Painting Moments

Sunflowers

2012-01-23T14:33:00.002-05:00

Sunflowers are available year round here in Florida. Recently, I have had several requests for more paintings using this subject. While I am always happy with the results, sunflower close-ups like this one are some of the most labor intensive pieces. Each petal has its own personality and must be carefully painted to capture the beauty and whimsey of each individual flower.

The Art Life ... Pausing

2012-01-16T19:46:00.006-05:00

The White Rabbit put on his spectacles. "Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?" he asked.

"Begin at the beginning," the King said gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop."

----- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Recently, I have been taking an unplanned rest due to a shoulder injury. Although this is obviously not the most enjoyable (or most comfortable!) way to take some time off, it has given me the ability to pause and relish some things along the way.

Christmas dinner was quieter this year, with just my mother visiting my husband and me. Al made the most lovely lamb steaks with mint jelly, and a deep dish apple pie with walnuts and raisins for desert. The tree remained standing in the library longer, allowing me to watch its twinkling lights well into January. Even my Christmas cactus bloomed long and lazily, with buds still opening as I type this.

I spent days curled up on the sofa, made up as a bed with fresh sheets and soft pillows, to watch my favorite movies over and over. Books I have been meaning to get to finally did get read... "Without Reservations" by Alice Steinbach, "The Collapsing Universe" by Isaac Asimov, as well as Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink" and "What the Dog Saw." And, of course, there were lots of naps.

Time floated by slowly, yet it is mostly a blur (probably from the pain killers). But now, the easel calls, as well as other business responsibilities. There are the sunflower paintings that I have promised customers would be available in February. Several galleries to touch base with. A new year's marketing to plan. A website to update with new works.

Back to work!

The Art Life ... Allied Arts of Yakima Valley, WA

2011-11-07T09:26:00.006-05:00

This week, I am proud to be invited to participate in the "Art of Giving" show through December 15th at the Peggy Lewis Gallery of the Allied Arts of Yakima Valley, WA. Since I am originally from nearby Spokane, the Allied Arts of Yakima Valley is a non-profit that is close to my heart. It gifts to the agricultural area of Yakima a varied schedule of educational and cultural events revolving around many art forms such as visual art, theatre, and poetry.

Non-profits have always struggled for money. Funding for the arts is also being pushed aside, even in our school systems, as we recover from the recession and political winds change direction. Yet, how empty our lives would be without drama, painting, and the other many kinds of creative expression that help define our rich culture as a nation. Please consider a contribution or gallery purchase from your favorite non-profit this coming holiday season.

For more information about the Allied Arts of Yakima Valley, please go to their website here.

Green Apples in Bowl

oil on canvas

24 by 24

Available at the Peggy Lewis Gallery, Allied Arts of Yakima Valley, Washington

Rainier Cherries in Water Glass

2011-10-27T14:11:00.000-04:00

Rainier Cherries in Brandy Glass

2011-10-20T20:20:00.001-04:00

Cherries in Two Glasses

2011-10-13T11:05:00.001-04:00

Notes and Quotes ... What Happens to the Art?

2011-09-28T22:04:00.004-04:00

During the last few weeks, a delightful group of commission works have been making my days happy and productive. I love doing commission pieces. For the short time they are in my studio, they are my personal obsession, my reason for rising early in the morning. Then, I also have the added joy of knowing each is going out into the world to be enjoyed by other people.

Like many artists, I do wonder what happens to my artworks as time goes by. Will this painting become a part of a family's life and be passed down to the next generation? Or, will it eventually find a new owner, or even travel the globe? Seems Matisse also gave some thought to what happened to the many pieces he created.

I hope the survival of my works is guaranteed -- I never think about it, because I have thrown my ball to the best of my ability. I can no longer certify that it will land on the earth or in the sea or even over the edge from which nothing ever returns.

----Henri Matisse (1869-1954) Painter, printmaker and sculptor

Another Year Goes By

2011-09-22T22:36:00.000-04:00

My husband Al and I did a little Margaritaville style partying on my birthday. Steamed clams, anyone?

Freedom and Liberty Print

2011-09-09T21:22:00.003-04:00

To me, our American flag represents the freedom and liberty of each individual to create the life he or she desires. What might be a better symbol for a happy and peaceful life than two rowboats swaying in gentle ocean breezes?

In honor of the tenth anniversary of 911, I am offering prints of my painting "Freedom and Liberty," with 20% of the purchase price going to the World Trade Center Survivors' Network. To purchase, please click here

The Art Life ... The Languages of Art

2011-08-16T12:09:00.001-04:00

There is a long standing and ongoing debate revolving around the question of “What is art?” Usually, any discussion on this subject maintains the assumption that “art” is somehow a creative process or the product of creativity. I think this is missing the mark.

