Thanks Studio Gallery!

Lean Two

In addition to Christmas cards in yesterday's mail, came a note that this little painting was purchased from the current "TINY" exhibit at Studio Gallery, Polk Street, San Francisco. Yea!  It always feels great when someone picks one of your pieces--like having your puppy litter find good homes! Haven't posted painting in awhile.  There was such a push for Open Studio weekend, and then I needed to get in gear for the holidays - goodies for grandchildren, nieces and nephews etc. 

As the new year approaches I'm thinking about a 2013 goal ...a direction/subject/style to tackle.  Setting a definitive subject is a challenge for me. I'm the type that often starts out on a journey, enthusiastic and spontaneous -and sees where it takes me.  But this year I want to be more thoughtful about the process.   I'm still undecided: figure, abstract, landscape, still life!  It's hard to narrow completely, and I know I won't completely work on one subject - it's just too much fun to mix it up!
But I'm open - Any suggestions?

Prints are in and lookin' good!

8x8                    Salute             giclee print

The giclee' prints arrived Friday from Skylark Images --they look great!  They really match the original painting.  Skylark uses archival pigment ink (different from home printer inks) on French high-quality watercolor paper. The print is 8x8" plus a 1.5 inch white border  which allows you to matte and frame easily.   It was a popular item at my Open Studio this weekend.  If you order asap, you can get it in time for the holidays.  (note: because of the size (total 11x11") an over-sized will be used).  You can click on the button to see details. 
Also, if there are previous posts you'd like to see in print form, let me know.

A Sneak Preview....

Yesterday - Day 1:  

I took these snaps early yesterday- the studio spiffed up and snacks out. 

not bad at all.  10 folks came by to check out the space, the paintings and say hello. The little wine print seems to be a favorite.  A couple earlier figure paintings also drew a lot of comments. An extra bonus - given I was going to hang out in my studio between guests, I took advantage of down time to paint.  A good day overall.  Maybe a few more folks will stop in today - the rain appears to be over; blue skies peeking out.  Back to the easel for awhile.

Holiday Art Sale...come-on-down!

Holiday Open Studio

click image to enlarge

Paintings on the walls! in boxes! on shelves!  Lots of little paintings under $100...and great deals on bigger pieces.  This weekend - Dec. 1 & 2 - Open Studio at my place.  (rain or shine!)  75 Pleasant Lane, San Rafael.  (Gerstle Park area)  Drop on by.......
p.s. if it seems right, you can share this blog post (or others) with one of the links below.

Salute, M&R

oil                              Toast to M&R             click image to enlarge

Recently met up with friends who live afar --visitng Sonoma for a wine/food tasting event...tres bien. A toast to a terrific afternoon with two very special people.  Went into my studio about 3:00 yesterday and this flowed like the good wine we tried - smoothly. 

Sunset...

                  oil 6x6                  Sunset               click image to enlarge

Found this little one half finished when cleaning up the studio.  It was calling for attention. 

Did I already mention Betty Edward's amazing book --"Color", (also authored Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain). This book is awesome.  Edwards has  taken a very complex subject ( one that has been written about by philosophers, physicists, poets and painters) and made it accessible and fun.  She covers the basics of color theory better than I've heard in any class, then provides exercises to ensure you assimilate what you've read.   It's tempting to skip to the exercises later in the book but the early chapters are important - esp. chapter 3.  I rate it 5*s!



Oldie But Goodie

oil   8x10                           click to enlarge

I found an old photo last week taken on a drive out in west Marin.  I tried to look up this tractor - possibly a 1940 Case, or a newer model but not too new.  It was fun to paint; spent a couple days on it. S omething about those big black wheels and bright red body reminds me of being a kid and tonka trucks.  If you know more about it - give a shout.

Round Two in Blue....

