Yellow Flower

I hesitate to post this but I feel brave. The first shot is the start I did in Carol's workshop and the second shot is the one from today, where I tried to bring it to some kind of finish (futzed with it..more like) I think I'll just start over ;)

On Pins and Needles

Having a great finished painting is not the point of a workshop and anyone who goes away from one disappointed at not having a piece they can sell, is missing the point. I kept two of my value studies to prop in my studio and look at, so I can remember the particular points I made in my last post. Like, the elements that you tend to forget in the excitement of trying to capture your vision. The work. If you map it out, you have a better chance at getting it. If you plunge into it without a plan, it probably won't work.

Carol Marine's Workshop Wrap

Here's a glimpse of one of my block in's from Carol's workshop, before I wrecked it ;) (well, lost the charm in some areas anyway) I forgot to photograph today's effort which was the only painting I completed. Not stellar but decent. I'll post it tomorrow. Carol is a lovely young woman, poised and gracious, and she thoroughly knows her stuff! The lessons and exercises she covers are the ones you need to learn over and over again. The most important ones. Composition, Value pattern, ratio of values and color harmony. This was a very challenging workshop and I actually wish it were 5 instead of 3 days. Like, I'm just warmed up! It was great fun and we all enjoyed each other immensely!

Carol working on this incredible apple demo! She was on fire!

Carol Marine's Jacksonville Workshop

The first time I saw Carol Marine's paintings, I was floored by the energy and movement in them and they still affect me the same way today. Thus, I have been eagerly looking forward to this workshop she's teaching at Eileen Corse Gallery and Atelier in Jacksonville, FL. Here are three value studies I did in class today. The lesson is to create a dominent value pattern using dark, middle and light values. The first study was 30 minutes, the second was 15 minutes and the third was 5 minutes. It really makes you work fast and think about placement. Everyone did really well and we had a wonderful day! Here's Carol working on her beautiful orange slices.

Works in Progress

Although, I've added to the large painting things are moving slowly. I need to think it out before I paint on it again. Yesterday, in order to get a sense of the masses and values, I did a small version from a wider viewpoint. I also spent much of my time this past week reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, a page turner (565, give or take). I loved the story, and the writing.

Battleship Massachusetts WIP

I'm flirting with danger by posting this work in progress. Sometimes it's the kiss of death, but I feel good about this one. It's been in my mind for over a year. Today, I went into the sky around the bridge and worked on firming up the shapes of the buildings and marina on the left. I'm not sure I'm getting what I want for colors but I'm going to keep on it. This is a 12X16, which is large for me.

Battleship Massachusetts block in

My little boys and their parents took off for home today and I was itching to get at the paint. I spent about 3 hours blocking in this painting of Battleship Cove, in Fall River, Massachusetts. This painting has been a long time coming because of the complicated subject. I feel good about it so far.

'Seeing Stars' Block in

There seems to be no end to the fun I can have with Starfruits. I bought a basket of 4 at the flea market for only $2. Since they go for $2 apiece at Publix, I was thrilled. This block in took me a few hours to get the drawing right. In doing so, I lost some of the punchy darks I need for the forms but I'm happy with the color. I'm also heartened by my diligence in getting it this far, although my brain was bent after several hours and I wanted to get up and run away. It takes patience to really see. You can tell I'm going for a Jennifer Bellinger here. I love her fruit still lifes and so admire her ability to paint stripes. She has patience. Meanwhile, I've been busy matting about a dozen small watercolors, getting a print framed, delivering all of it to the Art Boutique at Tin City, going to a family birthday party on Saturday and the Naples National Art Show on Sunday. Tomorrow Tommy and Anne arrive with Ryan-5 and Colin-3 for a week. Today I washed all the mini blinds and all the bedroom windows inside and out ;) etc..etc.. I'll be back.

Orange Parasol 6x6

If you happen to find yourself in Naples, Florida, check out a new gallery called The Art Boutique at Tin City. It's located in the front section of the buildings closest to Rte 41 and it's next to The Wine Store. After sampling some Florida wines you can browse the Boutique where you'll find some whimsical stoneware sculpture , some beautiful and well priced fused glass and a bunch of paintings, cards and prints by yours truly. Everything in this gallery is priced right. Stop by and try some wine and meet Mary, Julie or Charles who are working the gallery. As for today's painting. I bought this wonderful glass block vase at Goodwill store but haven't used it much. It's full of angles and reflections and could drive a painter nuts. It did me.

