Man, Woman

These two paintings are 30" x 36", and

are hanging together in the StutzArtSpace

Gallery. The current show, "Women of a

Certain Age", ends tonight with a lecture

by the show curator, Leigh Dunnington-

Jones, on the history of women's under-

garments! Tonight's reception is 6-8pm.

I hope some of you can attend, it should be

a very interesting lecture!

Both of these paintings, and "Coming and

Going" (seen in a previous blog) will be for

sale. Our calendars will also be available.

Please come join us!

Camping with Avery

Is he not the cutest? This is my grandson, Avery. This is what I've been doing instead of painting, camping with the kids. Got some good scenery pictures of Sugar Creek to use as reference photos. Maybe this one should turn into a painting?

Progress

Worked on this figure today, not sure if it's improved or not! Also, had my photo shoot today for the upcoming "Women of a Certain Age" calendar. Be sure to look for it, coming out to accompany the exhibit of the same name in October.

Value study

I have a new iPhone and just added the bloggerplus app. Now able to post blogs from my phone, don't have to wait til I'm home at my desk top. This means more frequent blogs! Woo Hoo! just started this new figure painting, now waiting on the first layer to dry... getting ready for two shows at the Stutz, October and November. More to come!

Missing my Friend!

This is the beginning of a tryptich mosaic tile wall art. Ran out of glue, so have to wait to do the other 2. Thought about Michelle while doing this, she is an awesome mosaic artist friend who just moved to Chicago. We miss her at the Stutz, and I'm sure they miss her in the Carmel Arts and Design district too!

Frolic

Continuing to build a body of work (no pun intended) of nudes in oil. I'm hoping to have more time to paint, now that I am no longer president of the Stutz Artists Association. That's right! As of last night's elections, I am free to paint, draw, even to work at my paying job (nursing)! Very excited about the future, especially since there are two shows coming up this fall that I hope to be a part of. Stay tuned for October's "Women of a Certain Age..." and in November, Spirit and Place, "The Body". Both of these will be exciting events!

Napping on a Cloud

Newest painting, started from our model two weeks ago. This is in oil, 20 x 24. It feels so good to paint!

Starting Something New

Today I moved my mosaic supplies back to my studio. Hope to begin some conrete garden stones, then move on to something more sculptural. The possibilities are endless! This new inspiration came from seeing the work of a handful of other artists. It is apparent that GOOD art is done in community. I am excited about beginning!

Painting is a Process!

Today I am posting 2 images. The one, "Coming and Going" you have seen from last week. I wasn't sure if it was finished, but I've made some adjustments, and I believe this is done. I notice that I have forgotten to sign it, though. Something I am frequently guilty of.

The other image is of a painting I'm not entirely satisfied with. I am happy with the compostition, a male nude in a contemplative pose. I am not happy with the colors, but need to let this percolate before tackling it again.

I am having fun painting again, though, and for that I am grateful!

Exposed

I've been exploring Expressionism. It's really kind of fun! One result is that I'm beginning to think that it's possible to "draw" with paint. This opens up a whole new world for me, because drawing is what I really enjoy and feel called to do. This painting and the previous one are about drawing with paint, and about drawing what I like, often, this is the human figure.

Hope you like it!

Coming and Going

After spending a couple of "dry" weeks, artistically, I decided to just DO something! I have always loved figures, but haven't attempted to paint them very often, thinking I need a model, and why pay for a model when the first paintings for a while won't be any good. So do you see how backward this thinking is? I decided to just do it, paint figures without worrying about making them realistic or even attractive to anyone but me. This is the start of my efforts. I began from a gestural drawing done in open figure last week. This isn't done, but not sure what more to do. It's large-ish, 34" square. It's oil with some charcoal. The charcoal is another piece which I decided to leave in, even enhance. Usually I just use charcoal to sketch the rough outlines, but I like charcoal, and I like line, so why not emphasize that? I kinda like it.

Are the Roses Finished Jumping?

I have worked on this pastel painting, adjusting edges and color saturation to emphasize the intended focal point. Can you guess what it is? Thanks to Pam Newell, my pastel instructor, for the critique of my earlier work.

