Blue Ridge, Georgia--A Budding Art Town

Having recently returned from Blue Ridge, Georgia, I can report that this quaint town will definitely be on the nation's map of small art towns. With a scenic train that runs down the center of town, it was bustling with people taking in the colorful fall foliage and apples.

Art Exhibit in Blue Ridge, Georgia

The art exhibit 4th Annual Southern Appalachian Artist Guild National Juried Show held at The Art Center in Blue Ridge was nicely preented and well attended.

Invitation to the OPAL Carriage House Gallery Show

Invitation for the show described in my blogpost on September 3rd.

Identity Crisis No More!

The other day I was listening to an interview with Jason Horejs, owner of Xanadu Gallery regarding shipping art. He is a self-described 'tape snob'. In that instant any doubt I had regarding my own identity was resolved--I, too, am a 'tape snob'. Over the years as even the higher end packing tape has gotten thinner and thinner and more difficult to work with, I've become increasingly exasperated. Now, thanks to Jason's recommendation of  U-Line's 3.5 mil heavy duty industrial tape, I'm an avowed 'tape snob' with tape worth being a snob about!

One-Day Boot Camp For One

I was feeling the need to recharge my painting batteries, so I put together a one day painting boot camp for one. I did a series of studies each focusing on some different aspect of painting. This tiny (4 x 4") painting is an example.

Earlier in the morning I had gone out to pick three figs for breakfast and came back in laden with twenty figs, two green peppers, lots of string beans, and a handful of these charming red peppers--small, but hot!

Show: Southern Appalachian Artist Guild National Juried Show

I am thrilled to say that three of my paintings were accepted into the 4th Annual Southern Appalachian Artist Guild National Juried Show. The exhibit will run from October 15 through November 12, 2011. The juror was John Cram of Asheville, North Carolina. The reception will be held at The Art Center Richard Low Evans Gallery at 410 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia. I plan on attending and would love to see you if you happen to be in the vicinity!


Here's a photo of the three mystery paintings about to embark on their journey to the show!

A Great Time Was Had By All!

What a wonderful wedding my brother had in Austin!  His lovely bride is from Romania; she is a portrait painter's dream.  I am so fortunate to acquire a new sister and am beside myself with joy!  

Show: Carriage House Gallery National Juried Exhibition

Daffodils & Willow Cup, 14 x 12",oil on linen

I was excited to receive word that my painting Daffodils and Willow Cup was juried into the Carriage House Gallery National Juried Exhibition sponsored by the Chicago-area Oak Park League of Oak Park, Illinois. The show runs from October 7 - November 18, 2011. Click here to view the invitation for this show.

All Shook Up!

With the epicenter of Virginia's 5.8 earthquake just a few miles away from my home, I am still shaking. The thunderous sound was long and rumbling. Thankfully, except to numerous historic chimneys, there was minimal damage across the region which hasn't had such an event since a 5.9 quake in 1897. It did leave a souvenir of its visit on my studio wall!

Photography Booth Details

To build the photography booth described in an earlier post, I used leftover PVC pipe from my greenhouse. The most efficient way to build it would use:

• 8 tri-corners as shown here (i.e. 3/4" pipe)
• 1 or 2 sticks of PVC pipe that fits in your tri-corner pieces cut to lengths that accommodate the size of your paintings. Easy to cut with regular or hack saw OR hardware store will cut it for you. Pipe length OPTIONAL across bottom front.
• sheers (very cheap at big box department stores) to drape over to soften light
• backboard--could be cardboard--I used foam core
• lights with moveable necks for easy repositioning--I'm using 5500K compact fluorescent bulbs

No need to buy the PVC primer or glue. I dryfit everything so that it's easy to move OR resize for larger paintings. If possible, set it up on a wide table so that you can move the lights way out on either side (the table my set up on is too small). A tri-pod is essential. Dark passages are still tricky. To up my odds of getting a good photo, I rotate the painting 90 - 180 degrees taking a photo at each position and tilt the painting in various positions to eliminate glare. Interestingly, zooming out and snapping a photo (resulting in less of the painting occupying the picture plane) has been the best bet for some stubborn paintings. Be sure to eliminate light from other sources. Behind me I hang a curtain on a garment rack to block light from windows. I mainly use this setup for smaller paintings to post on the internet and simply use a Canon Coolpix camera.

Painting in a Series - Part 2

Shown here are three more quick studies of the same view shown in the previous post. These were painted on various afternoons.

Painting a Series - Part 1

Painting a series of the same view demonstrates how much nature actually changes in what at first glance is a static scene. I am still amazed as I look out upon the view in this painting how different it is at any given moment. I could likely paint hundreds of  ten minute studies like these of this same view and still have no two exactly alike. Lighting changes by the minute and weather and seasons alter it all. Painting a series results in greater visual sensitivity and shows the limitless scope of nature's views.

Photography Solution

When the heat wave descended upon Virginia a couple of weeks ago taking photographs outside became a real ordeal. The structure shown here made it much easier to take photographs of my paintings. I made it out of PVC pipes and elbows and draped it with sheer white curtains to soften the light. The compact fluorescent bulbs are in lamps that can easily be respositioned to avoid glare. The setup provides a consistency that makes picture taking a snap.  For how-to details, click here.

What Was I Thinking??!

When you publish a book, you need an ISBN number. One number is $125, if you buy ten they are $25 each, but if you buy 100, they are only $5.75 each. When I placed my order for an ISBN while finishing up the The Painter's Workbook, I pictured myself writing so many books that I came ridiculously close to ordering 100 ISBNs. At the last minute, I came to my senses and only bought 10--"only" 10. Now having actually completed the book, I appreciate the true scope of such an endeavor, and I still have nine more ISBNs to go!

