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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Painting and Finding Snow

Portrait of Lucrezia Panciatichi (detail) after Bronzino


I'm working on an article for Cloth, Paper, Scissors that will appear in the May-June issue. The article and finished pieces are due January 10, so I've been working away! I won't give details about the article yet, but the assignment includes painting four pieces after famous painters, such as the one above. I learn so much doing this copying. I will never make a professional forger, as my paintings don't look just like the originals. Still, that isn't the point of the exercise. Rather, I do it to learn to see how experienced painters get the effects they do, and to expand my repertoire of skills and practice seeing better what is there.



Vineyard in the Snow


Before I show more of those, I want to share a couple of pictures I took Sunday at Cathedral Ridge Winery in Hood River. Some friends won a tour of the winery in an auction and they were so generous to invite us to go with them. I wasn't sure where we were going when we got in their car, so it was a delight to take the scenic ride up to Hood River and see beautiful snow. The wine was great, too!



At Cathedral Ridge Winery


Saturday, a trip to Monticello Antiques yielded this sweet old doll in need of love. My partner says it's creepy. I think she's beautiful. She has a sweet face and is just suffering the ravages of time. I can relate. Do you think she's creepy or cute?



I vote for cute.



At the Ball(detail) after Berthe Morisot



Portrait of a Young Woman (detail) after Petrus Christus



Two Tahitian Women (detail) after Gauguin

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Giveaway Winner and Altered Books


A Sacred Dish


Last week the PSU class I teach, Women, Creativity, and Healing, met for final projects and a celebration gathering. We dressed in our fancy clothes and had a delicious potluck that included home-made chocolate cupcakes, and the above dish. This is from a student's family recipe and involves bacon, eggs, and spaghetti. What's not to like? We all ate too much while the students shared the altered books they made for one of their class projects.

The students said I could share with you, so here are a few of their pages:
























*******

Barbara Lewis has won my current Giveaway Contest! You saw Barbara's lovely work a few posts back. Congratulations, Barbara!


Thanks to everyone who came to the studio Saturday despite the pouring rain and cold. It was a delightful day with you all and a successful event! And congratulations to Phil and Sally Potestio who won the Silent Auction!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Guest Artist Appearance and a Reminder



The Shadow of the Vampire


I'm pleased to be a guest artist this week on
Michael de Meng's blog. He's got some great sketches on his post "Sketched Out Monday", including his drawing of Nosferatu. This Nosferatu is the evil, deliciously scary vampire in a 1921 German Expressionist horror film. I used an image of him similar to the above in my first visual journal to represent the dastardly self-critic that pops up occasionally in the thoughts of artists. I saw this movie only once, in my 20's, and have never forgotten it. Now I'm inspired to watch it again. But not alone...


Vienna Autumn
Encaustic/Mixed Media



Reminder!


This coming Saturday, the 11th, Diane Havnen-Smith and I host our Annual Holiday Art Sale at my studio in the Montavilla area on SE 80th between Salmon and Taylor Court. We'll have lots of affordable goodies, conversation, treats, and a Silent Auction. Hope to see you there!

Friday, December 3, 2010


Wabi-Sabi Accordion Book: An example of
the affordable delights you'll find at our sale


Diane and I want to cordially invite you to our fourth annual holiday sale. Diane and I have shared a therapy office for four years and have shared many happy days creating. We are looking forward to our holiday event and hope you'll join us for art, conversation, and treats. We'll feature a Silent Auction as well as lots of affordable gifts and treasures. Hope to see you there!


Holiday Art & Craft Sale

Serena Barton

Diane Havnen-Smith

Saturday, December 11

11-6

The Art of Your Life Studio

SE 80th between Salmon St. and Taylor Court, Portland


Journals, small art work, bags,

altered books, prints, assemblages,

vintage items, original collage papers,

gift certificates for classes, & other delightful curiosities