Watercolors

2009-10-22T09:44:00.000-04:00

Still Life:
Oranges in a Wooden Bowl

2009-10-22T09:40:00.001-04:00

This is a scene from the Griswold Museum.
There is a large elm tree under which guests sit and enjoy the peace of the grounds and nearby river.

2009-10-22T09:38:00.001-04:00

Version four
No more.

2009-10-03T13:43:00.002-04:00

Version 3 in the Indian Cove Series.
Now that it's posted I can see areas that need adjusting.

In looking at the paintings they appear to have a great deal of lemon yellow in them. While the paintings themselves don't appear quite so heavily tinted I think I might glaze the yellow, yellow-green portion of the painting to modify it.

2009-10-03T13:41:00.000-04:00

Here's version 2 in the series of Indian Cove.

Painting

2009-09-30T09:11:00.004-04:00

I painted plein air a week or so ago and worked at Indian Cove in Guilford. From my value sketches and plein air painting I came back to my studio and painted this.

The colors didn't translate well from the painting to the web. The painting is a bit darker and muted.

In addition, I recently found at a used book shop a coffee table book of American Watercolors. It was a great find at a give away price. Even though I know I learn more from actually painting I can't seem to pass up buying art books, particularly if they concern watercolor artists or their works.

Still Life: Wine, Fruit, and Crystal

2009-09-21T19:23:00.006-04:00

This is the latest painting I've been working on.

In the past week I've gotten out for a plein air session and attended 2 art workshops.

I also managed to work with my new airbrush, and attended an opening at the Paint and Clay Club.

Not a bad week.

Airbrushing with watercolor

2009-09-13T16:44:00.003-04:00

I was on the internet and came across some interesting watercolor paintings where the artist had used brush work and also airbrushed sections of the painting to achieve a rather interesting image.

The artist's name is Kirk Lybecker and you can see some of his work by clicking on his name in this message. Take a look!

Well after much on line research and internal debate I decided to purchase an Iwata Airbrush set. Today was my first attempt at using it. In some ways it was easier than I anticipated. Although mastery of the tool is a long way off.

If this doesn't work out as a tool for fine art, maybe I can go into business painting fingernails or putting images on birthday cakes.

John Massimino

2009-09-10T10:07:00.005-04:00

For those of you who know John and work with him in workshops or critique classes there was an article recently published about him in the New Haven Register.

I'll be taking his Clinton critique class in October/November.

Here is the link in case you missed the original story.
John Massimino is "Mr. Tea"

It's been a while

2009-09-10T09:58:00.003-04:00

I haven't been doing much studio painting in the past month. Although I have taken weekly plein air sessions and have been drawing a bit more and creating watercolor sketches.

I've also rented a number of art instructional DVD's on drawing and have been creating a number of small pencil sketches.

Lastly, I recently purchased an Iwata airbrush set and will begin experimenting with using the airbrush in my watercolor paintings.

Bob Noreika Workshop Paintings

2009-06-22T16:39:00.015-04:00

Here's the first workshop painting I created using Bob's techniques.

Here's the second painting. The 2nd and 3rd paintings involved using a pointed stick, drawing with waterproof ink and creating vignettes.

and the third.

Rule of Thumb- Landscape Painting

2009-06-20T20:53:00.004-04:00

http://hollandartstudio.com/

Compiled by Aaron Holland from random sources and experience.

1. A landscape should have a background, middle ground, and a foreground

2. The darkest and brightest colors/values should be in the foreground. They should lighten and cool comparatively as they fall away into the background (white is the exception to that rule- which tends to become slightly darker and bluer).

3. Yellow is the first color to fall away in a landscape, as it recedes into the distance.

4. Atmospheric perspective states that things become lighter and bluer as they recede into the distance(depth). refer to#2

5. The color of the sunlight affects everything it touches. If the sunlight is peach and it lands on a white house, the house will appear peach.

6. The shadows should be transparent- some reflected light should be visible inside them, as they are reflecting the sky to some degree. In other words, avoid making the shadows heavy and opaque, as it will not look natural.

7. Black does not exist in nature (only in black holes, or perhaps a cave at night!) so make sure your shadows have depth and transparency (as stated above).

8. When working in watercolor, the three-steps-forward rule should be applied. Background first, then middle ground, finally fore ground. Lightest to darkest.

9. The color of the sun is considered white light at its zenith, then as it starts its downward arc toward the horizon, the light gradually becomes lemony, then yellow, to orange to reddish, and towards a violet before it sets. *things to look for and observe in your own work.

10. Part of your job is to be selective. That is why a camera can be a distraction to the artist. The camera does not discriminate, it merely records all the details equally. It also changes the colors and flattens out the scenery. It can be a useful tool, but be sure you are also studying from nature!

11. Work bigger to smaller- establish the "big picture" before you attempt ANY details. General to specific. Simplify!

12. If something is wrong about your drawing/painting, change it as soon as you know what to do.

13. "Don't wait for inspiration to start, start and inspiration will find you". Even a commonplace scene can be made beautiful if it is felt, and carefully handled.

14. Soft edges suggest distance. For example a hill on or near the horizon will have a softer edge where it meets the sky that an object that is in the foreground.

15. When painting outside, try to start the foreground about 50 feet from where your standing. In other words, don't get to close to your subject.

16. Don't paint things, paint light. And try to notice the color of light and how it affects everything.

17. Colors change, values stay constant.

18. For grass- anything goes.

19. If you are having difficulty painting color, try deciding it's temperature first. Is it warm or cool?

20. Not everything in a landscape has to be colorful. As a matter of fact, if everything is colorful- nothing is! Try instead to see beautiful greys, colorful greys, and reserve your most colorful spots for the centers of interest- The WOW areas!

21. One artist said, when questioned about his art and his style: "I see things this way", and he pointed to the left, "another artist sees that way." I think the message is that we are not to try to paint like someone else, but to discover our own "vision", and paint faithfully according to that.

22. Toning the canvas to a light orangish color will help the sky look like it is radiating sunlight for small, quick plein-air sketches. Try other colors for noticeable effects on the finished product.

