Blog
How Do I Get My Painting Subjects
Several years ago I wrote down my thoughts on my art process. Much of it is still pertinent so I thought I would share them. Since then, I have evolved some, have made some changes, and will share those thoughts later. Many people have asked me how I paint my subjects and where do I get reference material. Although it would be far easier to have a photo to copy, most of my work evolves ...
Rambles from a Jazz Festival
I am not unfamiliar with painting in public: courtroom, Virginia Living Museum, art shows, plein aire workshops. But painting the musicians at the Jazz Festival in Duck, NC was a first for me. Even though I was in a more isolated spot near the stage, I later discovered people were watching my art progress from the audience. Many stopped to chat as they walked to other areas of the green. During my time at the ...
Artist Sketch Rambles
I keep a folder of 8x10 and smaller incomplete sketches and carry it around with me. Many times they spark something and I will often paint over them. Over and over. When I am feeling ambitious, I organize them according to category: women, women and the beach, women at a wine bar, women on cave walls, women in cave walls playing musical instruments. You get the picture. I also print out photos of my paintings ...
Rambles Art Kids and Painted Antlers
Today I hired my two neighbor kids , a brother and sister ages 8 and 10, to paint gesso on some canvases. They did a great job. They got the first coat on at least seven canvases. I needed their help, but mostly I wanted to teach them about the act of doing art not just the painting techniques you learn in classes. I wanted to teach them about the preparation, the application, the reason ...
Saying Goodbye to a Great Influence
This morning I learned that Fred Adair has died. Fred was my professor and mentor when I was at the College of William and Mary for my MEd in counseling and guidance. He was the one who supported me during those crucial days in 1972 when I was a feminist in a conservative area (I was removed from my internship at Warwick High School because of my progressive thoughts on women). He helped me decide ...
Artist Sharing About Life, Part 2
This continues my sharing from Part 1. Go there first is if you haven't already. I drew everything that could not be photographed. Rock concert and loss of hearing? No problem. I used Edvard Munch’s "scream" running away from the musicians in the background. Gay marriage in the 80’s? No problem. I asked two staffers to hold hands while I drew as fast as I could. There were no iPhones and no time to process ...
An Artist Sharing About Life, Part 1
A few weekends ago, I gave a talk at Southwest Virginia Community College just before taking down my art display. You think college, you think college students, but there were alas only two that Sunday afternoon. But who could blame them. It was a gorgeous spring day in the Virginia mountains. I was going to lead with a brief ... what can a wrinkled old artist from Newport News teach you about the art you ...
Post Holiday Letter 2016
The holidays have come and gone- almost- and the survivors go back to their version of normal. With the prevalence of family photo Christmas cards I now see how wonderfully (as Garrison Kellor says) above average your family members are. And there must not have been any disasters this year. They look too happy. I am now aware of many wonderful places there are in this world that you have visited (though after you factor ...
Thoughts from an Artist
Thought I'd share some of my thought process as I get creative ... I am incubating. Not really a fun time for me. Why can't I be inspired by a new subject? Or should I play with different ways / techniques of handling the themes I have maybe become too comfortable with- dancers, musicians, people in activities. As much as I try to break away from realism I know myself well enough to accept that ...
Sharing Personalized Works of Art
Hi Friends, While I am waiting for my next big inspiration, I have decided to explore using my style of painting and personalizing it to the activities of my clients. In the past, people have thought they recognized someone in my paintings. In some cases, I have, in my own style, included known personalities into my paintings. During my career, I have painted musicians and dancers as well as people involved in sports - pretty ...