A Painter's Journal

Thrill of the Grill

2012-01-31T19:27:00.006-06:00

14x18 oil on linen

I often see stories about conservators using xrays and other technology to see what is under a masterpiece painting, and to learn about the artist's methods. I wonder if that will ever happen to my work? This canvas started as a cafe scene that just didn't make it. At some point, I used some of my palette scrapings to smear over that and lay down a nice grayish ground to paint this on. Its actually rather satisfying to use that palette mud to smear over a failed painting. It also creates a really nice, smooth, oil primed surface for a new painting.

This is still the same kitchen that has appeared in the other paintings. I got a lot of mileage out of dinner at Roaring Fork in Austin. Might be time to go back now. Valentine's day?

Flambe

2012-01-30T11:18:00.003-06:00

10x10 oil on panel

Sizzle

2012-01-26T15:23:00.004-06:00

12x12 oil on panel

Having a lot of fun playing in the kitchen this week. Its a great opportunity to suggest and stay loose.

Beach Girl

2012-01-25T15:26:00.003-06:00

8x10 oil on paper
$125 incl. shipping
PURCHASE

Even with 30 minutes on the timer, I think I put too much info in the water and waves. I think had it been more graphic or solid in color it would have made the figure stand out more and been less busy.

Also - she appears very, very red (rock lobster) on my computer, but she isn't so in the painting. Can't make the red less intense.

Saucier

2012-01-24T16:43:00.005-06:00

10x8 oil on paper
$125 including shipping
PURCHASE

I'm back to painting. Thank heavens the bookkeeping is done. Yesterday I actually felt tired halfway through a second painting. It was more than I'd done in awhile and while painting is wonderfully meditative and relaxing, it also requires concentration. And when the back aches and my arm feels heavy, my focus flags.

To combat that, its back to the quick sketches. Loosens me up both mentally and physically.

Studio Notes

2012-01-18T12:41:00.005-06:00

I'm still here!
January always means bookkeeping, inventory, paying taxes, and cleaning up! All those ugly behind-the-scenes things we don't like to think about.
This place was a wreck. I about have the studio back in order and I've finished taxes and a lot of my bookkeeping. That was kinda of depressing too. But after feeling low for a day or two about sales last year, I reminded myself that I cannot help the economy and it wasn't for lack of trying. I had a good year where my art was seen in quite a few juried shows, I attended openings for two group shows here in Texas, I had good press coverage and created some really nice art. SO! Its time to pick up the brushes again and move on.

Speaking of moving on, I am not going to participate in the Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge this year. I was part of Diana's group for about 3 years and really enjoyed it. There are a number of good websites and groups offering challenges so if I feel the need to push myself I can look into those. If you are interested in seeing some of those, I made a list on the "Creative Block." There are yet more, and I think I will create a sidebar actually of those for reference. Putting that on my "to do" list now. :-)

Notice the top of the blog - there are links to my galleries which show the current inventory and I added a FAQs page and a bio. A website overhaul is on the to do list too, but honestly, the blog is really covering all the bases.

Be back soon with some art to share!

New Year, New Projects

2012-01-04T11:11:00.005-06:00

Happiest New Year wishes to you all! I am very much looking forward to the new year and new projects. I love this time of year actually. Its also my birthday today, so I start the new year with all kinds of new hope and determination and good feelings! I'm making plans for the year, coming up with new ideas, and setting goals. Some of those I will share here, naturally!

To start, I want to introduce a project idea that I began just before the holidays hit. I'm working on a series called "First Impressions." I hope to show the paintings as a group sometime this year.

Founder's Room
10x12 oil on panel

Having learned that I waste a lot of time looking for the best images or subject to work with, and getting overwhelmed sometimes, I've determined to stop shopping around and respond to my first impression. Usually what catches my eye is light and shadow, but sometimes just the way something seems framed naturally, happening upon a scene as I pass a doorway, things like that. Sort of like with fire, I need to "stop, drop and paint" (or sketch).

Tea For Three
10x12 oil on panel

I paint more instinctively, I think, when I paint rapidly. So I am relying on my trusty timer, and allowing that first half hour to be the pure energy of inspiration. What follows might be some focus on the main area of interest and some cleaning up, but for the most part, I want to leave these paintings loose and undefined. So its an exercise in freedom and restraint! All of the paintings are to be 10x12 and I have a lovely batch of Ampersand gessobord ready and waiting!

I feel more focused than I have in awhile. Last year, to be honest, didn't feel like the best year for me creatively. I hope that trusting my instincts and following my muse will allow me to enjoy the process and create more beautiful work than ever. Cheers!!

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-12-15T11:36:00.011-06:00

Windy Beach
12x9 oil on panel

This month the theme was "blue" - in whatever way we wanted to represent it. Well, I had two thoughts - the big blue skies of Texas, which are pretty special, or the blue of ocean. Only it is bigger than the skies over Texas. Those skies are dripping some wet stuff on us lately, for which we are extremely grateful.

Enjoy my fellow challenge artists' interpretations this month!

Holiday Blues
5x7 oil on hardboard

Blues
4x4 silverpoint and oil on gessoboard

Malibu Blue

4x8.75 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre

Blue Ice
16x20 oil on canvas

Waiting for Godot

2011-12-12T16:06:00.005-06:00

7x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

This was at a gallery for awhile - one of mine that frames the work for me - and its so small, I figured I'd sell it here rather than get a frame and send it on to another.
Its a scene from NYC with one of my favorite stories featured on a theater marquis.

Studio News

2011-12-12T16:00:00.007-06:00

I keep forgetting to update some of my latest news on here! I had a lovely evening Friday night in Dallas at the Wisby Smith gallery at the Crescent. What a beautiful place. The artwork is really interesting too - ranging from the abstract to Native American figurative pieces. You can see the art on their website. Wisby Smith, like Russell Collection, reps some of the most important artists both living and past so I feel pretty good about being seen worthy of representation to their customers. The show there hangs until the end of December.

There was a video of the Randy Higbee opening reception posted which is fun to see. At least two of my pieces are still available as seen at about the one minute mark. :-)

I think all the gallery events are winding down now, but I have many paintings out there. If you are looking for a gift for someone special, look at pages linked in the side column for each of my representing galleries to see all the available inventory and contact them directly.

My days are now filling up with shopping, wrapping, shipping, decorating, baking, and parties, etc. Tis the season! School ends soon and I am excited that my parents will soon be here to make the holidays all the more meaningful.

I am looking forward to a couple of new projects for the new year! One being the works on paper which I will be sharing more of soon.

Beach Walk

2011-12-08T21:02:00.008-06:00

8x8 oil on paper
$125 including s/h
PURCHASE

I did a smaller version of these girls, which is at Randy Higbee Gallery for the 6" Squared show. And a similarly sized one which is at a gallery. And I thought I'd try it once again as I play with my timer and painting on paper. Obviously, I've enjoyed these girls on the beach.

I had a lovely surprise today - being recommended in the e-newsletter "Informed Collector" by Clint Watson. Thank you Clint!

Catch and Release

2011-12-07T19:29:00.011-06:00

10x8 oil on paper
$125 including priority shipping (US)
sold

I've been trying to come up with a new way to create paintings for my blog again - for art collectors on a budget (and aren't we all these days, really?) I just can't paint those little canvases though. I find that they cause me to tighten up which could not be more frustrating for me. I've done 'sketches' on paper before and I like the results and the room to be expressive.

The paper is 9x12 and I am taping off the sizes I want to paint so there is a white border around the painting. The paper is substantial enough to stand up to the paint, its coated, acid free and it has a slight weave like canvas. While the works are larger, they aren't going to compete with my gallery work. I'm limiting myself to 30 minutes on these, and I can't tell you what a great exercise it is for me. A digital timer is the best tool in the studio. More on that later.

And finally, here are some fun ideas I've found while surfing the web for those of you who buy small paintings or my works on paper and want to display them creatively and cheaply.

1. Clipboards

2. Wooden hangers

3. Clips

4. Or you can easily get a ready made from with glass any home decor or craft store

Leading Edge

2011-11-30T22:39:00.003-06:00

6x6 oil on panel

Available at Loretta Goodwin Gallery

This is available at the gallery for their Tiny Treasures show which opens Thursday night in Birmingham. The last month has been such a whirlwind that I am not sure if I posted this already or not! If its a repeat... sorry. The fans at Daily Paintworks won't have seen it yet. I've joined that online gallery site finally. And I gave my blog a little facelift too today.

Sorry about my rant the other day. I was overwhelmed, but things settled down nicely this week and I've been able to focus on a new project in the studio. While excited about a new idea, I'm at a loss for creating these small works for the blog/online galleries. I really struggle with finding a subject to fit on this small format. But I can't paint larger and offer those at low prices. I'm trying to find a new project idea for the blog to get my juices going and provide fans with affordable, collectible art. Its still very important to me to do that. Heck, I can't afford most of the art I'd like to have - being able to buy small pieces and books from my favorite artists is wonderful.