23. I find it helpful to "posterize" what I am seeing onto the canvas to start. What I mean is to simplify what I am seeing, so that it is like a cartoon image- simple, flat planes of color next to each other in accurate shapes. When that is done I can start to add details. That is known as capturing the "Big Look".

24. Design, drawing, values, color, edges- that is how I look critically at a picture. In that order.

25. Mix twice as much paint as you think you need, then use it all.

26. Unless it is a foggy day, try to avoid mixing white into your shadows and darks.

27. Details should be put in last, if at all! Remember, the power of suggestion can be more effective sometimes than spelling out every last detail. It is also important to remember that painting is interactive, and

28. You should know the color of the light at all times for each painting.

29. Start with a strong drawing and the picture will almost paint itself. The view should sense the accuracy of the drawing even if they don't notice it acutely.

30. Concentrate on first getting the major dark values placed accurately and in the correct place.

31. What is the subject? Start there. Everything else should support it, and it should be clear to the viewer what it is as well.

32. Generally, everything in light is going to be warm, and everything in shadow will be cool. The vibration of warm and cool will create interest and color vibration.

33. The brighter the sunshine, the darker and more opaque the shadows will appear. Overcast or low light days will have more depth and visibility into the shadow areas.

34. As a rule, value is more important than color.

35. Texture in the foreground, smoother as the landscape recedes into distance.

36. Contrast between values should be avoided. (For example: when a dark horizon meets a light value sky, try to find a transition, say a distant hill, to soften the jump.)

37. Feel the water, draw objects. Feel the water, the movement, the rythym. Concentrate and draw objects such as boats or buildings.

38. Light and Dark in a picture is different than light and shadow...both are important and should be understood before starting.

39. The background color should be mixed on the palette, while the middle ground should be mixed on the canvas. Likewise the foreground should show the most broken color effect giving it the appearance of nearness and texture- this concept is similar to that of texture (minimal or no texture in the background, higher texture in the foreground).

40. The canvas should be massed in if possible in one sitting, and then painted at the same time of day each time it is painted on. Special attention should be paid to the direction of shadows, and color/quality of light, maintaining cohesion during the entire painting.

41. It is not wasted time to study your chosen scene at different times of day and during different atmospheric effects, choosing the most flattering to depict your subject. The more familiar one is with the place, the better able to convey it in a picture.

42. Generally speaking, sky is lightest, ground is middle value, trees are darkest.

Lyme Art Association

2009-06-19T19:07:00.003-04:00

June 26 - August 9

Summer Painting & Sculpture Exhibition

All four galleries, Jurors are: Lou Bonamarte, Hollis Dunlap, Leif Nilsson and Ron Saporito.
Receiving: Mon., June 22, 3-7pm, (done)
Opening: Fri., June 26, 6-8pm,
Removal: Mon., Aug. 10, 3-7pm

Fairfield Porter Observation

2009-06-19T18:57:00.004-04:00

Whenever I make a somewhat different painting someone is likely to ask, "Is that a new direction?" They want to know what you are planning next. But I think this question arises from the misconception that what is interesting in painting are the ideas it expresses. Painters are concerned with things. The most prominent things in the painter's experience are right in front of him, like the paint on the canvas. It is better if he does not achieve a plan, and that the painting eludes him, with a life of its own. The painting unfolds, gradually and with difficulty, and he doesn't quite know what it is even for quite a while after he stops painting it. Then it falls into place for him, or it doesn't, but for another person who looks at it it may have a peculiar character right away. So far as it has merit, a painting is a fact, arbitrary and individual.

--Fairfield Porter 1974

ARTSPACE CWOS: NOTE TO SELF

2009-06-07T21:15:00.002-04:00

Accepted for first Show:
Please note the following dates and times:
Artwork Drop-off:
Friday, June 19th, 9 am to 8 pm Done
Sat, June 20th, scheduled by appointment only
Monday, June 22nd, 9 am to 12 pm
- NO EXCEPTIONS-
Happy Hour:
Thursday, July 9th, 6 pm to 8 pm
Networking Brunch:
Sunday, July 12th, 10 am to 1 pm
Opening Reception:
Thursday June 25th, 6 pm to 8 pm
Opening for the Second Member's Exhibition:
Thursday July 30th, 6 pm to 8 pm
De-install and Pick-up:
Sunday, July 26, 1 pm - 4 pm
Monday, July 27, 9 am - 12 pm
-NO EXCEPTIONS-

All dates are final. If for any reason that you are not available to drop off or pick up your work, please have a friend or family member help you.
Please notify anyone who may want to attend the reception and Happy Hour / Artists' Talk. Artspace will be inviting a number of gallerists and curators from Connecticut and the neighboring states for the networking brunch, and it is intended to be a professional resource for artists and is not a family event. An Evite for the event brunch will be issued and may be forwarded to any curators or gallerists that you may wish to further invite. Please RSVP with the names of any invited guests before July 1st. We look forward to your submission!

Connecticut Watercolor Society

2009-06-07T15:35:00.005-04:00

RECEIVING Work delivered personally, Sunday, May 31, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the John Slade Ely House, 51 Trumbull St., New Haven, CT. (done)

REMOVAL OF EXHIBITS Accepted work must be picked up on Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., or Monday, July 6th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..

SECURE STORAGE IS UNAVAILABLE. FOLLOWING THE EXHIBIT, UNCLAIMED PAINTINGS WILL BE REMOVED AND STORED BY C.W.S. A $10 STORAGE FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR EACH PAINTING PUT IN STORAGE.

EXHIBITION HOURS
Reception - Sunday, June 7, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

I had two paintings accepted for the CWS 69th Annual Exhibition, at the John Slade Ely House. The Show runs from June 6th through July 7th. If you get a chance go see the exhibition. There are some amazing watercolor paintings.

Bob Norieka won a prize for "Blue Traffic" I'm sure glad I signed up for his workshop.

Some painters I've got to know also have paintings hanging in the show:
Joyce Senesac had her painting, "Hello Kitty", selected for the show as did Bob Grenier for his painting entitled "Greek Dancers."
Suzanne Siegel is represented with her painting entitled "Summer Moon III" as well as Jane Brazelton with "Zen Lighthouse."
I also saw a painting, "Primary Interaction" by Mary B. Grant who is a fellow member of the North Haven Art Guild.

