Peach with Bowl Daily Painting

Peach with Bowl – 6" x 6" (15.25 x 15.25 cm) – Oil Canvas Panel

SOLD

Hello there,

This is my first daily painting in a few weeks. It is nice getting back to them as I like the small format and how they lend themselves as a means to investigate ideas and new concepts.

I have already shared some insights gained from the Harold Speed book The Practice and Science of Drawingand again I am struck by a comment he makes in the last paragraph of the Unity of Line chapter. “the small picture easily comes within the field of vision, and the whole impression can be readily grasped without the main lines being, as it were, underlined. But in a big picture one of the greatest difficulties is to get it to read simply, to strike the eye as one impression.” For a couple of weeks I have been chewing on this idea, as it strikes me as something very important to strive for and to learn how a small format painting, such as my daily paintings, hone some specific skills, such as attention to detail, creating a sense of depth through finish and intricate brushwork. Where with a larger format, detail may be required in some parts, but what is most important is to strive for unity in the entire piece so it can be absorbed in one impression, the first time a viewer has a chance to observe it in life. Then after the first impression, the viewer can go onto investigating further and absorb more of the nuances that make up the painting, but this should not overpower a large format painting. In a small format painting these nuanced details actually accentuate and add to the initial impression.

Now that I am getting back into the smaller format daily paintings, this thought really strikes home.

Friday Inspiration

Hello my friends,

Here are a few links that have brought smiles to my heart this month.

~ Caitlin shared a thoughtful poem about the journey of life

~ A sketchbook entry by Ester was a real joy to see

~ I like reading other artist's view about why we share art

~ Anna wrote about the power of dreams

~ I liked the brightness of this painting

~ Gennine's fishies are about as amazing as her birdies

~ Lisa Call has had an amazing month and has written several posts that were motivational and thought provoking, here, here, and here

Reading other blogs is so fun and helpful, in providing inspiration, motivation, and a connection to other artistic and thoughful souls. I am so thankful to these and other bloggers that share their experiences, feelings and thoughts with the world at large. Thank you bloggers!

Do you follow any specific blogs? what are your favorites? Leave a link in the comments, I would love to meet new friends.

Have a wonderful weekend! Liz

Gerbera Daisies Still Life Painting

Three Gerbera Daisies – 10" x 8" (25 x 20 cm) – Available on Etsy

It has been a busy two days now that other life chores are my focus and I am thankful for finding some time to paint. Gerbera daisies are probably my second favorite flower after sunflowers, they seem happy.

Artomatic 2009

Hi :)

It is good hearing from you and I am glad my schedule is settling down to the routine again.

Today I am excited to share with you the details about the Artomatic show opening this Friday. Artomatic is a volunteer art event in DC, it is not juried or curated, it is purely a democratic endeavor, so if you have 15 hours to volunteer and are willing to pay the entry fee you get a wall to display your artwork, any way you like.

Such independent art events have a long history, as they are responses to the established gallery or “salon” system. The Impressionists mounted their own show because of politics of the Salon de Paris, and the “no jury or no awards” show of Société des Artistes Indépendants (Society of Independent Artists) in 1884 was first free exhibition with more than 5000 pieces shown.

This is my first year to participate, I was inspired to become involved after visiting the show last year and enjoying the energy and variety of pieces shown. This year there are more than a 1000 artists participating and we have 9 full floors of an empty commerical building in SE DC.

Here is a picture of my wall.



I created a new series specifically for the show. For this series I had two goals, first was to experiment with the perception of space, how one perceives distance and identifies what is forward and what recedes in a two dimensional painting, and second was to work in a limited color palette where blues were the dominate unifying color. I also used my favorite still life objects, pears, apples, and peaches.



Last week and over the weekend while putting the finishing touches on my Artomatic wall I also redesigned my website. Here is a link to the series with better photos of the individual paintings. Every painting is available for sale, however due the rules of the show, the paintings must stay up for the duration of the show. If anyone is interested in one of the paintings please feel free to send me an email.

Thanks, Liz

Boston Sketchbook {Part 2}

Hi,

I am back with some more sketchbook pages from Boston. These are all from my last day in Boston, I was really inspired to draw and observe that day. On the previous days I was more caught up with thoughts and musing about different ideas on how best to go about developing my art career. I spent a lot of time thinking and I feel it in my bones that some decisions were made, though in a lot of ways I think the ideas still need time to crystallize into more definable goals… Does this ever happen to you? After making decisions in your gut, you still need to take time and let them settle so your brain can understand them more. Right now that is where I am at.