I know that the subject has to be simple, a single figure works best. Beach scenes. I might become the "beach scene blogger." The weird thing is, I paint loosely and quickly. You'd think a small format would be ideal for simplifying. That is my challenge. And maybe I ought to embrace that and work on it.

City Beat 15

2011-11-29T15:50:00.003-06:00

6x6 oil on linen - sold

Its always fun to play with this perspective. Its almost abstract; all about the bold shadow and the marred pavement. A nice break after laboring over larger works.

Park Avenue

2011-11-28T15:24:00.007-06:00

24x16 oil on linen

Park Shade

18x18 oil on linen

Both paintings available at Wisby Smith Fine Art, Dallas - for a show presented with Russell Collection Fine Art

Y'all...November has been crazeeee for me! First, if you have emailed me, I apologize for delays in responding. With a website (way out of date) and blog, a new book on Blurb, ETSY, joining Daily Paintworks (cool), inventory and business aspects, framing, 4 gallery shows and 7 total galleries to keep up with, I can barely paint anymore.
This is a problem.
A BIG problem.
I have to get back to making the art the most important part of my day. Sometimes I think just dropping off the grid sounds divine. But a blog and online galleries are a huge marketing tool and I enjoy using these tools and communicating with fans and patrons, but there has to be a balance. I think a lot of people don't actually read or click on my blog, which is the most up-to-date resource, for the full info when they see the work elsewhere. That would solve a lot of problems actually. But I know I am just like that and want the info all at hand in one place. I can't even remember where some of my paintings are or if they are available. I am trying to figure out how to get everything neatly into one place so people can find out what they need conveniently. You will be the first to know if I find a magic "app" for that.

Thank you for reading. :-)

Now - the above paintings appeared here earlier in a not quite finished state. These are the final versions and are on their way to Dallas for December.

The Grand Salon

2011-11-23T19:57:00.004-06:00

24x36 oil on linen

Available in Dallas at the upcoming Russell Collection Presents... show.

Definitely large for me! Scaling up is hard, but overall I am pretty pleased with this painting. I did enjoy the process after all and by working in sections, the brushwork remained loose and interesting. The scene shows one of the large galleries in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC. Its one of the loveliest places to view fine art. And the collections, like this roomful of Manet, are amazing.

Wishing you and yours a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving.

Sun Goddess

2011-11-22T09:17:00.006-06:00

6x6 oil on linen

Available at Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared show, Costa Mesa, CA

A Well Earned Rest

18x20 oil on linen

Available at Russell Collection Presents.... group show at Wisby-Smith Gallery, Dallas

First, a small study, then the larger work. Both available at 2 of the 4 shows in which my paintings will be exhibited this coming month! I have been busy, as you can imagine.

If you are in any of the following areas, you should take a look at all the great artwork being shown at various venues around the country. Give a gift of original art this season - it is something that will bring you and yours joy for years to come.

Dec. 1 - Tiny Treasures opening at Loretta Goodwin Gallery, Birmingham. AL
Dec. 2 - Holiday Show opening at Castle Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN
Dec. 3 - 6" Squared reception at Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA
Dec. 9 - Russell Collection Presents...reception Wisby-Smith, Dallas TX

I wish I could attend them all, but will only be able to go to the Russell Collection show in Dallas. I will have 10 paintings in that show. Will post them here in the coming days!

Corridor of Art

2011-11-20T18:06:00.004-06:00

18x14 oil on linen

Available soon at Tidewater Gallery.

My poor friends. Everywhere we go, they might be subject to posing for me and end up in a painting. This is my dear friend Tess, who attends lots of arty things with me. Here we were at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio. The collection is quite nice and part of the museum space is in the founder's beautiful early 1900's Spanish Colonial home.

City Beat XIV

2011-11-18T09:40:00.004-06:00

6x6 oil on linen - sold

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-11-15T16:39:00.003-06:00

Well - this was hard to try to depict - Wisdom. I love the idea of an older person like Suzanne painted (beautifully) and the wonderful idea of finding guidance in the good book, or in nature.
I went with the idea of learning from the past... the best way I could depict it was representing a visit to a working pioneer farm near us. It was a stretch, I know.

Helping Hands
10x8 oil on panel
© Robin Cheers

Seek and You Will Find

8x6 oil on hardboard

Wisdom
3x4 pastel on paper
©2011 Vicki Ross

Wisdom
20x16 oil on canvas
©2011 Suzanne Berry

Morning Watch - The Innate Wisdom of Animals
6x6 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre

Sister's Care

2011-11-14T13:54:00.005-06:00

8x8 oil on panel

Available at Loretta Goodwin Gallery

I've spent my morning preparing and packing six small paintings to go to Alabama to the gallery for their "Tiny Treasures" show opening December 1. I hope people are thinking of decorating their beach homes, because everything I have painted were beach scenes! Obviously a favorite subject of mine!

Chinese Dancer

2011-11-11T09:52:00.004-06:00

6x6 oil on linen

Available at Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared show opening Dec. 3rd.

I had three painting accepted to show at the fall exhibit at the gallery in CA. I think its a neat concept to show paintings that are only one size. I'd love to see the opening! If you are in the Costa Mesa area, go and check it out for me. December is looking to be a busy month for my artwork. More details to follow!

City Beat XIII

2011-11-10T14:42:00.004-06:00

6x6 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

Fun in the studio this week - but not much to show for it. Yesterday I was derailed by my chocolatier friend wanting me to design her trade show booth asap!! Needless to say, I was thrown off my balance there. Sometimes people think that because you create one kind of art, you can do ANYTHING. Well, maybe some people can, but I'm not one of them.

But I did get her something in the nick of time and I get paid in chocolate!

I continue to play with some small pieces again in between working on finalizing some larger pieces. I've learned to appreciate the process of larger works and am enjoying slowing down a little. Its all part of the learning and growing process.

Wash Day II

2011-11-04T12:41:00.003-05:00

6x6 oil on linen
$100 + s/h
PURCHASE

I love painting figures outside and on the lawn. Its time to contact a model to come pose for me again. Now that our weather is tolerable, it will be lovely to be out painting again.

Wash Day

2011-11-03T18:51:00.005-05:00

6x6 oil on linen
$100 + s/hPURCHASE

I've been doing a few small format pieces to enter the Randy Higbee Gallery 6x6 contest this year. The gallery is associated with King of Frame, makers of nicely finished ready-made frames. Loretta Goodwin Gallery is also going to have a "tiny treasures" show this holiday season. I think its a great idea... and naturally I think small paintings are a great way to start a collection, give a meaningful gift or fill in a large collection. Everyone has room for one more!

Its been interesting going back to a very small format now. Its yet another challenge. The subject has to be simple enough to be doable on a small scale, and I find that its better if its not too subtle in color. Its been good practice in seeing and putting down color notes, and not fussing too much.

Chinatown Market

2011-11-02T18:41:00.005-05:00

16x12 oil on linen

Available at Loretta Goodwin Gallery

You got a glimpse of this painting below on one of the pages of the book. It was a really busy painting... and I worked on it for a couple of days. As usual, I didn't like having to work on it a long time and felt like it got bogged down and heavy. But after some time away and looking at it with fresh eyes, I really liked the results. Working "bigger" is definitely out of my comfort zone. I am finding that I have a very small comfort zone. ;-)

Looking Back...

2011-11-01T12:12:00.004-05:00

I've finally made a little book of my most favorite paintings from the past 3 years. "Looking Back... The Artist's Favorite Paintings" is an 8x10 book featuring 42 paintings from 2009-2011. It is available on Blurb and can be ordered in softcover, hardcover with a dust jacket or hardcover with image wrap. Enjoy!

Looking Back... | Make Your Own Book

Masters Exhibit

2011-10-27T08:57:00.005-05:00

12x12 oil on panel

Available at Loretta Goodwin Gallery

I sent this and 5 other new works to the gallery for their Fall Open House which is today. I wish I could be there. This week has been chock full - culminating with a Girl Scout campout this weekend. I'm excited that our weather is turning cooler so it will be a lovely weekend in Zilker Park.

I've added the new paintings to my Loretta Goodwin page - linked over there on the right - if you want to see all the new pieces. I find the blog easier to update with all my gallery works so people can see what's currently available. My website is a disappointment at the moment.

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-10-15T13:25:00.004-05:00

This month it was my turn to pick our challenge! I thought it would be good to paint from a grayscale photo reference - but in color. The idea is to use the black and white photo to gauge your values as you choose color. You can see that for some reason, I gravitated to the purple and green again - just like the paintings in my last two posts! I have to put those colors aside - and yesterday I consciously kept them off my palette.
This was a good exercise. If you get your values correct and have a good composition, then you can really paint any color scheme you want and the painting will work.

Summer Chores
11x14 oil on panel
©2011 Robin Cheers

Below I thought I'd show my painting next to my photo reference. You can see that I did not get dark enough on the sheet in shadow or the shadow on the ground. But overall I did pretty well.

