studies, studies and more studies....

                                                                                                                          

Realism one minute; abstraction the next.....  what gives?!  If you've followed my blog or checked the different galleries on my website, you know I might paint traditional oil pieces one week; something whimsical the next.   







Earlier in 2011,  I began a series that originally was to be called "Spring", which...I have not finished yet. ooooops! Got a bit sidetracked with some other work..so my goal is to finish four new bigger pieces by early-mid February.







 These little abstract pieces above are studies, 6x6" ...to help me work out not so much a finished form but to get my motion (mojo!?) going.  A way to play with brush strokes, energy and color.  A way to loosen up before I begin the big painting, especially after some tighter traditional work.

Lagoon  5x7" click to enlarge

This, like the geraniums in the window (last post) are works on paper. They're done mixing acrylic and lots of water - very loose, building texture in wet layers rather than loading the dry brush with thick paint.  Before painting like this, you need to apply 3 coats of protective gesso to create a good barrier between the water/paint solution and the archival paper. Also, the more water one adds to acrylic paint, the duller it looks when dry...but then you give it a coat of varnish and voila! all that brilliant paint color that was there when wet reappears.  And what's cool, you can either use art product varnish ....or just regular ol' boat varnish..which will make your piece last for eons!

Aeroeskobeing (click to enlarge)

Like for many of you, these last few days before Christmas find me baking (biscotti), wrapping gifts, thinking about meals.  So, tonight I'm posting a small, older painting (acrylic on paper). We visited Aeroeskoebing back in 2002 when hubby had work in Denmark and I took several photos of windows and flowers pots for painting.  This charming island is full of thatched roofs, window flowers, bike trails and lovely rolling hills full of sheep.  Only 7050 people live there but over 300,000 tourists swarm the place from late May to winter. Luckily we were there in April and had the place to ourselves. 

Happy Holidays, Bloggers!

     

Today one blog reader sent me an email full of good news and warm holiday wishes.  I'd like to extend the same to each one of you. As the year draws to a close I wish you special time with friends and family. May next year bring good health and fun adventures.  Thanks for your emails with feedback, ideas etc.  Keep 'em coming in 2012.  And to my students...Keep On Painting! Mary

Lean on Me

Lean on Me

oil, 6x6"

Actually painted this a few weeks ago, when the first persimmons hit the market.  Never can resist them.  They are so inviting you just need to have a couple even, if like me, you tell yourself you'll make persimmon pudding or other such holiday delicacy, but rarely do. They earn their keep though, being willing subjects for me to paint and..looking festive for several weeks.  Hope you all are enjoying this gorgeous fall we're having...and getting into the spirit of the holidays.  More soon, Mary

Happy Accident

'WILD Cherries'  

double click to enlarge 
What do you get when you use an old stiff paintbrush, a piece of cardboard and a play-date?  A happy accident!

Elena (7) was over and we were making a 'collaborative' painting - starting by randomly painting something on an old piece of white cardboard - then each adding to it.  Well, I scribbled out these little rockin' and rollin' cherries in about 3 minutes - I think they have way more character than all the cherries I've painted combined.  Hmmm what does that tell you?  Maybe I should call it "Cherries on Steroids!".  Thanks Elena - you help me tap my playful self.

 Harmony and  Duet - both oil on board, both 6x6"
      double click to enlarge
This is what I should have been eating yesterday rather than the apple cheesecake and pumpkin pie with praline topping!  But, my oh my, those pies were SO good.

These two little paintings were done after marketing last week.  Good thing I did them right away-- when Elena came over (7 yr old granddaughter) she had to have one because 'Nona, they look SO delicious".  Not sure about the gray backgrounds.  Maybe next time more white?  A splashier color?  Click to see the colors better.

Fledglings Need Feathers

      This week, while driving along, I heard an interview with Kay Ryan, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in poetry -2011.  Because I teach novice painters, I couldn't help love what she had to say.  The interviewer asked her what advice she had for fledgling writers.  "Fledglings!", said Ms Ryan, "that's the perfect name for beginners.  I'd tell them that they need to stay in the nest longer and grow more feathers before trying to fly." 

It's typical to want to put your work out there ... we all tend to fall in love with our first attempts.  When really, if you'd stay 'in the nest' growing your feathers for a few years, you'd have learned so much more and your art would be so much better.  


