Flora, Ernest, and Alvah Become a Painting.

Lately I've been doing a lot of art work in
encaustic and collage and haven't done a canvas painting for some time. I started a new painting last Thursday at my friend Diane's studio. Seeing a lot of paintings in New York recently inspired me to get back to canvas and paint for awhile. After I got to Diane's for our weekly studio get-together, I felt like I wanted to start a painting immediately. Diane and I went to Art Media and I got a 36" square canvas. I have a show coming up in a large space so I wanted to do something BIG. When we got back to Diane's I roughed out this composition, based on this old photograph of my great-grandfather and his siblings.

I've been fascinated by this photograph for quite a while. The children have to hold so still, yet it seems that their personalities come through.

I decided to do this painting in acrylic, though usually I use oils when I have a large canvas. The time factor was the reason for this decision, as acrylics dry much faster and I could paint more quickly. I also wanted to work quickly because I wanted to work more loosely. One trick that helps me work loosely is using a fairly large brush and resorting to small ones only when absolutely necessary, such as for the highlights in the pupils.



Here to the left is the initial underpainting. I found I was able to be really loose and get the drawing down quickly. Often paintings from photographs look stiff. Here I had a photograph where the children held themselves stiffly to pose. I wanted them to look alive and like real children struggling to hold still.

I wanted the girl, Flora, to be the main character in the painting. I cropped the image when I put it on canvas, even more after the first draft.

Painting from a photo also offers a series of questions about how much to try to copy the photo and how much to create your own interpretation. I wanted to go for the characters of the children as I saw them, not just copy realistically.
(I don't tend to be able to copy an image exactly, so it is a good thing I don't want to.)



Below left is the next stage. I moved the older brother, Alvah, so that he was partly cut off from the frame. This was a modern kind of crop that I thought would be interesting in contrast to the old fashioned children. No face for anyone but Flora. I then gave the baby Ernest and Alvah faces. At this point Flora's dress seemed to be getting too stiff. I finished going over the background with a lighter color. Alvah's pants got very dark. His hands were too long. I went to bed.

Then oh dear, Alvah lost his face. For some reason I had trouble with it. On the other had, baby Ernest's face came into focus just the way I wanted it to. (Ernest grew up to own a general store in Nebraska. He and my great-grandma Nellie, daughter of a Civil War veteran, came to Oregon in a covered wagon.)

I used Photoshop to try out new shirt colors for Alvah. The purple is an example of what would not have worked. I was glad I tried it in Photoshop first!

Here is as far as I have gotten.

Alvah has a new face. I softened Flora's to be more like the original sketch. I got some family feedback that her hair looked odd so I parted it in the middle
and reduced the poofiness. Alvah's pants got lighter. The stripes on his shirt got darker. The curtain has a brighter pattern. I fiddled with the background and floor, changing it and then putting it back more where it was earlier. I improved the hem of Flora's skirt.
I changed her hands, making them truer to the sweet way she posed them in the original photograph.


Now, I really need to let this painting sit for awhile. I love beginning paintings and find the finishing to be the most challenging for me.

When I am sure it is finished I'll take a good photo and post it on the blog. Now, I need a rest!

Journaling Tips I've Learned

I've learned some interesting things in working on journals this past year. I find journaling to be a great way to find the art in the trivial and the everyday. I've also found that writing about an unpleasant event or aspect of life can bring me perspective and humor about the subject.

The two pages above left give an account of two inebriated men who crossed my path on Christmas Day, no less! The seated man sat next to me on the plane to New York. He was drunk, I realized, as he delivered himself of unacceptable opinions on the supposed sexual orientation of our flight attendant and of the need to close our borders to immigrants. He ended by calling us dorks for telling him to keep his opinions to himself. By including this delightful seat-mate in my journal, I was able to get rid of the bad feeling he left me with and to transform the experience into a somewhat humorous anecdote.

The man to his right I met while sitting on our friend

Thomas' stoop in Brooklyn. He too, had been imbibing and he mistook me for his estranged mother. It was an odd experience and again, it helped to get the incident in my journal. I also thought it was an interesting example of projection. In one day I had been a "dork" and a sainted mother.

