Art Related Pinterest

I've been adding a lot of my favorite sites and things I like to my Pinterest site. Of course most of the pins are artist's web sites, art blogs or related to art.  I hope to put some really cool Photography, Graphic Design and Illustration, Favorite Food and Recipes and other pins up there over time.  I have to admit that it's mostly for myself so I can see all my favorite stuff in one place, but I also hope to introduce other people to these artists and view art and things that they may not have discovered otherwise.  Hope you enjoy!

Rick Mercer's Pinterest Page

Getting back in the groove

Well it's been awhile since I picked up the brushes but I've managed to get back into the swing of things. I've been trying get back into the "daily painting" thing and I cranked out 4 paintings last week which I'll post when I take the photos. Here is a sketch I did on the bus ride this morning. You quickly forget how much fun it is. You learn some serious quick sketching skills as well as the bus hits pot holes, people move in front of your subject, your subject turns his head or worse he gets off the bus altogether.  Hate when that happens!

I'm looking into maybe teaching a class at Create Artisan Studios in Wakefield as well.  They are located at 39 Albion street in Wakefield, Ma and there number is: 781-975-1319.

I spoke with AnnMarie the owner and we've discussed a few possibilities. Teaching a daily painting class either one night or over a period of a few weeks or a paint and drink night. Maybe even a weekly drawing course if there is interest.

 http://www.createartisanstudio.com/

Received Scholarship for Landscape Workshop

I really excited I received a scholarship for a 3-day Landscape Workshop with Andrew Orr.  I met Andrew at the awards ceremony at the The Boston Guild of Artists back on October 2012. Andrew won the Robert Douglas Hunter award that night.  I had a chance to chat with him for a bit and I asked if he had any workshops that he was planning so he gave me his card and told me to check his website because he did in fact have a few planned for 2013.  We stayed in touch and emailed back and forth and he mentioned that I could apply for a scholarship that would cover the entire $300 workshop cost and turns out that I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive it from the Southern Vermont Arts Center.  Thank you so much to them, please check out their website for more great workshops at: http://www.svac.org

Andrew Orr "Quiet Side of the Lake" 16" x 24" (Oil on Panel)

Robert Jackson Opening Night Exhibition

"Poker Night" Oil 24" x 36" by Robert C. Jackson

I attended the Opening for the Robert C. Jackson exhibit at the Arden Gallery on Newbury street and it was spectacular as expected.  I did get a chance to chat with Bob (I was he goes by Bob) for 20 minutes or so and he shared some helpful tips on his painting techniques. 

He also shared his story about painting and hanging out with John Morra at his studio which is a converted church.  I saw photos of it in Workshop magazine and it's unbelievably beautiful.  I guess John invited a bunch of artists to his place for a weekend and Bob attended.

The pieces on exhibition were great and there were a few new subjects that I've never seen such as some milk containers, a wooden table and there was even a painting of this huge stack of oreo cookies that was about 3 feet tall.  Very whimsical paintings indeed!  If you ever get a chance to view his work, you will not be disappointed and you'll certainly get a chuckle.

Also, I'm not very big on spending lots of money of books unless I really, really like them, but Bob has a new book out that features tons of his work in full-colored plates and I'm going to purchase it myself.  I viewed it a the opening and for some stupid reason I didn't purchase it there.  Why?  I have no idea why because I could have saved $10 shipping and had him sign it while I was there.  Lesson learned I guess.  Click on this link to order his new book:

http://www.robertcjackson.com/pages/book.html

Portrait Painting Demonstration this Sunday, March 11th at Kidcasso

I will be doing a 2-hour Portrait Painting Demo this Sunday at Kidcasso Art Studio which is located on Albion Street in Wakefield, MA.  There is a minimal $2 fee to cover studio costs. 

The demo will be an underpainting done if burnt umber or burnt sienna.  The main idea of this demonstration is to share my thought process as I paint my portraits.  I will discuss how to sketch in the features, how to shapes instead of painting parts of the face, how to paint values and their importance, getting a likeness and how to paint individual parts of the face.  I will also have a brief discussion on the Zorn palette and how you use it to simplify your painting.

Paul Beliveau Art Opening Exhibition

"Vanitas 11.12.15"  (acrylic 48"x48") by Paul Beliveau

I attending the opening exhibition of Paul Beliveau's new works this past Friday at the Arden Gallery on Newbury Street and although the artist wasn't present, which was highly disappointing, I was able to spend some uninterrupted time viewing the paitings up close.  The gallery was pretty much empty due to the fact that the gallery mistakenly didn't include a date for the opening night exhibiton but it did work out in my favor because it was not crowded.  This is a great gallery and one of my two favorite galleries on Newbury Street - the other being Newbury Fine Arts.  If you're on Newbury Street please visit them and say hello and view some of their artist's works.  Paul's exhibition runs until March 31st if you want to take it in.

You can view all of Paul's work on his website: www.paulbeliveau.com .

Their next exhibit is coming from April 3-28 is another favorite artists, Robert Jackson, who paints these whimsical paintings with performing balloon animals to apples flying airplanes.  Opening reception and book signing for Robert Jackson is Friday, April 13th from 5-7pm. 



Abbey Ryan's Online Painting Demo

I was able to watch Abbey Ryan's online painting demo last week and was very cool.  I love watching how other artists work a painting.  You can view this demo and others by visiting her web blog:  http://ryanstudio.blogspot.com/ and you can also visit her main site: http://www.abbeyryan.com/. 

Abbey paints in a "alla prima" or all-at-once style which is the process of painting a painting directly onto the canvas and usually in one sitting.  Her painting style was handed down by her teacher, David Leffel at the Art Students League.

Abbey sometimes includes these magnificent bottles in her paintings that are equally beautiful, you can view on the Jury Smith Bottle Shop site:  http://shop.jurysmith.com/