Whats On The Easel

Well - summer studio is now CLEAN! Screens in the windows and supplies in place. Two paintings are going on right now. Goal one is to finish "Night Owl" - first known as "Black Iris" until I found out the real name. This painting is on an 18 x 24 birch panel wrapped with a luscious bali batik fabric in yellows and deep ochers. Textured gels and mediums add to the yummy color and feel.

I have also started my environmental series. The first one is titled "Stranded at Sea" This work is only in its infancy. I have added it here to try and show how the under layers add to the overall color and richness of a final painting. The bear will be greatly concealed with text and collage. The entire panel is 48 x 24. The portion with the bear is a raised panel that is 4 x 6. This bear panel will "float" in a sea of deep blue.

My summer studio is now open. Great view! I really really need an easel now that my panels are getting larger. Will be shopping for one that is flexible.

Acrylic Painting Class

New art work! School was out Friday - NOW I get to catch up with "stuff" This work by adult ed student J. Calderbank! She loves birds, nature and especially crows. Can you tell?

What's On The Easel

One week left of school then I can have my time back! Went out painting last Sunday with a fellow artist down by the Saco River in West Buxton. This is the result. Let me know what you think. 9 x 12 soft pastel on LeCarte paper. Great weather - great day.

Sketchbook

Pretty certain my "Black Iris" real name is "Night Owl" see if you agree! I call it a black iris. It is so dark and a beautiful shade of blue violet! I should really come close to completion this weekend. PLEASE hurry June 19.

Check out my sketchbook folder on Flickr! This is how I develop my ideas, take notes and sketch out image ideas. This is my third sketchbook and definitely my best one. I made the book myself - modeled after one I saw in a catalog. I can change out pages, add more or, do whatever I need to expand.

Two pretty exciting things happened this week. I attended my first B.A.A. (Buxton Art Association) meeting. A group of local artists getting together for chat and camaraderie. I also made contact with a possible exhibition venue for this coming fall in town Portland right on Gongress Street.

Step by step.

Acrylic Painting Class

Last Wednesday night, a small group of people from my acrylics class in Westbrook gathered for our last class together. Greg Locsin was our gracious host. I really hope to see this class build in to a real community of artists and creatives, getting together to share ideas and encouraging people to keep productive.

I know that I have really looked forward to Wednesday nights all winter. The conversations and wonderful working atmosphere has helped me to keep painting even after an exhausting day at work.

I found it interesting that we should meet in the very building that I was hired in over twenty years ago in Westbrook and I could not wait to see the old Forrest Street School!

For more photos, please check out my Flickr photostream - click my acrylics class collection. Keep checking back too because I plan to add work from other students too.

Thank you all for such a wonderful time. I am looking forward to a new session next fall. I do believe that the dates for winter session will be September 16 to December 16. See you there!
Left to right: by Greg Locsin, by Stephanie Emery, bottom by Everette Brown, by Olga LaPlante

Whats On The Easel

Moving along nicely this week. Black Iris feels 80% complete. Really like the way the sheer color glazes look on top of the pearlized color. The back ground needs some variation, especially the lower left corner. I see that area as being very much darker.







New for my quote series! I love creating these. They are my painting therapy! This one has yummy color and textures combined with a great quote.

Be sure to check out my Etsy shop for prices and other quote series works.

Bold Idea, Brilliant Talk

Bold Idea, Brilliant Talk: Shai Agassi's TED talk about electric cars. Even if you don't think this is a good idea - he makes it really hard to stop listening.