At this point, I’m going to blame my continuing vague discontent on the weather. It’s as reasonable as anything else. It’s another Sunday and I’m contemplating my work (quite a bit, actually) with interest in continuing (why does Monday have to follow Sunday?) but no real satisfaction.

Circles

Last week I showed off a small 8″x8″ canvas that I had started as a circle exercise I had seen in a magazine or something.

This is an exercise on an 8″x8″ canvas i will turn into the Aritsts in Action fundraiser as the World Beat Festival.

The next stage, I thought, would be adding a contrasting color. I will spare you the details, but this layer didn’t go well. So, I decided to add some “gold leaf.” No bad, but it needed a little bit of something else, so I added some black.

I can’t decide if it’s getting better or worse.

Extra paint

In sparing you the detail of the contrasting color gone wrong, I will tell you that there was A LOT of extra naphthol red paint to be used up. So, I thought I’d see how one of my new aqua board held up. When there was still more paint, I did some Gelli plate printing. I liked those, so I did some collage. And then some “gold leaf” because it was out.

I think I may stick to watercolors.

Grid of Hooves

I had an idea when I was listening to juror Fran Larsen’s lecture on Sunday. I wrote it down, but this is my first attempt at trying it.

It was a good exercise because I can see my inconsistency of paint mixing. I also wasn’t daring enough with my layout.

Inspiration

At work this week, I was talking to a guy and asked about his dog. He showed me some pictures and video he took and I asked him if he would send me one particular picture because I really liked the play of light and dark on it.

Saturday night I just sat down and banged out this 15″x11″ piece. I need some ponder time to make some tweaks. And it was the first painting I’ve done in three colors since starting this latest “process” and I can feel the naphthol red is just too much.

Still, I kind of like it. I can’t decide whether to name it “The Red Hedgehog” or just “Friends”.

Thoughts?

It’s Sunday night. After a three-day weekend spend attempting to reassemble my life from the chaos of the last couple of week, I have a clean house, a tired dog, and a vaguely frustrated state of mind.

A few days ago, I was doing something and I realized that I felt good. There was no looming depression or anxiety clouds on my horizon; my new medications and the last adjustment seems to have been the ticket. I’m enjoying the sunshine, and whether it’s the iron tablets or extra vitamin D, I’m feeling less achy. While my weight loss has been stalled the last couple of weeks because of well–everything– my knee is feeling better and my clothes are just on the borderline of too big.

So, why am I feeling dissatisfied?

The answer is that I’m terrible at balance. I feel bad for a while, so I drop activities. Then I get feeling better, so I start to pick them up again. Then I have too much to do, I get overwhelmed, and things go downhill. If all this coincides with a medication issue, I can be in real trouble. But right now, I’m just a little out of sorts.

5-4-9 – Doctors and Cleaning

For years, my mom worked a 5-4-9 schedule; she would work 9 hour days every Mon-Thurs, one Friday she would work 8 hours and other she would get off. My workplace has a different name for it, but in January I switched to this schedule.

You would think that with an “extra” day off, I would do something interesting. No. Almost every one has been spent on doctors appointments or on some other errand or chore. Admittedly, this means that I don’t have to spend my sick leave time and my real weekends (in theory) should have less drudgery. But it’s not nearly as relaxing as it sounds.

This Friday I had a chiropractor appointment (I really needed it after all that driving) and an allergy shot, in additional to some other tasks. But the end of the day I was wiped out.

A non-speaking entity to find something you cannot see

Saturday I went up to Portland to attend a nose work seminar. Key and I have been enjoying this new game and have even attended some trials. However, his skill set far outpaces mine.

https://youtu.be/kO1nHPQHyvY

I attend the seminar in hopes of filling in some of my skill gaps. I did learn some things, but mainly, the instructor emphasized the need for PRACTICE. Sure. In all my spare time.

Waiting and Wishing and Painting

Today was spent around the house waiting for a delivery, cleaning (more… always…), and painting (but not much).

Right now, painting is another thing that doesn’t feel easy. I’m working on my value / two color homework, and that’s good, but I have to confess that it doesn’t make me run into the studio. In hopes of getting my artistic juices flowing, I watched a Jean Haines video Friday night, but I have to admit it didn’t turn on any brilliance or even a little excitement.

Fortunately, I had some time to wait for a delivery, and there comes a point when you have to admit you aren’t willing to be the kind of procrastinator who turns on the TV. So, I did do some work, cleaning my studio and playing with some ongoing projects.

I can feel summer and the pressure of various shows pressing down on me, but I feel like I need to stay my course.

Of course, it would be easier to do that if I didn’t keep putting obstacles in my path.

