New Year Coming

I've been absent from this blog for a while. Maybe you've noticed. Maybe not. There are quite a few reasons for my absence, the biggest of which is that my laptop has not been working for a while. Thankfully, I'm back on track. I think. I hope.

Some of you are already aware that I don't really believe in New Year's resolutions unless they are easily attainable...such as "I resolved to have more fun"...or "I resolve to sleep more"...that sort of thing. Of course, this is relative to one's own peculiarities. If you don't like to have fun and prefer being wide awake (if you're three, for example), then obviously you would need to adjust accordingly. 

That having been said, I have been giving some thought to possible changes in direction this year...both in my art and in my life. I'm participating in a show at the Panhandle-Plains Western Art Museum in Canyon, Texas. But other than that, I'm wide open.

Part of this mid-life upheaval (okay...I admit that "mid-life" may have actually passed me by, but humor me) is the result of having moved out of my downtown studio/gallery and into an actual house which is big enough for a studio space. So I'm not longer open to the public and consequently, I have more freedom and flexibility. 

I do plan to write more, assuming my laptop doesn't bail on me again. And I hope to publish a book that I wrote a few years back as an e-book, if I can ever figure out how to do that. Feel free to advise.

I'm glad to be back online. I hope that you're glad to have me back online. I would love to have your comments and feedback. By the way, the above painting is available. Contact me for info. Now go out there and have some fun...and get some sleep!

Art Show This Week-end

"Red Kimono"

9X12 oil on canvas

 

As the title implies, I'm going to be in Ben Wheeler this week-end with quite a few small, unframed paintings for sale. If you're interested in collecting, this is a good place to start. Most of the paintings I'm bringing are what I would describe as "studies".  Studies are generally small, and more times than not, unframed and less expensive as the larger framed pieces.

 

I will NOT be in park with a tent. I will be either inside or just outside the "Walking Horse" gallery. For those of you not familiar with Ben Wheeler, it's the blue building across the street from The Forge. If tomorrow's weather is similar to today's...I will probably be inside. I don't care for sweating. As you know...I am a delicate flower.

 

In other news...I'm hoping to take a little trip to New Castle, New Hampshire in July for a private showing. I hope to meet a lot of new people - whether collectors or not - and get lots and lots of photo references for future paintings. And I'll freely admit that the cooler temperature is not without significance.

 

If you've never been to Ben Wheeler (that seems an awkward sentence to say...too many "ben"s for my taste), this would be a good week-end to check it out. And for those who enjoy a nice meal and relaxation (that is to say drinking), there are two nice restaurants in town, both of which have a nice selection of beers and wines. I hope to see you there!

"Shelby January Morning"

9X12

oil on canvas board

 

Lately I feel pulled in many...many directions. Hopefully I'll be back on track with my blogging. I hope you've missed me.

 

This is a very recent painting that's mostly from my head. Those of you who've done time in Texas understand that it doesn't actually snow here very often. When it does, all the artists are out and about taking hundreds of photos in order to capture that rare event. So I've taken one of my photo references and elaborated to the extent that this barely resembles the reference. But that's okay. It's called "artistic license". It's a license to kill...to kill boring reality, that is.

 

I've never been a huge fan of reality. So let's get out there and create the world of our desiring, dragging others along for the ride. If you paint it, they will come. Apologies to "Field of Dreams".

"New Castle Lighthouse"

9X12 oil

sold

 

I know it's been a while since I posted. I have been extremely busy...mostly in a good way. But occasionally in an annoying way (do the words "income tax" convey anything?). But I digress...

 

I've been painting a lot - mostly palette knife landscapes. I'm slightly obsessed, it seems. I find it very freeing...I really feel like an artist when I'm slinging a palette knife with abandon. Maybe it's somewhat like a security guard waving an AK47 around...or a doctor with a new medicine which will cure your athlete's foot, but may possibly destroy you liver. Or maybe the Olsen twins with a brand new bottle of Ipecac. I'm sorry...that was truly tasteless. It seems that blogging has a similar effect, in that once I start typing, I begin to fancy myself a writer...

