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.