All forms of art are communication. For any communication to happen, there must be a “speaker” and a “listener.” Within the visual arts, the speaker is the artist who creates the work. The listener is the viewer who responds to the work.

But, what if one person responds to a piece and another doesn’t? Does that mean that the art has failed, or that the second person is flawed? No, it is simply that the second viewer does not recognize the language of that work.

Each piece of art, just as every sentence on this page, is made of symbols. Everyone has the ability to understand some symbols and not others, sometimes depending on the arrangement. I do not speak French, so anything written in that language means nothing to me, no matter how beautiful the phrases may be to someone in France. And, I can balance a checkbook, but certainly cannot begin to decipher the intricacies of higher mathematics like John Nash, who received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his work in game theory.

Exactly what any art communicates can only be answered by the person experiencing the art. That communication is influenced by cultural differences, by exposure to varied art forms, and by individual preferences. It is very personal. We like what we know. We understand what we have been exposed to.

This is why so many great artists have not been recognized while they were alive. Van Gogh and Renoir were ridiculed by the people of their time, but are much loved now. It took time for the people, the “listeners,” to learn the languages of their art.

So, how do you go about choosing just that right piece of art for your home, one you can live with and enjoy year after year? It is easy. Find one makes you go “Oh, yes!!!” That’s the piece that is speaking your language.

Around the Studio ... Green Grapes on Crystal Plate

2011-07-12T11:54:00.007-04:00

Green Grapes on Crystal Plate

oil on canvas

24 by 30 inches

work in progress

Today, I would like to show you a work that is unfinished and still wet on the easel. In a few days, I will probably smooth over a good part of the grapes, refine the crystal reflections, and add some depth into the deepest shadows.

The leaf pattern within this plate contains many bouncing reflections and colors, and also creates unusual shadows. In visual contrast with the floral design of the crystal are the round, solid shapes of the grapes.

The most engaging part of the painting process is trying to interpret, with paint, the sparkles and hues within the leaves. Here is a close-up of one section:

Artists ... Chuck Close

2011-07-05T15:23:00.001-04:00

Whenever there is a discussion of important American artists, the name "Chuck Close" is always mentioned. Without a doubt, he is my favorite living artist. I find both his work and his life story inspirational.

Chuck's art is incredible. He has remained true to his artistic vision for over three decades, producing huge portraits, while the "art world" was more interested in movements such as pop art and abstraction. What Chuck is best known for are paintings I think of as gigantic canvases of color sensations - quilt-like blocks of shapes that, when viewed from a distance, fall into the patterns of a recognizable face.

More incredible is Chuck's life story. He paints portraits, when he himself has a disability that makes it difficult for him to recognize faces, even the faces of loved ones and long term friends. And, he paints these gigantic paintings from a wheelchair, since rendered almost totally paralyzed from the neck down after a spinal artery collapse in 1988.

On days that I do not feel well or not in the mood to paint, I think of Chuck Close - and hurry to my easel. I hope you enjoy this interview, which was first aired by the show "Sunday Morning."

Notes and Quotes ... Work

2011-06-15T23:50:00.001-04:00

For several decades, I have been collecting quotations about art and experiences of the art life. I hope you enjoy this one.

To the extent that your work takes into account the needs of the world, it will be meaningful. To the extent that through it you express your unique talents, it will be joyful.

----Lawrence Boldt (1954-) Author of "Zen and the Art of Making a Living"

The Art Life ... Take A Deep Breath

2011-06-03T14:47:00.003-04:00

The last few months have been very busy with all the activities that are part of running an art business. Some days, the work on the easel has to be put aside again and again, for the needs of a customer or an item on the growing "to do" list. The hours, the days pass too quickly.

As it happens to everyone occasionally, life threw me a curve ball this week. My husband had some nasty dental surgery done. Well, you know what those first few days of recovery can be like. Thankfully, Al is feeling more like himself today, and I find myself taking a deep breath.

Time is passing slowly this afternoon, like an old black and white movie a bit out of focus. It is the first day in many weeks that I have been able to just sit and watch the sun come in my lanai window. The business "to do" list, the housework, the gardening will all have to wait. Right now, I am busy just breathing.

Some artists are inspired in a great burst of energy. I am not one of them. I am inspired in quiet. It is only in the still moments that I can truly envision what I want to put on canvas.

This week has reminded me to slow down and take more time to see.

Notes and Quotes ... Happiness

2011-05-22T14:36:00.000-04:00

For several decades, I have been collecting quotations about art and experiences of the art life. I hope you enjoy this one.

Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and color, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day.

----Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British politician and statesman

Red Tricycle

2011-05-15T12:15:00.003-04:00

oil on canvas

12 inches by 16 inches

This beautiful little red tricycle has been sitting in my reading room for over a year. I picked it up at an antique store in downtown Tarpon Springs, Florida. More research will have to be done, but I believe it is from the late 1940's. Aren't the shapes marvelous?

Polaroid Land Camera

2011-04-29T19:05:00.001-04:00

oil on panel

10 inches by 8 inches

The design of old objects has always interested me. My house is decorated with a mix of 1940's and 50's furniture, with a few prized pieces from the turn of the century. Somehow, they visually coexist harmoniously.

While working on the antique typewriter commission, I found this 1960's Polaroid Land Camera on eBay. As soon as I saw the small auction photo, I could see this painting. Something about the shapes, as well as the blue logo and flash, just called to me.

Notes and Quotes ... Art Student

2011-04-22T16:38:00.004-04:00

For several decades, I have been collecting quotations about art and experiences of the art life. I hope you enjoy this one.

The art student that should be, and is so rare, is the one whose life is spent in the love and the culture of his personal sensations, the cherishing of his emotions, never undervaluing them, the pleasure of exclaiming them to others, and an eager search for their clearest expression.

----- Robert Henri (1865-1929) American painter and teacher

Around the Studio ... Antique Typewriter

2011-04-14T09:29:00.001-04:00

1910 Corona Typewriter

oil on canvas

24 inches by 24 inches

commission

Recently, I was asked to do a commission of an antique typewriter. Old items like this intrigue me. Each has such a history, and this typewriter arrived at my studio with an aura of mystery.

It was shipped to me from Lee Center, New York, in the Foot Hills of the Adirondacks. From the condition of the case and the hay stalks imbedded in the keys, I can only assume it had been stored in someone's barn for decades. With a compact, folding design made for traveling, the typewriter was probably someone's prize possession at one time. Possibly the first person of an Adirondack family to get a college education. Maybe taken in trade by a farmer in a deal with a writer just passing through the area. My imagination wanders.

So, I cleaned up the typewriter the best I could, and rubbed a little oil on the metal parts to make them shine. I purposefully painted the antique as if it was new. I love the patterns of light glowing on metal. My commission customer was pleased.

Now, the typewriter sits in my studio with my other painting props. I just like looking at it, but will probably create several more artworks from it in time. For now, I enjoy thinking about where it has been and what it has seen for the last one hundred years.

Pint of Strawberries

2011-04-07T11:52:00.001-04:00

oil on panel

8 inches by 8 inches

sold

My husband and I spent one sunny Monday morning searching the stalls of the Webster Westside Flea Market for a 1950's hanging kitchen light fixture. We did not find the light, but we did come home with a trunk full of marvelous regional produce. The flat of strawberries made over a dozen jars of homemade preserves, but not before I painted some of them!

Daisies in Glass Jar

2011-03-29T13:10:00.004-04:00

oil on panel

8 inches by 8 inches

My husband recently brought home a bouquet of mixed flowers. After a few days, the last flowers remaining fresh were a handful of white daisies. So, I put them in the first glass jar I found and placed them on the kitchen counter. And, I saw another painting.

The Art Life ... New Gallery Representation

2011-02-10T08:51:00.003-05:00

Today is an exciting day in the studio. A huge box of paintings stands by the door, awaiting pickup. It is going to New Orleans!

I am so pleased to announce that Guy Lyman Fine Art of New Orleans has agreed to accept my art into its fine gallery. Some of my paintings will be included in its "Post-Impressionist" show, which opens on Saturday, Feb. 19th. The gallery will continue to represent me after this show.

Guy Lyman Fine Art is situated in a charming historic building on Magazine Street. Known worldwide for its art and antique shops, Magazine Street was spared the flooding of Katrina and maintains its original beauty and charm. Guy Lyman Fine Art is a new gallery, just opened in June of 2010, but has already made a reputation for carrying quality contemporary and classic 20th century art.

So, if you are in the New Orleans area, drop in and see my paintings at Guy Lyman Fine Art, 3645 Magazine Street. The gallery's website is www.GuyLymanFineArt.com.

Personal ... A New Year

2011-01-04T11:43:00.001-05:00

Not one to make New Year's resolutions or get misty about a year passing, I do lately find myself feeling grateful for the last twelve months.

This year was a year for family ... for being reunited with family members not seen for years, for getting to know close family better, and for the welcoming of a new family member.

Although I never paint portraits, I just had to try my hand at capturing my sister Jane holding her new granddaughter Madelyn on Christmas afternoon.

