LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR SARA J CHAMBERS ART and PHILOSOPHY

Worthy of Attention

2012-01-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to an interesting inspirational article for artists, deceptively titled "Pigeons," by artist and marketer Jack White: http://faso.com/fineartviews/39213/pigeons Even if you don't agree with White, you can learn much from his observations. His wife is Mikke Senkarik, an excellent colorful, prolific artist who shares her insights into painting on her blog by the same name.

I learn much from sharing other artists' ideas and information and love to pass on some of the resources.

Yesterday's painting was informed by a conversation I had with a good friend and artist about warm and cool used to create depth in a painting. I was really thinking about that when I was painting this little floral oil painting (buy it $120 pp).

Zentangles

2012-01-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Because I am so attracted to patterning and texture, I have become intrigued and been "playing" with a process called "Zentangles," doodling in pattern in a meditative way. See information here and here. There are some pretty cool videos on YouTube also. This is one of my earlier pieces:

I have since, tried to incorporate some realistic drawing that employs the doodling/patterning. The flicker is my first effort. What a lot of fun, while thinking about design, composition, variety and repetition!

Remember my upcoming classes! Sign up early as space is limited. Also, remember to come to Artisan Santa Fe on Feb. 4 to see me paint in oil sticks.

Class Schedule 2012:

March 24, 2012 Painting Floral Landscapes SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

April 14, 2012 Small Jewels (3”x4” to 6”x6” paintings) SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

April 18-20 Brush-free Oil Painting SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

May 11, 2012 Paintings Irises (on location) Hondo Iris Farm, Hondo, NM

June 18-22, 2012 Creative Composition SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

Demo at Artisan Santa Fe

2012-01-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've been off the planet, instead of on vacation--with Christmas coming on the heels of our two-week Caribbean cruise!

I am busy creating pieces in preparation for my free oil stick demonstration, "Oil Sticks: The Secret to Brushless Oil Paintings,"at Artisan Santa Fe on Feb. 4th (1:30 p.m.). I do hope lots of artists will check out this lesser-known approach to oil.

I will also be offering a three-day class on using oil sticks at my SpiritBird Studio in High Rolls, April 18-20. Cost is only $200 for the three days, and includes some supplies. Space is limited, so register early!

This is my latest piece, "Canyon Maple," 12x12. I love how the oil stick and palette knife application work together to bring different textures to the piece!

Class Schedule 2012:

March 24, 2012 Painting Floral Landscapes SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

April 14, 2012 Small Jewels (3”x4” to 6”x6” paintings) SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

April 18-20 Brush-free Oil Painting SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

May 11, 2012 Paintings Irises (on location) Hondo Iris Farm, Hondo, NM

June 18-22, 2012 Creative Composition SpiritBird Studio, High Rolls, NM

Upcoming Oil Stick Demo at Artisan Santa Fe

2011-11-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

Great news! I have been invited by Artisan of Santa Fe to do a free art demonstration of my oil stick painting technique. The demo will be on Saturday, February 4th, 2012, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at their Santa Fe store, 2601 Cerrillos Rd. I hope lots of people come to share in this fun textural approach to creating almost brush-less oil paintings.

"A Day Like Today" was created with the oil sticks that I use, including some from three brands--Sennelier, Winsor-Newton, and Shiva. I also added some touches of palette knife applied oil to give added dimension and texture. The chamisas in the foreground almost glow in low light!

Gala Fun

2011-11-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

We had a really fun time at the SpiritBird Studio Holiday Gala Event! Over 90 people came to enjoy the artwork, wine, food, music and fun! I now have at least 14 new collectors, some with multiple pieces. Hooray! Unfortunately, no one remembered to take pictures (!!) so all I have is a couple of pics of the walls as they were ready for the event.

These are two of my helpers, celebrating our progress!

Fun With Fishes

2011-10-18T12:03:00.002-06:00

I had fun painting this 8"x8" companion to my other goldfish! This one is called "Attitude." He will be available at my Holiday Studio Gala on November 12th and 13th with a special holiday price.

The photo isn't perfect, but you get the idea.

Thanks for sharing my art and for your comments.

Sara

Picture Editing Program Needed

2011-10-11T15:32:00.000-06:00

I need help! I have been working to find a new picture management program, as I am no longer able to use the one I had for so many years. It was JASC--very simple to resize, crop and adjust color without having to understand how to do layers, etc. Does anyone know of one that will allow me to add a square black background around my painting image without a lot of trouble? That is a requirement now for entering artwork in online competitions, especially CaFE.

Here is another preview for my Open Studio Event:

This one is 7"x5" oil on board, entitled "At the Art Show." I snapped the reference for the painting at an art show in El Paso some years ago. I was intrigued by the image of a dancer standing in front of a painting of a dancer. The "painting" on the right is one that I made up to fit this composition. I had fun!

Thanks for your comments and input.

Best of Wordwide Charcoal, Pastel & Pencil Artists Vol. II

2011-10-08T15:11:00.000-06:00

I am so excited! I have four pastel paintings being published in the Best of Worldwide Charcoal, Pastel & Pencil Artists Volume II. It will be available for purchase soon and will be viewable online. I'll post the link for it as soon as I have one.

This iris painting, titled "Lovely Ladies", 36x24, is one that will be in the book. It is currently in the private collection of pianist and composer Barry Tognolini.

Open Studio Event Coming Soon!

2011-10-07T14:10:00.000-06:00

I am excited to announce that I will be hosting an Open Studio Event at my studio in High Rolls on November 12 and 13, both days from 2 to 6 p.m. My event will feature new paintings, paintings from my last New York City exhibit, refreshments, live music, drawings for some of my artwork, and an auction. I hope many will be able to join me for the excitement! I will have a holiday discount in effect, plus many smaller pieces that would be very affordable for gifts. I also have an installment plan to soften any cash-flow problem that might exist!

The macaw at the right is only 6"x6"--perfect for any small space in almost any setting. The structure is gold metal leaf, with oil painting. He has a "brother" and many cousins (other birds).

Thanks for your input and comments on my artwork!

Head, Heart, and Hands--Shea Hembrey's Biennial

2011-06-25T10:06:00.000-06:00

What would you create if you could be 100 different artists? Artist Shea Hembrey answered this question, spending two years creating artwork as 100 different artists! This amazing video shows and explains just some of the creations. What a stimulus for creativity! Let me know what you think.

Demystifying Composition

2011-06-22T12:15:00.000-06:00

Composition is one of those art topics that can stir up a fire-storm in a hurry! Nearly as many definitions for composition exist as there are artists. Yet the ability to create strong "compositions" in painting continues to elude many artists.

"Why isn't my painting working?"

"How do I get harmonious color?"

"How do I get strong design into my painting?"

These are just some of the questions that plague artists. Almost every art magazine has at least one article promising a "quick fix" one of these topics. Nearly all the explanations about design are about as "clear as mud."

I am teaching a class called "Demystifying Composition," presenting an innovative approach to designing successful artwork. We will explore abstract structure and review drawing and color study, in order to help create stronger paintings. The sign of a really good artist is when she or he can break the rules and get away with it! But you need to know the rules in order to break them.

The class will be in my studio July 6, 7, & 8th. Hours are 9-4 daily, with a break for lunch. Cost is only $200, with all supplies. I only have a couple places left in the class, so if you feel the need to release your creativity by freeing yourself to compose, sign up today! Contact me by phone (575.430.6148) or by email (sarajchambers@yahoo.com).

Correction and Wandering Off

2011-06-02T07:01:00.000-06:00

AAAh! I just realized I put the wrong date for the opening at Sacramento Mountain Weavers Art Gallery!! The correct date is June 11th.

How easy it is to wander off and not post to the blog for a long time! Getting a new computer that does not "speak" my photo language has really bitten me! I still have no real capacity for easily editing my quick photos of my work. I will attempt to post at least one a day for the next several days, to give some idea of what I've been working on more recently.

I have done a series of birds recently. This one was among the first, and also the biggest of the lot at 30"x40". It's done completely in oil stick. The colors are a little washed out in this image. Haven't figured out how to edit yet. I love how the parrots are "talking" to each other!