Star Fruit #2

Before I get to my post today, I will mention that many of you have been telling me about problems accessing my blog or my comments section over the past several months. I ask that you email me at Wendl15@verizon.net (How do I make my email a link?) if you have this problem and thanks to those who have. It seems to be something I will have to go to blogger help and figure out myself. I would rather have a root canal :( Also, my feeds seem to have been interrupted by my blog becoming oversize and 'invalid'. That will take another trip to FeedBurner help and there's something I need to do there to reduce the size of my blog. I KNEW this had been TOO EASY, TOO LONG :::grrrr:::: So bear with me. I will get it straightened out soon. On a lighter note, a little gallery called "Art Boutique at Tin City", opened up here in Naples a few weeks ago and I was asked to submit work. They accepted some of my 6x6's on easels and a rack of my note cards. I'm waiting on mats for a number of small watercolors to shrink wrap for bin work and they asked for several copies of my giclee of Day's Cottages, one to be framed. Today I went down and painted in the gallery. Behind me was a picture window which folks could watch through. The staff are great people who are really into it. They have to re-hang frequently as new art comes in and are very attentive but not intrusive to the browsers. Rather than try for a winning painting in the unfamiliar setting, I used the time to finish up this star fruit painting, and schmooze with the customers. It was great! Here are some photos from today.

Star of the Day 6x6

"Star of the day", was the song that was sung to the Winner on the original (in the Boston area) reality talent show, 'Community Auditions'. It aired Sunday mornings live, and showcased an array of baton twirling, tap dancing and musical offerings. Yes, someone at Channel 5 thought of it first ;) Today I honed my skills on the star fruit but didn't get a photo during the daylight so I'm posting this shot of my setup with the painting. You can see some of the cool props I have waiting for me to paint. I also put a few finishing touches on "Star Burst", and another painting which I will post later. I find that once I'm warmed up, that's the time to pull a painting to finish. Since I usually use the same colors, they are already mixed on my palette and I can figure out what the painting needs and go right into it. It was fun.

Weird Al Yankovich

I couldn't resist posting this. Weird Al just kicks butt with his parodies. I promise a painting tomorrow ;)

Nizzy

After painting all that star fruit, I was warmed up enough to do this 6x8 painting of my cat Nizzy who passed November 1st. She was such a beauty. Her white fur just glowed in sunlight. She visits me in dreams. I'm going to do another one before I put this up for sale.

Star Burst 6x6

Finally, I cut the star fruit up and added the glass bowl and the knife. You can see how inspiring it is to paint the same subject over and over again. You get a feel for the structure and you've mixed the colors over and over. This is close to being finished after about 2 and a half hours getting the shapes and values right. Needs a bit more 'detail' (color spots) in the fruit and on the reflections in the bowl which is all but invisible in the set up. Today, I picked up a blue and white Oriental (fake) vase at the Flamingo Isle Flea Market in Bonita. It works beautifully with this set up. More to come.

My Stars 6x6

I wiped some of this second painting of the star fruit, but will stay with it because I like the basic structure of the painting and the drawing is good. Luckily, the "Florida" room I paint in has been like a refrigerator since I arrived in Naples, FL last week, which is helpful to my set ups. I am happily dressed in fleece and moccasins painting away in my little bubble ;) I did two paintings yesterday but I wanted to post the star fruit in order so I'm holding them back. I had a really good day so come back tomorrow and see. Better yet, click on that subscribe link and you can see it, then delete it, with no danger of blog lingering ;) Thanks to my followers, too.

Star Search 6x6

One of my neighbors gave me this beautiful Star Fruit. I think he thought I was going to eat it, but as soon as I saw it I thought "painting prop". I have another of these sketched out. Yours for $60 plus shipping if you email me.

The Raffle Tent

This is a study I have been working on from a very rough block in I did at North River Arts Festival of The Arts event. I need to practice doing crowds. I worked from a PHOTO of the block in and I've cropped my painting to show the best parts of it. Sometimes, as in this case, the details are better than the painting as a whole. Actually, they don't use the pink and white tents anymore, much to the chagrin of those of us who loved them. We have arrived in Naples and are settling in.

Lucky Seven

I'm busy packing my paints and art gear, as we leave early early Saturday AM for Naples. Hope it doesn't snow until we're well on our way. After cleaning out the fridge of props that we'll never eat, I painted this. little 4x4. Email me at wendl15@verizon.net to purchase this for $50 with free shipping.

Happy New Year

I want to say Happy New Year to everyone and thank you all for your visits and comments. Stay tuned ;)

Desert Study WIP

Our recent trip to the Southwest was a sensory overload. We visited Sedona, Jerome and the Grand Canyon. I'm bravely posting this 8x8 study of the desert landscape from a photo I shot from the car. The photo is poor but I'm getting some nice color here. The painting is much lighter than it is showing. What I'm going to do is open a book and see how someone else might have handled this subject. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, which ever way you celebrate.