Online Learning

Not sure if you all remember or know that I have a blog I started with a friend when we were doing "The Artists' Way" and when that ended (read: petered out) we changed it to offer creative help during the down times. It is still there, but not terribly active. Once in awhile something comes up and I share it there. Recent posts have been about online learning or website tutorials.

I saw (too late) that Ken Auster is going to have an online course offered through Tuscon Art Academy. There are various sites that offer classes and I know some artists who offer them direct. There is a list I've started on the right column on the other blog.

I'd love to hear from any of you who have taken online art classes What is your experience? Were you motivated? Did you learn something new?

If you've read this far, you can now pop on over to The Creative Block - AND you can enter for a chance to win a free class offered on Caftsy.com. Check them out - they have a lot to offer. Second post down on the page. ;-)

p.s. - I have another idea to make the Creative Block more exciting...but I'm a little nervous about approaching other artists for help.

Bistro Business

16x16 oil on cradled panel

Available - $1,575

During a visit to Indiana in August, I asked the folks at Castle Gallery for some good local venues to try that would be good painting inspiration as well. One suggestion was "Paula's on Main" which has a seafood shop in the entrance and then a nice little restaurant attached on the side. We had a lovely lunch and I took lots of photos. The restaurant had an upstairs and I got my first birds eye view to paint of diners. Very fun.

Breakfast Table

18x18 oil on cradled panel - SOLD
 
I shared this before but didn't show the final version or title. I didn't make many changes from the initial work but did lessen the blue in her hair and shortened her little pinky finger which my husband thought looked crazy. 
I'm happy to say that the painting quickly found a new home already! Thank you DK Gallery and S.D. 

I am using this model again to paint a very large canvas. Its a 36x48 and the largest I've worked on. I've wanted to explore interiors and "home" - kitchens and dining rooms, etc. I like the idea too that such a scene can create the illusion of more space in a home. People use mirrors to do that, but maybe a painting is a better answer!

Have a good weekend friends!

Prairie Ponies

Oil sketch on paper

Another little study created while traveling to the Texas coast this past weekend. The tall white flowers are called Snow on the Prairie. I hadn't seen them before. Good thing V, the farm girl, was along to tell me what I was seeing. 

Coastal Cows

Oil on paper sketch

So V....Vaughan and I took a quick trip to the Texas coast this past weekend. She watched the weather and was anxious to  work under the beautiful skies. And for once i was able to tag along at the last minute. We had some rain and lots of pretty clouds (and clouds of Mosquitos) and did some birding. 

We sketched with paint and pencils and watercolor. And took lots of photos. Much of the scenery was more to V's taste but its always good to play with new subjects. 

Here's V working on her cows while sitting on the hood of her vehicle.

While working here we had a small family stop and need our help with tire troubles. Luckily, we were able to reach a very helpful mechanic who came to their rescue and we resumed our sketches. The cows probably hadn't ever been so entertained. 

Swan Lake Rehearsal

12x16 oil on paper

Another sketch from the ballet. Can't get a good photo because the paper is white wants to curve and the paint is reflective (dries with a nice gloss!)

Aw Shucks!

16x16 oil on panel

Ask DK Gallery about this painting

This began - and sort of ended - as a sketch. I just thought that I had said enough once I got the initial block in done. Its painted over a toned panel which allowed me to just be vague about the non-essential bits.

Friday opens the Farm to Table show at DK Gallery on the Historic Marietta Square. The show features all their gallery artists sharing works celebrating the growing focus on farm fresh foods. I am happy to contribute with some of my favorite subjects featuring foods being prepared or enjoyed. To see a preview of the variety of works you can click here. 

I'm still really excited to be part of DK Gallery. They have monthly show openings coinciding with their local First Friday Artwalk. The shows give artists and patrons an opportunity to explore all kinds of ideas and themes. I wish I was nearer and could attend. I'm hoping for a visit during their Holiday small gems show.

This scene is from my New Orleans trip earlier this summer. We walked for a long way to find that Cafe du Monde serves nothing but beignets. That wouldn't do for my family. We then found The Original French Market Restaurant nearby serving some excellent Cajun food and got to watch this man shucking fresh oysters for those so inclined.

Ballet Studio Sketch

 

12x10 oil on paper (paper size 16x12)

PURCHASE

Discovered a new paper from Arches specifically made for oil painting.

It's different from some of the others I've tried. It definitely allows for heavier paint and isn't very absorbent. I painted this last night and it is still wet and the brush strokes are quite visible. 

I saw that v....vaughan shared her painting recently which was done on the same material. I'll let her figure out how to mount and frame! 

There is no oil bleed through - the paint remains on the surface beautifully. It is smooth and I love a smooth surface to work on.

(I took this and posted from the iphone. I will update it with a better image soon)

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