Monet: The Late Years at the de Young Museum, San Francisco

Wow, I can’t believe it’ has been so long since my last blog post! Before talking about the Monet Exhibition, I’ll give you a brief update. I have had a lot of irons in the fire this year.  If you subscribe to my newsletter, you know in January, after working on the Board of Directors of the Florida Watercolor Society for four years, I’m officially President for 2019.  It takes a substantial amount of time to plan for an Annual Exhibition, Convention and Trade show attended by 600 people!  That is all taking place in Orlando September 19-22.  Everyone is invited!  If you would like more information, head on over the FWS web site.  We are also offering four workshops prior to the big Convention, taught by Carol Carter, Carrie Waller, Steve Rogers and Vladislav Yeliseyev.  Check those out too and come join the fun!

I’ve also been teaching a few workshops, and  squeaking some painting time in here and there.  Last March I had eight lovely students join me in my home studio for a “How to Achieve Texture in Watercolor Workshop.”  If any of you have taken a workshop in my home studio, you can vouch that I spoil and pamper you the whole time!  Contact me if you would like to be added to my “Advanced Notice List” for workshops or subscribe to my newsletter, which will always let you know where I will be teaching.  

The Artist's House at Giverny 1912-1913

I’ve  sent work out to some amazing exhibitions that I was honored to be chosen for.  The Fallbrook International Signature Watermedia Exhibition in Fallbrook, California  and The American Women Artists 25 Museums in 25 Years, show this year at the Steamboat Art Museum in Steamboat, Colorado.  I’ll be heading out there in June for the opening.  I’m currently in a show at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens  in Winter Park, Florida, called “Precious Pollinators,” with the Central Florida Watercolor Society.  It’s a great show focusing on a worthy cause,  making us aware of the current plight of the bee population! 

Corner of the Water-Lily Pond 1918, 1919

Corner of the Water-Lily Pond 1918, 1919

One of the highlights of the year was attending the Plein Air Convention, in San Francisco last April.  More on that event in the next blog post!  My husband, also a plein air painter joined me and we arrived a couple of days early to take in museums.  As luck would have it, Monet: The Late Years was going on at the de Young Museum!  If you are a follower of my blog you may have read a series of posts I have done on Monet, prompted by reading Mad Enchantment by Ross King.  Welcome, if you are new and happened upon this post! If you would like to read that series of posts start here.  This show at the de Young focused on the exact time period as King’s book.  The show closes on May 27, if you are in the area it is worth a visit.   

It blows my mind how prolific he was in the latter years of his life, painting the whole time during World War I, trying to overcome his difficulty with cataracts and the death of his wife.  The body of work, in the show was from museums across the globe, and many were from private collections. I always think when I see a painting from a private collection how lucky I am to have the chance to see it and study it.  Talk about living in the moment! In the span of 16 years from his 70’s to his death at age 86, he painted bigger, bolder, and more abstractly focusing on a limited subject matter, his gardens at Giverny, most notably the water lily pond.  

Water Lilies 1914, 1917

Water Lilies 1914 1917, Detail

Water Lilies1914, 1915

Water Lilies 1914, 1915, Detail

Water Lilies 1921, 1922?

Water Lilies 1921, 1022?, Detail

It is believed by the curators that many of the works in this show are studies for the “Grand Decoration,” the momumental works in the L’Orangerie in Paris. This exhibition was such an inspiration!  I hope at that age I have the health to continue to do what I love to do, and the freedom to play and experiment to my heart’s desire!   Do you have a favorite Monet painting or museum moment?  I would love to hear about it.  

Links to Other Monet Articles:

Part 1: Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies by Ross King

Part 2: Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies by Ross King

Musée L’Orangerie: A Peculiar Visit

Outlander "The New World" Costume Exhibit at the SCAD Museum of Art

The phenomenon  that has become “Outlander” started with a series of seven novels written by Diana Gabaldon first published in 1991 through 2009.  If you like historical fiction with a time travel twist then this series is for you.  The first novel titled “Outlander” was inspired by an episode of Dr. Who, and her idea for the series and the characters evolved from there.   With degrees in zoology and marine biology, Diana has a very interesting background, you can read about her here.  

Costumes for Claire and Jamie Fraser

In 2014 a television series based on the Outlander books premiered on Starz, and has been a popular franchise ever since. The fourth season “The New World,” premiered this past November 4. My daughter and I have been huge Outlander fans from day one.  The story, time period, place, actors, costumes, music, we love it all.  The series and music soundtrack kept her company on many nights in college while working on projects or writing papers and was my background music for many life drawing sessions.   Now an actor and  graduate of SCAD, Savannah College of Art & Design,  she was recently invited back to the Savannah Film Festival that SCAD sponsors every year.  

