Gayle Bell's Art Studio

Kris Kuksi, artist extraordinaire

2011-09-18T22:50:00.001-04:00

Nice work.

Bizarre and intriguing paintings by Mark Ryden

2011-09-17T16:43:00.000-04:00

Mark Ryden paintings.

Portrait oil study

2011-09-16T16:42:00.001-04:00

Portrait oil study, a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

Fun with Fergie

2011-09-16T13:00:00.001-04:00

Daniel Ludwig, great painter

2011-09-15T12:32:00.000-04:00

The latest issue of American Artist has a great article about Daniel Ludwig. His paintings really speak to me.

"The Mona Lisa Curse"

2011-09-08T16:54:00.000-04:00

When free time presents itself, I'll have to watch this:

http://paintingperceptions.com/videos/the-mona-lisa-curse

Miss Piggy as Carmen Miranda

2011-09-05T19:13:00.004-04:00

Miss Piggy as Carmen Miranda, a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

This is the oil painting I submitted for the weekly challenge on Daily Paintworks.

Woman with black hat

2011-09-04T17:27:00.001-04:00

Woman with black hat, a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

Study done in Don Sondag's class during last semester at Crealde.

Optical Illusions and painting

2011-08-27T14:43:00.001-04:00

This optical illusion shows clearly the necessity of backing up frequently from the canvas while painting.

Gaining visual ideas from collage painting

2011-08-23T23:53:00.001-04:00

Very cool video on painting from collage in order to find your visual ideas. I was amazed how big the students were working. It must be very freeing. We're working on collage and painting in Henry Sinn's class and I'm hoping to absorb some of his free-spirited ideas and break out of my rut. I did two collages today but don't think they'd be useful in a painting just yet. I'll just have to keep working.

Portrait from Friday's open studio at Crealde

2011-08-20T14:32:00.003-04:00

John, 12" x 16" oil on canvas

Open studio at Crealde is from 1 to 3:30 on Friday. Being able to paint/sketch the models in one extended pose is helpful for the portrait artist as well as figurative artists. And the $10 charge, whether you're a member of Crealde or not, is the best deal in town.

Frans Hals at the Met

2011-08-14T17:59:00.006-04:00

Copy of Frans Hals detail in my sketchbook

My copy of Malle Babbe by Frans Hals, 12" x 15", oil on gessoed paper

One of my favorite artists, Frans Hals, will be at the Met through October 10th. Copying one of his paintings is a great lesson for the aspiring artist. His brush strokes are masterful and his portraits are sublime. Must see!

Avocado and feathers still life

2011-08-13T17:33:00.001-04:00

Avocado and feathers still life, a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

My brother's birthday present.

Paintings from Kenne Gregoire

2011-08-13T14:00:00.006-04:00

Great paintings from contemporary Dutch artist, Kenne Gregoire.

Cat Buddha

2011-08-12T22:56:00.001-04:00

Pastel painting of a cat Buddha.

Great vid of an Eagle Owl landing

2011-08-08T22:46:00.003-04:00

Good books for artists

2011-08-02T10:56:00.000-04:00

Good art blog with a link to books artists might like.
http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/good-reads-for-artists.html

Double Primary Palette

2011-07-27T09:36:00.000-04:00

Interesting post on "double primary palette" by the artist Mikki Senkarik.

The DPW challenge this week: Reflections

2011-07-12T13:55:00.000-04:00

"Reflections", 12" x 9" oil on canvas

My entry into the painting challenge this week at Daily Paintworks. The idea was to paint reflections and it definitely took some work. I'm always curious to see what the challenge will be from week to week and I know if I'm having an artistic block, there will be an idea there for painting. Plus it's fun to see how everyone else approaches the subject. Thanks DPW!

Great art--Nicole Gordon

2011-07-08T11:30:00.000-04:00

Here's a great artist with a kindred love of monkeys and Hieronymus Bosch. She puts it all together in a creative and wonderful way--Nicole Gordon.

My entry into the weekly painting challenge

2011-07-06T11:49:00.000-04:00

"Three Paint Tubes" 10" x 8" oil on canvas

Here's my entry into the weekly painting challenge at DPW. It's good practice to try and do the challenges and great to see how other artists approach a similar subject. Great site!

Composition in red, white and blue

2011-07-05T14:02:00.001-04:00

Composition in red, white and blue, a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

Messing around with pastel lately.

