Saturday, March 31, 2012

POETRY


Love, Delight, and Alarm [excerpt]
by Karen Weiser

Then the treehouse burned.  And continued

                                                                  unobliterable as the sea

                                  to burn.  The photo of it burning

hangs on its wall, taken from high up,

                                  but not that high.  The firemen

approach cautiously, minus the

                                   four-part regimented solace, that

would repeat.  If the act of

                                    painting is Drawing the boundaries

of a fire, can I disappear

                                    into the initial combustion?  If the

act of painting stops time or at

                                    least its cornet of fronted tremendous,

I could disappear into the Encyclopedia

                                    of Animal Life as the cherub's sleepiest

wet tusk.  I could start with a dexterous

                                    periscope and end by feeling

time, the largest block of it

                                    I can conceive collectively

                                                                     Smell I the flowers, or thee?
                                                                                  See I lakes, or eyes?

Friday, March 30, 2012

SATURDAY NIGHT = DATE NIGHT WITH A TWIST

5-7 p.m.  MANIFEST GALLERY (2727 Woodburn Avenue in East Walnut Hills) is hosting 3 terrific exhibits; and they want you to try this novel idea:

Instead of dinner and a movie, how about dinner and a gallery show?

Just come to Manifest Gallery between 5 and 7p.m. this Saturday (alone or in tandem), enjoy three terrific exhibits before we pack them up and ship them away, then pick up a special Date Night coupon for 25% off your dining bill at Suzie Wong's at DeSales Corner (valid same night only).

After dinner at Suzie Wong's...

7-9 p.m. - PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE at Manifest DRAWING CENTER in Madisonville

MANIFEST DRAWING CENTER, 4905 (floor 2) Whetsel Avenue in Madisonville (near the public library).

In celebration of Manifest's seven years as an organization and our Drawing Center's one-year at its Madisonville location.  Manifest's staff and board of directors wants you to see the exciting creative space and the hundreds of life drawings hung studio-salon-style, and to learn more about the history and future of this exciting other half of Manifest that most folks don't get to see. The open house is also a chance to meet some of our participating artists, as well as tour our studios where on average over 400 participants each year undertake serious drawing education and expand their skill and vision for creativity.

Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

L IS FOR...

Spent some time painting with my grandgirl, Alaina, Monday.  She is becoming quite a good little watercolorist and it makes me happy to see how much she enjoys it.  She and I painted while grandgirl Jocelyn and Grandpa Jerry played air hockey (Jocelyn got to paint later).  We included a visit to the park where we all got pretty muddy (the ground is really saturated) and had to put our socks in the laundry when we returned.  Jocelyn and I even ran around the back yard kicking (okay, I tried to kick) the soccer ball and Grandma Rhonda almost had a heart attack!!  It was a good day except Jocelyn had a horrible cold - or maybe it's allergies (the pollen count in our area is in the thousands!!! when it's normally in the hundreds right now).

So the title for this post?  Well, Alaina says, when someone beats her at a game, with her finger and thumb up to indicate a large letter L, "I'm a Loooozer!"  We all laugh and let her know she is not a loser just because she lost a game!  But, of course, you often feel like a "Looozer" when you don't get into a juried show, and that's what just happened to me. 


I'm of a mind to believe that this painting is jinxed so it didn't have a chance, anyway.  A waste of money and time spent getting it matted and framed and then reframed (because a 3/4 inch frame was put on it when I was pretty sure I asked for a 2 inch frame), and then reframed again because the framer shot nails through the 2 inch frame the second time around.  Jinxed.  So...I shouldn't be surprised that it didn't get into the WACC Show.  And it didn't.


However, today, I drove out to the country to paint and visit with Deb and Sharon and although we didn't make any earth-shattering artwork, we did take a very nice, long walk around the lake on Deb's property and I really enjoyed that.  The ducks on the lake, Stray larumping along ahead of us and getting as wet as he could, and the redbuds blooming made for a perfect end to the day.  And Deb's painting of geishas got in the WACC show (as it should - it's a gorgeous painting!).

So, if you're in the area, do stop by the WACC Juried Show in Mariemont at "The Barn" and see who got in the show this year. 
When?  Opening reception April 1 from 1-4 with awards at 2 pm. 
Where?  Woman's Art Club Cultural Center, 6980 Cambridge Avenue, Mariemont, OH.  How long?  Exhibit continues 1-4 pm April 5-7, 12-15 and last day is April 29.

Congratulations, Deb!  You're a winner!

Monday, March 26, 2012

CAW GIRL IS FINISHED BUT NOTHING NEW BEGUN





I'm calling her finished. 


