Seasonal Distraction

Many of my artist pals and I experience what we call
“seasonal distraction”.
Every time the seasons change, we loose our focus in the studio.
The distractions are mostly wonderful and should be embraced.
I especially love the spring transition as it
brings some fun new subject matter.

“Sunday Drive”
14 x 12 oil

We took a ride in my husband's antique convertible yesterday
and it was a thrill to be flying through the world
in a car built just for that.
('71 280SL MB)
I managed to get into the studio today to play with a new approach.
I’ve been doing a quick, loose sketch in Procreate from an image
and then work from that (instead of the reference)
just massing in the shapes.
The results an be surprising for sure.

NOTE:
Just a few spots left in my 6 week Modern Painting class
beginning Tuesday next week (June 1)

Upcoming Classes

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be teaching a
live class in June at North River Arts Society!
(outdoors or in the firestation with all the doors open!)
If interested, sign up soon
as spots are going quickly!

“Last to Leave”
12 x 12 oil (sold)

“Modern Painting”
5 week LIVE! outdoor class
Tuesday’s 9:30 – 12:30
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 
This class is designed for experienced artists working in any painting medium who are interested in exploring ways to create more modern, bold, and expressive paintings by taking a less representational approach. Each week we’ll explore ways to manipulate the abstract elements of line, shape, color, value, and texture to express an unexpected idea or statement. There will be a short presentation / slide show / demo followed by time to work independently. We will be working outdoors from a still life or photos. (Either in the courtyard or in the Fire Station with the doors open.) The last half hour we’ll share our discoveries with each other. Note: This is not a “how to paint” instructional class; it simply offers an opportunity for some intense personal exploration and discovery. There will be some homework and each week you’ll receive a list of any specific materials needed. 
Limit 10

Also!
“Modern Approach to the Figure”
One Day Workshop
July 17 9-3 pm

Morning Coffee 20 x 16 oil

Let’s explore some expressive, non-traditional approaches to painting the figure, by experimenting with the abstract elements of shape, color, line, and composition. We’ll work from observation and our imagination, using images and/or a model. We’ll experiment with flattening / exaggerating shapes, using pattern and texture, and mark making. The exercises are geared to help us create more lively and expressive statements of the human form. An understanding of drawing the figure would be helpful, however basic proportions will be discussed. Open to all mediums. Additional model fee possible.
Limited to 12 students.

Come join us for a long overdue
opportunity to work in a safe enviroment
with other artists.
See you there!

Exploring Self Portraits

For our last class in
Jennifer Pochinski’s workshop we did self-portraits.
She gave us lots of fun prompts to get us going.
Here’s my first quick one,
massed in shapes in 12 minutes.

“Red Jacket”
12 x 12 oil

Here, I did a self portrait of me in a “made up place”
(from a photo).

“In Heaven”
20 x 16 oil from a photo

Then I did this from life using red as the dominant color.

“Nanny Redshoes”
16 x 16 oil

And here’s one from life of me “with things I’ve made.”

“In the Works”

16 x 20 oil

NOTE:
I’d wiped out the nose and mouth so many times,
I finally gave up.
So while I’m waiting for it to dry,
I added the mask.
(One way to solve that problem!)

This was a very challenging and inspiring class and
I feel very fortunate to have been a part of it.
Jennifer is a generous and thoughful instructor and
the interaction with the rest of the class was priceless.
I’m really looking forward to playing with all of these new
approaches and ideas in the coming weeks.
Happy Spring!

Opening Doors

The Jennifer Pochinski workshop I’m taking is aptly named
“Opening Doors”.
I’m certainly exploring some approaches and ideas
and it’s literally “opening me up”.
Last week we worked from random photos,
collaging them in an unexpected way.
The idea was to create a made-up narrative.
I cut up old images printed on copy paper
and re-arranged them.