And here are the paintings done by my brave challenge cohorts. I think most enjoyed it. :-)

Fresh Sheets
14x11 watercolor on Aquaboard
©2011 Vicki Ross

It's A Wash
8x6 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre

Fetching
10x8 oil on hardboard
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Untitled
8x10 oil on canvas
©2011 Sharman Owings

Thursday
16x20 oil on canvas
©2011 Suzanne Berry

Park Shade - WIP

2011-10-14T09:02:00.003-05:00

18x18 oil on canvas

I've been struggling this week and I'm not sure I like this either. I definitely don't like the blue in the foreground. How did that get there?
When I sat this and the other one (below) aside next to another painting I did this week, there is an interesting, and previously unnoticed theme going on in my work from this past week. Check my blog tomorrow to see what I mean - and see our monthly challenge group pieces too!

Park Avenue - WIP

2011-10-12T13:37:00.003-05:00

16x24 oil on linen - work in progress

I've been trying to paint a little larger lately. I've been working on this since last week. I've finally covered the linen now (its just a large piece taped up and not mounted yet.) I so much like to work alla prima and get the idea out at once... working larger means I can't do it all in one session. Which means the brushwork becomes a little more labored, less spontaneous; and my initial enthusiasm fades, which means I grow to hate the painting by the time I decide its done (or give up). I am going to look at this one a little longer and see what it says to me next week. Maybe its done, maybe not.

I do want to keep trying to paint some larger works though, i just need to figure out how to scale up. I think there is an art to it - to still be able to suggest and mass things in but not have the whole thing appear messy. It requires a balance of spontaneous brush work and quiet areas. And I need to figure out how to "suggest" things rather than describing everything just because the image is larger.

What's funny, is that this isn't that large! (baby steps)

Prep Work

2011-09-29T15:56:00.004-05:00

18x18 oil on linen - sold

I don't know what has happened to me in the last two weeks, but I think I have too many irons in the proverbial fire. This was done a week or so ago. I don't think I posted it yet.

Last week kinda fell apart, and I learned to not schedule so much! Between hair cuts, drs., early release from school, girl scouts, tea with friends, etc. I just didn't get to focus on artwork. Its amazing how fast your schedule can fill if you aren't careful!

I'm an involved parent too so I have to really balance things carefully. The art has to be top priority between 9-2 basically. My work so far this week has been less than stellar and I've mostly put final touches on pieces and prepared them for framing. Lets hope I can do better tomorrow and finish the week on a high note.

A Day with Degas

2011-09-16T11:25:00.004-05:00

12x12 oil on panel

Available next month at Loretta Goodwin Gallery.

Feeling a little, I don't know, ennui? Maybe I just like that word. Anyway, I turned to something contemplative today. I am pleased with the looseness, the variety of color and brush stoke I worked in here. Its not perfect, but my goal isn't realism, right? I was listening to a Dan McCaw interview this morning on Artists Helping Artists and he talked about painting "past the likeness" and other ideas for expressing your individuality. His book is wonderful, by the way.

This photo is too light, the painting is a little more muted and a shade more cozy than this appears - but when I try to adjust the photo, the red becomes too vibrant.

The scene might be one of my favorite rooms in The Met. Full of Degas' paintings and his beautiful little dancer proudly taking center stage. When you enter it from the main gallery, its really quite striking.

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-09-15T10:10:00.007-05:00

Grab your pearls and put on your party dress! This was a fun challenge. I had to try a couple of different set ups and dresses, the first being a pale pink that was really difficult to paint. Having donated my daughter's other dressy dress, (she doesn't wear ANY dresses if she can help it and I don't have any party clothes) I ended up painting a Halloween costume which has a renaissance feel to it. It was fun. Might be something I want to paint again.

Faire Dress
16x12 oil on panel
©2011 Robin Cheers

Stephanie
12x6 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre

Party Dress on the Beach
9x12 pastel on paper
©2011 Vicki Ross

That Party Dress
24x18 oil on canvas
©2011 Suzanne Berry

New Dress
10x12 oil on hardboard
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Riding the Glory Train

2011-09-13T14:17:00.004-05:00

14x11 oil on linen

Now I don't know if the subway in NYC might be a train bound for glory, but this man who sat with his prayer rope while he rode certainly put me in mind of greater things. I wanted to paint some kind tribute to all those who carried on after the events of 9/11. The losses were dreadful, as are the material losses right now in my home state, but the way people respond and recover from such tragedies is remarkable. Its the spirit to move on, to help, to rebuild and resurrect that moves me.

My title references any number of familiar gospel/folk songs. Here are some of the lyrics from one Randy Newman did, "Glory Train" -

I see some hard times coming
Fire and wind and rain
Billions of people, all scared of each other
Hearts full of envy and anger and pain

There on the edge of darkness
People come together again
Standing on the platform
Waiting for the glory train
Get on the glory train
Get on the glory train
They'll be standing on the platform
Waiting for the glory train

Lift up your head and stand tall
Let faith be your only guide
With all that love inside you
Salvation cannot be denied
Just when the storm is breaking
Just when no hope remains
Rollin' into the station
Here comes the glory train

Double Latte

2011-09-08T21:08:00.004-05:00

20x16 oil on linen

I really enjoyed this painting. I needed to focus on something other than the news. And this gave me ample opportunity to lose myself in lots of shapes. Something like this could be overwhelmingly confusing. Its really just a matter of ignoring objects and seeing just color. I painted the color/value in the right places and it turned out to describe a pitcher, or an espresso machine. It helped a great deal that I kept the colors similar and well matched.

Its hard to describe, and I have no idea if others do this or not, but I tend to start with one color mix and then continue to work that morphing new color shades and values in and around that original mix as it spreads across my palette. Each color I place has some of the original DNA.

Now, if I apply this to a city scene.... it could look like a patchwork quilt. I think there one has to ignore some of wide variety of broken color you see and focus on values. Learning to edit is the key there.

(Its been a long day, forgive me if I sound like I have no idea what I am talking about.)

Speaking of news, we're still battling wildfires in central Texas and just staggering numbers of families have lost their homes. This while friends out east are heading for higher ground from the monsoons. I could be wishful for more balance in life. My thoughts continue to be for all those suffering.

Firestorm

2011-09-06T14:22:00.005-05:00

I'm trying hard to wrap my brain around painting, and even puttered in my studio - alternately planning some things and rearranging the mess, but spending a great deal of time surfing internet news on the fires raging in central Texas.

If you haven't heard in the daily painter's community yet, Carol Marine's home is certainly a loss and probably several other artist friends have lost their homes out in Bastrop, but I haven't heard of them yet. The loss of property and the environmental impact is huge but I am so thankful loss of life is minimal - only 2 deaths that I have heard yet.

Now fires are about 2 miles from my community in NW Austin, but I have no fears of them spreading here. But all my thoughts are for my neighbors, friends, the animals and livestock, the firefighters and my poor Texas suffering insult after the injury of this dreadful summer drought.

I thought I'd share an ancient painting of mine, "Windswept", a scene from Round Top, Texas that I painted maybe around '05. Its an old favorite.

Bellman at The Jane

2011-08-25T16:16:00.004-05:00

18x14 oil on linen

Thanks mucho for all your kind comments yesterday. My hubby liked yesterday's painting too - though he thought the colors were not very harmonious. Someone hit the nail on the head with the comment that it might not have been what was in my head. Very true. So I can always paint it again and try to get that image! Unfortunately, it kept me up most of the night thinking about it.

I wasn't sure about this one either, it is a hard thing to tackle all these colors, textures, shiny surfaces, different light sources and temperatures, etc. But when I looked at it again this morning I saw only one area that needed a proper alignment. I like that it has a somewhat tilted composition, but still, things need to line up properly.

This is one of the bell men from The Jane Hotel in NYC. My friend and I stayed there during our recent trip (Tess was the woman in the painting yesterday btw.) The hotel is really great. Its very old, has an interesting history and some amazingly cool rooms - and very friendly staff. The bar was this big, ornate room with a huge fireplace, 12 foot long sofas, lots of comfy seating and really funky decorations. It must be on trend too - Tess got into NYC in the middle of the morning (3 a.m.) and people were lined up waiting to enter. Bless them. I was snug in my bed hours before. Claustrophobic more like, as we stayed in a bunk room that first night - about the size of my laundry room - something like 50 sq. ft. We upgraded to the bigger room first thing next morning. I recommend the bigger room.

Needlework - WIP

2011-08-24T17:44:00.005-05:00

12x8 oil on panel - work in progress

There is a lot going on in this painting. And I am not sure its working. First, the figure ended up too small and the room is really quite cool in person, but a little busy in the painting. I need to look at it another day, and probably simplify. Its tough getting my brain and hand communicating right when I've had a break. This might be one of those that I just start all over.

I just wanted to post something to tell you all that I am here! My daughter began school this week and I pushed past the boxes, frames, and other debris littering my studio space to get back to work. Painting time is spotty this week still however since we have had some work going on in the house. As of tomorrow sometime, we will not be able to come upstairs at all. I plan to get my pochade box out and try to work downstairs, but the noise might drive me away entirely.