Early Tim Burton animated film

2011-07-05T09:17:00.000-04:00

Must see: great early Tim Burton animated film, (narrated by Vincent Price.)

Oil painting portrait of Jenny

2011-06-23T15:36:00.000-04:00

Portrait of Jenny, 16" x 20" oil on canvas

I went to my second portrait painting class of the semester yesterday and painted this portrait of Jenny. I'm painting on canvas panels now for space and cost considerations so perhaps the urge to wipe everything off that doesn't agree with me won't be so strong. I only have one painting to show from last semester because of my chronic dissatisfaction with my painting technique. It may be instructive to save this batch of portraits to see whether I'm making any progress. My teacher, Don Sondag, suggested I look at Sorolla's paintings for some tips on warm/cool shadows. Here's a good site with a lot of his images.

Surrealist artist, Leonora Carrington

2011-06-22T12:25:00.000-04:00

Great gallery of paintings by the wonderful surrealist artist, Leonora Carrington. I'm intrigued by her work and the fact that she was a writer. I've got her book, The Hearing Trumpet, on my wish list.

My paintings will be in Crealde student show!

2011-06-09T12:11:00.000-04:00

I had artwork accepted into the 31st annual Crealde School of Art student exhibit! I'm stunned and happy and can't believe I forgot to take pictures of the paintings before submitting them, but they were two nude oil studies done at Crealde's open studio on Friday. Here's a link to some more info about the opening.

My first entry into the DPW painting challenge

2011-06-05T11:14:00.007-04:00

I've been doing some of Daily Paintworks painting challenges for several weeks now and having fun and learning a lot. I haven't posted any yet, but decided to overcome my fears today and post this picture of "Ollie" our orchid-dwelling frog. He's a real cutie who has been residing in our orchid plant outside the bedroom window for months now. He loves to get a spray of water when I mist my plant, especially during these never-ending drought conditions. I had just started setting up a still life of a lovely gift bag I've been admiring on my desk for a while, and, lo and behold, painting a gift is the challenge this week. I can't wait to have a go at it.

Composition Tips for Painters

2011-04-29T23:53:00.000-04:00

Interesting post from Daniel Edmondson about composition.

Color Tutorial and Color Blending Tool

2011-04-22T17:58:00.003-04:00

Here's a cool site with a color tutorial and also a link to a "color blending" tool. Start with two colors and blend them from a value of 1 to 10.

Limited palette in portrait painting

2011-04-21T10:18:00.001-04:00

"(The) position of the warm and cool colours in flesh painting, is one of the most important considerations in colouring; as it is on the opposition of the warm and cool colours, that the vitality of colouring largely depends. Painting with red for your warm and black for your cold, and a mixture of both for your neutral tones, a surprising amount of colour vitality can be obtained, by the right placing of the warm and cold colours." -- Harold Speed

We're working with white, black, yellow ochre and cadmium red in Don Sondag's portrait class at Crealde. It has been amazing to see the beautiful flesh tones he gets from this limited palette in such a short period of time, usually about an hour or so. I'm lucky to be able to study with such a master.

Last night we used a few more colors--cadmium yellow light and alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue (no black). Before I wipe it off, here's the painting I did last night.

Great Andrew Loomis link

2011-04-17T23:28:00.000-04:00

Great post from Matthew Innis today from his informative and always interesting "Underpaintings" blog. I know I'll be checking Andrew Loomis out even further after finding this great link for his public domain books, thanks to Escape from Illustration Island.com.

Anders Zorn portraits

2011-04-07T01:14:00.005-04:00

Anders Zorn limited palette portraits (check the first self portrait.) A subject near and dear since doing a limited palette portrait in Don Sondag's class at Crealde tonight--white, black, cadmium red light and yellow ochre. Jerry says I must resist the temptation to erase the portrait so I can see if I'm making progress. Canvas board is fairly cheap so, besides taking up space, what can it hurt? Here's another interesting post on limited palettes (I'm especially intrigued by the raw umber studies) and searching for style in earth colors. "Yah! I vill overcome my frugal nature and paint extravagantly vith my cheap, and large, tubes of earth colors from Jerry's."

Laughing Buddha!

2011-03-27T21:27:00.001-04:00

Still life with oranges on desk

2011-03-26T16:30:00.001-04:00

Still life with oranges on desk, a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

New painting--self-portrait

2011-03-15T13:22:00.001-04:00

Dealing with my demons a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

My new hero--Matt Taibbi

2011-03-10T14:18:00.000-05:00

His book "Griftopia" is a must-read and connects all the dots about why our country is going down the tubes (hint: it's not because of seniors on Medicare/Social Security and union workers.)