I’ve painted all of these figures before, so doing this was like
inviting them all to a big party.
They were originally all on the beach,
so I’m not sure how they ended up in a back yard
but that's the fun of creating a narrtive!
Here is the “collage” I worked from:

I’m excited to take this approach further
and here is another “start” using figures from old images.
No idea where to take this, but we’ll see!

This week we are doing self-portraits and
I can’t wait to see what everyone does.
So much to explore!!

On-line classes

We completed our four week on-line Modern Painting Class
( via the Rockport Art Association) this week and
as always, I’m so grateful to have had
the opportunity to work with such talented and entusiastic artists!
For our lesson on shape, we experimented with using collage to simplify our paintings
and did self-portraits for our homework.
I just had to share some of the fun results.

Using the Zoom platform for teaching art classes has been
an eye-opener and I’m thrilled that it works so well.
That said, I’m looking forward to teaching a LIVE class
at the North River Arts in June!
(Details to follow)

Meanwhile, it’s time for me
to finish up a few of the many “starts” piling up in my studio!

Missing fellow artists

This weekend I joined a crew of fellow
North River Arts Society members
for a spring clean up.
It was a real treat to finally re-connect and chat
with fellow artists while we worked.
Many of us reported having piles of unfinished and experimental
work in our studios after this year of lock down.
When I got home I decided to attack some of mine with a
”what difference does it make!” approach.

“Salty Dog Studio”
16 x 20 oil

I painted over this rather up tight, over-worked piece
I’d done this winter.

There was also a lot of talk about feeling lost, frustrated,
uninspired and unsure of where to take their work;
clearly a direct result of working alone for so long.
As artists, we thrive on interaction
and sharing our ideas with each other,
probably more than most careers.
Hang in there fellow artists!
We can do this.

The Journey Continues

This month I’m taking a workshop on-line with
Jennifer Pochinski arranged by Black Pond Sudio.

I’ve admired her honest, expressive and
“don’t think too much” approach for many years
and am thrilled to be working with her.
And of course, all the other amazingly talented
artists in the class!

One of exercises this week was to set up a still life,
set a timer for 15 minutes,
and stop!

What a great way to
let the “muse” do her work.

“Happy Easter”
16 x 20 oil

I’d forgotten how much fun it is to paint quickly
and with such abandon.
I’ll be doing more of this!

This is the reason I love taking workshops (and teaching them).
It keeps me engaged and excited about re-visiting
familiar challenges and exploring new ones.
The journey just never ends.

Have safe and wonderful
Holiday Weekend!

More Massing

I’m continuing to explore the idea of
massing shapes to begin a painting,
as opposed to drawing or outlining the objects or subject.
It’s a total departure from my usual approach
so it’s a bit daunting,
yet I’m finding that it allows for more personal expression
and less copying the subject.

Here’s a quick “mass in” I did first
from the image below.

Here’s where it is after a few days of
looking and changing and tweaking.
I added the two figures with umbrellas from another image,
deleted the ocean, roughed it up a bit, and cropped it.

This is a great way to push yourself passed the impulse
to make everything “perfect”.
A little awkwardness and a few unexpected elements add
a more personal statement.
(IMHO)

NOTE:

The on-line Modern Painting class at Rockport Art Association is full.
However, I’m going to be teaching a LIVE plein air version of it
at North River Arts in June.
Stay tuned.

Massing Shapes

While teaching my Modern Painting class
I remembered the idea of “massing shapes”
to begin a painting,
as opposed to outlining objects and filling them in.
I realized immeditely that this would be a great lesson
so I’ve been experimenting with that approach this week.

The idea is to begin painting a shape in the middle
and work outward until you have a silhouette
of the object (or shape).
NO drawing. NO outlining.
This is a great way to alleviate the habit of
just copying the reference image.

This also reminded me that Charles Sovek,
one of the important mentors in my painting journey,
introduced this approach to me
at a workshop on Cape Cod 20 some odd years ago.
In fact, it’s the first exercise in this classic book publised in 1991.