 

Anyway...for anyone interested, I'm offering a two-day workshop on Monday and Tuesday, May 13th and 14th. We will be exploring creative ways to incorporate palette knife techniques into landscape painting. As always...you'll work hard and learn a lot, but never at the expense of a good time. Hope to see some of you there! Scalpel in hand...ready to dig in...



Portrait Workshop

Ok...this is not a traditional portrait. True. I would call this a non-traditional figure study. But it's close enough, and I wanted to post something new. Which this is.

I'm having a workshop on Saturday, March 30th in Corsicana at the Senior Center (a great facility, btw). Even though it's sponsored by the Corsicana Art League, it's open to anyone. We will have a live model (always nice). Let me know asap if you're interested in joining us.

As a p.s....I don't know what's up with the glare in the lower left side of this painting...maybe I'll take another photo. As a photographer, I'm quite handicapped. I have no left brain. I'm so right brained, in fact, I'm surprised I don't walk in clockwise circles.

This is the first of a series of paintings of New Castle, New Hampshire. Lately, I've been painting landscapes with a palette knife...not a new idea, but new to me. I've found that I really, really enjoy using a palette knife. Maybe it gives me a sense of power...wielding a knife in my hand. Though a palette knife would be a pitiful weapon.

 Hopefully I'll be doing a show in New Castle this summer, if everything goes according to plan. Things always go exactly according to plan for me. (I'm lying...)

Meanwhile, I'm trying to conjure up my muse Aunt Clara for this week's efforts. Come on, old girl...

Figure Workshop

I still have spaces for the figure workshop next week, for those of you who live in Texas. Hopefully we'll have a live model both days. This painting is an example of how I approach a figure, rather than a traditional portrait. Notice that there's very little detail in the face, so that it doesn't look like a portrait of a particular person, but rather it captures a certain attitude and mood. This is what we're striving for in painting. Interpretation. Impression. Mood.

Pertinent information:

2-day Figure Workshop
Monday & Tuesday, March 4 & 5 from 10-4 (break for lunch at the Railway Cafe - awesome)

$75 per day...$50 deposit to hold a spot (you can use your credit or debit card on the PayPal on this site), and there will be a small model fee.

Classes are at the Coop Gallery at 217 N. Palestine, Athens, TX
Please feel free to contact me throught this site, or through Facebook or Google+

Figure Workshop

Figures are difficult. In order for a figurative piece to really work (in my opinion), you have to relinquish some control over the nitpicky details...otherwise it's a portrait. At least this is the way that I make the distinction in my own work. You may have a different point of view. But when I think of a figurative work, I like to think of an impression that captures a particular mood, so that it's not a portrait of Jane (or Joe...or whoever), but more of an emotional response to Jane's mood.

But as always, you can't render that emotional response purely by willing it to be. Like it or not...you have to have the tools to make it happen. And you have to be willing to go through quite a few bad paintings in order to eventually get to that good one.

I will be offering a figure workshop on Monday and Tuesday, March 4th and 5th, at the coop in Athens. The cost is $75 per day (I very much encourage you to take both days, but if that's not possible, you can take one day only). You will be asked to make a deposit of $50 to hold a place for you. We'll work from 10 - 4, with a break for lunch at the Railway Cafe. You'll work hard and learn a lot, but never at the expense of a good time.

FYI...I've also been asked about private lessons. I'm now offering private lessons for $100 for an afternoon session. Let me know if you're interested in more info about this.

You can contact me by email, through this site, through Facebook or Google+, or by phone. Hope to see some of you there!

"Senorita J"

24X30 oil on canvas

 

I'm really looking at some of my older pieces lately...while continuing to paint new ones. This one is from about 8 years ago. It's interesting how we evolve as artists. My style has changed quite a bit since I painted this, but it still looks like my work. I think I just get progressively looser all the time...at least in regard to art. In life...not so much. At least that's what my kids tell me.

