Along the DuPage River September 30 in 30 Day 1

Finished this, started this plein air a few weeks ago with an art buddy April Kruse along the DuPage River. I hadn't seen or painted with April in a couple years so it was great day. I had a bad start but was happy I stuck with it. I can't wait to get together and paint again soon, I need the practice!!
Also I need to work out my plein air kit and and get down to the necessities.

Make Your Landscapes Glow with Artist Becky Joy

Join Us at the Becky Joy Workshop

September 24^th- 26^th

3 Day Plein Air Landscape Oil Painting Workshop

$375.00 ~ Lunches are included　

　

If you register and pay by August 15^th the workshop fee will be discounted $50.00, so you pay $325.00! After August 15^th the fee is $375.00. The workshop requirement is a minimum of nine paid artists must be met by August 31^st.
     Join nationally renowned artist Becky Joy for a three day plein air workshop in historical Perrysburg, Ohio. Attending artists will paint along the Maumee River on the scenic grounds of The 577 Foundation.  The workshop will begin with a private tour of the twelve acre grounds.  Following the tour we will gather in the studio where　Becky will demonstrate her process, discuss her decisions, as well as share her overwhelmingly requested secrets on how to paint brilliant sunsets.  On day one, artists will work on exercises about color, texture, and how to develop your own unique voice in your work.  Emphasis will be placed on how to set a mood or glow to turn an ordinary landscape piece into something extraordinary.  The next two days will be dedicated to painting on the 577 Foundation grounds where artists will receive individual instruction and attention from Becky.  The workshop will close with a critique where Becky will assess each artist’s progress and offer constructive criticism and suggestions going forward.  The number of artists in the workshop will be a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 16.
Please consult the Workshop Supply List on Becky Joy's website at www.beckyjoy.com for a list of supplies and other important information from Becky.

To register for the workshop:
Call Director Mary Mennel at The 577 Foundation (419)-874-4174 or register through the web page: http://www.577foundation.org/takeaclass.asp

Once registered, you will be sent an invoice, pay $325.00 if paid before August 15^th and $375.00 if paid after August 15^th as well as the cancellation policy. To complete registration, please make checks payable to and mail to:The 577 Foundation
577 Front St.
Perrysburg, Ohio 43551


If you have any questions about the workshop, payments, cancellation policy or suggested accommodations see the event on facebook:　Becky Joy Perrysburg Ohio Workshop September 2014
Or　contact: Gloria Moses at 815-603-8659　gmoses@ameritech.net
Or Kristen Dukat (419-306-1053)　kdukat4@yahoo.com


Visiting Artist Workshop Cancellation Polices
We rely on an accurate attendance count to make important arrangements for our workshop. If a registrant needs to withdraw from a workshop, they should inform us no later than 30 days prior to the start of the workshop for a full refund. Workshop registrants who cancel between 15 and 30 days prior to the start of the workshop will be charged a minimum of ½ of the original fee, unless another wait-listed participant can fill the spot. For cancellation requests made 15 days or less to the beginning of the workshop, fees will not be refunded unless another wait-listed participant can fill the spot. We reserve the right to cancel a workshop for any reason, including canceling if the minimum enrollments are not met, in which case all workshop fees will be refunded to participants. Notifications will be made two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop. We cannot be responsible for airline tickets or other travel costs in the event of a cancellation so make your hotel and travel reservations accordingly. Full payment of the workshop is due in order to reserve a space.

Come see the AFA 2014 Best of the Best Exhibit

My Painting "Adrift in the Shallows"

 20" x 20" Oil on Canvas

was voted into the,
  2014 Best of the Best
The AFA Exhibition will be held at the Burning Bush Gallery 216 North Main Street, Wheaton IL Sunday, May 18th through Sunday, June 8th Gallery Hours
Sundays 10:00am - 12:30pm
Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:00pm
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm or by appointment. Please contact Tony Asta if you would like more information or to schedule a viewing,
708-705-8669 Reception and awards presentation: Thursday, June 5th, from 6:30pm through 8:30pm Judge’s presentation and critique will begin at 7:45pm 

 2013Best of Show "The Fisherman's Wife"by Artist John Walker 

The Alliance of Fine Art (AFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to the advancement of fine art education and appreciation, sharing resources, and providing opportunities for artists.

