Whining, Crying, and Painting the Nude

"Male Figure Study"

14 x 11 inches, oil on canvas

 Available

After a ridiculously long session break, Tuesday figure painting night at Maude Kerns is back! I painted this as an anatomical study, mixing my colors by value rather than the skin tones I actually observed, and not focusing on the head much at all. I even partially decapitated him just to show how much I don't care - a particularly good exercise for me, since I usually cry when I can't capture a facial likeness.

☺

A Burning Question

 "Leaning Lanterns (sketch)"

approx. 8 x 10 inches, oil on board

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I'm loving these Chinese Lanterns. They are, by far, the cream of my yard sale shopping crop this summer. I scored a TON of them, too.

See?

I'll be blowing this little sketch up into a larger painting, but what size canvas to use if I want to keep the same proportions? Once again, the internet has the answer to my burning question, and here it is:

Hope you're having a great day!

Milestones, Prizes, Birthdays, Weddings, and a Painting of Chinese Lanterns

 "Chinese Lanterns"

10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

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It may be my birthday, but the gifts are all for you! First, a One Dollar Auction, and second, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped me get to 900 Likes on Facebook!

When we reach 1000, one lucky Liker will win a $100 gift certificate to my Etsy shop. To enter, all you need to do is share my Facebook event, or any of my posts about the giveaway. Thanks!

 I'm especially happy on this birthday because I put the finishing touches on not one, but two

 commissions this morning. I've also got a huge event to look forward to this weekend: my little sister is getting married! Matron of Honor, here I come!

The Plein Air Workshop That Wasn't

"Flowers in the Gallery"

18 x 14 inches, oil on canvas

Available

I taught my "Painting the Figure en Plein Air" workshop this past Saturday, at the Gallery at the Watershed. It was pouring, so instead of plein air, we did a lovely interior scene instead! If you're going to paint in Oregon, you have to prepare for rainy contingencies.

It was a great group, in a great space, with a great model. We also enjoyed the fabulous paintings by Angelita Surmon and Renee Manford. 

Here I am, demo-ing:

 

The Tale of Kanji

 

 "The Kanji Vase (Reworked)"

10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

I painted this crazy drapeyness seventeen months ago. At the time, I was satisfied - I really liked that slippery turquoise cloth - but something was off. Fast forward a year or so, and "The Kanji Vase" escaped the Great Art Destruction Party of 2013 by the skin of its teeth. I suspected I could save it, but I'm not generally in the habit of working back into old paintings. Better to start fresh! Going randomly out-of-character, I attacked it one day, and voila: redemption.

Step inside...

...My new studio!

Early in the Morning

 "Composition with Peaches"

12 x 9 inches, oil on Arches oil paper

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I have been waking up before dawn - call it an autumn resolution - and spending my extra two hours either running or painting. This is not a new idea, but hey, it's new to me! I worked on these peaches over the course of two or three mornings this week, intending it to be a warmup before heading out to work on a commission I've been doing (more on that soon), but it turned out as more of a finished piece. I love how the oil paper can be create either a smooth or rougher effect depending on how much paint you slather on. I painted this one thinner in the background, and much thicker in the foreground. Thick paint always draws the eye.

Seeing Red

 

 "On the Red Table"

8 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

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I think I love my new studio. What a relief! Especially because it would be awfully hard to take back my old one, already on its way to becoming a man-cave family room. Jesse wasted no time taking over that space! I didn't waste much time myself - there's no better way to settle in than to sling some paint, or, um, spray diet soda all over the room.

I didn't do it, for the record!

Today I started on a fabulous new commission, which I'll be sharing much more about soon!

An Homage to the Swedish Flag...

 "Blue and Yellow Stack"

10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

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...Or maybe just an homage to the Ikea logo. I've had Ikea on the brain a lot lately, working on setting up my new studio. In fact, this is the last painting made in my old studio. I'm ready to take a deep breath and dive into my new space. I feel like I should ceremonially break a bottle on the (as yet non-existant) doorframe. Maybe I'll just shake up a can of soda and spray it around a little.

Maybe. 

Anyway, if you happen to be near the aforementioned Swedish mega-mart, could you pick me up a carload of shelving and some lingonberries? Thanks.