 

I'm getting ready to offer a portrait/figure workshop at the end of February...let me know if you want details.

"Julia"

36X48 oil on canvas

up for auction soon

 

Here's another older painting. I have a lot of mostly happy memories of the time in which I was working on this piece. I painted this at the "Celebration of Fine Art" in 2000...the first year I did the show. It is of the lovely Julia Chacon who is an awesome flamenco dancer. I'll just say that I received a lot of advice while I was painting this (mostly from male artists, but I digress...). Although this was out of my comfort zone at the time, as far as color palette, size, etc., it represents a pivotal point at which I learned to take unsolicited advice with a grain of salt (or less). I started to figure out that the other advice-giving artists were giving me conflicting advice.

 

Okay...I've decided to share this one story, but not the name of the artist. One of the (male) artists who was giving me advice was just never satisfied with this piece. He would walk up and say, "I don't know...it's almost there, but there's just something not quite right. I don't know...maybe you should use the complimentary color on the shawl (in reference to the fan and scarf)." To which I truthfully said, "It is the complimentary color." He walked away trying to figure out what further advice he could give me in order to improve upon this obviously substandard work.

 

The next year, I was at the Celebration again and the same (male...did I say that before already?) artist dropped by my studio space for a chat. Apparently he had no recollection of this painting from the year before, because he said, "Now that's a kick-ass painting". Hmmm...okay...whatever.

 

This is a large painting in need of a good home. It would also be great in an office or restaurant (well...maybe not a Chinese restaurant...but you get my drift). Feel free to contact me if you're interested in putting an early bid in on this piece...and feel free to forward. I feel inspired now...I think I'll put on some flamenco music and do my fandango dance...

 



"Grandma's Kitchen"

16X20 oil on canvas

 

This is an older piece and is, in fact, my mom's kitchen window (edited somewhat...as anyone who knows my mom will understand). From time to time, I go through a backlit phase, in which I want to paint anything and everything with backlighting. Don't ask me why. I would have to make something up, because I don't know why. I guess its the muse (Aunt Clara). I'm considering putting this one up for auction soon...let me know if you're interested, or if you want to make an offer. 

"The Meeting"

16X20 oil on canvas

sold

 

I came across a photo of this over the week-end. I like the romantic feel of it...youth...spring...spooky trees. What...you don't think spooky trees are romantic? I guess we all have our preferences.

I hope to be offering a workshop in February, for those who live close enough to attend. Feel free to contact me if you're not already in my student database, but would like to be notified of upcoming events and workshops. I'm also hoping to do workshops in other cities, so let me know if you have a league or group who would like to host one.

Also...I'm planning to have another online auction soon from this blog, so keep checking in. 

Almost finished...

"Aunt Mary Deen"

8X10 oil on canvas

 

 

Still somewhat on the topic of "when is it finished?"...I like a loose, painterly look. It's what I strive for. But I still like to tweak...or noodle, as it were. I've been working on this little painting for the last couple of days (off and on...also working on other things). So I'm at the point where I have to decide whether or not to refine it more or leave it in its impressionistic stage. Maybe a few more little tweaks...keep you posted. But for now...I think there's a bowl of ice cream with my name on it...

Revised Hill Country

9X12

$175

 

Okay...sometimes you just have trouble stopping. Tweak. Tweak. Noodle. Noodle. But I think I'm done now. It seemed it needed a little more color and action so...here it is. Unless I look at it again next time I'm in the studio and have other thoughts. I suppose one could write an entire book - or at least a long chapter - on knowing when to stop. And I think that most of what applies to art also applies to life. People who like to stir up trouble, for example. Stop it. Or people who insist on standing two inches from your face. Stop. Just stop. And...it's probably time for me to stop writing about this...

