Class Notes: Postcards from the Abstract Universe

In this last class session of the year, I have focused on "abstract" painting because it presents very unique challenges and forces students to look at things a little differently.
In the past (see:Class notes: Abstract Painting) we have approached abstracts from a purely compositional point of view, developing work with a specific compositional theme.
This time however, we started with a still life which I set up in a rather random way and left on the table for about 10 minutes; time enough for students to see and process shapes for a rough sketch. Once the sketch was roughed in we focused solely on shapes - looking for interesting shapes, deleting some, redrawing others. We turned the paintings sideways, or upside down - anything to help the "items" disappear and the shapes take over.
I have a fascination with outlines (and a life long love of coloring books) so I used them to create, resolve and dissolve shapes. It is also a natural tendency for me to see everything as a landscape. This is pretty clear in the lower piece.
Abstract work has a way of revealing an artists strengths, weaknesses and natural tendencies because composition, shape and color take precedent with out subject matter getting in the way.

There's no place like Home, there's no place . . . .

Wrong mantra, right shoes.
Last week was the week from, well, you know....
This whole broken foot thing has kept me from painting, but I went from cranky to despairing when the cumulative effect of dragging that boot/cast around finally took the toll on my back and I went to bed with muscle spasms for the better part of 5 days. Recovery was not supposed to look like this.
I am not inclined to want to blog about that kind of stuff but even if I had wanted to, my back kept me from sitting at the computer,
or anywhere else.
Thanks to so many of you who wrote notes of encouragement
about the foot.
Yesterday, the Dr. removed the Boot. I walked out of her office on air - or, it only felt that way after unloading about 5lbs of footwear.
Today, I wore 2 shoes and painted in my studio for the first time in 2 months. The whole world looks better.

Segil Fine Art Holiday Small Works Show

I was honored to have this piece "The Plug" juried into the Segil Fine Art 2010 Holiday Small Works Show in Southern California that opened last weekend. I was not able to attend but heard from a reliable source (my Mom) that it was an excellent show and a good party. This show will hang until the end of December and worth seeing if you are in the Southern California area. The Segil Gallery is not the only great gallery tucked away in the foothills community of Monrovia but part of a picturesque and fashionable shopping destination; a great place for Christmas shopping, and don't forget to buy art. Miniatures make great stocking stuffers for that person on your list that has everything.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hearts & Stars In Taos

It is that time of year: holiday parties, fund raisers and ways to think about giving back. Hearts & Stars is one show that covers all those bases, bringing together work from some of the best artists with art lovers, collectors and the Taos community at large - all for a very good cause - to support Taos Coalition to End Homelessness, Inc.
And all the work is under 8"x 10".
Rob Nightingale at Wilder Nightingale Fine Art does a wonderful job hosting this event with live music and fabulous food - all for a good cause.
If you are within 200 miles - it is a party worth attending.
Friday, November 26th from 6-8 pm at Wilder Nightingale Fine Art on Kit Carson in Taos; suggested $10 donation at the door.
I will definitely be there, albeit dragging "das Boot" but the Dr has given me leave to go without crutches. Yippee! That is one personal reason to be thankful this year, that and the fact that I didn't break my head or painting hand.
The painting at the top of this post is one of two pieces that I entered: 'Ladies in Painting', 7"x 7", oil on panel, the other, below, is 'Mesa View', 6"x 8", plein air piece in oil from Ghost Ranch.
If you can't make the show in person, see it online just click on Wilder Nightingale.

My Current View

The painting has been negligible lately- and the view less than steller but I am hoping to be out of "das Boot" in a couple of weeks.
My little dog Asta is a faithful attendant.


As fall waned the painting class enjoyed fair weather right up to the end of October.

This was one of our last nights out for the evening class.

Class Notes: Painting Glass

The fall color is gone and morning temps hover around 12 degrees. It is time for the painting class to move into the studio and I have had requests for some specific instruction on painting glass and metal.
These 3 little studies focus on clear glass and my approach is very unfussy.
I rely on context to explain the situation so I can get away with saying as little as possible in paint and allow the eye to fill in the blanks.
Clarity is also key when interpreting clear glass. Beginners fall into the trap of trying to describe too much "glass"- which, when you think about it - if it is clear, should hardly be seen at all.
Finally, strong hard highlights and hard accents (the darkest marks) communicate the hardness of the glass.

A Day in Taos

PAPNM, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Show at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos drew painters and friends from all over. On Exhibit until November 14th, it is a show worth seeing if you are in Taos this fall.
Several of the High Desert Painters were in town after painting at Ghost Ranch the previous week and taking in the show. They rented a ranch house between Arroyo Seco and Arroyo Hondo and on Monday after the show opening Sue McCullough and I drove back to Taos for a beautiful autumn morning of painting with them in New Mexico. At the top are Judy Howells from Southern California, Nelson Hubley of Nova Scotia (yes, Canada), myself and Jana Van Wyk of North Carolina.

This view looks north/east toward the mountains where aspens are dotting brilliant yellow and below, Judy paints with a friend nearby.
It really was an exceptional day and sadly, the last day of painting for me this season. I took a jump off the ranch house porch, onto a step that gave way, did a little tumble and (revealed later in x-rays) broke 3 metatarsals bone in my foot. Of course, not being able to walk should have been my first clue. Tra la.
So I am off it,
and just about everything else for 8-9 weeks.
I did learn to spell 'metatarsal'.







Below is the painting I was working on at the time of my unlucky leap - fortunately, nearly completed.
Titled "Monday in Taos", this piece sold later at the Plein Air Artists of Colorado Show- in Denver.

Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Juried Exhibition in Taos

Need a good excuse to visit Taos?
Take in the party at the prestigious Millicent Rogers Museum for the PAPNM (Plein Air Painters of New Mexico) Annual Juried Exhibition, The Spirit of Place, which opens with a reception for the artists, Saturday evening, October 9, at 5 pm.
I was pleased and excited to have 2 paintings selected for this show, as did Sue McCullough, and David Montgomery - the three us us representing the Colorado San Luis Valley.
Jana Van Wyk, a fellow member of the High Desert Painters also had work juried into the exhibition.
This show will coincide with the peak of the Taos art season and highlight the best plein air work from its membership.
Saturday evening's reception will be punctuated by an awards ceremony and on Sunday, October 10, Bill Gallen, PAPNM Signature Member will do a painting demonstration from 2-4pm at the Museum and free with Museum admission.
Monday, October 11, at 11 am, Nancy Silvia, PAPNM VP and Signature Member will speak on the subject of Plein Air Painting at the Museum and free with Museum admission.

Ghost Ranch Get Away

There is really no place like Ghost Ranch.
Famed as Georgia O'Keefe country, it is a unique retreat settting between Abiquiu and Chama, NM.
Monday afternoon I left Taos and drove to Ghost Ranch to meet up with Ann Templeton and the High Desert Painters. Ann has a workshop there every Autumn and the High Desert Painters try to meet her there. My time was limited to just 24 hours but so worth it.



Above work shop students paint the bluffs in the morning and here Ann talks the finer points of her demo with a student.
If I ever recommend a workshop, this is it. Ann Templeton is one of the best workshop teachers - ever - and a wonderful and generous mentor. She travels all over the world but Ghost Ranch is a very special venue, not like any place else in the world.

Below is my 6"x 8" piece of the perdernal, a famous and recognizable New Mexico landmark.


To read more about the High Desert Painters, an international group, click on the name. Click on Ann Templeton to read more about this beloved painter and author.