When Roses Jump Out

Doesn't it look like the roses wanted to go for a walk? They just jumped out of the vase before they realized, they don't have feet!

This is pastel on Wallis paper, 24 x 18. Not sure I'm finished with it. It's "percolating" overnight.

Beach Umbrella, or Rain?

This is the first of what I hope to be a short series of beach items. Useful on a rainy day, or a sunny one!

Hopefully, as this year as Stutz Artists Association president draws to a close, I will have the chance to do more art. I can hardly wait! I think I'm almost ready for an "immersion" into pastel still lifes. We shall see...

Coffee Break

The hardest part about doing this still life is that I couldn't make coffee until I was done using my Mr. Coffee as a subject!

Don't you just love a fresh, hot cup o Joe?

Tea Time

Did this pastel in class, taught by Pam Newell. What a great experience! Can't wait for the next class!

Also, I'm very excited to report that I sold four art works at the Open House this year. Most notably, "White Mums" found a new home with Justin, who has been eyeing it since last fall! Thanks to Justin!

IT'S HERE! OPEN HOUSE 2011

This is the event I wait for all year! If you are a fan of mine, or of art in general, then you don't want to miss this! Come look me up in studio C 350. Some of the art from this blog will be framed and for sale. Hope to see you there!

Orange Hibiscus

I've ordered frames, backing, etc. As soon as it arrives I will frame this and several other new pastels in time for the Open House April 29 and 30. Can't wait for the end of April!

Vegetables with Blue Bottle

The downside of being a Still Life Artist... Your food is never very fresh because all your produce has to "pose" for a few days before you can eat it.

Sunflowers in a Basket

I've not posted lately, but I have been busy doing pastels. Trying to have a body of work ready for the upcoming Stutz Open House! Mark your calendars, April 29 and 30. This will be a great show!

Bottles, Potatos, and Daffodils

I was setting up this still life in my studio, with just the bottles, potatos, and vase, when Carol came in with a handful of daffodils and gave me these! Instantly my still life was more interesting. This is done in pastels on Wallis paper. I'm really appreciating the Wallis, it holds a lot more pastel than other sanded papers.

Still Life with Onions, a Progression

I did this in the pastel class with Pam Newell. She set up this still life, and in the first session I got as far as the bottom picture. In 2 more sessions I ended up with what you see in the top picture. Not sure I like the finished version better than the unfinished. I feel like the unfinished version has more energy. Any comments/ opinions?

Pastel Landscape 4

Last week between blizzards I made my way to my studio at the Stutz to pick up some art supplies to take home. So while the nation was covered in snow and ice, I printed out some reference photos from vacations of the past. This is the result. A landscape from a forgotten spot, but I believe it would have to be at an Indiana State Park.

More Fun with Pastels

Something I did after attending two Pastel Painting classes taught by Pam Newell. Love the class!

Sunset, Key West

Debby sent me a photo she took from Jerry's trawler in the Gulf off Key West. They are always beautiful, but sometimes spectacular. She know I hadn't seen one in a while. I had to recreate it with pastels.

Wedding Dress - Commission

Had fun doing this commissioned drawing of a wedding dress, with images of Rome, the honeymoon destination, in the background. What a great idea for the first, "paper", anniversary!

Whew! The Holdiay Exhibition is history for another year! It was great fun, if you didn't get there you missed a good party. This was my first ever, so I have nothing to compare, but there were lots of positive comments about the show, from artists as well as guests, which I'm very glad of! I sold a handful of small pieces and prints, which is more than I had expected. When will this economy be better for the arts??

Holiday Exhibition

Come see me and the rest of my Stutzie friends to begin the Holiday Celebrations!!

Mosaic Mirror

Been creating mosaics lately. Hoping to sell some at the upcoming Stutz Holiday Exhibition on Nov. 19th. There are 2 more blue tile mirrors similar to this one that can be hung together. Haven't done mosaics in almost a year, forgot how relaxing it can be!