Model with tattoo

2011-03-09T17:11:00.001-05:00

Model with tattoo a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

Study done in the Friday studio at Crealde a couple of weeks ago.

Portrait of my mom

2011-03-04T10:14:00.003-05:00

Portrait of my mom a photo by Gayle Bell on Flickr.

My latest try at portrait painting and attempting to loosen up brush strokes.

Inspiring painter

2011-03-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

Beautiful paintings from Wu.

Getting accurate color in digital photos

2011-02-28T11:13:00.002-05:00

A site with info about adjusting computer/monitors/printers to get accurate color from digital pictures.

Morandi, still life painter

2011-02-24T22:38:00.000-05:00

Interesting site about still life painter Morandi.

Tulips and Brass Pitcher

2011-02-23T16:43:00.003-05:00

Tulips and Brass Pitcher
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

This painting was done in Stacy Barter's workshop at Crealde recently. The workshop lasted four weeks and we completed a painting each session. We had a great time and I learned a lot from her. She's a great artist as well as teacher and I hope to attend another one of her classes in the future.

Great photos!

2011-02-10T10:13:00.003-05:00

Fantastic photos from Michal Karcz.

Qiang Huang, oil painter

2011-02-01T11:02:00.001-05:00

Yellow Rose & Violin by Qiang Huang

Here's a great link with some insight into Qiang Huang's thoughts on painting. What a great artist! I love his expressive brush strokes.

Nice portraits and collages

2011-01-04T13:06:00.005-05:00

Great portraits and collages from this artist--Jonathan Yeo.

New abstract painting

2010-12-23T17:19:00.003-05:00

"Tidepool", acrylic, 16" x 20"

Another good still life painter, Hovsep Pushman

2010-12-21T13:32:00.000-05:00

Info here

Images here

Nice still life paintings from Daniel Sprick

2010-12-21T13:23:00.002-05:00

Daniel Sprick.

Crealde 12 17 10 nude oil study

2010-12-18T13:09:00.001-05:00

Crealde 12 17 10 study
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

Oil study done yesterday of male nude model at Crealde. There will be a break for a few weeks, but when the session starts back up I'd like to try and keep a record of studies to see if progress is being made. This was okay but I wiped it off after I got home (probably should use gessoed paper in order to save money/space.) Used three colors--ochre, alizarin crimson, and cobalt blue--plus black and white. It was a little less confusing and the skin tones turned out okay.

"Imaging Streaming" technique for painting subjects

2010-12-16T18:04:00.000-05:00

Julie Heffernan is a great artist to observe. She has a unique painting style and uses an "image streaming" method to capture compelling painting subjects. I've been interested for some time in painting some of the images that come to my mind before and after sleep. They seem so much more interesting than anything else I strive to come up with. This is one painting in which I did manage to capture a vision as I was awakening. Based on Da Vinci's "Five grotesque heads" drawing, the picture came to me one morning with the cast of characters from the last Republican administration. I'm hoping to be able to capture some more of the visions that float through my head and put them down into paint.

Grady, Tiffany lamp and crotons

2010-11-09T16:56:00.001-05:00

grady lamp and crotons
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

Original 8" x 10" oil painting on canvas mounted on masonite

Remember to Vote!

2010-11-02T10:09:00.000-04:00

Magic Realism paintings

2010-10-30T00:42:00.002-04:00

Very cool site with Magic Realism paintings along a timeline.

Oktoberfest oil painting

2010-10-24T21:27:00.001-04:00

Oktoberfest
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

Old Master paintings of people with "character"

2010-10-23T22:23:00.000-04:00

Check the paintings at this site. They could give Rembrandt a run for his money. I wish we could get some models like this at our studio sessions around town. Don't get me wrong, the models we have are great and do a wonderful job. And it's always a challenge to get younger people down in pencil/paint/whatever medium is being employed. But what a challenge it would be to capture a face that has a distinct and mysterious history like these.

Abstract "The Lamentation"

2010-10-07T13:47:00.003-04:00

Abstract The Lamentation
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

I finally got around to posting this abstract painting I did a while ago. It's one of a few of my paintings in a show with Terri West at the Maitland Civic Center through October.