There are always exceptions, of course.  Some - and it's rare -can pick up a brush, sit down to the piano or put pen to paper - and beautiful results happen right away. But for the rest of us - well it takes a lot of hard work to be an 'overnight success',  The Good News?  Even growing feathers is great fun!

Again: value does the work; color gets the credit!

In my classes we often discuss and practice value studies.  Value is the difference between dark and light.  While some paintings work very well with minor value change (i.e. little difference in darkness or lightness regardless of the color), paintings with a variety of value levels (some strong light and dark tones/values along with medium values) tend to be more exciting and energetic.  
(on laptops: tilt your screen to see more clearly).

Minor Value Difference

This top image has mostly medium values - mo really strong darks and lights. It's pleasant but a bit uninteresting.

Strong Value Difference

The middle image shows more value changes: strong darks, bright lights and several varying middle range values.

      

Color w Value changes

This final image has translated the multi-value middle image into color.  

   
Many artists will paint their piece first in gray scale values (top two images) to work out the values before adding color.  Then they can mix their color to the value on their underpainting without having to think too much about it.

    
I don't work that way usually though it's a great exercise to train your eye for value differences.  I challenge those of you who paint to try a couple paintings (small is easiest) doing a value underpainting then add your color at the end.  Let me know how that works. 

'Fruit Cup' for the series

'Fruit Cup' 
24x30" acrylic on canvas
double click to enlarge

    As many of you know, I set a goal earlier this year.... to paint a new series of about 12-15 new pieces  This is the newest to join that group. 
   The paintings for the series are often either out of my head completely (like some of the florals posted) or taken from a still-life set up, as this one was.  
   I realize that my paintings are often very different from one another.  Sometimes I fret about this; other times, like today, I say "so what". If I can't paint what I want than what's the point of painting....right?

Do you notice anything different about this piece?

Watching Over You

"Watching Over You" 6x6" oil on board.

This little painting was 'done' a few weeks ago - or so I thought.  But, as I glanced at it in my studio I kept thinking it needed something - like when you taste what you're cooking and think it needs a tad more salt or chili pepper....  


Today I  put it back on the easel and pushed the shadows and brights a bit more - and now I'm happy with it.  It's a "value" thing.  Without some strong value contrast a picture can have all the right colors but not be much fun.  I think that dark shadow on the wall makes everything work a lot better.  I'm ready to call it finished now.

One of these days I'll invest in good photo lighting and a better camera so that what I post is as clear as the real thing....  Maybe I should put that on my Christmas List!

Great Gals = New Painters!

 

See these great gals?  They were Saturday's students at Tam High - and they jumped in whole heartedly to get their brushes thick with paint - trying out brushes, mixing wonderful colors. grappling with value studies and more.  Five hours full of info and when offered a choice to leave early or do 'just one more exercise' -  they enthusiastically opted for more painting.  GO GALS!  

 

I would like to develop a new class - maybe by January.  Probably I would teach this intro class in Sept; the new class in January.  We'll see if I can pull it together by then.  It may be done but then it will need to go through the approval process.  

Had a great personal art week.  One of my painting pals was in town  We painted together a bit and also did some local sight-seeing.  Today worked on a couple new studies - and a bit on a bigger painting.  Will post some tomorrow if they are dry enough.

Happy Painting....

Work in progress...checking for changes

(work in progress - no name yet, 16x20")

Painting is often about working out problems...figuring out how to get where you want to go...or where the painting wants to end.

I don't usually show paintings at this stage but I thought I'd share with my students how to take an objective look, identify problems and come up with some 'fixes'.

This was actually a totally different painting. It's been sitting in my studio for a long while --a piece I just couldn't love--and didn't see anything I wanted to do with it.  So, I began a new painting right over the old one.

At this stage you have two options.  Cover the old painting with white gesso or begin painting right over the old one. I prefer painting on the old piece because often something comes through and adds a lovely surprise to your new piece.

The lines here are left from the original piece.  Haven't decided yet if I'll tweak them or take them out altogether.  What would you do? I may take some out and if I miss them, paint them back in.
One big mistake I made is that I didn't step back often enough to look & assess how things were progressing. When your in front of your canvas painting for hours you don't see the proportions or relationships clearly. You can't tell how it will look in a room, seen from several feet away.  I missed a couple obvious flaws by standing too close.   (If you double click on this piece you'll see it more clearly.)  