Mellow Yellow

 "Yellow Tea Party"

8 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

$200

Available here

We are busily working on my new studio - also known as our useless third garage bay - and all the studio (wall) painting has been getting in the way of my studio (canvas) painting. It's for a good cause, though, and I should be moving in very soon!

Meanwhile, here's a dose of yellow to get you ready for fall colors, also coming soon...

Look Who's Back...

...And it's about time! I didn't really intend to stay away so long, but life happens. Getting back into the studio has been a slow process, with the dreaded cold starts, and plenty of AA - that's Artist's Anxiety (...and yes, that's trademarked, but ok, you can use it!)

There is no slump-busting in my world that doesn't involve Figure painting - so here's my latest: 

"In Profile"

12 x 9 inches, oil on canvas

Available here

 Painted in approximately three hours, from a live model - and here's the proof:

Smile!

Summer Break and a Vlog

 Here it is: my first Vlog - aka, video blog. Just a quick peek at my studio, all cleaned up for company.

I'm going to be taking some time off from bloggging - August will be packed with family, travel, and many other things, and my social-media-self is feeling in need of a general recharge, anyway. My plan is to do a lot of sketching and drawing, and paint if and when I can for the next few weeks, but my posts may be sporadic. Hoping you all are having a wonderful summer - there's plenty of summer still to come!

Escape From the Beach

 "Luna Sea Fish House, Yachats, Oregon"

11 x 14 inches, oil on canvas

$300

click to buy

After my Seal Rock Sunday debacle, I was ready to press the proverbial Reset button Monday morning. I loved my last cityscape outing, and Yachats is such a sweet little town. Painting there was just what I needed. That, and clam chowder for breakfast.

When I pulled into the parking lot of Luna Sea Fish House, I instantly saw a painting. Such great, vibrant colors on the shopfronts. Such lovely morning light.

 I managed to finish up and vacate their lot in advance of the lunch crowd, and while wandering around I saw this:

 "La de da." City motto? Love.

Just around the corner, I set up my easel on Ocean View Drive. I let a teeny bit of the Pacific sneak back into my painting, but kept it firmly in the background, enjoying the neon signs that flickered in the Underground Bar's windows.

"Ocean View Drive, Yachats, Oregon"

12 x 12 inches, oil on canvas

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Then I headed back to the valley. 20 miles inland, it was already broiling hot, and only got more so as I approached home.

Life's a Beach

 "Rocky Creek Vista"

approx. 12 x 9 inches

oil on Arches oil Paper

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 My second day at the Sandgren Coast Paintout was a total bust - if I can call a first visit to an amazing beach, an entire day spent watching the changing light and tides, sun, good company, and a little random exploration a bust - just because my painting didn't turn out.

Bad painting, great day.

You can see my start below, on the right side in the middle. 

You can also see Erik Sandgren painting away, Patti McNutt striding in all geared up and ready for anything, the first living crustaceans I've seen outside of an aquarium (or a kitchen), and my granny hat.

I took a break for some random exploring. These shots are from Depoe Bay, a place where "Fine Art" and "Thomas Kincade" are not synonymous. (Click on the image to see what I mean). Bonus: Gluten Free clam chowder? So Oregon.

 

In Seal Rock, I just couldn't pass this enormous sign advertising BEARS without stopping. I think I met Ronald Reagan there, too.

So, a great day, but not on the painting front. Not to worry - I redeem myself tomorrow!

My first Oregon Coast Paintout!

"The Cliffs at Rocky Creek"

8 x 10 inches, oil on canvas

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Well. A warning: this post is going to be long! The only thing that irks me more than overlong blog posts are bloggers who split days into multiple posts.  So here you will get my entire first day at Erik Sandgren's legendary, famous, long-lived, and beloved Oregon Coast Paintout.

First, I packed. And, since my family was joining me for the weekend, there was a lot to pack! On the left you see the essentials: art stuff!

We got to our cute beachfront cottage in time to have Patti over for dinner - she'd already been there almost a week, painting up and down the coast!

The next morning, I groaned my way out of bed for a run I knew I wouldn't regret. Four miles on a deserted beach, leaping over tidepools, following my own footprints back home. 

After a quick shower and some even quicker shoving down of food, I kissed my mom, husband, and daughter goodbye and set off for my first encounter with this legendary Paintout.

