Memory Lane & Fabriano Soft Press Paper

Pick Me, watercolor, 8” x 8,” on Fabriano 140 lb soft press paper

Working on this painting was a walk down memory lane.  When I was a kid we had a huge vegetable garden in our back yard.  We planted it mostly by seed every year on Memorial Day weekend listening to the Indianapolis 500 on a transistor radio.  Living in Indiana, the race was blocked out on television.  If you didn’t go in person, radio was your only option.  We always planted 2 or 3 rows of green beans, the bush variety.  I enjoyed planting the garden, but my least favorite tasks were weeding and picking the green beans. They were hard to find camouflaged amongst the leaves.  Hunched over rifling through rows of beans for an hour in the blazing sun, I couldn’t wait for it be over.  Then, of course, I had to clean the things to be ready for dinner! Ironically, as much as hated doing these chores, they are still one of my favorite vegetables.

Maine Yellows, watercolor, 6” x 6,” on Fabriano soft press paper

Though, my childhood summers weren’t just spent working of course, they also mostly consisted of exploring outside, going on endless bike rides, and reading.  With all the fun I had, of course I dreaded the inventible orders from my mom to do those gardening chores.  However, now I’m grateful for the experience and love doing them now.  My mom instilled a love of plants and gardening in me at an early age, something I treasure to this day.   Working on this painting flooded me with memories, and time spent with my mom in and out of the garden. 

Foraging Day, watercolor, 6” x 6,” on Fabriano soft press paper

I experimented again with another Fabriano paper, 140 lb soft press.  I had previously completed three paintings from my mushroom series on this paper and really liked the results. (Foraging for mushrooms was also a part of my childhood.)  If I were to describe this paper, I feel it is a cross between hot press and cold press paper, which is why I felt it would be good for my smaller works with a lot of details. This painting is 8” x 8” and my mushroom series are all 6” x 6.”  The advantage of if it being like hot press paper is that it is smoother and it seems easier to draw and paint details. However the paint still soaks into the paper, not sitting on top like it would on a hot pressed surface.  Thus, it behaves  more like a cold press paper, which I prefer.  Watercolors are vibrant when dry, and they were easy to mix on the paper, I was getting nice results in wet into wet areas.  The paper has great lifting capabilities and edges were easy to soften with a synthetic brush. Staining colors do not lift out as easy as non staining colors.  Because I used  yellow in my mix of greens for the green beans, lifting out highlights in those areas was a bit more difficult because the yellow I use is a staining color.  

Red Jewel, watercolor, 6” x 6,” on Fabriano soft press paper

This is not a paper to use, if you are used to scrubbing out passages or softening areas with a scrubber brush.  I did try that in an area and the fibers lifted up pretty easily.  It will not take much abuse in that respect.  I did not try masking tape on this paper but I did use a little bit of masking fluid and didn’t have any fibers lift off the paper when removing the masking.  After having used this paper on a few paintings. I am definitely adding this paper to my repertoire and would like to try the 300 lb soft press for larger works.  That will be an experiment down the road. 

Visit my You Tube Channel to see a time lapse video of this complete painting.

This painting was done as part of the Florida Watercolor Society’s “Creative Confinement Challenge.”  Open to all of the nine hundred or so members, the submission fees will go toward The Healing Arts Award in the 2020 Annual Exhibition.  Every year the Florida Watercolor Society donates a painting to a health or medical facility in the area where that year’s president resides.  The president chooses which facility they would like to donate the painting to and invites a representative from there to choose the painting from the Annual Exhibition.  I love this program.  I feel art promotes healing whether you are creating it or looking at it. 

Like this post and leave a comment below if you have any questions or comments!

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

I've Stuffed...

I was a little under the weather today so I didn't go out plein air painting.  I thought I would share one of the things I have been up to the last couple of weeks.  Have you ever entered a show with a society, art guild, or art center and won an award?  Do you know where that award gift of money or merchandise came from?  It comes from generous members of the group as well as those individuals that love and are so kind to support the arts, as well as sponsors, businesses or companies that do the same.  

My responsibility this year being Second Vice President of the Florida Watercolor Society is to graciously ask many of our over 1000 membership to consider donating for an award for our annual exhibition, that is part of our convention every fall.  Last year we had over $24, 000 in cash and merchandise that was presented to 21 artists as part of our award program for our exhibition.  Many of the awards are in honor of members that have passed  our founded FWS.  One award The Healing Arts Award is a purchase award, whose painting is then donated to a local hospital.  

Last week I stuffed, labeled and stamped 285 letters to just our Signature members to donate to awards and next week letters will go out to all our past presidents, and merchants who also generously donate their time to make FWS such a stellar organization as well as put on a fantastic convention with workshops, and trade show for members and non members every year.  

