"Charlie" to be published!

Another exciting email this morning.
My collage "Charlie" will be published by North Light books in their upcoming book "INCITE:Dreams Realized. This is  to be a book of  mixed media work so should be really interesting.
Another first for me and I am delighted.
Now to get my watercolor "Horns Aplenty" off to Arizona and send in info for this new   venture. 2013 is off and running.

Good news

Received notice this morning that my watercolor painting "Horns Aplenty" has been accepted into the Arizona Aqueous Exhibit in Tubac, Az.  This is first time in an out of state juried show so I am pretty excited.
This was done from actually animal skulls owned by a friend.

I am back!

Not sure why I have been missing for so many weeks.
Getting back to my last post about the torn paper collage: After sharing "Cleo" with the Tuesday Painters we challenged ourselves to do one of our local Niles hero, Charlie Chaplin. Niles is where Essanay Studios made 350 movies in the silent movie era . Quite a few were with Charlie Chaplin and Bronco Billy. (hence the name of our local Pizza Parlor.)
Here is my effort.
Cleo is in a Mixed Media Show at Olive Hyde Gallery opening this Friday with a reception from 7-9 pm.

Collage Portrait

After seeing and enjoying a demo by artist, Derek Gores I was excited to try his technique. here is how I did it and the end result.

On a piece of Fome core 16"x 16" I drew a simple outline of a woman's profile using a Sharpie black ink pen. I then went looking for a couple of magazines with good quality paper. Found two in our clubhouse. Then the fun and mess began. Tearing and placing various pieces of paper, then gluing it down with acrylic gloss medium continued for a couple of days. The idea is to pick paper pieces using values (lights and Darks) and variations  as your guideline and creating an image of these. Now that it is done i have put one coat of gloss varnish over all. Here it is...Enjoy!

Show at Firehouse Art Center, Pleasanton CA

As I noted Monday I have seven paintings on the Pleasanton Art League Memorial wall through October 9, 2012.  PAL is holding their Annual Membership show in the Harrington Gallery opening Sat Sept 15th with an artists reception  from 1-3pm.  Both exhibits can be viewed during gallery hours. WED-FRI, 12-5pm. SAT 11-3pm
If you are in the area please join me at the reception on Sept 15th

New Exhibit

Delivered seven pieces to the Firehouse Art Center in Pleasanton CA. They will be on display until October 9, 2012 on the Memorial Wall of the Pleasanton Art League.
I am delighted that the Pleasanton Art League will be holding their Annual Membership Show during this same period. I will also have a painting in this show.
An artists reception will be held on September 15 from 1-3pm. This will offer art lovers a great selection of artwork from around the area.
My paintings are a combination of watercolor and collage as well as watercolor on YUPO in the PAL SHOW.
I find that more and more I use a mixture of media to achieve my goals. A little like the way I cook. Always adding some variety.

Weekend Glasswork

Spent some time creating and firing some dichroic glass pendants and earrings. All because a client asked for a pair of earrings to match her pendant. Easy, yes?
Not. she this material gets through the high heat process in the kiln it can change dramatically so it is usually a surprise. So its an experiment . I have a beehive kiln just big enough for a few small pieces.
Dichroic glass is to the best of my knowledge a material developed by NASA and spray on face shield due to its resistance to heat. They called it chameleon glass due to its reflective quality.

If you are interested in any of these pieces let me know. Reasonable prices and always an accent to your wardrobe.

China in JUly!

Back from China for several days. Starting to get back to normal hours.
This was a Heritage Tour for children adopted from China and their families. Sponsored by the adoption Agency, CCAI, and the Chinese Govt.
11 days of hopping here and there. Tianamen Square, Terracotta Soldiers, or as Hannah calls them, the "Teriyaki" soldiers, The Great Wall, Panda reserve, a cruise on the Li River followed by an extravaganza at night using the Li River as the stage. This was directed by the same man who did the Opening Ceremonies at the 2008 Olympics.
Also a couple of floor shows, dancers, warriors etc.
Museums generally are places they sell things. Pearl factory, Cloisonne' factory, silk factory, terra cotta soldier factory(souvenir size), a museum where kids had lessons in Chinese ink painting and on the last day we cooked individual 5 course meals on woks and steamers.
All in all an interesting experience.
July not the best time to go there.
A country of extremes.
Too hot, too humid, too much pollution, too many people, cars and bicycles.
Little time for painting or even sketches.

