Power of the SMall

We have a saying around our house "he small". . . .
- or she, or it - and tho' we speak with a sympathetic note,
the phrase suggests both - condition and camouflaged strength.

Small painting, big impact.
I painted this piece in the last plein air evening class of the summer;  quick notes in late light,
of a large cottonwood.
The power of the NOTAN and the energy of rapid strokes belie the small size.
He small. . . . .
"Raking Light",  6"x 8" - SOLD in Manitou Springs

Holiday Miniature Shows

It is THAT time of year:
you're thinking - Christmas shopping, decorations, making a list - checking it twice. . .
I am thinking - it's the SMALL time of year - when artists tie themselves into a pretzel to paint miniature masterpieces that will sell at rock bottom prices at galleries all over the country.
I tell myself every year to start early - like 2 years ago - in order to be ready for holiday shows-
Insert sigh here. . .
One of those great holiday shows is the Taos Hearts & Stars fund raiser, coming up November 24 in Taos - but more about that later. This year I will also be in the Holiday Show at Tracy Miller Studio Gallery in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

So back in October I started putting together 20 miniature paintings ranging in size from 3"x 3" to 5"x 5".  They have taken over my studio and, I think, my life.
For the art lover, this is an opportunity to get an original painted gem at an affordable price and buy for the other art lovers on your Christmas list.
For the artist, the challenge of painting small, is only the beginning.  Working out framing and presentation can take more time than for large work.
These are just a few of the miniature paintings I will have at the Holiday Show in Manitou at the Tracy Miller Gallery.
Click on any images to view them larger.

Class Notes: Getting Small

For the artist, the challenge of painting small is only the beginning.  Working out framing and presentation is a big part of the package.
My work tends to be contemporary and I like a clean look.
I have my framer make a simple frame in 6"x 6" and
5"x 7" sizes. It is a tidy and consistent presentation -  I like that.

Once framing issues are resolved the problems of small work have a lot to do with scale and using brushes in a size that will maintain the same "painting voice" that appears in larger work.
I try for as few strokes of the brush, as possible,  to create shapes that will hold the integrity of the design - as opposed to pulling out the tiny brushes and - well, you know - trying to see how many angels can be painted on the head of a pin.
With small paintings I work for more disciplined brushwork that leads to a straight forward, loose and non-fussy end product.

These pieces are painted on 1/4 inch gatorboard - which is the same type of support I use for all of my work.
The gatorboard is cut to size, gessoed on top and sides, painted as I would any other piece, except to make sure that the sides get attention as well, because they will show. Once the paintings are dry, they are glued onto black foam board so they appear to"float" in the frame.

SLV Painters present the SMall Works Show

The San Luis Valley Painters is a group loosely associated with my Painting Classes. We try to hold a show locally every Spring and today we hung our SMall Works show in the Milagros Coffee House Gallery in downtown Alamosa.
Milagros is a place in the San Luis Valley, where roads, friends, art & book lovers, free thinkers, musicians and writers, all seem to meet. It is a stop for tourists, a setting for conversation and coffee drinkers, and for years the site of the only espresso maker in town.
A gathering spot, very much at the heart of Alamosa,
that supports causes that our little community hold dear.
It is a natural place to show and celebrate art in Alamosa.
18 Painters are represented with 107 pieces,
all in sizes less than 80 square inches and all very affordable.

It felt a bit like mayhem as work went up but response from the morning coffee crowd was very positive; 3 pieces sold before the work was all up.
BRAVO! to all the painters who participated - and Thank You!

Join us to celebrate with a reception on Sunday, March 11 from 2 - 4pm.

Class Notes: Proportional Landscape

Working in this, small 6"x 6" format, is a continual challenge for me - and my students. I like broad brushwork and large shapes but getting that look, in the 6"x 6" size, when you are used to a 16"x 20" format
- well, you see the problem.
A small canvas can really psych you out and students immediately grab the smallest brushes in the box. So what's to do?
I have found that being more selective about reference material is a priority. Many of us are used to working with 4"x 6" photo prints that can take in epic views: trees, mountains, a barn, the river, foreground, etc. - and they all look so good in the photo. . . and soooo tiny.
Broad work calls for broad forms. Look for photos with strong shapes and values, that means good patterns of light and dark . If you have a snap shot you love - blow it up on a common copier and see how it holds up in black and white. It can be so helpful to make the reference the same size as the painting, and not too hard if our format is 6"x 6".
Then ask yourself the really hard question: What is this painting about?
The piece above is from a photo taken of me with a group of painters last Fall at the Colorado Mountain Plein air Fest. What struck me was the light and dark pattern around the umbrella and the hat. I blew that photo up and moved over it with a square frame until I found the composition that suited a small format.

Class Notes: Can We Get Small Without Getting Small?

This is my offering this week- on the Square format.
The challenge at this small 6"x 6" size, is to be disciplined about brush size and making each stroke work harder for you as opposed to pulling out the tiny brushes and - well, you know - noodling.
Personally, I am a less-is-more type of painter, trying never to use 2 strokes when one will do. It is a technical style I don't force on my students but I do push for more disciplined brushwork that leads to a straight forward, loose and non-fussy end product.