Next task after letters go out, is to collect items for our raffle and silent auction.  With such a large member ship we usually have a great collection of art supplies, DVD's, and non art related items that are raffled or auctioned during our convention.    

If you are interested in learning more about FWS or donating you can visit the web site here.  If you cleaned out your studio to get ready for the new year and have art supplies you no longer need.  Contact me and send them my way! 

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The Florida Watercolor Society Convention & Myrna Wacknov Workshop

It’s been a busy few weeks!  We moved our daughter back to college and the day after I drove to South Florida for the Florida Watercolor Society Convention.  This three day event is one of the highlights of my whole year.  If you would like to know more about the convention you can read last year’s post here.  Aside from the wonderful demo’s, done by some of the most talented artists working in watercolor today, and the Trade Show where great deals on supplies are always to be had, which can be a bit dangerous, the highlight is always seeing friends and meeting new ones!

This year I also took a workshop with one of the two instructors that are invited to do a four day workshop prior to the convention.  One of the instructors is the judge for the annual exhibition, this years judge was Frank Webb.  He is a Dolphin Fellow of AWS, American Watercolor Society, and turned 90 last week!  The other instructor was Myrna Wacknov.  I have followed Myrna’s blog for a number of years and admire and appreciate her style and techniques, many of which are considered “out of the box” for traditional watercolorists.  That is what I love about her work, I like the “there are no rules” in watercolor approach.

Notan selfie created on my iPad

We started the week by learning about some apps that can be used on the iPad to manipulate photos, to use for reference photos for our paintings.  The main one was Photoshop Touch, which is essentially a scaled down version of Photoshop you can use on a digital device.  I often use Photoshop on the computer to design and compose paintings, which I then paintfrom on my iPad.  I like knowing now that I can do some things directly on the iPad.

We took selfies and the manipulated the photos in Photoshop Touch to create a Notan and some grey scale images which were used as the reference for the three paintings we did, focusing on shape, line, and value.

Collaging over painting done in life drawing session.  Sorry Stephanie!

Selfie over mid tone collage background.

The first painting was done by creating collage papers in a plethora of ways to use as a mid tone valued background for the selfie (self portrait) on top.  I could see where this collage paper making could become an addiction!  I don’t do much figurative work other than life drawing once a week.  So between that and all the other surfaces we created to paint on, I was way beyond my comfort level, but it was a blast!

Selfie on Yupo

The second painting was done on Yupo which is a synthetic paper.  I had never used this before and can take some getting used to.  I’m not a convert, but could see painting on this occasionally and experimenting with it a bit more.  I think artists that like hot press paper like this surface, the paint stays and sloshes around on the top and doesn’t really soak into the paper. I’m a cold press kinda gal.  A few artists that I feel are very successful with Yupo are Julie Ford Oliver, Helen Beacham, Taylor Ikin and Carol Ann Sherman.

Selfie done on textured gesso surface over ink drawing.

The third painting was done by creating a textured Gesso surface to paint on, and then using line by emphasizing the face with a line drawing with ink before painting.  It was funny with all the supplies I packed for this workshop, I felt I was bringingmost of my studio, I didn’t bring a quill pen or an oiler boiler (plastic bottle with a fine needle tip)  to draw with.  I improvised by using a black Prismacolor Pencil and dipped it into my ink bottle like a crow quill pen.  Thisone ended up being a sort of stylized version of me.

The two paintings aside from the Yupo were done on older watercolors, sketches from life drawings or dogs from the drawer.  With these techniques you would never throw away old paintings or paper, but would recycle them into new work! One of the many, take aways I got from this workshop.  With the limited amount of time to do so many things, I don’t feel these are quite finished but are good starts that still need some tweaking.  This was my first attempt at doing self portraiture so overall I’m pretty pleased with the likeness!  If you ever have a chance to take a workshop with Myrna don’t miss it.  She is a wonderful, engaging teacher and you learn things that go beyond the ordinary in watercolor that may take your work to a new level.

Myrna's demonstrations from the workshop:

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Mayan Gate is in the Florida Watercolor Society's 2014 On Line Show

Mayan Gate

$1,500.00

Watercolor, Framed

14.5” x 21.5,” (37 cm x 54.5 cm)

Framed Size 21.5" x 28.5," price includes frame

Selected for the Louisiana Watercolor Society 44th International Juried Exhibition 2014

Selected for theFlorida Watercolor Society's On Line Exhibition, 2014

Selected for Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's 34th Annual Juried International Competition, 2013

Selected for the Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition 2013 at the Terrace Gallery, City Hall, Orlando Florida

This painting was inspired by the wonderful Mayan Revival Architecture at the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Florida, designed by J. Andre Smith. 

Email me for purchase information.

Purchase

Mayan Gate has been accepted into the Florida Watercolor Society's 2014 On Line Show! Thanks to juror M.E. Mike Bailey and many congratulations to all my fellow Florida artists!!! Feeling honored, 35 were chosen from 243 entries.  Click here to see the show.