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-08-15T10:49:00.007-05:00

Really? Something in or on our car?
Ok - I looked around, even staged a Starbucks cup in my cupholder which would be pretty authentic, but the angles were all wrong. Then I see the beautiful lines of my husband's car. He has had sexy, beautiful cars since I've known him and he races them. They aren't just pretty faces, he goes to the track regularly for high performance driving. Hence the special after-market wing on the back. Can you guess what the car is? And no, I do not drive it.

Aerodynamics
5x7 oil on panel
©2011 Robin Cheers

Just Working
6x6 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre

Rocket Girl
7x5 oil on hardboard

Cherry
5x5 oil on panel
©2011 Vicki Ross

Old Mobile
6x6 oil on panel
©2011 Sharman Owings

Our challenge was Sharman's brainchild. I can't wait to see what is on for next month! My schedule is about to return to more regular programming as school starts in 8 days!

If My Paintings Were Music

2011-08-08T20:38:00.005-05:00

Just sitting here musing tonight.

Musing about the song "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. It makes me want to paint. It pretty much puts to music what I want my cafe paintings to describe. I love quietly observing all the activity of the world moving around me. And in my paintings, I try to make that activity interesting and memorable.

Sometimes I wish a painting could capture it all. Maybe have life and motion like the paintings in Harry Potter. How cool would that be?

Juried Show Thoughts

2011-08-01T14:19:00.005-05:00

I've gotten a lot of interesting feedback on my whiny post about being "rejected". Its been fun to think about it from many sides - and some folks have sent me some interesting articles so I wanted to share them below.

I pretty quickly got over my rejection. I knew my work was good (puffed up as I am), but it baffled me as to why it wasn't seen as meriting inclusion (let alone awards!) LOL
Art is subjective, there is no denying that what I like and what my next door neighbor like are going to be very different. I enjoy the nontraditional work of Pollack and Kandinsky but I know some artists get rabid thinking about their paintings. Personally, I find them more exciting, say, than a beautifully rendered photorealistic still life.

This being said, a panel of several jurists, viewing art projected on a wall perhaps for a minute if the work is lucky, will each have a very different opinion and if your work is among thousands of entries, and they have wall space for a couple of hundred, the jury is going to have to be very quick and cutting to limit the work. Now, some mediocre work does get in, and friendships are hard to ignore, so I believe there is favoritism. We used to laugh heartily over the show catalog from one association because the work was so questionable, but it was the work of board members, etc. You can't reject them!

I was a juror of awards once for an organized show. And I think I was lucky that the show had a theme because when it got really tough deciding between my personal favorites and the best executed works (in a variety of media), I was able to judge which best represented the theme (to me).

A recent show I was in had us all scratching our heads over the grand prize winner. In fact, it seemed to be WAY out of nowhere, based on the other award winners that juror had selected. Then I read an article about a juror who admitted to choosing a huge $ prize winner based on the toss of a coin. Could that have been complementary to the artists involved?

So I believe juried show acceptance is based on three things: 1. who you know (or who knows you) 2. the merit of the art and 3. a roll of the dice.

Is it worth it to enter juried shows? Yes. I am selective in my entries. I learned a long time ago to never enter a show that was judged by an academic (no offense) or critic, or layman and to only enter shows which would include my peers or those I aspire to count as peers. I want my work to stand among other excellent work. I also don't enter shows that will most likely be filled with abstract or very traditional work, which my work would not fit in with. So I will continue to enter and try not to be bitter when my entry fee brings no return and just continue to paint what I love. When I am accepted, its good for my resume, when I am not, it has no effect on me.

Here are some interesting articles for your perusal. And thanks to everyone who commented, shared, patted me on the back, and commiserated.
http://faso.com/fineartviews/33055/should-i-enter-art-competitions-and-shows
http://stapletonkearns.blogspot.com/2011/07/thought-about-juries-for-exhibitions.html
http://www.sageartsstudio.com/drawingboard/?p=239&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

ps - the painting above is mine (nfs) - its my daughter with her gramma and its in honor of our recent trip to Cozumel which was amazing! Its hard to come back to reality - no buffets and friendly service here - and no chillin' in the Mexican Caribbean when it hits 104 like it is now - it was cooler there btw.

Walkabout

2011-07-22T17:34:00.006-05:00

6x6 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

Its hard to paint a busy scene small. And a figure no bigger than a bobby pin? whew!
But I pushed through it. Again, its a scene that needs to be larger. Or I need to crop in closer and paint just the figure (and her little dog too! - said in the voice of the Wicked Witch).

I've had an up and down day today and almost didn't paint. The up is that we are prepping to go to Cozumel for a family vacation and I am super excited about that. The downer was being rejected again for an art competition.

While I painted I pouted. But then I began to wonder why do I WANT to be accepted? I suppose it would be nice to win an award or see my name out there. But mostly I enter and hope to be accepted as part of best 'business practices'. Shouldn't I be trying to promote myself? Building my resume? Reaching a bigger audience and increasing the value of my paintings? Maybe in some way too I want to feel part of the larger world... that what I am doing in my studio is acceptable out there in the world. One can get tunnel vision or be isolated in this profession. And though the work was rejected, I still look at it and am reallllly pleased and wouldn't change a thing about my results. And ultimately, that is the best feeling.

There are so many possible avenues to consider WHY a painting isn't accepted to show, and I don't want to go into that here. But in sharing, maybe I can just let my friends know that rejection sucks, but it doesn't really mean much. Just keep painting.

#283

2011-07-20T17:56:00.005-05:00

7x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

I wasn't sure I liked this one until I stepped back. Just one of the thousands of beautiful townhomes lining the streets in NYC. At one, a guy doing some renovations made us an offer to purchase. Sure wish I had a big pile of cash laying around.

This one would be cool much bigger. Then I could better depict the man entering the doorway and better describe the building's lovely stonework. Definitely going to go big on this.

What Looks Good to You?

2011-07-19T15:52:00.003-05:00

6x6 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

Saturday brunch at the Bus Stop Cafe in the Village.

Colorful Corner

2011-07-18T17:55:00.005-05:00

6x6 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

This flower vendor certainly brightens up her corner, as well as people's homes, I'm sure.

Slurpee

2011-07-17T21:22:00.006-05:00

7x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

I've decided that I am going to go through my 900+ NYC photos, in order, and paint the scenes as they strike me. I often spend so much time looking through images, deciding on several to paint, wishing they were better or combining pictures, editing and cropping, etc. that I don't actually get to paint or lose focus because of too much eye candy.

If I practice responding to my first instinct, paint it immediately and move on, perhaps I will get better at making these decisions for larger paintings. Also, if I do these scenes first smaller scale, I can revisit them for larger, more developed works for my galleries. And the small works will be like a visual diary of my time in NYC.

Up first, a man sitting in Abingdon Park Saturday morning enjoying a refreshing drink and his book. We headed over to this area of the West Village first so we could get some fresh peaches and other breakfast items at the weekly farmer's market. I enjoyed trying to capture that dappled light.

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-07-15T14:11:00.007-05:00

Back from NY and right to work! Barely got this done. I could plan ahead of course, but that would just not be me. Below are some really nice paintings on the challenging subject of eyes. I couldn't focus on this challenge, which probably was good for me.
I find that the less I focus, the better I paint. ;-)
My daughter's reaction to posing, rolling those big brown eyes. And to seeing it painted, "freaky."

My Daughter's Eyes
5x7 oil on panel - nfs

Just Thinking About You
4x4 oil on canvas board
©2011 Ruth Andre

Eye of the Storm

5x3.5 oil on hardboard

Helen's Eyes
12x12 oil on canvas
©2011 Suzanne Berry

Lashing Out
5x5 oil on board
©2011 Sharman Owings

Brothers
8x10 each oil on canvas
©2011 Vicki Ross

City Paintings

2011-07-13T17:20:00.004-05:00

The only success I had with oil painting in the city. I was fairly pleased with this little scene. And we had a nice spot to work too without a lot of traffic. I think we painted on different ends of Bank Street for two days - though we hauled our stuff all over looking for an ideal spot. I think I was intimidated and didn't want to be seen. My friend Mike Rooney just gave me a good idea - put up a tip jar and then people would hurry on by and ignore us! LOL

I wiped this one off.

And this one was a goner too. It had potential perhaps, but one must remember that its about the journey, not the destination. :)

And we journeyed all over Central Park, the Met (ahhhh), Chinatown, Little Italy, Broadway, Hudson River Park, the villages, and I spent a couple hours perusing art in the galleries in Chelsea. And there was still not enough time to see as much as we wanted. But I took 912 photos and should have a lot of fun putting those to use in my upcoming studio paintings. I can't wait. Its such an inspiring city.