New Location for Sacramento Mountain Weavers Gallery

2011-06-01T17:17:00.001-06:00

The Sacramento Mountain Weavers Gallery has moved from Cloudcroft to Old Town Albuquerque, taking my artwork with them! This picture shows part of the gallery displaying some of my paintings.

They are located in Old Town Albuquerque at the Poco a Poco Patio, 328 San Felipe St., Albuquerque, NM 87104; 505-933-1666. Their Grand Opening will be Saturday, June 11th, from 5-8 p.m. Come by and join the fun!

I will be doing a painting demonstration during the afternoon, about 2-3:30 p.m. Come by and visit and see me painting.

Beauty Reigns

2011-03-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

I have recently come across a slide show entitled "The Banishment of Beauty,"by the fabulous artist Scott Burdick on YouTube and on the blog of "Shellywankenobi". The latter has all four parts, divided thus to keep them to 15 minutes each. YouTube also has it in the four parts, but it's simpler access on that blog.

Seen From My Window
6"x8" oil on board

I would really be interested in any comments about the observations that Burdick makes. I found his discussion stimulating, affirming and challenging. The presentation is loaded with quotable quotes! After seeing what seems to fall into his "Beauty" category, I wonder if my art would qualify, as it is much less "traditional" than his and the others he cites (all my heroes)?

My goal in creating art is always to bring beauty first.

This little one just had to be painted last week. I never grow tired of this scene, "Seen From My Window," 6"x8" oil on board. (ps--available for purchase ;-)

Back to Myself

2011-01-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

Back to Myself, 8"x8" oil on canvas

I haven't done oil stick painting in a while, so I did this small one this week, along with another horse for the upcoming Rive Gauche exhibit. I've title it "Back to Myself," as I feel that's where I've come. I DO love the texture and colors!!

(I haven't found a way to avoid the reflections from the palette knife painting on the sky!)

Call for Artists from Rive Gauche Galleries

2011-01-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

The Scottsdale gallery that represents my work, Rive Gauche Galleries, has announced a wonderful opportunity for artists! Rive Gauche Art Galleries will be hosting a Miniature Art Competition and Show this coming March. Works will be limited to a 6”x6” format, and artists can enter up to 3 paintings. The format limitation should make it a very interesting display, and attract all sorts of collectors.

Now and Then
24"x24" oil
available at Rive Gauche Galleries

Rive Gauche Galleries are opening the show to all artists, in all media, and the show will take place during the height of the Scottsdale’s high season, when a maximum of collectors are in town. The 200 best artists will be selected within all of the applicants, and the jury will award a certain number of prizes, including several cash prizes. They are also hoping to get much coverage from some of their sponsor magazines.

For a prospectus call Rive Gauche Art Galleries at 480.947.63732 or e-mail at info@rivegauchegalleries.com.

This is a wonderful opportunity to gain artistic recognition in the second leading art market in the U.S.!

Pictures from the Art Gala

2010-12-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the top picture, my paintings from the series "Dancing in the Light" are by the door to the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery! They look truly fabulous (no bias) in the lighting!! The gold metal leaf really glows and the reds and greens are so vibrant. The paintings in the lower photo are on the wall to the right of the entrance--truly prime placement. See more of the party pictures HERE.

If you go to the gallery, you will be greeted warmly by Ruthie Tucker, co-owner, or one of her fabulous assistants. You might even meet her husband, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Alton Louis Amsterdam III.

I'm sorry I missed the excitement of the Gala but our new grandson is adorable and well worth missing anything.

My brief visit in New York City included viewing the gallery and lunch with an artist friend, Cynthia Crier, who lives there. We met last year while she was doing an art residence program in Tularosa, NM, with Mano y Mente. We enjoyed talking art for hours! Check out her art here.

Our new grandson is thriving in Stony Brook, NY, while I am back in New Mexico, hugely missing him, his sister, mom and dad. That's life!

New York Art Show

2010-12-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

I found out today that my six paintings at Amsterdam Whitney Gallery are in their "prime exhibition space" at the front of the gallery!! What a great honor. The big gala affair in New York City (Chelsea)went on without me last night. I would have loved being there but I was on Long Island assisting in the birth of our grandson. Amazing!! I certainly could not miss THAT gala event!!

I hope lots of people get to view the exhibit during December. I will try to post pictures of it in the next few days. I'll be going into the City soon to see the show. I can't wait!!

December Show in NYC!

2010-11-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

I am excited to report that I will be participating in a group exhibit at Amsterdam Whitney Gallery for the month of December! The show runs Dec. 3-Jan. 4, 2011. The "opening reception and holiday party" will be Dec. 9th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Here is the gallery card for the show:

I've never considered being an "Apotheosis" before, but it sounds like FUN! The definition is "ideal: model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal." That sounds very impressive to me. I wish NYC were closer so more of my buddies could come!

I plan to attend the opening, as I'll be visiting our daughter and her family on Long Island at the time. We currently await the birth of our grandson, who is causing his mother a bit of a challenge by prolonging his arrival! He may be born as early as tonight! We know he'll arrive when he's darn well ready!

Dances del Oro 30x24 oil/gold metal leaf/canvas

The cover for my publicity card for the show is one of the series of "Dancing in the Light" paintings of poppies. This one has gold metal leaf background, which is truly challenging to photograph well! The painting and its companion are dynamite!

Crazy Horse

2010-07-30T11:19:00.000-06:00

For Your Glory 20x16 pastel on board

This week, I went back to pastel. The challenge was to paint a horse in the same palette as some of my oil horses, with abstract background. The result is not dull.

I find working in these large color blocks in pastel less interesting than with palette knife and oil paint. But fun, all the same!

Experiment with Open Acrylics

2010-07-28T22:47:00.000-06:00

Spicy 14x11 acrylic

Friday, I borrowed some Golden Open Acrylic paints from my friend and partner in crime, Sue Parry. This poppy was the result, after a bit of fiddling with the paint and learning the "feel" of it.

I chose to paint a familiar subject, with lots of color, using a black-gessoed board. I am rather pleased with the result, but the jury's not in on the paint, yet. I think I still need to know more and use it more before I decide.

The advantage of the Open Acrylics is that they are workable much longer than traditional acrylics. They are also a bit more blendable. The paint doesn't dry out on the palette, even after being uncovered for two days (which I did to thicken it up a bit). The paint on the board does not dry completely for one to several days, but then is just like regular acrylic paint.

Stay posted for more research on the paints.

Creative Composition Class

2010-07-27T10:26:00.000-06:00

Much has happened in my life since my last post. The most important event was losing my mother, Patricia Jacobs, on June 29th. Our dad is doing well in the face of the loss of his wife of 64 years. He cared for her almost 24/7 for the last five years. We will miss her very much.

Meanwhile, I have continued plans for my class:

"Creative Composition for Stronger Paintings"

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., August 2-4, 2010 (an hour break for lunch)

Sara Chambers Studio, High Rolls, NM

Cost $180

Learn how to put structure into paintings/drawings in order to make good art even better.
Learn the most common compositional problems that can cause paintings to fail or to be "not quite right".
Bring the painting or drawing mediums you prefer, in order to employ your lessons while creating works that you enjoy.

I will provide some materials to facilitate our explorations. I can also provide easels and drawing boards.

You may also bring existing paintings that you would like to have critiqued or that seem less successful than you would like.

Additional info: You will need to bring a lunch, as there are no good places to go that are nearby. I will have drinks available.

I have a few slots left for the class, in case you discover that you have time and inclination. To register by e-mail: sarajchambers@yahoo.com. To register by phone: 575-430-6148

We will be using my demos and your paintings to learn approaches to stronger and more effective compositions.

4B Or Not 4B

2010-06-24T08:32:00.000-06:00

I have been participating in David Barranti's drawing class all this week in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. His challenge to us is to find out how many marks are in a 4B pencil, alone, for the whole week. We have done modified contour, free style drawing, blind contour, vase-face, combinations of all and varieties of tonal drawing, all with one 4B pencil. It's really liberating and informing! Can't wait to see what else I can do with a 4B pencil!

I'll try to post a drawing or two in the next day or so.

