Ray and Margaret's Backyard

"Ray's and Margaret's Backyard"  Acrylic 10x10"  SOLD

I'm gearing up for my plein air workshop in New Hampshire, and decided to paint one of the views from my studio window. I didn't pick it because it inspired me, I actually picked it because it didn't inspire me, so that made it more challenging. (photo below) I wasn't sure beforehand what the focal point was going to be or what I was going to play up. But I eventually figured out a direction to go in and like the way it turned out.

Beach Stroll

"Beach Stroll"  10x8"  Acrylic

Memorial Day on the Jersey Shore

"Jersey Shore"  Acrylic  (SOLD)

 Finally summer is here! Don't you feel like packing your (beach) bag and heading for the shore?

Painting Demo and Student Work

"Yellow Tulips"  Demo  8x8"  Acrylic  (SOLD)

Here is my painting demo from Day 2 of the workshop. I always time the demos, because the name of the workshop is "how to paint fast, loose and bold", so I have to be aware of living up to the title. It took 23 minutes from start to finish.
Below is a painting from one the so-called "beginner" students. I have included the still life reference so you can see how she interpreted it. Is this painting cool or what? Love the stylization and color translation.

Inspiration

"Blue Cup" Demo  8x10" Acrylic (SOLD)

"Orange Slices" Demo  8x8"  Acrylic (SOLD)

One of the best things about teaching workshops is the mutual sharing. I share what I know and in return my students share their interpretations of what I am teaching.  I am often most inspired by the so-called "beginners" who interpret the assignments and exercises in such fresh and unexpected ways.

I just returned from teaching a 5 day workshop at Greenville Arms, where I had the pleasure of working with a fabulous group of talented, inspiring, inspired artists. I learned at least as much from them as they (hopefully) learned from me.  We had a great time. They teased me about how I don't blog anymore, so I will try to remedy that.

Above are photos of Day 1's Demos:  The goal was to show how to paint quickly using big brushes (2"), demonstrating my process. Each was completed in less than 25 minutes.

On Day 5, we started out the day doing an exercise where we all worked from the same still life.  The intention was to incorporate the fundamentals that we worked on the previous 4 days: simplified values, value to color translations, brushwork, speed. I gave them verbal instructions, step by step, mostly what value to use, not so much what color to use.   I couldn't see what they were painting and many of them couldn't see what I was painting. What a surprise when I turned around and saw their paintings... WOW!! I wanted a group photo with all these amazing paintings in one shot, here it is, below.

A Day at the Beach

"Beach Scene"  Acrylic  11x14

I've been painting beach scenes lately... that must mean I'm getting ready for winter to be over. I'm also getting ready to teach my "Bending Reality" color schemes workshop in North Carolina. You can see from the photo below, I bent the colors and composition quite a bit.

New York City Watertowers

Harlem Watertowers  Acrylic, 14x18"   SOLD

The water towers of New York are such a city icon, I find them an irresistible subject to play with. Lately I've been teaching and learning some cool new techniques for abstraction, and really enjoying it.

Rooster Painting Demonstrations

"Rooster 1"  Acrylic, 12x12"  $250  Click to Buy

"Rooster 2"  Acrylic, 12x12"  $250  Click to Buy

I was invited to do a painting demonstration on Friday night at the National Arts League in New York. The demo was to be from 8-10 pm.  I knew in advance this may be a problem, so I came prepared.  The first demo was finished in about 20 minutes.  I brought out my second canvas and jumped into the next painting, done in about 1/2 hour. Since I teach "how to paint fast, loose and bold" I figured it's a good idea to practice what I preach. There was plenty of time left over for coffee and cookies, Q and A, general chit chat about current museum shows, etc.
The demo was started with a 2 " flat brush and ended with a liner, to put the small highlights on the rooster's red "crown".  Below are some photos taken by Suzie Alvey, which made me realize I have a habit of sticking out my tongue while I paint. I guess there are worse habits, right?

Crossing First Ave.