Costumes for Native American Characters

One of the highlights this year was the season four premier “The New World.”  In conjunction with the premier was a Q & A with the cast and an exhibition of some of the costumes from the new season at the SCAD Museum of Art.  The costumes are designed by Emmy award winning costume designer, Terry Dresbach.  

Actors from left to right, Sophie Skelton (Brianna Randall Fraser), Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser), photo credit Alaina Minichiello

Detail, costume Native American Character

As it happens, I was traveling to Charleston, South Carolina to pick up artwork from two shows I was part of this past summer and fall with WAM: Women Artists Mentors members at the Customs House Museum in Clarksville, Tennessee and The City Gallery in North Charleston.  Savannah is just a hop skip and a jump away so I made detour to see the exhibition.  

Costume Claire Fraser

Years ago I used to do textile art and a had a little part of myself that had the desire to go into costume design, but chose a different design path.  It was a treat for me to study the show and get a little “Outlander” fix in anticipation of the new season.  

Costumes, Native American and Slave Characters

If you live in the area, the show closes on December 2, you still a little time left! 

Costume, Native American Character

A little tip:   To all my fellow artists out there if you ever do go the the SCAD Museum of Art, just across the street is the SCAD book store, Ex Libres.  Unlike any other college book store, it has three floors of art supplies!  As SCAD has such a diverse range of majors, there are goodies in there that you won’t find in other art stores. 

New York Highlights

I had such a magical trip to New York on so many levels!  The highlight was attending the 151st American Watercolor Society's Exhibition and Award Dinner.  I was so honored to receive the Winsor & Newton Award for my painting Maiko's Misedashi.  The best part of the evening was meeting so many of the artists in the exhibition that I had only known on line.  I loved being able to make the personal connections and share the joyous camaraderie with everyone! 

Here is a panoramic view of the upper gallery before the award dinner.  I was like a kid in a candy store looking at all the work.

Another view looking back toward the front entrance of the upper gallery.  Out of a few thousand entries from all over the world the jury selects only one hundred and forty four paintings.  Only thirty two paintings win awards.  Winning this award will be one of the highlights of my art career. 

The exhibition and headquarters for the American Watercolor Society is at the historic Salmagundi Club, on Fifth Avenue just a couple blocks up from Washington Square, in Greenwich Village.   This club is one the oldest art organizations in the country founded in 1871.  A roster of former members include, George Inness, William Merritt Chase, Childe Hassam, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Andrew Wyeth, just to name a few.  Sir Winston Churchill is an honorary member.  The club owns over 1,500 works of art spanning its, 147 years.  It just reeks of history and you can feel it when you walk in the door.  It is also one of the only surviving brownstones in Manhattan.

photo Wikimedia Commons

One of my favorite museums to visit is the Neue Galerie where the famous "Woman in Gold" or "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer"  by Gustav Klimt is housed in an old mansion on Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side.  Seeing this work in person takes your breath away and I never get tired of seeing it.  There are also some incredble pieces from the Wiener Werkstatte, Vienna in the museum. 

photo from the Neue Galerie web site: http://www.neuegalerie.org/cafes/sabarsky

A highlight of a visit to the Neue Galerie is having lunch or a typical Viennese dessert. Within the museum is the Café Sabarsky, it really captures the interior and feeling of an authentic Viennese Coffee Shop!  They are also open for dinner and feature cabaret shows on certain evenings of the month.

A café Vienne at the Café Sarbarsky

While I'm on the subject of food, one of my all time favorite things to eat is Japanese Ramen.  I will go on a Ramen quest to find a good bowl. This trip I returned to one of my favorite places, Momofuku Noodle Bar and tried a new place, Ivan Ramen.  If you are Ramen obsessed  and subscribe to Netflix you might enjoy The Mind of a Chef, Season 1 Ep. 1 featuring Chef David Chang of Momofuku Noodle Bar and  Chefs Table, Volume 3, Ep. 4 featuring chef Ivan Orkin.

I'm a huge jazz fan, and listen to mostly jazz, classical and world music while I paint.  One of my bucket list to do's was to see Wynton Marsalis live.  I got to check that one off my list this trip!  He performed with his orchestra at Jazz at Lincoln Center featuring the music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington.  The second half was solely Duke Ellington's Black, Brown & Beige, his longest most ambitious composition.  Here is a link to a good recording I found featuring Ellington with Mahalia Jackson. 

