Sep 13 - The DVD is 98% Finished! Preview!

So where have I been? Deep in the theater--editing digital footage and inserting audio files, text overlays, and letting the proverbial digital "0's and 1's" hit the cutting room floor. The first DVD is now mastered, and the second one only needs a few more hours of editing on the "Advanced Techniques" section. There's a preview link below, a minute and a half of over three hours of footage contained on the two-DVD set.
If this video doesn't come in below, try this one. (Takes you to a new page.)



(OK, I misspelled "available". Too excited!)

Now as soon as the second DVD master is finished, I can return to painting--for a while at least! There's a new dog in the studio, too. Niko, a female five-month Doberman, who joins Willow around the property keeping the bobcat off the chickens, barking at the folks heading up the hiking trail, and effectively creating havoc with the plants. Adolescent puppies! Aaargh, but she's a sweetie.

There are two spaces left in the November three-day Color Boot Camp here in Riverside. Looks like another great time for some re-booters and Newbies! Hope you'll join me.

Busy, busy, busy!!

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My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.

Publish Post

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May 20 - At Lucy Heyming's Garden

Yesterday I painted at the Heyming gardens, a certified wildlife habitat, and it was lovely. A large estate with all the amenities, including this watercourse and bridge. I was there in the early evening, and set up in the shade of the mature trees to look back at this heavily side-lit scene.

There is a diagonal composition going on, with the sculpture being the focal point, yet the bridge demanding more attention initially with all the nearby colors and contrast of values. One sees the sculpture because of its human form, so my intent was to combine and balance the two spots of interest with suggested directional lines. Can you spot them?

Here's the first of two new additions to the "estate" at Two Trees (ha, with me as the sole gardener and manager, "estate's" a laughing idea!). She's about two years old, and someone really did a botched job on her ear crop. However she's a gem in both personality and conformation. I used to show dobies back in the early 1980s, and can see how well she's put together. Amazing what people throw away. And she needs a name, so I'd love to hear from you on your ideas of names with the "oh" sound at the end of them--it's my tradition to name female Dobies with that end--in my past here was Cleo, Widow and Evoe so many years ago, and now this new girl. Send your suggestions! If I pick yours, I'll send you your choice of one of my Color System dvds. Let the games begin! Nameless wonder needs a name.

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.Color System information can be found HERE.If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Jan 11 - Guardian is Finished.

"Guardian" is finished now, and I'm quite pleased with the final image. Why I didn't make the wings black and tan as well? I thought about it (knowing that if this were a real creature, they most likely would be), and then decided that with the amount of bounce light coming and going on the dog and child, the white wings would enhance that, which I really wanted. So white they stayed, even tho' I deepened the shadow sides with the "sky trio" (you Color Boot Camp graduates know which ones!)

Paintings get to me sometimes, and "Guardian" does that. I have a hard time explaining it. In a feeble attempt, I'll say that, to me, it embodies the response of being loved, cared for and safely watched over. I may continue with this concept and express it visually in different ways in upcoming works.

Tomorrow the image goes off to the Art Show at the Dog Show (opens a new window), and who knows whether the judge will accept it? Will he/she have the need for the safety this painting conveys? Some people might think it is too sci-fi. Not me. Now, if it doesn't get accepted, I do not take it personally, nor think less of the work. Sometimes paintings don't fit with the wholeness of a show, or they've already juried in enough of that type. I'm at a point in my career where I paint for me, and if that doesn't please a judge, that's their loss. My work now touches enough people that one or two judges can't dent my belief in what I do.

So why enter juried shows? I find that when there is a gathering of specific people interested in a specific type of art, it is in my best interest to be a part of that. ASaDS is a show where the gathering of dog people validates my entry fee, the shipping and time involved.

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Jan 10 - Guardian covered, but not finished

The Doberman "Guardian" is at the stage where I start to put glazes and additional layers on these first fill-ins to develop and set the light, shadows and design.

It's coming along now,and I could list the bazillion areas I'm going to change, but it still needs many more layers of acrylic paint to really put the "punch" in the lighting. Since I know what needs changing, I won't bore you with that long list, but will get after it to finish it up. That deadline of Monday approaches for the Art Show at the Dog Show (Kansas City)!

In handling this painting, there are two images that are being used as references for it--one of a Doberman that has long since gone to the Rainbow Bridge, and a sleeping child from an old magazine (black and white). The wings are from my chickens who don't approve of modeling, but that's how I get their structure--even tho' fanciful. Now who would think "chicken wings" when guardian angels come to mind? Having the flock out back has been a boon to bird paintings. Hmmm, can they be tax deductible as models? Ha!

The Plein Air Artists of Riverside are here today, and here's a few of them in our back yard...now it's off to see how the pot luck is coming!

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Jan 9 - Doberman Angel in Process - 18x18 Acrylic

The Doberman "Guardian" with the canvas almost 80% covered with the major colors and values that will be there--except for the larger light that I'll put in later. I really like it at this stage, as I can see that I'm keeping the spirit and strength of the dog as I define and edit the large masses. What needs editing is the feeling of danger--even though the dog has wings and is in the role of protector, right now the feedback I get is one of doubt whether the dog means good or evil. That will change as it is developed.

At this point the canvas is COMPLETLY in the cool box--no warms at all except for the underpainting of Quin Burnt Orange and Cadmium Orange. Fun colors to start with, as it really sets off the cools!

Tomorrow the Plein Air Painters of Riverside (PAAR) are coming over for on-location painting at Two Trees and will stay for pot luck and a movie. We're going to be watching "Impressionists - Degas" in the theater. Of course, I'll take pictures of it!

Shadow arrived yesterday, and was immediately adopted by Alberto, who just fell in love when he saw the pup. I was ever so grateful that he took him into our casita last night, as Shadow didn't have to be in the outdoor kennel--right under our bedroom. Yip, yip, howl! After he gets used to the place...

He's settling in today as you can see, parked right next to Seiko, our older Tibetan Mastiff.
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Jan 7 - Art Show at the Dog Show Entries... Lessons!

Lesson painting time!
I'm starting one of three paintings for the Art Show at the Dog Show with entries due in their hands on the 14th of this month....talk about cutting it close!
Modus operandi, but I think you'll enjoy the stages of this fanciful and spiritual painting. I have always loved the idea of guardian dogs--we have the two Tibetan Mastiffs who guard us and the livestock, and both my husband and I have owned Doberman Pinschers in our past. Since I love the grace and royal demeanor of these dogs, it seems natural to do a painting for this show with that theme in mind.

Here's the first "go-pass" on this 18 x 18 inch acrylic, and the design comes out strongly right away. I'm looking at it over my shoulder, and the strength of the circular movement of the angel wings on the dog and the lifted, protective paw on the sleeping child already form a strong, connected design. Destined to be entitled "Guardian", just starting this painting made me feel sheltered. Even with these thin layers of dark acrylic, the viewer can see the structure of the dog. It will be corrected and detailed as I build the upcoming layers.

I finished my husband's painting, and here is the end result--a 30 x 40 oil. Yes, I'm in it now--second from left--but you'll have to go to his office to see me up close!

WORKSHOP! I've added a new workshop for April, here in my studio, and it is filling already. If you couldn't get into the February one, which filled a week after I opened it, you have a second opportunity. April 3-5, it promises to be another exciting Color Boot Camp. Click here.

You can see my entire blog here.

Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.