Monday, November 22, 2010

Studio Visitors

Had a great day at the studio today!  Ten friends stopped by to take advantage of the open studio - not too bad since I only e-mailed about 30 people!  My goal was to visit with friends, to let them see where I'm spending all my time, and to show my latest works!   (The fact that I sold a painting - which was NOT my goal - was a little added benefit.)  I'll be there again tomorrow from 2:00 - 5:00!  SO, come by if you get a chance.   

This picture is one of my first paintings.  It's of my dad at a family cemetery.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Open Studio

Next Monday and Tuesday, I will be painting at my studio all or most of the day.  Lots of friends have wanted to see the studio - so, this is their chance.  Friends and  friends of friends are invited to come and visit between 2:00 and 5:00 PM both days.  It's not a party or open house, just a time to see the studio and some of my latest works!   E-mail or comment if you need directions.  

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Reworking old paintings

Had a breakthrough of sorts this week.  I have a couple of old, HORRIBLE paintings that have been sitting around the studio making me crazy.  After my palette knife workshop, I decided to rework them.  It was really fun to keep the basic block-ins, but change the colors and values.  I wish I had saved the first attempts so I could do a comparison.  Anyway, here they are!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Rembrandt Palette

Last week, I also attended a workshop with James Sulkowski, a portrait artist from Canonsburg, PA.  The all-day portrait class focused on using a limited palette known as the Rembrandt Palette - white, yellow ochre, vermilion (or cad read light) and black.  I had to leave early - so, didn't get to totally "finish."  However, I think my painting does at least look like a person and actually resembles the model.    Not too bad since I've only been attempting portraits for less than a year.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Art activities last week

Attended a fabulous workshop with local artist Angela Nesbit - great artist and super teacher!  First, we did lots of color mixing - made some beautiful grays using ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Then she demoed - first a block-in and then the use of the palette knife. The pears and flowers are my paintings from the two days!

New Blogger

I attended a workshop on selling your art at last week's Carolina Art Weekend in Raleigh.  The teachers strongly suggested that we start an art blog!  So, HERE IT IS!  I'll be posting my latest successes, mistakes, and attempts on my journey as a new artist.  I hope that friends, new and old, will share my progress.  Artist friends, I hope you'll chime in on things that work - and don't work - for you!