A Painting Almost Daily

2011-01-14T20:45:00.002-05:00

I feel bad that I haven't posted. Thank you, Stephanie, for commenting about this. I felt humbled that someone cared whether I posted. I decided that I would answer your question as to where I have been. I kind of pulled away from most of my galleries when the economy took a fall and decided that it was a good time to focus on what I wanted to say with my work. I still work everyday from 9 -5 in the studio. I have been focusing on all aspects of painting that I love. this includes a lot of drawing. I am working from life almost all the time with models as well as still life and plein aire. Here is a drawing that I have been working on. As always, I would love your thoughts !

Thank you

Kate

Italy

2010-07-28T18:28:00.003-05:00

This summer I went to Italy with my family. We stayed in Florence with one side trip to Sienna.

It was so incredibly inspiring. There is so much art there and some of it is so old. It reminded me of the importance of using quality materials and making sure that when you paint that masterpiece, it is on a substantial support. There were enormous paintings, maybe 10 feet tall or more, painted on board from the 1500's. It was surreal to see the beauty still there after such a long time. The sculpture in the Accademia dell'arte was also amazing.

I carried my art box that I made from a casino humidor and four tubes of paint. In Sienna, I bought no odor turpentine and was able to plein aire paint two small paintings early in the week. These paintings would take at least four days to dry enough to get home and since I was only there for seven days, I had to paint early.

I chose to paint the "via" leading up to our apartment as it was so typical of the area. It was one of those pinch me moments. Am I really sitting here in Italy painting on the side of a road. Vespas flew up the hill as did several of the small cars. It was noisy but so vibrant. The next day around six in the evening, I took wine up to the porch overlooking Florence and painted the scene from there. It was such an amazing view, I am glad to have the painting as a reminder of how that moment felt. I hope to use this plein aire and paint it larger soon.

Since returning home, I have begun work on a large painting of Ponte Vecchio and so far I am happy that I feel like I caught the feeling that the view from almost down at the bridge down from Ponte Vecchio gives a new visiter to Florence. I will post this painting soon but here are the two quick studies I did on location. Hope you enjoy and I welcome your thoughts !

Back to blogging

2010-06-11T21:10:00.001-05:00

Well, it is sadly obvious that I have had a lot going on since March. My youngest graduated last weekend from high school and now I hope to begin posting again on a more regular basis. I have continued painting during this time but don't feel that I was putting myself in to the work.

It is important to feel connected to the painting or the viewer may not get a sense of the artist. The paintings that I am the most passionate about are the ones that seem to vibrate on the canvas.

I have been painting still life,plein aire and models from life. It is helpful in all aspects of painting. The only thing that I think helps more is drawing all the time. Sometimes I sculpt figures. This helps with understanding what goes on under the skin and helps with drawing and painting.

Recently, I was invited to paint a figure outside. it was a great time. I love to paint outside with all the challenges. There is such a sense of accomplishment in being able to withstand the bugs, the light changes and on this occasion, the heat. Add a model to this and the bar is raised higher. What a great day and great fun with some really fun and talented artists.

Dr John

2010-03-14T20:32:00.002-05:00

Here is a portrait that I painted last week. I saw this man shopping and thought he was so dapper that I wanted to paint him. When my sister asked if we could take his picture, he said that people were always asking him this. He made a great subject !

Thank you for your thoughts !

Frustration

2010-02-08T18:45:00.002-05:00

Apparently, I have two blogs going on and I don't know how this can be so if I post the same thing twice, I apologize. I am frustrated because when I photograph my art, I am not able to have a finished image that is as nice as the actual painting. Maybe this happens to everyone but I have seen iphone images better than the way mine look on my Mac. If anyone has a suggestion other than the obvious, get an iphone, I would appreciate the help !

Thank you

Lost Blog

2010-01-08T22:53:00.005-05:00

Somehow my blog became deleted. It could be seen but I could not post on it. Finally after several hours of frustration, I managed to reinstate it and so I am back ! Here is w hat I have done following the holidays. My husband grew a beard and I decided to paint the character that he is. Here are also the photos of the beard leaving by degrees. Hope you enjoy !