No visit to New York is complete for me without visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Met.  I’m always anxious to see the floral designs in The Grand Hall.  Each visit I pick a certain area to focus on and really take my time.  Temporary exhibitions get priority.  This visit there was an excellently curated exhibit “Visitors to Versailles.”  Stay tuned for a future blog post on that.  This trip I went to The Met three times.  It's like going to church for me. 

photo credit Alaina Minichiello

Another place to visit that is part of The Met is The Met Cloisters.  I had a wonderful day there with my daughter Alaina.  Located on 4 acres overlooking the Hudson River near 120th Street, it is the museum dedicated to the architecture, gardens and art of medieval Europe. 

photo credit Alaina Minichiello

photo credit Alaina Minichiello

The herb garden features only medicinal herbs or those used for utilitarian purposes such as dying cloth.  Scottish Thistle seed pods were used as down for stuffing for bedding and clothing. 

photo credit Alaina Minichiello

photo credit Alaina Minichiello

The Cloisters are known for their collection of medieval unicorn tapestries.

Installation in progress of Heavenly Bodies: Fasion and the Catholic Imagination at The Met Cloisters

We just missed by eleven days the opening of the Costume Institutes 2018 spring exhibition at The Met, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.  This annual spring exhibition coincides with The Met Gala which is the Costume Institute’s Benefit which Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine co-chairs. This year will be her 20th Gala. The Gala is always held on the first Monday of May, the only day The Met is closed.  Whenever I need an inspirational pick me up, I love to watch the documentary, “The First Monday in May,”  made for the 2015 exhibition,  China: Through the Looking Glass,  which features Andrew Bolton, curator for the Costume Institute.  This years exhibition will be the largest, featuring papel robes and accessories  that have never left the Vatican and Catholic and religious influenced fashions from the worlds leading designers.   The exhibition will be showing in three locations, The Met Fifth Ave Galleries, The Met Costume Institute, and The Met Cloisters. 

Here is a video in which Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute expounds on the exhibition and how designers have been influenced by Catholic imagery.  

One of the gowns not yet unveiled in the Medieval Art Gallery at The Met Fifth Avenue.

Installation in progess in the Byzantine Gallery at The Met Fifth Avenue.

As an artist and designer I always find fascinating where other artists and designers get thier inspiration and especially enjoy the behind the secenes curation of a major exhibition such as this.  If you are as fascinated as I am and are a  Netflix subscriber here is the link to the docuementary, "The First Monday in May." 

Other Links:

The Met Blog post: The Metaphorical Nature of Creation: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

Select objects from the Vatian featured in the exhibition. 

How the Met Got the Vatican's Vestments, New York Times Article

What Is the Met Gala, and Who Gets to Go?, New York Times Article

Two Events This Weekend: An Exhibition & A Plein Air Paint Out

Odd Man Out

40" x 20.5"

Watercolor

I'm so happy to be a part of the Annul Event, "Women in the Arts Awards," funded by Women in the Arts, Inc. in partnership with the Orlando Public Library.  This competition, "Celebrating the Genius of Women,"  at the Orlando Public Library, is held annually  in conjunction with Women's History Month, and recognizes and honors local, non local, and international women artists.  There will be a celebration and gallery talk this Saturday at 2:00 pm at the main branch in downtown Orlando. 

Then on Sunday, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, I will be part of an invited group of artists from the Central Florida Watercolor Society, in conjunction with the Winter Park Paint Out, that will be painting plein air on the grounds of the Albin Polasek Musuem & Sculpture Gardens.  

I would be happy to demo my painting to anyone interested in watching and talk about my equipment and easel set up.  Hope to see you this weekend! 

Chanoyu Maiko

Chanoyu Maiko

32" x 20" 

Watercolor

$3300

When I traveled to Kyoto during the cherry blossom season, there was something there that had always been on my bucket list to see, the Miyako Odori.  This is the one time during the spring that the maiko and geico (geisha as they are known in Kyoto) perform for the public.  It takes years of training in dance, music and etiquette and only the privileged few who have connections or can afford to be entertained get to appreciate their performing arts year round. The Miyako Odori is the performance where the geico community of the Gion Kobu, the most conservative of the geisha community perform.  What is most special about the event is it’s an entire ensemble performing together on a stage, not just a few being hired to perform in a tea house or small venue. 

Prior to the performance, patrons are gathered in a room and seated to take part in be served from a traditional tea ceremony, or chanoyu.   A geico and maiko perform the ceremony and green tea, matcha,  and small Japanese pastry filled with red bean paste, called manju are served before everyone goes into the theatre.  The geico performs the ceremony with such elegance and grace and she is assisted by the maiko, apprentice geisha.  

