Orinda Books Show and Reception

I paint with a small group of talented women "Bay Area Studio Artists" and we will be having a show at Orinda Books for the month of August.  There will be a reception on Sunday, Aug. 2 from 1-3pm.  Hope you can join us!

If the link above does not take you to BASA's website, please click below!

bayareastudioartists.com

The Sound of Silence

Song - The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel

This is my current painting of a couple relaxing at the Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau in the Loire Valley of France. The early 1th century chateau has large park like gardens and numerous sling chairs for visitors to relax in.  It is located on an island in the gently flowing Indre river and this couple is looking out over the moat and river.

 

The flower gardens were beautiful, growing in the dappled sunlight under these huge trees.

It was a warm September day with ice cold drinks and lot's of shade.  The perfect Ahhh.....moment!

Smitten in Paris

"Smitten" SOLD

 Oil - 20" x 20"

When ever my husband and I go to Paris, we go to lot's of bistro's and eat outside.  Two of our favorites to "people watch" are Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots.  They are very touristy but I love to watch the hustle and bustle of the old fashioned waiters dressed in their vests and long aprons as well as the cast of characters who are there to dine, drink, meet up with friends, smoke like a chimney and enjoy their four legged friends.  It's amazing to see the waiters squeeze through tight tables, maneuver around dogs and people all with various items on their well balanced trays.

I caught this man nibbling his dogs neck while his dog looks to be enjoying it thoroughly!  I'm not sure who is more "smitten"!

Lotus Garden - Village des Pruniers

Today I finished my new painting that I hope to submit to the Bedford Gallery's upcoming show "Bontanica - All Things Plant Life".  The reference photo for this painting is from France.  I traveled to Thich Nhat Hanh's upper hamlet "Village des Pruniers" last September and found this lovely lotus garden in full bloom.

Dear Gemma

Two months ago I challenged myself to paint 30 paintings in 30 days which was both hard work and a blast!  But since then I have been playing "catch up".

I have been working on several large new pieces to submit for a couple of upcoming juried shows.

My lotus painting in progress.

This is being done from a photo that I took at the Plum Village Buddhist Hamlet in France.

The line work in the stems and leaf veins as well as the interplay of the leaves tipping toward the sunshine is so much fun to paint. I just need to add a few more "seed pods" and change the background color and it will be ready.

I also did several bar scenes just for fun. The painting above was from the Beach Chalet in San Francisco and I was trying for big abstract shapes.

I also did a painting of "The Pied Piper Bar" which is located in San Francisco's Palace Hotel.

Before

I reworked an old barn painting that always bothered me.  I think it was because it didn't have a door from this viewpoint, nor any sign of life.  It was making me feel claustrophobic every time I looked at it so into storage it went.  Until yesterday when I added a door, path & old fencing as well as lightening up the mountain.  I may fuss with it some more but I like it much better now.

After

Gemma

I also have been working on two commissions.  Little Gemma was a joy to paint and today I got to meet her and her owner.  Both were a delight!

 

I Have De-Boned the Duck

Day 30

After Toulouse-Lautrec

I am sure many of you have seen the movie Julie & Julia in which the character, Julie keeps putting off the intimidating recipe where she has to de-bone a duck.  My husband said at the beginning of this challenge of 30 Paintings in 30 Days, that it reminded him of that scene in the movie.

So my friends, I have completed the challenge with Painting #30 today.

Like Julie says in the move, one must be fearless - No Fear!

Make up for Day 29

Day 29

30 Paintings in 30 Days

After Fairfield Porter

I was first introduced to Fairfield Porter's style by Tim Horn. This style of portraiture is often referred to as a "mudhead".  The first time I heard that term was at a Peggi Kroll-Roberts workshop.  Here is Henshe's definition:

               "A model, often one of the local Portuguese fisherman’s children, posed on the beach, sitting on a barrel with their back to the sun.  The students positioned their easels facing the shadow side of the model.  Hawthorne instructed them to paint this dramatic silhouette against the blaze of light on the beach, the water, and emanating from the sky.  By having his students paint with a large, unwieldy putty knife, it forced them to concentrate on the large shapes of color, rather than outlines around the shapes, the way one might do when painting with a brush.  The quality of a study was judged by the effectiveness with which the light was suggested by these simple shapes of color.  The resulting mud-like color of the face in shadow gave rise to the studies' nickname, "mud head"."

--From Henry Hensche: Teaching

One more to go!