What do you think the most obvious flaw is?  Is the middle cherry too big compared to the others? Don't you think it looks more like an apple?  And..maybe there is too much space between the left and middle joined cherries....? I may need to move that second cherry over to the left a bit and make it smaller.  But you don't want them all the same size either.  Then it would become very static.  Maybe the second cherry should be even smaller than the first one.   Well, I will just have to try some of this.

Sometimes I'll say "hmmm, I wonder if X is too big?" Or "Is that blue right?"   As painter Bob Burridge says:  "If you have to ask the question you already know the answer!".

One way to avoid having to correct all this late into your project is to make a quick sketch first.  Or do a rough study on paper with paint.  Had I taken a bit of time to do that, most of these problems would have been figured out before I began the final painting.

Maybe I can put the painting in Photoshop now that I have a jpeg of it and play with it there - do my 'homework' on my laptop and then finish the painting. 

We'll see how it goes.  Who knows, maybe it'll end up something totally different - again!

Floating Tulips, acrylic on canvas


I think this triptych is finished...?? This happens from time to time.  Less often when painting from a set up still life, but if I'm doing any abstraction, esp. if from my imagination, it's tempting to want to add just one more brush stroke, a little addition of color or line. 


So, I'll put it up in the studio and see how it 'feels' for a few days. Will go from there....
Mary


p.s. a friend asked why she gets emails and not the actual blog.   To view the blog, just click on the highlighted daily title.

Free Demo of Acrylic Products.....& My Class

Hi all,  I'll probably post a  painting tomorrow but wanted to give you all a heads up on two upcoming events:

Oct. 22, Free Demo:  Many ask about the various mediums and additives that can be used with acrylic paints.  A rep from Golden Paints will be demonstrating many of these products at Riley Street Art Store, Fourth St., San Rafael

Oct. 30, Class:  I'll be teaching my Beginning Painting with Acrylics (aka Get Ready to Paint) class at Riley's on October 30th. 11:00-2:30.  Pass the word along to any friends who have wanted to paint but are hesitant.  We cover brush types, color mixing, prepping surfaces and other basics. This class prepares a really novice artist to embark on her first painting class.

You can check out details here:   http://rileystreet.com/   (look under classes/San Rafael)
OK - More soon,
Mary

Flowers...and sales

These little flowers were the last from a big bouquet; wish I knew what they are.  The background is a greenish blue -- you may be able to tell if you tilt your screen a bit.  Oil on board. 6x6"  Can't figure a name - ideas?

$$$.  Making art can be so expensive. Just thought I'd give those of you who have taken up art recently a heads-up about the back-to-school sales that are going on through the end of Sept.   While I usually shop local art stores, I was curious about the on-line store sales.  I compared buying 5 items at two on-line stores.  The same 5 items were about $50 at Blick Art, about $114 on another site.  Riley's and other local stores are also having good sales.  Up to 60% off their normal prices. So if you need to stock up, now may be a good time.

Homework time..... value study.

OK - in the spirit of 'practice what you preach',  I did some homework before jumping right into my daily big project.  Yesterday I practiced values (we discussed value in class Sunday).

Value:  lightness and darkness.  Value adds energy and interest to your painting... and it helps prevent chaos. Making your paint darker or lighter is how you control value.

(Remember, this is NOT about color. )

Notice values here: light value the top of top box, the box becomes less bright on the left side.  A darker mid-value on the side of  bottom box.  The ends are the darkest value, esp. that right bottom corner.  There's a tiny highlight on the little front right top corner of the bottom box. Some of the table cloth is in shadow, some in light.  If these same-color boxes were painted in all one value (no change between light and dark) - the painting would not read with any interest or energy.  (not that cardboard boxes are THAT interesting :-) The eye would not travel around the painting.

Note:  You can get darker shades of the main color you are using by adding black to your original color or by adding ultramarine blue+Aliz. crim or cad red, ult. blue+orange to your original color, etc. 

Your turn! EZ Lesson:  

1. Set up a simple subject (e.g. piece of fruit or a box etc.),  shine it with an angled light so you have bright side, a dark shadow side, and some in-between tones.  

2. Paint using only black and white to paint your picture......mix all your tones..from your charcoal gray to your very light/white highlight.  

3. Look at the subject very careful.  Identify your darkest area and decide how dark is it.  Is it pitch black or some slightly lighter shade?  Where is the highlight?  Notice all the values next to one another.  Paint your darkest areas first with black or charcoal black, paint your highlight or brightest area with pure white.  Then mix a couple grays for the in-between shades.  Try a few!

