Let Summer 2014 Begin!

Horse Valley Camp +
Good Art Friends =
A wonderful way to begin the summer!





These gals take no prisoners!!

 

 

 What fun we had making things!!  Did you know caterpillars can paint?? 

It was a gorgeous day!  Every turn was a potential painting.

We tried our hand at kayaking in the lake and stream.

It was a very special Memorial Day!!

Hudson River Valley Art Workshop with Kim English

     On August 4, I drove to Greenville, NY for a week long oil painting adventure in the Catskill Mountain  region of New York.  The workshop was conducted by artist Kim English.  Kim's paintings are light filled and often figurative. He paints ala prima, all in one session, catching the immediacy and freshness of the subject. We had live models four of the five days with sessions both inside and outside the studio.  One day was spent at a local farm which had a wide variety of subject matter including cows, chickens, and great treasure filled barns. 

             

       

The workshop is housed in a glorious bed and breakfast and adjacent carriage house and cottages. My room in the carriage house was above the studio and had a shower, sink, and refrigerator. Excellent chef prepared meals were provided in the dining room of the bed and breakfast.  Meal times were also a treat because our lively class members shared painting stories and forged friendships. 

I truly can not say enough good things about my week at the Hudson Valley Art Workshop.   From the hand made chocolate to the friendly service and staff, I was treated like royalty.  To paint with this fine group of artists and learn from Kim English was life changing.  

Pastel Portrait Done

Today is day 4 of Summer.  I completed this pastel portrait commission today.  Now on to some oil paintings that have been brewing for a long time....

Recent Work:

This is a pastel called
"Old Apple Tree"  

The Way, oil on canvas

Walking in the Light, oil on canvas

The Prayer, pencil drawing on paper

Maine Scene, miniature
acrylic on board

Living Water, oil on canvas

Oxford Harbor, pastel on Wallis paper

Abstract Forms, encaustic on wood

Chesapeake Scene, oil on canvas

 My favorite part of IceFest is ArtFest which happens on Saturday of festival weekend in the old warehouse behind the Public Opinion Office building.  Artists fill the space and paint and create all morning long.  In the afternoon the art they have created is auctioned off for charity.

 These are pictures from last year to give you a feel for this amazing experience.  I have done it for about 5 years and I love the exhilaration of being around so many creative, wonderful artists.  This year 35 artists will take part.  Please come by to see us work and to take part in the art auction later in the day.

  

Food is available for sale and live musical entertainment.  The artists will be creating and you can ask them questions and watch them work.  This is a great family event that may inspire your budding artist.

  

Most of the artists are painters, but you will also see some block printing, glass art, and multi-media creations.

The warehouse is unheated-----------

so bundle up!!!! 

Hope to see you at ArtFest 
on Saturday, February 3!!!!

New York City Adventure

 My four day Manhattan adventure began last Thursday.  Amtrak brought me to Pennsylvania Station.   I had some time before my room was ready, so with suitcase in tow I walked to Bryant Park and enjoyed the lush, cool, greenery and lucked into "Broadway in the Park Thursday".  It was a great way to begin my stay.   

On Thursday afternoon, I walked to the Chelsea area of NYC and visited many contemporary art galleries.  It was very inspiring to see what artists are currently displaying in NYC galleries.  

One of my goals for this trip was to get over my unreasonable fear of traveling on the New York City subway by myself.  Armed with a great smartphone ap and the willingness to ask questions, I navigated the uptown and downtown routes with no problem. 

On Friday morning a short train ride and walk through Central Park brought me to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I wanted to see the completely finished American Wing, see the Durer exhibit, and see the Ellsworth Kelly drawing exhibit.  The Met did not disappoint.  My goals were met and lots of serendipitous events occurred also.  For example, while traveling through medieval art, I got to hear live period music from the balcony over the great hall. 

Van Gogh's shoes

Me in front of "Cloud City" ,a sculpture installation on the roof.

Durer-- the master of    drawing-- 6 studies of a pillow.

 I got to the Museum of Modern Art around 4 and was able to get a ticket to get in for free thanks to Free Fridays from Target.  The galleries were packed and my old favorite, Starry Night was swarmed with so many people that it was impossible to see it.  I still enjoyed MoMA and this was the perfect art ending to a perfect day.

 I had a small refrigerator in my room, so I was able to shop the local markets for fruit and yogurt.  I found a market on 8th and 26th street that was easy to get to and had what I needed. 







Here is a street vendor selling fruit also.

On Saturday, I decided to go to the Whitney rather than try to go to the Flea Market in Brooklyn.  Somehow getting off the subway, I went the wrong way, but even that was pleasant. 


The Whitney does not allow photography in its galleries.  The photo above shows part of the area beside the cafe.  The piece that will stay with me for years to come was the installation by Yayoi Kusama, "Fireflies on the Water".  This piece explores the idea of infinity.  You get one minute in a room that is covered with mirrors and has tiny colored lights suspended at different heights.  You stand on a small wooden platform above a pool of water.  Being in this space was like being part of a Hubble Space Telescope photograph.  I cried and prayed.     A....R.....T