Zoom Class with a Model

Last week I joined a 2 hour “live” modelling session on zoom
presented by Concord Art.
The model was the stunning 5 month pregnant Rose,
posing from her home in a bikini.

What an eye opener!

We started with quick 5-15 minute poses.
No instruction.
Just a chance to play.

I broke out the acrylics for the last one.

Who could image a time that we’d be
drawing from a model on our computers?
Alone in our studios???

Not me.
But it’s what we have to work with
so I’m going with it!

NOTE:
I highly reccomend Concord Art for on-line classes.
A great way to get through this!

Weekly On Line class

I am so grateful to be involved with a wonderful group of artists
who meet once a week for an on-line for a class with
Mark Daniel Nelson.
This month, we’ve been exploring the idea of using large empty areas
in a painting to give the viewer an area to “rest”.
MDN refers to this as a
”big dumb shape”.

“Room 210”
16 x 16 acrylic

I left the large bed area loosely painted in order to lead the viewer
to the more detailed items on the night stand.
Here’s a terrific example Mark showed by Kim English.

(The large unfinished area on the right
is the BDS.)

Needless to say, this on-going class
has been a blessing during the pandemic.
The camaraderie and interaction with the other artists
has kept me happily engaged and excited about painting!

Thankful

I hope everyone had a safe (and somewhat festive) Thanksgiving.
As always, I am eternally thankful for my family, friends, and patrons
who support my passion for painting.
Without it, I’m not sure how I’d be faring these days!
Here’s one more Woodscape I’ve been working on.

I’m enjoying the organic, free form shapes found in the woods.
They are a nice contrast to the more geometric shapes
found at the beach.

“Yellow Cup”
14 x 14 acrylic

And now I’m excited to have some fun commissions
and gifts to work on this month.
Bring on the holidays!

Late Fall Landscape

I drove by some cranberry bogs yesterday and
I caught a glimpse of the muted purple-red color
of the foliage in the bogs
against the dark greens of the pine trees lining them.

There are still moments of brilliance in the late fall landscape;
and I couldn’t help exaggerating that in this piece below.

After the Harvest
16 x 16 acrylic

I did these quick little watercolor sketches
when I got home to use as reference.
I’m having fun with these.
Hope you enjoy.

Storing Subject Matter

Here is another “woodscape” inspired by the amazing
color show Mother Nature has given us this fall.
Now that the colder temps are here and the leaves are falling,
I’m afraid the show will soon be over.

16 x 16 acrylic on canva paper

Below is the quick Procreate sketch I used as a reference,
done as a layer over an image on my I Pad.

The original image:

Like a squirrel storing up nuts for the winter,
I’ve been storing up subject matter to help me
get through the long winter ahead.
We’ll see where that takes me.
Then again, there’s always still lives and interiors!

Woodscapes

It’s been a glorious fall this year in New England
so I’ve been spending as much time outdoors as possible.
My daily walk in the woods has inspired me to do a series of these
simple, quick watercolor sketches to
then develop into larger “woodscape”
paintings.
These are each about 4” x 4”

Today I got to work on this 16 x 16 acrylic.
I’m using thin acrylics on canva paper
and oil sticks.

I’ve noticed that
even when I try to be “abstract”,
my paintings end up looking like landscapes.
So I’m just going with it.

Happy Halloween

I guess we’re getting used to re-thinking holidays;
so instead of trick or treating today,
I’m posting this fun abstract that reminds me of
Halloween.

“Ready or Not”
10 x 10 acrylic on wood

These two pieces will be included in the
Copley Society Holiday Small Works
show open virtually and live! from
November 12 - December 25.

”Come On Over”
10 x 10 acrylic on wood

Stay safe everyone!

"Abstract" Landscapes

After a walk in the woods this week,
I decided to try an abstract “impression” of what I’d seen,
without using any reference.
I just started laying in colors and shapes,
pulling and pushing, and this was the result.

Red October
12 x 12 acrylic

I find it funny that most of my “abstract” attempts
generally end up looking like landscapes.
Baby steps, I guess!

That said, I’m delighted and surprised that this
12 x 12 abstract, done this spring during covid,
was accepted in to “Tipping Point”, a National Juried Show
at South Shore Art Center.

”Silver Lining”
12 x 12 oil, oil sticks, charcoal

That’s encouraging!

Switching Gears

I think I’m finally finished working on this;
my attempt to hint at a subject,
without telling the whole story.
(Although it’s pretty obvious.)

Corner of Heaven
14 x 14 oil

Last week we moved to our ”winter house”,
8 miles away from the beach.
I’m going to miss the vastness of the ocean and
the intense light over there.
That said, I find great joy in being surrounded by trees
and look forward to some new subject matter.

NOTE:
I’m mostly excited about being so close to my studio
and look forward to spending long hours in there.
Once the weather
keeps us inside!

Coloraide Paper

Over the summer I’d been playing with the idea of
using golf courses as a subject matter.
Nothing much came from it so
yesterday I got out the Coloraide paper and started simplifying.

I tried to limit the shapes, colors and values
and just let the paper do it’s thing!

When I started cleaning up,
I realized that the negative shapes of paper that were left behind
could be used for a more abstract look.

Just placing the papers on a support in different patterns and arrangements
(before gluing) was inspiring and great therapy!