I did use a bit of color here, but I wasn't thinking about color - just my shadows and brightness.

Some artists always make a blk/white/gray value study before starting a new color painting - whether abstract or realistic. Then they know and transfer the value results to their color piece.

Let me know how yours turns out. Good luck!

"Best Buddies"

"Best Buddies" Acrylic on paper. a 20 min study.

Hey, remember me? Bet you thought I'd quit blogging. Don't know how many of you are still receiving these...hopefully some of you are still "out there"?

Over the summer, I posted a few of the 2011 series I'm working on...the abstracted florals. But, to fess-up, I had a light painting schedule. Busy summer - with a couple little local trips, lots of special time with my two grandkids... Now it's fall and I'm jumping back in.

Warm-up activities: The little painting here was done Friday -- 20 minute exercise. An art pal and I have giving set up a schedule of exercises we'll each do every week. It's a great way to hone technique. Like practicing piano scales or tennis forehand. To paraphrase what every painter knows - you have to put in the hours; you have to paint hundreds of paintings to be really competent.

Today I taught a class at the local jc and it was a blast. Had about 15 students - who knew that Sunday was a great day to teach. Makes sense; people are not at work. Everyone in this class was so very enthusiastic about starting their painting journey. Some are delving into abstracts; others plein air, still life, figure... some start their first 'real' class tomorrow! I forgot to take a photo of the class - sorry about that.

Value Color Charts

(sample value grid. Far right column is black to white value chart. The yellow and red columns are value color charts. More below)

If I've said this before, it bears repeating: "Color gets the credit but value does all the heavy lifting.." (anon).

Value is light vs. dark. Every color can be made darker or lighter by adding black (shades) or white (tints). Changing value can be done to color right out of the tube or to mixed colors (e.g to red + blue.....purple).

By being aware of the mood you want to convey, you can use value to create successful energy (vs. chaos) or calm beauty (vs. dullness).

There are two reasons to creating value charts to pin up in your work space:

a) they will help you learn how to control value in our work.

b) you'll discover some amazing colors when mixing black and/or white with 'raw' colors (e.g. check out, in student sample photo, the cool green made from cadmium yellow and black)

For those ready to put in work for a big pay-off, here's how to:

make a Gray Value chart:

1) Draw a 1" wide column, divided it into nine equal segments, about 1" deep.

2) Paint the top segment black; the bottom one white and then use 50/50 for the middle segment.

3) Try to fill in the empty segments with gradually changing mixtures of gray.

The goal when making your steps is to avoid big 'jumps' from one segment to the next. i.e. visually each step should reflect the same degree of change as the step before it. Sound easy? HA! Keep at it until you feel you are really close to having the top to bottom move smoothly from one square to the next.

make a Color Value Chart:

1) Draw your column as noted in 1) above.

2) Paint your top segment almost black but with enough color to see it as a very dark version; paint the bottom segment almost white, with a hint of the color. For the middle square try and make a combination of the top and bottom color, approx. 50/50

3) Fill in the empty segments with gradually changing proportions so that all steps are complete, with no big 'jumps' from one segment to the next.

Let me know how you do!

Remind: July 9th

Reminder! Class this Saturday at Riley Street Art Supply. 2:00 - 5:30. It'll be loads of fun - for the true novice! This orientation will get you familiar with brushes, color mixing and other aspects about painting that you need to know- before you jump into that first landscape or figure class. Come join us - NOW. VERY LOW KEY! email me today.

(if you know anyone who's wanted to try painting but was hesitant, send this along to him/her).

Photo: Tam Adult Ed Class.

Spring Tulips

Spring Tulips - 24x26"

As you may remember, I've been posting a new series "Spring - 2011".

This diptych was painted in the same vein as the first few in the series (show in older blogs) but, rather than coming from my head, I drew inspiration from an old photo of tulips I love. In the photo about 1/3 of the white wall was in bright sunlight; the rest was darkened by shadow. I used that as a spring board in creating the composition.

My goal is to create a body of about 10-12 paintings. I better get going or it'll have to be a 2012 series!

This evening, I'll post twice - using a detail from this piece, to demonstrate dry-brush technique.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer.

Two makes for too much fun!