Oil study of three apples

2010-10-06T17:23:00.002-04:00

Three apples
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

In an effort to simplify and focus, I'm thinking about doing a series of still life studies of three objects. I did this a few weeks ago and now I've got three pumpkins to work on. I'm also trying to decide what Frans Hals painting to copy. My painting instructor wants me to loosen up my brush strokes (something I've wanted to do for some time now) and he felt I could learn a lot from Hals. Hals is an outstanding master and I've been marveling at his technique while trying to decide what picture I could possibly come close to being able to paint. I'm not sure if I could come close to any of them.

Working in a series

2010-09-29T00:36:00.000-04:00

I think it's well past time to try and focus and do some paintings in a series. It was good enough for Monet, so what could it hurt for me to try? Other than putting on my thinking cap and possibly (probably) wiping out a lot of paintings, I'm not going to let it scare me. Here's a good link about working in a series.

Abstract painting of forest wood nymphs

2010-09-07T09:48:00.003-04:00

wood nymphs
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

16" x 20" acrylic painting on canvas

Sunny, the Rooster, goes to the polls

2010-08-27T11:39:00.002-04:00

Here's a link to a funny story about my sister-in-law, Jennie Mero. She adopted a rooster that wound up at the bowling alley in Deland and brought him home to her four cats. His name is Sunny after the Sunshine Lanes Bowling Alley where he first met Jennie. He's quite handsome and a real character. He gets along fine with the cats and she takes him out for walks and rides to the post office and various business establishments around town (it is out in the country!) She recently wrote a children's book about Sunny and asked me to do some illustrations. I was happy to do it and we're all anxious to see how her first book turns out. For info on ordering the book, please contact Jennie at: jmero1@cfl.rr.com

New still life painting of three candles

2010-08-17T13:54:00.002-04:00

Three candles
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

I think I'm finished with this still life painting, although the picture turned out darker than the original. I've been looking around at still life paintings on the internet for inspiration and found a really great artist here. I have quite a ways to go before I'll ever be that good!

Bosch "drolleries"

2010-08-07T09:10:00.003-04:00

Twitpic - Share photos on Twitter

Additional information about drolleries here.

Still life painting--Transformers and silver pitcher

2010-08-05T11:10:00.002-04:00

Transformers and silver pitcher
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

Working on reflections in metal and through glass under low light (chiaroscuro).

Still life painting--Apples and Moroccan pot

2010-08-02T17:24:00.002-04:00

Apples and Moroccan pot
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

Another still life painting in oil. I'm working on reflections and also wanted to incorporate this cool pot my neighbor brought back from Morocco.

Analysis of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" video

2010-07-29T09:58:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting link to an analysis of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" video. When I get more time, I'll have to check out some of the other links on the site.

Gaga for Lady Gaga

2010-07-11T22:36:00.003-04:00

My guilty pleasure lately--Lady Gaga. Ha! I admit it. She's a life-saver when I go out into the world to conduct the daily regimen called "living" (or perhaps surviving). Slip on the ear buds, blot out the screaming infants and cell phone users, Fox TV, whatever, and get on with the boring necessities of life like buying groceries, keeping various appointments, etc. Bill Maher said recently on Larry King that he just doesn't get her appeal. He needs to chill and light up one of his "teacher-approved" doobies, kick back and soak up the good beat (and irony) of Lady Gaga and he'd understand.

Homage to Seraphine

2010-07-07T23:44:00.004-04:00

Homage to Seraphine
Originally uploaded by Gayle Bell

This is an original 18" x 24" oil painting on canvas. It was in the Creative Spirit Art Gallery show a month or so ago. We're going through a rearranging/cleaning out phase at home. One way to organize things, Jerry has decided, is to group my paintings in rooms by subject. This painting was just hung up today in our "abstract gallery".

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The art of the smooth move--RIP Michael Jackson

2010-06-25T11:18:00.000-04:00

Visionary artist Jules Andre Smith continues to inspire

2010-06-14T15:44:00.000-04:00

"What makes you think you can take it with you?" by Jules Andre Smith

Here's an interesting link to scans of Jules Andre Smith's book, "Art and the Subconscious". Jules Andre Smith, founder of the Research Studio in 1937 (now known as the Maitland Art Center), still continues to intrigue and inspire artists to this day. His art center is a prized gem in the community as well as a sought out destination for travelers around the world. His work reflected his spiritual beliefs and continues to strike a chord with the public. The above piece could have been done yesterday and is just as pertinent today considering the devastation going on in the Gulf due to mankind's never ending greed. Visionaries such as Smith will continue to try and open our eyes, but will we ever see?

