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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Banish the January Blahs With An Art Class!



Winter Clarity                              Oil/Cold Wax on Panel



 Happy New Year to you all!

I'm excitedly gathering supplies for my upcoming two-session class at my studio. We'll explore using oil paint, cold wax medium, and mixed media on wood panels and on two kinds of oil-friendly paper.This class is all about experimentation, boldness, and intuition--a great way to start 2015.

Cold wax mixes with oil paint to produce a gorgeous paint surface with a subtle sheen. In this two session workshop you’ll experiment with free and bold abstract work. Enjoy exploring this unusual and interactive medium. You’ll leave with several gorgeous pieces!
January 10 & 17   11-5

SE Portland, OR

Two spots left! Information/Registration on my site.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Three books and a movie for art-lovers



As this year starts to close, I want to share some inspiring material on abstract art that I've discovered this year. Not all of it is new--it's just been new to me and has kept me inspired.

The first is an e-book that I read on my Kindle app. This book is full of breathtaking black and white photographs that embody the spirit of wabi-sabi. I wish the book were available in print, but I certainly recommend the e-book. I keep going back to the photos and text (including haiku) and come away renewed.




Wabi-Sabi: The Beauty of Photography






Seth Apter's second North Light book has been a revelation. I have meant to review it here so many times! Each time that I look through it for things to include in a review, I get distracted by the stunning and meaningful art and the intimate feelings and thoughts shared by Seth and the guest artists. Reading the text is like getting soul-baring letters from members of your beloved tribe and feeling the warmth of connection with each one.

The book does include tricks and tips, and thank heavens, it does not include "how you can make a piece exactly like mine." The book urges us to look within ourselves and to mine deeply for the gold within us with the same courage and humor as the artists in this book.

You can get this free if you have Kindle Unlimited, but I strongly urge you to buy a print copy. I like to see the art work bigger and to enjoy the gorgeous design of the book. And to hold the book lovingly in my hands as I drool over it.








As I become more and more committed to intuitive abstract painting, I look for books on mid to late 20th century art--something I neglected to some extent in my first foray into teaching myself art history. Now that I work in abstraction, I find myself responding to work that seemed beyond my grasp in the past. I recently purchased a large book by Jane Livingston called The Paintings of Joan Mitchell. I have been aware of Mitchell's work for some time, but this book allowed me to immerse myself in her color, composition,and boldness. 

Mitchell received considerable recognition in her lifetime but, surprise, surprise, not as much as her Abstract Expressionist male peers. She is now highly honored, as she should be. Her work is unique and unafraid. If you are interested in making and/or appreciating abstract painting, I suggest you become familiar with Mitchell's work. This book makes it a joy to do so, from the stunning images to the story of Mitchell's artistic life.



You might also like a film on Mitchell, directed by the late Marion Cajori. The film has lots of footage of Mitchell painting, hanging around with friends, and just thinking. I love how when asked about her paintings (how she made them, their meanings, etc.) she just laughs and shrugs. 

The more I get into abstraction, the harder it is for me to talk about what I do. I'm pretty good with words in most cases, but ask me about my art and I go blank. I can imagine why this is true for many abstract painters, and was especially true for Mitchell. Her work comes from an emotional and visual place that is deeper than words.



You can watch the film streaming on Hulu Plus, get the DVD from Netflix, or buy the film from Amazon.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Visual Haiku in Salem



Last weekend I was privileged to teach at a new venue for me: The Art Department, Inc. in Salem, Oregon. Owner Katy Vigeland is a delight to work with and I was thrilled that she took the class also.

I lived in Salem many years ago and there was nothing like The Art Department there then. That was long before I became an artist, though as I told the class, I may have become one much sooner if there had been a store like Katy's in Salem when I was there.

The class was called "Visual Haiku." It's a  concept that is a bit hard to explain, but everyone got it! They all did really complex and lovely work. Here are some works from the class, both finished and in progress. I showed the class how to seal their pieces with cold wax. Apparently in doing so I got cold wax on my camera lens, rendering a few of the pictures unusable. Those of you who know me won't be a bit surprised.

















































Monday, October 27, 2014

Hunting and Gathering Report with Free Victorian Photos for You



I found these Victorian cartes de visite at my local antique mall this afternoon. A couple of them were from photography studios in Sweden. 

I've noticed that cabinet photos and cartes de visite I've found at garage sales and second hand stores around my town of Portland, Oregon often come from Sweden. 

I recently found out that my neighborhood, Montavilla, was once home to a large Swedish population. The builder of our 1905 house was from Sweden. I recently met his grandaughters who very kindly sent me copies of photos of him and his wife and of our house when it was first built.

I'm going to put the photo of the Lindstroms up where they can see their house. I love knowing some of the history of our home.

Here are some high resolution images for you to use in collages or other art work. Enjoy!











Wednesday, October 15, 2014

More Waxy Pictures from Art and Soul--Oil and Cold Wax Class Images




This images are from "Baby, It's Cold!"--a class I taught at Art and Soul in Virginia Beach. This class was full of brave students who were willing to experiment with a new medium. A few had tried oil paints mixed with cold wax before, but for most it was a very different experience than working with the water-based mediums they are used to. Some of these pieces are finished and others are works in progress. I was amazed and thrilled at the bold work produced in this class!

These pieces were done on Arches Oil Paper and TerraSkin Stone Paper. Neither of these papers has to be gessoed before starting to use the oil and and wax!

Some of the pieces have lightweight paper collaged into them.