NOTE:
Only 2 more spots left in my
Modern Painting class hosted by
Rockport Art Association
Tuesdays March 30 -April 20.
9:30 - 12:30.
Come join the fun!

Looking forward

With the world re-opening up gradually,
it’s time to start looking ahead.
The Solace gallery in NJ just sent out their spring/ summer schedule
and it‘s inspired me to start think about painting
summer subjects again!

“Gotta Go”
12 x 12 oil

(Currently included in the annnual
North River Arts Members Show
that opened on-line Friday night.)

I love this time of year.
There’s so much to look forward to,
especially this one!

Let’s get those vaccines!

Zooming In

Next week in my Modern Painting class
we’ll be exploring the use of
zooming in (or cropping) to create more dynamic compositions.
I did this quickly today
in oils over an acrylic sketch I’d done in a previous class
(about color)

“Zooming In”
8 x 8 oil on canva paper

This is a fun way to think about arranging
bigger shapes and negative space.
”Zooming in” can also alter the subject just enough to add
a bit of surprise for the viewer.

NOTE:
While googling “Zooming In for BetterPainting”
a few painting and photography sites came up,
but were mostly dominated by sites on
“How to do a Zoom meeting”.
Times have certainly changed!

ANOTHER NOTE:
I’ve just added a new 4 week
on-line Modern Painting class through the
Rockport Art Association
March 30 - April 20.

Space is limited.
Click here to register.

Have a great weekend.

Painting from Memory

Since Modern Paintings tend to
”balance direct observation with invention”
we experimented with painting from memory this week.

Painting or dawing without a reference in front of you
is a lot more difficult than you would think,
so we started with a simple visual memory exercise.

I did this quick sketch “from memory” after
studying this image I found in a catalogue
for a few minutes, then putting it away.

The idea is that we tend to remember the essential elements
in the scene and forget the rest.
When we approach our paintings that way,
they usually portray a more unexpected and
personal expression.
(Not just a mere copy)

NOTE:

I’ve just added a new 4 week
on-line Modern Painting class through the
Rockport Art Association
March 30 - April 20.

Space is limited.
Click here to register.

Pattern Painting

We had our last scheduled Modern Painting class this week
where we experimented with “pattern painting”;
an approach that explores the influence Japanese block prints
had on Western art forms in the late 1800’s.
It focusses on using simple flat shapes of color
with little regard to light and shadow, or the use of form.

I did this as a quick demo of the exercise we did.
It was refreshing to re-visit an approach
that lends itself to surprises!

Winter Tulips
12 x 9 oil

I used this image as a reference.

Then on a toned board, I outlined just the main shapes
to be filled in with flat color.

This exercise is very challenging for representational painters.
Instead of using light and shadow, you are designing
with simple flat shapes of color.
It was refreshing to re-visit an approach
that lends itself to surprises!

NOTE:

I’m delighted that by popluar demand, we’ll be extending
this session by four more classe!
Let me know if you are interseted in hearing about any
future on-line classes.
(Be sure to change my e-mail address to:
nancycolella12@gmail.com )

Empty Interiors

Given the on-going circumstances,
I’ve been re-visitiing “empty interiors” as a subject.

A friend posted an image on FB a few months ago
that inspired me to do this.

“Party of One” 14 x 12 acrylic

This was my first quick pass with acrylics.
I liked it so much I thought I’d try the same subject in oils.

20 x 16 oil WIP

When re-doing a subject I often end up over thinking it;
fixing, blending, and measuring so much that it
becomes stiff, expected, and boring.
Frustrating!

My current exploration is:
How to revive the initial immediacy and excitement
in a painting after it’s been over worked.

The answer I’ve heard is;
”Destroy it, forget the original idea
and let the painting tell you what it needs”

That is MUCH more difficult than you can imagine.

