Fall's Full of Color and Creativity!

"Enchanted Spot" 8x10 oil (on hold for show)

Happy fall all! As a painting instructor this is one of my busiest (and therefore favorite) months but because of that I haven't had that much time to participate Leslie's annual September "30 in 30" painting challenge.  But I still strongly believe that relatively small "almost" daily paintings are one of THE best ways to improve your painting skills so I hope you'll keep painting and growing!

In a previous post, I mentioned this is a sensible season to invest in both you and your creative tools. Unfortunately, I think many artists (and this is too bad) abandon art simply because they are using not the right materials. On the other end, I've had beginners spend thousands and that's not necessary either. Here are my thoughts on what you might want to upgrade or enhance in your studio or creative space:

• Does your color seem dull, strange texture? A student brand or old tube may be the culprit. Superior quality (professional artist) paint or simply fresh paint. Maybe slowly start replacing your student paint for a few nicer tubes of paint? That being said, there are some “student” paint pigments I still use and like (thalo blue for example). 
• Brushes seen better days? Better brushes or just new clean brushes with good edges, etc. I use mostly Silver Bristlons, Rosemary's and Winsor Newton Monarchs since I prefer synthetics. In general these are in the 10-25 dollar range for small/medium sizes online but they also last much longer than craft quality brushes. Tip: Winsor Newton Non Toxic Brush Wash--pricey but you don't need much and works better than anything I've ever found. 
• Have you ever worked on the very best surface you can find? For oil painters this could be linen or Ampersand Gessobord.  And for really large paintings? I use one of the weekly coupons for one of the big craft stores or wait for a sale to buy their best gallery wrap canvas. 
• Easel—I really like a crank easels—In a dry climate (where wood splits/loosens) that’s just worth the extra cost for me because I know they will last a long time. Tip you can often find good easels used and a little paint splatter won't effect the function--just be sure to test them.  
• Tempered glass palettes are super easy to clean and strong--Haven't broken one yet! I buy mine online at Store Supply Warehouse. Be sure to cover your high quality paint and store in a cool place. 

I hope those tips make your fall painting adventure more enjoyable! P.S. There are a few spots left in my my next Denver oil painting class (6 weeks) starts on WED. October 26--Please visit the studio website for more info.

The Light in August

"Painted Path" 8x10 oil on Ampersand Gessobord (collection artist)

Happy August everyone! Many thanks to all my summer students who keep painting and working hard despite the many other enjoyable distractions of summer.

Happy hard-working oil painters in my Denver oil painting summer class

New August Oil Painting Workshop
Before my group painting classes resume this fall, I’m really looking forward to teaching an enjoyable 2 day “summer retreat” oil painting workshop at the Foothills Art Center in Golden on August 23/24. Think of it as a 2 day painting vacation—with comfortable AC! We’ll learn lots so come join us! You may get info and register for the workshop here: http://www.foothillsartcenter.org/adultsclasses/

Summer’s Picture Perfect
Quick reminder that summer is the perfect season for what I like to call “image collection.”  Whether your summer travels take to you exotic locales or just really enjoy local exploration like I do here are some quick tips for taking painting reference photos:

• Venues like cafes, parks, farmer’s markets, gardens, street scenes, festivals, neighborhoods, trails, marinas, the beach, etc. all make for interesting photo references you could use later for a class or workshop. 
• What makes a strong painting reference photo? That’s going to differ depending on your art goals but in general it might be a subject you enjoy (like my pinto horse today), or dramatic light and shadow, interesting shapes or textures, eye catching color, early or evening light, etc. Again the more photos you take the more ideas and options you’ll have.
• Once you have man photos it can be very helpful to take a few hours and sort them into groups or galleries with painting themes like landscapes, still lifes, flowers, skies and clouds, animals, people,etc. This makes it much easier and quicker to find just the right photo when you need it later. 

Finally, be sure to have some kind of back up for your photos—either with a cloud, online storage, or on a memory stick just in case. Happy photo gathering--Have a wonderful summer and hope to see you in a class soon!

The Competitive Spirit of Art

"Rooted in Red" 8x10 oil on canvas (avail. at Framed Image Gallery)

I have been up against tough competition all my life. 

I wouldn't know how to get along without it. 