I was lucky to have my painting pal Linda Yoder here Memorial Weekend. How indulgent it was to think, talk about and make art all weekend long. At one point we did 1 minute timed ink sketches of one another in various standing and sitting poses. Have you ever tried to draw someone in one minute? EXACTLY! several of our attempts brought tears to our eyes - of laughter that is.

On Monday we did some oil painting; hubby Phil snuck in to snap this of us. A good time and a couple good little pieces to boot.

You can check out Linda's blog - link in the right. column

There's painting...and then there's painting...

(Click image to enlarge)
Painting lots since my last post but not so much on canvas. Long overdue, I schlepped everything out of my studio to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls and even the floor. Now that I've put everything back in place, it's time to get back to working on the 2011 series.

Here's a quick photo of the new gray floor and clean white walls. I'm raring to go - it's like I've moved to a brand new place. Watch for new work soon. Mary

HIghs and Lows and everything in between.

Sharing a peek at this weekend's Open Studio reception. (thanks for the photos Patricia)

Left photo: my pal Gerry dropped in to check out the new work. She's been a trouper - regularly supporting my shows.

Right photo: A unexpected reunion with one of my very first buyers, Barbara, and her hubby came on through. What a delight it was to connect again.

Highs and lows during these events. Some visitors come and chat about art and life ; others glance but walk on to another studio -having thick skin is important.

Bottom line? I enjoy it all and look forward to the next adventure. Will keep you posted.

Yikes! Only two days before Open Studios

Abundance, 36x48. click to enlarge

This is my most recent painting; finished it this week. It's a big guy. 4 feet wide. Had great fun painting it. It came along right on the heels of the Spring pieces and was meant to fit that body of work but seems to have a quirky personality of its own. (the painting is lighter, brighter than this but I didn't have time to correct it)

Last minute craziness today. I'm about to head out to hang my paintings at the gallery that my two pals and I are sharing for 2011 Open Studios this weekend. It's sometimes hard putting your work out there for scrutiny but it's also a joy meeting so many people as they wander through various studios, asking questions, sharing their thoughts.

We spend two full days at the studio: 11 - 6 (well longer since we go early to get things ready; stay later to clean up. The address again is 1337 Fourth Street, San Rafael. Would love to see you!This is my most recent painting; finished it this week. It's a big guy. 4 feet wide. Had great fun painting it. It came along right on the heels of the Spring pieces and was meant to fit that body of work but seems to have a quirky personality of its own. (the painting is lighter, brighter than this but I didn't have time to correct it)

Spring II - part of the Open Studio exhibit

Spring II. 30 x 48 diptych acrylic on canvas, (click to enlarge)

The other day I posted Spring I; this diptych is part of the same series. I began these paintings during a long dreary rainy spell, needing to put some color into my day. Abstract yet recognizable these pieces are less about the subject than they are about the feeling the subject inspired in me.

The levels of energy, movement and color in the Spring series are quite a contrast with work I did last year which were very still and quiet. In those previous pieces, faintly sketched subjects sat gently against pale smooth backgrounds.

I've found that over the years in my studio, the cycles of the seasons, my moods, what is going on in my life is continually reflected in my work. I guess it's a therapy of a sort.

An Invitation for May 7 & 8

click images to enlarge.

Did you think I'd given up on my blog? It seems like forever since I posted but I have good excuse....at least I think so. We were away for a reunion with my father's family in Italy. It was amazing. So do forgive my lapse.

Since I returned I've been painting crazily to finish up some new pieces for....(drum roll).... OPEN STUDIOS ~ May 7 & 8. Three of us will share a studio space and there are 40 other artists throughout the building. Hope you can drop by to say hi. (1337 4th Street, San Rafael, CA. 11-6 both days).

The two images here: (1) SPRING one of my new pieces. 40x36", acrylic. (2) Your invitation from me and my painter pals (click to see their names and details of the show).

There will be snacks and music and lots of fun art, so if you can, come by. Drop me a note if you have any questions.

Don't be fooled...same class -new name

Birthday Tulips acrylic on canvas 20x2.

click on picture to enlarge

Please note - the "Beginning Painting with Acrylics" class that I'll teach at Riley Street Art Supply on April 2 is actually the same "Get Ready to Paint" class I've been teaching at College of Marin and Mt. Tam High Community Ed.