Central Park Sketch

2011-07-12T10:24:00.003-05:00

I thought I wrote something about this when I sent it from my iPhone in Central Park. Its a little weird emailing a blog post. Apparently there were some glitches. I ended up not painting in the streets again. We kept busy exploring all day on Monday - walking and biking around the city, exploring Chinatown and Little Italy, enjoying Hudson River Park, and then had a great dinner with Phil Levine and Nancy Myers back in the West Village. I still can't believe I biked down Broadway midday!

Morning painting West Village

2011-07-10T12:03:00.002-05:00

Found a good spot to work this morning and had some success. My little study is on the wall. There are great scenes everywhere, just not so many convenient places to "pull over".

Toque Party

2011-07-07T16:55:00.004-05:00

14x11 oil on linen

Available at one of my galleries soon.

Ok - one last post before I go. I painted this last week. Based on a smaller painting I did last fall. This was from a restaurant in NY. Where I am going tomorrow. And I can't wait. We're staying a funky old place in the west village. So I'll be toolin' around there Friday night soaking up all the atmosphere and getting inspired.

Wave Rider

2011-07-06T16:37:00.003-05:00

5x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

I think this is the last one for a few days. I am packing to go to NYC now! I am going with another artist/friend, Tess Traylor Walls and I can't wait. We are going to paint and sketch around the city. Spend a little time in the Met and try to visit the Hispanic Society of America where they have a collection of Sorolla paintings. This time I will get down to Chinatown and Little Italy. I better get another memory card for my camera.

Smooth Surfin'

2011-07-05T09:18:00.006-05:00

5x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h - sold

Here is an example of my brain function, I couldn't really remember WHERE I'd seen these surfers. Turns out (according to my diary) that we were in Siesta Key last year (just a year ago!?), and these were taken at Turtle Beach. Its just south of Siesta Key beach but quite different. The shore was a steep drop down to the crystal clear green water and the sand was dark, deep and fine. I think it was that sharp drop that made the waves good for these guys to surf on these short boards.

Once I read the little entry in my 5 year diary, it all came back to me, but until then... a total blank. I find this a little worrisome.

Easy Rider

2011-07-04T12:26:00.004-05:00

5x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h
PURCHASE

Now we go into the water and leave the long boarders for some skim boarders in action. I am not an expert actually in what boards they had, but I did like the movement of these guys playing in slightly rougher breakers on Amelia Island, Florida.

I'm enjoying my virtual trip to the beach and am making friends with Phtalo green! But Friday I leave for NYC!!

Boarder 4

2011-07-03T19:01:00.003-05:00

5x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h
PURCHASE

And another. I'm really quite enjoying these small panels! Its a good exercise in seeing and committing and not getting caught up in details. They are also good to work on while I'm sitting at my kitchen table while my daughter is playing with her friends.

Boarder 3

2011-07-02T16:11:00.002-05:00

5x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h
PURCHASE

I'm not the best at clever names! But this is what it is. Enjoy!

Boarder 2

2011-07-01T10:24:00.004-05:00

5x5 oil on panel
$100 + s/h
PURCHASE

Today I'm rejoining Daily Painter's Gallery. I dropped off for about a year while I focused on establishing myself with new galleries and working on larger paintings. I missed the community and the exposure to be honest. I look forward to being part of the gallery again. I looked into other such groups as well (and there are quite a few) but I still think this is the best. It was among the first, its done a lot to promote the artists, and they have high quality and varied art available! I suspect they must have a huge audience too. So I better keep my hand in these smaller works!

If you are anywhere near the beach and going to see fireworks over the ocean, I am jealous.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Boarder

2011-06-30T11:16:00.008-05:00

5x5 oil on panel - sold

This week I was nearby V....Vaughan's studio so I dropped by and painted with her. It was nice to have some company and to try to focus a little bit on art. So far, summer has been far from easy livin'. Between travel, shuttling to camps, household chores, physical therapy and so many other things, I haven't had the time or energy to paint. And I'm missing it.
I decided I'd try some small panels. I actually find them rather hard to to. Its hard to paint very small. The subject has to be simple for my brushwork to work.

And since I'm not getting a break from the usual routine of life, I took myself to the beach in my painting time. I ended up doing several small panels in a series... so keep watching!

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-06-15T12:58:00.007-05:00

Self portraits. I'd rather be tied to a fire ant hill, I've decided. There couldn't be a less interesting subject for me. I started with the best of ideas and enthusiasm. But after 3 false starts, missing a massage appointment and sweltering in my hot studio space (need to move downstairs), I finally made one that was tolerable. But I still didn't do what I wanted to do. Maybe I will keep working on it. But I doubt it. I was hoping to paint myself doing what I do - sketching in a cafe. Then I would have had the cafe scenes that I love to paint, and me as the near subject... but the size of the panels I tried made the other elements much too small. I am at a weird angle too, owing to it being a photograph I set up with the camera balanced on my yogurt cup. And my red color is my heat rash that I've been enjoying for a week or so. I'm guessing on that... could be that I did lay in fire ants.

Anyway - this was a challenge in every respect. When you paint a face that you are so used to seeing, I think it is almost impossible to see it just as shapes of color/value... I couldn't see the forest for the trees so to speak. I think the others did beautifully creative paintings. I'm most impressed.

Today I'm going to work on a scene from Lake Michigan where I could barely dip my toes into the frigid water. But how yummy that would feel today in Texas.

Yours Truly
10x10 oil on linen board
(to be set in a corner and forgotten)

"Vicki - 2011"
14x11 oil on panel
©2011 Vicki Ross

"Morning Light"
10x8 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre

"Lady In Red - aka Me at 60”
8x8 oil on hardboard
©2011 Sharman Owings

"Suzanne"
10x10 oil on linen
©2011 Suzanne Berry

"Mirror"
7x8 Oil on canvas board

Barton Springs Pool Sketches

2011-05-24T17:35:00.005-05:00

Today I met a friend for some sketching at one of our lovely spring fed pools. We are so lucky in Austin to have two large spring fed swimming pools. The more well-known one is Barton Springs Pool. And it was so much fun to sit on the bank and watch people enjoying the brisk 68 degree water. Its going to have to get a whole lot hotter (94 today) for me to get in that water!

My first sketch was just a woman sitting on the concrete sidewalk above the pool. I made the water bluer than it is really.

I'm pretty pleased with my second sketch. This is very accurate to the water color in the shallow end. The water created such a distortion that their legs were pretty much invisible, though the water is crystal clear.
I might finish out these pieces with a little more detail and clean up some things... like the broken hand on my sunbather. Then I will post them again on here or ETSY.

Photography 101

2011-05-18T13:19:00.003-05:00

I'm in a slump. I have been going through literally thousands of photos for ideas to work from, but nothing is inspiring me. Its made me realize something that the photos do and do not do for me. When I take photos for art work reference, I am often sketching the scene, and I am smelling the hot coffee or exhaust, hearing the birds chirp or the ocean waves rolling and its the responses of all my senses that contribute to creation and form an idea in my head.
When capture something digitally, I can work from those images with very fresh memories of the location. But once those memories fade, the photos are useless to me. So I've realized I need to get out and about more - I've been too much in my house. I've gone sketching more this past week, and that has generated an idea for a new project - more on that later.

The other thing I wanted to mention about photography for painting reference is that its different from photography as art or as documenting family vacations, etc. I went to France and Italy over a decade ago and I don't have a single photo I can use as reference. I took them all as a tourist not as an artist interpreting for painting. I look for unusual cropping, light and shadow, layers, energy and movement for painting reference. I see the painting in my head and record it digitally. I literally shoot from the hip sometimes because even if the shot isn't good, it will bring to mind that image that made me click the shutter and then I can paint what is in my head.

I suggest to beginners that they don't try to paint from magazine photos or pretty calendar pictures. Those images are already art and the photographer looks for something that won't translate into paintings.

Another issue is the alterations the camera lens makes to the images our eyes see. Charles Sovek is a favorite of mine and he has some interesting lessons on his site - one about painting from photos here. Amazon has several pages of books about painting from photos and I have this one very good one, How Photography Can Make You A Better Painter by Michael Weymouth that discusses the technical aspects of HOW TO photograph specifically for painting reference. Scott Burdick also did a video lesson on using Photoshop to enhance pictures for painting. All very good resource materials.

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-05-16T14:43:00.015-05:00

I'm a day late. My apologies to my challenge partners. I've just been kind of avoiding the studio lately. First it was intentional. And now its been a slump of epic proportions. Even the challenge didn't get me motivated. It was the first one I missed though and I felt badly. So I wanted to share the others work at the very least. I'm warming up again finally and enjoyed trying a little watercolor sketch. I felt I owed it to my camera too. I'd be lost without it and I like the idea of paying homage to this wonderful artist's tool.

watercolor pencil on paper
©2011 Robin Cheers

Photo Play
6x6 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre

Study
5x7 oil on hardboard
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Bite Me!
8x10 oil on canvas
©2011 Vicki Ross

The Camera
20x16 oil on canvas
©2011 Suzanne Berry

Sure Shot
5x7 oil on canvas
©2011 Sharman Owings

Studio Notes

2011-05-04T14:57:00.002-05:00

I've completed updating the gallery pages on here now so you can see my available paintings at each gallery and contact them from there if you like. Not only will this hopefully help other people find my work and see what is out there but it will help me keep track! It was kind of fun to go through my lists and visit the work again. I think I'm always working on the next painting and forget about previous work. Good memories there.