Quick Weekend Pastel Workshop in Ohio

First a Thank You Note to, friend and fellow artist, Kristen Dukat: for giving me and Trish(another art friend from Kentucky) another reason to travel to the state of Ohio yet again this year!  Also for such a calm, zen, uneventful weekend of art and friends, lol. Your the best! Also thank you Jarad, for giving us your apartment for the weekend!!

Thank You, Mary Jane Erard  for the quick fun filled workshop last weekend in Toledo Ohio at the lovely Botanical Gardens. We shared some laughs with our classmates and Mary Jane's trusty sidekick Sandra!  Mary Jane is going to start the workshop as a regular monthly class.  It was fun working in pastel again and Mary Jane had us start on a black ground, which made for richer deeper paintings.

Here is Mary Jane Erard info:
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/mary-jane-erard.html

The Toledo Artists' Club sponsored the workshop and is part of the Toledo Botanical Gardens, which has some beautiful scenery and a great place for a workshop.

http://www.toledoartistclub.com/page3/

I'm Starting to Settle into the Class

Our model, young Alyana was a great for this day's pose and she was checking on us to make sure we were on track ( her father was an artist in class).  During class I had made the lines of her face too hard, so I went back in and soften them.  I still can't seem to finish a pose durning the three hours of class. I do take a pic but I don't want to over work these, so I try not to look at the pic.

Just Paint!

This was the day in class when I thought. I'm starting to get it. Three hours is not very long do I did go back into this and worked her skin and decided to add a little more red to her hair. I was finally happy that I was making some progress. I was starting to just paint!! Some times we forget to just paint when we are in a new or different situation!

After Block-in of Figure

Yes I'm Sitting Here
18 x 24 Oil on Canvas

This is where it went after the block in. I like the figure but have made a few changes to the background and it showing busier than it looks. This was after two class sessions, thankfully we had six hours and we needed every minute!

Started the block in today. I will work on this during the week and hope to finish next week during second sitting in class.
The model was funny and even she made our class brownies with hazelnuts. She promised to make yet a different treat next week for the second sitting!

January 30 in 30 2014 Done

Finally January's 30 in 30 is done!! So there were some wipers, and a few that I happy with. Those I happy with because they show promise that they work as a larger painting.  Time was always the thing, when you get behind or you lose the light, so some where not finished.  I tried a to do a wide variety of subjects; some made up, some were from photos and others were from life.  All were done with varying degrees of success, but it was so fun to see how everyone else in the group progressed!

Golden Rails Home, Day 29

Golden Rails Home
6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board


I'm still two behind in the 30 in 30 but at least I have gotten close to finishing on time!

Introspection, Day 28

Introspection
6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

Sometimes Outside Works, Day 27

Sometime Outside Works

6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

The clothes hanging outside and the shoes on the porch roof just seemed smart if you haven't any more closet space. We came across this scene while walking down a street outside a water village in China.  We thought the bamboo stick was used to retrieve a pair of shoes when needed.

Red Chest and Shadows, Day 26

Red Chest and Shadows
6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board


Went shopping over the weekend to help a friend look for a table and chairs. She didn't buy anything but I found several great things to paint! 

Snowy River Landscape, Day 25

This is far as I it went to today the light was gone and I'm not sure what direction to go including a wipe/redo.





Snowy River Landscape
6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

Fur Hat and Scarf, Day 24

Today was the first class where I was more calm and in my zone, finally. Now next week is figure, so here I go again!

Fur Hat and Scarf
18 x 24 Oil on Canvas

Evening Train, Day 23

Evening Train
6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

This is the second train painting , I was happy with the palette on this one.

 But even better more exciting is my friend Chris Lally's painting came today, and it is beautiful!!! Thank you Chris, I will always cherish this!  My new painting can be seen here on Chris Lally's blog and please check out her other beautiful work!
http://chrislally.blogspot.com/2014/01/thirty-paintings-in-30-days-15.html

Night Train, Day 22

Night Train

6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

I have been wanting to try a night scene, I saw this old pic today which resulted in this idea. I liked it so much I tried another. 

Singing About My Big Red Stompping Boots, Day 21

This is Kate singing about her big red stompping boots, as she called them.  It is not a great pic because of lighting, my daylight was gone.






Singing About My Big Red Stompping Boots
6 x 6 oil on Gessoed Board

Rainy Quebec City, Day 20

Rainy Quebec City
10 x 8 Oil on Gessoed Board


Had sometime and good light to paint today. This is just about done, and I finished the Cherry Blossom painting from three days ago.