Like many artists these days, I’m having a hard time focussing
on one thing and feel rather rudderless.
For now, I just keep showing up in the studio
with the hope that something wonderful will happen!
Hang in there artist friends.

Collage Inspiration

I watched a terrific collage demo via Warehouse 521
on zoom this week with Nancy Gruskin
and it reminded me how much fun doing collage can be.
So I got out my coloraide paper
and just started cutting.
I did this in about 30 minutes.

“Kristen”
12 x 8
coloraid paper on mixed media board

I’d spent the day before working on this painting,
using my daughter-in-law as a model.

“Kristen”
12 x 16 oil

I think I painted over her legs a dozen times,
struggling to get the porportions just right.
Cutting them out of paper was SO much easier.

And much more fun!

Empty Chairs

A few years ago a woman from Dana Farber Cancer Center
came to my studio looking for paintings to hang in the chemo rooms.
She chose mostly beach scenes with people relaxing.
I had some wonderful paintings of chairs on decks and porches and in groups on the beach.
When I asked her why she didn’t take them,
she said they avoid any art that includes empty chairs, empty clothing,
and/or flowers in medical facilities!

That said, chairs will always be a favorite subject of mine.

Blue Chair
10 x 8 oil

This one looked a little too predictable so I think I’ll crop it
to this; making the chair less apparent.
Maybe that will engage the viewer longer?

6 x 4 cropped version

Looking forward to getting back into the studio full time.
Wrapping up summer at the beach….so it won’t be long.
Time to hunker down!

September Light

Every September I’m struck by the strong value patterns
created by the intense fall light.
And I love how it affects interiors.

September Morning
10 x 10 oil sketch

I’m experimenting with zooming in order to avoid
“naming the subject” so I can focus more
on shapes and value.
The eternal struggle.

NOTE:
This week, the smoke from the fires out West
have created an eerie haze in our skies;
creating even more extraordinary light.
(Taken last night, no filter)

This could be fun to paint too!

Getting in "Trouble"

We had perfect beach days over Labor Day weekend
and people were soaking up every minute.

“Last Blast”
8 x 20 oil sketch

I couldn’t resist playing with this pose today.
(and I had an 8 x 20 board!)

At one point, I realized it
felt too “predictable”
so I took out the scrapers and
”messed it up”.

I’m trying to teach myself to
”get into a little trouble” in the studio.
I’m learning that it can lead to more
expressive, unexpected paintings.
And it’s more fun!
Scary but fun.

September

As much as I love summer, and living on the beach!
I always look forward to September.
I’m excited to clean up the studio,
get organized, and get back into a work mode.
A throw back from the “back to school” days, I guess.
(I vacuumed and ordered all new brushes today!)

The Grotto
8 x 10 oil study

Our house at the beach is a Mid Century Modern,
upside down, deck house.
Of course, the entire design focusses on geometric shapes;
rectangles, squares, and the movement of the light.
This is the entrance to the “lower level”.
It’s a magical place to be and has influenced many of my
current paintings.

I’m looking forward to the change of season
and all the new subject matter, inspiration, and ideas it will bring.
Have a safe and happy holiday
everyone.

One Hour Painting

This man and his wonderful hat come to the beach
almost every day so I had to try to capture it.

I used to teach a class called the “One Hour Painting”
where you began with a simple “map” outling your shapes.

Then, starting with the darkest value, you mix each color,
put it down, and leave it.
It’s a great way to build a painting by focussing on the simple shapes;
almost like putting together a puzzel.
After so much experimenting with different approaches,
I find this way of painting very comforting and “safe”.

I’m working on putting together a series of virtual classes
(for all levels) and hope to have them available soon!

Combining Values

I’ve been experimenting with combining shapes of similar values
in order to further simplify the compositions.
I did this quick acrylic study today, then did the next one in Procreate,
exaggerating the big dark and light shapes.

I’ve discovered an easy way to check your values
as you work on an I pad;
you can press the home button 3 times
and the screen will revert to black and white.
(Press it three more times and it goes back to full color)

I like this value plan , so I plan on taking this further,
possibly a full on abstract?

NOTE:
I’m working on putting together a series of virtual classes
that I hope to share very soon.
Although, right now, I’m trying to take advantage of
every minute we have left of summer!

Stay safe and enjoy!
See you in September.

Eliminating Details

I’m finding that once I eliminate most detail,
I can focus on the shapes and how they relate to one another.

Dry Summer
12 x 9 oil

Below is the reference image I initially worked from.
The dry patch of grass is what caught my eye initially.

Putting the reference away as soon as possible
prevents merely copying what’s in front of you
and allows for more personal interpretation.
The results are usually completely surprising and fun!

Keeping it Geometric

Another mostly geometric study.

Table For Two
9 x 9 oil

I tried not to be too literal with this one,
focussing more on varying the textures and sizes of the shapes.

But you can still tell it’s a table with two chairs.
Oh well.

Leaving Out Details

Another foray into using varying sized
simple abstract shapes…

“Before the Storm”
10 x 10 oil

I began with this image as a reference:

Then in Procreate, I “painted” over many of the details
until I got the shapes the size and values I wanted.

It’s a lot more difficult to omit detail than to leave it in!
One of my favorite expressions:
”It’s a painting! Not a police report! “