White Mums

Finally, a new painting! This is pastels, done from a still life I set up in the studio. I kinda like it, it feels happy! Last week I put down a deposit on a new studio space! Vicky and I are going to share a great spot on 3C at the Stutz. Since the classroom is closing, we're going to move Open Figure to our studio. This should be a fun and exciting new venture!

Creativity Cycle!

So long since my last blog...

Creating art is such a cycle, currently I'm in the phase where I try something different each day. Nothing is turning out very good, I'm throwing a lot in the trash. Yesterday I started something that MAY turn out good, a largish pastel and charcoal still life of mums in a pitcher. I quit when it seemed like each stroke I made on the paper was a mistake! The trick to starting this one was to think about it before I went in to my studio. I needed to bring something to do a still life of, so I spent a few moments in my garden. Also brought in some Christmas bulbs and strings of beads. Hopefully this will lead to Holiday Show items!

Speaking of the Holiday Show, AAggghhh! It's coming up fast, I'm in charge of it and don't know what I'll exhibit myself. Lots of preparation work to do yet, but have had some volunteers, so that takes some of the pressure off. Thank goodness there are FRESH artists as well as SEASONED ones willing to pitch in!

Admitedly this pastel painting has nothing to do with the rest of this posting, but is something I did a few weeks ago from a live model. Sometimes it's good to look back at what you've done in order to see where you're going!

"Shades" has a new home!

I'm SO excited to announce that one of my latest pastel paintings has found a new home with Mike Perigo, whose wife Julie is also a Stutz artist. Mike and Julie were at the opening reception for "Voices, Women of a Certain Age", where Julie also has art exhibited. Shades State Park is a favorite spot of theirs, and Mike said he just had to have this. Lucky for me!

Going West

More fun with pastels! I'm enjoying this experiment. This time I "fixed" the underpainting with turpenoid, a little risky on a light wt. drawing paper. It was important to let the turpenoid dry completely before moving on. I tried a few of my new Nupastel brand, and I really like them. Maybe a large set for my birthday? I need a better way to store all my pastels, looks like a job for yard-saling.

Now that the weather is getting nicer I need to pack up a few things to do some plein aire pastel painting. I found a painter's tripod stool at a yard sale, it needs to see some action!

Model Lying

Yesterday four of us met at Michelle's house to draw from this live model. He is one of the best, interesting poses. I used smaller paper than usual, 14x17", so made the composition close in to the subject, which is so much more satisfying to do. Also, played with mixing compressed charcoal with charcoal pencil for hatching and detail work, and used pencil eraser for hatching as well.

Oct. First Friday

This should be a really good show! I'm planning to do gesture sketches for donations to the St. Margaret's Hospital Guild. Come one and all!

Approaching Glacier

Started this pastel painting today on a large sheet of drawing paper. It started as a pen and ink sketch done 2 years ago while in the car driving to Glacier National Park. The landscape through Montana and Wyoming was awesome! Talk about your wide open spaces, something a city girl like me doesn't see very often. The mountains really are purple!

Central Park

My newest pastel work is from a photograph I took last year while visiting NYC. It's a view from Central Park. Although the buildings in the background are an important piece of the compostion, I didn't want them to be the focus, so made them very sketchy. It was a bright day, and the front of the buildings were very light against a gray-blue sky. This is why I used a gray-blue sanded paper. It's small, 9 x 12 inches, so I used a lot of hard pastels that I had more control over.

Gallery Representation!

For the first time ever! I am now going to be represented by a gallery! This is something I've always thought would mean that I've "made it" in the art world, I guess I have! Kathleen O'Niel-Stevens is the owner of this new gallery in Carmel's Arts and Design district. Please stop in to see my art, and that of a whole lot of terrific artists. Her Grand Opening is coming up, so should be a lot of fun!

More Practise with Pastels and Charcoal

Yesterday was somewhat productive. It's always a good day whe I get to draw from a model! The bottom image was done in open figure, and was done over 3 20 minute sessions. The first 20 minutes was spent on the body, the 2nd session was spent on the face. At the break after that I realized the face looked too small for the body/head. Thank goodness for fellow artists who pointed out that the only thing wrong was the placement of the eyes. In the 3rd 20 minute session I simply moved the eyes and finished off the hair and top of the head. I'm pleased with the result.