Next I'm considering a FAQ page. But since the questions I get generally are about specific paintings or about live event work, I'm not sure what I will put there.

Speaking of the live event painting - I am not taking on any more events. I am scheduled to do two this year and one early next year which will complete a family set. Now if only I can delete all search results that bring my name up I could save myself some of those FAQs. :-)

A Good Look

2011-05-03T09:07:00.008-05:00

10x8 oil on panel (each)

Ask Edward Montgomery Fine Art about these paintings.

A pair of paintings to share today. I just loved how both women were leaning in and curved - almost echoing the contemporary figures they are studying. I painted these right next to one another so that the background colors match as if they are one painting. But I meant for them to be framed and hung separately.

Here they are framed in the wonderful handmade and hand-finished Glaser frames. They are my preferred frames for my work.

Farm to Market

2011-04-28T13:55:00.005-05:00

12x9 oil on canvas panel

Gallery info to come.

Another look at this lady harvesting lettuce at Boggy Creek Farm. She would pick them and take them up to the market stand to sell. Can't get much more fresh than that. I bought some, and it was delicious. Boggy Creek has market days Wed. and Sat. mornings in East Austin.

The title refers to many of our road names here in Central Texas. FM1431 or some such is a road that led from the outlying rural areas into town.

I'm adding "pages" to my blog so you can see what is available at each of my galleries and contact them if you are interested in any of my artwork. Its taking me a little time to update, but its on the right column.

Holding the Line

2011-04-27T16:19:00.004-05:00

11x14 oil on panel

Gallery info to come.

I'm really enjoying painting these scenes. Its become a favorite subject. Perhaps after having painted a few, I feel a little more free to experiment. I've painted the green grass and the blue jeans as they really appear. Now I can play with the subject a bit and like I did with this painting, paint it very high key.
Someone wrote and asked if I used a special palette on the previous scene. I didn't really intend to actually. It wasn't a conscious choice when I started, it sort of happened as I worked. One of the things I do while I'm working is to mix into the colors I've already blended on my palette. So the whole mass sort of blends and moves across my palette morphing from one set to another, but all part of the same. This probably makes no sense whatsoever.
I had an older shot of my palette so I thought I'd share that at least. You can see how my mixing moves across and keeps blending and morphing.

Clean Sheets

2011-04-22T10:56:00.005-05:00

12x12 oil on panel
Gallery info tbd

So Wednesday I set my timer and painted this scene in 30 minutes (plus 10). I wanted it to be loose and interpretive, so I stuck with a sort of split complementary (?) color scheme. Actually - that was a happy accident. LOL
Anyway, I did a few strokes after the timer went off, but not much. I really want to get to the point where I stop tightening up everything and paint more instinctively. I made a short slideshow of the work in progress. One of these days I would like to try to get a video too - first I'll have to figure out how much time my old camera can record and then how to get it uploaded to my computer.

Happy Easter! I'm going to go see the Impressionists exhibit from the National Gallery in Houston. Have a beautiful weekend everybody.

Downtime

2011-04-21T18:15:00.004-05:00

6x6 oil on panel
SOLD

This was so much fun to do. I didn't think I could pull it off really - the start was rather ugly. But I'm really happy with the results. Click the image to see it larger and you can see the strokes, the lost edges and the suggestions which make it come together to the eye.
I really hit my stride yesterday leaving things loose and sloppy. That might sound odd, but it is sort of what I want. It felt really good to just let go and put the brush down before I tightened everything up. Will share that tomorrow! Facebook fans have had a peek at it.

In Her Tube

2011-04-20T13:22:00.004-05:00

6x6 oil on panel
$125 + s/h
PURCHASE

Another view of the little tuber, playing in the waves at Siesta Key Beach. This year we're not going to vacation in FL because I bought one of those living social deals to COZUMEL! We haven't traveled abroad in many years - and our daughter has never been out of the country, so I've been busy getting our passports renewed and getting the child's first ever. She is so excited. I am not sure how much traditional Mexican scenery I will find, but I'm sure to enjoy the beaches and snorkeling. Now, if I can only figure out our summer vacation schedule! I have to work around my parents who will be joining us, my hubby's work, my trip to NYC :), summer camps and a trip to see our IN family and meet our new nephew! No problem.

Limited Strokes Notes

2011-04-15T13:09:00.004-05:00

I just took a look at this in this small image format and noticed how monotone the painting is. Its a problem I always have when I paint outdoors. Its pretty much all midtones. When you are working under a strong light source (i.e. the Texas sun) you have to really push those values! I converted the image to grayscale in Photoshop to see how well and truly in the middle I was.

I also wanted to mention that the strokes noted on the side note each one I painted in order.

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-04-15T12:35:00.004-05:00

It was my turn to pick a challenge and I think I might have made some enemies this time around! jk - LOL
I certainly stirred up a lot of questions.
I wanted to practice the idea of limited strokes and decided we should paint something with just 15 strokes. The idea of this is to make you think ahead. You need to plan each stroke, mix enough color, load your brush and make that color last for the length of your stroke. Peggi Kroll Roberts has a video on this specific challenge and my friend V....Vaughan frequently practices this (both with much better results.)
I did a couple this week when I went to paint with some friends at a local farm/market. You will see my scene more fleshed out very soon.

Gardening
12x6 (roughly) oil on canvas
©2011 Robin Cheers

7-stroke to Place
9x13 oil on canvas

7 Stroke Apple

4x 4.5 oil on canvas

Totally Tubular

2011-04-14T17:37:00.004-05:00

6x6 oil on panel
$125 + s/h
PURCHASE

I'm taking a vacation... in my studio! I wanted to get back to painting regularly and thought I'd start on some uncomplicated and fun scenes to warm up! Beach pics are a good start.

While I Breathe, I Hope

2011-04-04T08:18:00.007-05:00

24x24 oil on canvas

Available at Russell Collection Fine Art in Austin.

This is my contribution for the fundraiser for the new Seton Breast Cancer in Austin. The Russell Collection gallery invited their "Best of Texas" artists to each create a painting on the theme of hope. When I think of any trials that life throws our way, my hope seems to always fall on the next generation - the youth, energy and infinite possibility of our children. This is a likeness of my daughter, blowing bubbles. Lots of symbolism in here really. I'll let you all interpret it. The title is the Latin - Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope." And blessedly, I have this outlook on life even in the darkest of hours.

Tuesday night the gallery hosts an event to unveil the paintings together.

I'm still here!

2011-03-28T11:24:00.005-05:00

I feel a little like a balloon that was suddenly deflated. After all my volunteer activities ended and the opening at Russell Collection, I let a big sigh of relief and haven't reinflated myself! I'm trying to get inspired again. After such a break, its always hard to get motivated again. But I have to think of it not as a challenge but a waking, as if from a sleep... I have to begin gently and not berate myself for inactivity.

In the meantime, I am finishing a special painting for the new Seton Breast Cancer Center. Artists who showed in the Best of Texas show at Russell Collection are each contributing a 24x24 canvas in honor of Susan Lubin. My painting is a little more modern than usual and I'm enjoying it.

Two other things - Salon International opens this weekend AND I had a painting featured in the April Southwest Art in their "Art Values" section - very cool! Though they have put Russell Collection gallery in Dallas, not Austin. But, this means you need to check out my galleries and see what is available to invest now before I get famous! ;)

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-03-15T16:10:00.006-05:00

This month's challenge was to paint on black. Now, I used to do this regularly for awhile. I think I got the idea from Karin Jurick and I did like the drama of the color on it. But once its painted over, there isn't much point really. Then I began to paint mostly on a grayed surface, sometimes gessoing many panels at one time in a nice latex house paint actually (idea from Ken Auster) which gives a nice smooth surface. But lately I've been painting mostly onto white linen or gessoboard and using thin washes and wiping back some too to achieve more transparent passages. Its funny how my own techniques vary widely depending on my mood and subject.
This time I let the black be, and I painted only the areas of light, so the black is the clayboard surface (only thing I had in black.) It was interesting to paint only the color areas, leaving his eye sockets empty and his shoulder and her shirt and hair just unpainted essentially. All the negative space is untouched. It was a neat experiment. Now, the clayboard is thirsty, so I had to paint some of those passages several times to make the color sing. I'm curious how the others got their very dense black grounds. Will have to read on... follow their links to read more with me!

