Entre'

 

The Entry, 30x40, oil available

There are times when I just want to break the rules to see if I can make it work. Let's see what you all think. Did I succeed or not?

The 'rule' in particular is to not split a painting in two, down the middle. Which is exactly what I did on this one. The vantage point is from the floor looking from the living room into the entry hall and staircase. I had been playing with my dog and when I looked up, thought that this could make an interesting painting. There was a myriad of reasons I liked this scene. The repetition of vertical lines in the stairwell, the radiator,  the legs of the table and the books in the bookcase. Then there was the oak of the stairs and banister and window, the floor, the bookcase and the oak chest. And finally, the plant, the pussy willows in the vase on the table on the landing and the daffodils. 

My justification for doing this scene this way is my hope that the viewer would either want to go from the living room to explore what is up stairs or to go around the corner to the front door. 

Multiple light sources can also be tricky. There is the window you can see on the stairs, the front door is all glass with a reed shade, behind the bookcase in the entry hall, and there is a window behind the couch off to the right of the edge of this painting. Oh, plus the two windows behind me on either side of the fireplace.

 

Cabin Kitchen, oil and linen, 40x30

Here is a painting I started about two years ago now. I had driven to Arizona to visit an artist friend of mine. She had recently moved and was wanting some company to go plein air painting with. I was happy to oblige. It was mid-April, and much warmer than snowy Colorado. She had made a new friend recently who invited her to come to her cabin. I was included in that invitation, so off we went. This new friend was also a creative type and the yard of this cabin was full of these lanterns she had made. See example below. She made them out of vases, and bowls and ashtrays (from thrift stores) - whatever glassware she thought would work and then she adds a string of lights to the interior base which, though I didn't get a chance to see them lit up at night, I am sure is stunning. What a fun way to recycle and repurpose. There were LOTS of them, in all colors. They look like fun mushrooms sprouting all over the landscape. The 'mushroom' is glued to a stone base to prevent them from toppling over and breaking. 

So back to the painting. She gave us a tour of the interior of the cabin as well. They do not live in the cabin full time but it was as funky inside as it was outside. This kitchen painting is only the first I hope to do of the interior of the cabin. (I did ask permission to take photos inside.) It is a large, for me, painting, with so much going on in it, I had to let it sit, sometimes for months, to be sure the perspective was right and I wasn't getting to nit picky about details, which I am prone to do. This sat for months again once I felt it was done, and when I didn't feel inclined to go back to it, have deemed it 'finished' - at least enough to post it. I found this kitchen to be inviting; where you just want to walk in and explore. Hope you do too! 

White Phalaenopsis

block in

White Phil, 24x12, oil, available

Here is a painting I did recently. I am not convinced it is finished, but I was done. It has been awhile since I painted an orchid from life and with 4 orchids in bloom right now I went with the one that was most advanced in its bloom. It took me longer than I care to admit, working on it over days, trying for the same time of day, which isn't always that easy.

In the block in I was thinking I would add an abstracted version of the desk that is the background of this none set up. I literally just brought the orchid and set it on the computer table I have next to my easel. I then decided I didn't like the idea of the desk but I kept the dark band across the white orchids for contrast. as well as the color of the wall behind the desk. The only color I made up is the golden color in the middle. That would be very dark as well otherwise. I have a gold screen I often use as a simple backdrop for these impromptu still life set ups so that is, I am sure, why I picked that color.

An artist friend of mine was over the other day and I asked her opinion on whether this needed any more work and she said 'no.' I signed it and am posting it 'as is'. I am trying hard to not keep 'fine tuning' it as is my won't.

A better photo added later: 

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

After: Waiting on new window-back to original size. plastic for now

This week's painting is interior. I had my main floor bathroom remodeled during the month of July -I live in a house built in 1890 or thereabouts, so no ensuite bathrooms in this ole gal-and to save $1000 I took on the painting of said bathroom with assistance from my daughter and son-in-law. Then, since the basement is not finished according to modern standards, there was quite a bit of dirt, dust and other detritus that fell through the old floorboards during the tear down and rebuild onto the basement floor. Since the floor and surrounding area had to be cleaned anyway, it seemed a good time to paint the old wall and floor, at least in that section. I am not a glutton for punishment, after all! Between that, having a friend come for a long weekend along with the two of us driving back and forth to a Kaiserslautern High School reunion, it has been a busy time. Then the bathtub refinish was the last item and happened Monday. That was less than stellar so now the same kid is coming back today to try and buff out the many imperfections in the new finish. When he masked off the bathroom - all sparkling new - his tape ripped off the paint in several areas so I need to go back and touch that up once he is gone today. Not sure if he will tape it off again, so I am not willing to do it any more than necessary. 