The top image is done in pastels, 20 x 16. I tried a landscape in pastels for the first time. This is done from a photograph taken at Shades State Park years ago. It took 2 days to complete. I'm pleased with this as a first attempt, it is on charcoal paper, which I haven't used much, and feels different than the drawing paper I usually use. With this I did much less blending with fingers, only a little in the clouds. With this paper more of the ground shows through. I will look for orange charcoal paper to use for landscapes, but not too confident of finding any.

Opinion Needed!

Today I did a still life (Thank you, Susan, for the porcelain teapot!) using mostly hard pastels. The bottom photo was taken when I stopped for a break, then I returned and proceeded to put in more color, as you can see in the top photo. I'm not sure if I've overworked the piece. I'm still having a little trouble with muddy colors, but I'm getting a feel for why this is happening. Mostly, I think I tend to get mud when I'm putting cool over warm or vice-versa. I love the rich colors I see in other artists' pastel paintings, but I seem to have better results using a very limited palette. I just can't seem to resist adding more colors!

Franciscan Roses

This is a little different for me, brighter colors. It was fun to work on, because I was experimenting with different ways to blend pastels, vs not blending at all. Because I kept re-doing parts of it, I think it's a bit over worked, but was a good "LE". (learning experience). I still need to work on getting proportions right, esp. for symmetrical objects like vases.

Short Sketch

This is a charcoal sketch done in open studio a few weeks ago. We usually start with short poses, this one was 5 minutes, before moving on to longer poses. The short ones are nice because the model can sometimes get into some very twisted shapes which would be impossible to hold for very long. But a positive thing for me is that I can't overdue the drawing, which I am sometimes apt to do. I also try to impose the rule on myself, once the pose is over, STOP WORKING ON THE DRAWING. When I'm able to follow the rule, the result is always better.

More Fun with Pastels

I've been playing with pastels some more. Last Friday some of us hired a model, and this is one of the results. I actually just did this in charcoal from the live model, and added the pastel coloring in my studio later. I'm not entirely happy with the actual colors I used for skin tones, but am happy with the process. It would be preferable to add the color with the model there, but this was done at the end of our session! Also, did the facial features in my studio, without benefit of seeing the live model, and I think it shows. Anyway, I'm having fun with it!

Broken Pottery

Just finished this today after starting it yesterday. It's charcoal and pastel, about 3 1/2 ft tall, on paper. Thanks to Michele Soncini for the paper and the encouragement, and thanks to Susan Mauck, the new Hoosier Salon ribbon winner, for the idea for this series. This will be the 1st of hopefully a series of large pastel paintings/drawings? of broken pottery. I'm really having fun with this! On another note... After going to the Hoosier Salon Artists reception last night, I'm once again more excited about painting, and will soon take up brush and palette again. More to come...

Seated Nude, Profile

This charcoal drawing was done in figure drawing open studio a few months ago. The glare is from the glass, as this one is matted and framed. It's amazing what a nice frame with wide mat will do for a simple drawing! This is one of my favorites.

New Drawings, Open Studio

In the spirit of "Returning to Drawing", here is one of my latest charcoal drawings from life, done in our open studio. We have gotten some different models lately, and it seems to be helping me improve my technique. This drawing was done after preparing the paper with a coat of cold wax medium. It lends a "raw" quality to the drawing, as it is not possible to fully control the charcoal on wax. I kind of like this effect.

Charcoal Drawings

What an incredible month! My son was married to his lovely bride 2 weeks ago in my backyard. Last week I was elected president of the Stutz Artists Association, and now I am trying to get back into not only doing art, but posting it on my blog. I was feeling the need to go back to my origins as a drawer, so over the weekend I changed the art hanging on my studio walls. They are now covered with charcoal and pen and ink drawings, most are nudes done in Thursday's open studios. This picture is of a charcoal drawing that I did today. It was the first art I have done in a week, and felt really good to do something! I do enjoy a good drawing session! I tried adding a little color, not much, with pastel pencils. Hope you enjoy it!