Above right is an example of the trivial and fun--a slice of life!

I made the picture below left by using my imagination to create something out of a stain of spilled coffee on my journal page.

Below right is a page of the everyday--strange hats seen on subway riders during freezing weather. On the right of the hats is a page used to contain some emotions about a recent death in the family. I put the "stuff" in a box so I could come back to it at a later time.


The pages below commemorate breaking my glasses and going to Starbucks (left side) and seeing John Singer Sargent's "Madame X"



Below is a silly drawing of two Oregonians out in the NY rain. On the right is a collage of hand-painted papers. Sometimes my drawing Sharpie shows through the next page, so then I just do a collage on the page with the show-through.





I'm working on keeping the habit of taking my journal almost everywhere, along with pens and pastel pencils. Later I can add paint or whatever else I want. I've decided no experience or subject is too mundane for my journal, and that my journal can console, comfort, and inspire me any time I get it out, add to it, or go through it!

New York Inspiration

I have just returned from a long-awaited vacation in New York City! We stayed with our old friend Thomas Krever in Brooklyn and walked a bazillion miles while we were there. Re-entry after a vacation in another culture is always challenging, and New York is another culture! Brownstones, subways, New Yawk accents, a melange of colors and heritages, crowds, and tons of energy. Of course I had to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art.

I have to rave about seeing The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago. This incredible installation now has a permanent home at the Brooklyn Museum after being in storage far too long. I have known of this monumental work since the late 70's, but have to confess my attitude has been, yeah, yeah, The Dinner Party, the early Women's Liberation Movement, yeah, I know, I know. Now that I have seen the piece in person, I can't praise it enough. Walking many times around the triangular "dinner table" was amazing. Judy Chicago and her many helpers created intricate and evocative place settings for goddesses, artists, queens, poets, writers, and many other women who were important in their contributions to humanity. I can only begin to imagine how powerful it would have been to see this piece when it was first created. At that time women's history and experiences were much more invisible than they are today. Even now, in this supposedly "post-feminist" era, I felt so healed by imagining the women portrayed sitting down together for a feast. I feel that by creating this piece, Judy Chicago created a new reality for women, or perhaps, illuminated one that had always been there but was hidden for a long time. I felt in looking at this work that the women were sitting there together and always would be. I don't know if this makes any sense, but if you get the chance, go and see this work!

I want to tell the story of how I met Thomas, our gracious host. In 1995 I decided I would go on a tour of Italy where I had never been. My Italian Fever had been raging for some time at that point. Since my mate was starting school and was unable to go, I decided to go with a tour since it was my first trip to Europe since 1970. On the last night of the tour, Thomas, a lovely man named Dennis, our tour director, and I went to a late night club and danced for hours. This was a big deal for me, as I was in my mid-forties and thought my dancing days were over. It was a magical evening and it was hard to say goodbye to my new friends. Thomas and I had really hit it off as friends. He was 26 at the time and from the other side of the country (Brooklyn), but our mutual love of Italy and art brought us together. For some reason I thought of him often after the trip was over and finally wrote to him. We began a correspondence. He actually came out to Oregon to visit us, something most New Yorkers would never dream of. Shortly after that I took my first trip to N.Y. One year we went to NY to see Thomas dance at Lincoln Center. My mate stayed with him a couple of years ago while on temporary work assignment in NYC. Thomas is now the Executive Director of New York's Hetrick-Martin Institute which runs many important programs for youth, including the famous Harvey Milk High School. He has lunch with people like Cindy Lauper! Success has not changed his warmth and good will toward his friends from the provinces. I tell this story to illustrate how amazing life is when we take some chances. If I had not taken that trip to Italy I wouldn't have started making art and would not have known Thomas and his wonderful partner.

It was literally below freezing much of the time we were in New York. We walked many miles each day as we pursued the sights. We were out in weather that would surely keep us inside here in Portland. The goal now is to walk more at home. Hasn't happened yet...but I have hopes.