                        Lia with Mollie in Blue - a study  click to enlarge

I know, I know - you saw Lia and Mollie last post.  I painted another version - it's helpful to use the same subject to play with different approaches and styles.  Yesterday was the actual setting - the bushes and deck.  But there are so many ways to paint a subject... from photo-realistic (which I don't do but admire) to totally abstraction ( something I do rarely).  This is somewhere along that continuum.  The darker areas of the background are the dark shadows in the little bush behind them; the light is where the sun was hitting the outer leaves.  An added plus -knowing your subjects makes for some fun painting.  If you prefer one over the other...  let me know.

Simply a girl and a cat...

    oil    6x6              Lia and Mollie-Cat         click image to enlarge

Wearing a leotard and ballet skirt makes anything you do a little more charming...no?  Even just petting a kitty sleeping in the sun.   Behind Lia and Mollie-Cat is a Japanese Maple turning from green to dark red. I'm getting better at simplifying detail but I have to work very hard at it.

Empty Nests

                      oil  5x5                 Empty Nests         Click to Enlarge

This is an oldie that I forgot I'd painted.  During a painting weekend with pal Linda, we decided to try and paint some empty egg shells.  For some reason seeing them sitting there empty seems a little sad. Do you see that or is it just me?

It was my first time painting shells. Very fun- -the ragged edges, the colorfilled whites and soft shadows within made them really an interesting subject.

This is on a board, not framed but I can frame it too.

Toe Cross ~take two

So.... I kept looking at yesterday's painting and wasn't happy with it.  After looking at it today, I found a couple things to change..and did.  Can you find them?  (hint: one is an addition; one a subtraction).  Along the way a couple areas were altered just by virtue of the bigger changes I made: I lost some of the red tones in the background which I liked but prefer this  one better overall. 

This piece was challenging mainly because the girls were in shadow, back-lit, esp in the photo -  the girls, the walls, the bed - all were about the same value.  That's what I love about painting - you can go in any direction you want.  Took a lot of liberties with this one.

Toe Cross

oil  6x6                              Toe Cross                    click to enlarge

After class, the girls rehearsed their dance steps over and over..no reminder needed :-)  When I pointed the camera Elena (left) was facing forward but by the time I clicked, she'd made a spin.  I'd hoped to catch both girls' profiles, but I think this unusual composition works too. 

Artistically YOUR - Oct. 20, College of Marin

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”
Pablo Picasso

Pretty excited - I've got a new class coming up - one day; about 3 1/2 hours.  Hopefully it'll be a challenge and fun, for me and for my students.  A snippet from the College of Marin catalog...."Think Picasso, Diebenkorn or Brown... it's not their traditional work that we think of but the work created once they discovered/created their unique styles..."

   

What I want to provide:  a space where each student can tap into his/her inner inspiration and voice - experiment and paint without a set-up - create something unique. We'll have warm-up exercises, then each student will begin his/her personal journey.  

If this sounds fun- join me Oct. 20.  Know anyone else who might want to come? Send this along.

Email me if you have questions.

There's a link to register... here:   http://www.maryvalente.com/workshops.html 

Lean on Me ~ day 2

6x6" oil                    Lean on Me    click image to enlarge

OK,  so it's  day 6 since I last posted ...but, scout's honor,  this is the second day I painted on this piece  (went away for a couple days last week (20th anniversary, had a great time but forgot to pack my travel paints.).  Today I added an abstracted version of the design in Elena's white suit; made a few tweaks with hair shadows and values.  Loosely touched the feet.  I almost left them out but now think they work.  The strokes on the painting are more distinct than this photo shows.  Please click the painting above to enlarge; you will see the colors are more vivid. On to the next one in my summer review.

Lean on Me - day 1

oil 6x6           Lean on Me         click to enlarge

About 6:00 this evening I started my third painting of Elena and 'B' -almost finished, but not quite.  It fell into place pretty quickly but dinner was ready so I quit.  Next time I'll push the values some and finish their legs.  Add a little more contrast. Oh, and Elena (in white) has a foot that crosses in front of B - reads a little oddly in the painting.  Not sure if I'll leave it in.   thoughts? 