Wild Roses

2010-06-09T20:43:00.000-06:00

The wild roses have been fabulous this year in the mountains! Here is a study that I did last week in an effort to express the *pow* of pink that they give me! (6x6 oil/canvas)

Mark Overby says, “Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense.”

Working in Series

2010-05-28T07:24:00.000-06:00

I've created a series of irises in the last month, progressing from "real" to more wild interpretations. Yesterday's was among the wildest. These small pieces were among the more conventional ones, when I was exploring a combination of ultramine blues and burnt sienna as the background, in a tonal approach.

Voltaire also said, "The secret of being a bore is to tell everything." I'm not sure if they qualify for Voltaire's definition of "boring," because I like them. They are "pretty", but definitely far more traditional than many of my interpretations.

Correcting Nature

2010-05-26T08:30:00.000-06:00

Voltaire once said, "The secret of the arts is to correct nature." At the very least, this applies most especially to painting landscape. This painting of irises may not correct nature, but it certainly interprets freely! ("Crazy" 16x20 oil)

More Enchantment

2010-05-25T09:42:00.000-06:00

The Land of Enchantment--sometimes I think that means all the airborne parts! The wind has been pretty persistent this year--maybe even more than usual?

This is a 24x18 oil stick and palette knife that I painted plein air at the Hondo Iris Farm last week. I finally repainted and finished it yesterday. The composition was hopelessly busy--a limitation of being onsite, as I am tempted to put in too much information. I've painted out the buildings above the garden. The foreground irises also made a switch from violet to yellow (!), as I couldn't get them to "pop" with the violets. I'm much happier now.

Iris Inspiration

2010-05-21T07:57:00.000-06:00

The Hondo Iris Farm has been especially inspirational this year! The garden has only recently reached its peak of color. The blooms are fabulous and prolific, in spite of the wicked winds we have had this year.

I have been to visit three times already, twice to paint. This 7"x5" oil was my first burst from the fairyland! It captures the "feel" of the garden without being photo-representational.

The farm is open 10-5 every single day in May, so you still have time to go.

Catching Up

2010-04-18T19:01:00.000-06:00

I seem to wander off and forget about posting new images. Here are a couple more daffodils that I played with recently. The one on the right is only 5"x5". I under painted in quinacridone gold and only had magenta as the red. It's pleasing but doesn't have the feeling of completeness that this other one on the left does 10"x8"). I tried to paint an intimate feel with not too many brush strokes.

I hope to publish some images from my recent forays to paint the Mexican poppies in El Paso--two trips in all, despite the wind!

Signs of Spring!

2010-03-25T14:28:00.000-06:00

Daffodils offer a glowing spark in the gloom of even the cloudiest day. My heart sings when I see them. "Hooray! Signs of spring are at hand!"

These little daffys are my tribute to the hope of spring arriving. "Signs of Spring," 7x5 oil on board. These were purchased and didn't last long. My own garden will soon be a celebration of yellow.

Steinway Piano Galleries Exhibit

2010-03-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

I am on my way to Atlanta to participate in a two person exhibit opening with fellow artist David Barranti. We will share the stage with Barry Tognolini, the Australian concert pianist, and with Jason Mercado, who will do a poetry reading with music. We will be presenting "Piano and Palette" from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Steinway Piano Galleries Recital Hall in Alpharetta on Saturday evening. (5950 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022-3114, (770) 777-1300) This invitation-only event is a terrific way to welcome Spring 2010!!

Several of my newest paintings will be exhibited for the next two months, along with some more recent of my oil-stick paintings and even some pastels. I love this pastel painting of irises that will be shown! (Lovely Ladies, 36x24 pastel)

Another Iris!

2010-02-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

I have painted another iris in the experimental smooth brush painting approach--still lots of color but maybe less dramatic than the geranium?

The drawing was dramatic enough--color on black always good for excitement!

Stage two had lots of color but little finesse:

The final painting seems more subtle, less drama ("Andante," 16x20 oil). Couldn't get the colors in the photo quite right with a phone pic, but it's close and you get the idea.

Experimentation

2010-02-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with a different approach to painting, using a brush and more medium than I usually do, with a smoother application and a few more lost edges.

Here are some pics of the stages, plus a couple of details, to give an idea of what it looks like. The one on the left is an early stage, with some of the "drawing" still showing. I'd intended to add palette knife paint, but was too charmed by what was happening.

Here are some details:

The final product, "Allegro," (14x11 oil on canvas) pleases me very much. Let me know what you think.

Hope Rising

2010-02-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

This is the painting that I created for the Casa Esperanza 8th Annual Art for Hope Auction, March 20, 2010, called "Hope Rising," in honor of their theme of Hope. Hope rises from the darkness and chaos into light, just as those who undergo cancer treatment must do. I painted the entire image while listening to Barry Tognolini's soaring rendition of the "Theme from Time: the Musical," by Dave Clark, from his album Treasure Road.

The words that accompany the actual musical performance of this amazing piece of music are profound:

Stand before me on the Sign of Infinity all you of the Earth.
With the granting of "The Law of Provenation" comes the application of change.
I will give you the key.
And with this knowledge, please realize, comes
the responsibility of sharing it.
I will show you the way:
It's very simple.
Throughout the Universe there is order.
In the movement of the planets ...
in nature ...
and in the functioning of the human mind.
A mind that is in its natural state of order is
in harmony with the Universe,
and such a mind is
timeless.
Your life is an expression of your mind.
You are a creator of your own Universe,
for as a human being you are "free to will" whatever state of being you desire
through the use of your thoughts and words.

There is great Power there.

It can be a blessing or a curse.

It's entirely up to you,
for the quality of your life is brought about by the quality of your thinking.
Think about that.
Thoughts produce actions.
See the pettiness and the envy and the greed and the fear
and all the other attitudes that cause you pain and discomfort.
Realize that the one thing you have absolute control over is your attitude.
See the effect that it has on those around you,
for each life is linked to all Life and
your words carry with them chain reactions
like a stone that has been thrown into a pond.
If your thinking is in order, your words will flow directly from the heart,
creating ripples of love.
If you truly want to change your world, my friends,
you must change your thinking.
Reason is your greatest tool.
It creates an atmosphere of understanding
which leads to caring
which is Love.
Choose your words with care.
Go forth ... with Love.

"The Theme From Time" from Time: the Musical, by Dave Clark

You can hear Sir Laurence Olivier perform his original role with this music on YouTube by going HERE. Fabulous and life-changing!

This auction will generate funding for the programs and upkeep of the "home away from home" for cancer patients, so I hope that the bidders are generous and not just looking for a bargain in art work by nationally known artists.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with drinks and heavy hors d'ouevres served throughout the evening. The Silent Auction is 5-7 p.m. and the live auction is 7:15-8:30 p.m. It's always exciting and the art is spectacular, with original art, custom hope chests and artist enhanced furniture featured. Please come join the artists and bidders for a fun evening with a purpose!

Activities and Art

2010-02-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

We have been gone much of last month, first to Ft. Lauderdale for the exhibit opening at Artists Haven Gallery. The gallery opening was great fun! You can see the pictures of the reception HERE. Next, we went on a cruise of the western Caribbean, ostensibly to be warm and to snorkel. We snorkeled plenty but we didn't get warm until we got to Belize! Record cold in Florida was a big surprise for us. But the fish and the reefs were terrific!

Since returning home, I've been catching up and creating a painting for the Casa Esperanza annual Art for Hope Auction fundraiser, which takes place March 20, at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque, NM. Stay tuned for details and to see my painting!

Casa Esperanza is a low-cost retreat house for cancer patients undergoing treatment in Albuquerque. It's funded largely by donations and fundraisers. This is my fifth year to participate. You may remember my hope chests in 2005, 2007, and 2008 and can see them online on the Casa Esperanza website in their past events links. I've also contributed several paintings for their auctions.

In the midst of creating a larger painting, which took me way longer than I hoped to tweak, I created some small paintings (as in 2.5 x 3.5 inches!) with the leftover paint on several days. This is one of a New Mexico mesa. I had a lot of fun palette knife painting this from my memory, using the colors at hand!

Are You Ready to Die?

2010-01-01T16:22:00.001-07:00

These words by Pablo Picasso are a sobering beginning to a new year:
"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."