Before: ceiling above shower raised back to be level with the rest of the room; toilet, medicine cabinet, light and sink replaced.

Here is the painted floor in the basement-nothing glamorous but looks fresh :

Cherry Creek Art Gallery partners with Project Angel Heart for online show

 

In case you are not on my mailing or newsletter list, I wanted to post the information on our partnership with Project Angel Heart for the month of June Fresh Art for the Heart online show. We have been off to a good start with sales so I do hope you will check out the link to view the show. There are 12 artists participating and we will donate 20% of all sales to Project Angel Heart. 

CCAG did a similar partnership for our Small Gems show back in December. Metrocaring was grateful for the $5500 we donated from our sales. I was blessed to make a sale from the day the "Fresh Art for the Heart" show opened on June 1. The happy owner sent me a photo today of where they have hung it. She said not only does it change the feel of the room for the better but the room feels lighter and brighter too! What a gracious thing to say to an artist!

Here it is: 

For those of you who would like to see a short video promoting the show:

Icons

Welcome back Me!

A perfect swimming 'hole'

I spent two weeks on a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. The water is every bit as beautiful as you see in all the promotional photos, and more. This will not so much be a travelogue as on Icons. One thing I found out is that there are little chapels all over the island of Milos. I doubt it is unique in this quality, but I don't know. Churches too. Most of them were unlocked and you could stop in for a quick prayer any time of day.

Typical screened front. The alter is behind the doors

I have been contemplating taking an Iconography class this summer from a Greek Iconographer who is coming to do this workshop. It is an intense program, lasting 5 days I think it is, and full days. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. And only finishing one smallish icon.

With this in mind, I was paying attention to the icons. My first impression is that so many of Jesus and especially the saints, looked so dour. The overall images could be beautiful but still not something that would inspire me. I realize showing a peaceful or holy continence is not necessarily easy. The ones I tended to gravitate towards mostly had an enigmatic smile.

Here is one that I found on a book cover of all places, but really felt an affinity towards. It is called the Blue Angel. The artist has a shop on Oia, Santorini which we did visit. He was there the two times we stopped in to see his shop and studio and he never once said a word to us!

I wish I knew more about who the saints were. This saint above I started to recognize by his robes, his white hair and beard and always holding a book. He never 'looked' the same twice but by these symbols I learned to recognize him as he was in many of the churches and chapels I stepped into.

When in Athens at the end of my trip, I went to the Byzantium and Christianity Museum hoping to see some amazing Icons. This museum took you through the history of the Orthodox Church in Greece so it was a large collection dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century AD. Icons came rather later on that timeline. I did like the cartoons that the museum had on display and these were for large icons. Here is one of Mary and baby Jesus that had color added so it is easier to see. The tracing paper had thousands of tiny holes to transfer to the panels.

One of my favorite icons in this museum is not a typical one, if it is even an icon. It shows St Peter mourning his betrayal of Christ. It may be a painting on a panel from a church. I think I assumed it was an icon so really did not read the tag. He is more life like than is typical of iconography now that I am writing about it!

I am glad I went to this museum. It was well laid out and had not only religious artifacts but also how the early Christians lived, so included household items, jewelry, clothing, etc. I did not realize that hooks and eyes were in use as early as the 9th century, for instance. It was also like a little oasis in the sea of tourists that descended onto Athens everyday I was there from the cruise ships. There were people there but not many!

Studio Interior with Library Chair

Interior with Library Chair, 30x20, oil on linen

This scene from my studio I painted from life a few years ago and always wanted to revisit. I recently came across the old painting and decided the time was now. This is not painted on top of the original which I often do but a fresh start. I did not set this scene up as a still life. I just happened to see that the tableau worked as it was. That chair was a catch all when I had it there by the door. I set my hat there when I came in from painting outdoors.

In the bookcase are mostly art books and art magazines; the books include: "Modern Painting,"  "The Art of Richard Diebenkorn," "Carl W. Peters" and a John Grisham novel! That bright green adds a nice discordant note, don't you think?