Naples and Von Liebig Classes

My Demo

nfs

(because it's on a larger canvas board and can't be cut down)

After a long drive we arrived in Naples on Thursday, January 12th. 

I had a full blown sinus cold but, was happy to see familiar faces in class the next day. Although I felt a bit out of line for exposing everyone to my germs, I passed out the Clorox wipes and everyone was happy that I didn't cancel. Thank you for your warm welcome!

If you've been trying to sign up for my classes through the Von Liebig website and had trouble finding my classes, the website is undergoing a redo and it's unreliable.

Here is the schedule and you can call the front desk at 

239-262-6517 to register. 

Class Title:  A Painting A Day - 

Instructor Mary Sheehan Winn

Date: 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/10, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7

Day/Time:  Friday, 9am-12pm

Member Price: $35

Class Title:  Color Mixing Workshop

Instructor Mary Sheehan Winn

Date: 2/17

Day/Time:  9am-4pm with a break for lunch

Member Price: $75

Painting Shiny

Vermeil Cup

Class Demo

I'd like to say that I'm setting the world on fire here in Naples, but the fact is, I'm on island time. Sitting, reading, eating out and touring South Florida with Don and generally lazing about.
However, I have my students to keep me on the straight and narrow!
Tuesday, I painted this shiny silver cup. It's not metal but a soft vermeil kind of finish and it was extremely difficult to paint. Linda watched me sweat through my demo and then took on the task. The big issue with this finish was that it doesn't reflect mirror like images of the surrounding area as metal would, only color and shadow. We are going to go after it again next week which is the best way to understand it.
Meanwhile, I read a bunch of books including, The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank by Ellen Feldman, The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian, The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom, The Selected Short Stories of William Faulkner, Local Girls by Alica Hoffman and Some Girls Some Hats and Hitler; a true love story by Trudi Kanter. They were all good in an "okay" kind of way, but I'm still looking for that really great read.

Von Liebig Classes

Garlic

6x6 oil on panel

Eight brave souls took on the the world of values, shape and color in my first class of the season at the Von Liebig Center for the arts, last Friday, and we all had fun. I discovered that many of them are going to be repeat students so I'm going to have to stay on my toes!
This is my demo and yes, the edges of the shadows should be a tad lighter ;)
My next class is scheduled for January 30th and you can book it here.

Tonight!

 Join us if you are able!

Soaring

'Soaring' 

6x6 oil on panel
SOLD

I snapped a few shots of these seagulls wheeling and diving gracefully above the Vince Lombardi Rest Area on one of our drive by's. I cropped the ones I wanted to paint and focused on giving the composition a sense of movement. I've also been sketching pelicans, which are most interesting birds. Teradactyl-like, they cruise over the Gulf in the late afternoon and are fantastic divers. Meanwhile, gale winds and low temps here in Southwest Florida today, are keeping all but the most intrepid beach goers away from the shore. 

Ruminating

JoAnn Sanborn Studio

I've been busy visiting with family, sweet baby Win, teaching and beaching. I'm in my Florida mood ;)
Today, I got some needed inspiration through a visit to my artist friends on Marco Island. 
JoAnn Sanborn, a wonderful painter of the Everglades and Betty Newman whose shimmering abstract work thrills me, have studios at the Esplanade, a waterside development of residences, shops and restaurants on Smokehouse Bay. 
I've been thinking about doing some new work but only have snippets of ideas as to what it might be. I call it ruminating, and we shall see where it takes me. 

Meanwhile, click on their names to enjoy the work of these two ladies.

Betty Newman in her Studio

Sunflower in a Jar

"Sunflower in a Jar" 

6x6 oil on board

I'm on a roll with the flowers but I will say that I scraped this entirely and began again. Scraped that one and began this one. Wasn't sure if it was a keeper or not but I posted it anyway. There's actually a point when you're too close to the forest to see the trees. I've learned that I am not the best judge of my paintings and no matter how I feel about them, one way or the other, I am not the viewer. 

More Pig Love

 

 

 
In preparation for the value lesson I will be teaching my students tomorrow, I did a step by step demo beginning with a value block in in burnt umber. I inadvertently created a tangent but this can easily be remedied. Another good lesson ;)

Narcissus in Brush Pot

16x8 Narcissus on canvas panel 
SOLD

This cool pot made of recycled brushes and glazed in ceramic was a Christmas gift from a dear friend who knows me well. I painted this on Sunday but haven't been able to edit it and post it until tonight. I am running around last minuting in preparation for our scheduled Saturday departure for Naples.

Don't forget to check out my Painting A Day class beginning Thursday the 19th at the Von Liebig Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. It's only $25 and is a three hour lesson on how to complete a small painting in a 1-2 hour session. Bring your sense of humor and leave your inner critic AT HOME!

Girls Just Wanna Paint Opening

 Thanks to all who came out last night to support the Girls Just Wanna Paint show.

