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!