Today the skies were clear and the weather was perfect -- although there was a pretty hefty wind which sapped the water from your body and gave all of us excuses for not being able to paint a straight line.

No excuses for Frank.   He started the day with a demonstration that was challenging to say the least.  He wanted to show us all another approach to painting and to emphasize the point that most paintings are all about values.  He chose a scene that was almost all in the shade and he developed it thoughtfully and carefully emphasizing subtle color shifts of slight variances in value.  He reminded us that no value in the dark family (in this case in the shady area) cold be lighter than any value in the light family (the sunlit areas).  This was especially challenging because the carriage he was painting was WHITE!...   He began by establishing the lightest light (the sunlit area in front of the stable) rather than the darkest dark this time. I think that alone impressed me...   Although the demonstration took most of the morning, it was well worth it to see how he carefully selected values and colors that were very close together and deliberately put down strokes of paint to eventually let the painting emerge.  

Frank was also very careful with his drawing.. often checking his initial measurements.  He did not DRAW out the whole scene with detail but rather made "notes" to himself using a cad/ultramarine mix which he continued to check.  From there as he layed in each paint stroke he reminded us to judge every value by comparing it with the lightest light and with the values closest to it.

He isolated color shapes and kept asking himself, "How dark is it compared to what is next to it?"  He said not to stare too long at something -- just get the impression of color and make value relationships using your last impression.  So much can be said with economy of stroke.  The look is more about feelings and colors... it is a study in greys.  -- It's like a poem.. Let the viewer imagine more....   Some paintings can be skillfully right but are just boring.  Push color variations, one stroke at a time.  Don't just paint in a section like a coloring book.

Thick texture comes toward you so be careful with your brushwork and use it to lead the eye.

After another delicious meal we all set out to paint on our own.   I did better than yesterday, but not as well as I would have liked.   None the less, it was another terrific day.   We all enjoyed hearing stories about all the painters who visited San Miguel earlier in the year.  Frank has several of their paintings up on his gallery walls alongside his own beautiful work.   It was interesting seeing how so many great artists can paint side by side and still create work which is unique and wonderfully different.        

Hasta manana!

I had such a wonderful time last year in Frank Gardner's plein air painting workshop that I decided to try it again, so here I am in Mexico.  When I got here, Frank offered to take me along with him to visit some of the beautiful churches I often see in his paintings.  Interestingly enough, many of these little gems are now being renovated for the upcoming independence celebration and Frank was a bit dismayed because parts of the aging sections that he likes so much were being "fixed".   Oh well --  It will be a new opportunity to paint what may seem like a new scene.

This year I'm staying in a different B & B because some of the artists from the workshop were staying here.  It is nice but not as beautiful as the B & B I stayed at last year.  It is, however, closer to the center of town.  I've enjoyed getting to know Suzanne -- it's always good to have a buddy to share your defeats and victories with..  (and to share a meal and a margarita with too!)   We walked all over town on Sunday.   There is a new beautiful scene around every corner.
Yesterday was the first day of the workshop.   Frank had said that he planned to do it a bit differently this year and do some practice block ins to work on value, and design.  I had reviewed all of his notes from the previous workshop the night before and was dismayed to realize how much of what he had said I had NOT been utilizing.  Makes me realize how much I should review the notes I take and try to take on one thing at a time until I've mastered it..  I have been working on color and value, but may never ever get to the point where I'd like to be.

As with last year, Frank talked about his limited palette of alizerin, cad red, cad yellow light, lemon yellow, french ultramarine blue and thalo with white.  He mixes piles of color with the palette knife to avoid dirtying the colors.  He tries to mix the colors that he sees in the scene he will be painting on the palette before he places them on the canvas or board.  I enjoy listening to Frank as he explains what he's doing.  If only I could internalize it better. 

If you get a chance when he offers his class next year, book it!  Between the great city of San Miguel, the fabulous gourmet meals on the painting site and the great instruction, this workshop is a real winner.  I've taken many workshops... enjoyed almost all of them and learned from all of them... but I came back for a second time to this one because I enjoyed it so much.     (Don't hold these paintings of mine against Frank!)