Please, don’t let me volunteer for anything else!

Warning: This is a PG13 post.

This weekend I went to the Watercolor Society of Oregon‘s Spring Convention in Florence, Oregon. I was lucky enough that my painting “Should the turkey cross the road?” was selected for inclusion in the show by esteemed juror  Fran Larsen, but I usually try to go the the conventions, regardless of whether I get in or not, because it’s an opportunity to be around other artists and get exposed to new ideas and techniques.

My family has always had property around Lincoln City, so I have never explored other parts of the Oregon Coast. Florence is in the southern-most part of the “Central Coast” (if that makes sense) and sits on the mouth of the Siulsaw River. The area is most famous for the massive sand dunes and truly gorgeous.

I was lucky enough to be able to arrive in town Thursday evening. My friend, Sandra Pearce, and I had rented a little condo in downtown and she joined me Friday for some downtown exploring and sketching.

Sandra and I admire the flowering apple trees while strolling along the Friday night gallery walk.

As with any good story, there were a few adventures. Friday, before Sandra arrived, I went down the Siuslaw to do a little birding. While stopping here…

… I forgot that my car battery wasn’t in great shape and left my lights on while I admired a golden-crowned kinglet. AAA was called and I had to swing by Les Schwab for a new battery.

Also, while Thursday and Friday had gorgeous weather, Saturday’s weather can best be summed up with this photo.

I hadn’t signed up for any paint-outs, but Sandra wasn’t so lucky.

So, what did I sign up for?

Two Nudes with Tattoos by Alexandra Eyer and Pat Renner

A few years ago I took a figure painting class with Alexandra and Pat and I enjoyed it immensely. I have been looking for a chance to paint with them again, so I signed up for this class, though (to be frank) this is the first time I’ve ever done true “life drawing” (i.e. drawing and painting nudes.)

Not surprisingly, it wasn’t a big deal. I was more worried about getting proportions right and capturing the mood.

It was disappointing to only have and hour and a half in this class, because there was SO much more I wanted to explore. The models requested no photographs, so I’ll have to use these to go back to the topic. The model I worked on had a really  lovely golden skin tone that was a lot of fun to work on. She also had interesting lips and the best habit of tilting her head and showing the underside of her chin (not captured).

Bold Colors, Bold Shapes with Sally Bills Bailey

I had also previously taken a class with Sally, but haven’t had a chance to do anything with the ideas. I’ll admit I didn’t listen as hard as the first time, but I really worked on her ideas: using paint in an opaque manner, simplifying shapes, and not getting stuck into a particular color scheme but using color to  describe.

About this time, I should mention the the tricky vendors at the convention MADE me buy this, which I used throughout the day, but particularly on the last painting.

Watercolor markers

iPhone 101 for Artists with Elizabeth Zimmerman

My next class was with talented fellow equine artist Elizabeth Zimmerman. This class was pretty technical and involved playing with my cell phone, which isn’t great for producing interesting pictures to put in a blog.

Juror’s Afternoon Critique with Fran Larsen

I always try to  put in an image in the critique; I figure if I don’t try to find out what people thing, I’ll never learn anything. While I tell myself I’m braced for anything, the truth is critiques can be a pretty intense experience (see this former post.)

I submitted this image which still has a couple of tweaks I think it needs.

But what I was really interested in was if it was “enough.” I left out a lot of detail, which is a real stretch for me. I feel like I got what was important, but was it enough? I should also mention, this painting was not selected (i.e. rejected) for the Emerald Art Center Exhibition next month.

Juror critiques can be something of a mixed bag as far as getting anything useful. I’ve had juror’s say things as simple as “I like it” (not helpful) and move on to making fun of everything but my parentage (also unhelpful as well as rude.) Most jurors go out of their way to be encouraging and find something positive to say; this can be an ego boost, but sometimes you go home without an idea of what to do next.

Ms. Larsen was one of the most blunt jurors I’ve had. While she did not rip people’s paintings apart, she was very direct in saying things like, “You  need to do a better job applying paint consistently” and “It’s monumentally boring.” She was very clear that she expected the artists to push themselves out of the realism box and into the arena of making art. I know she hurt at least one person’s feelings because the artist was sitting in back of me and she was outraged. I’m not sure I would have done better.

So when my turn came up, I thought I was prepared. I asked Sandra to help me listen. Imagine my shock on hearing this: “This painter has guts. The horse incarnate.” Ms. Larsen paused. “You might want to talk a little more about the tack, but I’m not sure it’s necessary. Maybe another painting. Think about going big.”

Wow.

So, here’s the moral of the story: One juror rejects, another compliments.

In the words of my favorite song, “You see, ya can’t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself.”