Show: McGuffey Art Center

McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, Virginia presently has a show of member's work, running through Sunday, August 14. This center housed in a former school, now a registered historical landmark, was built in 1916. The classroom's each serve as studios for several artists.

The painting shown here, Tulips in Blue & White Pitcher, 13" x 16", oil on linen on panel, is one of the paintings I have in the show.

So Many Flowers!



Sunflower Mix, 6 x 6"

With so many flowers and so little time, I've been doing a series of smaller paintings. This tiny 6" x 6" size is in the tradition of the Daily Painting Movement. Many artists paint a daily painting often of a simple still life subject such as a single pear, a bunch of radishes, or a sandwich. These can be quite engaging. Since painting life-size is my favorite way, I ususally paint larger canvases for the obvious reason that much of nature's bounty does not fit in 36 square inches. Ironically, and I haven't figured out why, the tiny canvases often take as long, often longer, than larger ones. This is yet another of the mysteries of painting.

On My Easel -- Sunflowers & Hazel Pears

I planted a wide variety of sunflowers and they are in full bloom right now. Shown here is the middle section of a 16 x 20" painting in progress of some of the sunflowers with hazel pears. Hazel pears, as seen in the painting detail, are wild pears that are about 1-1/4 inch round. Along with regular pears, they are the most reliable of the tree fruits. Alas, the economy would have to be really bad to include them on the dessert list!

The Painter's Wookbook: The Self-Study Guide for Becoming a Better Painter

Over five years in the making, The Painter's Workbook by Sarah F. Jayne (hey, that's me!) is now alive and kicking. This new hands-on painting book features sequential painting studies that can not help but improve one's paintings. Using a unique approach based on different palettes that slip under glass, fundamental concepts of painting are explained and explored. Numerous full-color completed samples are included through the workbook to simulate the experience of being in a live workshop. Strategies are emphasized for using these concepts when creating a painting. By applying yourself to these studies, there is no way one can not end up with a deeper understanding of painting.

The workbook is coil bound making it a perfect painting companion. To see a preview of its contents or to purchase, visit: Workbook Preview.

What a Workshop!

I recently returned from a unique and memorable workshop with two top-notch artists. Together they created an abundant wonderland of still life arrangements. Imagine Glenda from the Wizard of Oz as an accomplished and thoughtful painter and you begin to get a feel for the lovely Nancy Guzik teamed with Rose Frantzen, a modern day female version of Albert Einstein complete with wild curls. Their sharing of painting brilliance would be hard to match. 

This Arts & Crafts Weekend workshop was held at the Lake Conference Center, near Narrowsburg, New York, in a rustic lodge bedecked in Oriental rugs overlooking a lake filled with the big yellow buds of lily pads. Three gourment meals were served daily at which participants in concurrent workshops demonstrated their learning with song, piano, and a play. In all it felt like travel to an amazing different time and place.

Color Resources

A visit to the paint manufacturer Gamblin Artist Colors' website is well worth the time. Their site has useful information such as a post about three secondary colors that can be mixed together to make the primary trio of yellow, red and blue--very interesting even if somewhat muted.  Visit Gamblin's video.

First Decent Carrot

If I weren't so excited, I would be embarassed to admit that after over 20 years of dedicated gardening and  some market farming, I finally got a decent carrot--over 12 inches long and 1 1/4" wide. Veteran gardeners out there will no doubt scoff at that, but after years and years of misshappen gnomelike pest infested roots, to get even just a 12-inch carrot is an event worth painting. Here's a photo of the painting in progress. It is different now, but gives the idea.

Sticky Solution for Ticks

A foray into the gardens for a plein air painting inevitably results in a tick hitchiking a ride. I wrap my water bottle with a few rounds of masking tape making an easy solution. I tear off a two inch piece of tape, catch the tick with it and then fold it up. Scotch tape works, too. This beats having to try to touch the tick or find some way to kill them. They don't have the leg strength to get free from the tape.

Here's a fun experiment. Put your hand  behind a tick that is walking around. It will immediately turn around toward your hand. Could they somehow be used to identify a heat source in a scientifically critical situation and thereby redeem themselves?

No ticks today. With temperatures in the high 90's, I'll be in the cool air of the studio!

Sun Protection for Painting in Plein Air

This UPF 30+ lightweight hoodie made of recycled plastic bottles is PERFECT for painting and working outside even with the hood up and on a hot day. Wearing it with gloves (and pants!) one's face is the only area needing sunscreen. At $45 you might feel a little bad about getting paint all over it, but not being all gooked up with sunscreen makes it well worth it! (Note: This is NOT a paid link--I just really like the shirt's functionality!)

Google Art Project

Google's amazing new Art Project allows us to tour the great museum's of the world with just the click of the mouse. Check it out:
http://www.googleartproject.com/

Operating like Google Earth, where you can zoom into neighborhoods, Art Project provides a visual tour of a gallery with links that you can click on to zoom right into a closeup of the paint surface of a masterpiece.

Finally Warm

Painting is hindered by freezing extremities and bulky coats, so not much was happening in my studio as the winter descended into its depths of cold. The ornamental JOTUL wood stove is quite charming, but I feared, too small. Turns out it just needed even smaller "logs" what for most fireplaces and stoves would count as kindling. It means being able to paint, so all's well that ends well.