Celebrating the Most Creative Season!

"Wildflower Waltz" Gold Leaf and Oil--20 x24-Now showing at 910 Event Gallery

Happy December all! A million thanks to friends, students, fellow artists, and family for all helping to make Opening Night of the Spirits Bright Holiday Art Show last Friday night so successful!

From the easel to the gallery!

Prior to the show, I was (relatively) lucky to have an injury (broken toe still healing...) where I could still sit and paint. But, as many of you know, after the art is complete there are still tasks like framing, transport, supply shopping, marketing, PR, party planning, etc.

Friends and family checking out the colorful art!

All of which I actually enjoy but challenging when you can't drive or walk so very special kudos to everyone who offered and provided extra assistance during their own busy holiday schedules! I couldn't have done the show without you.

Bad timing injury aside, it’s always thrilling to get your painting out of the studio and share them in person with lots of folks who otherwise might not get to see them.

Landscapes and treats for the guests!

We were blessed with very mild late November weather on Friday night and had over 115 visitors! I couldn’t have been happier with the turn out. It was a wonderful way to kick off the show.

Over 5,000 art lovers flock to the Denver Art District on First Friday

I’m already looking forward to being a part of Denver’s Santa Fe Street Art District very popular First Friday Art Walk (over 40 galleries participate) next Friday—December 7. Many of the galleries have live music, food (Tip: Fellow foodies be sure to check out the food trucks!), refreshments, and artists in attendance. Parking can be limited so be sure to take advantage
of the free First Friday shuttle transportation.

Looking for more relaxing art night? Check out Collector’s Night which is the Third Friday. Finally, thanks again to my fellow Denverites (yep that's what we're called) for supporting artists and the arts! Wishing you all a colorful and creative holiday season!

The Power of the Creative Carrot

 

Who loves color? 30x40 acrylic on gallery canvas--SOLD--Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving week everyone! Next Friday is the opening of my Spirits Bright holiday show at 910 Arts and I’m just about ready. Twenty paintings (gulp) didn’t sound like very many when we started to think about having a show back in the summer…No biggie, that’s just 1 or 2 small paintings a week…Right?

But as with any large creative project it usually (always?) takes more time than you think. Plus most of my paintings are oil so there’s  extra varnishing and framing time you need to account for. (FYI, my favorite quick “go to” varnish for oil and/or acrylic paintings is Kamar spray by Krylon.)

For those of you who like to make lists, goals, etc. I think you’ll agree that it can be  helpful to have rewards and incentives tied to milestones. I had an art instructor once who always splurged on a fancy cocktail dress each time she got into a gallery. For me, I prefer to have an “internal” and an “external” reward. In the case of achieving my 20 painting goal, my internal goal (or emotional goal if you will) was giving myself the permission and freedom to create ANY painting I wanted.

Any subject (or no subject at all), any medium, any size, favorite colors, etc. For example, when faced with what color to use in the background above I first choose black for the contrast--but it didn't feel quite right. So asked not what was the "correct" choice but what was my favorite color? And the answer was any blue green “sea tone” so I went with that instead.

To start, I grabbed a nice roomy 30 x 40 canvas, some acrylics (since I’d mostly been working in oils and smaller and some inexpensive big acrylic brushes. And then I asked again: What’s the painting I want? What shapes do I like? Not what color is academically or theoretically correct for this spot but what color do I simply like better? Without those usual pressures this painting emerged fairly quickly. For me this was the perfect reward.  So the next time you need a motivational creative carrot just do what you want to do to do. Holiday Cheers everyone!

OPA Master Jeff Legg Still Life Demo

"Botanic Bulb" 8x8 oil on gallery canvas--On Hold for November Show

Save the Date! Spirits Bright Show: Friday, November 30

I'm pleased to announce my next art show "Spirits Bright" which will open November 30 at the 910 Events Center Gallery in the Denver Art District on Santa Fe. I also plan to be in attendance for First Friday Art Night on December 7. Everyone is invited and I look forward to seeing you in person!

Jeff Legg: A Classic Approach to Still Life

As much as I love to stay in and paint or read a good art book by a cozy fire on gray, chilly days sometimes you just need to get out and see in person what other artists are up to. As I mentioned in a previous post, a couple of weeks ago on an overcast Saturday I had the pleasure of watching three master oil painters demo at Gallery 1261 in Denver: Jeff Legg (still life), Theresa Vito (portrait), and Quang Ho (clothed figure). I enjoyed each demo and will post my pics of all of these as I have some extra time. I was a bit under the weather with my injured foot--so I didn't take a ton of notes but I hope you'll enjoy the demo pics.

The audience at Gallery 1261 watches as Jeff Legg begins his demo

I'll start with Jeff Legg who a Master Signature Member of OPA, is often featured in magazines, and known his "old masters" approach to his subjects. I also saw on Jeff's website that he has a new teaching video a similar setup as well as workshop info for those of you interested in seeing more of his technique.

Legg uses a draped "black box" to help control his light condtions

Jeff Legg begins his tonal still life block in

Artist Jeff Legg started the day off by painting a “traditional” still life which you can see was set against a dark background lit with a single dramatic light source. He began as you can see with an umber toned board which makes sense with this strong light and shadow approach.  I’ve always admired how skilled still life painters are masters at capturing a variety of textures—the brass pot vs. a cantaloupe for example.You can see Mr. Legg's beautiful finished still life here.

Jeff Legg still life setup--detail of melon slice an vase

Legg adding more color and thicker paint to his subjects

For this demo, Legg used quicker drying alkyd oil paints

Legg demo "final" after about 2 hours

For more tips about setting up a successful still life, check out this helpful post by artist Lori McNee.

When Every Leaf is a Flower

"October Road" 18x24 oil on canvas

$425--Please click here to purchase through my online gallery. Thanks!

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
Albert Camus

First  many thanks to all my painting students and friends for their patience, get well wishes and “medicinal” chocolate as my broken toe heals.  If any of you have broken or fractured a bone, you know it’s pretty uncomfortable. Plus, I’m a constant multitasker so having limited mobility is a well, also a different kind of pain.

But, the “silver lining” is that you’re pretty much stuck so that’s keeping me focused on the work at hand.  As I noted in my previous post, I’m currently working on some slightly larger oil paintings in anticipation of a group art show late in November at the 910 Arts Event Gallery. 

"Acorn Study" 8x8 oil on panel

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

More specifically, I’ve been considering a series of paintings inspired by natural elements (fallen leaves, tree roots, river banks, gardens, etc.) based on photos I’ve taken in the past few months.  I recently went for a short hike (thankfully before the toe incident) along the Bear Creek near Evergreen, Colorado.

Walking along Bear Creek in late September near Evergreen, CO

The creek hiking trail is a favorite location for many local painters-In  fact there was a large plein air group setting up as I was walking around.  Although, I’ve heard there are indeed bear and rattlesnakes to be on the lookout for. 

Plein Air painters in Lair o Bear near Evergreen, Colorado

Also, before I forget I’m gradually closing in on my 250th blog post—Which I’m very excited about!  I’ll be doing something special for that post so be sure to check back. Thanks—wishing you as always a week of creativity and color!