from Monet's Gardens to to Southwest of France.
We will sketch with pen and watercolor (or your choice) outdoors and paint in the studio at Le Petit Rousset. The restored farm setting is just the place to relax , enjoy and have a great time.rousset-perigord.org

Collage Workshop

Held over the weekend we had 12 participants. Everyone worked very hard to learn about design ,values and shapes with collage papers. Here is a pic of the "industry"

Fall Update

I t  feels like summer but is November already. Soon to end i hear.
My sister Barbara is slowly recovering from a recent stroke. Pray she continues to improve.
I am heading to Kathleen' s Creative Weekend at her home in Sanger CA.
I am prepping for a collage workshop on Nov 13 and 14 which I will teach at the Fremont Art Association Gallery in old town Niles (north Fremont.
See my album of collage pieces.
Two of my paintings are in the mini showcase of plain air paintings at the same gallery. lake Elizabeth is a watercolor and View of the Lake is a small pastel.
In case you havent heard. "Well, Cock-A-Doodle Doo" took 1st place in Poultry Division at Circle Gallery in Madera, CA. and is showing there. This painting didnt make the cut at the County Fair. If at first yu dont succeed try harder. In the Spring it will be showing with other prize winners at Fresno State University.
WATCH for more info on my workshop in France next summer. Giverny to  the Dordogne.
You can go to info@rousset-perigord.org or contact me for more info.

Brommer Workshop

Spent 5 days at Gerald Brommer workshop in Pleasanton. Watercolor and collage.
Here are two of my  first day's small abstracts.
I need to do a little work on the rest before i post them.
One is cruciform design and other is a bridge.

Above is my favorite .

Impressions and Icons of Umbria

Working hard to put this event in motion, so pass the word along.
In July Kathleen Mattox and I will teach for 2 weeks in a delightful part of Italy..Umbria!!
Many of the towns we will visit are small(pop.) under 500. The people are charming and there is a new view around every corner.
This is a terrific value with all ground transportation, tuition, accommodation and most meals included.
Non painters will love it too and photo opportunities abound. Then there is the food, wine , markets and unique shops.
Go to laromita.org for more details.

La Romita Workshop

Coming up in July is my trip to Italy where Kathleen Mattox and I will teach at the wonderful old monastery turned art school of La Romita for two weeks. This is a great place to stay and visit the amazing hilltowns  of Umbria. We will sketch and paint on location as well as in the studio.
A great opportunity for all.
If you need a brochure please email me at
gracemrankinartist@gmail.com or visit the website
laromita.org and check out session 2