Riley's felt this new title fits better for the art store. I just want to make sure that my previous students don't think this is a new follow-up class. (I am working on one though - will let you know when we're ready to go "live" with it.)

Hot tip: - LAVA SOAP! No kidding. Keep this under your sink. It's the best for washing off oil and acrylic paint.

BTW: These flowers were painted in two days . You kno how tulips droop so fast...had to catch this little gift from hubby before I lost them all.

Good Sports all!

A Pair of Fujis... oil on canvas 6x6"
Today's class deserves a big THANK YOU for taking all the gliches in stride.... from the room change to not having access to the supply list until Friday late in the day. You were all so positive and upbeat - even Heidi after her auto accident!! Big round of applause to you all. The old room used for this class had tons of table and sitting space. Perhaps next time we'll be in there.

As always - teaching is a joy. So many people excited this new adventure.

I forgot my camera today so no shots of this cool group painting -phooey. Thought this an appropriate painting since we talked a ton about apples. '

Finally - students , go to earlier blog below and see the timed lemons we talked about. You can sign up to learn the newest class. If you have questions, comment below or email me m@maryvalente.com

Sneak preview

'sneak preview' ....

As you can tell in this close-up, I've taken a totally different approach to painting flowers than in the last post. That was a small 6 inch painting, in oil, done with small brushes and careful strokes. Realistic. This time I'm working a 48"x36" (4x3') canvas.

When approaching a large canvas it's best to stand back from the canvas, arm's reach. To get this loose look, I use a big filbert or brite brush, gripping it towards the end of the handle with my whole hand (not like holding a pen). Lots of sweeping and back and forth brushing -- rubbing edges of color into color (the side of my old brush is worn to a very different angle than its original shape from all that hard rubbing against the canvas). To create detail and interest, use the side of your brush and/or a Round

The cool thing about acrylic paint is that if you wait just a few minutes, one layers dries so you don't make 'mud' - you can get layers showing through layers. OR -you can paint wet over wet to mix your colors on the canvas - creating wonderful hues you would never get mixing on your palette. (That being said - I do mix colors on the palette but then work them into the canvas....they will change depending on if I'm painting over wet or dry areas.

Of course having some great music playing, warm light streaming in - makes this a grand old time. So grab yourself a big canvas (watch for sales: 2 for 1) some acrylic paint and get happy! Don't set up a still life, just have an idea - or a very loose sketch- of what you want to paint (totally abstract to an abstracted subject: flower, person, landscape. Don't try to make it real - make it full of odd color and proportion. PLAY!

Final painting should be up by end of week.

After the lemons came the little Pinkies

'Little Pinkies' oil on board. click to enlarge

Yesterday I mentioned doing a small still life after the warm-up lemons posted yesterday. This is it- lot of fun to paint. I especially enjoyed working out the shadows which are often a challenge for me.

I wish I knew the name of these sweet little flowers - do you? They were like fillers in a larger bouquet.

While working on this and the little lemons, I also have been developing a 30 x 46" abstract in oil. A journey - we'll see where it goes...

Warm-ups work (remember my challenge?)

Lemon Studies (click to enlarge).

Did you painters out there try the 15 minute challenge warm-ups? When I went into the studio Saturday, I brought down my kitchen timer, a little lemon and rushed out four 15 minute studies (top row); the next day I did three 10 minute studies (bottom row). You can see I "saw" the colors of the meyer better the second day - made them warmer, more orange.

You can bet I felt stiff for the first couple attempts.... then free and loose by the end. There are plenty of changes I would make with more time (let me know the changes you would make if you were working on them: lemon, background); it's hard not to fuss over each -- you need to stop when that timer rings. You can see that we're not aiming for 'perfect' here. But to be able to get that little meyer lemon down in 10 minutes feels good. Gets you ready to jump into something bigger with it's own challenges. From this I went on to paint a little still life of flowers (the remains of a bouquet). I'll post that tomorrow.

Keller Grand Opening & reception recap

SO! Have any of you painters/students tried the 15 minute challenge? I confess, I hadn't done it in awhile so yesterday, before I began work on my current piece, I did three 15-min. studies; used a lemon. It's gets you revved up, for sure. Tell me, via comments below or emails, when you try it; do you like it?

A couple of blogs below I told you about the Grand Opening Reception for der Keller: the new furniture/artisan store on Fourth Street. It was a great event - lots of amazing food and fun people.