The beginning of a new year always stimulates thoughts and resolutions about what has been and what might be. We must approach each day with the knowledge that we have only THIS MOMENT and no other guarantees.

What are you "willing to die having left undone?" Better yet, what MUST you do before you die?

Here is my latest painting, done with new alkyd based oil paints that I received the day before Christmas. What a marvelous magnet to get back into my studio! This one is 24"x18", palette knife on white gessoed board--a bit of a departure for me.

New Paintings for Ft. Lauderdale

2009-12-12T16:47:00.008-07:00

Just in time for Christmas, my new paintings for the January 2010 show at Artists Haven Gallery in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, are now posted online on their we bsite. The first eight paintings are the ones in the show and the ninth is one in their other gallery space.

This one to the left is "Crimson Dreams," a 14x11 jewel, gallery wrapped with painted edges for a dimensional effect.

Another great gift opportunity can be had at Studio 54@70 in Tularosa, where I am the featured artist for their Miniature Show until Jan. 10th. Many affordable small watercolors and oils are displayed--perfect for any intimate space in your home! Check it out. Original art at great prices! (Hours Tu-Sat. 10-5; Sun. 12-4)

These two paintings are part of the minis--both are 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, but are framed about 5x7. They will fit anywhere!

Gearing up for Ft. Lauderdale

2009-12-01T15:36:00.004-07:00

Check out the link to my gallery in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida--Artists' Haven Gallery: It's featuring the card for my upcoming show in January 2010. The thumbnail of my artwork is a detail of this painting, "Dreams on Fire," 30x24 oil on canvas. Having a name that is at the beginning of the alphabet is a bonus for "top billing!" (Smile)

It would be pretty cool if lots of people could come to the show! I plan to exhibit seven paintings total, including four that have never been seen before. One is still on my easel, awaiting final touches!

January should be a great time to visit Ft. Lauderdale and the Miami area. Way warmer than High Rolls, where we currently have over 10" of fresh snow!

Essential Ingredient for Creativity

2009-10-14T07:14:00.006-06:00

In reading Jan Phillips' Marry Your Muse, I found a discussion about "active laziness," a malaise that afflicts many of us in western cultures (from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Sogyal Rinpoche). Our tendency is to fill our lives with myriad petty projects that keep us from the *real* questions of importance: Why are we here? What are we doing with our lives? Are we honoring our talents by spending our time expressing them? Is my life "living me" or am I living my life? Is my artist's discipline worthy of my artist's dream?

*What is the calling of your heart?*

Time is an essential ingredient for creativity.

I've finished painting for the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery show in November. My postcard for it will be out in the not too distant future. Meanwhile, I've completed another painting in my horse series in the cool palette. This one is "A Society of Friends," 30x30 oil on canvas.

Meanwhile, I ponder some words I heard Georgia O'Keeffe "say" in the TV movie about her life: "I have been absolutely terrified my entire life, and I've never let it prevent me from doing a single thing I've wanted to do." Perhaps this philosophy can help us supplant "active laziness."

Watson Gallery Web Site

2009-09-22T13:12:00.004-06:00

Yee---ha! My artwork is now posted on the Watson Gallery (Atlanta, GA) web site! It looks really great. Check it out and see more of what I've been up to recently.

This painting, which was published by Rive Gauche Gallery in the American Art Collector a year ago, is posted on the Watson Gallery home page. It is called "Blaze of Autumn," 24x18. Click on it to view some of my other paintings.

I am really proud to be represented by such a terrific gallery, along with many other exceptional artists, including my friends Wen Ze Chen and David Barranti.

Art Acquisitor Magazine

2009-09-08T12:17:00.002-06:00

Greetings, after a long hiatus! Life has been on fast-forward the last month or so! Our daughter Sally Chambers Pias has just completed work on and defended her dissertation for her Phd. in Biochemistry at New Mexico State University. I've been spending my "blog time" taking care of our granddaughter so that her mom could work extra. The hard work paid off--Sally is now "Dr. Pias" and will soon start work on her post-doc fellowship at State University of New York!

I wanted to share a new resource--Art Acquisitor Magazine--that features art work by many of the artists in Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, who represent my art in New York City. See the article and my painting on page 43. You can view this magazine on this link. I really like the quote from Aristotle: "Art not only imitates nature, but also completes its deficiencies."

While I would not always say that my paintings "complete [nature's] deficiencies," I do take liberties to reflect my own emotions and feelings about what I'm painting.

I am currently working on two new series for two upcoming group shows: Amsterdam Whitney Gallery exhibit, Chelsea, New York, NY, Nov. 6-Dec. 1, with the reception Nov. 12th; and Artists' Haven Gallery exhibit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jan. 2010, with the reception Jan. 9th, 2010.

Another WOW!

2009-07-29T15:12:00.005-06:00

I am so excited today!! My friend David Barranti sent me this picture of one of my newest paintings, "To the Dance" (30x30 oil), sitting on an easel next to a painting of geraniums by another of our friends, Wen Ze Chen. It is in the ENTRYWAY of my newest gallery representation, Watson Gallery in Atlanta, GA!!! Nothing could make me any happier, unless I get a call saying it is sold!

Museum of Glass in Tacoma

2009-07-20T19:45:00.006-06:00

Thanks go to fellow artist Diane Cutter for recommending the Tacoma Museum of Glass! We were able to go to visit it after our Alaska cruise in June.

As Diane says, the museum collection is modest. I enjoyed seeing the Dale Chihuly glass on the bridge connecting the museum with Tacoma downtown. We found we were especially impressed with the educational element there, as they do comparison and contrast for different approaches to the glass art forms. Another fun and admirable addition to their collection is the art glass made from the artwork of inner city children, who drew pictures and wrote stories about the characters they created. Each child receives a glass creation of his/her creature made by the museum workshop group, AND sees the another version of the same creature in the collection of the museum!! What a marvelous way to affirm kids and involve them in art expression at an early age!

The Hot Shop was another treat. Watching glass blowers turn blobs of glass into matched sets of martini glasses for auction was amazing. A fascinating narrative accompanied our up close and personal observation of the artists.

2009-07-18T15:37:00.007-06:00

Yahoo!! I have another painting published--this time in the July issue of Western Art Collector (about pg. 8). It's an ad for my gallery in Scottsdale, Rive Gauche. They have seven other new horse paintings from me, as of this week. Exciting!!!

This painting, a 24"x 24" called "Now and Then," is a companion to the one in the ad. That one is 30"x 30".

Our trip to Alaska and Washington state has put me waaaaay behind on my posts, but I hope to do better from this point forward.

More Iris Farm Dividends

2009-05-21T11:02:00.004-06:00

Our second trip to the Hondo Iris Farm this season was more prolific art-wise than our previous photography session. We spent several hours painting on site, as well as photographing and drinking in the beauty of even more hundreds of stunning irises.

No painting can truly capture what our senses reveal. My first feeble attempt at grasping the "feel" of the garden in the context of the Hondo Valley is here--a 5"x7" palette knife oil on black board, "Iris Spring."

I learned, once AGAIN, that I am much happier and more comfortable working on a dark ground as opposed to white. My second effort was painted on white linen and required far more struggle! More tomorrow.

I wonder if John Singer Sargent was right when he said, “Color is an inborn gift, but appreciation of value is merely training of the eye, which everyone ought to be able to acquire.” Maybe I have trained my eye; maybe not enough.

A Three Painting Day!!

2009-05-12T22:53:00.007-06:00

New paints are always an inspiration! Having received four new Gamblin "Radiant" colors--Yellow, Blue, Turquoise, and Green--I couldn't resist doing entire paintings using only those, plus white and a red. The three images are today's fun results! Each is about 5"x7". The iris, which I call "Flash Dancin'," is done on black gessoed board. The sunset is linen on board, and the wildflowers are regular canvas (you can see a little puckering at the top--not stretched yet).

Of the three, I especially enjoy the results of the sunset and the iris. I feel I didn't achieve quite enough contrast with the wildflowers, which was the first effort. I'm pretty pleased with the photos of the paintings--not too bad for phone pics!

