Morning Chores...not bad, huh?

oil   8x10                      Morning Chores                    click image to enlarge

Painting pal Linda and I were walking the Corta Madera Creek early one morning during her last visit and took a couple photos of folks getting ready to row. The challenge on this was catching the wet shimmer on the deck he was standing on.
$225.00

Emerging Artist Visits Studio

Occasionally, visiting artists come to work in  my studio. The most frequent is this sweet 'emerging artist', a favorite, who recently spent time creating a large installation piece--one that will include not only painting, highlighting the cleaner wrasse, but also factual essays and creative fictional work.  How lucky I feel to be painting along with such a fun studio mate.

What next? 

dabbing leftover shelf liner for creative effects

Almost done- wrasse's yellow body & shiny eye really draw attention 

A Painting - A Painting Tip

oil   8x10"                  untitled                          

Silly, sneaky surf ---laying low and far out and then suddenly it comes up behind you and in one fast swoosh, wipes out all your best tunnels!  The kids just laugh and start again.  I guess that's the fun - to see how far you get before the sea pushes its way in to play.  Sea Ranch 2013.  I haven't  come up with a good name about the tide or surf...  open to suggestions, please!

Also, a painting tip - for those who want to paint more loosely.  
One technique that artist Peggy Kroll-Roberts uses to help students loosen up is the "25 strokes or less" exercise.
A quick overview.  (1) set up a simple still life...or figure or use a photo; (2) squeeze blobs of your usual colors around the palette edge;  (3) look at your subject and determine the colors you want to use --mix up big puddles of paint in various colors and set these, also, around your palette --leave room in the middle for any additional mixing you find you need along the way;  (4) draw in your composition;  (5) begin painting - AND COUNTING strokes.  Each time you pick up your brush-counts as a stroke. Use a large amount of paint on your brush, spread long strokes to cover as much of that color in your painting as you can.  See if you can complete the subject in 25 strokes.  Not easy, especially at first. It's fine if it's not a lovely painting - just keep trying.  

Peggy has a video that shows her doing this exercise and it really is helpful. "Limited Strokes".  You can find it on her website.  While you may or may not want to paint in her style...or use this approach all the time, it's a great way to get away from painting way too tight, too much detail.  Something I battle with ALL the time.

Artistically YOURS!

These gals were SO brave today! I made them paint from their heart rather than from a tangible subject.  And they embraced it fully.  Some went for realsim; some totally abstract. One had never painted before....another jumped from detailed watercolor painting to bold primary color abstracts.

We 'drew' music....we painted adjectives.  Looking for the brush strokes, colors and subject matters that make up one's 'signature' style.  A journey that can last a life-time.

Have Board Will Travel....

oil on canvas       8x16

My pal Linda caught a photo of this dude..while she was driving! (yea- she's ok!)  Is he a Surfer Dude...Hot Rodder...Hot Surfer....or ?  Bet you've got some fun titles..send them along and we'll share them.
Lots going on -
First - Sat. March 23, College of Marin - I'm teaching "Artistically Yours".  There's still room in the class so if you're free, come make some art.  Music, painting, fun people - doesn't get much better than that!  9:30 - 1:00.

Second - just joined Marin Society of Arts and have two paintings in the current show.  These pieces will be in their rental gallery for a few months.  If you are local, check out their rental program- a terrific and inexpensive way to get some fresh art up on your walls.

Finally - Studio Gallery in San Francisco accepted "Salute"...the glass and wine bottle painting (posted awhile back) ...for their Delicious show.  They've got a lot of great paintings for this theme. Check out their website...and the slide-show.  Reception is this Sunday.

OK off to play a little ukelele with my hubby (and his guitar).  Plug your ears!

Pampered Tootsies

(Tilt screen until colors pop)

 A few days ago a painter, Carol Marine, posted this photo of her friend/model ..and invited others to use it if they liked.  So here's my shot at it.  There are some things I'd like to do a little differently but overall am happy with it.  Trying to learn how to make whites pop is NOT easy.  I'd better go look at a few Sargent paintings - he is amazing.   Just noticed..I forgot her pearls!  She's a classy bather, no?!

Pleasant Lane Wildlife

too fun...found this canvas, and the original photo of these little guys (standing on the hillside behind our house), while moving my studio a couple weeks ago.  I think it's about five years old. Had only the bodies on a solid pale gray background - no heads! Happily they went in easily.  Loved working on it -and rather than detailing all the wild grass and trees I squinted and painted an abstract of the hillside lights of darks.

After all my complaining about moving into my new studio space - thought I'd share a photo.  More to do - like hang some art!   Know where I can get any? (haha)

Happy Valentine's Day

oil 8x8      just hanging out   click to enlarge

Grandson Ethan - a couple summers past...sitting out on a little dock on a lake.

What a crazy, fun, full month.  Taught two terrific classes: College of Marin-14 newbies; Drake High-7.  (sorry you all - i forgot to take photos of our activities!) Lots of wonderful new painters who tapped into their creative juices and fueled mine.

I started a 30 day challenge last month. Posted eight but then got involved in moving my studio (huge project; took way longer than I planned) so didn't finish them all.  But did learn a lot...like how hard it is to paint a full scene/landscape on a small surface!  for me - it's easier painting a 36x36-72" painting than a big scene on a small canvas. go figure!

oil 6x6                      Ethan & Ama              click image to enlarge

My bad! I am a couple days behind on my challenge postings.  Painted this yesterday and will post a drawing I sketched in the car on the way to a family birthday dinner Saturday. Weekends are a challenge; you'd think it would feel like extra time but there's always to many things to fit in.