Workshop

2009-11-10T20:48:00.003-05:00

I went to a workshop with Jeremy Lipking. It was fun to see his studio and all the beautiful art. His wife, Danielle was a wonderfully nice person. The time went by fast and I hope that I picked up some new ideas. I think that the one thing that I came away with that was most important was to take my time with the initial decisions whether I am setting up a figure or a still life. All in all, it was pretty expensive.

Tall Teapot

2009-10-06T18:20:00.003-05:00

This is a painting that I painted when I had taken too much cough and migraine medicine. I had a hard time focusing on all of the information that I have learned through the years. I think that it helped that I could not focus well. I thought only about shape and color and absolutely nothing else. I can really see how Walt Disney, Lewis Carroll and so many others may have been more successful in an altered state. I am not advocating this though as I really didn't like feeling so out of control. I'll be reading the dosage information more carefully from here on out.

Hope you enjoy. I would love to know what you think or if you have had any similar experiences.

Rainy days and puddles Final

2009-09-27T15:45:00.003-05:00

Here is the finished painting. The changes are small but important. Thank you for following along with this demonstration of the development of one of the approaches I use in painting.

Rainy days and puddles step 2 and 3

2009-09-25T05:52:00.003-05:00

Here I placed the darks while maintaining the lights. I used only three main colors and naples yellow and a little white. It was a challenge to keep the values while working with such a limited palette. My palette consisted of a cool purple, warm red and a warm green. The colors were pre mixed.

Hope this gives you ideas to try.

Thank you for following this demonstration. I will post the final painting soon.

Rainy days and puddles

2009-09-23T07:06:00.004-05:00

I am working on this painting and thought that I would post a progression. This first image is the drawing plus a wash so that I will stay in the color palette that I have decided to use for this painting. Hope you enjoy seeing this develop and I welcome any comments !

Sunset on the Ohio

2009-09-09T20:39:00.002-05:00

Here is a painting I painted a few weeks ago. It was a challenge because I found it difficult to get the correct values with it being just at sunset. I hope that I did justice to this beautiful scene.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Pansies

2009-09-09T20:14:00.003-05:00

Here is a 12 x 16 that just came together so easily.

I love these happy little clown flowers. I hope that you enjoy my interpretation of a bowl full of pansies.

I appreciate your thoughts !!

By the shore

2009-09-09T19:49:00.004-05:00

I am back. I am sorry that I haven't posted in a while. We had a bout of swine flu that set me back and getting the kids back in school always creates time warps and you just don't get everything done. I never stop painting. Sometimes I can't get into the zone and don't paint very well but painting is like breathing to me. I have to be doing something creative at all times. With that said, I will share some of what I have been doing that I didn't get around to posting. This first painting is painted under the influence of John Singer Sargent. I say this because I found a print of his beautifully framed at an antique shop. This print inspired my composition. I will post both the master's painting and mine so that you can see what I saw and was inspired to attempt.

Tea Time

2009-08-17T21:25:00.002-05:00

This painting came about slowly and is really nice in person. The figure has an almost old fashion touch to the way I painted it. I think I must have had a muse from the past looking over my shoulder when I worked on it because it is how I wanted it but painted with me having no idea where the influence was coming from. Does this make sense to anyone else? It is my model obviously but somehow the overall feeling that I see tells a wistful tale. A longing perhaps. Something in the tea leaves no doubt.

Hope you see something in it. Let me know if you do !

Antiques Roadshow

2009-08-10T18:59:00.002-05:00

Hello

I am back after working on a couple of commissions and this larger painting. I really am quite satisfied with the overall way it turned out. I used a very rough linen canvas and I like the texture that it encouraged me to seek. Sometimes when you make a mistake and order loosely woven linen because you are unfamiliar with the company... it can be a good thing !

Hope you like it.

I look forward to your thoughts!

mother and child

2009-07-28T16:47:00.004-05:00

This is another larger painting that I have been working on. I was really happy with the way it just almost painted itself. Working with babies is virtually impossible to do from life. This was a photo that I took a couple of years ago. I spent many years painting portraits at an amusement park and festivals around town. This involved all ages sitting for thirty minutes or more. Many times I was painting a baby in the mother's lap while the proud father tried to coax a smile. I never quite understood why anyone would want their baby's portrait painted because the child changes so quickly as they grow month to month.

