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.