Walt Disney

Happy Sunday everyone! I really enjoy this time of year because it always brings new artists into my life. I'm proud to say our town is filled with artists from all over the country as well as the world--I have several international students who are excellent painters. And last night I watched an inspiring documentary about history making ballerina Misty Copeland. It got me thinking even more about creative expression and competition.

Sometimes my art friends note (perhaps with a bit of concern) how "competitive" our town is (we do love our sports here-go Broncos!) and recently I heard a comic thank a Denver crowd for simply "coming inside." But I don't think this "outdoorsy" competitive spirit is necessarily a bad thing. (If nothing else living in a sporty fit town encourages me to be a healthier artist.)  

That being said, I don't think we want to get too hung up on what another successful artist is doing  and feel bad in our comparison. But with an art bar set high, I tend to be on the lookout for opportunities to grow and learn--In fact  have already signed up for a Derek Penix workshop in June and am really looking forward to that.


Speaking of competition one of my art goals for 2016 was to enter more juried shows.  I’m very happy to report that my little dressage horse oil painting that I posted recently was juried into the Colorado Horse Council’s upcoming March equine art show. If you like art and horses (or both) be sure to come out for this family friendly event! You can find more info here.

Spring Painting Classes Starting Soon!
My popular Thursday oil painting class Park Hill Art Club (PHAC) begins March 17—which is also the day of my demo and spring workshop preview at noon. I offer both a morning and afternoon session (you may also stay for both). Registration opens at 7A this Tuesday Feb. 23. Classes often fill quickly. Please visit PHAC for more info and to register.

If you're looking for a painting class closer to the south part of town, my Feb/March class at Curtis Art Center in Greenwood Village starts this WED. Feb 24. at 9:30. This is a really comfortable class room with super nice artists so come join us! If you have any questions about my painting classes as always please email me. Looking forward to seeing you soon at the easel or other art event!

The Touchstone of Painting

"Melon Medley" 8x10 oil painting on archival canvas panel--SOLD

Bring a brioche, I want to see you paint one: still life is the touchstone of painting. Manet

Happy mid-January everyone! I love getting “back to work” after the holidays. I’m not really someone who enjoys longs breaks so I’m really enjoying teaching all my new winter session classes out and about and in my studio.

Each week I’m blessed to work more than 30 creative painting students! If you teach you know this can be a lot of energy output but it’s so rewarding and inspiring. (For more info about my classes please visit my Denver painting class/workshop page on my website.)

As a busy art instructor (thanks students!) I'm often asked how I make time for painting. It's not always easy but it helps to stay so motivated that it would be strange NOT to paint. Painting challenges like this month's "30 in 30" help as does teaching. Winter is also a great time of year to be inventory building for the spring and summer shows.

Speaking of summer, I know watermelon is more of a summery fruit but I've always loved the intense color pop that certain fruits can add to a still life (think of Cezanne's oranges.) Or just look at these two beautiful still life examples featuring watermelons from masters Peale and Bongart. Angus Wilson (a color contemporary still life painter) also includes melons in his works.

Sarah Peale

Sergei Bongart

Thanks for stopping by! I wish you a healthy creative week and continued happy painting to all the 30 in 30 challenge artists!

Things That Have Never Been: Happy 2016!

"Blue Ice Gull" 8x10 oil on linen panel--SOLD

And now we welcome the New Year…

Full of things that have never been.

Rainer Maria Rilke

Don’t you love fresh starts? As a painter the start of the year always feels like a squeaky clean slate (or should we say big blank canvas?) on which you have the opportunity to paint your life anyway you want...

After an enjoyable but looong holiday break, I’m so excited to see my students again next week at my group classes. I still have a few painting class openings (Tues and Wed mornings) so give yourself a creative treat and paint with us! You can click here for more info about my Denver painting classes and art workshops.

As many of you know it’s not always easy painting throughout the holidays but I’ve managed to get a few bird daily paintings done such as today’s hungry gull (who like me would probably rather be at the beach) sliding around an icy pond on a sunny but frigid AM here in Denver.

For many daily painters January also means the return of Leslie’s AHA “30 in 30” painting challenge! I signed up (as I think over 1,000 artists have from around the world) and am going to try my best to keep painting and posting as much as I can during a fun but hectic teaching month. Did you know there's also now an AHA artist forum which you can find here.

