Happy Halloween and Friday's Class

Here we are, it's Halloween, and we're in between trick or treaters. That means it's time to post my efforts from Friday's class. By the way, this photo is not blurry, this is the way the painting actually looks. Our lesson on Friday was about painting reflections on water. The main idea is that the clarity of the reflection is based on the stillness of the water. The smoother the water, the more mirror like the reflection. The choppier the water, the more uneven the reflection. Also, the closer the object is to the water, the larger it appears in the reflection. In the above example the tree would appear much larger than the distant hills. Anyway, this is just a start, the initial drawing, with the lights, and darks, blocked in. It needs more work. So far, I have started five small paintings in various stages of needing more work, and our critique is next Friday. I have to get busy! Yikes!

Nevada Museum of Art

We just returned from a short trip to to the Sierras, and Reno, NV. We visited parents, and Brian attended a meeting in Reno. While Brian was in his meeting, I visited the Nevada Museum of Art. They had a wonderful exhibit of California landscapes. I loved the beautiful composition of this painting of cattle, by Maynard Dixon. This one photograph was discreetly taken, before being reprimanded by the guard. My excuse, was that I had I turned off the flash. Alas, they didn't care. I was was firmly told, no photography of any kind. Oh well, I tried.

More from the Higher Ground

Here is the redo of the photo from the last post. This time the photo was taken in the early morning. I think that it is a little better. It could be that the painting is just a little blurry. The second painting is more of the red plums. These are so much fun to paint. I can't seem to get enough. Meanwhile, I am still working on my landscape painting in my Friday class. Will post my latest one soon. It needs a little more work. So much to paint, so little time.

On Higher Ground

Now that I see this photo, I wish that it was better. It's a little blurry. I will try to redo this. In the meantime, please bear with me, I will try again tomorrow, and leave it for now.
One more "on the edge"painting, and still having fun. I'm back to the familiar, my comfort zone, only, this time with beautiful red plums. Hard to believe, but I still have more ideas for more on the edge paintings. At the same time, I'm also really enjoying my class in landscape painting, which, I had to miss last Friday. I will be in class this Friday, so stay tuned for more, more still life, and more landscape paintings to come.

Friday's Class

Friday was one more class with Carol Tarzier. She is such a wonderful instructor. Each class begins with a demo of Carol painting a landscape, from a photograph. After her demo, everyone paints the same landscape, using the same photo. So simple, but such a great way to learn. Never having done landscape painting, this class has been wonderful for me. I feel that I have learned so much, already. Carol also gives a short lecture in the beginning of class, based on ideas from the book, Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting, by John F. Carlson. This is all new information for me, even though this book has a original copyright date of 1929. Some ideas remain timeless!

All Ready Now

On Sunday, I took four of my framed pears over to the gallery, for our new exhibit, opening on Tuesday. If you are in the area, please come by the Lafayette Gallery to see all things "new".

Back from La Jolla

Last night we arrived home from a short trip to La Jolla. It was beautiful, great weather, gorgeous ocean, and wonderful restaurants! Here are some photos from a day at the Museum of Contemporary Art , complete with ocean views! This a fantastic museum, very modern and a perfect location. Once of the current exhibits, focused on cities, included an assemblage by Joseph Cornell , one of my favorite artists.

Three Reds

My friend Kathy asked me if I ever did Red Bartlett Pears. The answer is, yes, I do, and here they are. Another quick pear painting, done yesterday, thinking about Kathy. This was done quickly because we are leaving today for La Jolla, and won't be back until Wed. A short trip to attend a conference with Brian. I'll be on my own, looking at galleries and the sights, while Brian is attending the conference. More to come after we return.

Back to Class

Just finished day two in my painting class with Carol Tarzier. Here is the new landscape that was just started in this recent class. So many new ideas, that my head is spinning. So inspiring! Looking forward to more! Learning is a never ending adventure!

All Four of Us

One more pear painting for the upcoming exhibit. I still want to do a few more. This one was a quickie. Experimenting with blue, a color I normally don't use. For some reason, my comfort zone is a warmer color palette. I feel a little out of my element, but will forge ahead. I think it's always good to get away from the familiar, once in awhile.