Jane and Madelyn

oil on canvas -16 x 12

Teapot with Lemon

2010-10-25T13:34:00.003-04:00

oil on panel

8 inches by 8 inches

Around the Studio... White Chair with Hat

2010-08-27T16:24:00.002-04:00

White Chair with Hat

24 by 30 inches

oil on canvas

Around the Studio ... Red Grapes

2010-07-07T15:14:00.004-04:00

Red Grapes in Glass Bowl (work in progress)

30 by 40 inches

oil on canvas

The last ten days of rainy Florida weather has made it impossible to shoot a picture of this ongoing painting. But, today is blue skies and sunny, so I can post this for you.

I love the shadow shapes and colors created by this backlit bowl of grapes. The real challenge was to capture my delight in this humble subject, while presenting the elegant translucency and deep violet shadow colors of the round fruit. A little more work needs to be done with the light reflections in the bowl.

Happy Birthday to Al!

2010-06-14T13:46:00.003-04:00

Al and Nance celebrating on the moving cruise ship.

Last night, we danced the night away in celebration of my husband Al's birthday. A wonderful sunset dinner cruise out of Clearwater, Florida. Complete with good food, a pirate ship siting, dolphins in the bay, and great friends. Happy Birthday, Sweetie.

View of Clearwater Bay from the ship.

Two Rowboats

2010-06-08T13:39:00.001-04:00

oil on canvas

24 inches by 20 inches

Freedom And Liberty

2010-06-02T16:50:00.003-04:00

oil on canvas

24 inches by 20 inches

sold

Around the Studio ... Strawberries

2010-05-19T15:37:00.010-04:00

Strawberries on Linen (work in progress)

20 by 16 inches

oil on canvas

It's been a while since I have had a chance to post. Although my very patient husband and I live in this multi-roomed art studio we call our home, sometimes real life breaks into my work. Three weeks ago, we had to have our only full grown tree cut down, one of the few plants that survived this past cold winter. Since then, we have been on a quest to plant, plant, plant... replacing the tree with a lovely magnolia and filling out my backyard "hidden garden" with a bottle brush tree, a gardenia tree, azaleas, bearded iris, desert roses, several bougainvilliea, and a yellow flowering "ice plant" I could only find by mail order.

And, two weeks ago, our cat Libby Vanilla Walkforth passed away suddenly, leaving a quiet, empty space in our home that we have not yet adjusted to.

Meanwhile, I have been working on several paintings at the same time, and none of them are completely finished to show you. But, this one is close, so I thought I would share.

I sometimes set up some new goals for myself when painting. The concepts I have been working on in this work are hard against soft and bright against neutral. The strawberries, almost glass-like with crisp reflections and sharp details, are on the rolling folds of a white cloth. The green leaves have almost a velvet look to them. I am very pleased with the result.

Of course, the internet picture does not match the original painting, but I hope you get the idea.

Roy McLendon, Florida Highwayman

2010-04-25T19:20:00.002-04:00

I was leisurely wandering the Sunday street market of historic downtown Brooksville, when I suddenly stumbled upon a part of Florida's art history.

There, in the middle of the food, art, and antique vendors was an artist working quietly among his paintings under a white tent. A common sight at a market like this. Nothing unusual. But, when I spotted the one simple sign with his name, I gasped. It was Roy McLendon, one of the original Highwaymen.

The story of the Highwaymen is a fascinating one. In the 1950's and 60's, when about the only jobs available to them was picking fruit in the Florida citrus groves, self-taught African American artists from Fort Pierce, Florida set about to market their paintings. During those years, they created about 200,000 tropical landscapes, but could not find interested galleries. So, they sold the art out of their cars and door to door.

Towards the end of the 1960's, the artists seemed to disappear, but were re-discovered around 1995 by museum curator Jim Fitch. It was Fitch who gave them the name "Highwaymen." In 2004, the twenty-six recognized Highwaymen were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Of these twenty-six, only nine, including McLendon, are considered part of the original group.

Both the older and more recent Highwaymen paintings are highly prized and collectable now. What a wonderful piece of art history, and an inspiring story of determination and perseverance!

Three Paper Bags

2010-04-23T12:05:00.003-04:00

oil on panel

8 inches by 8 inchessold

Spilled Rainier Cherries

2010-04-07T11:02:00.005-04:00

oil on canvas

10 inches by 10 inches

Eggs in Colored Bowls

2010-04-02T11:10:00.001-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Rainier Cherries in China Cup

2010-03-24T06:13:00.001-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Colored Bulbs on Glass Plate

2010-03-18T14:25:00.002-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Watermelon in Glass Bowl

2010-03-12T10:09:00.002-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Coffeepot with White Mug

2010-03-05T11:26:00.009-05:00

oil on panel

8 inches by 8 inches

available at Guy Lyman Fine Art

or contact the artist

The Art Life ... Art as Autobiography

2010-02-22T10:25:00.006-05:00

While recently convalescing with a nasty head cold, I have had ample leisure time to do some thinking. And, as they often do, my thoughts revolve around the making of art. It occurred to me that creation, at its best, is always autobiographical.