Using a limited palette and creating new effects is a great way to learn and develop as an artist! Plus, there's almost nothin' more satisfying for an artist than to have a three painting day!!!

Today's quote is by Francois de La Rochefoucauld: "Some beautiful things are more impressive when left imperfect than when too highly finished."

Hondo Iris Farm Beauties

2009-05-11T11:39:00.009-06:00

Quote for today:

"To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor." Oliver Wendell Holmes

As promised, I have posted several of the images of the fabulous irises at the Hondo Iris Farm that I took just over a week ago. They're even more gorgeous in person!!

I am returning Wednesday to see what other glorious surprises await. More later.

Why Art?

2009-05-07T10:21:00.004-06:00

Our son-in-law, Ed Pias, who is a professional musician, recently sent us a copy of a speech by Dr. Karl Paulnack, delivered to The Boston Conservatory in 2004. In this speech are kernels of extreme wisdom concerning the function of creating music and art. ". . . we live in a society that puts music in the 'arts and entertainment' section of the newspaper, and serious music . . . has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with entertainment, in fact it’s the opposite of entertainment."

Dr. Paulnack discusses the ancient Greeks' view that "Music has a way of finding the big, invisible moving pieces inside our hearts and souls and helping us figure out the position of things inside us." I believe the same is true for fine art. Without art and music, life has little meaning. In times of crisis, music and art bring us a way to ". . . express feelings when we have no words, a way for us to understand things with our hearts when we can’t with our minds." (Dr. Paulnack) His further thoughts on this are worth reading. If you are interested, I've posted his full speech below.

Have a happy day, knowing that in creating art you DO make a difference!!

Why musicians do what they do....

Dr. Karl Paulnack, pianist and director of music division at The Boston Conservatory, gave this fantastic welcome address to the parents of incoming students at The Boston Conservatory on Sept. 1, 2004:

“One of my parents’ deepest fears, I suspect, is that society would not properly value me as a musician, that I wouldn’t be appreciated. I had very good grades in high school, I was good in science and math, and they imagined that as a doctor or a research chemist or an engineer, I might be more appreciated than I would be as a musician. I still remember my mother’s remark when I announced my decision to apply to music school-she said, “You’re WASTING your SAT scores.” On some level, I think, my parents were not sure themselves what the value of music was, what its purpose was. And they LOVED music, they listened to classical music all the time. They just weren’t really clear about its function. So let me talk about that a little bit, because we live in a society that puts music in the “arts and entertainment” section of the newspaper, and serious music, the kind your kids are about to engage in, has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with entertainment, in fact it’s the opposite of entertainment. Let me talk a little bit about music, and how it works.

The first people to understand how music really works were the ancient Greeks. And this is going to fascinate you; the Greeks said that music and astronomy were two sides of the same coin. Astronomy was seen as the study of relationships between observable, permanent, external objects, and music was seen as the study of relationships between invisible, internal, hidden objects. Music has a way of finding the big, invisible moving pieces inside our hearts and souls and helping us figure out the position of things inside us. Let me give you some examples of how this works.

One of the most profound musical compositions of all time is the Quartet for the End of Time written by French composer Olivier Messiaen in 1940. Messiaen was 31 years old when France entered the war against Nazi Germany. He was captured by the Germans in June of 1940, sent across Germany in a cattle car and imprisoned in a concentration camp.

He was fortunate to find a sympathetic prison guard who gave him paper and a place to compose. There were three other musicians in the camp, a cellist, a violinist, and a clarinetist, and Messiaen wrote his quartet with these specific players in mind. It was performed in January 1941 for four thousand prisoners and guards in the prison camp. Today it is one of the most famous masterworks in the repertoire.

Given what we have since learned about life in the concentration camps, why would anyone in his right mind waste time and energy writing or playing music? There was barely enough energy on a good day to find food and water, to avoid a beating, to stay warm, to escape torture-why would anyone bother with music? And yet-from the camps, we have poetry, we have music, we have visual art; it wasn’t just this one fanatic Messiaen; many, many people created art. Why? Well, in a place where people are only focused on survival, on the bare necessities, the obvious conclusion is that art must be, somehow, essential for life. The camps were without money, without hope, without commerce, without recreation, without basic respect, but they were not without art. Art is part of survival; art is part of the human spirit, an unquenchable expression of who we are. Art is one of the ways in which we say, “I am alive, and my life has meaning.”

On September 12, 2001 I was a resident of Manhattan. That morning I reached a new understanding of my art and its relationship to the world. I sat down at the piano that morning at 10 AM to practice as was my daily routine; I did it by force of habit, without thinking about it. I lifted the cover on the keyboard, and opened my music, and put my hands on the keys and took my hands off the keys. And I sat there and thought, does this even matter? Isn’t this completely irrelevant? Playing the piano right now, given what happened in this city yesterday, seems silly, absurd, irreverent, pointless. Why am I here? What place has a musician in this moment in time? Who needs a piano player right now? I was completely lost.

And then I, along with the rest of New York, went through the journey of getting through that week. I did not play the piano that day, and in fact I contemplated briefly whether I would ever want to play the piano again. And then I observed how we got through the day.

At least in my neighborhood, we didn’t shoot hoops or play Scrabble. We didn’t play cards to pass the time, we didn’t watch TV, we didn’t shop, we most certainly did not go to the mall. The first organized activity that I saw in New York, that same day, was singing. People sang. People sang around fire houses, people sang “We Shall Overcome”. Lots of people sang America the Beautiful. The first organized public event that I remember was the
Brahms Requiem, later that week, at Lincoln Center, with the New York Philharmonic. The first organized public expression of grief, our first communal response to that historic event, was a concert. That was the beginning of a sense that life might go on. The US Military secured the airspace, but recovery was led by the arts, and by music in particular, that very night.

From these two experiences, I have come to understand that music is not part of “arts and entertainment” as the newspaper section would have us believe. It’s not a luxury, a lavish thing that we fund from leftovers of our budgets, not a plaything or an amusement or a pass time. Music is a basic need of human survival. Music is one of the ways we make sense of our lives, one of the ways in which we express feelings when we have no words, a way
for us to understand things with our hearts when we can’t with our minds.

Some of you may know Samuel Barber’s heart wrenchingly beautiful piece Adagio for Strings. If you don’t know it by that name, then some of you may know it as the background music which accompanied the Oliver Stone movie Platoon, a film about the Vietnam War. If you know that piece of music either way, you know it has the ability to crack your heart open like a walnut; it can make you cry over sadness you didn’t know you had. Music can slip beneath our conscious reality to get at what’s really going on inside us the way a good therapist does.

I bet that you have never been to a wedding where there was absolutely no music. There might have been only a little music, there might have been some really bad music, but I bet you there was some music. And something very predictable happens at weddings-people get all pent up with all kinds of emotions, and then there’s some musical moment where the action of the wedding stops and someone sings or plays the flute or something. And even if the music is lame, even if the quality isn’t good, predictably 30 or 40 percent of the people who are going to cry at a wedding cry a couple of moments after the music starts. Why? The Greeks. Music allows us to move around those big invisible pieces of ourselves and rearrange our insides so that we can express what we feel even when we can’t talk about it. Can you imagine watching Indiana Jones or Superman or Star Wars with the dialogue but no music? What is it about the music swelling up at just the right moment in ET so that all the softies in the audience start crying at exactly the same moment? I guarantee you if you showed the movie with the music stripped out, it wouldn’t happen that way. The Greeks: Music is the understanding of the relationship between invisible internal objects.

I’ll give you one more example, the story of the most important concert of my life. I must tell you I have played a little less than a thousand concerts in my life so far. I have played in places that I thought were important. I like playing in Carnegie Hall; I enjoyed playing in Paris; it made me very happy to please the critics in St. Petersburg. I have played for people I thought were important; music critics of major newspapers, foreign heads of state. The most important concert of my entire life took place in a nursing home in Fargo, ND, about 4 years ago.

I was playing with a very dear friend of mine who is a violinist. We began, as we often do, with Aaron Copland’s Sonata, which was written during World War II and dedicated to a young friend of Copland’s, a young pilot who was shot down during the war. Now we often talk to our audiences about the pieces we are going to play rather than providing them with written program notes. But in this case, because we began the concert with this piece, we
decided to talk about the piece later in the program and to just come out and play the music without explanation.