Rocky Creek State Wayside was the location of the day. A seemingly-unassuming pit-stop along US 101, when explored further, offered many gorgeous vistas - not to mention picnic tables upon which to stand while painting! The bathroom was more than appreciated by all, as well,

but even better than that were the multiple spots so sheltered from the wind that I found myself shedding layers as the morning went on.

The Oregon Coast is cold. The highs over the past weekend at my house in Eugene, a mere 75 minutes from the coast, were in the 90's. At the coast, we were hoping for 70's. And not too much wind.

In the afternoon, we had an informal critique with Erik. If you were in college with me, and you actually read my blog, I love you! (but no... no one does). If you did, you'd remember me as a fan of a good critique. I absolutely love talking about art-in-progress. And there was some lovely stuff happening this day - in all different media!

artists pictured: upper right Renee Nelson, bottom center Leland John, bottom right Za Vue.

 After lunch, and the critique, I moved on to a less precarious painting spot on the beach head. I did a quick sketch of the ocean and then another of Erik and his wife Katherine painting together on the cliff edge as the day came to a close. 

 

"Artists at Rocky Creek" 

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As I was introduced to more artists throughout the day, (Thanks again, Patti!),  I realized that a large group were staying right across the street from us in Waldport! Of course, they demanded that I join them for a glass of wine that evening, and I was more than willing to comply. These are people that I've been hoping to meet for some time: L-R David Talaski, Za Vue, and Quin Sweetman. Loved meeting you all!

Ready to book your hotel room for July 2014? Just wait until you see my post about the rest of the weekend. Amazing. Summer is fun.

Party of Two

 "Becca in July"

12 x 9 inches, oil on canvas

click to buy

I was feeling overjoyed last night, walking back into Maude Kerns Art Center's open studio after a three week hiatus. I was happy to be there, but I was almost alone in that feeling, because Joy and I were the only ones who showed up! Summer is a crazy time around here - everyone travels, there are tons of things to do, it's almost impossible to throw a party because no one's around to attend....

Well, we enjoyed our party of two last night, and I got to set up the pose and the lighting without any interference collaboration whatsoever. See how creative I got? She's sitting. On. The. Model. Stand.

If anyone has a *small* couch or comfy chair they want to donate, consider dropping it off at Maude Kerns. The artists there will thank you for years to come.  And you'll get to see your rejected furniture immortalized again and again!

Bonus random sky shot: it was a beautiful evening!

When You Commission a Portrait

"Sketch for 'Keila'"

10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

click to buy

I've loved gettting to know many amazing art collectors and enthusiasts over the years, and I've found that everyone has an idea percolating in the back of their mind for that perfect custom painting. So what really happens when they finally decide to take that step - make that investment - and commission that piece they've always wanted - a truly unique statement just for them?

I've been working with an old friend this week on a portrait of his beautiful wife. He initially contacted me on Facebook, and after seeing what a gorgeous picture he had for me to work from, the rest of the negotiations were a piece of cake! This is the preparatory sketch I made for Keila's portrait, which I will post once it's been officially unveiled.

I love painting portraits. When I was little, I drew princesses, faces, dresses, girls, girls, girls endlessly! I vividly remember the day I figured out how to draw a purse over someone's shoulder - it was a milestone, of a sort. I've never stopped loving painting the human face, and I'd love to paint your loved-one too. Have a painting in mind? Email me. Let's talk.

Destruction is a Form of Creation

 

We did it! Yes, we did. Thanks to my girl Carol Marine, a bunch of Oregon artists gathered on Saturday to destroy some art that was asking for it, at our inaugural Bad Art Destruction Party!

Sharpies, knives, and small children were all involved. 

 

 

Here is Carol destroying one of her paintings.....and one of mine:

 

 what an honor!!!

 And here is my wonderful husband, helping the cause. 

Joseph Pfeiffer-Herbert's super-cute son Arlo running around with a stretcher bar necklace:

 Some more carnage:

This was actually a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. I was afraid I'd be nervous or sad about shedding some of this old, dead weight, but no - it was cathartic. Thanks for joining me for this.

Hopefully we'll have even more artists next year.... we will definitely be doing it again!!!!!

For even more, please visit Celeste Bergin's excellent blog.