 

Tomorrow night is the demo for the Corsicana Art League...looking forward to that. And I'm getting ready to offer my first workshop for the new year, if I can reach an agreement for the right time and space. Contact me if you're interested in workshops. I like to think that my workshops are not only informative (I try to help you problem solve and make breakthroughs), but good camaraderie. And the coffee and donuts are not without significance.

 

Off to dance a short fandango...

 





"Wisteria"

gouache on watercolor paper

sold

 

Wow...this brings back memories. I was actually still married when I did this painting! It was of a huge Wisteria vine on my back porch when I lived in Sugar Land. I went through an extensive gouache phase back then. I've been contemplating trying it again...though I no longer have any of the paints left, and I am pathologically frugal. But maybe...maybe worth the investment?

 

Last night I did a demo for the Palette of Roses Art League...what a great group. Very attentive and open. I hope to do a workshop with them in the near future. Monday, I will do a demo for the Corsicana Art League...looking forward. And moving forward...one foot in front of the other. With paintbrush in hand.

 



 

 

I have to confess that I have, in fact, been accused of being predictable (mostly by my kids, so I'm not sure if that really counts...they love to keep us grounded in our own mediocrity, don't they?). But I once visited Arizona for the first time and bought a house there. So don't try to tell me that I'm entirely predictable. I am spontaneous on occasion. Some might even say pathelogically spontaneous (my tax guy, for example).

 

Which brings me to some thoughts. I came across a photo of this painting yesterday. It was experimental for me...first of all, it's in acrylic and not oil. Secondly, it's entirely from my imagination. Sometimes we artists (much like people) can become mired in what's become comfortable...that which we've mastered (or at least as much as we're capable). Between my first attempt this week to do a palette knife painting, and finding this photo (the painting was sold a couple of years ago), I'm reminded that we should never stop experimenting and stepping outside the comfortable boxes we construct around ourselves. Let's toast to unpredictability...

 



"Hill Country Morning"

9X12 oil on canvas board

$175

 

Most of you know that I am (a) a prolific painter (hard to keep track) and (b) I like to experiment. This was my first attempt at a landscape done almost entirely with a palette knife. I discovered that I love painting with a palette knife. Who knew? The photo doesn't actually do it justice...there's a lot of texture in there. Maybe someone can give me a short tutorial on getting better photos of paintings...it's an ongoing frustration.

 

 

 



"Lazy Days"

9X12 oil on canvas

$175

A few thoughts about the New Year…

As I’ve written before, I have somewhat unorthodox views on New Year’s resolutions (I know…there’s a shocker). I only believe in making resolutions that are highly attainable, such as resolving to eat more ice cream. And the last time I wrote about this, I stated that I would resolve not only to eat more ice cream but to dance more…to dance a fandango with great abandon, though I don’t really know what a fandango is or what it entails. One hopes it does not involve any poles.

But I’m resolving to do a few things differently this year, including some changes to my blog. For the most part, I will be writing shorter posts, but with more frequency. My first online auction went well and was great fun, so I’ll probably have more.

You will notice that I now have a PayPal on this blog. This can be used not only for purchasing work, but also to pay for deposits on workshops.

About workshops…I’m hoping to do more out-of-town workshops, so please contact me if you would like to have me do a workshop for your art league, or if you would like to get together a group of your own choosing. I’m also offering private lessons for those of you who have very busy schedules, or if you think you want more intense one-on-one. I can offer a private class for one or two people, and the cost will be $100 (per person, in the case of 2 people) for a 2 to 3 hour session…in my private studio.

And I’d like to explain a little more about my CafePress store. I hope that you’ll check it out (http://www.cafepress.com/maryhortmanfineart). But in addition to what you see on the page, I can custom make any item that CafePress offers (they offer hundreds of items in addition to the ones on my CafePress page). I can also custom design items with any painting of mine…as long as I have a digital photo of it. For example, if you have a favorite painting that you would like as a mouse pad, you can just contact me, and I’ll set it up.

Wow…I’m tired just reading this. I probably should go have a bowl of ice cream in preparation for the fandango that will shortly ensue.