That's me in front of 'Whisper I' - one of my larger pieces-pieces 60x40 -- Painting big is a challenge but I enjoy it a lot You have to have enough info that the eye of the viewer travels around the work rather than just to one place. Soon...... Mary

15-Minute Challenge for You!

A common exercise for painters is to do several quick studies each day to warm up. It's good on so many levels: helps you loosen up, builds skills, helps you really learn that one subject--well maybe not the first few times but after 100 you'll be able to paint an apple with your eyes closed.

For newer painters:

1. Pick a simple subject: an apple, orange, a cup, two cherries or grapes (not a big bunch). Set it up on a table. If you can put a spot light on it to create a dark and light side - even better but not required.

2. Divide a board or gessoed paper into 6 sections

3. Set your timer for 15 minute and paint. When the 15 minute time rings -STOP!!

4. Then paint 5 more - each with a 15 minute limit.

Don't fuss over it. Don't try to correct mistakes. You'll work them as you paint the next few. Just got for it. Have fun. Who cares if it isn't wonderful - it will be after you do this for your daily painting exercise. Next day paint the same subject or another.

For experienced painters:

Go to the Daily Painter website (below) and give their challenge a try. You have nothing to lose. No one will see you work - unless you want them to. If you like what you do - send it in to be posted on their site (read details at http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenges)

Their challenge: each week there's a new image and you are challenged to paint it 9 times in 10 minutes! And if you like what you've done you can post it on their site.

Are you up for trying this?! Let us know how it goes.

Using the comments section below - let us all know what you think of the challenge! And then how you feel when you have tried it.

Tam Class-fun (and corrected date for March!

a terrific group at Tam High on Saturday. Here are a couple shots of my enthusiastic and hard-working students. All nine jumped in to try the exercises, experiment with paint and brushes, mix gorgeous colors. They are really ready to go!

(click to see photos large)

I'll teach "Get Ready to Paint" workshop again on March 12th (corrected date), College of Marin. Contact me if you need more info.

After class,scooted to the reception at der Keller (see last post). It was packed. Great artisan furniture.... and the appetizers were terrific! It's fun to see my big abstracts hanging around the room. Also had a few little valentines paintings matted and in red frames. There is work by several artists and some really cool custom made furniture etc. Stop by the store - she's open Wed-Sunday. See address below

You're Invited~Feb 12th!

Two invites for you, and your pals...

Grand Opening ~ Reception

Feb 12, 3:00 - 7:00

A local couple are introducing their new store/artisan showroom. The Kunkles have designed a unique space that is more like a gallery than a furniture store. They have paired modern sofas and unique chairs with local artisan-designed wood and iron tables, metal sculptures..and, OH, did I mention? Art by local painters , including work by 'yours truly ;-)

der Keller is at 1850 4th Street, San Rafael, next to the Wooden Duck (across from the old Yardbirds store). I teach a workshop that day until 3:00, but will be there part of the time. Stop by, say hi, see all the cool artisan work, sample the goodies...

Get Ready to Paint Workshop: February 12th - Tamalpais High - 10 - 3:00.

You can just show up. It's part of the Continuing Ed Program - you'll have to register at class. You can do it now on-line or at class. Read the details at http://www.marinlearn.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=1010

Click on Art - then Visual - then look for Get Ready to Paint class. Easy !

Not a football fan? Join us on Super Bowl Sunday...

Get Ready to Paint Class. FEBRUARY 6, 11:30-3:30.

RILEY'S ART STORE. San Rafael.

This is for total beginners. An orientation to terms, paint, brushes, surface preparation etc. Presentation and hands-on ez activities. For anyone that would love to paint but is hesitant about getting going. Email me at m@maryvalente.com

for info, questions, to register.

To 'follow' or 'subscribe'? Hmmmmm

"Tipsy after Sake" oil on board

Click to enlarge

Since I sent out the new blog I've had several emails asking the difference a Follower or Subscribing. Those who Follow tend to check favorite sites often (e.g. Facebook, Blogs, My Space etc.) Followers go onto various sites regularly to see what's up.

The Subscriber merely signs-up once, then gets an email when something new is posted on the blog. So - it's boils down to if you'd rather have your food delivered or you want to go shopping :-)

I love these - a gift from a Japanese student who lived with us for almost two years. And they are too cute. They are definitely fun when we are having Japanese food (delivered), enhanced with a little hot or cold Japanese rice wine.