I skipped the banquet (I’m an antisocial, cranky human. I have accepted this and I’m not doing the banquet anymore) and went back to the condo to decompress.

Juror Fran Larsen’s Lecture Demo

Sunday morning was the WSO business meeting followed by Ms. Larsen’s Lecture. Most jurors do a demo, but my impression is that Ms. Larsen is getting a little older and that would have been too much.

Her lecture was a take on an art history lecture, focusing on modern art (late 19th century to the 1950’s) and how as artists we have an obligation to push beyond photo realism and into something that is unique to the artist. It was a good lecture, but perhaps not great. It did leave me something to think about as well as some ideas to explore.

It was a good weekend and I’m excited to get back to the studio. I’m going to frame this quote I picked up from Ms. Larsen: “Let the edges sing.”

I need to make this short tonight. I am packing to head out for a few days for work and then the WSO convention. The big challenge this week (and next) will be to keep to my basic simple goals while being “out”. No schedule, no prepared food. Gulp.

• Tracking (4 of 7 days, especially when “out”)
• 1 Frappachino per day (maybe I should change this to only 2 per day)
• Eating my prepared food (changing for this week to eat better in restraunts)
• Hit 10,000 all seven days, taking at least one break/lunch walkOh… and I gained .2 pounds this week. It was a challenging week and to not have it really hit me gives me hope that if I just moderate, I’ll be okay.

“I’ve seen women insist on cleaning everything in the house before they could sit down to write… and you know it’s a funny thing about housecleaning… it never comes to an end. Perfect way to stop a woman. A woman must be careful to not allow over-responsibility (or over-respectabilty) to steal her necessary creative rests, riffs, and raptures. She simply must put her foot down and say no to half of what she believes she “should” be doing. Art is not meant to be created in stolen moments only.”
― Clarissa Pinkola Estés

I have to admit, that laundry and the rest of life got the better of me this weekend. Friday started out on a downhill slide and a combination of housework, marches, and other “shoulds” got the better of me artistically.

Saturday I did sit down and do some value studies (trying to take advice) but the critics in my head were simply too much.

In other downer news, I submitted two paintings for the Emerald Art Center exhibition (the one that “Scent of Season” got in last year), but I got word on Friday that neither got in. I can’t claim to be hugely surprised, but my ego could have used the boost.

I have to admit the next few weekends will be artistically dicey. While I don’t have much going on next weekend, I am committed to driving up to Canby on Saturday and taking down my show at the Canby Library. Feel free to save me the trip and buy that piece of art that you’ve been craving! I’ve already had one sale from this show… just 15 more and I won’t have to make the trip!

The following weekend is the Watercolor Society of Oregon spring show where “Should the Turkey Cross the Road” will be exhibited.

I’ll also be doing some traveling around the state for my “real” job, so I’ll commit to reference photos. I’ll even try for some sketches… but probably not a lot of painting. Then for a few weeks it’s all nose work, all the time.

All of this is in addition to my normal roster of things. Is it any wonder I’m not getting things done?

I’m definitely missing that “put my foot down” spirit.

With Ruth’s permission, I give you some of her feedback to my failure post on Sunday.

Regarding color options

“Interesting that the other workshop gave you the Brown Madder/Cobalt Blue colour scheme. I use a BM/Ultramarine mix often in painting (using CB if I want cooler), but also a rose madder/ultramarine or rose madder/manganese blue (manganese granulates more than cerulean). Using those as colour choices for this exercise is smart. Another, more way out, mix to try is Quin Gold/cobalt violet deep or mineral violet, and a John Singer Sargent standard is Alizarin Crimson/Viridian. He also used raw or burnt sienna with cobalt blue.”

Regarding edges

“For the edges issue try a value sketch first. A VERY quick sketch simplifying shapes (KISS) and then use only THREE tones: white (paper), mid and dark. It helps to draw 3 boxes at the side of the sketch and leave one white, lightly shade the second = midtown, then heavier shade the 3rd = dark. Map out your midtones (you can also use the midtone over the dark areas) and shade over the whole area without reference to the form of the subject, then add the darks in the same way. Look at the design of the piece rather than the subject – subject in this case being the horse’s legs. Look for movements of linked tones over the whole piece.

You can also try the pears exercise (where we divided the image into 3 parts) that we did on day one of the painting workshop on this more complicated image.

REMEMBER PROCESS NOT PRODUCT. An exercises shows its value in the resultant effect on your work, not in the exercise itself.”

Regarding underpainting and fuller painting

“Take a look at the demo piece I did as underpainting on Saturday. It is underpainting rather than limited palette so the ultramarine/rose madder is used as a varying mix rather than as two colours, but it was used to demonstrate looking for those design elements and lost edges.