Life after fundraisers

2010-05-31T09:49:00.000-04:00

Jerry and I finished our last art auction for Haitian relief yesterday at the Altamonte Chapel. To say it was disappointing is an understatement. There were a lot of people who attended from the Jazz festival next door at the church, but very few dollar bills migrated from their pockets into the donation can or for the bargain priced artwork. Sadly, it appears the one dollar they spent for their "bargain lunch" in the social hall where we were exhibiting the art must have depleted their financial resources. It's a struggle to overcome the feelings of bitterness after all the hard work we put in, but we do appreciate the few who did show some generosity and contributed or bought some art. Once the rest of the checks come in, we figure we raised about $600.

On a more positive note, here's an interesting link to a sketchbook from John Constable. It's always interesting to see how other artists create. I've been trying to do a little something each day in my sketchbook, even if it's only pasting down an interesting picture or ideas on color palettes.

Women in Art video--must see!

2010-05-17T09:48:00.002-04:00

New abstract oil painting and request for help

2010-05-06T15:20:00.001-04:00

18" x 24" abstract oil painting on canvas

Here's the latest painting I'm working on. I'm not a big fan of greys, but I'm trying to get used to tones. I'm learning they do have their place and can help to make adjacent colors look that much brighter.

On another note to all artists and art-lovers, please take a look at the petition below and sign and forward it to all your friends and family. This petition will, hopefully, ensure that changes are not made to the Maitland Art Center (MAC) which might jeopardize its unique status as a charitable public trust. MAC is not just a cultural necessity and gem here in central Florida, but it's a beautiful experience for many visitors--both nationally and internationally--to our city. While working in art classes at MAC, I've met quite a few wonderful people from various parts of the world who have stopped in for a visit. I encourage anyone who visits central Florida to look up this hidden treasure and stop in--you won't be disappointed.

Petition to save the Maitland Art Center

Oil portrait of Wade

2010-04-12T11:53:00.000-04:00

Wade, Oil on canvas, 16" x 20"

Jerry and I finished up with the art auction to benefit Doctors without Borders (MSF) in Haiti, although we're still selling some art here and there. We sent a check a few days ago to MSF for almost $6,000. We still have quite a bit of artwork left over and are trying to work something out with one of the donating artists to have a sale at his church (with the stipulation that all sales of the art would continue to go to MSF.) As long as he's willing to put together a team and handle most of it, that's fine with us. We're too pooped to try and spearhead another event on our own, but we'll help out if someone else wants to take the lead.

I'm still trying to keep up with painting, in between trying to catch up with everything else that was neglected during the fundraiser. The painting above was done at a 2 1/2 hour life drawing session a few weeks ago at Maitland Art Center. I'm sort of pleased with it, in a rough kind of way. I'm hitting a dry spell now, though. It seems that everything I've attempted since has been totally inept and I've rubbed out quite a few paintings. The thought that maybe one day soon I'll produce something I'm happy with is the only thing that keeps me coming back to my easel.

New still life painting

2010-03-04T11:26:00.000-05:00

Copper Pot and Lemons, 16" x 20" oil painting on canvas

We finished the taxes today and dropped off the paperwork at the accountant's office this morning--whew! This certainly isn't my favorite time of year, but at least with all the lousy weather lately (cold, rainy, etc.) I haven't felt nearly so bad about being cooped up inside gathering and sorting and itemizing tax documents. Tomorrow is the opening reception at Casselberry Art House for the ALOC group show. I put this still life in, along with another one.

New oil painting portrait

2010-02-28T21:26:00.001-05:00

Jennie, oil painting on wood panel, 12" x 16"

I stumbled across this great artist, Daniel Green, while perusing a book at Sam Flax art supply store today. It's hard to believe this is pastel--the colors are as rich as an oil painting. Besides awesome still lifes, he's a wonderful portrait artist as well. My stabs at painting don't come close, but somehow I feel the need to keep trying. Here's my attempt at the portrait at Crealde's Friday studio session.

Nude male oil painting on canvas

2010-02-20T17:20:00.000-05:00

Nude male, oil on canvas, 12" x 16"

Latest oil painting from Crealde life studio yesterday. The room was rearranged with the model on one side and everyone semi-circle around. I kind of struggled to see the model since he was farther away than the usual set up and when I got home I realized his head seemed too small. I wiped out the bottom part of the canvas and sketched in something that looked kind of rightish, moving the arm and leg into another position and leaving some things to the imagination.