I plan to keep the gray and wet doldrums at bay this winter by making lots of art and offering opportunities for others to lift their spirits by doing so. My first workshop of the year is a favorite from last year, "Layers of Imagination/Memory". This is a chance for beginners and experienced collage artists to make evocative and personal work that honors a family member or creates an imaginary world. Here's the info:

A Unique Collage Workshop

This is a great opportunity to honor loved ones or create an imaginary world. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced collage artist, you'll find inspiration and support for creating your own magical world with collage.

Bring two images that you love, such as a reproduction of a vintage family portrait or a face from an old master painting. Learn fun techniques and leave with two magical collages that evoke your unique vision. Beginners welcome!

Sunday, January 20 10-4 PM

Tuition: 90. including supplies

Call Serena at 971-404-7664 or email seredot@msn.com

Happy New Year and thanks for reading my blog!

Pictures: Judy Chicago's Dinner Party; Thomas dancing with the Joan Miller Dance Company (he's in the foreground); Serena freezing in Manhattan, Close-up of The Dinner Party place setting for my fave, Artemisia Gentileschi

Latest Projects

I have just learned how to hand-decorate paper in a stunning way and doing this is my obsession this week. Diane Havnen-Smith and I spent a wonderful day in her Clackamas studio where she taught me some of what she learned from paper artist Jackie Crist. Above you will see a section of Diane's paper (third image down) and a section from my first attempt. I went out to Beaverton yesterday to pick up some "re-inkers" from The Peddler's Pack. (Re-inkers are one of the vital ingredients in this paper-designing process.) This wonderful store has more stamps than I have ever seen in one place as well as tons of other art supplies. Even if, like me, you fear the suburbs, it is well worth the trip. I found out from the owner that Jackie Crist will be teaching her paper decorating process there in January. I strongly recommend this class--this process is unusual and very relaxing, and you end up with amazing paper to use in collage, with painting, with encaustic , to cover books, wrap special gifts, and on and on...To register, contact http://www.peddlerspack.com.

Along with several co-members of the Portland Chapter of International Encaustic Artists, I am participating in a challenging exchange called, "The Diptych Project." (In case you don't know what a diptych is, it is a painting in two parts.) How this project works is that each of us West Coast artists receives a painted encaustic panel and a blank one of the same size from our "partner", one of the members of New England Wax. We have to complete the blank panel in a way that will make our partner's panel and ours become a complete work in two parts. We West Coasters paint another encaustic and send it and a blank panel to our New England partner. So we end up with one diptych here and one in Portland Maine. In February there will be a simultaneous show in Portland OR and Portland ME. Ours will be at Brian Marki Gallery.

This is a way cool idea and is more challenging than many of us thought. Many of us here in Portland have received paintings done in a very different style from our own. My partner's amazing encaustic can be seen above, the first image. Her name is Dawna Bemis. I just love it, but she does paint differently than I do. She's neat and I'm messy. I can't even figure out how she did some of the painting, like the dotted circles. And is that a comb at the bottom? So, after a period of being completely overwhelmed and having to come up with my own painting for her to complete, I wasn't so sure about this. I managed to lighten up and now I'm excited again and eager to play with the challenge of making a panel to go with hers that is still true to my own vision. There are some tiny words on her picture that say, "What if they find out". This gives me some interesting ideas for the other half of the painting.

The second picture above shows the completed panel I will send to my diptych partner, together with a blank panel. I even managed to use some of my handmade paper in it! I was inspired by Dawna's words to add text on my painting. Mine says, "I thought there was more time." I can't wait to see what she does with her blank panel!

Crazy for Paper Dolls

Lately I have renewed my interest in making paper dolls and fabulous outfits for them to wear. Does this mean I have returned to childhood? I suspect it means that in terms of loving to play I have never left it. I loved paper dolls as a child and still feel a thrill when I think about it. I loved picking them out in the store and cutting out the little tabs and "cut here"s, and then getting to see the outfits on the doll for the first time. So what if you had to hold the clothes on tightly as you made the doll bound through her exciting day?

Now I get to create my own dolls. In the past I have made paper dolls of Mona Lisa, Berthe Morisot (Impressionist painter), Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Jane Austen. and artist Suzanne Valadon. Alas, all but the first two are gone and you can buy a perfectly good Jane Austen commercially. However, it is time to bring back the others and add to the collection. Anyone you'd like to see in paper doll form?

