A Tribute to Great Artists: CCAA Juried Show

‘A Tribute to Great Artists’ is the interesting concept behind the current art show (Nov. 6 – Dec. 4, 2014) at the Chester County Art Association (CCAA).  I valued this opportunity to pay homage to one of many artists who has helped me develop my own vision as a painter. Because the Pennsylvania still life tradition has always attracted me and influenced my style, for this show I chose to pay tribute to Martin Johnson Heade. Perhaps Heade is best known for his lovely paintings featuring orchids growing in the wild; however, he also painted southern magnolias resting on a table. It is these paintings in particular to which my show entries relate. 

What most comes to mind regarding the process of these two paintings is the sight I observed as I gathered the magnolias in early June. In the bowl formed by each gigantic magnolia petal was a mardi gras of tiny bees and wasps rolling and buzzing around in a golden powdery fluff of pollen and flower parts. I would love to ask Heade if he too witnessed this amazing sunny celebration in the petal bowls of the magnolias. He must have!

 

The theme of the CCAA show reminds me of the invaluable legacy of past masters and great artists of present day. Their work inspires and challenges us, it answers our questions and poses new ones for us to puzzle over. Perhaps our greatest tribute to these masters is to strive to be the best artists we possibly can be, keeping their legacy alive as we forge our way.

Color Sketches: A Handy Tool for Designing a Painting

In this example I first experimented with different value patterns.
Each sketch built on the previous one culminating in a full color sketch.

When painting short-lived flowers or fleeting landscapes, I am tempted to forego planning the composition of a painting. Yet the time spent designing a painting often saves me time overall and improves the odds of the painting being a success.  I find color sketches to be a handy way to test out and capture the concept of the painting. During the process, opportunities to play up edges become clear. I can also spot needed changes in the setup or view.  A color sketch guides me throughout the development of the painting, resulting in fewer missteps and purer color.

Color sketches are the first topic featured in my new Old Garden Arts free painting video series--short YouTube videos demonstrating painting techniques and tips--published every other Wednesday. Click here to view the Color Sketches video.

 I look forward to painting with you!

Flower Harvest Before Frost

Here are the flowers and fruit gathered from the garden the evening before the first frost here in southeastern Pennsylvania. I had hoped to spare them from frost damage so that I could paint them. Surprisingly despite temperatures in the low 30s, the blooms left behind in the garden all made it through the frost just fine, including roses, petunias, cosmos, sage, and irises. No second frost yet and all of these continue to happily bloom outside!

The Season's Last Roses



Painting a color sketch featuring David Austin roses.

The profusion of roses and their looming absence from the garden over winter has had me focusing on a series of studies featuring roses. Focusing on David Austin roses and tea hybrid roses, I've been analyzing roses' colors and form, drawing charcoal studies, painting full-size value studies, and capturing quick color sketches.



Painting a value study featuring hybrid tea roses.

George Cochran Lambdin (1830-1896), was a Philadelphia area painter famous for his roses. He began painting roses as a means to explore the subtleties of flesh tones for his portraiture work.  He painted roses in natural settings and in the greenhouse; one painting even includes a wheelbarrow full of roses. Happy will be the day when my garden yields such a profusion! In the time being, I treasure the small handfuls offered up daily.

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.

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!

Show: Main Line Art Center Fine Art Sale Preview

The Main Line Art Center Fine Art Sale begins April 23, 2010 with a gala opening event. Nine of my floral paintings will be included in this show. With trees and flowers bursting with bloom everywhere, the timing is harmonious.

Show: Art of the Flower 2010

Besieged with snowstorms and rain, it is hard to imagine that Philadelphia was recently overtaken with flowers. The annual Philadelphia Flower Show attracted gardeners, florists and artists. As part of the festivities the Philadelphia Sketch Club held its annual Art of the Flower 2010. Much to my delight, the painting shown here, Nasturtium Blooms & Book, was juried into the show.

Show: Main Line Art Center 72nd Anniversary Members' Exhibition

The Main Line Art Center 72nd Anniversary Members' Exhibition is especially interesting in that the wide variety of styles and mediums are tastefully displayed such that the exhibition reads surprizingly well as a unified whole. "Rose Trio in Turkish Coffee Pot" is the painting I submitted. The show runs through January 14, 2010.