Speaking of classes, since I first heard the news I’ve been looking forward to Dreama Tolle Perry’s online class which some of you may know starts next week after much anticipation. If I’m reading Dreama's emails correctly I’ll need to set my alarm for 4AM to register in my time zone. 

Since I’m teaching (thankfully) and can’t make it to a Dreama workshop this winter (as I’ve been lucky to do in the past) it’s worth it. Anyway, I can’t wait to paint “along with Dreama” again. Assuming I get in, perhaps I'll meet up with some of you "online" enjoying her class as well.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and colorful new year filled with amazing creative adventures and life changing discoveries! P.S. Happy Birthday to all you creative Capricorns like my niece who turns the big 0-9 today!

Art with Altitude: Celebrating Arts Week!

"Silver Bow" 8x10 oil on panel at Framed Image

November is a wonderful month for both artists and collectors in Denver. It marks our annual Arts Week and there are tons of varied art activities all around our mile high city.

Tomorrow I’m heading down to the DAM to see the new Wyeth exhibit which I’ve been looking forward to for ages. Can't wait to see some of these paintings that I've only seen in print in person. 

The Wyeth Show runs through February 7, 2016 at the DAM

Also this weekend, going to a Daniel Sprick/Quang Ho opening night/talk at the Curtis Art Center (where I’m teaching a workshop earlier that day) and also (I told you there was a lot) participating in the Annual Fall Park Hill Art Club sale this weekend.

If that weren’t enough, I see that that legendary realist painter David Leffel is demoing at Gallery 1261 this Saturday and if I wasn’t teaching I wouldn't want to miss this. 

If you're looking for more art inspiration in November and December I have one painting workshop left this year on Saturday, November 21 at Curtis Arts Center and I also have openings in my open studio class on Tuesday mornings. Also my new 2016 class info will be available soon!

For more info about these write to me or please visit the Classes/Workshops page on my website. Thanks everyone for supporting the arts and especially to all my fellow Denverites for help to make our home such a thriving creative village for artist and art lovers!

Painting in the Heart of Autumn

"Sunny Bug" 8x10 oil on linen pane--SOLD---Thank you!

I love when other artists take the time to review a painting workshop they've taken or demo they've attended so I promise I will post my review of  Peggi Kroll Roberts' workshop soon. Spoiler alert (and probably no surprise to many of you): It was phenomenal from start to finish!

Since I took two "light and shadow" workshops (see Tim Horn in previous post) back to back I've been considering at a wider variety of subjects such as this cute but rusty VW bug parked outside one of my classrooms. (My first car was a burgundy VW Rabbit that barely survived the 1,269 mile road trip to Denver long, long ago so also I have a soft spot for vintage VWs.)

October is flying by so I quickly wanted to share a few November events coming soon! 

2 Fall Weekend Workshops @ Curtis Arts Center in Greenwood Village, CO
I rarely teach on the weekends but I’m offering 2 fun Saturday workshops—Fall Colors (any painting media) and Mixed Media. Please visit my website class page or email me for more info.

Silent Art Auction & Reception: Nov. 7
Curtis Arts Center is also hosting their annual Silent Fine Art Auction on SAT. Nov. 7 from 6P to 8P where collectors can bid on affordable fine art from instructors, students and other artists in the area. 

Park Hill Art Club Fall Art Show and Sale: Nov. 13-15
This popular 3 day art sale features a huge variety of art (bin and framed) from hundreds of members and instructors (include myself). Please visit the PHAC site for more info. Original art makes a unique and personal holiday gift!

November "Daily Painting" Class: Tuesday AM from 9A to Noon 
This is casual open studio where I work with each student at their own level in oil or acrylic painting. At Blackridge Artists School. Be sure to also check their upcoming workshops!

Many thanks to my all my hard working fall students and wishing you all a colorful and creative autumn week!

Painting the Light: Tim Horn Workshop Review

"Light Gray Steps" horse painting 8x10 oil on gesso board--SOLD--Thank you!

Happy October! In the past 2 months, I "invested in me" and took 3 wonderful painting workshops here in Denver at Blackridge Artists School (where I currently offer a Tues. morning open studio class).