But here are couple of quick studies.
The Elephant Trunk Hill and the Approach to the Great Wall.

75 Years!

Last week my students and I did paintings of the Golden Gate Bridge.
This is the 75 year anniversary of this well known landmark.

Hope you like it.

Portrait in Watercolor

Took part in a 3 day portrait workshop with Myrna Wacknov

This is an ongoing process. always more to learn. Don't know who he is.

Block

Seem to be in a bit of a slump production wise. Have taught some classes and did another YUPO demo in Castro Valley. Saw an old friend, Maybelle Rasmussen, going strong at 94!
So many ideas in my head I just have to let them roll around until something becomes obvious to me? I have had some false starts. Thinking about portraits more. I have always had a love of faces and perhaps I will do some family pieces. Who knows? I seem to at a point where some of the old standbys are boring to me. Not that I am a flawless painter. No way. Just different things appeal. Beginning to have better understanding of artists such as Picasso and the extreme changes in style they went through. Or maybe it's just Spring fever.

Keeping Up

So many things going on at this time of year.
Teaching some classes every second Monday . Good group.
The opening night of the art exhibits at Bankhead Theater  on Livermore was a nice event.
Four artists were being honored including "moi". Linda Beach and I are showing in the Founders Room. Another opportunity to meet the artists will be next Wed 6-8 pm.
One of my paintings sold. Another of Birch trees. Seems to be a popular subject.
Now busy getting ready for Open Studios this weekend. I will be at the Fremont Art Centre with 3 friends. Come if you can. 11am-5pm both days.

Here are couple of new paintings. One is on YUPO. The other on watercolor paper.

Spring has Sprung ! Maybe summer too.
This is the time of year when Art Shows proliferate and decisions about how much one person can fit in.
The Watercolor Beyond the Obvious  class I took part in for 10 weeks was amazing. I think I am still recovering. I have been in a bit of a slump since. However I have sorted paintings into..Finished, need work, and not going anywhere.
Want to keep you all updated on the next few weeks.
Today we hung a show at the Bankhead Theater Founders Room in Livermore. Eight of my watercolors and mixed media and eight of Linda Beachs pastels. The reception is Tuesday April 24th from 6pm -8pm. There will be a second reception on Wednesday, May 9th , 6pm -8pm. These are the only times this show will be open to the public and free. If you are in the area please come .
I have started teaching a Watercolor Basics class on several Mondays through June. First was on Monday. Four more scheduled.. April 30th, May 14th, June 4th and 18th.
The first weekend in May is Open Studios in Fremont. I will be at The Fremont Art Centre in Niles Sat and Sun, 11am - 5pm. Address is 37697 Niles Blvd.
In June I will participate in an Art Show at Regans Nursery in Union City. This is a great venue . I look forward to it. By the time that is over John will be out here for a week just before we leave for a trip to China with Bonnie and Hannah.

The Final Three

Je Suis finit

The final week of the Watercolor Beyond the Obvious. A great day was had by many. About twenty artists showed their accomplishments in this ten week journey. That is about 400 pieces, all 22x30". AmAZING? Went home after and slept for 3hours. have a cold too . Will show you last three as I get them on the I Pad. Or may have to go to the Mac. Havnt figured this out yet.

Number 16 and 17

 These two are more abstract. I reworked a couple of old pieces.
Three more to go!

Four more of the series

had a couple of difficult painting weeks. Here are the last 4. Keep in mind that some of them are not finished. the challenge had to do with color and in the third one putting black into other color which is something I have never done.

Book Review

Hi artists out there. Have you read "The Painted Word" by Tom Wolfe?
What do you think?
I am going to have to read it again, and again I think. When I have a very clear mind.

A must read.. "Creative Authenticity" by Ian Roberts . Very good, motivational.
Let me know.

Nine to go!

Her are the last three I have done. Numbers 9,10 and 11.
Need to work on 11 more but it is progressing.

9 is on a strange tinted paper that turned out to be very absorbent. Leaves an interesting surface feeling.
10 was fun Got carried away stamping with some stuff I found in the dollar store!
11 is on gessoed 300# watercolor paper so still putting paint on some places and lifting other spots.

Half Way

Working on number 10 today.

Posting 7and 8 here. First is a two value piece using black gesso over a watercolor under wash. Next is a collage  using pieces of old paintings, found papers, and something called crackle paste. It didnt crackle but gave an adobe wall effect. Both need small improvements. Number nine under reconstruction as it did not work the way I wanted.

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.