I painted three real dogs yesterday, but still had a good time.  After doing his demo, we began to paint and Frank talked to each of us several times as we worked, giving us pointers as we worked.  He wanted us to just to do block ins to get a feel for the values and the compositions as well as to do a bit of practice with the color mixing.  I was exhausted last night so didn't get much chance to blog and it's almost time to leave again this morning so I will finish up and post more later.  

In the meantime,   I wish you all happy painting.

This is the last week I have at home before I fly off to San Miguel de Allende to paint with Frank Gardner.   I'm looking forward to the coming week, but I seem to be moving through molasses while trying to get everything done before leaving. 

Additionally, the weatherman has predicted rainy weather off and on during the week (It's pouring right now.) so I decided to go to the Monday uninstructed figure painting group which was inside.   The model was a cowboy and struck a relaxed but rough and tumble pose.   It was a fun morning and -- as always -- the wide variety of WONDERFUL work that emerged from the various artists in the group was inspiring.

Today I picked up my paintings from the photographer and then tried to take advantage of the beautiful weather before buckling down to business again.  I was hoping to see wildflowers.  I didn't see too many, but wow... what a gorgeous, amazing day!  I drove and stopped and took pictures and then drove on.  The clouds were billowy and amazing... They were all fluffy and majestic against the blue sky -- sailing along and making a great foil for the lush greens of the Las Virgenes / Malibu Mountainscapes.  Wow... life is sooooo good!

The top photo is looking down on the Malibu State Park Creek Bridge and through the gorge and the photo just below that is the view from my back yard overlooking the San Fernando Valley.

All the rest of the week I've been trying to finish up a variety of seascapes for entry in a couple of shows.  (I'm not sure why I keep trying to enter shows...  I guess I just crave the opportunity to show my work.)  Got it done, photographed and submitted ...

Now it's time to get ready and pack for the big Mexican adventure!

Sand, Sun and Surf
(California Kids Triptych)
Three 16"x8" panels - will be framed together

If you are interested in purchasing this triptych, please click HERE to contact me.

Well, they are almost finished....   I've been working on a few paintings.   One is a large (for me) studio piece based on the plein air study I did while enjoying the beautiful view across the top of the coreopsis crowned Point Dume.    I'll show that one sometime soon... perhaps after I finally report on the Karl Dempwolf demo.

Based on the feedback several of you posted on one or another of my blogs, or emailed me, I went ahead with my plans for the triptych.    A special thanks goes to Michael Donegan for his thorough response to my question and to those others of you who encouraged me just to "do my thing".   As I was working I remembered that I had seen several wonderful triptychs done by Robin Cheers who also ended up displaying the beautiful frames that she had custom made..  It sure made a difference... although Robin's work is always outstanding, the frame made it special indeed.

The paintings were done from photos I have taken at various times...  in Laguna and other beach areas.  I always enjoy watching kids at play - especially at the beach.  I also am fascinated with the shadows we make as we pass through areas.  I've painted the little boy with the sand shovel in his mouth before on a square panel, but I like this format better.

I will probably continue tweaking these panels, but for the most part they are done.   Now I have to decide whether I can find a local framer to show them off or whether I should use Robin's.

Tuesday was the day scheduled for our San Fernando Valley Art Club paint out.  In past years the club's paint outs had been scheduled irregularly and always on weekends, so I never managed to go.  This year, with our new paint out chairperson, Trish Bennett, they have been scheduled well in advance each month and so far they've been planned for weekdays.  Unfortunately, on our inaugural 2010 paint out in January, it was pouring rain.  CANCELED!

The weather reports have been quite inaccurate in the last week or so, so I wasn't sure if it was a go or not, but luckily today there was no rain.   We went to a place I never knew existed, called "Gardens of the World" in Thousand Oaks.  This is a privately run beautiful area in the middle of Thousand Oaks near the Civic Center.  The public is welcome but must sign in and agree to obey by printed rules which we had to read and sign before entering. 

Additionally we were able to enjoy club member and friend, Janet Snodgrass's watercolor and photo show which is hanging in the main salon area of the grounds.   Her opening is Saturday, March 6th, from 2-4 p.m. if any of you want to go to enjoy her paintings.   I will be in Mexico so I'm glad I got to see it today.