Recent portrait oil sketch

2010-02-15T11:03:00.002-05:00

I did this at the Crealde studio session on Friday, Feb. 5th. I'm trying for looser brush strokes, as I tend to overwork my paintings. The studio session, being approx. 2 1/2 hrs. long, is a good way to try and capture the impression without all the fussing (not nearly enough time for that!) The weather was frightful last Friday, so I missed that session, but hope to make it this week. The fundraiser Jerry and I have become involved with for Drs. without Borders in Haiti, Art with Heart, is taking up a lot of time, but I'm still trying to maintain my art sessions (and exercise!.)

Robert Henri's "Art Spirit" lives on!

2010-01-24T23:21:00.001-05:00

Abraham Genoels, A Harvest Still Life

I started reading Robert Henri's "The Art Spirit" after checking out the excellent
Following the Masters blog. I've tried to read it several times over the years--many years--but somehow it never resonated. I guess the time has to be right in order to become open to his teachings. His pithy pearls of wisom--alternating between the mechanics of painting (clean palettes and robust brushstrokes) and the more esoteric role of the artist as visionary--strike the right balance and are a resource for most artists to consider and take to heart. Oddly, I had just read this passage in the book when I saw the above picture in a drawing book. "In all great paintings of still-life, flowers, fruit, landscape, you will find the appearance of interweaving human forms, the forms we unconsciously look for. We do but humanize, see ourselves in all we look at." I had just handed the book to Jerry for him to look at the picture and the face on the left popped out like magic.

Life Drawing Workshop at Maitland Art Center

2010-01-20T22:59:00.001-05:00

Went to a great life drawing workshop on Saturday at Maitland Art Center with Marianna Ross. It was five hours and we had two models, male and female, with poses lasting from two to twenty minutes. It was quite a workout and I'm still digesting all the info we got. In fact, I used the little slide jacket I got in the workshop for a viewfinder when I went to my painting class on Tuesday and attempted to paint a small landscape of the MAC buildings. It really does help to compose the picture (although I need a lot of help on various other sundries, including brush strokes, color, etc.) I fiddled around in the computer with one of the drawings I did in the workshop with a paint brush taped to a dowel. Amazing how much more interesting the computer can make things. (The models were wonderful though!)

Magic Realism: A journey to another space

2010-01-13T23:14:00.003-05:00

George Grosz, The Eclipse of the Sun,1926

I treated myself to something I've been wanting for a while now, a book about John Wilde's art called "Wildeworld." It's out of print and I had to go through a reseller on Amazon to get a used book, but I was really impressed with it. He's a master draftsman and a great artist in the magic realism vein. I've been drawn to magic realism for years for some reason, probably because of the possibilities it holds to question and criticize the status quo--something I'm fond of doing, at least verbally. This link explains the genre in relation to political statements, which isn't overt in Wilde's work, but is much more so in Grosz's work (above). Wilde's paintings are finely done with beautiful detail and I've enjoyed looking at his drawings in silverpoint. After a little research, I found this website that gives a little more info about the technique.

Happy New Year--(Resolutions crashing and burning already)

2010-01-05T00:00:00.003-05:00

As most everyone does after New Year, I'm trying to dig my way out of the mess that consumes my art room, office, etc. It always seems like such a good idea to "organize" but when it comes right down to it, it seems impossible to get rid of some of that junk. That cute bead I made with acrylic paint skins that never got incorporated into a necklace is now on my bulletin board, along with various and other sundry things. I hope the Christmas lights from the mantel I'm now draping onto the ceiling in my studio will give me a lift and new perspective during the coming year. I so envy people who can drum up New Year's resolutions lists--item by lengthy item--and stick to it. I'm apparently way too undisciplined.

On another note and to further complicate my lack of focus, a new library book came in the mail today--"The Art of Drawing People". Maybe this will help me attain my resolution to draw every day, especially people/portraits. And maybe I'll just look at the pretty pictures. I'll check out this blog later when I have time, but it looks interesting in that he's attempting to duplicate Rembrandt's heavy impasto technique on one of his self portraits.