You can see Mona and Berthe paper dolls at this coming weekend's 2nd Annual Holiday Sale. Diane, Jane, and I hope you'll come by and see us and have some treats and wassail. The two paper dolls are now also available at (where else?) the delightful shop, Paperdoll, 7909 SE Stark St. Owner Janene is holding a Birthday Bash this Saturday, so stop by after our sale and see what lovely supplies and gifts she has.

Thinking ahead, here's the Winter Class Schedule for The Art of Your Life:
Email me if you would like to register or have questions.

Banish cold and dreariness! Join us for exciting

Winter Creativity Workshops at

The Art of Life Studio!

January 20 10 AM-4 PM

Layers of Memory & Imagination

Create original collages in an exciting and productive workshop! Bring two images that you love, such as a reproduction of a vintage family portrait or a face from an old master painting. A variety of materials will be available to add to your images. You’ll learn fun techniques to create work that expresses your unique vision. You’ll leave with two magical collages.
Morning snacks provided. Bring a brown bag lunch and two canvases or canvas boards. All other supplies provided. Tuition: 90.

February 24 1-5 PM

Altered Alchemy

Come join us for this mind and book altering workshop! Bring an older book with a sewn binding. All other materials provided! We’ll explore using collage, painting, and embellishments, practice creating windows and niches, and discover many more fun altered book techniques. Tuition: 45.

March 30 1-5 PM

The Forgiving Medium

No, I’m not talking about a compassionate clairvoyant. I’m referring to acrylic paint and a fun and supportive workshop for beginners! Acrylics dry quickly, have brilliant colors, and can be painted over as many times as you want. We’ll cover ways to use acrylics from transparent washes to thick texture. We’ll experiment with mixing colors and explore various acrylic mediums and how they enhance acrylic paintings. Bring your desire to experiment and leave with two paintings. Bring two canvases or canvas boards in a size you’d like to work in: everything else is supplied. Tuition: 65.

Happy Holiday Season!

December: A New Workshop & A 3-Artist Show

December brings a gift-making workshop, "Hand-Made for the Holidays", and a three-artist holiday show and sale. Avoid the manic malls! Make a unique accordian book for someone special and/or pick up one of our unusual handmade gifts at the holiday sale.

"Hand-Made for the Holidays"

Create a personal accordian book for gift-giving! Bring copies of photos and 2-D memorabilia to mix with our plentiful supplies. You'll produce an attractive work of love for someone special. Sunday, December 9 from 10 AM-4PM
Bring a sack lunch and your images

(See accordian book above)

Tuition: 100. (includes supplies)
To Register: Send a 50. deposit to: Serena Barton, 1210 SE Oak St., Portland OR 97214. Feel free to email me at: seredot@msn.com or call: 971-404-7664 with any questions.

Holiday Show & Sale
The Art of Your Life & Innerstandings Studios

Art by: Serena Barton, Jane Kearney, & Diane Havnen Smith

(See pendant by Jane Kearney above)

1210 SE Oak St., Portland
Friday, December 7 6-9 PM
Saturday, December 8 11 AM-4PM

You'll find book arts, fine art pieces, paper dolls, photography, journals, jewelry and more. You can even sit down and make your own collage when all the heady shopping possibilities overwhelm you!

Thanks to all of you who have made art, viewed art, and loved art at The Art of Your Life this year! Have a loving and peaceful holiday season!

All warm wishes,

Serena

More November News

Here are a couple of pictures from my recent show that opened in Seattle on First Friday. The show is at Frame Up Studios in the Fremont District and will be up through November. The opening was lots of fun and I got to meet many art lovers from Seattle and a few visiting from Portland.

I have an opening in my women's creativity group, The Art of Life. This is a creativity/support group that meets Tuesday evenings from 7-9 PM. We are a humorous, irreverent bunch who explore all kinds of media with abandon. No previous art experience is necessary--really! The tuition is 35. for each two hour group. Supplies and inspiration are provided!