Thursday, February 25, 2010

sweet & melancholy

After a record amount of snow yesterday, I was able to sleep in a bit this morning, having the day off.  Got into the studio even before I had breakfast, painted for at least 20 minutes, then went to find something to eat.  And then went right back to the studio.
What helps keep me glued to the seat is having something good to listen to, and this morning it was an audio book of "Animal Farm."  After having read some of the "Freddy the Pig" series by Walter R. Brooks, I was intrigued to find that Orwell wrote his book in 1945, well after the Freddy series began (in 1927.)  I hadn't read "Animal Farm" since the '90's, so it was high time, and there it was waiting for me at the library.  Obviously Animal Farm is an excellent--though depressing--allegory, but it's amusing to note the many similarities it has to the very amusing & well written Freddy series.
And needless to say, it's an odd mix to have a cheery painting going on the easel while an allegory of the Soviet Union is playing in the background.

Took a break mid-day to attend the funeral of Rita Roy, mother of my own mother's best friend Therese.  Barely made it there in time, but was so glad I went.  Therese & her husband are both wonderful musicians and each contributed to a part of the ceremony.  James played oboe during one part,  later Therese with her violin while he accompanied on the piano.  Watching & listening to them play, especially in such a setting, I don't know if I could convey how sweetly it came across.
After the funeral, there was an honest-to-goodness church-lady meal (oh marshmallowy-green-fruit-stuff,  so tasty) and for a brief time, we were able to visit with Therese, her sisters, and Mom's friend Annie.

The day wrapped up a bit with a massage, which I have almost ruined the effect of by coming home to paint more at my desk, and oh yes, to type on the computer.
Now the winds are picking up outside, I think another branch just fell off of the pine outside my window, and it's time to go to bed.  Actually, I should have been in bed an hour ago.
Hopefully I'll be posting an image or two tomorrow of what I worked on this morning.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

More images for the demo!

Right.  So, if you missed it, this is for the
Acrylic Underpainting Techniques
Free demonstration at Artists' Mediums, Williston, VT
Saturday February 27th, 2010
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 


Okay!  Here are a few more pieces I've prepared for the demonstration.  It's really hard to stop at the underpainting stage on some of these, because I really like what's going on, and want to keep doing it.


That's about all that I have the patience to upload tonight.  The internet is moving at molasses speed, and I want to get back to the paint.  So here's a link to my flickr stream, where you'll find a few more of these pieces.

Acrylic Underpaintings

Acrylic Underpainting Techniques
Free demonstration at Artists' Mediums, Williston, VT
Saturday February 27th, 2010
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
In preparation for this weekend's demonstration, here's a peek at at least one image.
As usual, I've made a huge list of things I want to show, namely different grounds and techniques for applying them.  Colored pencil on watercolor canvas, colored pumice grounds, etc.  A pile of samples is currently building up by the door.  I also am working on a more complex piece in grisaille, based on Arkonbey's original sketch.  I haven't quite captured the original expressions yet.  But some of the shadows overall are pretty decent.  

More images to follow as we go!

Listening to while posting:  My Maudlin Career

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Vermont Artists' Week Residency!

A nice little pile of mail awaited me this evening, and I'm pleased to say that I've been accepted into the Vermont Artists' Week residency at the Vermont Studio Center!
This was my second attempt, and I was quite picky about which images I chose (I also sent far fewer) and in what sequence they would be viewed.

So, several projects are in the works, including a collaboration with Arkonbey, partly in preparation for my Acrylic Underpainting Techniques demonstration that happens at Artists' Mediums on the 27th of February.  Wonder what I'll be working on when the residency rolls around...

woohoo!