Superbowl Sale at Brazier Fine Art

"Going Green in Europe", 12x9

This painting, along with three others, will be included in the Superbowl sale at Brazier Fine Art, Richmond, on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. (initially to be held on Superbowl Sunday, but postponed because of weather).
More information on this special offer can be found at www.brazierfineart.com

In Memory

"Joe's Rose", 6x6, (nfs)

This is in memory of my wonderful Father-in-law, Rev. Joseph E. Flowers, who entered eternal life on January 18, 2010. He received so many beautiful flowers and I took this white rose as a remembrance and painted it before I dried it.

In Erinnering an meinen wunderbaren Schwiegervater, Rev. Joseph E. Flowers, der am 18 Januar 2010 verstorben ist. Von den vielen Blumen anlaesslich der Beerdigung, nahm ich diese weisse Rose als Erinnering and malte sie bevor ich sie trocknen liess.

Workshop at Tyler White Gallery

Thank you to all the Gallery Gals at Tyler White Gallery for making the two workshops in January a success! I taught two separate workshops with total of 20 students!!!
All workshops for 2010 have been scheduled and are filled.

Besten Dank an die Gallerie "Damen" bei Tyler White Gallery, die es ermoglicht haben, dass die zwei Workshops im Januar erfolgreich waren. Ich habe zwei workshops mit insgesamt 20 Studenten geleitet!!! Alle workshops fuer 2010 sind bereits geplant und ausgebucht.

Red Awning in Paris

"Red Awning in Paris", 30x30, available at Tyler White Gallery

In this painting my hope is to convey how the activity in Paris is at street level (the colors, sounds, aromas etc.). This busy life at street level is somehow balanced by the calm, neutral colors of the buildings and then topped with the wonderful rich rooftops. This is a scene of Rue de Buci.

In diesem Bild moechte ich zeigen, wie sich das taegliche Leben in Paris auf Strassen-Ebene abspielt (die Farben, die Geraeuche, die Aromas usw). Diese belebeten Strassen werden irgendwie durch die neutrale Farben der Gebaeuden ausgeglichen und hinzu kommen naturlich die wunderbaren Farben der Daecher. Dies ist eine Scene von Rue de Buci.

Spring is coming ..... and now my blog is in German too!

"Spring",oil, 24x12, available at Tyler White Gallery, sold

Yes, it is freezing cold in the south, but here is a painting to remind all of us of the warm and sunny days to come.
A little late, but Happy New Year to all readers. Thanks so much for your support and comments in 2009.

A note to readers: I will begin writing my blog in English and German (for all my German friends and family).

Jawohl, es is sehr kalt hier im Sueden, aber hier ist ein Bild, dass uns alle an waermere Tage erinnern soll.
Obwohl etwas verspaetet, wuensche ich Ihnen ein gutes Neues Jahr. Vielen Dank fuer Ihre Unterstuetzung and Kommentare in 2009.

Worskshop Spaces Available

"White Flowers and Pears", oil, 36x48

Due to a family emergency, I have had to reschedule two upcoming workshops at the Tyler White Gallery in Greensboro, NC. Of the two workshops, one is full, but there are a few spots available in the first workshop which begins on Monday, Jan. 11th through Wednesday, Jan. 13th. This workshop will deal with the still life. You may contact Kathy at 336-707-7476 to register.

Merry Christmas

"Gerbers and Lemons", oil, 12x12, SOLD

Merry Christmas!!! Wishing all a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

Painting available through Tyler White Gallery http://www.tylerwhitegallery.com/

New Work at Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta

"Stacked", oil, 30x15

New Work just delivered to Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta. Large Paintings as well as small works for Christmas!! www.anneirwinfineart.com

New Work at Tyler White Gallery

"Orchid on Table", oil, 40x30

New work just delivered to Tyler White Gallery. Please visit their website at http://www.tylerwhitegallery.com/.