Midway through the piece, an elderly man seated in a wheelchair near the front of the concert hall began to weep. This man, whom I later met, was clearly a soldier-even in his 70’s, it was clear from his buzz-cut hair, square jaw and general demeanor that he had spent a good deal of his life in the military. I thought it a little bit odd that someone would be moved to tears by that particular movement of that particular piece, but it wasn’t the first time I’ve heard crying in a concert and we went on with the concert and finished the piece.

When we came out to play the next piece on the program, we decided to talk about both the first and second pieces, and we described the circumstances in which the Copland was written and mentioned its dedication to a downed pilot. The man in the front of the audience became so disturbed that he had to leave the auditorium. I honestly figured that we would not see him again, but he did come backstage afterwards, tears and all, to explain himself.

What he told us was this: “During World War II, I was a pilot, and I was in an aerial combat situation where one of my team’s planes was hit. I watched my friend bail out, and watched his parachute open, but the Japanese planes which had engaged us returned and machine gunned across the parachute chords so as to separate the parachute from the pilot, and I watched my friend drop away into the ocean, realizing that he was lost. I have not thought about this for many years, but during that first piece of music you played, this memory returned to me so vividly that it was as though I was reliving it. I didn’t understand why this was happening, why now, but then when you came out to explain that this piece of music was written to commemorate a lost pilot, it was a little more than I could handle. How does the music do that? How did it find those feelings and those memories in me?”

Remember the Greeks: music is the study of invisible relationships between internal objects. This concert in Fargo was the most important work I have ever done. For me to play for this old soldier and help him connect, somehow, with Aaron Copland, and to connect their memories of their lost friends, to help him remember and mourn his friend, this is my work. This is why music matters.

What follows is part of the talk I will give to this year’s freshman class when I welcome them a few days from now. The responsibility I will charge your sons and daughters with is this:

“If we were a medical school, and you were here as a med student practicing appendectomies, you’d take your work very seriously because you would imagine that some night at two AM someone is going to waltz into your emergency room and you’re going to have to save their life. Well, my friends, someday at 8 PM someone is going to walk into your concert hall and bring you a mind that is confused, a heart that is overwhelmed, a soul that is weary. Whether they go out whole again will depend partly on how well you do your craft.

You’re not here to become an entertainer, and you don’t have to sell yourself. The truth is you don’t have anything to sell; being a musician isn’t about dispensing a product, like selling used Chevies. I’m not an entertainer; I’m a lot closer to a paramedic, a firefighter, a rescue worker. You’re here to become a sort of therapist for the human soul, a spiritual version of a chiropractor, physical therapist, someone who works with our insides to see if they get things to line up, to see if we can come into harmony with ourselves and be healthy and happy and well.

Frankly, ladies and gentlemen, I expect you not only to master music; I expect you to save the planet. If there is a future wave of wellness on this planet, of harmony, of peace, of an end to war, of mutual understanding, of equality, of fairness, I don’t expect it will come from a government, a military force or a corporation. I no longer even expect it to come from the religions of the world, which together seem to have brought us as much war as they have peace. If there is a future of peace for humankind, if there is to be an understanding of how these invisible, internal things should fit together, I expect it will come from the artists, because that’s what we do.

As in the concentration camp and the evening of 9/11, the artists are the ones who might be able to help us with our internal, invisible lives.”

Spring Art Date

2009-05-05T23:11:00.005-06:00

My friend Sue Parry and I went over toward San Patricio for a very fun art date recently. On a mission to garner new photo references at the Hondo Iris Farm, as well as saturate ourselves in beauty, we drove across the Mescalero Apache reservation, enjoying the fabulous spring day. Nearing San Patricio and spotting the sign for the Hurd Gallery, we took a little side trip to see the artwork of three members of the Hurd family: Peter, Henriette (Wyeth), and Michael.

The gallery is housed in a beautiful old ranch building. I failed to inquire re the origin of the place, but it has wonderful high ceilings with gable windows. Lots of natural light for the art.

The art director is Tiffany Owen, a charming and informative young woman, who gave us a colorful and informative history of the Wyeth-Hurd clan connections. We even had the pleasure of meeting and chatting briefly with Michael Hurd himself!

After viewing the remarkable and varied collection of Hurd family artwork, we pressed on to the flowers, only four miles further. We were not disappointed! I still have not downloaded the 100 plus pictures I took, from all angles and of many varieties. I'll try to share some soon.

Adding to the charm of the day was our visit with the owner of the Hondo Iris Farm, Alice Seely, plus her assistant Shawna and friend Carol. The irises are truly amazing and colorful, as is the owner!

I could not resist a quick watercolor study of one of the irises, which I'm told is called "Gyro." I called it glorious. This is a 10 x 7 watercolor pencil drawing with watercolor added. I couldn't possibly do the gems justice, but . . . Fun!

A New Gallery

2009-04-13T14:10:00.006-06:00

I have just this weekend been accepted into another gallery! This one is in Ft. Lauderdale, FL--Artists' Haven Gallery. They are "johnny-on-the-spot" with posting my work to their web site: Artists' Haven Gallery --very cool!

The first event for me at Artists' Haven will be having a few pieces in an all-gallery group show. Stay posted for more details.

Meanwhile, I've been hard at work getting some underpaintings done for a new series of horses. You might enjoy seeing one that I'll be sending to Rive Gauche Gallery in Scottsdale soon. It's called "Am I Blue?", 30"x30" oil on gallery-wrapped canvas.

Coming Back to Myself

2009-04-08T20:24:00.005-06:00

Whew! Being gone for over a week really takes its toll! It's taken me even longer to "come back to myself" than I anticipated. My discipline and ability to resist distractions such as babysitting my beautiful granddaughter seem to be really challenged right now. Plus--my computer acted up and kept me from being able to post pictures and update this blog.

I have been revisiting the works of Alphonse Mucha, a fabulous artist from the Art Nouveau period of art. Mucha truly defined what we recognize as Art Nouveau, creating magnificent posters, paintings, stained glass, decorative silverware, and many other objets d'art and even beautiful everyday items. His artwork on such items as soap bars and cigarettes were every bit as beautiful as his posters of famous actress Sarah Bernhardt.

I'm not sure that the small painting of the angel comes from my studies, but the idea of creating beauty certainly does. It's a study in orange and blue-green. I'm not sure the colors are yet accurate, but I really wanted to get this up!

Attitude

2009-03-16T11:05:00.009-06:00

Quote for today: "The first thing I do in the morning is to make my bed and while I am making up my bed I am making up my mind as to what kind of a day I am going to have." Robert Frost

Today, I really have to choose my attitude. It's tax time and I am reminded that a right-brained artist needs MORE THAN a great deal of help to keep accurate records. Driving my sweet, left-brained husband crazy is not my intent, but it seems to be what I've done. I now have ANOTHER New Year's resolution: to keep more easily found records of my mileage, expenses, etc., for my art business. Every year, I think I'm doing this and every year . . . . Sigh.

The latest of my mini paintings, which I painted as a painting-a-day, has attitude! "Cactus Flower," (5x5 gallery wrapped oil) was underpainted first in brush, but then I thought better of it and used palette knife to restate the strokes. As is common, I loved the black gesso background, so I painted it with black mixed with red to temper it. The result is pretty fun and colorful. Any comments would be appreciated.

This would make a great piece of art for a bathroom or any other small space that needs brightening up! (PS--You can own this little gem for $100, plus shipping. Just let me know.)

Reworking a Rejected Painting

2009-03-12T15:56:00.004-06:00

This horse is my latest monotype experiment, done on a rejected painting that I used as an abstract underpainting, after spraying with Kamar retouch varnish.

I began with a drawing on a piece of palette paper and painted with oil. After transferring the image, I then worked it with palette knife. I'm much happier with the horse than I was with the previous image, but the jelly fish (!!) made a great abstract underpainting, with the tentacles becoming the horse's mane.