Redux Model, Day 19

I didn't have a picture to work from, so I worked from the painting to sketch this in charcoal.

Drawing, Day 18

So I had to try drawing the model from yesterday's class from a pic I took.  I'm happy to say he looks more like this including the five o'clock shadow!  Boy do I need practice this quick sketch, took way too long.

Portrait Excersize, Day 17

This is what I did today in portrait/figure class.  I made a few changes after class, but it was not a great day.  It sure wasn't what I would have liked to have done. Sometimes in classes and workshops it just seems to get away from me or something. So this one will be wiped!

Cherry Blossom, Day 16

Cherry Blossum
8 x 10 Oil om Gessoed Board








This is all I have time for today so I going to revisit this tomorrow.

Colors in the Corner, Day 15

Colors in the Corner

6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

Yesterday Kristen gave me two challenges, then today my friend Trish gave me two challenges in one painting, ...... paint some grays or neutrals in a painting... along with the intense...



Rose Dressed in White, Day 14

Rose Dressed in White

6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

 

Next my friend Kristen Dukat next challenged me to do a large flower in whites, so I did a close up of a white rose.

Rosy Glow Day 13

Rosy Glow

6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

So today my friend Kristen challenged me to make a bigger flower, so I thought I would try a rose.

Surrounded by Red, Day 12

Surrounded By Red

6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

 

Today I went full on color play for the 30 in 30 challenge.

Sometimes You Just Have to Stand, Day 11

Part of this challenge is to try different things, I actually started this on Day 9 and almost wiped it.  I was playing with clouds and was happy with them, but the landscape was boring.  So I have been looking for a few days and made some hopefully positive changes. Sometimes You Just Have to Stand, when you watch it set.

Love That Torquise Vase, Day 10

Love That Torquise Vase
6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board
Day 10 of the challege is a quick painting of color!

 



Begining Portrait Drawing Class Day 9

So I feel I shouldn't even post this. Yes I painted on this for four hours but, my teacher painted the last ten and created the beautiful work above. I have so much to learn, I can't wait!

Stargazers Today, Day 8

Stargazers

6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

Using a the limited palette sure makes the painting go faster,
because there are less decisions to make!

I'm Going to Leave This Alone For Now, Day 7

This is the last layer of glazing and scumbling for now.  I'm trying to dry it as fast as I can so it can be framed for a local show.  I'm also going to keep my finger crossed that it doesn't messed up when framing it.

Just the Two of Us, Day 6

 

 

Just the Two of Us
6 x 6 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

I'm caught up for today on the 30 in 30 Challenge! After finishing an 8x 10 Mountain painting, I had just enough to do this little apple still life.

Yellowstone View Day 5

Yellowstone View

10 x 8 Oil on Gessoed Board

 

 

This is from a thermal that flows down the mountain like a waterfall.  It is a beautiful site worth the climb and the hike on a warm summer day. I guess I'm thinking warm, while it is -4 outside!

 

Starting with Color Day 3 and 4

 

 

A Drift in the Shallows

20 x 20 Oil on Canvas

This is acually two days worth of color glazes, but I went Ohio in between and forgot to take a picture of the first glazes. Sorry about the piture quality.

Four Houses and a Squirrel, Day 2

This quick little painting is for Meg, a thank you for your kindness!  She let Kristen and me stay, take over her house really when we went to Michigan to see her mother Laurie.  
This can be seen out her back door, high up in a tree two yards away.  The four houses reminded me of the four of them and the baby squirrel. Thank you for your generous heart Meg!




Four Houses and a Squirrel
8 x10 Oil on Gessoed Board

Starting The Year Right, Day One!

 

 

 

 

A Drift in the Shallows
20 x 20 Oil on Canvas

 

 

 

Getting back to painting and blogging.  Also I'm resolved to finish the painting that where started sometime ago but will take weeks to finish. This is a full value monochromatic that is ready for color glazes.  The color layers will be scumbled and glazed.  You can see the end colors in the pastel I tried of this subject on the badge to the right.  I am participating in Leslie' s 30 in 30 but, I will take the time used for the smaller daily paintings to make progress on a larger piece. I will also do smaller alla prima paintings in between! Happy New Year everyone, it has been an intense year.

Getting ready for 30 in 30

 

 

Two quick paintings getting ready too start the New Year with the 30 in 30 Challenge!

 

Evening Out

8 x 10 Oil on Gessoed Board

Dance on Air

8 x 10 Oil on Gessoed Board