Raymar Finialist for Month of November

"Harmony, Yellow Roses and Pears", oils, 24x36

I am honored to have had the above painting selected as a finalist in the Raymar Fine Art Competition for the month of November. Bryce Cameron Liston served as the Judge. Not only is he a master at his craft, but it appears he is a writer as well. I read and read his comments on all the artwork in the competition - his words are carefully chosen and beautifully composed. Please check out all the beautiful artwork submitted and selected at www.raymarart.com (go to the competition link).

A Painting with a Story

"Viewing the Isenheim Altarpiece, Colmar, France", oil, 12x9

The Isenhiem Altarpiece is an altarpiece painted by German artist "Matthias Gruenewald" around 1512. It is on display at the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, France. This is considered to be Gruenewald's largest work as well as his "Masterpiece". He was commissioned to paint it for the monastery of St. Anthony near Colmar. This monastery specialized in hospital work, in particular - skin diseases and the altar piece was intended to help the sick to shift their focus from their suffering to Jesus Christ and His suffering on the cross.

I have visited the Museum several times and am always in awe of this piece. To think how many people it was intended to minister to during the 1500's and beyond!!! This is a painting with a story - as was the case with most paintings that were commissioned by the early church, because the average person could not read. These works were meant to illustrate the story of the bible!

It seems an appropriate painting for this time of year - by that I mean to refocus from the event of Christmas and all the stress that it may bring to the reason - Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

Workshop at Tyler White Gallery

"Roses and Pears", 24x12, oil, available at Tyler White Gallery, Monday, Dec. 14th

I will be teaching two workshops at the Tyler White Gallery (Greensboro, NC) in January 2010. Each class is a three day workshop and will cover still life. The first class begins on Jan. 10-12, the second on Jan. 13-15. A few spots have opened up!!! This is a great opportunity to learn how to become more bold and paint using the palette knife and brush together while we work from life. Contact Tyler White at 336-279-1124 to sign up.

Also, please plan to join me at Tyler White on Friday Evening, January 8th to see an exhibit of my latest paintings (approx. 15 pieces will be on display).

Award of Excellence at OPA Eastern Show

"Walking the Dog in Style, Paris", 24x12

I am thrilled that the above painting received the Award of Excellence at the OPA, Eastern Show held at the Eileen Corse Gallery in Jacksonville. CW Mundy was the juror of awards. It was a beautiful show with awe inspiring work. I am humbled and honored that my painting was selected to receive an award. CW Mundy commented on each award painting. On this particular painting he commented on how I captured the impressionistic style and the "essence of" (and much more that I cannot recall since I was so nervous). This is exactly what I strive for in my work and am honored for the recognition.

Cool Light/Warm Light

"Cool Light/Warm Light before the mirror", oil, 8x10

A small figurative piece. Here I was interested in capturing the feeling of the cool light coming through a window to the left of the model and a table lamp casting warm light on the right. Although I usually paint still life subject matter for months, then cityscapes for months and finally figurative ... I am mixing things up and painting mainly cityscapes and figurative right now. It feels like a good mix, since much of my cityscape work includes figures!!

How to develop your own style

"Springtime in Paris", oil, 10x8, SOLD

I just realized that I have not updated my blog in over a week. Fall seems to be filled with deadlines for shows and that is what I have been doing. Above is a new painting for the Erika Reed Show in Atlanta. Painting is available through Anne Irwin Fine Art.

However, back to the title of this entry. Today I received an email from an artist who paints with artists in his/her area of the US and says that because of this many artist's work tends to look similar. I do believe when you are first learning that your work will reflect the instructors/instructors you have taken classes from. The key to making art that reflects your personality and your vision is putting miles of canvas behind you - alone in your studio!!!! There you can work from life (still life or model) where you can best learn to establish good working skills. Don't work from photos unless you have a clear understanding of working from life (that does include plein air work too, but first studio work). For me there is nothing more exciting than the idea that I have uninterrupted days of studio time. I know this represents time to learn more. Learning never stops and style should continue to develop, always being inquisitive.... I like to ask the question what if....???

The above little painting was an answer to what if. I had been painting some Paris paintings and decided to see how much I could abbreviate the scene and still capture the essence of Paris. I think I did just that. Please enjoy.