Quick shout out to all the artists I met at the workshops who took time to offer support, kind comments and much inspiration! Hope to cross painting paths with you in the future.

But with nine intensive days of learning and painting as well as teaching my own classes (thanks fall students!) I’m running a little behind posting. In no way does this reflect my enthusiasm for the workshops and my eagerness to share them with you.

Known for his rosy golden California landscapes Tim Horn’s fantastic 3 day workshop focused on seeing and painting light and shadow. I loved Tim’s straightforward exercises such as black/white notan sketches which helped to simplify and organize busy landscapes (buildings, cars, boats, telephone poles, etc.). FYI, here's an excellent article by Tim about Sketching for Painting.

Tim demonstrates an example of a light and shadow notan from his photo reference.

Exercise: Small light and shadow studies--super helpful!

Close up of Tim's light and shadow thumbnail example (note the warm peachy tone)

Tim also had the class study and paint the effects of sunlight using colored blocks which you can see here. An excellent exercise to try if you're new to outdoor painting! Notice how much these blocks resemble the planes of a building...

Colored blocks on sunlit table to help study light shadow planes

Tim blocking in shadow shapes of blocks (note his colors are on side panel away from mixing area)

 find one of the benefits of a decisive "yes/no" light/shadow approach is the painting often falls into place after you block in your cooler dark shadow shapes. Then the warmer thicker light passages act as the icing on the cake or canvas if you will.

Tim shares his sketch book (he likes Moleskine and a Monolith 4B pencil)

You can see (hopefully) my application of this exciting approach in my horse painting today. (Thanks Miss Jenny for letting me take pics of your lovely horse.) Before we ventured outdoors Tim had us work on simple limited palette mini landscapes (above) as well as a larger light and shadow practice painting which you can see here. 

My 9x12 light and shadow exercise from Tim's photo of a Maine harbor.

Tim painting a bungalow across the street late PM Day 1

Here are some more workshop pics including Tim's informative and enjoyable demos--even when the light didn't quite cooperate or someone drove off in the car Tim was painting!

Tim starts another demo on Day 2 with simple big shapes

The workshop class enjoying Tim's demo--even though it was a little overcast.

Who knew a garage and an an alley could make such a nice painting?

Thanks again Tim for visiting Denver and for such an informative and enjoyable workshop. I'm already reaping rewards back in the studio. Next up: Painting with Peggi! In the meantime happy fall painting!

All These Lovely Tokens

"Appeeling Orange" 6x8 oil on canvas panel--SOLD--Thank you!

By all these lovely tokens September days are here, 

With summer's best of weather And autumn's best of cheer. 

Helen Hunt Jackson

Happy September everyone! Little late in posting today for the “30 in 30” debut because I was at jury duty this AM (pretty good excuse right?) and then treated myself on a Tuesday to a delightful taco patio lunch with friends (it’s a gorgeous day!) but I’m back in the studio now. 

I love the back to school season! This month, I’m honored to be teaching 3 classes and taking at least 2 interesting workshops. I still have room in my Tuesday afternoon Colorful & Quick (Successful Daily Painting) class. Click here for more info. I’m also taking both an abstract workshop as well an oil painting workshop with artist Tim Horn. 

Tim Horn Landscape Painting

I’ve always been drawn to Californian paintings. That distinct glowing light always gives a strong but comforting déjà vu. So Tim’s work caught my eye right away. I feel very lucky Tim’s offering a workshop not far from my studio at the Blackridge Artist School.

As if September wasn’t busy enough (and again I couldn’t be more grateful for this) it also marks the beginning of Leslie Saeta's "30 in 30” painting challenge as many of you know. I’m sticking with color as my theme and posting an oil painting study of oranges (the color as well as the subject.)

As part of the challenge I'm also going to try to read an art book a day (OK maybe every few days). Today's book is LoriMcNee’s new book: Fine Art Tips. It features many contemporary painting masters (such as Denver’s own renowned Dan Sprick). If you like "step by step" painting approaches as well as some helpful business tips from Lori I’ll think you’ll enjoy this as well. Thanks everyone and to my fellow "30 in 30" artists have a great month of painting!