For application to a fuller painting take a closer look at ‘Oil On Water‘. it is one of your favourites and this is probably why. Look at the handler’s feet and how they merge with the grass. Look at how the ‘line’ between horse and handler is suggested, then lost, then suggested again at his quarter and how the edge between her jeans and the bag is lost altogether. Those are design elements that add atmosphere and reduce clutter thereby helping focus the viewer on the important parts of the painting.”

My response

Thanks, Ruth! I will try not to whine about more value sketches. 😉

No one will ever accuse me of being a focused painter. Case in point: I was given homework in mid-July 2017 and I’m just now getting around to doing it.

When Ruth Buchanan came to give a workshop last summer, she left me with homework.

“You told me on the first day that you get distracted by color. I want you do do a week of painting in two colors, and then add three colors. Send me a timeline of your work and we’ll go over it.”

I’ve been thinking about this ever since, but have not committed.

Almost immediately, I had an idea for the topic of this potential body of work. A couple of years ago, I did this painting, which has remained one of my favorites.

Shoes & Shadows -$200

I loved the rhythm and the contrast of the white shoes and black shadows. I’ve been making noises ever since about doing more.

When I did the Francesco Fontana workshop in the fall of 2016, I several small hooves paintings, culminating in this piece which I was very happy with.

First Turn

I think it’s a good topic. Edward Degas (and many others, obviously) did a series of racehorses and the lines of the horses legs have always intrigued me (though Degas, who was a misognist jerk, is not among my favorite artistic characters in history.)

Race Horses c. 1893, Edward Degas

Last fall there was a Winsor & Newton demo at the WSO Fall Convention; they put Brown Madder and Cobalt Blue together and had people play with them. The colors wash and granulate beautifully, creating a lot of great effects.

I didn’t want to do a bunch of big paintings, so the largest painting I determined would be 1/4 sheet (15″x11″). I wanted to push myself and say I would only draw the base layer, but with time being a crunch, I have cheated on that part.

To be frank, I’m really not very excited about showing off these paintings. They just…. aren’t what I was hoping for.

Horses

#1 (color arrangement based on FF workshop)

#2 (same reference, trying different color arrangements)

#3 (have lost the simplicity and just given up)

#4 (messed up the drawing, lost the leg placement… and just… ugg)

#5 (before changed background)

#5 (changed background)

$6 (trying hard to loose edges)

#7 (drawn, not traced)

Other subjects

Gretchen’s cat Simon (still need to fix tail line)

“Focus” (love ducks, dog needs more work)

I feel like I am onto something. This is a great exercise, and when I sit down and paint, I am enjoying it. But when I walk away I start picking it to pieces.

• “I need to draw more.”
• “I’m using too many brushstrokes.”
• “Everything looks purple. I’m not using the full range of colors.””
• “I’m not loosing enough edges.”

This project is not destined for a show. The point is to strengthen my value and color understanding.

I also think however, this is turning into an experiment with style change. I’ve been painting since 2006 (about 12 years) and I’ve had a couple of very good years, getting into shows and even winning some awards. But like all artists, I want to get better, and that means trying new things.

One of my favorite artists, Lynda Hoffman-Snodgrass, is an abstract artist of some note. I heard her say she started out as a botanical illustrator (it might have been just “very detailed” so don’t quote me.) Think of all the changes she must have gone through to become the award-winning abstract artist she is today.

It makes my current struggles look very paltry indeed.

I have been working hard. I know, you have no reason to believe me, but it’s true. The caveat, however, is I don’t want to show you what I’ve been working on yet. So, I’m going to do a random post and get some things off my list.

Red Harness

I’m either done or at a stopping point on this painting, started in November. This is a different style for me and I’m struggling with how much else is needed (if anything). Detail withdrawal is a terrible thing.

My 15 minutes of fame

As part of my show at the Canby Library, there has been a couple of articles in local papers about me and my art. Excitement!

Distaff Divas sold!

Speaking of the Canby show, I got an email on Friday that told me that my painting, Distaff Divas sold.

“Distaff Divas” – 2014

One painting down, 15 more to go!

Out of the stealth project pile

I’ve been waiting for things to happen, but it looks like it’s not going to happen, so I am going to go ahead and post a stealth project for your enjoyment.

About 18 months ago, a gal I knew asked me to paint a small commission of a cute little Haflinger for a hostess gift.

I completed the commission and turned in the painting, but haven’t heard anymore about it. I’m tired of waiting, so I’ve decided to post it

With this post, I only have one “stealth project” left in my life. Of course, it’s been in my life for three years, so you may never see it!