More Monotype Experiments

2009-03-11T11:18:00.005-06:00

I was short of extra working time yesterday, but wanted to play with an idea about using oil paint on a black gessoed board to create a monotype image. Realizing that I needed some sort of flexible application, I tried using palette knife on wax paper to apply the design, since I was using a rigid support for the final product. I also had been working with alkyd paint earlier, so that's what I used.

Since it's almost spring, I had in mind a dandelion as the subject. The outcome was pretty pleasing, even if it doesn't necessarily look like a dandelion! The main thing I learned is that I want to leave more "edges" around much of my subject to gain more black. This photo, taken with my cell phone at night, is a little less sharp than I'd like, but I wanted to share it, anyway.

I may try adding to the surface today, to see what can happen. At any rate, I'm having fun!

Monotype Fun

2009-03-07T15:23:00.008-07:00

My friend and fellow artist Sue Parry recently attended an exhibit in San Antonio of enhanced oil monotypes by Marcia Gygli King, and we were INSPIRED!

Yesterday we decided to "play" around with monotypes. Using water-based monotype paint, we had enormous fun exploring the possibilities of printing on both white and black and adding to the resulting images, which we pulled by hand. Although I had done monotypes before, and even used them with my young students, I hadn't done any in quite a while.

We learned a great deal, by trial and error, and with a few gleaned instructions from Julia Ayres' valuable book Monotypes. Of course, we didn't want to let the lack of facts interfere with our time allotted for playing, so we didn't do much study. We just rocked along, making it up as we went. The creative juices really flowed!

As King works frequently on black canvas, we were led to try printing on black paper. In this case we only had Canson, so that's what we used. The results, as this one example shows, were pleasing, even though the paper tended to stretch and buckle as it dried. I believe we can flatten these out, using the method of lightly dampening the back of the paper again and weighting it down under a flat board (face down, to preserve the image).

After our session, I searched on Google and found some YouTube videos about monotypes which added to my body of knowledge. I DO have to resist going too far down THIS rabbit-trail!! One of my favorites was called "MonoMovie about Monotypes." Another showed a multiple-edition result from one drawing, using printing inks (click here). Altogether, a fascinating, multi-approach process which seems to allow almost any wet medium to be used on several different supports and with or without a press.

If you're feeling a bit bogged down and need some inspiration, maybe playing with monotypes is just what you need!

ACEOs for Fun and Training

2009-03-05T22:11:00.005-07:00

I have been working on finishing and reworking several paintings recently, as well as preparing new grounds for future paintings, leaving little time to do "real" paintings. In order to stay creative and keep training, I find doing some of the ACEO minis does the trick. The top on is "car art" done while driving to El Paso recently. The horse is watercolor pencil with wc and gel pen added. They "read" bigger than they actually are.

I actually sold a couple of my iris ones recently--very pleasing to me and to the buyer!

Art blog Award

2009-02-10T14:22:00.008-07:00

I feel very excited that the wonderful colored pencil artist Linda Mahoney has given me my very first blog award! Thanks, Linda!

In return, I am to list seven things I love and pass the award on to seven other artist bloggers whose blogs I admire.

First, seven things I love (in no particular order and omitting many more):

1. the look of the world after freshly fallen snow (we got about 3 inches today!)

2. our adorable granddaughter!

3. playing and singing music with my praise team

4. my wonderful husband Joe(for 42 years!!!)

5. painting, especially to music (my current favorites: Barry Tognolini's Treasure Road album and Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack)

6. intellectual discussions with like minds

7. the glorious blue of the New Mexico sky on a clear day

Currently, I follow only a few blogs, so the first recipient of the award goes to Pat Aube Gray (see her blog).

Pat's latest still life painting

I'll come up with more in the next day or two. I need to get back to my studio!

More small pretties

2009-01-14T20:08:00.001-07:00

Creating these little paintings/drawings is like eating popcorn! I painted the colored iris one in the evening, while my husband was reading. The blue ones are "bleach paintings" with metallic gel pen line.

Working on small pre-cut pieces of paper when I have to wait for various appointments, such as car repair or the doctor, helps me gain fluency and a lovely finished piece of artwork. Cuts my frustration level down to none! (Well, almost.)

Small Jewels

2009-01-11T23:03:00.001-07:00

I had fun yesterday, creating two small ACEO's (3 1/2 x2 1/2)! They are both metallic gel pen with water or watercolor on 140# rag watercolor paper. Keeps me drawing and creating when time or energy don't permit more. And what fun they are!

ACEO Rabbit trail

2009-01-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

Artist Linda Mahoney (see her blog) has sent me off on a rabbit trail, following ACEO's--the little artist trading cards that can also be for sale. For several years, I have been creating small watercolor paintings and drawings while riding as a passenger in the car. Now I have a format and purpose for these little gems!

Yesterday's experiments were drawings in metallic gel pen--some of my angel series. I can't wait to play again!

Winter Blahs

2009-01-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

It's official! The Winter Blahs are in full swing! What to do, what to do?

The key word here is "do"--DO SOMETHING, even if it's wrong! Get our (my) butt into the studio and draw/paint/prep canvases--SOMETHING to jump start the process of moving toward the journey of EXCELLENCE.

Training is imperative. Concert pianists seldom miss a day of practice. We "concert artists" can ill-afford to miss a day of drawing.

Rx for the Blahs: get moving, get drawing, get preparing--CREATE.

Thoughts for the New Year

2009-01-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's 2009 and a "brand new year!" I am often entertained by the thought that changing the date on the calendar should have any effect on how we view the moment. In my observation, nothing else has changed. I am STILL blessed beyond measure!!

Here is a thought for the moment: "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials." -- Lin Yutang

If we eliminate nonessentials, far more time--and energy--remain for doing the important things in life, like creating art!

Among the nonessentials in my life:
1. worrying about the economy
2. worrying about whether paintings are selling
In point of fact,
3. worrying about ANYTHING for longer than about 20 seconds!

I WANT TO FEEL GOOD! That about eliminates feeling bad about things that I cannot change or control.

My New York City show at Amsterdam Whitney Gallery was/is well-received and LOTS of fun! You can see pictures of the party on the Amsterdam Whitney website: www.AmsterdamWhitneyGallery.com

I'm posting several pictures of me at the show here.

I was also interviewed by Kristal Hart for a feature on her TV show, shown on Dec. 23 in NYC, which will be on her YouTube postings soon! I'll keep you posted. She interviewed several of the participating artists and featured the gallery on the show.

Oil Sticks

2008-10-13T10:11:00.000-06:00

I love painting with oil sticks. Also called paint sticks or oilbars, they are real oil paint but in a form that is so natural and immediate for me. They allow me to gain effects similar to what I can get in pastel painting. There are the added benefits of no brushes to clean, no wasted paint, and drawing fast and loose. I love the line and textures that I get!

The greatest drawback to oil sticks for me has been having to clean the tips of dried paint film before I could begin painting. I tried many ways of storing them to keep them from drying out, to no avail. Thanks to artist Lyn Lasneski, I have discovered a method of storing them so that all I have to do is dry them off and paint! It's so simple, I wonder why I never thought of it?? After use, just immerse the tips in water. Voila! No struggling to get the tips ready to use again!! Since they are oil paint, they resist any dissolving.

If you love to drawing and love textures, you might enjoy working with oil sticks. The various brands I have used are Sennelier, Winsor Newton, Shiva, and R&F. My favorites are the first three. Although they have dynamite colors, R&F tends to be too soft to suit my style.

As the commercial once said, "Try'em, you'll like 'em!"

Yahoo!

2008-10-13T09:56:00.000-06:00

Exciting news!! My paintings are now published on the website of Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, Chelsea, New York City. To see them, click here, then click on Artists and the letter "C".

I am working on a series of sunsets to take for my show in December. As soon as I get images photographed I will show them here. Come back soon to see exclusive previews of my show!

New York City is calling!

2008-09-28T21:02:00.000-06:00

My most exciting news of late is that I've been invited to join the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery in Chelsea in New York City! This is a gallery that sponsors groups shows for artists. Each artist participates in at least one show per year.

