Saturday, July 30, 2011

Eyes and Ears

Books I have currently read, am reading and will read. I seem to be on a binge of reading books about making paintings. Even the crime novel has a painter depicted. Hmmmm.

I would recommend all these books. I particularly loved The Forgery of Venus for the twists and also the description of painting during the time of Velasquez and Rembrandt in the 1600s.

If you want something wonderfully fantastical but steeped in the english language and all about literature I would direct you to the Thursday Next novels by Jasper Fforde, starting with the Eyre Affaire. I won't say more than they are delightful, creative and great reads {the audio, if you're game, is even better I think!}.

Madame Bovary was interesting to read again after many many years. I'm always happy to have been born in this century after reading an historical depiction of a long ago era where women were suppressed. Even reading something of this nature would have been scandalous in the 1800s.

The Forgery of Venus by Michael Gruber

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

In the studio I'm listening to audio books... I'm so addicted.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

One of our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

What's on your summer reading list?

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Worktable Wednesday

Today will be the first day back at the easel. It's been a full summer so far. Stamp commissions, big auction painting and party, summer cold, time in the mountains and clocking many hours at the easel. The show in November will be here in a heart beat, I can feel it already. Now, with most of my obligations behind me, I can focus solely on the show at Sullivan Goss.

There are no pictures from my worktable today... I will be starting on a blank panel to warm up the muscles. But here are some images from the Lotusland Gala last weekend.

The finished painting, Spring Morning in the Japanese Garden, Lotusland 24x48"

Yours truly with the finished, framed painting as you enter the gala.

The painting framed by the fabulous Chris Kirkegaard of Carleton Kirkegaard {a better picture of the frame to follow}. The lovely and talented Susan Bush, on the left, of Sullivan Goss.

Amazing floating bouquets of mums in the aloe garden.

Out to the lawn where 500 guests gathered and mingled. It was a wonderful and beautiful evening in the garden.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Gaviota Peak, Looking South

From start to install "Gaviota Peak, Looking South". This painting was a commission through the County Arts Commission for the new Emergency Operations Center for the County of Santa Barbara. It is part of the "Percent for Art Program" through the county, a program that insures that any new structures have a budget to be used for public art.

The gals at the county office, Ms. Rita Ferri, Ms. Ginny Brush and Ms. Linda Gardy, make sure that this happens for the artists in our town but also insure that the County of Santa Barbara preserves it's visual heritage within it's own collection. Amazing. I love these women. They work with a board of equally fantastic artists, art teachers, administrators, city and county employees.

Today we got to install this painting into it's new home, with a few others, which will be semi-permanent in the new building. Semi... because it will remain in the collection of the county to be used in other shows if there is a call for it. I'm honored and thrilled to be part of history and art history of this community.

concept/design

second coat of paint

light wash over entire painting

building in the shapes

final glaze of golden yellow

bring it back to contrast and finish

installation day

Thursday, July 7, 2011

islands valleys home

Another promo piece for the upcoming show. There will be 5 in all. Collect one.. collect them all. Bookmark size for all you readers out there.
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