Composition in art using Phi

2009-12-28T14:47:00.007-05:00

Here's a good link to an explanation of Phi, or the Golden Mean. And another link with further explanations and examples of the golden mean used in art and architecture.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T20:10:00.002-05:00

New portrait oil study

2009-12-22T12:57:00.006-05:00

12" x 16" oil painting on canvas board

I've been getting into the life drawing/sketching club at Maitland Art Center the last few weeks. Last time I was there, I met a really talented artist who is also a roofer and he encouraged me to try out Crealde's open studio on Friday. I'm interested in refining my technique in portraiture and he said the model there holds the pose for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours so it's worth it to get out the paints. I concentrated on the face and, even though it leaves something to be desired (my technique, not her face LOL), I'm anxious to get back at it in the coming new year.

Strappo abstract painting on glass

2009-12-09T21:39:00.005-05:00

8" x 10" acrylic painting on glass, strappo technique

I was going to peel the painting off the glass and paste it onto paper, but I kind of liked the look of it on glass--although it was hard to get a good picture of it with the reflections.

Sketches from Life Drawing Studio

2009-12-08T15:16:00.009-05:00

I went to the Maitland Art Center Sketch Club on Thursday night last week for the first time. It's a life drawing studio (no instruction) with a model and lasts for approx. 2 1/2 hours. It was a good, if tiring, experience as I hadn't drawn from life in quite a while and it was particularly exhausting using a part of my brain which apparently was very rusty. I saw some other artists I had met in Patrick's class and Kaye's class and met some new ones, including Bill Orr. He knew Andre Smith, the founder of the Maitland Art Center, and told me that the room we were painting in used to be his studio. He was very encouraging and says he comes to the open studio frequently. I think I'll check it out again for the great practice and experience and the price can't be beat--$10 a session.

New Still Life Painting with Peacock Feathers

2009-12-06T18:26:00.005-05:00

Still life with peacock feathers, 16" x 12" oil on canvas

I wish the photo would have turned out better, but I guess it gets the idea across. I'm going to try and finish up a self-portrait tomorrow and clean up my art room--not necessarily in that order.

Tiling and reorganzing chaos

2009-11-24T12:19:00.005-05:00

Hall

We finally finished with the tiling/re-tiling and it looks fantastic! It took almost three weeks and was quite a disruption, but now that the dust has settled I feel it was worth it. Jose and his wife did a great job and worked very hard. We did two bedrooms, two bathrooms, the hall and the kitchen. With a dog and two house cats roaming around (and one outside cat that someone dumped), 100% tile is the only way to go. After organizing everything that was displaced, I'm now attempting to organize my art room so I can actually do some painting. I tend to get distracted with life in general (and the computer in particular), so I'm putting up a white board to write myself notes on instead of all those little yellow stickies that seem to disappear almost as fast as I scribble on them. I've been fearful of trying to show any of my work, but feel perhaps I could try some baby steps and show a painting in the Maitland Library with Kaye Calloway's class this December (hope I can find something presentable.)
Bedroom
Kitchen

Great new blog to follow

2009-11-10T16:08:00.005-05:00

Great news to find out one of my favorite artists, Patrick McGrath Muniz, now has a blog. We sure miss his art and teaching here in Orlando, but at least we'll have his blog in order to keep up with him.

New Still Life Painting

2009-11-04T16:45:00.002-05:00

Bean pot with squash and bottle, 20" x 16" oil painting on canvas

Not sure if I'm totally done with this, since I have a propensity to work, rework and overwork. But somehow I feel I need another little glaze on the pot and perhaps some more work on shadows.

New abstract painting

2009-11-03T10:46:00.002-05:00

Abstract painting, oil on 11" x 14" canvas

Needed to relax after working on a still-life painting of a bean pot and squash, so I used the left-over paint on my palette for this abstract. I like the look of the red under-painting showing through and kind of wished I had used a bigger canvas. Definitely think I'll go for some more red tinting on future dabblings.

Happy All Hallow's Eve!

2009-10-31T16:40:00.004-04:00

A bit of history on this Halloween! Boo!

Fall Still Life abstract painting

2009-10-25T13:48:00.005-04:00

Acrylic painting on 16" x 20" canvas

Words of wisdom from Van Gogh

2009-10-23T23:08:00.005-04:00

"The feeling for and love of nature always strike a chord sooner or later with people who take an interest in art. The duty of the painter is to study nature in depth and to use all his intelligence, to put his feelings into his work so that it becomes comprehensible to others.

But working with an eye to saleability isn’t exactly the right way in my view, but rather is cheating art lovers. The true artists didn't do that; the sympathy they received sooner or later came because of their sincerity. I know no more than that, and don't believe I need to know any more."--Vincent Van Gogh

Words of wisdom from the master on a great web site I stumbled upon today called BibliOdyssey. I'll have to further explore the Van Gogh letters link.