I'll be painting with Suzanne later this month for a week of pleine air watercolor painting. It's always relaxing and fun to paint with Suzanne's workshop.

Painting

2009-06-07T15:28:00.003-04:00

I haven't kept up with posting but I have been busy painting.

Yesterday I started a workshop with Bob Norieka at the Killingworth Art Center.
I watched Bob give a demo of his watercolor style last fall at the Hamden Art League.
He paints quickly and loose. Day #1 of the workshop: Bob completed a painting in 45 minutes, from value sketch to finished painting.

I found the instruction clear and produced a painting significantly different from my "regular" style. It was fun and freeing to paint using his techniques.
I'll post the painting later. It took me 2hours from value sketch to finished painting.
For me that's an extremely fast painting.

David Bellamy Lesson

2009-05-11T13:28:00.000-04:00

JUNE WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

2009-05-04T16:28:00.002-04:00

SUZANNE SIEGEL
www.suzannesiegel.net

Monday-Friday JUNE 22nd - 26th
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
(you are welcome to stay and paint on location all afternoon)
Tuition - $275.
Demonstrations, lectures – drawing, design, color theory, painting skills

Individualized instruction

Group critiques each day

Materials list will be provided upon registration

Locations in Guilford, Madison, Stony Creek

Limited enrollment – register early!

WORKSHOP

2009-05-04T16:25:00.004-04:00

Robert Noreika, one of our (HAL) demonstrators this past year, announces his In-Depth Watercolor Classes on Saturdays from 9 am – noon on June 6th, 13th and 20th. Cost is $150, not including materials. Classes at Arts Center at Killingworth, CT, 276 North Parker Hill Road. For more information, call 860-663-5593 or e-mail artscenterkillingworth@gmail.com

HAL MEETING 5/11/09

2009-05-04T16:21:00.002-04:00

Clinton Deckert will focus on the creative process and techniques to break through the “blank canvas syndrome.” He will also show slides of his work with some paintings on display for discussion. His work combines abstract
thoughts and surreal imagery. He created an assemblage for the Gala Salvador Dali event at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford. His work has been in juried shows at the New Britain Museum of American Art and the
Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, CT. He painted works for the “CowParade New York”, “CowParade
West Hartford” and the Oil Drum Art exhibit in Hartford.

Clinton has twice been awarded an Artist Fellowship Grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council. He is past president of Artworks Gallery in Hartford and served on their Board of Directors for 14 years. His work can be
seen at Lotus Fine Art in Woodstock, NY, Polonaise Gallery in Woodstock, VT, and the White Space Gallery
in New Haven.

Meeting at Miller Library Senior Center activity room, 2901 DixwellAvenue in Hamden.
Socializing begins at 7:15 pm, followed by a brief business meeting at 7:30 and artist’s demo at 7:45.

Sketches and earlier versions

2009-05-04T14:03:00.006-04:00

Here is a working version of rooster with background issues being worked out.

Here is a quick rendering of the subject. It's to give me some basic ideas for composition and color.

Most recent painting

2009-05-04T14:00:00.003-04:00

This handsome fellow can be found at Sturbridge Village, MA

Updating

2009-05-04T13:54:00.003-04:00

While I haven't posted many images lately I have been painting.
Those who know my painting habits know that I tend to paint a series of paintings on a subject working out problems as I go along. Probably not the most productive way of painting but I learn and practice at the same time so it works for me.

Here is one of the many versions of a painting I worked on in the past couple months.

North Haven Art Guild

2009-05-01T07:44:00.004-04:00

The North Haven Art Guild holds its opening reception tonight for its Spring Show.
The show runs through May.
You can check it out at Studio 27 Gallery in North Haven or at the North Haven Art Guild Site.
Below is one of my entries:

Painting

2009-04-23T10:32:00.001-04:00

I've been painting and repainting a scene from Monument Valley. While I've made some progress on composition and perspective it still isn't right and will need reworking ...once again.

North Haven Art Guild

2009-04-23T10:31:00.001-04:00

Meets tonight

New Haven Paint and Clay Club

2009-04-01T12:31:00.002-04:00

A N N U A L M E E T I N G
at The John Slade Ely House

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

6:30 p.m. Wine and cheese

7:00 p.m. Business Meeting

7:30 p.m. Barbara Harder, an internationally known printmaker,will give us a demonstration of various printing techniques. Her own work is concerned with spatial exploration through her multi-layered monotypes, rich in texture and color. Barb teaches at both Quinnipiac University and Creative Arts Workshop, and work is in many private, corporate and museum collections.

All the News that Fit to Print

2009-03-31T07:34:00.003-04:00

News article
The local town paper wrote an nice profile about me.

Hamden Art League

2009-03-02T12:18:00.007-05:00

Monday, March 9th Art Demo
“Children’s Book Illustration”

Bill Thomson will give a slide presentation about his career as an illustrator.
A 1985 graduate from Syracuse University in New York, Bill has worked extensively in advertising, and most recently, has completed illustrating three children’s books. Since 2000, he has taught at the University of Hartford and is currently an Associate Professor of Illustration there. In the 1990s he taught at Tunxis Community College in Farmington, CT and also at Syracuse University.

Among his many awards was the Outstanding Teachers Award in 2004 from the University of Hartford. His artwork has won recognition in the country’s most prestigious illustration competitions, including those sponsored by the Society of Illustrators (NY), the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts and the Connecticut Art Director’s Club. He has exhibited in numerous juried exhibits in New York and across the country.

His three illustrated children’s books are Karate Hour, 2004, Building with Dad, 2006, and Baseball Hour in 2008. Bill lives and works in Southington, CT, with his wife and three sons.

Meeting at the Miller Library Senior Center, 2901 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden. The demo will be held in the Activity Room.

Artist’s demo from 7:45 – 8:45 pm.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Goldenbells Exhibit April 6 – 29
RECEIVING: Monday, March 30, 2 – 6 pm, Senior Center Lobby
OPENING RECEPTION: Monday, April 6, 7 – 9 pm, Social Hall
REMOVAL AFTER SHOW: Thursday, April 29, 2 – 6 pm

FYI: 108th Annual Juried Art Exhibit

2009-01-15T14:23:00.002-05:00

New Haven Paint and Clay Club is holding its 108th Annual Juried Exhibit.

