More Shoes!!!

"Point Me in the Right Direction", oil, 12x12, Tyler White Gallery

"Yes, I need another Pair", oil, 12x12, Tyler White Gallery

More Shoes!!! What is it about shoes and handbags that most women can't seem to "collect" enough of? I have too many shoes and handbags and forget what I have....but there is always that new pair I must have and then of course a new handbag! While I was painting these, I was formulating the fun titles. Please enjoy. These paintings will be featured at the Tyler White Gallery, Holiday Show on Nov. 20th. Both are gallery wrap, framed in a very elegant matte black floater frames.

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!!

I NEED THESE!!!

"I need these!", diptych (each 8x8)

For Christmas shows, I try to paint some smaller paintings and wanted a different subject matter. Shoes have great personality and let's face it, you can always use another pair!!!! I de-cluttered my closet the other day and then went shoe shopping!!! These were a great summer sale and I just had to have them!!!! The problem is they are not my size, so I just decided to paint them instead of wearing them.... and then I bought more "unwearables" just to paint!!!

These "shoes" will be available at Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta, for their Christmas Show on Nov. 20th along with some other small "goodies". The above paintings are gallery wrap (wood cradle) measuring a total of 8x16, or 16x8.

More shoe paintings to come.

How to develop your own style

"Springtime in Paris", oil, 10x8

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.

Working with Deadlines

"Moroccan Coffee Pot and Fruit", oil, 24x12

Here is the full image of the painting where I began using a new palette of paint! Had to crop the image more on the right side because of the photo quality. Will post a better quality photo at a later date.

I am working on paintings for two upcoming shows and need all the work to be completed by December. Working under this type of deadline and providing Galleries with additional new work requires even more studio time than my usual 5-6 days. So, I paint longer hours. I love my work and don't mind the extra hours, but I also find that I am suffering from "Idea" overload - so many great ideas and not enough time to capture it all. To stay focused, I try and keep a notebook of ideas and sketches for future use! Would love to hear ideas on how other artists maintain their focus!!

Painting Your Own Vision

"Relaxing at Fountain, Riquewihr, France", oil, 12x9

I want to take just a moment to discuss "Painting your OWN Vision". I recently completed a commission of a subject matter that I would not normally paint, but felt completely inspired to paint it (otherwise I would not have accepted the offer). The painting turned out to be all that I had hoped for and the client was just as pleased. Then came the possible recommendation by a well meaning person, to paint more of this subject! Trying to please this person, I attempted to paint more... what a disaster!!! I spent at least 6 hours yesterday working on something that had no foundation, no inspiration and every stroke I applied was laborious!!! By the time my husband got home, I had at least 3 tubes of paint on this thing and it looked uninspired. I prepared dinner, then back into the studio to see if I could rescue this project, but it was not meant to be. I put it aside and painted a little 4x4 painting that I have been inspired for some time now to do and guess what .... it is a little gem (that painting took less than an hour). I know better than to paint what somebody else suggests, but I did it anyways and have hopefully done this the last time!!!! Above is a painting I really treasure. It was a very warm day in Riquewihr and this couple and their basset hound were taking a break at the fountain. Enjoy!

P.S. I scraped the uninspired work this morning before starting a new painting and will probably even toss the canvas!!! It is better to surround oneself by sucessful paintings in the studio. They encourage me on the bad days and show me how to improve on the good days!!

It's Chilly in Florida

"With Hat and Scarf", oil, 8x6

It has felt like fall the last few days, the humidity is gone and there is a crispness in the morning air that is so very welcome after a long, hot and very humid summer. This little painting reminds me of the very few times when a hat a scarf are needed here in Florida!!! I am and always have been drawn to the type of weather I grew up with in Germany. Basically, mild to freezing spring weather, hot to cold summers, warm to cold falls and freezing winters with rainy/foggy days sprinkled liberally in between!!!