"Going rogue" by C of C standards

2009-10-20T21:41:00.012-04:00

What spirit is so empty and blind,
that it cannot recognize the fact that the foot
is more noble than the shoe,
and skin more beautiful than the garment with
which it is clothed?--Michelangelo

Among his many rebellions, I guess Michelangelo would be considered "going rogue"* by today's, and probably antiquity's, Chamber of Commerce and Capitalism standards for such an utterance.

*Any implication that the phrase "going rogue" somehow elevates certain current politicians or has-been politicians to the level of a Renaissance genius is purely coincidental and farcical.

Art and madness

2009-10-15T21:33:00.021-04:00

"The Paradise Tree", by Seraphine
from "The Modern Primitives", text by Madeleine Gavelle

It was a peculiar day. I went to my still life painting class at Maitland Art Center today and it began raining shortly before time to leave. In the confusion about getting everything out to the car in the sprinkles, I left my painting leaning up against a traffic sign in the parking lot. Luckily, Patti, my teacher, found it and picked it up for safe keeping! Maybe the fumes got to me LOL (or maybe senility or Freudian slips or insanity setting in.) Speaking of which, we saw a good movie tonight (Seraphine) at the Enzian Theater. I'm a big fan of the so-called "Modern Primitives" and it's not every day a movie comes around about one of the great (but largely unknown) painters in that genre. Seraphine was a devout spinster (is that term still used today?) who worked like a dog as a domestic during the early 1900s cleaning the Barnie Madoff manors of that day and painting during the night by candle light and whatever strength she had left. It's an amazing story about the inexplicable drive to create under the most austere and trying conditions and the not so pleasant path it can take. Her artwork is fantastic and is a testament to the invincible human spirit within. Sadly, though, even that can be crushed by individuals who aren't necessarily on as elevated a level of human decency.

Political Art as Propaganda?

2009-10-13T23:39:00.018-04:00

We saw Michael Moore's new movie this weekend and it was great, as usual (although sickening, of course, given the subject matter.) It got me thinking about art and the messages conveyed (or not) by it and how great art can reflect on the current state of affairs and, in some circumstances, alter the course of history. I'm hoping Michael's art can do that. We certainly need a change in course right now if we're to survive as a country. We discussed the role of art in my class today at Maitland Art Center and what we hope to achieve as artists. It's a difficult subject and one that would probably require therapy on my part. I continually struggle with feelings of inadequacy and confusion about what I'm trying to accomplish and admire, or in some instances wonder, about those artists who seem to have an inner road map for direction and never waiver in their artistic goals. Somewhat timely, I found a good article on the internet about art and politics from one of my other heroes, Bill Moyers. Perhaps it's true that a lot of political art can become pedantic and propagandistic, but the fact that some art can rise above that and project a universal message of hope in basic human decency is what makes a true work of art and is something worth striving for.

Staging a Still Life Painting

2009-10-09T11:38:00.005-04:00

How to Set Up a Still Life for Oil Painting -- powered by eHow.com

Seeing like an artist

2009-10-08T23:21:00.004-04:00

Edmund Gosse found John Singer Sargent painting one day "in a white-washed farm-yard, into which I strolled for his company, wearing no hat under the cloudless blue sky. As I approached him, Sargent looked at me, gave a convulsive plunge in the air with his brush, and said "Oh! what lovely lilac hair, no one ever saw such beautiful lilac hair!" The blue sky reflected on my sleek dun locks, which no one had ever thought "beautiful" before, had glazed them with colour.... The real colour of the hair was nothing, it existed only in the violet varnish which a single step into the shade would destroy forever."

iPhone instead of a pencil?

2009-10-06T23:00:00.015-04:00

iPhone or Blackberry? I've been thinking about that lately because I know we should get a new cell phone soon. I just found out ours is one of the highest rated (not in a good way) for radiation, plus it's ancient by cell phone standards and we've never liked it anyway, plus why not get one that does amusing things like surf the internet? The dilemma may be close to being solved after reading about David Hockney, who has turned his 4 month old iPhone into a drawing instrument, as many other artists are doing today. According to him "Blackberries are for secretaries and clerical workers while the iPhone is used by artistic people." Hmmmm. I guess the master has spoken and it sure will be hard to consider a Blackberry now. Ever the skeptic though (it's a curse) and as if his paintings aren't bringing in enough dough, I wonder if he's getting a commission from Apple?