It was fabulous! 

Standing left to right: Sally Dean Mello, Kelley MacDonald, Tori Brega, Jeannie MacFarland, Mary Sheehan Winn, Joan Brancale, Paula Villanova. Seated left to right: Bonnie Hobbs, Lisa Daria Kennedy, Page Railsback, Nancy Colella.

Honey 'Dew' List

$125 plus $10 S&H click to buy

 So, Susan Roden and Kelley MacDonald are locked into their donut wars but I have snuck up on them showcasing yet another local donut franchise. The little donut holes are called Dew Drops at this place ;)

That's why I called it the "honey dew list". Clever eh?

Also, as soon as blogger works out the bugs in their new template, I'm going to switch from my favorite black background so that I won't have to use pastel colors for readability. It looks good on the blog but when it goes out in email it's on a white background and difficult if not impossible to read. Click on the buy link to purchase.

Goodnight Irene



Black Eyed Susan 6x6 oil on board

I'll make this short and sweet. We have no power and although things could be much worse it might be a while before we are plugged in again. The storm for us, wasn't all that bad although we lost our favorite shade tree. No biggie. Sitting in a dark house at night is a drag. Reading by candlelight doesn't work for me because two curious cats are way intrigued by the flickering candles. This little painting was a one stroke at a time exercise that I did on Saturday.
I'll be back. Really.

Classic Bug and Painting Classes

12x12 oil on Birch

 

I couldn't resist painting a much larger version of this classic Volkswagen with the Peace sign in the back window. Fabulous and really fun to paint! Some paintings seem to paint themselves.
I've also revamped my look here using Blogger's new template to add one of my favorite features, the blogroll with thumbnails. How can one resist those images? So tempting. It isn't complete yet so if you aren't on there it's because it has to be edited one blog at a time and I have a lot of links. Now you can add up to 10 pages on your blog so check out my Paintings for Sale and Sold Work pages. I also have a class planned for which I'm working out the details. Stay tuned......

Purple Door

 SOLD

This painting was done for a buyer who saw the original posted on September 30, 2010. The door belongs to my good friend and fellow painter, the doyenne of the art scene and founder of Girls Just Wanna Paint.....Kelley MacDonald!

Pinned

Pinned 6x6 oil

SOLD

 Remember these wooden clothespins? They must be antiques. Everything's made of plastic now :( 

Liz

 Click to Bid

Merry Christmas to all my faithful readers, friends, and followers. I had a wonderful day with my family and of course my favorite little boys, Colin and Ryan. There was lots of food and desserts. 
Also, we've narrowly escaped 2 feet of snow from a 48 hour Blizzard which knocked out power and closed roads far and wide. Fortunately not our power. We are on the rain/snow line and got mostly a sleet mix and high seas. I'm going to post some photos over on my Not Really a Cleaning Lady blog for those who don't live near the water and haven't experienced it's 'winter mood'.

 Mama and I do the tree together every year

 Auntie Ag gives Ryan and Colin Hess Trucks each Christmas

Waiting

Click to Bid

 Another painting of my favorite subject, white mums. Waiting for Christmas, of course.

We've got a little bit of snow here and I'm inside painting with my little babies sleeping next to me.

Heaven.

 

Pick Me

Click to Bid

Which one should I open first is the dilemma. Ok, the box.

You all know that I suffered the loss of my dearest boy Wendell in October. Don and I couldn't bear the silence and we were lucky to be chosen as parents for these sweet little sisters. Abba (upside down) and Wolfie are amusing and affectionate and kitten crazy! Life is good. 

 

Duxbury Gallery at Nine Standish

Bennett's General Store 8x8 oil

I made a cold call on Duxbury Gallery to see if they might want to show some paintings I've done of the local scenes and was pleasantly surprised when they accepted. Check out their website at to see some work from some of my painter friends who are also represented there. 
This painting is of Bennett's General Store with their iconic Jeep which serves as the advertising for the store. In the summer the Jeep's convertible roof is off and in the winter the cap is on. More local scenes to come.

Miss Cape Neddick

Thank You, Jamey!!!

I had so many visitors who came from distances to see me including Miss Cape Neddick who didn't sign my book. You know who you are so email me please. We didn't get to chat long enough. Also, dear Katie McElwain and two of her three beautiful daughters including the newest addition, five month old Deidre came down from Ipswich. 

My special 'collectors' showed up early and I had great sales through out. The highlight of this was that my brother Jamey, who makes fabulous pochade boxes pictured below, installed a rail system to hold my small paintings so they could be viewed all together. Slam bangin' fabulous!!!! 
Thank you everyone who attended and thanks to my fellow artists for their superb presentation in cleaning, decorating and creating signage in our building. A big thanks to all the volunteers who acted as 'tour guides'. You were a big help.

9x12 Pochade boxes. Lightweight. $150 email me at WENDL15@verizon.net

Katie May holding Deidre and Claire (future author)