Glass Artists
5x7 oil on clayboard
©2011 Robin Cheers

Blue & Pink
9x12 pastel
©2011 Vicki Ross

Sunny Side Up
16x20 oil on board
©2011 Suzanne Berry

Sweet Reflections

Birds Eye Views

2011-03-10T17:29:00.004-06:00

After Lunch
12x12 oil on 2" cradled gessoboard

Crosswalk
14x11 oil on 2" cradled gessoboard

On the Plaza
12x12 oil on 2" cradled gessoboard

All available at Russell Collection

These are the last of the pieces I painted for the Best of Texas show. I really like these overhead views and was sort of testing them out in this market. I'd like to do some larger ones. Maybe really big. (for me, that might be 24x36) People seemed to like them so I am going to do for it.
I enjoy doing these because they are more simple and graphic in design, the shadows often are the most interesting part. I like cast shadows. I have fun with them in the museum paintings too - where a person is in the spotlight and their shadow falls on the wall with the paintings. These more modern pieces are hung unframed too on the cradled hardboard.

I've been lazing about here for the last week. I think I just needed some downtime. I had so much going on between Girl Scouts, Destination Imagination and prepping for this show. Its been nice to just "be" for awhile. And do some spring gardening. Next week is our spring break so I can do a little more R&R and then back to work. Ideas are forming!

Oh - and there is one more exciting thing going on in conjunction with Russell Collection and this show. Their Best of Texas artists have been invited to create a work on the theme of "hope" for the new Seton Breast Cancer Center. Each artist will paint a 24x24 canvas which will be previewed at Russell Collection April 6-10 in honor of Susan Lubin.

In and Out

2011-03-08T15:58:00.005-06:00

18x20 oil on linen panel
Available at Russell Collection

Also one of my show pieces for the Best of Texas show. The opening reception Friday was really fun. A real Austin event with live music and loads of people. It all coincided well with Texas Independence Day and South by Southwest which begins next week. The variety of art is really unique I think too. The artwork ranges from the abstract to impressionist, large to small and in between. The Russell Collection offers something for every taste. I am really proud to be part of their gallery.

Sweet Spot

2011-03-04T13:01:00.006-06:00

12x9 oil on panel
Available at Russell Collection

This is a similar setting to a painting I did of Mozarts this winter. As usual I am drawn to the unusual light to be found in interior settings. The pastry fridge radiates a pink glow and the blue light through the blinds tries to creep into the space. I almost fee like I can see the dust motes glinting through this piece too. I think I've become addicted to the coffee shop atmosphere. I've been to one of my nearby Starbucks 4 out of 5 days this week. I've been reading a lot actually. Its been really nice to wind down a bit. I'm avoiding being alone in my studio I think by surrounding myself with people and conversation - none of which I actually have to participate in! I know that people might look down on the chain coffeehouses, but I have to say that I am really comfortable in them and always meet friendly faces there. More so than some other shops. There is something to be said for consistency too. They've been kind of an extension of my living room. Comfortable places to read, check email, sketch, have a warm cuppa something and watch the world go by. I have an idea brewing too. lol

Tonight is the opening at Russell Collection. I'm anxious to meet all the other artists and see all the work together. Should be a lot of fun.

Campus Bookstore

2011-03-03T18:56:00.005-06:00

12x36 oil on linen
Available at Russell Collection

Here is another for the show this month. Its an unusual size and its another piece I thought about for a long time before I actually painted it. I did a small study of it as well trying to work out the color and light. So often these scenes lend themselves to dark colors... dark floors, dark walls, dark tables and chairs - so much wood!
So I want to try to not resort to losing everything in heavy dark paint.

6x18 oil on linen - 30 minute study

The line that is like wainscotting in the final painting is straight (for the most part) but my camera kept giving it a fish-eyed bow. I hope its straight - will have to check that at the gallery tomorrow night and hope its not so pronounced as in this photo!

409 Bleeker Street

2011-03-02T18:58:00.004-06:00

24x20 oil on linen
Available at Russell Collection Fine Art

This is my second favorite recent painting. Its based on photos and a plein air piece I did in the city on my last visit. That was '09. I didn't get to go last year, but I'm planning a trip for this summer with some artist friends.

If you are interested in a guided painting trip there, check out Phil Levine's site. He plans workshops with some of the best teaching artists all over the western world, and he is leading a figure painting class in the city in May. I'm not sure if I will be able to plan my trip around that, the end of school and all, but I hope to still meet up with him while there. If he's not in France - sigh.

Sweets for My Sweet

2011-03-01T15:22:00.005-06:00

20x20 oil on linen

I thought I'd give my blog viewers a sneak peek at some of the work that is now available at Russell Collection in Austin. They are mounting their Best of Texas show featuring 10 of the Texas artists they represent, including me. It should be a fun opening reception Friday night with a diverse collection of artists and live music. If you are in town you should rsvp and attend!

This painting might be my favorite. I actually have thought about this scene for a couple of years but hadn't painted it yet. Perhaps I didn't think I could. But I am so pleased with the results. The setting is actually across from Russell Collection at Sweetish Hill Bakery. They have one of my small daily paintings on their wall. Its also a scene from their bakery. Pretty neat.

Studio Notes

2011-02-24T09:37:00.009-06:00

I found this interesting article - notes from a talk with a conservator. I have no idea how old it is, nor confirmed all the info - so there's my disclaimer. But this part was of particular interest and I wanted to share:

VARNISH

As mentioned earlier, damar varnish can be difficult to remove from a painting without damage when aged for a long period. This becomes especially true when large amounts of damar have been used in the painting itself.

For safety sake, if one wishes to use damar in one's medium, then a synthetic varnish is advisable. Catherine highly recommended Gamblin's "Gamar" varnish. Other synthetics may still crosslink with the paint film underneath. But Gamar is a hydrocarbon based varnish that does not crosslink and removes easily with mineral spirits (which do not dissolve damar). Also, it does not yellow or crack.

Another benefit is that Gamar is flexible enough to be applied as soon as the painting is dry to the touch, instead of waiting 6 to 12 months. This means that artists can apply a full final varnish before rushing paintings out the door to galleries. Catherine says that no varnish seals out air from a painting, and that immediate varnishing will not hinder oxidation of the paint layers beneath.

Gamar comes as crystal resin and solvent that must be mixed and dissolved by the artist by shaking hourly for 8 hours. This is due to it's limited shelf life. One container of Gamar will cover 80 square feet of surface area, so an artist may want to save up a group of works to varnish at once, or else mix smaller portions for use, since it should be used up within a month of mixing.

The gloss of Gamar is meant to be comparable to damar, but some say that it is shinier. To reduce gloss, add solvent (mineral spirits) or wax medium.

No resin protects against oxidation or atmospheric moisture. Its sole purposes are to protect against dirt and atmospheric pollution, and to even out the sheen of a painting, adding depth to color.

* I don't find a Gamar from Gamsol - they have GamVAR - so I think this is a typo on the author's part. Or they've renamed their product.

Studio News

2011-02-21T12:33:00.006-06:00

First, let me tell you that I am swamped lately - going a little crazy with Destination Imagination (tournament this Sat.!) and GS cookie sales (ends Sunday!) not to mention getting work ready for a show at Russell Collection in Austin. (some I'm really proud of so far!)

When February is over, so are all my volunteer duties and can get back to work in earnest and actually focus a little bit on it. So, if you've written me, or commented, or asked for a painting, and I am "ignoring" you... please believe that I am just way over my head right now and I WILL respond (just not in a timely manner!)

Onto other things now!
Awesome Austin interior designer Robin Callan of Room Fu has posted a nice little feature on my work on her blog. I can't wait to share the new work for the Best of Texas show! But there is still more to do and I will wait until the week of the show I think.

Weather Beaten

2011-02-17T13:36:00.003-06:00

14x18 oil on linen

This is an oldie but goodie. I don't know why it hasn't found a home, except that its been in my studio for almost 2 years. I personally love it and am proud of it. Anyway - today I submitted it to the Oil Painters of America and maybe they will accept it in their 20th annual national exhibition. The audience in Coeur d'Alene, ID should be right for it.

Upcoming Show - Russell Collection

2011-02-16T17:21:00.003-06:00

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-02-15T11:46:00.005-06:00

Always Untied
6x6 oil on panel
email me if you want this little painting

This month posed a little challenge for me, but I finally conquered CONVERSE shoes! None of my neighbors had any and it took me awhile to track some down without having to buy a pair myself. However, after seeing all the cute styles when I looked online, I kinda want a pair now. Wonder how comfortable they are? Anyway - I love the paintings this month. Very fun and creative.

Well Worn
5x7 oil on hardboard
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Big Red
24x24 oil on canvas
©2011 Suzanne Berry

Satin Chucks
9x12 oil on panel
©2011 Vicki Ross

Just Hanging Out
6x6 oil on hardboard
©2011 Sharman Owings

Converse Reds
6x6 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre

Imagine

2011-02-11T17:26:00.004-06:00

14x11 oil on canvas

This little scene is my donation for the Lutheran Social Services New Life benefit Feb. 26 in Austin. I donate a painting for their event every year. New Life is a treatment center and home for abused and neglected girls ages 11-17. Its a wonderful place of healing and growth for these girls and so very important. The theme this year is "All You Need Is Love" with a bit of Beatlemania going on. The Eggmen, a really talented Beatles tribute band, will be playing after a very fine catered dinner and the live auction. Its a fun night and I'm proud to offer something to help them reach their goals to support the girls at New Life Treatment Center. If you are local, you should get tickets and enjoy the fun!