 I'm sure getting a lot of mileage from a very hot July afternoon when the girls were playing out on the deck with the hose. You may remember the similar ones I posted on August 2 below and July 6th.  

Kayak Resting

oil  9x12            Kayak Resting      click image to enlarge

This peach colored Kayak must log a lot of time in the  canals throughout Balboa island.  Strapped up on the deck -it looked like it was taking a break.  I don't do a lot of landscapes...trying to tackle a variety of genre.  This redwood house appealed to me since it had such strong contrasting shadows; the receding room on the right.  I also tried to keep things very simple and loose - left out lots of details and going for big shapes. It was a fun painting - looking forward to doing more.

Take Two! Second Sept. class

Am I painting?  Yes - however teaching has begun to be more and more a part of my schedule.  I've got a kayak/house scene I'll post next time.  Part of the Balboa Island work I'm doing.

Saturday, once again, I taught "Get Ready to Pain" class this month. And, once again, my students filled the room with bubbly enthusiasm and a fearless (well, almost...) spirit of adventure to the glass.

It turned out not all were novices (class is designed for newbies).  A  couple have painted quite a bit- just went for it on their own, no training ; one  has a BFA and has been an illustrator.  Another has painted in water color and wanted to try acrylics.  (shh, don't tell ..but I was a bit intimidated to learn how advanced my group was! ) But they assured me they really did want the basics and to fill in some blanks that were missing. 

It turned out marvelously. They especially enjoyed color mixing...it was hard to get them to go on to the next exercise.  It's really fun to mix paints and see how many versions you can create in one hue. 

We had a great day together. Don't take my word for it; check out these photos). 
The photos are from their color charts. (Gals, please forgive; I'm not the best photographer)

Move over Nona...

Well, just have to share this.  My granddaughter called last night with some exciting news.  "Nona, I found out today I won an award at the Marin County Fair!"  One of her teachers had submitted the kids' art work.  Now that they're back to school, she learned about the award...AND the $3.00 prize that went with it.  Not sure who was more excited!  It's terrific that she's always making art....and positive feedback like this will encourage her to stay with it.  Congratulation Elena!

Doing some painting myself this week but, alas, not on canvas.  More along the interior walls type painting.  But hope to be at it again next week and post something (even if it hasn't won an award :-)

Have Paint will Create!

Had to share these with you - I've already received paintings from a couple of my students from last Saturday's class.  I'm so happy that they wasted no time - the journey begins....

These two paintings are perfect examples of how a painter can go in wonderfully different directions just by altering how she handles brush, line, texture and color.

First, check out this piece from Laura R- her very first painting! It is lovely. Soothing. Her leaves are full of color variation, her background color choice makes the lemons pop. I can't wait to see the finished piece.

Laura didn't even wait until she had finished getting a painting room ready-- just headed outside and began to paint.  She had just started her piece and wanted to share how excited she felt about getting results so quickly. She wrote "(I)..loved the challenge of trying to find the same shade of paint they used and.... the right brush to create the effect.  It was so nice to lose myself, relax, and solve the puzzles."  Laura, when you talk about losing yourself....and solving puzzles...you're hooked! Looks like you've found a new passion. (click painting to enlarge)

by Laura

 This second painting is from Else T.  What an exciting use of color and texture going on here. By working with shades of complimentary colors Else has created such strong energy and tension--the colors glow; the brush strokes vary and you want to look deeper and deeper into the piece. Vibrant is the word that comes to mind.  While Else has experimented with paint before, she joined the class to add new skills as she continues her journey into new genres.  You can tell by her work that she is in love with painting and, like Laura, it seems she can immerse herself into the joy of creating art.

by Else

I encourage you all to just pull out an old brush (even a wall paint brush) and some paint and play.  Life goes fast - take time to play!

Did we have fun today...........?

You Bet We Did!  While our size was small (where were you other three?), our spirit was BIG!  Everyone jumped in with both feet.  Some had painted in different media or long ago, others had never picked up a brush.  With only a brief break for lunch (some even stayed to talk art even while chowing down), today's students were game to try any exercise thrown their way.  I get the feeling they're hooked.  Don't forget to do your homework y'all. Click image to see bigger.

