New Paintings up for Auction

I have decided to try something new in my studio (No3) at Liberty Town Arts. I am putting two of my newest paintings up for silent auction December 4th to December 5th (First Friday). This is a great opportunity to potentially purchase a new work for much less than the exhibit price. If you are unable to visit my studio on First Friday, you are welcome to email your bid.

Starting bid $95, or you can Buy-it-Now for $250.

Standing Tall, Watercolor, 16X20 Framed, Image size 8X10, Sold
Liberty, Watercolor, 16X20 Framed, Image Size 8X10, Sold

Both paintings are framed with a contemporary black wood frame and double thickness white mat. The sunflower I used as a reference for the paintings was growing outside at Liberty Town (planted by Aline). The compliments of the purple paint on the building and yellows in the flower were stunning. I chose to use the same palette in the paintings with varing intensity and demonstrated the painting in my watercolor workshop this October.

I will notify the winner (if not present) by email or phone on December 6th and the paintings can be picked up anytime at the end of auction.

Happy Bidding!

On Exhibit at the Torpedo Factory

These three paintings will be on exhibit and for sale at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Target Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, December 11, 2008 to January 11, 2009.

The exhibit is titled "5X5(5)" and all the artwork on display fits into these dimensions. The juror, Elaine Levin, reviewed over 650 national and international entries, choosing 250 works for the show.

An Artist's Reception will be held December 11th from 6-8PM.

Playing with Pebbles, Commission in Progress 4

I am pleased with my progress on Playing with Pebbles. As a new portrait painter, I am struggling through some of the challenges of capturing a "likeness" while still maintaining the essence of his little spirit. I am really enjoying the softness and subtleties of the pastel and how the pastel strokes create a playful merging of color, value and form.

Visiting Artist Workshop at Fredericksburg Academy

On Friday, I taught a watercolor workshop at Fredericksburg Academy for two classes of fabulous Fourth and Fifth graders. I demonstrated the steps for the above two 4X6 paintings in each class. Then the kids followed along with their paintings. We drew our sea animal pictures in pencil and then applied liquid masking fluid over the pencil line. Once the masking fluid was dry, we watercolor painted using wet-on-wet technique to create the ocean background. For some, we added salt for texture. Once the paintings are dry, the masking fluid (and salt) is removed leaving a white outline of the initial drawing.

This workshop is part of the Liberty Town Visiting Artist Program created by Mirinda Reynolds. Mirinda is the lower school art teacher for Fredericksburg Academy (and my wonderful studio-mate at Liberty Town, not to mention a brilliant oil painter). The program hosts a guest artist to lecture and demonstrate the last Friday of each month. The children are able to ask questions and participate in a short project taught by the visiting artist.

I had such a great time sharing this technique with the kids, helping them create their mini-masterpieces, and being a part of their creative energy. Thank you Fredericksburg Academy!

Fall Leaves Workshop Demonstration 3

I have added some key darks to create the illusion of layering. I used a deep maroon dark to unify the painting. I also added a few details by lifting out leaf veins, painting some in, and negative space painting. I love the motion and energy in this painting.

Playing with Pebbles, Commission in Progress 3

I have started layering the flesh tones in his face to begin developing form and shadows. I will continue to smooth out and detail his features, correcting for size, shape, angle and value as I go.

Playing with Pebbles, Commission in Progress 2

I am continuing to work the background and have started laying in the darks on his clothing.

Fall Leaves Workshop Demonstration 2

This is second of the leaf demonstrations. I started with an underpainting of Aureolin Yellow and Permanent Rose and then layered the leaves after I applied paint to the vein side. Once dried, the leaves left a more vague imprint than with the first painting. I will need to paint in the leaf shapes more directly.

Using a combination of techniques including negative space painting and direct painting, I have begun to add layers to the leaves; pushing some behind, pulling some foreward. Some leaves are painted in directly, while others are painted around (painting the negative space).

Playing with Pebbles, Commission in Progress

I have begun a pastel painting on pastel clayboard by Ampersand. After drawing the image on paper, I transfer the image onto the board. The pastel board is a clay and gesso coated hardboard panel with a granular textured surface comparable to a sanded pastel paper except more durable and more versatile. I chose a warm neutral "sand" color to contrast with the cool blues in the reference photo.

Fall Leaves Workshop Demonstration 1

For this demonstration, I started with an underpainting on damp paper and glazed in Aureolin Yellow, Permanent rose, and Quin. gold. With the underpainting, I am beginning to create direction and movement within the painting. I then paint the leaves individually and place them on the damp paper. I layer and place the leaves according to my design plan, considering which leaves will later be forward and which will be behind. Then I leave the painting until the paper is completely dry. When the leaves are removed, I am left with visual texture and varied hard and soft edges. Later, I will use these to develop the painting.