The grandgirls are on spring break this week so we're spending the day with them, just having fun (there will be some painting involved, too). 



Then this afternoon, I take my painting to the WACC for judging into their juried show (I hope).  (Not this one but another I've had matted and framed.)

Tomorrow, my two beginner students come over for 2 hours of instruction.  I've got their lesson plan all ready for them :)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

SUNDAY SHARING

Sunday Sharing is all about highlighting 3-4 new followers who have blogs...

1.  Nora MacPhail's blog is full of wonderful drawings, sketches and watercolors.  She is from Toronto, Canada, and I think she's one you should check out and, perhaps, keep on your sidebar :)  I love her figure with the pink bow in her hair!!

2.  Susan Roux, a Maine artist, is on An Artist's Journey and she wants to take us along with her.  I think you'll enjoy the journey, visiting and viewing her work in oils whether it's a lovely, lyrical figure or a soft, pastoral landscape.  Beautiful work all around and well worth visiting!

3.  Dreams of Pure Love is the blog of self-taught artist, Bevie.  I couldn't find out where she is from but her blog is full of her beautiful jewelry, her ATCs and her knitting, as well as lots of photos of trips and visits to friends along the way.  One word of caution, though:  if you have a slow modem or dial-up, don't try because there is a lot of add-ons and advertising on her blog that even made my computer very slow in loading the information and photos.

4.  If you are a scrapbooker - or even if you're not but you enjoy seeing some of the creative ideas scrapbookers have - stop over to Kiki Halbert Designs and see some of the things she highlights there.  Interesting stuff, pretty stuff, funky stuff, shabby chic stuff (obviously never use the word shabby because that words looks wrong the way I typed it - will have to check the spelling!). 

I'll have more next Sunday.  But for now, visit these blogs and enjoy.  You may find a new favorite or two :)

Saturday, March 24, 2012

CAW GIRL - ALMOST FINISHED



Finished except for her shadow (and the shadow of the crow).   
Full sheet (30w x 22h) Arches 140# paper. 
Poured the first few layers and then used those same colors (plus a few more) to darken and shape the girl and the crow.

Friday, March 23, 2012

STRATHMORE WORKSHOP - WEEK 4

For our Week 4 lesson in the online Strathmore/Cathy Johnson workshop, we were to incorporate lots of texture by way of splattering or other means + add in some paper collage bits.  Here's what I did.


The shapes in this one started by laying down watercolor over one of Mary Beth Shaw's stencils :)  This one makes me think of spring.  (You can't see the yellow in the upper left well - it got bleached out by the camera, I think.)

Although we had a bit of rain, off and on, today, the flowers are still beautiful.  The white blossoms on the trees (ornamental pears, I think), are blown off and covering the ground like a light dusting of snow :)

I can't make myself stay inside and paint.  I just have to take advantage of this weather and warmth and sunshine - pretty soon it will be so hot, I won't want to go outside - then I'll catch up.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

ONE WORD WEDNESDAY


Spring!!!

Photo by Jerry H. Carpenter

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

SPRING EQUINOX

Spring Equinox = Yellow

from Magdalen Walks
by Oscar Wilde

The little white clouds are racing over the sky,
  And the fields are strewn with the gold of the flower of March,
  The daffodil breaks under foot, and the tasselled larch
Sways and swings as the thrush goes hurrying by.

A delicate odour is borne on the wings of the morning breeze,
  The odour of deep wet grass, and of the brown new-furrowed earth,
  The birds are singing for joy of the Spring's glad birth,
Hopping from branch to branch on the rocking trees.

And all the woods are alive with the murmur and sound of Spring,
  And the rose-bud breaks into pink on the climbing briar,
  And the crocus-bed is a quivering moon of fire
Girdled round with the belt of an amethyst ring.



I had a watercolor lesson all planned for 2 beginners who were coming to the house to learn to paint today; but something came up and they couldn't make it.  So we rescheduled for next Tuesday.  So instead, I may paint something for myself today.  But not before getting outside for a walk and a time to enjoy the neighborhood flowers and trees in full bloom.

THANK YOU

Thanks so much to everyone who commented here and in private emails on my brother's heart attack.  We were all surprised when he was released yesterday from the hospital.  So the congestive heart failure/fluid buildup must have gotten better (they gave him a chest x-ray to check).  He now has to take care of himself for 1.5 weeks before he sees his new cardiologist for further information about the other blocked arteries and the pacemaker (which was discussed in the hospital).  I hope he doesn't go back to smoking!!!  And I hope he takes his pills like he should.

Monday, March 19, 2012

STRATHMORE WORKSHOP - WEEK 3

Mixed media for week 3 is just deciding whether you want to use watercolor alone, a drawing in graphite and then watercolor, or a drawing and watercolor and pen with waterproof ink. 