Dates: March 15 - April 5, 2009

Judge: Richard Carleton, painter, printmaker, RISD graduate, member of Boston Printmakers and Society of American Graphic Artists.

Prizes: - over $4000

For more information: contact Dolores Gall, President dmgall@aol.com

John Massimino's Critique Class 2009

2009-01-15T14:15:00.003-05:00

Date: March 5 + 19 and April 2 + 16
Time: 9:30 to noon
Place: Malone's Coffee House
10 West Main St. (Rt#1)
Clinton, CT
Call Joan Hammeal for more information 860-669-9490

Lyme Art Association Update

2009-01-15T14:12:00.003-05:00

I just received notice that three of my paintings have been accepted for the Lyme Art Association Associated Artist Exhibition. Feeling pretty good about now!

See post below for more information on the Exhibition.

Hamden Art League Demonstration

2009-01-13T07:50:00.003-05:00

Last night the Hamden Art League had Bob Noreika demonstrate his watercolor techniques.
It was an excellent demonstration with Bob completing a half sheet painting in approximately an hour. He paints fast and well.

If you'd like to see his work follow the URL to his site:
http://www.robertnoreika.com/index.htm

Lyme Art Association

2009-01-12T15:56:00.002-05:00

The Lyme Art Association is holding a juried show from January 16 , 2009 to February 28,2009
I've entered a couple of paintings but won't know until later in the week if any of them have been accepted.

17th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition

January 16 - February 28, 2009

Yellow Barn by Denise Casey

This Exhibition is open to only Associate Artist Members.

The show will be juried by Jury Chairman Lou Bonamarte, E.A.; Phil Cutting, A.A.; Bob Gregg, A.A.; Maryanne Rupp, A.A.; Beverly Schirmeier, A.A. All work will be juried with no guarantees.

Receiving: Sunday, January 11, 3-5pm
Opening Reception: Friday, Jan. 16, 5-7pm
Removal of Exhibition: Sunday, Mar. 1, 3-5pm

Watercolor Class

2009-01-12T15:54:00.001-05:00

I started my Saturday watercolor class this past Saturday and it feels good to start painting again.

Workshop

2008-12-13T11:35:00.001-05:00

2009 WATERCOLOR CLASSES WITH SUZANNE SIEGEL
CONTINUING WATERCOLOR – STUDIO 404

For continuing students who have basic watercolor and drawing skills. We will work to improve more advanced watercolor skills, including mingled washes on wet paper, multiple layering and glazing, the use of subtle color harmonies, and creative compositional strategies. Students are encouraged to explore a range of styles, in order to discover and apply their own visual ideas.
$45. per week - Minimum registration, one month, (4-5 weeks, depending on the month)

Saturday Mornings, beginning January 10th - 9 AM–12:30 PM
2351 Boston Post Rd
Bldg 4, #404
Guilford, CT

After dogs and floods I think I need a painting workshop!

Routine Disruptions

2008-12-13T11:14:00.003-05:00

Well for the past three weeks or so my daily schedule has been dramatically altered.

We got a dog about three weeks ago. Scooter is a wonderful dog
Scooter needs lots of walks. Generally a mile or so before breakfast and a mile in the afternoon.
Between my daily swim and weekly racquetball, and now daily walks with Scooter, my energy/time for painting has been disrupted. I'm working on finding time to get back to painting.
A couple of days ago, my wife got a second dog. Scout is an eight month old Terrier mix. Scout needs lots of attention.
Yesterday after the area received 4-5 inches of rain our home flooded. The water overflowed the banks of the "Muddy River" entered the garage and also percolated up through the cement and tile flooring in my studio. The sump pump kept most of the water out of the house. The amount that got in the house proper was about a half inch.
Lots of mopping today.

HAL Exhibit

2008-11-27T12:39:00.004-05:00

I heard from the people at the Hamden Art League that the painting I submitted, Stage Coach won an "Honorable Mention" in the 2008 Silver Bells Exhibit.

The show opens December 1st and runs through December 17th. See earlier post.

HAL Exhibition

2008-11-25T08:11:00.005-05:00

I entered a piece of artwork in the Hamden Art League show, 2008 Silver Bells Exhibition, that runs from 12/1 through 12/17.
If you're local, drive over and take a look. The show is held at the Hamden Miller Library/Senior Center, 2901 Dixwell Ave, Hamden, CT. There is plenty of free parking and if you don't like the show you can always borrow a book from the library. HAL has a number of good artists many of whom paint professionally and have worked in their medium for decades.

When entering these shows I always imagine that my painting is one of the best. However, when I get to the show I see so many other good paintings and the different visions that each artist brings to canvas, or paper. Each piece of art at the show is a "one of a kind" creation. While it is always nice to win recognition from your fellow artists, it is equally nice to meet the people creating unique work in a world where most items are mass produced.

Crit Class

2008-11-21T08:43:00.006-05:00

I attended John Massimino's critique class yesterday. As I said before in an earlier post, John has a good eye for composition and supportive way of letting you know what problems exist in your paintings. There are twenty artists in the group and more would attend if the group size wasn't capped.

I've noticed that John always finds something positive to say about your painting before he suggests areas for improvement. He jokingly says that when he writes his book on painting it will be call: "but" as in that's a great painting "but"...

The artists in the group work in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel and mixed media. I find that regardless of the medium the suggestions made for others are also helpful for me as a watercolor painter as they frequently address issues of composition, color, pattern and marks.

Grand Canyon Panorama

2008-11-13T14:47:00.009-05:00

As you can see I'm still working on vacation images. I'm planning to paint the panoramic scene in this photo.