This painting features the maiko from the tea ceremony and her gorgeous embroidered obi, hence the title, “Chanoyu Maiko.” The background pays homage to the special time of year each spring in all of Japan, the blooming of the cherry trees. 

I’m thrilled to share she has been chosen by juror Kathleen Conover for the Georgia Watercolor Society’s Annual Exhibition which will be held at the Ogelthorpe University Museum of Art, Atlanta Georgia March 17-April 29, 2018.

To learn more about the Miyako Odori, click here. 

Featured Article in The Winter Garden Magazine

It's been a busy few weeks, I shipped off 13 paintings to The Waterworks Museum of Art for "WAM Presents WAM."  I will be part of a five women show that includes my Women Artists Mentors (WAM) group.  Members are Helen K. Beacham from Summerville, SC, Maria Bennett Hock from Cary, NC, Debra Kierce from Ashburn, VA, and Carrie Waller who is currently living in Tokyo, Japan.  The show opens with an opening reception on Sunday, March 12 and closes on April 15.  Maria and Debra will be there at the closing reception to give a  presentation which includes painting demonstrations.  It's going to be a great show!  I'm thrilled and honored to be part of this exhibition.  This week I'm getting ready for the Windermere Art Affair, the only out door show I do each year, it's this weekend March 4 & 5 from 11:00 am -5:00 pm.

Recently, I was thrilled to get a copy of the February issue of The Winter Garden Magazine, who did a featured article on me!  I am honored!  Thanks to the Winter Garden Art Association for recommending me for the article and the editors at the magazine for putting together such a lovely layout! 

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Favorite Things Top Ten, Number 2: Twinrocker Paper

Assisi Guardian

2,600.00

Watercolor on Archival Handmade Paper, Framed

24" x 22,"  61 cm x 56 cm, Image Size

33" x 31," Framed Size, price included frame

Accepted into the National Kansas Watercolor Society Exhibition, 2016 by juror, Dean Mitchell, Mark Arts Center, Wichita, KS

Inspired by the lion statue outside the Basilica Santa Chiara in Assisi Italy.  This symbolizes the essence and spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and his great love of animals and our duty to protect our earth's creaturesand environment.  The background replicating a stitched pattern is an homage to the ancient art of Assisi Embroidery.

Email me for purchase information.

Add To Cart

I grew up in a small town in northern Indiana, called Logansport.   Unbeknownst to me not more than 30 miles away was a small factory making handmade papers for stationary and watercolor.  I drove by it many times on my way to Purdue University, where I went to college when I would drive home for a "home fix" and to have my mom make my favorite meals.  She is an excellent cook, and I'm proud to say I have inherited her skills!  

When I started painting in watercolor I visited an Indiana artists at his home gallery and studio, Terry Armstrong.  He was showing me some of his latest work and I loved the paper he was working on.  It was Twinrocker.  Then he sat me straight up when he told me it's made in Indiana, in Brookston!  Thirty two miles and thirty-eight minutes from where I grew up!  What are the chances of that? I always go and stock up on paper when I visit my mom. I blogged about one of my visits to Twinrocker, here. 

You can order a sample pack to try it!

I love this paper for a variety of reasons.  It's the only handmade made paper made entirely in the United States and I like supporting this business!  I love the weight of the paper, the texture, and the type and amount of sizing on it.  My preference is for the rough texture, but I have also used the cold press.  I can't explain it but the paint flows differently on it than other papers I use.  It's slightly more expensive but totally worth it for me! 

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Randy Higbee 6 Inch Squared Show

Into the Woods

35.00

Price Includes Shipping

Limited Edition Archival Giclée Print Signed and Numbered, Edition of 300

Original painting is SOLD.

Image Size:  6” x 6,” (15 cm x 15 cm)

Quantity:

Add To Cart

I'm so happy that I will have work again in The Randy Higbee Gallery for the annual Six Inch Squared Show.  This is a highlight of the year for many in Southern California!  I have many friends in the show and am honored to be in such good company!  If you are in the area the show opens, with the Gala Reception on December 3, from 6-9 pm.  The show will be up the month of December and a bit into the first of the year.

Randy Higbee Gallery

102 Kalmus Drive.  Costa Mesa.  Ca.  9262

 

Nepali Temple, Watercolor Mounted on Board and Sealed, 6 x 6, $295 available at the show

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New Work: "Gone But Not Forgetten"

I have had such a crazy busy summer, I have been neglecting the ole blog a bit.  Thought I would check in and post a new painting!  This is a big departure from my normal work.  My goal was to try a new technique and push myself to do something different.  The process was so much fun on this one!