With this painting, I think the interaction between the mother and child is what it's all about. The relationship is forever rewarding.

Daydream believer

2009-07-22T14:59:00.003-05:00

Really rainy outside. I decided to work on a quick study of my daughter. She has patiently sat for me for several portraits this summer. I think there is a lot to say for practice and certainly important to actually paint from life. This was an opportunity for me to work from what I have practiced and know in my memory. I am pleased at the final painting. I could have gone much further on it but it is really just a study and something that I wanted to keep so I will quit at this stage of the work. Studio work is greatly improved with life study and plein aire.

Happy painting. I would love your comments !

View of the city

2009-07-19T18:43:00.002-05:00

I have been working hard on a studio painting and neglecting my blog. Occasionally I get a nice day and head out to paint outside. This was a beautiful day. I will probably try to paint this painting larger by referring to the small study. I will post it when I finish the painting.

Thanks for your interest !!

Blackeyed Susans

2009-07-10T20:01:00.003-05:00

Today I painted these flowers that opened overnight. I have to paint the flowers as soon as they open because the deer come in the night and eat them all. The daylillies that I painted last week are all gone this week and there were loads of blooms. I had them fenced off but a doe and two little ones came and the babies scooted under the fencing and gobbled them up.

I am enjoying the flowers in paintings. This is another small painting 6X8.

Thank you for your interest and comments.

Blue CHina Plate

2009-07-06T17:15:00.003-05:00

Today I painted a blue plate with one of the roses from my garden. The rose smelled so nice and my Boston Terrier smelled so bad. My sister was visiting and she read a pretty funny book to my model and I and I painted a portrait after the small painting that I am posting. The portrait was a larger painting and will require another sitting. I will post it when it is finished.

Happy Painting !

Impatiens

2009-07-06T07:13:00.002-05:00

Well, I have fixed the painting of the first daylily but have not photographed it yet. My problem with it seemed to be that the background was not the right value. Sometimes, artistic license does not work the way you want it to. This is a painting that I did of my impatiens in a pot on the back porch. Plein aire in the comfort of the porch !!! I appreciate your thoughts.

First Daylily

2009-07-02T11:43:00.004-05:00

Today is the first day that my Lemon Daylillies opened. I cut the first one and painted it. I decided to use a light background which I have not been doing and I don't think I am satisfied with the way it turned out so I will continue trying this.

Let me know what you would advise.

Thanks and happy painting !

Joaquin

2009-07-01T06:01:00.002-05:00

Here is another portrait painted. Joaquin makes a great subject. He is very easy going and patient. The reason this is so great is that it puts me at ease and I don't think too much about the sitter. I can then get into the zone easily. This portrait turned out nicely. i have made a few changes since this photo was taken and may post the finalized photo later.

Thanks for your interest !

Carousel Ride

2009-06-29T06:31:00.002-05:00

This painting was painted in the studio. I still may be making a few small changes but did not want to wait to post it. So many times, I will wait a few weeks before I sign a painting. Sometimes, I may be too hard on myself. We are our own worst critics.

Happy painting !

Portrait of Elizabeth

2009-06-26T21:09:00.003-05:00

Painting a portrait from life is something that I have done many times. The main thing that you have to keep in mind is that if your subject is lit by a cool light source, you will have warm shadows. This is a model that I have been painting and sculpting for years. She is truly a part of me. She is my child.

Painting at MaryBeth's

2009-06-26T20:52:00.003-05:00

I have been painting outdoors this week. It has been really hot. I painted at a friend's house and enjoyed the difficulties of trying to paint the elliptical shapes of lily pads, while little bugs crawl out of the grass and up your legs. Plein aire painting is so rewarding because it isn't something that is easy. There are always elements of surprise. The lily pond flowers began to close up about an hour into the painting. After two hours of trying to beat the heat and elements, we agreed to paint and finish the next day. Unfortunately, after a night of heavy storms, the lily pond did not look at all the same. It was an adventure.

Thanks and happy painting!

