STRIPPING NATURE

The weather on our last day of the 4-day workshop with Jon Imber was not condusive to be outside painting.  Instead our subject was a floral arrangement brought by my friend, workshop attendee and fiber artist Merill Comeau.  This painting is a new direction for me, trying to strip away the non-essentials, be less detail oriented yet compose a compelling painting.  For some time I have only been using palette knife when working with oil paints.  Jon encouraged me to utilize the brush more.  I think he is getting me back on track and in a direction I want to go.

STRIPPING NATURE

This is a painting I did recently in a workshop with Jon Imber hosted by the Concord Art Association in Concord, MA.  The work is oil on canvas, 12 x 12, painted while on location at the Minuteman Park in Concord.  My goal was to create a mood and strip the landscape down to the essentials.  We painted only a few weeks back when the temperatures were perfect, the leaves just starting to turn their colors and the park quiet on a weekday morning.  This park is the perfect place for plein air as the landscaping is varied, the vistas inviting, and the essentials of parking and a bathroom are available.  The park rangers and grounds crew welcome our types.  I will definately go back soon to paint.

EQUIPMENT

Equipment is very important to us artists.  We can spend hours and dollars in art stores, pouring over supply catalogs and searching the web for those deals on things that will make our work easier, better, cooler and memorable.  Whenever I paint with friends or take a workshop the one tool that makes the biggest impression is..........

(drumroll, please)

....my bungee cord paper towel holder.  This tool can even blind people to my painting there on the easel, at eye level, sitting above the paper towels.  They are so impressed with this device.  It is amazing.  And as we artists know, but don't like to speak of,  in the end it really is about the equipment.

THE WISDOM IN TEA

"Have wisdom in your actions and faith in your merits."







courtesy of Yogi brand green tea

A WALK IN THE WOODS

Sunday I went for a walk with my dad and younger brother down a dirt road bordered by a lake on one side and woods on the other.  And I came upon this scene created by man and nature.  The mushrooms glowed white in the afternoon sun while the trees wore their bands of color.

SHOWS TO SEE

Saturday night was the reception for the "Best of Rocky Neck" show in Gloucester.  Word on the street is the reception was a smashing success and the show is a must see.  Luckily I will be gallery sitting tomorrow from 11 AM until 2 PM and will have the time to see this show. 

Today, opening at Simmons College Trustman Art Gallery is Anne Krinsky 's show TIME/LINE, 2000 - 2010.  Tomorrow night, Thursday, is the reception from 5-6:30 PM and Anne will give a talk starting at 5:30.  I am looking forward to seeing what Art New England  states "...a fitting summary for a retrospective, and perhaps a jumping off point as well."

Friday night, Julia Shepley, a sculptor, artist, and cousin-in-law, is having a show at Boston Sculptors Gallery (from October 6th until November 7th.) and she will be giving a talk starting at 7 PM.  Julia also has a review in the recent Art New England  which I need to pick up a copy and also renew my subscription.

These are shows not to be missed and I hope to see you there.