Hamden Art League

2008-11-13T13:46:00.003-05:00

The Hamden Art League is holding its annual Silverbells Art Exhibit from December 1st through December 17th.
Place: Miller Library Senior Center, Hamden
Media: Oils, Acrylics, Graphics, Watercolors, Mixed Media and Pastels
Fees: $10 per one entry per artist
Eligibility: Hamden Art League artist

For those interested members:
Receiving: Monday November 24th from 2 to 6 PM
Reception and Awards: December 1st from 7 to 9 PM
Removal after show: Thursday December 18th from 2 to 6 PM

Shoreline Art Trail

2008-11-11T14:27:00.005-05:00

The artists on the Shoreline ArtsTrail will open their studios to the public on November 15 and 16 from 10 am - 4 pm for the seventh annual open studios show and sale. The weekend is a celebration of the lively art scene in the shoreline towns of Branford, Guilford and Madison. Thirty -four artists from the tri-town area will display their work which range from oil paintings, photography and pottery to sculpture, glass, fiber creations and jewelry. Maps for the Shoreline ArtsTrail will be available at any participating studio and at each town library, the Guilford Art Center and online at: www.ShorelineArtsTrail.com

If you're looking for something to do this weekend and want to see some good artwork this is just the thing.

Make sure you stop at Suzanne Siegel's studio
To see her work on line: www.suzannesiegel.net

Hirschhorn Museum

2008-11-11T13:14:00.012-05:00

The Great Warrior of Montauban--Emile-Antoine Bordelle

We were in Washington DC for a wedding and spent some time before and after the wedding sightseeing in the city.

If you haven't seen the Hirschhorn outdoor sculpture garden let me recommend it.

Like most art it is one thing to see pictures of artwork on the web, in magazines or books and quite another to experience it first hand.
Having said that here are some pictures of the art we viewed this weekend.

Crouching Woman-- August Rodin
On our first day we viewed the Garden area and saw traditional sculpture as well as more abstract forms by artist ranging from Rodin, David Smith, Alberto Giocometti, Judith Shea to DeKooning and Yoko Ono.

On a subsequent day, we went back and viewed the exhibits inside the Museum.

One of the pieces I particularly liked was an installation by Doug Wheeler. This is one of those pieces that needs to be experienced. The closest thing in nature that describes the experience is the visual experience of being caught in a white-out while skiing.

The installation is a large room with ceiling, floor and walls all painted white. As viewed in the picture at the far end of the room is florescent lighting which creates a hazy, glowing light that is reflected off all the surfaces. As one enters the room the glow surrounds you and the senses are overwhelmed or deprived I'm not sure which by the total immersion of white light.

Totem Series

2008-11-11T13:09:00.003-05:00

In this painting, the fourth in a series of paintings of the Totem Formation, I tried to concentrate on atmospheric perspective and working with lost edges in the Totem structure.

Sedona Series

2008-11-03T13:52:00.000-05:00

Version two of Sedona Cafe

Totem Rock Formation Series

2008-11-03T13:50:00.002-05:00

Here's a second version of the Totem Rock Formation-Navajo National Park

3 Sisters

2008-11-03T13:36:00.003-05:00

Three Sister's Rock formation-Navajo National Park.

Our guide was a Navajo Indian by the name of Gregory Holiday who shared his personal history as well as the philosophy of the Navajo Tribe concerning the power and beauty of nature and of the longevity of these great monuments.

Bill Strain

2008-10-30T15:13:00.003-04:00

I just want to take a minute to thank Bill Strain for uploading all of his Martin Gambee images to http://flickr.com/photos/billstrain/sets/72157608508406028/

While you're at it I think you might enjoy Bill's art which can be found at
http://www.billstrain.com

Thanks, Bill.

2008-10-28T12:52:00.004-04:00

Here is a representation of The Totem formation in Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park.
This painting came together surprisingly quick.
The formation on the extreme right is known as chimney rock.

Tony Hillerman

2008-10-27T09:01:00.004-04:00

Since visiting the Navajo Reservation and in particular Monument Valley, I started rereading Tony Hillerman whose main characters are Navajo detectives, Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn.

Through his writing Hillerman portrays the character of the Navajo reservation, it's people, culture and the effect of the white man, other tribes and modern life on ancient Navajo tradition.

The setting of his stories is always the beauty, splendor or austerity of the vast area of land known as the Navajo Reservation as it contrasts against those conflicts experienced by law enforcement.

Sadly, Tony Hillerman has died at age 83.
You may need to log on to the Washington Post in order to read the article. Logon is free.

Lake Powell Dam

2008-10-26T14:48:00.009-04:00

We walked across Lake Powell Dam with the wind howling, ripping hats off of our heads and pushing one sideways.

With the wind already effecting my sense of balance vertigo quickly set in as soon as I looked through the chain link fence down to the base of the Dam.

An unfortunate by product of the wind was the cancellation of our river rafting trip through the canyon.

If you look closely on the left, you can see the rafts at the bottom of the canyon.

Lake Powell Sunrise

2008-10-26T14:17:00.004-04:00

We saw some spectacular sunrise and sunsets while on tour. Perhaps one of the best was at Lake Powell with the ravens flying across the morning sky.

The intensity of color, with warm reds, yellows and violets the against the sun washed backdrop of the mountains and plateaus was worth the early morning awake up call.

What you can't see in the painting is the wind which blew a strong cold breeze in from the water.

Sedona Cafe

2008-10-26T12:46:00.009-04:00

One of the first stops on our Parks Tour was Sedona AZ. We stopped for an off-road jeep ride to the Van Deren Cabin which was originally the homestead of Bill Fredericks. History has it Bill was a moonshiner who owned the property until he was killed for the profits.

Sedona has come a long way from the days of homesteading farmers who settled the area. It includes notable names of present day actors from Hollywood as well as those from the past including Walt Disney who used the landscape back drop for his Thunder Mountain Theme.

I've worked from photographs and memory to produce a painting of the outdoor restaurant at which we ate. We had one of the best meals of the trip at this restaurant.

After peer review and much restructuring of composition I'm happy with the results. This painting has undergone three or four revisions, two of which are finished paintings.

Painting the National Parks Tour

2008-10-22T09:19:00.004-04:00

I've been back a week from vacation and have been busy translating the sights, sounds and emotions into visual images. Two of the efforts have promise and I will post them later after a peer review on Thursday.