Back to blogging after short trip

2009-06-24T06:44:00.002-05:00

I 'm sorry that I haven't blogged in a few weeks. I have wanted to but with the beginning of summer comes lots of craziness. I have painted two larger paintings and I will post them when they are finished in the next day or two. Here is what I woke up to this morning. It was a great day for plein aire painting. Beautiful sun shining through the toilet paper and trees.

Happy Painting !

Painting in NYC

2009-06-12T15:26:00.004-05:00

I am behind in posting due to a recent visit to NYC and the end of school. There are lot's of demands on my time and usually I try to get a painting in regardless but the exception seems to be when the kids are home for the summer and holidays. I just returned from a trip in to New York to attend the Richard Schmid at the Salmagundi Club opening. It was fun but nothing to compare to the rush I got from painting in Central Park and Union Square. Next I hope to go up and stay for a week and just paint everywhere. Here are the two 6X8 paintings I squeezed in one day of the three day trip...just little studies but I think I caught the mood.

Thanks for your interest !

Lake at the Winter Club

2009-06-01T19:06:00.002-05:00

Here is the other small painting. They are both 6 X 8. Hope you like them !

Painting at the Winter Club

2009-06-01T18:57:00.004-05:00

Today I plein aire painted with a friend. We were out in the hot sun saying we should have remembered umbrellas. I had to sit down and paint after rolling my ankle two weeks ago. I found that since this was my first outdoor painting in a while, sitting down made me less anxious and I painted two very nice little paintings. Love to hear what you think ! I will post both paintings today. Thanks for viewing !

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T18:12:00.002-05:00

I painted this painting of cherries today when everyone was busy relaxing on Memorial Day. I call this painting "Life is like a bowl of cherries". Thanks to the men and women that keep us safe, we can all enjoy life in the best country in the world.

Hope you enjoyed this day as much as I did. Thank you veterans and troops !!!!

Sunflowers in Blue Urn

2009-05-25T18:02:00.003-05:00

Here is what I worked on last week along with the 6X8 paintings that I try to paint daily. It is a 20x16 painting of Sunflowers that my daughter's boyfriend brought her. He actually brought lilies with them and I have not been able to paint the lilies because of the holiday weekend and all the family things that go with it. I had fun painting the sunflowers in a blue urn that my mother bought at an auction. The hardest thing about the sunflowers was the strokes that created the petals. Hope you like this one.

Thank you for viewing !

Blue Cloisonne Vase

2009-05-21T20:02:00.002-05:00

This is a painting of a blue cloisonne vase that my mom gave me. There are two of them and I have always loved the blue color. I hope you enjoy seeing this vase because I am sure I will be painting it over and over. You may get sick of them.

Thank you for viewing and let me know your thoughts.

Mother's Day

2009-05-14T07:17:00.005-05:00

I am practicing blogging currently and getting my website updated. As soon as I have finished the website, I will upload all of this and it will be out there in cyberspace. Then I should be able to continue painting the small paintings almost daily. Here is another one that I painted last week while I was getting ready to begin posting. Let me know what you think. Thanks !

Two Tomatoes

2009-05-13T07:24:00.005-05:00

Here is the first small painting (6 x 8) that I painted after switching to Rembrandt oils. I think that the paint goes on much smoother and I am happier with the strength of the color. I am not as happy with the fact that I used a verbena flower to paint and it wilted so quickly, I had to paint it out. Good to know that painting verbena is not an option unless it is plein aire and still attached. Enjoy !

No Smoking

2007-01-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

This is my third attempt at adding photos and I will try to continue to add them as I am able. This was a moment when one of my models took a break between poses. Her casual demeaner reminded me of the time when smoking was a quiet personal break enjoyed by many.

New at Blogging

2007-01-07T19:04:00.000-05:00

I have just discovered that painting small paintings has helped me to let go of some of the bad habits that I have accumulated and has given me the ability to incorporate new ideas. I paint all the time anyway and so it seems to be rather like painting studies for larger work. At least that is what I told myself when I first started. I love these little paintings so much though, that I treat them like my larger work. I have yet to turn one into a large painting. I plan on doing this soon and if I am successful, I will post a photo. If I can figure it out, I will post some of the paintings that I painted when I was testing to see if I could work the smaller paintings into my daily routine.