Daily Painting by the Book

Exercise from Oil Painting: The Workshop Experience 6x8 oil on panel

 A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors. (Charles Baudelaire)

Happy August Friday everyone!  Busy working on some small commissions and getting ready to teach my “almost” daily painting (DP) class which starts next Wednesday. I’ve been looking forward to this class all year!

I’m also teaching another DP class in September which I’m pleased (and flattered) to report say “sold out” quickly. So thank very much artists (returning and new) for your loyalty and interest in my new classes!

Come paint the colors of fall with me in November!

New: Fall Weekend Denver Painting Workshops
Speaking of classes, I’ve just added two new fun November weekend painting workshops at the Curtis Art Center: Artfully Autumn/Fall Colors and Mixed Media Masterpieces. You can find more info about these painting workshops here.

Painting Exercise/Study of Goerschner landscape 6x8 oil on panel

Summer Art Reading
I read new art books all the time in the summer but I also like to revisit favorites like this week’s Oil Painting: The Workshop Experience by the late Ted Goerschner. (Usually on Amazon used for just a few dollars.)

I love art technique books with painting exercises you can practice as you read along. (How to See Color and Paint It is another good one.) These "step by step" paintings can be great warm ups or just an easy way to try a different approach. 

Today I’m sharing the 2 small landscapes I painted “along with” Ted in his book which also includes clean color and design tips as well as some valuable "before and after" critiques of student landscape paintings. And of course, Ted's high chroma light and shadow paintings are enjoyable on their own.

OK, gorgeous day for a sunny patio happy hour here in Denver but I still have some work in the studio before I can call it a day. Cheers! Enjoy your summer weekend everyone!

You Can't Steal a Gift

Student "master copy" of Edgar Payne landscape (acrylic on canvas)

“You can’t steal a gift. Bird [Charlie Parker] gave the world his music, and if you can hear it you can have it.” Dizzy Gillespie

I'm back from my beachy summer break following June's Summer Art Market. It was a super busy sunny (rain free!) successful weekend! Thanks to everyone who helped and supported me--art shows take a village! Special gratitude to my collectors for ongoing their support of SAM and the Denver art community.

Coming Soon! Fall Painting Classes and Workshops
Back in the studio I've been putting together some really interesting new fall classes and workshops which you can find on the my website. Hope to see you there!

I'm particularly thrilled to be joining the Park Hill Art Club (PHAC) as a Thursday morning painting instructor starting September 17. Thank you again PHAC for inviting me!

My student Michele working on her version of a Wolf Kahn landscape.

If you're a Denver artist and not yet a member be sure to check out this very established and active group of almost 300 artists (you don't need to live in the Park Hill area to join). PHAC offers high quality affordable classes, workshops and other painting events.

Lately several of my students have been working on "master" copies (see Anita's lovely Payne landscape posted today). So wanted to share some thoughts about why a master copies are so helpful to artist. (Along these lines have you read Steal Like an Artist yet?)

In many ways the act of creating a painting is problem solving. For an artist viewing a great painting by a master artist is visual gift. One that helps us "solve" the same puzzle we're about to tackle.

Yes, I often work from photos. But the more I work with other artists I also find that painting (copying) another painting vs. painting (copying) from a photo reference is more relevant experience. It’s “apples to apples” or more specifically it’s “paint to paint” rather than “pixels to paint.”

Here are 10 questions you may find helpful while reviewing a masterwork (or a painting you simply really love.)

1. How do you think the artist started their painting? Why?
2. What colors (and even more specifically what pigments) did they use and why?
3. What attracts and holds your eye?
4. Why do you think they painted what they did?
5. How have they created form?
6. How did they arrange their values? Is there a dominant value?
7. Where do you see hard edges? Softer edges?
8. What design elements and principles can you find?
9. Consider the paint application and brushwork--Is it heavy, thick, thin, washy?
10. What do you like best? Least? Finally what elements could you incorporate into your own painting?

Thanks everyone--Have a sunny safe summer weekend!

Learning & Teaching: New Workshop Announcement

"Garden Jumble" oil on linen (work in progress)

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. Ghandi.

First, hi to all my new recent students--It's been wonderful working on some exciting painting projects this past month. As always, thanks for sharing my studio.