Over the Line

2011-02-10T14:14:00.000-06:00

14x11 oil on panel

A Well Balanced Diet

2011-02-09T17:07:00.002-06:00

12x12 oil on panel

I have no idea where I will send this yet.

Here is the painting I showed yesterday while being varnished. I'm currently stewing over how to paint a restaurant interior without so many dark colors. I did two others last week that just seem to dismal and dim. I will let you know what I come up with.

Q&A Time

2011-02-09T16:15:00.003-06:00

I got a lot of questions about recent posts, so I thought I'd answer them here.

How long did you need to wait before you could varnish? Can you share ... what kind of varnish would you recommend?

I do not wait the recommended 6 mos. before varnishing. My paintings barely have time to dry before they are framed and sent to galleries. BUT, I paint kind of thinly, use zinc/titanium white, don't add medium and I live in Texas where there is almost no humidity in the air - indoor or out. Often my paintings are dry to the touch overnight (as is my palette... which is annoying.) I wait a week or so at least though and then test. If the color doesn't come off on the sponge, I varnish. I read something somewhere once that said it was ok. So I'm going with it. I apply it with a makeup sponge too. It goes on beautifully!
I use Synvar varnish. Its an acrylic resin and won't yellow with age. "It may be removed with mild solvents for subsequent cleaning and conservation of paintings." I wanna be sure that the conservators can clean my works later at the museum. ;-)

Do the people realize you are sketching them?

Sometimes. But most people are absorbed in their work, computers, books or conversation. A few might catch my eye and I might look elsewhere or just smile. Same thing when photographing. I take a lot of shots from the hip. And sometimes I act like a tourist and like I am aiming at some interesting object or feature, but really, the people are the element I am most interested in capturing. If well and truly busted, I just tell them that I am an artist and getting some reference material to work from. I've never had a negative encounter but I've seen one mom get mad at an artist friend for taking shots of her youngsters. So be careful about the privacy people might expect to have even in public places. I take very general shots of the whole place, not zoom in on one person.

Just curious is this from a photo ref and how were you able to take a photo of the kitchen?

This was in reference to the chef painting. Yes, it was from a photo. And this was one of those ideal times when I WAS a tourist - I figure in NYC they are used to gawkers wanting to document every aspect of their visit. The kitchen was open and I had a good view so walked over there and chatted with the chefs and took some pics. I LOVED their tall togues! Theory is that the taller the hat, the higher the rank of chef. These must be culinary geniuses! Or maybe its like the Texas saying - "the higher the hair, the closer to God."

Varnish

2011-02-08T17:24:00.004-06:00

I sat down to varnish today finally. I've had several paintings that need it, but its been so cold I couldn't do it outside. The house stinks now and I felt lightheaded all afternoon - jk! - but the work is ready to go to galleries now.

As I was varnishing this restaurant scene, I was struck by the difference it made in the colors. So I thought I'd share. The left side is varnished, the right is not. Its quite dull in comparison. When you thin your paint with OMS or some other solvent, you break down the oil - so the paint will dry duller. Since I paint a lot of fat over lean, my paintings can really vary from gloss to flat, so I like to varnish everything to bring the colors to life, create an even surface, and of course, protect the painting from dirt, dust, oils, smoke and other environmental hazards.

Coffee House Chatter

2011-02-08T15:47:00.007-06:00

Notes from my sketchbook:

I sit here in Starbucks - very noisy if I let myself hear it. Funny that I can tune it out. But when I listen -
"Allison, I have your nonfat vente latte." A clatter of spoons.
"Excuse me," taking an unused chair. A woman's voice carries over the lower din of voices; papers snapping when turned; espresso machine runs with a hissing rumble, like steam from a train; a blender; and a call for Ralph to get his drink.
Lastly, as I pack up, "Miss, are you leaving?"
Miss!? Thank you! ;-)
Then out the door, "I have a grande Americano...." and into the cold of a February morning.

The sketch book I have been using since '09 is a Fabriano Artist's Journal. It has 12 different colored sections of Fabriano Ingres paper. I'm in the green section right now and it actually scanned a little lighter than it is. It and the red pages have been the hardest to sketch in. Color doesn't work. Chalk might! But even black ink doesn't show up very well. But I love the book - I am going to order another because I had to search awhile to find a link for it and I don't want to miss getting one if they are scarce. This is the one that I've carried everywhere, and its got stickers in it, family notes, sketches of my daughter at Tae kwon do, sketches from many airports and planes, travel notes, and endless coffee shops! Its just a good size to stick in your bag and fairly light with the soft cover.

Too Many Chefs

2011-02-04T15:37:00.002-06:00

12x9 oil on panel

This was a fun painting. Thinking of warm cooking fires while we watch our little snow melt outside. School was canceled of course. Snow in central Texas paralyzes the city - my neighbors laughingly called it "snowmageddon." Keep in mind, it was maybe a quarter inch. But it was fun. And its cozy inside. Soon all will be business as usual.

A Closer Look

2011-02-03T12:21:00.003-06:00

16x16 oil on panel

This painting was accepted into the Salon International show in San Antonio. The show runs from April 1-22. I think this is my third year in a row to have work included. I submitted more than one entry, but never seem to get multiple pieces accepted. We're never satisfied are we? LOL

Play Day

2011-02-02T19:40:00.006-06:00

Today we had no power most of the day due to rolling blackouts. I hunkered down near a window for some light and painted a bunch of small sketches just for fun. I was experimenting and also trying to work up ideas for possible larger works. It was a lot of fun. I was pretty cut off from the world. Except for a cell phone, I had no means to waste time surfing the internet, emailing, etc.

So, here are some of the fun things I did today. I need more days like this!

Wow - I didn't realize I did so many! These are all 6x6 or 8x8 on loose linen (my scraps). Major, the dog, was painted from life as he was irresistibly cute cuddled up on my daughter's bed. Who can blame him - it was pretty cold for Austin! We're keeping our fingers crossed for some snow though.

Birds Eye View - Winter Series

2011-01-31T15:54:00.004-06:00

8x8 each, oil on cradled canvas board

Available at Edward Montgomery Fine Art in Carmel February 8th.

I love painting these. I think its cathartic after painting complicated cafe and restaurant scenes. The shadows and blocky shapes are simple and graphic. They are painted on a 2-inch deep cradled board so they don't need framing. I think I will try a couple on larger canvases too. Maybe much larger - very contemporary.

Chance Meeting

2011-01-21T23:08:00.004-06:00

16x20 oil on linen

Gallery info to come.

Earlier in the week, I shared some sketches and the beginning of this scene in oil paint and here is the final piece. A lot happened in between that beginning and this end. I heard a really interesting remark from an artist who was on the Independent Lens program about origami - I can't remember it exactly but the gist was: "You try to strive for the final thing being good, but you're also aware of how beautiful the process is...people in a gallery viewing the object are missing like 2/3rds of what's special about it and how it got made..."
I liked that. Its very true. And perhaps that is why when I finish something, I feel it could be better and can't wait to move onto another painting to try again. Sometimes I wonder if its not more about making the marks on the canvas, than the actual picture they create.
Anyway, I highly recommend you watch that show (Between the Folds) online, or on your local PBS station if its airing.

Whats on my Easel

2011-01-18T17:10:00.003-06:00

First some sketches working out some designs and value studies. All of these are from a visit to a really hip Austin espresso bar, Little City. I like the marker value studies a lot. Lets see if I can pull the oil painting together.

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

2011-01-15T10:12:00.007-06:00

This month's creative challenge was to paint something beginning with the letters pi. I found this difficult because it had to be a specific object once the word had been chosen. I had to kind of back into it. First, try to think of a word/subject, then try to find something inspirational to paint. I have to say, I am not altogether happy with my results. I haven't put brush to canvas in a couple of weeks I think too, so there was the usual clumsiness with mixing and paint handling. And I'm not even sure this qualifies as a pick up... it might be an old VW van cut down, but with the open back it could be used for hauling and likely was before being left in this shed. Its an interesting way to work though. Definitely a challenge.

Old Pick Up
6x8 oil on panel
©2011 Robin Cheers

If you love this and want to own it, tell me now before I do my good deed for our environment and "recycle" it under some new paint. :-)

Pilsner
6x6 oil on panel
©2011 Sharman Owings

Apples for Pie
14x11 pastel on Pastelbord
©2011 Vicki Ross

Piggy
10x10 oil on linen
©2011 Suzanne Berry

Pineapple in the Snow
8x10 oil on hardboard
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Pink Piglet
6x6 oil on canvas
©2011 Ruth Andre