With almost 50 years of painting behind me, I have made hundreds of paintings. Lined up chronologically, they are a pictorial representation of me and my experiences. The loosely painted brown sandals were worn during my college years at the University of Massachusetts. The eight-sided Russian barn set in rolling golden fields was my impression of the wheat farming area of Washington state. The self portrait with wildly colored hair was me during a painful divorce. Huge flower canvases came out of my passion for my perennial garden in Spokane, Washington, and quiet, domestic still lifes from my more contemplative life in Florida.

When I consider the work of other artists, the same holds true. One might think of Van Gogh, Manet, Cassatt, and Picasso. How different each painted, always from their own surroundings and highly individual perspectives.

Sometimes someone will say to me “I wish I could paint like you.” I think it is better that each person paints like him or herself. Yes, it is good to copy others while learning to handle paint, but then you get to a point in your development when you just have to throw out your teachers’ styles and all the “rules” and paint for yourself.

This is the hard part for many artists. It is easy to take classes, easy to copy a work or a style. It takes patience and time to produce yourself on canvas. And, it takes courage. Courage to know who you are and be willing to put that down in paint.

Me? I am an arranger. I like to arrange and straighten things in real life. I plump pillows that don’t need fussing over, refold towels every time I enter the restroom, organize my pantry in lines of similar foods. At one time, I even had my spices in alphabetical order, but I don’t have space for that right now.

When approaching a new work, I find great joy in arranging colors and shapes. I know there are “rules” for all aspects of art, but I compose according to what feels good to my eye. I like clean, bright colors and simple compositions. I enjoy objects that fall out of the edges of the picture frame, as if they are just too full of life or too self-important to fit into the confines of the canvas. I like circular shapes and horizontal lines.

Lately, I have been thinking about how to further distill these qualities in future works. Time will tell what I come up with. Evolution is the exciting part of making art, adding another chapter to the autobiography.

Rainier Cherries in Silver Bowl

2010-02-17T15:20:00.001-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Brown Bottles II

2010-02-10T20:15:00.002-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Strawberries in Glass

2010-02-04T16:07:00.007-05:00

oil on panel

8 inches by 8 inches

sold

Brown Bottles

2010-01-29T13:09:00.002-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Strawberries

2010-01-25T10:09:00.003-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Christmas Ornaments III

2010-01-22T17:08:00.003-05:00

oil on panel

10 inches by 8 inches

available at Guy Lyman Fine Art

or contact the artist

Christmas Ornaments II

2010-01-19T15:49:00.001-05:00

oil on panel

10 inches by 8 inches

SOLD

Christmas Ornaments I

2010-01-14T10:26:00.006-05:00

oil on panel

10 inches by 8 inches

SOLD

I am back in the studio after a long, lovely holiday vacation. It is rare that I stay away from the easel this long, so I was glad to have some commission work to pour myself into. This is the first of a set of three paintings of the sparkle design Christmas bulbs so popular in the 1960's. Round, reflective subjects are the most difficult objects to paint realistically, but I am very pleased with the result.

Peanut M&M's

2009-11-27T15:56:00.001-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Apples in Wooden Bowl

2009-11-20T15:53:00.002-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Sunflowers in Morning Light

2009-11-06T13:51:00.007-05:00

oil on canvas

12 inches by 16 inches

SOLD

Still Life with "Good Luck" Cookie

2009-10-27T13:48:00.002-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Cherries Spilling

2009-10-22T16:43:00.001-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Glass with Three Eggs

2009-10-14T12:03:00.004-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Tea Kettle With Cherries

2009-10-08T14:33:00.007-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Yellow Hibiscus

2009-10-04T17:34:00.004-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Paper Bags with Egg

2009-09-29T18:59:00.003-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Apple on White Lace

2009-09-25T15:51:00.002-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Rowboat on the Beach

2009-09-18T19:16:00.004-04:00

oil on canvas

20 inches by 16 inches

SOLD

Although autumn is creeping into most of America, here in Florida it is still summer. The sandy beaches and the many kinds of boats are always an inspiration.

Green Apples on Red Stripes

2009-09-13T18:11:00.000-04:00

oil on panel

8 inches by 8 inches

Around the Studio ... Gardenias Finished

2009-09-10T17:39:00.000-04:00

Gardenias

oil on canvas

40 by 30 inches

The Art Life ... Inventory

2009-08-13T17:42:00.004-04:00

Why is it that when we set out to straighten up something, we must first create a mess?

