Voltaire on Genessee

 

This was my demo for this weekend's Historic West Bottoms Sketching Workshop. It was fun to share the process of sketching the urban landscape with fellow artists.  Each worked out three thumbnail sketches with various compositions, and we looked at ways to determine the strongest one before turning that one into a painting.  Each used their own preferred mediums, and had strong work to show at the finish.  We disbanded as the first quick paint of the event was beginning.  What fun to start the event in this way!  Painting in days.....

Santa Painting a Nutcracker

 

Santa is on my easel tonight, as he paints a nutcracker!  It's super fun to play with acrylics again - in between commissions.  I've been VERY busy this season, so it truly is a little bit of therapy time to work on something like this.  I've used a base of mars black, with ivory black on the final layers. The first is cool while the next is warm, allowing depth in the simple black and white.  Additionally, I use titanium along with white gesso for the same reason.  Painting number 5034 in 5034 days. 

St Vincent's in the Vineyard

The St Vincent's in the Vineyard Chapel is beautifully situated on the rise of the hill overlooking Chaumette Winery and vineyards.  The gardens show this place to it's best advantage, so of course it has been on my radar to paint!  Too busy to paint when I visited with Mom, I am now taking ink, watercolor and hot wax to rice paper, to capture this special place. Watercolor Batik is a very special journey, and I will be teaching a workshop on my technique March 25 and 26 at Silver Sycamore Gallery in Sainte Genevieve.  Artist Reception on Friday night at 6:00 - come see this painting in person and watch me demo!  Painting number 3720 in 3720 days. 

Moon Over Ste Genevieve Catholic Church

 

I LOVE the unique charm each watercolor batik painting has, as it's unpredictable nature unfolds!  Tt is so well suited for a nocturne with the hot wax resists and strong floating color. This one focuses on the Catholic Church in Sainte Genevieve, with moon and stars rising to the occasion.  I continue to work on large pieces for my upcoming gallery show at the Silver Sycamore Gallery of Fine Art March 24. I will be teaching a two day workshop, and sharing my process for the Art Walk on that Friday night at 6:00.  Come join me to see all the new work and the process, too!  Painting number 3718 in 3718 days. 

Sunflowers Batik

 

I love the unpredictable nature of watercolor batik! Workshop in this method coming March 24 & 25 at Silver Sycamore Gallery in Sainte Genevieve - come join the fun!  I use two different kinds of rice paper, ink, watercolor, hot wax and several layers to achieve the desired effect.  The larger the size, the more difficult it is to handle the fragile paper, so we'll be working several pieces in a smaller size.  It's been a while since I've worked in this medium, and I'm really enjoying the process again!  Painting number 3717 in 3717 days. 

Jean Baptiste-Valle House Batik

I am painting the Jean Baptiste Valle House in watercolor batik tonight, with the view from the garden.  This place is joyful in bloom, and I love the formal rhythm of this garden.  It reminds me a little of the Loose Park rose garden, and I an really enjoying the process of layering watercolor, ink, and hot wax.  I am teaching this method March 24 and 25 at Silver Sycamore Gallery in Sainte Genevieve, and will be bringing paintings to the gallery that reflect the area.  Painting number 3717 in 3717 days. 

Portrait Study in Black and White

On a weekend full of portrait study, it is so fun to try different colors and techniques!  Here I laid down the planes with ivory black and titanium white, adding the tiniest bit of ultramarine blue.  I arrived with my plein air set up, but am now wishing I had a few more soft brushes.  I use a lot of heavy duty workhorse brushes (Princeton Catalysts) in the field for my daily work, and only had a couple of Rosemary brushes in this box.  A softer, lighter brush is better for blending where desired. I find that I like leaving plenty of brushwork and strong strokes untouched.  This portrait journey is going to be SO FUN!  Painting number 2876 in 2876 days. 

Dean

 

This weekend finds me working on my portrait skills in oils!  Joining 7 other artists in the charming town of Rocheport, I've spent today in the Community Hall.  I'm hoping to complete 6 portraits, honing my skills in the process.  I've already learned something very valuable - I can breath life into a portrait by working from a black and white reference photo, working in the color organically.  Who knew?  I plan to really delve into portraits during the winter months, so this weekend is meant to kick start that process.  Thanks, Nyle! This historic district is amazing, simply filled with vintage buildings - all calling to me to paint!  Oh how I wish I had several plein air days scheduled!  So, I'm sketching before and after the scheduled portrait hours, and will certainly return for more work in oils one day.  Painting number 2872 in 2872 days. 

Workshop Santa Nutcracker

These Santa nutcrackers are among my very favorite - and they are SO much fun to paint!   This fabulous one in his workshop attire, complete with toys, apron, hammer and nail, has been shared with me from a private collection.  What fun!  I love the way his colors work together and pop on the panel!  For those lively red highlights, I use cad orange over the top of those masses, and I pull green light permanent over for that rich jewel green.  It's all about pushing and pulling those colors!  This painting makes 1438 in 1438 days as we close in on Christmas!

acrylic on panel, 5x7
purchase here

Vineyard at Noboleis

This morning started with a wonderful group of artists, each relatively new to painting en plein air.  Noboleis Winery was gracious to allow me to hold my workshop in their vineyard!  Could there be a more gorgeous setting than this vineyard for class?  After going over some tried and true plein air tips, everyone set up their easels and I started to sketch the composition.  I took my demo to the block in stage, then circulated as they all progressed towards the same.  Checking at each stage to make sure all were on track, I finished my demo.  I love seeing how each artist progresses through a painting.   It is as individual as handwriting!   Each walked away with a beautiful vineyard landscape and a new tool to help them find their composition in the field.  Helping other artists further their skills is SO rewarding!   This painting was my first of three on Saturday!   Painting number 1354.on 1354 days :)

Andrea

Andrea
Oil on panel, 9x12
sold

This is my very first portrait painting from life!  Oh my gosh - it was exhilarating!  Just like the first time I completed a graphite portrait, joy and excitement welled up inside of me - I LOVED it!  Who knew?  I could so easily become addicted to this life drawing/painting work!  I am taking a figure and portrait painting workshop all this week, so each day there will be a live model or two to paint.  On working on this one, I realize my panels are not toned right for portrait work.  So, I must re-prime a few tonight for the next few days with a cooler, lighter shade.  Several are using white panels, but I just can't make myself do it, so we'll see how tomorrow goes.  I may just come home and prime in a different shade yet!  With all of my drawing background, actually getting a likeness is the easy part.  Now, I will concentrate on getting the right color temperatures to breathe life into each piece.  I am so excited for tomorrow!!  How will I ever get to sleep tonight?  I know this must sound crazy to those non-artists, but this is truly what art does to me - stirs my soul with a burning desire to create!  Painting number 420 in as many days - and my dad continues to improve with each day :)