Back to School Time!

Painting can get a bit lonely so it's always fun when it's time to teach and meet folks excited about making art.  This fall I'll teach my ol' standby as well as a couple new classes.  Check them out..maybe you or a friend might want to join me...
..."Get Ready to Paint" for total novices.  Sept. 1 and 15, College of Marin and Tam High respectively.

..."Artistically Yours",  a brand new one day workshop designed to tap into one's personal art style-- no rules, no expectations,  no mistakes...just heart-felt painting and fun.  

If you - or any of your pals, have thought about painting but are a little shy, these first two classes are just for you....see more at http://www.maryvalente.com/workshops.html   Contact me for supply list.

And last..Redwood High School - I'm especially excited as this will be my first time teaching high-school kids. An innovative Redwood teacher decided to offer a special three hour class weekly, after school for those art students who want more than their 50 minute art sessions a couple times a week.   I'll teach two or three evenings this semester.  Can't wait!

One tomato..two tomatoes

oil 6x6             click image to see details                       

We thought we'd seen the end of our summer  bounty so I did a little study one afternoon and then a new crop appeared. yeah!

Tried some new 6x6 boards - very smooth, Ampersand.  Found I don't' love them; they're just OK.  They drink up paint and dry really fast while I'm trying to paint color into color (or course, that can be good when you want to change something).  Found it harder to make thick brush strokes.

Tried a couple different background colors and angles.  Do you have a favorite?

On the blog images the reds are very different than on the real paintings.  But I'm repeating myself, no?  Reds - what's the deal?

click image to see details  

Painting tip: Palette for Oil Paint....and a viewing hint

Blog Viewing Hint:  when you receive a blog update with a new painting, click on the image and a large, cleaner, brighter picture will pop up.  The colors are truer.

Palette for oils:  I've been asked what I kind of palette I use for my oil paints...and how to store excess paint, so here you go...     There are dozens of options. Over the years, I've used a variety of palettes but I'm really happy with my most recent palette choice--very simply, glass --a clear piece of glass that I put in my old plastic palette paper box.  I line the box with a piece of cardboard then set the glass in.   Got the glass from an old picture frame, 11x`14".   Or you can have one cut to fit the box or any size you want.  I like having a little extra room between the glass and box edge to lift it easily. 

You can put your fresh paint around the edges of the glass and mix your colors in the middle.  When you are ready to wrap up for the day, merely wipe up the middle and pop the lid on.  Some folks put their covered paints (box or other palette) in the fridge or freezer; they can keep a long while that way.  If I'm going to be painting daily, I just clean the glass, cover and leave it in the studio. If the paint does get dry and hard, use a razor scraper.  ez.   Let me know if you have any questions.....

8x10 oil               Balboa Paddle Boys   click image enlarge

Continuing on my figurative painting journey.   It's challenging to get body proportions right: subtle tones of shadows and light to be learned; how to darken enough to create a conversation between dark and light and yet still reflect the warmth of skin.  These young lads were paddling along one of the canals in Balboa when I was down south for my recent class.  After class, pal Linda and I walked the island. Took photos of folks strolling, boating, paddling...and to top it off - a Balboa Bar (homemade ice cream dipped in your favorite type of chocolate- ymmm).

Elena & B #2

   6x6" oil            _________??    click image to enlarge

This is the second painting of several I plan to do of Elena and pal "B".  I began it yesterday but it was way too dull with little pep to it.  The colors were muted - too gray; the girls and background all sort of blended together. Today I brought the colors up (more saturated) and am happier with it.  Lots of funny shadows all over the arms and legs to deal work out. Not sure what to name this; any suggestions? The girls are looking at something inside the pail...and I forgot to ask what.
(btw, does it bother you that the background it blue..and not real (local) color/brown?