Working with a different Palette

"Detail - Moroccan Coffee Pot and Fruit", oil, 24x12

One day last week, I found myself relying on old color information (kind of a mindless mixing mode), not really relying on what I was seeing and not interpreting this information into the language of paint. My remedy was to scape off all the paint and put out a new color palette. Guess what, it worked!!! I found myself seeing and interpreting and above all finding different ways to achieve the colors I needed. It was fun and inspiring and it proves how important it is to make some changes to spurn on creativity!!!! I am only showing a detail of the painting at this time.

Painting Juried into 2009 Eastern OPA

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

I am pleased to announce that the above painting has been juried into this year's Eastern Oil Painters of America Exhibition. This Show will be held at the Corse Gallery in Jacksonville, Florida. Opening Reception is scheduled for Nov. 20th, 6-9pm for fellow artists, collectors and the press.

Master Signature Member, CW Mundy, will be the juror of awards. Also, CW Mundy will be doing a demonstration on Saturday morning Nov. 21st. Contact the Corse gallery for information. http://www.corsegalleryatelier.com/

Workshop

Thank you to all the students who participated in last week's workshop. Although we all worked very hard, we still managed to find time to get to know each other and share lots of laughter!!!

Thanks so much to the Opp Arts Council for making this workshop possible. Above are a few photos of the workshop.

Per students request, I am posting two images of the taboret Jerry designed and made for my studio. Love to use it, since it keeps bending and twisting to a minimum!!!

A Slice of Montmatre

"A Slice of Montmatre", oil, 30x15, available at Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta

I love to travel in France and have just finished reading "I'll Never Be French" by Mark Greenside. It is something I can recommend to those who have lived for extended periods in Europe and the United States (or not). The story takes place in Brittany and of course now I can't wait to go there and paint, so that is the next destination on my list!!

New Work at Tyler White Gallery

"Proud", oil, 24x24

"Nestled in the Woods", oil, 24x24, sold

Here are two of six new paintings now available at Tyler White Gallery in Greensboro, NC.

The painting "Proud" will be part of an exhibit to benefit "Red Dog Farm" in Greensboro. The reception will be held this Friday, Sept. 11th at the Tyler White Gallery.

"Nestled in the Woods" is a painting of what once was the "Forsthaus" (Ranger's Lodge) near the village I grew up in. (in Germany). It is really that quaint there and whenever I hike this path, I cannot help but remember the fairy tales my German grandmother would tell us (of course Hansel and Gretel)!!

"Mother and Child", oil, 12x12

available at Matt Jones Gallery, Birmingham, AL

This is a figurative piece that I am quite fond of. This piece is a good demonstration of what I discuss in my workshops and that is making connections between shapes to unify the painting. Students that have taken my workshops will recognize where these connections are (value connections). I had the opportunity to paint with some friends yesterday and we discussed the importance of making connections to avoid a "busy" painting. A subject that is too involved to discuss on my blog, but you'll receive more information in my workshop.

New Work at Anne Irwin Fine Art, Atlanta

"Red Flowers and Pears", oil, 36x24, sold
"Flowers, Pears, Plums and Stripes", oil, 40x30

"Yellow Flowers and Pears", oil, 16x20

"Flowers, Peaches and Cheeries", oil, 36x24

"Violet Arrangement and Fruit",oil, 24x12, sold

"Hydrangeas", oil, 24x30

Above are six of eight new paintings that will be available at Anne Irwin Fine Art tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, August 16th). Enjoy!!!

Eager

"Eager", oil, 8x6

Another small painting for the Red Dog Fundraiser show at Tyler White Gallery in Greensboro (Sept. 11, 2009). Painting these small paintings for the show has helped me realize how important it is for an artist to "refocus". My "refocus" was the challenge to rethink a particular subject matter, namely animals and paint them they way I see them. (that would be with other people since I do not own a pet at this time, but have always loved dogs). In this painting I wanted to capture the relationship between the young man and his eager dog!