Texture, Surface, Paint Handling

Last week in class, we introduced collage
to our Modern Painting approach.
”Painting with paper” to me, is the best way to
let go of detail and just play with design.

For homework, we were to take an older painting and
either use it as a reference or do a collage right over it.

I had this older painting in my studio …...

…..and just started adding paper and then some paint,
then more paper until this happened.

This turned out to be a great seque
into our discussion this week;
texture, surface, and paint handling;
another favorite topic that most of us rarely experiement with.

Stay tuned!

A Studio Visit

Last week, the folks at Concord Art asked if I’d
video myself in my studio
talking about my painting practice.

Here’s the link to the You Tube video.

This was daunting to say the least as I’m
not very comfortable talking about myself or my work.
(Or looking at myself on a camera).
That said, I now have a tripod for my phone
so I can video demos for my on-line painting class.

The joys of technology!
Enjoy.

Newly Inspired

Lately, while preparing the exercises for my weekly class,
I’m getting newly inspired by re-visiting the basics.

Last week we began talking about VALUE
and how it’s the most important abstract element in painting.

“Color get’s all the credit, Value does all the work”.

Among other things, we talked about how High or Low key paintings
can evoke a speciific emotion or expression.

The Blue Room
16 x 14 acrylic

I did this over a previous painting of same subject,
pushing myself to keep all the values higher than middle,
except the rug.
(I left the rug darker to ground the painting)

Putting it into B&W tells it all;
I probably could have made it even lighter!

This is what I love about teaching;
“I teach what I want to learn” !

On-Line Art Classes

I taught my first “Modern Painting” class on-line
this week and I’m happy to report that
it can work!
It’s not the same as being in a classroom,
but by limiting the class to 10,
we are still able to interact and share ideas
in a supportive and comfortable place.
And that is what we all, especially artists,
sorely need right now.
Here’s an encouraging and insightful interview on this topic
with Stuart Shils from Painting Perceptions.
Be sure to watch the video at the end.

After the class, I was inspired to try
an “odd perspective” of my studio
just for kicks.

I tried to keep it loose and childlike
with out-of-proportion, flat shapes.

Salty Dog Studio
16 x 20 acylic experiment

I’m very inspired and grateful to be teaching again,
and look forward to exploring all the new opportunities
this new platform offers.

Have a great weekend.

A Year in Review

As a New year approaches,
I’m reflecting on how this last year
has affected my work as an artist.
I’ve realized that given the new circumstances,
I was able to just do work
for the sake of doing it!
No pressure from shows, galleries, deadlines, and/or teaching
gave me the chance to just play and have fun.

Here are a few of my favorite experiments:

“Solace”
16 x 16 oil
I began playing with larger more textural spaces in my
architectural pieces.

“Spring Fireworks”
12 x 12 oil
I tried making things up as I went;
not using any reference.
Very scary.

Table For Two
8 x 8 oil
Even my small interiors and still lives began to get
less “literal” and more about shape.

Silver Lining
12 x 12 oil
I even dipped my toe into “full on” abstraction!

I’m looking forward to seeing where 2021 takes me
but I’m pretty sure I won’t be “painting to please” again!
Stay tuned and Happy New year!

NOTE:
When the pandemic first hit,
I read an article about careers that would be the least affected,
and being an artist was up at the top of the list.
Lucky me (us!)

Zoom Art Classes?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to present a zoom art class
and last week I was inspired after taking a terrific
week long on-line ”Fearless Abstraction” workshop
with Amy Wynne through Concord Art .

Amy handled the platform so professionally;
it made the whole experience as close to a live class as possible.
She presented us with many exciting ideas and exercises,
and we had time to work independently.
We also got to share our discoveries and interact as a group.

Here’s one of my favorite exercises:
interpretting an image with just 5 shapes.

The whole experience has inspired me to
arrange an on-line class to teach in Jan./Feb.

(through North River Arts)

Stay tuned!