Two weeks+ since last post - geez!  But I have a good excuse - attended a color workshop.  Crazy -four full days and never made a painting. A technical workshop about the properties of color: hue/value/chroma (aka saturation/intensity).  I know a lot about hue and value but didn't have my head around chroma..and am still grappling with it.

Celebrating a Friend

             oil                        For Cathey         click image to enlarge

Decided to do a quick painting yesterday, tried out new panels (very smooth Ampersand boards). Only had about 90 minutes - forced myself to get darks and lights laid out quickly.  The smooth finish really threw me at first - the paint drys very quickly which is a plus when you can add new paint over the bottom coat and make changes easily but harder to mix paint into paint on the surface.

This orchid was a special subject.... from Sunday when several friends, along with her family, gathered here to celebrate a lovely and talent friend.  Through shared stories we learned so much about this quiet and gentle soul. Her husband played CDs full of the songs she  wrote, sang and recorded over many years (beautiful - not unlike Joni Mitchell) and displayed art and jewelery she created. We knew she did a little art 'occasionally' -but all marveled to seethe depth and breadth of her work.  Quietly she went about her life, taking joy in the act of creating.  I like to think she guided me in this little quick painting.   click here to purchase.

Secrets

oil                          Secrets             click image to enlarge

"promise not to tell...."  Little girls sure love their secrets. 
Did this study of my granddaughter and her pal Isabella yesterday.  I've been thinking about painting figures for awhile; not portraits but looser impressions...universal poses and gestures that may trigger a memory, a shared experience.  I'll crank through many more studies to learn how to mix a variety of skin tones, work out body proportions, create relaxed gestures.  It'll take time to develop in this genre but I'm excited to begin.

p.s. pls excuse the lighting on this photo; I shot it on my easel and the floor lamp hit the left side.

Fresh Reds

6x6 acrylic               Bunched Up        click to Enlarge

Awhile ago I painted three radishes with this same plate and tea-towel. Even though it's only a 6x6 canvas, it felt empty and awkward.  So, on the same canvas, I painted right over the old one:  set up a fresh crop of radishes and 'zoomed' in on my subject.  I think it works better I am amazed at how leafy radish bunches are - never noticed it before I began painting them.  Love them on everything!   $100. Click here to purchase.

And the Beat Goes On....

double click to enlarge

Can you believe it's almost the 4th of July? Hope it's been a great summer for you so far.  If you're looking for fun things to do, there's the County Fair coming up and also Art Works Downtown just opened "Still Lifes" - a new exhibit in their main, street level gallery.  It runs through Aug 3 (closed Mondays). Reception is Fri. July 13, 5-8 p.m.  Free admission. Maybe I'll see you there.  http://www.artworksdowntown.org/1337-gallery-current-exhibit/blog

I'm just getting back into the studio - I spent much of last week cleaning it up; now I wont' trip when i walk in, lol.  Hope to have some new work to post in the next week or so.  (Students, are you painting?!)

The Party's Over

 Remember me writing about the festival a couple weeks ago?  I would have posted soon but beginning early Monday after the art weekend,  we had the grandkids here for five days - for Camp Pleasant Lane.  Had a blast but put off computer time until now.

In case you forgot, the festival weekend was HOT! 102 degrees-but-who's-counting hot.  Needless to say it really had an impact on festival attendance,  a let-down for sure.   Saturday was the worst; Sunday a bit better but Father's Day, so it was pretty quiet.  Years ago when I participated (before the housing and

financial downturn) large crowds were waiting when the gates opened at 10:00 a.m. each day.  This weekend they pretty much trickled through.  At one point on Saturday, about 4:00, the only people milling around were some of the artists -on their way to buy a chilled rink.
HOWEVER - there were some fun highlights to the event, which centered meeting with friends (old and new), family and my supportive students who came by ~ thank you, gals and guys.  Enjoyed some good music and yummy food.

Here are a few photos: a) first 3 -set up (thanks to my biggest fan and helper,  hubby Phil);  b) Stilt Walkers - always colorful; and c) a quiet moment in the heat with my pal Patricia (encaustic artist - good thing she didn't show - the wax might have melted!)