The studio is controlled chaos this week. A couple dozen of my older paintings were taken out of storage to be inventoried and photographed with the newest digital technology. So, the canvases, many of them three or four feet high, are stacked against the walls in several rooms.

What a delight to open the boxes! It was like visiting with old friends as I ripped apart box after box of paintings done in the 1990's. (Oooh! Aaah!) Back then, I worked in a hard edged representational style, which I still really enjoy looking at.

These works are flat and tonal, with colors often very close in value. So, they are hard to reproduce accurately online. However, I thought you might like to see a sample of this group.

Strawberries in Silver Bowl

2009-08-07T18:06:00.000-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Bags In A Box

2009-07-22T12:29:00.000-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Books with Tamborine

2009-07-05T16:53:00.002-04:00

oil on panel

10 inches by 8 inches

Three Seashells

2009-07-01T15:59:00.002-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Agnes Martin

2009-06-25T17:55:00.009-04:00

I've been busy with details this week. Canvases to stretch, supplies to order, inventory to put in order, emails to answer. I happened to catch an hour long interview with abstract impressionist Agnes Martin one night on the Ovation channel. Part of the interview, now on YouTube, follows.

I have to admit that I have never understood Martin's work until seeing this show. Sure, I have viewed her works in museums, but never could grasp what they were about or why she painted them. Now, I understand; I was looking too fast.

Martin spent forty years of her life painting mostly six-foot canvases of lines. Just lines, in many colors and patterns. Now, that's dedication to a theme!

Hearing Martin speak about her work made me realize that I cannot dismiss these works as just lines. They are each a mood, an emotion, a wisp of an internal reality rather than a representation of an external thing. To understand such an artwork, a person has to slow down to the vibration of that painting. To create such an artwork, an artist has to be empty of everything else but the work.

A reminder for me to slow down, don't let the business details get in the way, and simply enjoy the process of creating.

Happy Birthday Al and Donna!

2009-06-14T21:19:00.002-04:00

Here we are after three hours of dancing: Al, Nance, Mitch and Donna.

Last night, we danced the night away at a joint birthday party for my husband Al, who reached the big 60, and our good friend Donna. Thank you to all our friends for attending and sharing in the fun.

The Art Life ... The Artist in the Recession

2009-06-08T21:02:00.010-04:00

"The world needs artists. We live in troubling times. Uplifting artwork puts people's attention on positive things and makes them feel good about being alive." -Scott Menaul

Being an artist has some distinct advantages during a recession.

First of all, in this time of higher unemployment, I can't lose my job. My job, as a creative, is to make art. Recently, it occurred to me that I have now painted for almost 50 years. I certainly can't stop now!

Also, any person who lives a creative life 24/7 is used to insecurity. We are risk takers, often jumping without a net as we passionately pursue our art without any promise of exposure or sales. We create for the sheer joy of creating, although finding a new, appreciative home for an artwork is also a great joy.

My life hasn't changed because of the recession. I still spend each day looking for beauty in everything, searching for just that right subject to put down in paint on canvas. Lately, I have been looking at all the flowers blooming in my garden as well as in friends' yards. I see them bursting out of gloriously large canvases.

The recession? I recognize that has made life difficult for many people, and I feel deeply for them. Even more now than ever, an artist must keep creating. The world needs more beauty.

Cowboy Hat on Chair

2009-06-04T12:22:00.007-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

This white chair appears in several of my paintings. Sitting in my living room, it often has various objects thrown haphazardly upon it. Today, it is one of my husband's hats and a denim shirt.

Gardenias

2009-05-29T19:48:00.005-04:00

oil on canvas

16 inches by 12 inches

The gardenias were in bloom last week, when I happened to be visiting the home of my friends Sharon and Ken. I had never seen this flower anywhere except in a florist show case, so it was quite a delight to see growing naturally. The gardenia bush was over six feet high and about as wide, with blossoms on every branch!

I love the pale, fragile blooms against the deep green leaves. So, I am planning a large painting, maybe 30 by 40 inches. This is my first composition, done as a smaller 16 by 12 canvas.

Marbles in Glass

2009-05-23T07:55:00.000-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Glass Balls in Glass Bowl

2009-05-20T11:53:00.000-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Shrimp Cocktail

2009-05-15T20:14:00.001-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Around the Studio ... Bougainvillea Finished

2009-05-07T17:09:00.005-04:00

Bougainvillea

oil on canvas

40 by 30 inches

It's been a busy couple of weeks while this piece was being painted. Working this large is always very exciting to me. It gives me a chance to really move paint around, and to put down details and delicate shadings that are more difficult in a smaller format. The process is slow, something like watching a jigsaw puzzle come together one section at a time. And, by day three, I begin to really feel the results of stretching to reach around the large canvas and of standing for long periods of time.