I participate in a critique/workshop with John Massimino on Thursday morning. John has a good eye, makes positive suggestions and has a direct way of telling you what works or doesn't in your painting; why it works or doesn't and does so without being condescending, arrogant or dismissive.

While the National Parks material is fresh and exciting, I've got one pre-National Parks image I'm working on that has given me trouble in the past. It's a scene of three trees standing on a bluff. I'm having difficulty capturing the leaf mass in the trees while still distinguishing the differences in the branches and leaves. It's a balancing act of creating unique shapes while abstracting the lights and shades of the leaf mass. I think I've painted it at least half a dozen times without success but I'm not ready to give up on it. Consequently I'm not certain what I'll paint next. The solution might be simulataneous paintings.

Western National Park Tour

2008-10-16T07:51:00.006-04:00

I just got back from a whirlwind tour of the West, stopping in Phoenix AZ, Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion and finally Vegas.

I left with the intention of painting at each location but the schedule was so frenetic that I didn't get my paints out.

The scenery was dynamic, tour guide extremely knowledgeable and travel companions friendly. My only complaint was there wasn't enough time in any one location, except Lake Powell. However, I never would have seen all the Parks if I had driven it myself.

On the plus side, I took over 900 photos and will be painting scenes from memory and photos. In Monument Valley in addition to the spectacular scenery and personal guide by Navajo guide, Gregory Holiday, at Gouldings Lodge I saw two wonderful watercolors painted by Martin Gambee .

Above is an example of his work although not the piece I viewed. More examples of his painting can be viewed at http://www.billstrain.net/gamgall.htm

It's been a while.

2008-10-05T13:33:00.006-04:00

I've been busy in the past three weeks.
I spent a pleasant week painting with Suzanne Siegel's workshop at various locations along the Connecticut coastline, in Madison, Guilford, and Branford.
I enjoy Suzanne's workshop both for the camaraderie and new techniques I learn during her workshops.

I also entered two exhibits, one with the North Haven Art Guild and the other at ARTSPACE. (www.artspace.org) Both Shows will run for the next month. I'm particularly pleased with the ARTSPACE show as it coincides with their open studio workshop weekend and I should get some decent exposure to my painting.

I also have upgrade the North Haven Art Guild website to include images of their current show. So anyone wanting to see my images can follow the URL to the site. (www.studio27gallery.com)

New Painting

2008-09-14T16:43:00.003-04:00

Here's a recently finished painting which I'm entering in the North Haven Art Guild Show.
The Show will run September 30th through October 23rd.

Stage Coach

2008-09-14T16:19:00.003-04:00

I've just finished a new painting entitled "Stage Coach."
It's a scene from Sturbridge Village, MA and took me a couple of tries to get the horses right.

Painting Video

2008-09-07T15:30:00.001-04:00

North Haven Fair Entry

2008-09-05T19:47:00.002-04:00

My entry won Best of Class. The nice part about the North Haven Fair is that some 60,000 people will walk through the grounds in the four days/nights that it's running.

Update:
As it turns out the jurors selected "Jay's Perspective." See attached.

2008-09-02T14:03:00.004-04:00

I'm entering a painting in the North Haven Fair which runs from this Thursday, 9/4th through the weekend. I'll try to post the image later. The painting is a barn scene based on building and landscape at Sturbridge Village. My wife and I recently spent a day there walking the grounds and soaking in the history and ambiance.

Bridge at Sturbridge MA

2008-08-30T12:06:00.004-04:00

I'm working on a new bridge image. This is a sketch based on photos I took at Sturbridge Village, MA.

More Bridges

2008-08-20T10:30:00.001-04:00

I'm still working on bridge images. This is the latest in a series.

Incredible Art Board

2008-08-16T12:23:00.002-04:00

If you're like me you're always looking for new products to make your job as a watercolor painter easier.

When I first started painting I would soak my paper for 20 minutes to release the sizing and then paste or tape the paper to the watercolor board. Because I tend to glaze repeatedly or in the alternative paint wet in wet, the paper always seems to buckle leaving gullies for the color pigments to collect.

I went so far as to experiment with various surfaces from plexiglass which bows to hardboard whose surface deteriorates with repeated usage. I even created my own board with metal fasteners to hold the paper in place. It turned out to be too cumbersome.

I finally gave up in soaking the paper and started painting on Arches blocks with a modicum of success but still with some buckling for the heavily soaked sections of the painting. However this method still left the sizing in the paper.

I recently purchased "the Incredible Art Board" from Grafix (sold by Jerry's Artarama and probably elsewhere) which doesn't bend, or bow. It takes repeated stapling to hold the paper flat to the board and after limited usage seems to solve the problem of buckling paper even with repeated soaking of the paper. The board comes in two sizes 16x24 and 24x32. I'm working with the smaller of the two boards.

I'd be interested in hearing from others who have used this product.

PS
I'll keep you posted if any problems arise.

CONNcentric

2008-08-12T17:58:00.005-04:00

"Congratulations! Your work has been selected to be included in CONNcentric, a special exhibition held in conjunction with the 2008 City-Wide Open Studios Festival. The exhibition is scheduled to run beyond the festival weekend from October 2-December 13, 2008."

It's always nice to receive good news.
Now I have some matting and framing to do.

For more information concerning the exhibit: ARTSPACE

SEPTEMBER WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

2008-08-09T11:37:00.004-04:00

SUZANNE SIEGEL - www.suzannesiegel.net

Monday - Friday SEPTEMBER 22 - 26, 2008. Daily 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
(You are welcome to stay and paint on location all afternoon)

We will travel by ferry to Outer Island on Friday, weather permitting

Tuition - $275.

Demonstrations, lectures – drawing, design, color theory, painting skills

Individualized instruction

Group critiques each day

Materials list will be provided upon registration

Locations in Guilford, Madison, Stony Creek

Limited enrollment –

Contact Suzanne's website for more information. Register early!