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The Florida Watercolor Society Convention in Sarasota

What and amazing weekend!! I am so honored and proud to be a member of the Florida Watercolor Society!  It is 970 members strong and there was an attendance this weekend at the conference of over 500.  It is the only watercolor society in the nation that makes an event and conference around the annual exhibition. Here is a brief run down of how it all progresses.   The week before the show,  there are 2 four day workshops given by a variety of well known artist.  One of the workshops is always given by the judge of the show.  Last year workshops were given by Nicolas Simmons and Soon Y Warren.  I was thrilled Nick chose my piece to be in the exhibition, and his workshop was amazing.  This year’s workshops were given by Linda Baker, the judge of the show, and Mike Bailey, former president of the National Watercolor Society.  This year a third one day workshop with Sue Allen was offered too.  These workshops are optional, very popular and they usually fill up very fast.

My friend Jorge Leon & Moi, next to his painting, Waiting for You, Congrats to Jorge who got his FWS Signaure Status this show.

On Thursday evening, after the workshops conclude the judge of the show gives a keynote talk and demo.  Linda Baker’s demo was wonderful.  She is such a sweet person and I was intrigued to learn more about her painting technique which involves more masking and pouring.  Then Friday the fun continues.... a full day of demonstrations given by a wide variety of artists in the conference rooms as well as the trade show.  There is so much to do and see, you can’t possibly do it all.  It’s hard to pick and choose!  This year I attended demo’s given by, a roster of amazing Florida artists which includes:  Janet and Steve Rogers, Pat Weaver, Karen Braverman, Lynn Ferris, Sterling Edwards, Teresa Kirk, and Jamie Cordero.  Mike Bailey also did a demo on Saturday.  There are also expert panels, and talks on marketing and showing your art, and digital critiques, given by painters who are very well known in our field, who have painted, taught and judged shows for many years.

Janet Rogers giving demo at Cheap Joe's Booth

Did I mention trade show?  A whose who of the art supply world is there, Cheap Joe's, Jerry’s Artorama, giclee companies, local art supply companies, and representatives from all the regional watercolor societies.  All giving great deals and discounts so that we can stock up for the year!  The president of Daniel Smith also attended the conference.  I was thrilled to meet and get to know Joe Miller, Cheap Joe.  He is the kindest and sweetest person that does so much for us artists.

Mike Bailey starting his painting in the Paint Around

Saturday bright and early I volunteered to help with the Paint Around. Five artists prepare a drawing and reference material, each start with their painting but every 10 minutes, the paintings swap easels!  Every artist works on each other’s paintings.  You end up with your own at the end to finish it.  You never know what’s going to come back to you!  All the paintings are raffled off with many of other raffle items and prizes that take place throughout the weekend and raise money for FWS.

Lynn Ferris Demo

Saturday is similar to Friday, more demos, trade show, plus a digital critique given by the judge, who goes through every painting accepted into the show, explaining why they chose it and what they liked about it.  I also had a chance, for a fee,  to do a half hour critique, one on one, with this year’s judge, Linda Baker.  I did not get into the show this year, and it was a great opportunity to really know why and put the speculation to rest. I could submit 10 of my paintings for her to review.   My take away from the meeting was basically it was the subject matter I chose to enter this year.  Looking at my portfolio there were three paintings she would have chosen had I entered those! You can never second guess what a judge is going to be drawn to.   She also gave suggestions for some small improvements that would make some paintings more appealing to a judge.

Friend Teresa Kirk with her painting, Scorpion VII, this painting also won an award in the show.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to have a 10 minute meeting with the editor of Splash, Rachel Rubin Wolf.  She looked at 2 of the paintings Linda did, and I found it curious that there were elements in the paintings that she questioned that Linda liked and vice versa!  It just goes to show that there is no right or wrong, what one may be drawn to another might not.  Don’t be discouraged to enter shows and competitions.  The judges vary with each and eventually one will click with your work!  The main take away  from a number of judges I have heard talk on the subject of jurying shows and what they are looking foris,  design and composition, emotion, emotion, emotion!, hand of the artist,  creativity, and lastly technique.

Karen Braverman Demo

The weekend concluded on Sunday with the general meeting and a presentation by Rachel on her role as editor of Splash, her process and what she is looking for as she chooses artwork for publication.  The same rules apply as getting juried into shows, but differ too in that she is putting a book together and is focusing on what looks good on a page, versus an exhibition.  And of course, her own tastes and preferences factor into the final selections.  When it comes down to choosing between two outstanding images, it can be like splitting hairs!

One of the best parts for me of the whole weekend is seeing friends, making new friends, and being with hundreds of people that have the same passion you do!   Now, it’s time to get busy and paint!!!!!

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