I have to admit that I feel a sense of relief that this painting is now almost done. Just a few details to correct and some glazing to do. So, I took some time off today to enjoy the day and sit in the sun. The Florida weather was just perfect for cloud watching.

While sitting in the garden, I noticed how splendidly the desert rose is flowering. So, off I went to get my camera. Another painting begins the design stage.

Around the Studio ... Bougainvillea

2009-04-17T11:11:00.008-04:00

This week, I have been watching my bougainvillea dance.

Up north, I planted a dozen kinds of iris in my perennial garden. In Florida, I am having a love affair with the bougainvillea. This is an interesting plant, often growing to 30 feet high in my neighborhood and, at some times of the year, covered with a multitude of small red or coral flowers. Of course, mine are only a foot high now, but gardeners are patient and optimistic people.

The bougainvillea flower has three petals, each about an inch and a half long and almost paper like in appearance. The searing Florida sun makes them absolutely glow, while they do a fluttering, swaying dance in the coastal breezes. I can watch them for hours.

How do I now translate this visual experience in paint on canvas? I mulled this over for a few days, and then sat down to work. I would like to capture the glow and delicacy of this plant in a large scale, perhaps 40 by 30 inches. However, to plan out the complexity of the composition, as well as the colors and value scale, I felt I had better do a smaller study first.

I hope you like it!

Two Glass Floats

2009-04-07T15:31:00.003-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Deco Sugarbowl on Striped Cloth

2009-04-03T16:41:00.003-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Progressive ... Rocking Chairs, continued

2009-03-30T13:40:00.012-04:00

As you can see in my last post, the first day of painting was spent planning out the perspective lines and starting to block in some foundation colors:

By the end of the next day, the entire canvas was covered, giving me the basic colors and tones to actually start the final painting. Because I want the chairs to capture the most attention, I then deepened the distant background and muted the color of the wall on the right side:

The third day was spent changing tones that bothered me, such as adding a warmer color into the porch floor and the shadows upon it. All the horizontal lines behind the chairs bothered me, so the foliage shadow design was extended across the porch. I like that better. The chair details were also cleaned up.

Yes, I did actually paint the entire picture twice by this time. I heard somewhere that you are not really painting until you are pushing paint into paint. That's probably true. This stage of the work is always the most fun for me. It's where the magic happens:

Close up of the chairs:

The painting will dry for a week or so, then I will look at it again with fresh eyes and probably make a few more changes. I hope you enjoyed seeing how this painting was created. Please drop me a line if you have any questions.

Progressive ... Rocking Chairs

2009-03-26T14:11:00.007-04:00

I always enjoy seeing how another artist creates a painting. Even though I have painted for decades myself, I still get excited about the mystery involved in the creation of an original work of art with just canvas and paint. So, I thought I would share with you the progressive pictures of an piece I am starting.

Using a photo I took in Tampa recently, I am beginning a 16 by 12 inch painting on canvas of two rocking chairs on a wooden porch. The original photo:

There are many ways in which I might start a work, depending on the subject and complexity of the composition. In this case, I have several reference photos to show me the shape of the chairs and the fall of the shadows, but the perspectives have been warped by the camera. This is a complex design to paint, so I began with a tight pencil sketch to correct the perspective lines.

Then, I began blocking in the first layer of colors. I usually start with the background, working towards the foreground and finish with the main subjects, in this case the chairs. I have found this the easiest way to work, in order to get sharp edges in the primary subjects. At this point, I am just trying to cover the areas well by scrubbing some basic tones into the texture of the canvas.

This is the end of the first day.

Tulips on Blue

2009-03-23T13:40:00.003-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

The Sunken Gardens

2009-03-20T07:50:00.004-04:00

Recently, I had the pleasure of a visit from my high school friend Nancy from Massachusetts. So, we took her to one of my favorite Florida spots, the St. Petersburg Sunken Gardens.

The Sunken Gardens is a lush four acres of exotic tropical plants and wildlife from around the world. In 1902, a plumber named George Turner drained a shallow lake on his property and uncovered a sinkhole as deep as 15 feet below street level. So, he planted a garden! Talk about turning lemons into lemonade.

Of course, I took lots of photos. I think some paintings may come out of this trip.

This picture is Nancy and my husband Al walking down one of the many garden paths.

Three China Cups

2009-03-18T12:18:00.000-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

The Art Life ... Second Place!

2009-03-14T06:55:00.002-04:00

The results are in! The artists of eBay have voted my work a second place in the still life/interiors category. A heartfelt thank you to all who voted for me, and congratulations to all the 2008 winners!

Watermelon With Slice II

2009-03-11T11:40:00.004-04:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Plums on Linen

2009-03-05T15:18:00.001-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Congratulations Jack!