My first show with Amstermdam Whitney is already scheduled! December 4th is the big day, 6 to 8 p.m. The show runs from December 2 to January 6, 2009. I plan to attend to see what the "Big Apple" art scene is all about. Be sure to visit their website, which will have my paintings soon: www.amsterdamwhitneygallery.com

A New Gallery

2008-05-30T14:06:00.000-06:00

Traveling and painting have taken their toll on my posts! But my very latest news is that I now have gallery representation in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the Rive Gauche Galleries Contemporary site in uptown Scottsdale!!

If you get to Scottsdale, please visit both the Rive Gauche Gallery sites: Arts District in Oldtown, 7173 East Main St; uptown site is in Zocallo Plaza, 15507 North Scottsdale Road, Ste. 165 (toward the back right side of the plaza). The galleries have a terrific website: www.RiveGaucheGallery.com.

I am truly excited and honored to be represented by this gallery! Check out my new paintings in the Contemporary gallery website. They haven't been able to get all my paintings posted yet, due to tech problems.

Here is my latest one, a 30x24 oil, gallery wrapped with design around the edges. I love this new way (for me) of working. No frame is required and it really adds depth to the paintings.

The Tyrrany of the Urgent

2008-02-28T12:29:00.001-07:00

I am amazed at how much time the business end of being an artist takes! I am currently in the process of finishing and framing paintings for an exhibit.

Even selecting the paintings is time-consuming. Then they have to be evaluated to make sure there's nothing left that should be finished before framing. Next, they must be named! THAT is always challenging--making sure the titles are as attractive as the paintings. The frames are ordered (!!!) and when they are completed the paintings will be installed.

Meanwhile, I don't like to let moss gather on my drawing and painting efforts, so I try to spend at least some time each day doing that as well.

The real pleasure, besides actually CREATING the work, is seeing them framed and ready to go. Wow! WHO painted those?

Thought for today: "There's just no accounting for happiness, / or the way it turns up like a prodigal / who comes back to the dust at your feet" -- Jane Kenyon

Modern Art

2008-02-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

"Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves they have a better idea." - John Ciardi

I thought this quote was pretty telling! When we abandon the principles of beauty and excellence, we risk thinking that our "better idea" is really art. Nature bows to high art but it cannot be replaced as a source of truth.

Chasing Your Dream

2008-01-29T23:04:00.000-07:00

"You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it." - Charles Buxton

What a pointed reminder of what it takes to follow your dreams. Despite life--doctor appointments, operations, sick parents, sick children, church, cleaning, busy-ness--we must MAKE TIME for what fuels our fire. Else we will be dying coals that turn to black cinders.

The horse is my latest in a series.

Nature

2008-01-22T14:56:00.001-07:00

New Orleans is alive and well and still giving jazz to the world! This drawing is of a bass player in a jazz quartet with Ellis Marsalis.

"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them." John Ruskin

A New Year!

2008-01-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

The year 2008 is in its infancy. We set so much store in beginning again each year, yet continuity and production are greatly helpful in being the artists that we are meant to be.

Last night, some friends and we wrote the "bad stuff" from 2007 that we wanted to eliminate on pieces of paper and then ceremonially burned them, clearing the way for the good to come.

As I reflect upon the past year, I recognize growth and blessings, both given and received. Very little could I remember that I wanted to burn. For that I am truly grateful. Of course, my memory seems to be very selective! My hope for 2008 is to continue that pattern of growth and to pass on the myriad blessings I receive in the joy of creation.

My husband and I will grow as artists and citizens of the world this next week, as we travel to Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, all from the luxury of a ship. The painting today is a young Belize woman I met last year on a similar trip. I expect to have experiences and paintings to share when I return.

Quote for today: "Creativity is...seeing something that doesn't exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God." Michele Shea

May you who read this also be blessed.

Something to Crow About!

2007-12-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is my latest painting--a 12x12 oil painting on black canvas. I think it's really "Something to Crow About"! What a blast putting all this color on the rooster!

I am missing working with my live models, so have one coming on Monday. Come if you can.

Are you a warrior?

2007-12-28T11:13:00.001-07:00

As an artist, are you a warrior? Warriors stay in the moment, focus on the moves, not the outcome, and do what they do for love. Sounds like us, doesn't it? The movie, Peaceful Warrior, embodies all these and more, as it tells a fascinating and soul-encouraging story. I highly recommend it for all artists and would-be artists.

Artist movies

2007-12-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

From time to time, a movie comes along that really speaks to what it takes to be an artist. One that came out recently, that I highly recommend, is August Rush. This movie embodies the passion that can be present within an artist and the need to express that "music" or "art" in whatever form it takes.

Another movie that is extremely powerful was released last year, so it is out on DVD--Copying Beethoven. Its theme is similar, but in this case, the lead character was a REAL person, whose music we still listen to and can experience any time we want on a recording!!

Quote for today: "I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires." Kahlil Gibran

'Twas the day after Christmas

2007-12-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

'Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring . . . they were all TOO TIRED!! We had a great family gathering, but were totally spent afterwards! Of course, art creation is on the back-burner until today, although creating a terrific dinner for a family gathering is an art and very creative itself.

The Challenge is to go into my space and train . . . and create. Can't let distractions get in the way of my soul's business. I wish for you the same--to create and train for your own soul's business.

Quote for today: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." (Albert Einstein)

May your imagination encircle the world many times over.

Sunday thoughts

2007-12-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Two days before Christmas! The preparation of the feast for Tuesday still looms, but today is quiet.

Big question: will I draw/paint tomorrow, anyway? The answer better be "yes." Else I'll be giving in to the tyrrany of the urgent.

The picture is my latest 20 x 16 pastel, where I broke the "rules" by using pink, purple and blue in quantity.

Quote for today: "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." -- Frederick Douglass

Christmassing distractions

2007-12-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

Christmassing is a great distraction when it comes to consistent production and training in art. Going into the studio at least once a day during a period like this is imperative for keeping the creative juices at least moist.

Yesterday, I finished playing with a this painting that I had begun long ago and put aside. It is now complete with palette knife applications and LOTS of color.

My quote for today: "Like a snowflake we are the beauty of one." (Kathleen Arnason)

new blog idiot

2007-12-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

The best blogging techniques.
How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

*****LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR***** SARA J CHAMBERS ART and PHILOSOPHY

Worthy of Attention

Zentangles

Demo at Artisan Santa Fe

Upcoming Oil Stick Demo at Artisan Santa Fe

Gala Fun

Fun With Fishes

Picture Editing Program Needed

Best of Wordwide Charcoal, Pastel & Pencil Artists Vol. II

Open Studio Event Coming Soon!

Head, Heart, and Hands--Shea Hembrey's Biennial

Demystifying Composition

Correction and Wandering Off

New Location for Sacramento Mountain Weavers Gallery

Beauty Reigns

Back to Myself

Call for Artists from Rive Gauche Galleries

Pictures from the Art Gala

New York Art Show

December Show in NYC!

Crazy Horse

Experiment with Open Acrylics

Creative Composition Class

4B Or Not 4B

Wild Roses

Working in Series

Correcting Nature

More Enchantment

Iris Inspiration

Catching Up

Signs of Spring!

Steinway Piano Galleries Exhibit

Another Iris!

Experimentation

Hope Rising

Activities and Art

Are You Ready to Die?

New Paintings for Ft. Lauderdale

Gearing up for Ft. Lauderdale

Essential Ingredient for Creativity

Watson Gallery Web Site

Art Acquisitor Magazine

Another WOW!

Museum of Glass in Tacoma

More Iris Farm Dividends

A Three Painting Day!!

Hondo Iris Farm Beauties

Why Art?

Spring Art Date

A New Gallery

Coming Back to Myself

Attitude

Reworking a Rejected Painting

More Monotype Experiments

Monotype Fun

ACEOs for Fun and Training

Art blog Award

More small pretties

Small Jewels

ACEO Rabbit trail

Winter Blahs

Thoughts for the New Year

Oil Sticks

Yahoo!

New York City is calling!

A New Gallery

The Tyrrany of the Urgent

Modern Art

Chasing Your Dream

Nature

A New Year!

Something to Crow About!

Are you a warrior?

Artist movies

'Twas the day after Christmas

Sunday thoughts

Christmassing distractions

new blog idiot

LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR SARA J CHAMBERS ART and PHILOSOPHY