Speaking of teaching, I'm very pleased to announce I'm teaching 3 painting workshops (6 weeks each) starting this May at the lovely Curtis Arts Center in Greenwood Village. This is a great option if you are looking for an adult group class or specific theme workshop. The Curtis Center has a very nice comfortable class room as well. I thought long and hard about the themes. I hope you like them as much as I do. Here's the workshop line up. Again, each session is 6 weeks on Wednesday mornings.

• May 6: Confident Color for Oil Painters
• June 24: Colorful Nature (Painting Florals)--Subject focus so your favorite medium!
• August 12: "Almost" Daily Painting--Primary focus oils but other media OK

You can find more info about my workshops on my Scarlet Owl Studio website or please feel free to email me with any workshop questions.  

Curtis Art Center Classroom--comfy and well lit!

I've already started thinking about class agenda, exercises etc. We'll have fun but be prepared to work hard and learn lots!

The only thing I love more than painting and teaching is learning. I took a few days off this week to enjoy an excellent color workshop with western landscape master painter Jay Moore which took place at Jay's amazing studio in Parker, Colorado.

Met some wonderful talented artists, enjoyed many "aha" moments, and watched Jay paint a gorgeous landscape demo from start to finish. Really what more do want from a workshop?  I can't recommend Jay enough for a class or workshop--especially if you love landscapes.

Challenge Day 5: And the winner is....

"Reedy Redwing" 8x8 oil on panel
Please Click Here to Bid--Thanks!

Challenge Day 5. Yesterday I posted that  was giving away my pink rose painting to an artist who posted on Day 4 of Leslie’s 30in30 Challenge.  So drum roll please…

And the lucky random number was entry number 229!  That's a a lovely landscape by painter Ms. Donna Pierce-Clark from Ohio—Be sure to check out her gorgeous watercolors. Congratulations Donna and welcome to my new followers!

Like a lot of folks this time of year I’ve got a slew of things going on—Some art related, some not. Like out of town visitors, taking a new class, enjoying the weather, fall shopping, etc. Or today a massage which sounds relaxing but I’ve tweaked something in my upper back and want to be back at the easel as soon as possible.

Thankfully I painted a few small paintings in anticipation of the challenge and this is one of them. One of my favorite summer birds in Wash Park near my studio are the red-wing blackbirds. They’re lcheerful and fairly easy to take a pic of which is always helpful for painting.

My challenge was all those green reeds. So I toned the board with a warm (acrylic) coral wash of quin. burnt scarlet--one of my favorite toning colors. FYI, I just use a small cheap sponge brush for the toning (not too much water) so it takes less than a minute to cover the panel.

If you love painting anything with wings and feathers like I do, stay tuned for more details regarding my November painting workshop here in the Denver area. OK off for my massage where I’ll need to explain the hazards of a daily painting challenge! And hopefully they’ll get me back up and running for the challenge! It's only Day 5...

From Comfort Zone to Twilight Zone: Challenge Day 2

"The After Hours" 8x10 oil on panel
Click Here to Bid--Thank You!

Happy Labor Day everyone! Before I talk about today’s challenge painting, I wanted to announce that I’ll be teaching a fun and exciting November painting workshop in the Denver area.  I'm super excited about the workshop (it's one of my favorite subject themes!). As soon as I have more details I’ll share them here.

In the meantime, for today’s Challenge Day 2 I wanted to paint a subject a little out of my let's say out of my nature subject "comfort zone." My first thought was a figure which used to paint frequently but rarely now. Then I remembered a photo reference I took earlier in the year...

One of my “guilty pleasure” classic TV shows that I sometimes catch late at night is the original black and white Twilight Zone. And one of my favorite TZ episodes is The After Hours. 

This is the episode where a young woman name Marsha, who’s shopping  in a creepy department store for a last minute gift, slowly comes to realize (spoiler alert) that she’s really a mannequin.

Edgar Degas--The Millinery Shop (Art Institute of Chicago)

I was reminded of this episode when I saw this “party ready” mannequin in a closed boutique late night in my neighborhood. The color palette also reminded me a little of one of my favorite paintings, Degas’ The Millinery Shop—also a “boutique” painting.  Hmm..Coincidence?

Happy Challenge Painting everyone and thanks for stopping by!