The grounds include an old a "California Mission" area, Japanese gardens, and several other beautifully landscaped and arranged areas representing parts of the world.  It wasn't the wild abandon natural landscape that I love to paint, but it was beautiful and after wandering around and taking photos, I finally settled in to the Japanese garden area.  There were about ten other painters from the club and I think we all had a good time.   I got to chat with Carol Tator, Trish Bennett, Janet Snodgrass and Chuck Kovacic.   George Malone, whom I had invited, painted in the California Mission area with a few other people.  Unfortunately I had to leave after about 2 hours of painting in order to pick up Tyler, so I couldn't stay and chat during lunch, but I still enjoyed myself.

I apparently didn't follow the rules as right after I blocked in my painting, I was asked to move.   After getting over it and moving on, (grumble, grumble) I dug in and enjoyed painting.   I had decided to try one of my 8 x 16 panels, and thought the result was okay given the limited time we had.  Unfortunately I didn't put it in a good place in the car on the way home and it got a bit mushed, but I spent a few moments at home cleaning it up and am able to say to myself...  "That was a good day of painting!"

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I have a technical question for those of you painters who wish to chime in.   I've been painting and painting and have decided to do a TRIPTYCH.   I'm using three of the 16x8 panels (vertically) and am hoping that what I am planning will work.   All of the panels include children at the beach or on their way TO the beach.  The sizes of the kids on the two outer panels will be larger than that of the kids in the inner panel.  
Here is my question:....  WHAT exactly are the rules for a triptych???  

• Does it have to be ONE painting on three panels, or can it be ONE theme on three panels?   
• Does it matter about the relative size of the figures on the panels???   What do you think???    
• After I'm finished I'll show you all three and then you can chime in with more opinions, but I wanted some opinions before I'm finished as well.   

THANKS...

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me HERE.

I love painting outdoors.  I love the sun and the beautiful sights. I love discovering new spaces and re-exploring familiar spaces.  I see things I would never have seen if I hadn't started painting outdoors.  I love everything about painting outdoors......  well, perhaps I could do without the bugs or the too hot/too cold/too windy/too wet aspects of it... but hey... the good really does outweigh the bad -- especially here in Southern California!

This painting is a familiar scene... one near my home again...   The sycamores in Caballero Canyon are actually pretty bare right now, but several trees do have some leaves hanging on and those just light up the area with color. 

I recently watched wonderful artist Karl Dempwolf do a demonstration for the California Art Club members and was reminded that when painting, the painter should not try to duplicate the scene exactly... that's what photographs are for.  One should create an interesting mosaic of shapes.  If a tree or a rock doesn't help the composition and lead the viewer to that "ahhhhh" feeling, then move it or leave it out.  (One of these days I WILL blog about Karl's demo as I promised...   really I will!..  I wish you all could have been there.)

So when I painted this painting, I did try to interpret the scene in a pleasing way.  I added colors and leaves that I thought looked nice.  It still has the spirit of Caballero Canyon sycamores, but it's my interpretation of the area... NOT an exact copy.   And I, for one, like it!!

(PS... I apologize for the huge photo file, but my favorite laptop died and I am unable to resize my images without my trusty software until and IF I find my original discs.)
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On another note:
I love to read.   Usually I read books with no value other than to enjoy for that moment.  My son-in-law, Greg, in an effort to improve my mind, I think, had recommended a book called "Googled" by Ken Auletta.  Since I'm generally a reader of fiction, it wasn't the fastest read, but it was so interesting!  It really did make me realized how we all have come to rely on the internet --- most especially those things involving Google.  I am in awe of their meteoric rise and the changes the company has caused in most of our everyday lives.  The book did give me pause, however, when it came to the issues involved in the somewhat causal demise of the traditional newspaper, media, book, and journalism itself.   Auletta, mentioned that so many of us feared the big brother changes brought about and predicted in Orwell's "1984" book, but then said that it looked like we were more likely to be brought down in a way that Huxley predicted in his book, "Brave New World".   As Auletta quoted from Neil Postman's book called "Amusing Ourselves to Death", "Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information.  Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism."        Hmmmmm....  

Here I am... amusing myself to death ON GOOGLE!!!!    But enjoying it all the way.

Who could have predicted how much the internet has changed everything about what we do and how we do it?   I wonder whether we as a collective world of people will be able to steer ourselves in a direction which will not result in the equivalent of flushing ourselves down the toilet!!!