While in Boston I visited the Boston Public Library, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Isabella Gardner Museum.




These two layouts are from the Isabella Gardner Museum


This sketch was from a long wait at a bus stop.

The Museum of Fine Arts had a great special exhibit on Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese. If you are fortunate to visit Boston this summer, try to make time to visit this exhibit, it was really great seeing so many strong paintings in one grouping and to learn how the individual artists were influenced by each other. And for a more eclectic museum visit go to the Isabella Gardner museum. This place had some truly remarkable pieces, including the Sergeant painting El Jaleo. It really knocked my socks off.



That is all I have to share now, see you tomorrow with a post about the Artomatic show and photos of my wall there. Tomorrow is the last day to set up before the opening this Friday, May 29th.

Boston Sketchbook {Part 1}

Hello ~

I have been very busy during the last two weeks and I regret it has influenced my ability to post on a regular basis. There is a lot to share with you, and I will be making more regular visits to the blog and to yours in the weeks to come. I have missed catching up and reading your blogs and seeing how you are doing.

Two weeks ago I was painting like a mad woman in order to get my series completed for the Artomatic show, part of the rush was because last week I knew I would be in Boston for several days accompanying my husband on a business trip. The trip was fun and once back I have been busy with final preparations for the Artomatic show, more on that tomorrow.

Here are a few pages from my travel sketchbook.

Catching Up

Hello Friends ~

How have you been this week? The weather has been fine in DC, warming up and sunnier than it was for most of April. Yippee, summer is nearing! My favorite season J

The reason for the minimal blog posting lately is because I have been busy working on new paintings for the Artomatic Show opening at the end of the month. I am working on a new still life series I will share with you in a few weeks.

A few weeks ago, I was given a second easel, so both of my easels have now been put to use. I paint in my old studio space (the breakfast area) when the natural light is not good enough to paint in my new studio space (the dining room). All of my day has been dedicated to completing these paintings and with my back feeling better, it is fun to be able to put in the pain free hours and paint to my heart’s content. I have been making sure I take breaks, rest, go out for walks, and all the other things my physical therapists recommends. I do not want a repeat of April, where I was out of commission for almost 13 days because of pain. During the breaks I will sometimes sketch my kitty, Slim, here are some 5 minute sketches of her.

Three Strawberries Daily Painting

Three Strawberries – 4" x 6" – Oil on Canvas Panel

Hi ~ Today I was able to fit in a daily painting alongside other art and life activities. These strawberries were from a bunch picked up today while out grocery shopping, once home I typically cut up strawberries so they are easy to grab for lunches and ready to eat. These three were exceptionally picturesque, so I set the strawberries aside on a paper towel with the intention of painting them, in reviewing them on the paper towel, I decided to use it as the background, incorporating the quilted pattern for some added texture in the whiteness.

Ranunculus Daily Painting

Ranunculus – 4" x 6" – Oil on Canvas Panel – SOLD

Hello Friends,

Here is the first daily painting in a week, I am still working on three mid-size paintings for Artomatic, and so time to paint daily paintings has been somewhat limited. Yesterday evening I purchased some flowers so I would be inspired to continue painting even after I had focused most of the day on the other painting. The ploy worked, after calling it quits with the other painting I was still motivated to paint a daily painting. This is also my first attempt at this silver mint julep cup, I love the abstract shapes in the reflections.

Here are some interesting Flickr images of ranunculus I came across tonight: 1) *Louise**, 2) salala817, 3) *ojoyous1*, and 4) dotsara

Have a wonderful evening! Liz

Inspiration - Blog Links

Hello,

What has inspired you this week? For me, I am inspired by textures and color, how the two sometimes support each other and at other times not. I organized my desk some, pinning up cuttings and grouping other texture rich items.



I am also back to painting. I am working on three medium format still lifes, each painting full of interesting folds and shadows and my favorite items. These will be placed in Artomatic next month, so I will reveal them on opening day, May 29th.

Here are some of the links I have come across this week that have brought a smile to my face. I hope they may do the same for you…

} A Room of One’s Own ~ The old Chinese Woman and the Vase

} Lobster and Swan ~ In love with lilacs

} Artslice ~ Glassmaking at Jamestown

} Geninne’s Art blog ~ Geninne…. In Action!

} D.S. Brennan ~ Hump Day Happiness

This week’s quote:

"Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” - Oscar Wilde