So, a little background information... This is a commission piece. I'm excited to be doing this one even though there are going to be several challenges. And now that I've got a pretty cool looking background going, I'm realizing it may blend in too much with the uniform. So I may have to alter my background before I make any more progress. Getting your background right is kind of like starting with a good foundation. You don't want to have to go back and try to fix it after you've built on top of it. So I'm off to do a little research, make sure I have his uniform color accurate, and then make a decision about the background. Is that enough background for you?
Here Comes Santa Claus
As an elementary school teacher I often heard the debate about the truth about Santa Claus. For myself, I believe he is a wonderful symbol of Christmas. He wears red, the first color of Christmas, which reminds us of the atoning blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He wears white, a sign of purity and of being washed clean through the atonement of our Savior. He gives gifts freely, asking nothing in return. He finds happiness and joy wherever he goes. He encourages goodness, charity, and love. The commercial world can make of him what they will, but for me he will always be a charming symbol of what Christmas was ever meant to be.
White on White
One of my major Ah-Ha moments as a painter was when I realized that white is never really white. After painting Santa's hair and hat I've decided that all my students should paint a Santa. There are at least 101 shades (hues) of white. When we look at clouds we tend think "white". But next time you see a cloud, really look. How many different shades are there? How much of it is really even white? And so it was today with Santa. A few strokes of straight white to set off the highlights. But most of it is one of several different hues.
A Right Jolly Old Elf
I'm loving how his personality is coming through. There is still work to do, but I kinda like him. We've all met lots of Santa's Helpers over the years. Even as an adult I've wondered what it would be like to be awakened in the night to Santa in my living room. What kind of a person would it take to find him a stranger in your house and not be afraid of him? Have you ever met someone who was so full of pure love that that they put you at ease instantly? Someone you felt you could hug and sit on his lap no matter your age? It's fun to enjoy the traditions of Christmas. At the same time, I want to be the kind of person that makes everyone feel they are with someone safe.
The Ugly Underneath
When I finished with the underpainting I sat back and though, "Ugh!" I wasn't discouraged. I know it's just the underpainting. But it's not pretty. It's flat. There's not value. There's no form. And then my thoughts, as they usually do, began to make the connection to life. One of the reasons I love painting with oils is that they don't dry quickly. I do have old canvases with old paintings on them and I can simply paint over them and make them new again. But with wet paint I don't necessarily start over every day. I build. I layer. I add and move and adjust until the ugly disappears and the pretty pops out. And then I realize that there was never any ugly in the first place. It was just a simple beginning. Sometimes I see myself as ugly. Then I realize I'm really just being built, layered, moved around, and adjusted. The beauty is there all the time.
Who Is It?
Guess who stopped by the studio today? It felt so good to finally be sitting at the canvas again. Thanksgiving travels, my art show opening, and the craziness of life and have kept me away long enough. It gets to the point where it literally becomes painful not to paint. And in addition to Santa, I started a painting for my brother and another one for a special someone who will be having a very big birthday coming up soon. Aaaahhh... it feels good to be back in business.
My Other Life
The morning after the opening reception at the Bay City Arts Center I headed off to be a WWII War Correspondent. My husband, Andrew, and I enjoy re-enacting and this particular event is our favorite. I was exhausted and didn't get as many photos as I usually do. Additionally, it was pouring rain and the wind was blowing so my camera wasn't taking the best photos. But it was still tons of fun. As with most things in life, the best part of it is the people. We love our reenacting family!
Bay City Arts Center
Friday was the Opening Reception for my exhibit at the Bay City Arts Center. I appreciate the opportunity to show and talk about my work. A friend advised me that "it's all about the lighting". While I actually had no control over the lighting, her remark proved true. One of the board members for the BCAC shared that when she walked in and saw the exhibit she picked out a painting that she liked the best. Then the lighting was turned on and suddenly she saw everything, literally, in a whole new light. In this photo I am discussing "Supplication". She said that once she saw it lit, she couldn't take her eyes off it. So fun see the magic happen.
The Show is Hung
Well, it's done. My faithful Young Women came and gave service hours to help me hang my show. They did such a great job and were so cheerful and helpful. I love them! And I have to say, they did a wonderful job. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Of course Andrew was my right hand man and with me every step of the way. His love and support are what keep me going day in and day out and especially on days like today. Now I just have to wait until Friday for the Opening Reception. Oh my...
Grateful Heart
I realize it is December, but I'm not ready for it so I'm spending one more moment on being thankful instead. It's not that I can't be thankful in December, it's simply my way of rebelling against the passing of time. And speaking of the passing of time... I've spent so much time getting ready for my art show (did I mention it opens this Friday?) that I hadn't realized that two months have passed since I did a zen doodle. Wow... It felt so good to let my mind wander and my hand create. Or was it my hand wandering and my mind creating? No matter. I was able to focus on my gratitude and let the shapes take care of themselves.