"Point Dume Coreopsis "  Work in progress 11"x14"

I've been involved in so many activities lately that it has been hard to catch up with things that are important.  I've been painting but the last few efforts were so bad that I couldn't even save them to make them decent enough to post them.  

Last week I had gone with Sharon Weaver to paint with the Thursday "Irregulars" group...  It was a cold and grey day, but some of the other painters made absolutely gorgeous paintings.   I didn't.  I totally understood Walter McNally's critique when he talked about my need to mass the shapes rather that daub in individual leaves or flowers.  I tried to save the painting when I got back home but alas... it was a true dud.  On top of  THAT, my regular computer just up and DIED ! We have other computers in the house, but my files and programs that I depend upon and love are out of reach until I can get it fixed.

Over the last weekend I went to two demonstrations and had an art show opening.   I'm going to blog about Karl Dempwolf's demo later this week.   I do however, need to cut back on the weekend art activity.

Today, however, was absolutely glorious.   It had rained last week and again earlier this week so I couldn't get out but everything worked out today for a wonderful, beautiful day.  There was a film crew getting a set ready for a movie of some kind so I had to park far away but when I got to the base of the cliff and began to climb up, that's when the real beauty reviewed itself.

I hiked all over and just gloried in the scene.  I've been in this area before, but never when the coreopsis was in bloom...    Yellow flowers rioted across the top of Pt. Dume and danced in the light breeze. 

I finally settled in and started painting.  Several people came by and made nice comments...  As always, I laughed off the nice comments and said something like it would look better later.  All the while I talked to myself saying that if someone had something nice to say, I should accept it.   I was almost ready to start packing when a nice lady walked by and started talking to me.   We talked about the beauty of the spot and she said something to the effect that when days were this glorious...  if God took her at that moment, it would be okay.  It was a sentiment I totally agreed with.   After a while we exchanged information and she said that she might be interested in the painting.  Wow... A perfect day made even better!

Shortly after she left, I began to pack up in order to get back and volunteer in Tyler's class.  As I came down the cliff, one of the fellows working on the movie set stopped to talk.  He told me that if I waited around for a while I might get to see Tom Cruise.  Ah well...  The day was already perfect and I had to get back to work in class.

Now that I'm home, I can see that the painting needs some work, but I did get the color notes and a bit of a feel for the scene.  I think it's a nice study... one to finish or one to use to make a bigger painting.

WHAT A FABULOUS DAY!!

I paint and paint and try new things and am always happy when my work is appreciated by others.  This 12"x12" was the one "left out" of the recent One Foot Show.  I, however, like it and still feel good about it.  Although I don't usually do still lifes, I tried to set something up which would be lively and interesting and challenging.  Since it's painted on a deep framed canvas support, I even had fun painting the peppers continuing onto the sides of the painting!

"Taking A Break"o/c 12" x 12" x 2"

Contact me HERE if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

I have a series of paintings that I've begun recently.   Mostly I paint the scenes that are familiar to me.  I'm surrounded by beautiful landscapes and, of course, I enjoy painting my family when I can.  However, I spend almost every morning at Gelson's coffee shop with a book, a glass of tea and a bagel.  I sometimes walk down the hill to go there and then walk back and sometimes I drive the short 2 miles down.  Over the years I've come to know - at least by face - the people who are "regulars" there.   Sometimes we strike up conversations, and sometimes we just sit reading in the same area.   There are some who use the area as meet-up places with regular friends.  It's a great place to get your day started.

I decided to do a "Gelson's Series".   I painted one scene several years ago and the people who work there seemed to like it.    I used to sit and sketch people, but I think it made people uncomfortable, so now I take photos and paint from the photos.  Two of my series are being shown at "La Galeria Gitana" in San Fernando until March 20 in a show called "Urban Spaces - The San Fernando Valley".  It is a group show and I have 15 paintings in the show alongside some fabulous other artwork.

My most recent of the series, called "Taking A Break" will be showing at Orlando Gallery right here in Tarzana... (not too far from Gelson's!).  It will be part of a Women Painters West show called a "One Foot Show" since all entries had to be 12" x 12".   The reception will be this Saturday, February 6, 2010 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and everybody is welcome.   Perhaps I'll see you there!!