This painting is going to be featured in the City Hall of Winter Garden, Florida for a show featuring citrus, since this whole area where I live in Central Florida was a mecca for the citrus industry.  The show will be up from Sept. 12 through October.

When I moved to the area where I live,  17 years ago.  It was very rural and we were a tiny neighborhood tucked in orange groves.  When the trees blossomed in the early spring the smell was intoxicating!  I would always drive with my car windows down and just smell!  I always looked forward to that time of year.

Well things have changed.  All the groves have become housing complexes, shopping centers and high schools.  I guess you can't stop progress or population growth, at least our county commissioners can't because you are hard pressed to find a grove anymore.  This painting is an homage to those times I remember enjoying living around orange groves, hence the title, "Gone But Not Forgotten."  The metallic gold background symbolizes the reverence I feel for those former groves and trees.

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First Place at Windermere Art Affair and Are Your Ready to Do an Art Fair?

I haven't done an art fair in over seventeen years.  In a former art life, the one where I made hand dyed, painted and block printed children's wear, I used to do 8 shows a year in the Los Angeles area.  From past experience I know how much work they can be!  When the organizer of the "Windermere Art Affair" asked if I would participate in the first annual event this last weekend,  I couldn't say no.  I love my community so much, so I got the tent out, dusted it off, and borrowed wall panels from a dear artist friend who was so kind to let me use them.  I was thrilled to win first place for overall body of work at the show!  There were some great artists there in a variety of media. I've been preparing for this event for a few months.   I thought I would share my process a bit in case you are considering venturing into art fair territory.  First you must ask yourself do I have the inventory to create a nice display on the three walls of the booth?  Knowing a typical booth is 10 feet by 10 feet, and how much and how big your best work is you can make an assessment.  Notice I said best work,  I wanted to put my best foot forward and display what I felt represented who I am as a painter now. I know one of the goals is to get some sales, if you have older work that you would like to move and perhaps offer at a lower rate than that's great!  But, personally I wouldn't show it if it doesn't hold up to your other work.  Your gut will tell you if it does!  Also consider your audience where the fair is bing held and anticipate what they may be drawn to subject wise and if you are inspired to do new work, add that to your repertoire.

Once I realized I had enough original work for the booth, I started inventorying my giclée prints and note cards. I made more cards, and had more prints run, to offer some lesser price items for sale along with the higher priced originals. I also had to consider how I was going to display the prints and cards.  I then laid out and designed the booth display, and made a list of all the equipment I would need to set up the booth and display everything. I purchased things along the way I new I would need I didn't have on hand. As I thought of something in the 3 month span I had to prep for the show, I would write it down on an ongoing list of stuff to pack.  This way your not trying to think of everything you need a few days or the day before the show.

Imagine your self making a sale, how are you going to record it,  charge tax, accept credit cards, make change and package the purchases.  Figure all this out in advance so you have time to get a Square or PayPal swipe for credit cards  and do a trial run with the software.  You don't want to make your customers wait while you try and figure it all out! Make sure your devices are charged and you have an extra back up battery and you have no problem with internet connectivity.  Plan an area in the  booth where you are going to conduct the sales out of the way of others who may be browsing.

If you aren't a seasoned art fair exhibitor, mock up your set up before the show.  Make sure you have everything you need tent, walls,  signage, and weights to weigh down the tent in case of wind.  I'm not kidding about the weights don't take any chances.  I heard a recent story from a friend who attended and art fair recently that a strong wind carried an artists entire tent and work into a nearby stream and they watched it float away! Plan for in-climate weather if necessary and your art is protected from wind and rain.

Make sure all your gear and your art fit in your vehicle if you have a loving spouse, (luckily I have one of those!) or a friend take a second vehicle if it doesn't fit in one.  Survey the area if you can ahead of time and get all the information from the fair organizers on set up and tear down. It can be very chaotic at set up and tear down, the more prepared you are the less stressed you will be and the smoother it all will go.

Don't forget promotional materials, business cards, brochures, information on workshops if you teach them, a guest book to collect email addressed for your newsletter if you do one  and last but not least, if you have the space some fresh flowers are really nice! Thanks to my husband for suggestion that one!  Organize all your packing materials during set up and stow them away so that everything is ready and it's where you need it for tear down.  Also bring a tool box  and duct tape, you would be surprised how that will come in handy!

Here is a video of my booth set up:

If this was at all helpful please leave a comment and let me know and if you are a seasoned art fair exhibiter I  would love for you to share some helpful tips!

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