Congratulations to Susanne Siegel

2008-08-03T18:18:00.007-04:00

First Place at the Stoney Creek Art Show goes to Susanne Siegel for her watercolor entitled: Barn Shadows II

To see it:
URL:Connecticut Watercolor Society
Scroll down half a page or so to see her work.
URL:Suzanne's Website

Denman Ross 9 Step Value System: Handprint.com

2008-08-03T15:54:00.010-04:00

White

High Light

Light

Low Light

Midvalue

High dark

Dark

Low Dark

Black

Stony Creek Library Art Show: August 3 - 27

2008-08-02T11:45:00.011-04:00

Show Opening	Sunday, August 3rd, 4:00 - 6:00PM
Subject Matter:	The Thimble Islands & Stony Creek
Juror of Awards:	Leah Schmalz, Art Columnist, Shore Publishing
Artists May Pick Up Work:	Thursday, August 28, between 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Questions:	(203) 488-8702, (203) 481-7227

URL: Stony Creek Library Art Show

According to Lou: Unrelated TidBits

2008-07-30T12:30:00.012-04:00

Before you start painting decide on the concept of your painting.
Decide on the direction of your light source and have your shadows remain consistent in the painting.
Paint shapes not objects.
Look for a spot where you can use pthalo blue over green to suggest reflected light.
Nothing should appear black.
Three light sources: sun, sky, reflected light off objects.
Under eaves look for warm reflected light and a cool shadow edge.
Mixing is subtractive. The more you mix the duller your color.
In a painting some color should dominate at least 50% to 66% of the paper.
Neutralize a color by using Burnt Umber (not Winsor Newton) or the color's complement.
Warm colors advance and cool colors recede.
Generally the sky is a light value, while the ground plan is a middle value.
Your best color and contrast should be at the focal point of the painting.
Dark value surrounded by light value advances.
5-Value system: light, mid-light, middle, mid-dark, dark.
9-Value System: white, light-light, light, mid-light, middle, mid-dark, dark, dark-dark, black.
Transparent paints and opaque paints don't mix well.
Do not use two intense complements together, one should be duller.
Earth colors bleed.
Chroma advances.
Color is about value and light.
PAINT! PAINT! PAINT!

Workshop Lesson

2008-07-29T22:12:00.004-04:00

This maybe difficult to see but it is a winter town scene with two canons in a town square surrounded by buildings.
This was a paint along with Lou assignment. He chose the light source and colors.

A partial painting was completed in class. See below.

Workshop Lesson

2008-07-29T22:02:00.005-04:00

Our next assignment was a home work assignment to work from the attached gray scale picture. We were to paint this picture using three primaries from the palette. I chose gamboge yellow, alizarin crimson, and ultramarine blue.

Here are the results:

Workshop Lesson

2008-07-29T21:42:00.005-04:00

Our next assignment was to sketch and paint the picture using two colors. All the colors are neutralized and the effect of the painting is created by the dark value behind the lighter buildings.

Workshop Lesson

2008-07-29T20:53:00.004-04:00

Our palette was selected by Lou Bonamarte and included winsor yellow, gamboge yellow,ultramarine blue, pthalo blue, winsor red, alizarin crimson, burnt umber, burnt sienna, pthalo green and ivory black.

While the class was entitled "Water Color Theory" discussion incorporated value, shapes, light and tint, tone, shading and color.

The first painting exercise was to paint the image to the left using two colors and black. Black could not be used as a color but was to be used to shade the colors we chose. He stresses that nothing should appear "black" in the painting as this creates a hole in the painting. If a "blackish" color was to be used he suggested that pthalo green and alizarin crimson could be used to produce a dark color.

While there was discussion around using compliments to neutralize a color, Lou is a proponent of using burnt umber to achieve the same result. However he does not like Winsor Newton burnt umber, suggesting Grumachers or Old Holland is better.

I chose ultramarine blue and burnt umber as my two colors.
Attached is the sketch produced in class.

My first step was to decide on the light source and to have it remain consistent throughout the painting, then to calculate the effects of the light source on the various planes in the painting. It is also necessary to consider the the effect of atmospheric perspective on the colors chosen.

Lyme Art Association

2008-07-27T18:29:00.007-04:00

Monday and Tuesday, July 28th and 29th, I'll be taking a workshop with Lou Bonamarte at the Lyme Art Association on color theory.

I took an earlier workshop with Lou and found it useful. It seems the more exposure I get to different painting styles and techniques the more confident I become in my ability to work in this medium. Workshops seem to be the most effective way for me to judge my progress.

URL: Lyme Art Association

Reminder

2008-07-27T18:21:00.007-04:00

This is just a reminder to those of you with whom I paint that your work for the Stony Creek Library Exhibit needs to be submitted tomorrow, July 28th between 4:00 and 7:00pm.

See URL: Stony Creek Library Art Show

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Turner Exhibit

2008-07-22T08:03:00.010-04:00

AM:
I'm headed into New York today to see the Turner Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Update:
PM:
My son, David took this picture of my daughter, Laura and I standing in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The exhibit was definitely worth the train ride into the City.

URL: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Florence Griswold Museum

2008-07-16T09:14:00.003-04:00

I spent the day at the Florence Griswold Museum in Lyme.

"The Florence Griswold Museum is the first venue for Impressionist Giverny: Americans Painters in France, 1885–1915, an exhibition of over fifty paintings. The exhibition tells the story of the expatriate colony founded by American artists in the village of Impressionist master Claude Monet."

After seeing the exhibit I toured the Florence Griswold House, where the Impressionist artists lived and worked. The Griswold House owned by Florence Griswold was known as the American Giverny.

In the manner of the early impressionist, I painted on the grounds inspired by the same gardens, landscape and river they viewed as they painted in the early 1900's.

Flower

2008-07-13T10:32:00.001-04:00

Backyard Lily

Butterflies

2008-07-10T16:04:00.001-04:00

Just happened to have my camera at the ready.

Bridges

2008-07-06T13:24:00.000-04:00

This October the North Haven Art Guild will hold a multimedia art show whose theme is "bridges"
These are some preliminary paintings of a foot bridge in Maine.
I'll probably end up painting variations on this theme more times than I'd like to say.
My inclination is to work with a closer perspective of the bridge as in the middle painting.

Watercolor Lesson Glazing

2008-06-30T13:59:00.006-04:00

Nicely presented lesson in glazing by one of my favorite artists.