2009-03-02T14:08:00.008-05:00

The Agent's Office

oil on canvas

12 x 18 inches

I met John Dietz almost thirty years ago. He came swaggering into the Rochester, Michigan art gallery that I was living in (that's another story!), looking as if he had just tied up his horse outside.

Back then, Jack was creating large paintings of strong, proud Native Americans with red and white face markings and feathered headdresses. His realistic style was tight and clean, down to the details of the delicate feathers. Today, his western subjects range from rugged mountain men to classic firearms.

Jack's painting "The Agent's Office" is a finalist in the last round of judging in the Hunting Art Prize in Houston, Texas. Congratulations!

John Dietz's paintings can be viewed at www.JohnDietzStudio.com.

Light Bulbs

2009-02-27T13:55:00.005-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

This painting makes me chuckle.

For decades, a standard practice in beginner drawing classes has been to draw light bulbs and eggs. Their round shapes and neutral colors were always a challenge to an art student. However, the newer bulbs are twisted tubes and much easier to draw. So, I guess technology has changed even drawing 101.

Red Grapes on White Plate

2009-02-23T06:51:00.002-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Rainier Cherries in Silver Bowl

2009-02-20T08:27:00.002-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

The Art Life ... Artists' Choice Awards

2009-02-17T09:36:00.006-05:00

Hollywood has its Emmys. The fine artists on eBay have the Artists' Choice Awards. Like the Emmys, it is an honor to have one's work recognized by other eBay artists.

I have the distinction of being a finalist in the "Still Life and Interiors" category of the 2008 Artists' Choice Awards.

I thank my fellow artists for their votes, and wish good luck to all the finalists.

Five Tulips

2009-02-16T07:11:00.012-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

Four Tulips

2009-02-13T14:22:00.011-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

It is the day before Valentine's Day and the grocery stores are full of flowers. I passed right by the romantic roses when I spotted the tulips. When living in Washington state, I grew many kinds of tulips, but they are rarely seen here in Florida and never grown in gardens.

When the blooms die down, I will plant these in my yard. However, I suspect they won't last despite my attempt to amend my sandy garden. But, I will always have some paintings to remind me of their beauty.

Bentwood Rocker in Morning Light

2009-02-10T15:04:00.015-05:00

I have owned this rocker for over 30 years. It is the perfect place to sit with that first cup of coffee, just watching the sun rise through the lanai windows. One day, I caught a glimpse of the chair in the early morning light. The painting was there, just waiting for me to get it onto canvas.

Fortune Cookies

2009-02-06T14:11:00.004-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

I haven't painted lately because of illness. So, meals have meant warming up all the homemade soups in the freezer and ordering take out Chinese food. I don't know why Chinese tasted so good. Maybe it's the "Good Luck" fortune in the cookie that made me smile.

Fan with Red Box

2009-01-20T14:52:00.001-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Ruffled Tulips

2009-01-16T16:16:00.007-05:00

oil on canvas

20 inches by 16 inches

collection the artist

To make room for the recently painted larger canvases, I have been cleaning the studio. When I came across some old photos of flowers, they brought back memories of the all the warm summer evenings I enjoyed working in my perennial garden in Spokane, Washington, before moving to Florida several years ago.

Here in Florida, gardening is very different. There's no dirt in my yard, just sand! And the grass does not grow up but across like a vine, which makes raking impossible. I am adjusting, planting the exotic flowers like plate sized hibiscus and thorny bouganvilleas, which are actually native to South America. But, it is just not as much fun as digging in dark, rich loam.

My northern garden had eight different tulip varieties, including black tulips that were a delight to see when they appeared each year. My favorite tulips were the ruffled, which are also called "parrot tulips." The petals of these flowers are often so swirling and twisted, so etched with daring combinations of colors, that it is difficult to recognize them as tulips at all.

This is my rendition of some white parrot tulips from my Spokane garden. I tried to capture their spring dance, as well as the joy they gave me.

Colored Pencils in Glass Jar

2009-01-09T14:04:00.001-05:00

oil on panel

8 inches by 8 inches

Pinwheels

2009-01-06T12:03:00.001-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

SOLD

Something a bit playful, combining interesting shapes and colors with reflection.

Pear on Silver Plate

2009-01-03T13:21:00.002-05:00

oil on panel

6 inches by 6 inches

I picked up this small silver plate a few months ago. It's shape makes some interesting reflections, so I thought I would try to capture this pear in oil.

Around the Studio ... Vases in Progress

2008-12-27T11:10:00.001-05:00

Painting In Progress

oil on canvas

24 inches by 24 inches

The sparkle of light playing on and through glass becomes a moment of contemplation when brought to this scale. I enjoyed the ability to show elusive details that can get lost in a smaller piece.