Giving Thanks Honestly
Well, Thanksgiving vacation is over and now it's time to dig in and get ready for my show opening on Friday. But before I let the holiday go, I have to share the artwork of my darling granddaughter Baylee. It is a picture of me, my dog Twilly, and all the other faces around the Thanksgiving table... Apparently not everyone was happy. How precious is it that a child can be so honest. So often we try to portray things as we wish they were. But children see things differently. I can't say how many times I watched her little wheels churning and yearned to climb inside that little head and see what was going on in there. I have been inspired by her work to be as honest as I can in my own.
Share the Road in Sutherland
I grew up on a small farm in the middle of nowhere. As we drove around sharing memories we passed this sign. We had to turn around and go back for a photo. In the Portland area we see these signs all over the place. Of course we see cyclists all over the place too. There's hardly a need, way out here, to share the road with other vehicles, let alone bicycles. So the irony was just too fun not to capture. And yet, shouldn't we always be sharing whatever we have, with whomever else is out there? Share the road of life...
Sutherland Sunset
Thought I'd share the sunset I enjoyed this evening. Spent some time driving down one memory lane after another, sharing childhood memories with my Honey. When we got back to my dad's house, this was waiting for us. No filters. No professional camera. Just a beautiful moment in time.
The Happiest Color
Frank Sinatra said orange is the happiest color. I don't know about that. But I know Sherry was the happiest art student when she finished her orange poppies and orange sunset! She had never painted before this class. She was so timid and unsure about her sky. It was fun to watch her style spring out of her work. When she popped in those poppies at the end her whole painted just popped! One of the greatest things about teaching is watching the unique style of each student. Teaching makes me happy too!
A River Runs Through It
I don't get to paint every day. But if I can't paint, the next best thing is being inspired by my students. Richard just retired as a pediatric neurosurgeon and decided to try those hands at painting. He had never touched a brush to canvas before this class. Pretty impressive, don't you think? I love then enthusiasm of my students. They warm my heart and motivate me to get back to my own canvas as soon as possible. What a fun day.
Safety
Well, here she is at last, safe and sound in the comfort of her chair. Maya Angelou said, “The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” I remember talking to a fellow educator several years ago. He was telling about his teenage daughter and how erratic her behavior had become. He shared how he had confronted her with it one day and told her that all of her teachers and neighbors and others always tell him what a kind, sweet, wonderful young woman she is. He asked her why she couldn't act that way at home. She suddenly cried out and said, "Dad, I have to have somewhere that I can be ugly!" I've always remembered that. Having a place that I can be ugly, or just be me whatever that looks like, is most certainly a comfort and safety.
On-Going Painting Class
Thursday Oil Painting Class to Continue
Have you wanted to try your hand at oil painting? Do you want to build on your knowledge of the art form? Then this ongoing oil painting class is for you.
Local artist Karen Gale (peasehouseart.com) will continue teaching Oil Painting. This is an on-going oil painting class that takes participants from where they are to the next level. Karen has been teaching art for eight years and is experienced in teaching beginning students as well as those who have been painting for years.
Class participants will learn the elements of art and design, classic painting techniques, and color theory through the process of creating their own paintings. Each session is three hours long.
After a 16 year career in education, Karen studied in the Department of Art and Design at Southern Utah University. Since moving to the Pacific Northwest, she has created Pike Road Painters artist group in Yamhill, Oregon as an art teacher, joined Currents Gallery in McMinnville as an artist and art teacher, and founded Pease House Art in Oregon City. She now lives in Bay City with her husband, teaches art locally, paints, and is illustrating a children’s book.
Students who already work in the medium are asked to bring their own supplies. A complete list will be provided at registration. Students new to oil painting can use provided materials for an additional $20.
Tuition: Students pay $165 for 4 sessions at a time; each student may “roll over” one session with the instructor’s approval to the next period; Additional $20 supply fee per period if students don’t have their own.
Time: Thursdays, Dec 10, Dec 17, Jan 7, Jan 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Hoffman Center for the Arts, 594 Laneda Avenue, Manzanita
A minimum of 4 students is required for the class to go forward. Please register no later than Monday, December 7 to ensure the class will proceed.
To register, go to http://hoffmanblog.org/ongoing-classes/register-for-workshops. For questions about the class, contact Karen at peasehouseart@gmail.com.
Seeing the Light - Exhibit
Time is Ticking
My art show is two weeks away and I'm stressing! I suppose that's not too out of the ordinary. I had hoped to finish both Safe and Tender, but at this rate I'll be lucky to get this one done. She is looking better today though. I think tomorrow I'll move back to her hair and see what that does to her face before I finish her up. Where is the snooze button on life?