URL:Jeanne Dobie Website

Garden

2008-06-28T17:11:00.001-04:00

A different kind of art!
After two weeks of painting and neglecting the garden I spent the day weeding.
The garden is shaping up nicely. Asparagus is the first to be harvested and by now I've pretty much let it grow to leaf stalk. I love the earthy flavor. While I grow other vegetables and flowers the primary purpose in planting is to have fresh home grown tomatoes. I grow Black Krim, Brandywine, Omar's Lebanese-new this season, Italian Beefsteak, and cherry tomatoes. Last year my plants were over six feet and so prolific I was giving away produce. This year I've cut back on the number of plants. After fresh tomatoes there is nothing better than home grown eggplant.
If I get the tomatoes and eggplant I consider it a sucessful season. The squirrels and birds tend to get to the fruit trees and berry bushes before I do.

Moon Over the Harbor

2008-06-25T16:00:00.001-04:00

Arrived early at Stony Creek. The day was bright and sunny with a cool sea breeze.
Shortly after arriving I watched a hawk dive into the harbor and grab a fish in its talons. Unfortunately my camera was still packed in my backpack.

For all the shoreline trappings the thing that struck me was the moon over the harbor.

I tried to stay abstract with the theme and although predominantly blue I varied the warmth of the blues and used brown madder, light red and raw sienna to create the graded wash at the bottom of the painting.

I'm calling this painting: "Blue Moon"

More Mercy Center

2008-06-24T21:19:00.001-04:00

After much dissatisfaction with the treatment of clouds and sky I reworked the image and like it better.

Mercy Center Seashore

2008-06-24T15:29:00.001-04:00

I arrived at the Mercy Center around 8:30. The weather conditions were changeable. I watched the sky changes from clear and hazy to threatening and cloudy in a matter of minutes. I decided to paint the changing sky, water and rock formation immediately in front of me.
After lathing down in sunscreen and insecticide I proceeded to paint. I worked the sky wet in wet leaving some sections of the paper dry and white.
In contrast to yesterday everything dried quickly almost too fast.
After getting the painting back to my studio I noticed that the reds where isolated to the lower left and corner so I glazed parts of the sky and changed some rock colors to move the eye to the different locations in the painting.

Rainy Day at Bauer Farm

2008-06-23T15:39:00.001-04:00

Different treatment of foreground.

I spent the morning at Bauer Farm painting. I think most members of the painting group took a day off. Today was overcast. The weather forecast predicted rain, thunderstorms, hail, etc. although most of the foul weather wasn't suppose to hit until this afternoon. I sat in the pavilion protected from a light mist but not the prolific ticks in the area.
The moisture in the air made it difficult to paint as nothing seemed to dry.
I still need a lot of work on painting masses of trees. Today gave me an opportunity to practice, painting trees, skies-other than blue skies, and the atmospheric effect of distant mountains.

Outer Island Stony Creek

2008-06-20T15:59:00.001-04:00

We went to Outer Island, Stony Creek. This is a bird sanctuary managed in part by SCSU. We met our guide, Karen Thomas at the dock. From there it was a short ferry to the Island where we spent 4-5 hours painting.

The Island is a granite outcropping. The photo doesn't do the Island justice but it gives you some idea of just how peaceful it can be.

Stony Creek Harbor

2008-06-19T15:16:00.001-04:00

Three of us from the workshop painted again at Stony Creek. The weather was perfect, sunny, blue skies with a cool sea breeze for moderate temperatures.
As you can see I made some changes to the composition, simplifying the scene, deleting some extraneous elements and working on the water and reflections .
After finishing the painting on site I returned to my studio and cleaned up a few spots. There are one or two minor changes I still want to make but will wait until my energy levels are higher.
Tomorrow, weather permitting we will paint at Outer Island in Stony Creek.

Stony Creek

2008-06-18T18:40:00.003-04:00

Today is day three of a two week watercolor workshop with Suzanne Seigel.
Suzanne is an excellent artist whose work has won a number of awards.
She is the winner of the CT Watercolor Society award for her painting Barn Shadows II.

Our group has continued to meet and paint plein air at various locations around the shoreline in Madison/Guilford CT.

Attached is today's painting. It is not complete but I feel I'm making good progress.

Watercolors

Painting

Still Life: Wine, Fruit, and Crystal

Airbrushing with watercolor

John Massimino

It's been a while

Bob Noreika Workshop Paintings

Rule of Thumb- Landscape Painting

http://hollandartstudio.com/

Lyme Art Association

Summer Painting & Sculpture Exhibition

Fairfield Porter Observation

ARTSPACE CWOS: NOTE TO SELF

Connecticut Watercolor Society

Painting

David Bellamy Lesson

JUNE WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP

HAL MEETING 5/11/09

Sketches and earlier versions

Most recent painting

Updating

North Haven Art Guild

Painting

North Haven Art Guild

New Haven Paint and Clay Club

All the News that Fit to Print

Hamden Art League

FYI: 108th Annual Juried Art Exhibit

John Massimino's Critique Class 2009

Lyme Art Association Update

Hamden Art League Demonstration

Lyme Art Association

17th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition

January 16 - February 28, 2009

Watercolor Class

Workshop

Routine Disruptions

HAL Exhibit

HAL Exhibition

Crit Class

Grand Canyon Panorama

Hamden Art League

Shoreline Art Trail

Hirschhorn Museum

Totem Series

Sedona Series

Totem Rock Formation Series

3 Sisters

Bill Strain

Tony Hillerman

Lake Powell Dam

Lake Powell Sunrise

Sedona Cafe

Painting the National Parks Tour

Western National Park Tour

It's been a while.

New Painting

Stage Coach

Painting Video

North Haven Fair Entry

Bridge at Sturbridge MA

More Bridges

Incredible Art Board

CONNcentric

SEPTEMBER WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

Congratulations to Susanne Siegel

Denman Ross 9 Step Value System: Handprint.com

Stony Creek Library Art Show: August 3 - 27

According to Lou: Unrelated TidBits

Workshop Lesson

Workshop Lesson

Workshop Lesson

Workshop Lesson

Lyme Art Association

Reminder

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Turner Exhibit

Florence Griswold Museum

Flower

Butterflies