"Crossing First Ave." NYC  Acrylic 16x22"  $350  Click to Buy

Here is another Tetrad color scheme (four colors), Purple, Red, Blue and Yellow. It started out as a complimentary color scheme but then I decided it needed more color pizazz! Love this guy crossing the street - I actually saw him walking in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and decided that one day I would stick him in a painting. Well here he is, crossing First ave. (even tho he was really walking down 5th ave.) Artistic license, love that too.

Upper West Side Corner  15x15",  Acrylic  $300  Click To Buy

I painted this today as practice for an upcoming workshop I'll be teaching late April, called "Bending Reality" about working with color schemes and color strategies. (I haven't posted the workshop yet, but will do so soon.) For some reason, I've always been intrigued with using chosen colors, when I'm not working with hues I actually see.

This is a "Tetrad" color scheme (4 colors) - purple, blue, yellow and red. I worked from a teeny tiny b/w photo taken years ago. I think the painting has the feeling of the scene - and thats what I was after.

Jazz Musicians

JazzJam  12x16" Acrylic  $300  Click to Buy

I've been painting a lot, but posting not. Sometimes I like to paint the same subject more than once, and try something different each time. I have already painted each of these guys separately, (see my last two posts) but now they are jamming together. I think they make a nice duo!

I will be teaching "Fast, Loose and Bold Painting" on the stunning island of Skopelos in Greece, from September 2 - 13.  If you want to join me, enroll by January 30 and and you'll save $150! Click here for more information.

Tenor Player

"Tenor Player"  Acrylic,  9x11"  

My husband is a jazz musician, I only have 10 million photos of musicians performing. I think it makes sense to paint them ... wonder what took me so long.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Bass Player

"Bass Player"  Acrylic, 11x14" Info

Jazz Cat

"Jazz Cat" Acrylic  9x12" 

This was fun, hopefully it shows :-)

Colorful Corn

"Indian Corn"  9x12", Acrylic  More Info

Wishing everyone abundance and peace on this day of gratitude. I for one am eternally grateful to be able to see this beautiful world from an artist's eyes, and to have the opportunity of sharing this vision with others. Such a blessing!

Pink Gerbera Painting Demo

"Pink Gerbera"  8x8" Acrylic  (Sold)

Seems like I've been away forever, one workshop after the next - all really fun, then a trade show out west. As always, the best part of workshops is meeting new artists and making new friends.
I am finally home - for one day - then back on the road to see my folks for Thanksgiving. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday.
Posted above is one of the demos from the Carmel Workshop.

Cheries Amour

"Cheries Amour"   11x14"  Acrylic on Paper

I'm getting ready to leave town to teach a 5 day "Loosen up" workshop in Carmel, then a 3 day beginner workshop in San Clemente. Wanted to do some warm up exercises and started with one cherry, then another emerged, then suddenly I had cherries on the brain and couldn't stop painting them. They provide an easy way to observe highlights, form shadows, cast shadows, reflected light, reflections, halftones, etc. When I get to CA I will be buying fruits and vegetables as props for the workshop... Cherries are at the top of my list ... edible, tasty props... love 'em!

New York State of Mind

"New York State of Mind"  Acrylic 8x10"  Click to buy

Ciao Tuscany!

"Boat at Lake Trasimeno"  Acrylic 8x10" Sold

The Tuscany trip was a pure delight, made more so by the awesome group of gals who joined me. They were a fearless, inspired bunch, and it was such a pleasure to spend a week with them. The scenery was to die for - the reason Tuscany is a must-paint destination for artists. I did not have much "focused" time to paint, but did manage to squeeze in a few quickies. Here is a demo from the day we went to beautiful Lake Trasimeno. A quick painting from a trip that will last in my heart for many years to come. Here is a picture of all of us - enjoying the many tastes as well as the sights!

 

Using a (very) Limited Palette

"Tuscany Sunflower Field"  10x12"  Acrylic  $300  Click to Buy

The time has come... I'm packing for the Italy trip. In an effort to keep the weight to a minimum, I was experimenting with a limited palette. I used 4 colors in this painting. (Plus white, if you consider that a color.) Purple, green, ochre and alizarin.  Yup, that's all! It's amazing how few colors one can get away with and still represent a scene realistically. Not that I will be bringing only four colors, but it was an interesting exercise. One of the benefits of a limited palette - automatic color harmony. The other - way less schlepping!