Meet my grandson Ethan and his dog Ama...on one of their after-school walks.  It was fun painting these two - each stroke feels so much more personal than when I'm painting a still life or something I'm not emotionally connected too. (remember to tilt the screen if it's not sharp; it's hard to photo oiil paint when it's wet -lots of glare). 

Garden Variety ........ 9th of 30

oil on paper   garden variety    click of  enlarge

 Planted eggplant starters..expecting the generic purple kind... got these little green guys instead. Yup, they're full grown. Turns out they're Thai eggplant - who knew?  (note; if this looks a little washed out, tilt your screen --the colors will be sharper.  Sometimes the oil paint and light battle for attention)

Balboa Treats......8th of 30

Yesterday I mentioned painting a room - Oy! the color is like a sick salmon.  I just couldn't deal with it today so took on a challenge within the 30-day challenge.  My goal was to paint the sunlight hitting the buildings etc.  Too often, my 'light areas' is too cool, yet you have to be careful not to make it too yellow. I learned a lot on this piece...and it took some trial and error.

It was a tough piece to do in one day. The photo has a ton of detail,  most of which I left out.  Simplify Simplify is what art teachers always say...man, did I!    From last summer, Balboa Island.

Little Elena ...

This ends week one of the 30 in 30 challenge.  It's been quite a personal learning experience (on so many levels) and a lot of fun.  While some of the work this week isn't the caliber I'd like it to be,  as I study them now, I see ways to do things differently, experiment, improve.

I started a home project today - just couldn't seem to get a new painting done. So instead  I finished a sketch tonight (Tues.) that I started a few days ago.  I was going through a box of old photos Sunday and came across a photo of my granddaughter Elena at about 3 (she's 8  now!)  Seems fitting that I celebrate the end of week one with something/someone so special to me.

On the Porch.....6th of 30

5x7" oil on paper   On The Porch   click to enlarge

If you recall, I named this 30/30 challenge series: Everything But the Kitchen Sink. Well, in need of a subject for today's entry..and not wanting to resort to painting the sink (yet!) ...I grabbed a photo from our recent trip to Mendocino and used myself for the subject.  Happy memory - sitting on a porch at the inn, overlooking the ocean, on our 20th anniversary.  hmmm think she needs some features?Maybe I'll add them later today..

Oldies But Goodies (ii)....... 5 / 30

oil on paper           Oldies But Goodies (ii)        click to enlarge

See the tin? It's a cast-away from hubbies tea addiction :-) He loves to try a zillion different loose teas --they come in assorted tins with lovely labels....make perfect brush holders.  Today I again painted on a torn-edge archival paper.  I like the affect of the torn edge - you usually set it in a floating style frame so the edge of the paper shows.  Here it's just laying against a white board I had in the studio. hmmm as a look at it I think I need to soften the shadow of the palette knife.  Back to work I go...

'Twas the Season".....4th of thirty.

            oil on paper    'Twas the Season    click image to enlarge

All that's left from decorating for the holidays - this little twig of holly.  Today I used archival water color paper with 3 coats of gesso so I can oil paint on it.  Really like the surface texture.

 I was lucky to get this perky little branch...even when there's a large 'crop' of berries, most are moldy.  Any suggestions on keeping them healthy?

Oldies But Goodies ... 3 /30

6x6    oil            Oldies but Goodies    click to enlarge

These tubes got a make-over for their portrait today. They are so smudgy with various paint from my fingers that the white areas are a grayish-tan color.  Seemed only right to spiff them up. As I painted them I realized they are like old pals that bring me much happiness when I get to be with them.

I decided to call the paintings for this 30/30 challenge "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" - so I can let whimsy decide what to paint each day.   I love having options - don't you?

Used a board that has a very smooth surface and sort of clay-sh. Forgot I had these.  It just drinks up the paint so 'dries' quite fast.  That can be good but the downside is when you go brush on a new color near or on another color you applied just five minutes before, it's sticky and hard to blend.  I haven't decided if I like it or not.  Different, not bad; but takes some getting used to

2 down; 28 to go....

   5x7"  oil        Take Five (ii)     click to enlarge

Yup-you're right. This is the same subject as yesterday - is that cheating?  I decided to do it again because yesterday, in my haste to get my first piece done by the deadline, I realized too late that I wasn't able to to fit the little dancer's feet in the composition without scrunching-up her proportions..so it became a 'close-up' (artistic license ;-).   Love her stance.   I chose a different shape canvas board (5x7 today), made it much easier to get the proportions right.

BTW: A friend wrote to say she is not getting email updates of my blog for some reason; I didn't get my own from yesterday's painting.  Can you comment below (or email me) to confirm you are getting this?  I'll have to figure that those who don't respond are not.  Hmmmm...it's always something. 

Since I started a day late on the 30/30 challenge, does it mean I only have to do 29?  Aww..may as well go for the full 30.  Didn't think about the fact that it means weekends too.  Well, barring any big conflicts....

The Challenge: 30 in 30!

6x6  oil                     Take Five         click image to enlarge

Happy New Year to you all!  A painting pal, Linda Yoder, told me about this painting challenge: paint 30 paintings in 30 days. (Bet you thought I was going to try and lose 30 in 30!  ha...not!)  It's about getting into your studio and painting...and having fun.  The best part--there are no rules!  If you miss a day, do it the next; if you fall behind because life gets in the way, just pick it up when you can.  This challenge was initiated by palette-knife painter Leslie Saeta via her blog.  Over 230 painters have signed up.  If you want to check click here:http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/    Be patient - it takes a few seconds for all the paintings to load.

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