Since it's the time of year for the Peeps to come out, I thought I'd revisit this one and put it in the journal.

I took a photo of it before and after I added the black ink.






We could not have asked for better weather lately.  In the high 70's with sunshine and some clouds.  A touch of breeze.  Warm.  Beautiful.  Perfection!  And the flowers and trees blooming in the neighborhood are wonderful. 


So what if allergies are acting up?  It is worth it!

I hope you are enjoying the full glory of spring in your area (unless, of course, you're in Australia or South Africa or somewhere that you are having a glorious fall - I hope!).

Sunday, March 18, 2012

MERCY NOW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5MG1ZfFiZ8

A song by Mary Gauthier (pronounced Mary Go-Shay). 
My brother could use a little mercy now...he's in the hospital after having a heart attack (100% blockage in one area of the heart and 80% blockage in another area + has had a stent put in and is now in congestive heart failure).  All this from smoking (as his doctor says). 

He wants to go home.  I wonder if he will. 



Saturday, March 17, 2012

FACE STUDY

I had a drawing I didn't like - didn't want to change it.  Venting frustration, I tore the drawing in pieces.  Looked at this piece and thought, what the heck, do it. 



So I painted this piece - a face study (from a torn painting).





HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!



Thursday, March 15, 2012

CAW GIRL POURED - A BIT MORE


A bit more. 

And now I see that the face isn't right - I need to place and redraw her features before painting (which I already tried and then saw how badly drawn it was). 

I can do better...


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

ONE WORD WEDNESDAY


Worn

Photo by Jerry H. Carpenter

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

WEEK 2 HOMEWORK FOR STRATHMORE ONLINE WORKSHOP


This week, we are to paint something using lots of texture.  Cathy Johnson, our leader and teacher, painted an old barn/grain storage building.  I decided to use one of Sweetie's photographs of an interesting lock against wooden boards in the sunshine of St. Augustine, Florida.  I used my artistic license and painted the lock and metal blue with violet shadows.  I think it was just a dark grey metal, in real life.

And for some reason I feel totally drained of energy lately.  At first, I thought it was the head cold, but now I'm not so sure.  Sweetie says it's the time change but that's only an hour change so I doubt it.  I can feel a slump coming on and have to fight it off before it gets me and I don't want to do anything but sit and vegetate...I'm thinking a lack of direction is the culprit.  What do I want to paint that will energize me and get me going?  Perhaps I need to put these crows away for a while and do something else - something bright and colorful and warm and fun.  But what???  I certainly can't blame the weather for this mood - it's 75F out today and supposed to be the same tomorrow!!!

Monday, March 12, 2012

MONDAY MORNING PROGRESS

Well, we had a busy weekend!  With the Woman's Art Club meeting on Saturday afternoon and then Sweetie's TriState Photographic Society year-end banquet Saturday evening (where he brought home 2 ribbons), we were busy Saturday.  Then Sunday we went to see the grand-girls play soccer at their indoor arena and got to go out to lunch with them and their Mom and Dad and little brother and other grandmother and a friend.  A very enjoyable weekend!


Now it's time to get back to work.  This painting wants me to get more done.  Here's where she stands right now.  I'm doing a type of glazing to get the body color and shapes - not really dry glazing and layering paint but doing it while still damp and shaping the forms a bit more carefully than I normally do. 

I've come to the conclusion that I'm a bit haphazard in my technique and working habits and need to become more professional and work harder and take more time.  At least, that's my thinking for today! Who knows what I'll think tomorrow! ha ha

Sunday, March 11, 2012

SUNDAY SHARING

Today, it's time for Sunday Sharing.  I'm sharing blogs of those artists who are following my blog and have just recently signed up.  So let's see what we have on the menu today!

1.  Jose Galarzo is the name of this artist living in Valencia, Spain.  It is obvious that he is a very talented watercolor artist, and I fell in love with many pieces he has on his blogs (yes, he has several so you may want to sit back with a cup of coffee or tea and spend some time enjoying his work).  Scroll down to that mustard yellow marsh scene and have your breath taken away!  I love his dark palette and his loose, watery style.  And if I understand it correctly (I did the translate and one never knows how good it is), he is using pure pigments and gum arabic and making his own watercolors?
 

2.  Watercolour Fancier is the title of this European blogger and artist's blog.  Again, I fell in love with many of her works (although she says she is just beginning her watercolor journey).  You won't find beginning work here, but a painter who has a true feeling for nature and shows it in her lovely landscapes.  Soft, delicate, and so lovely!!  You are in for a treat!

3.  The Sunbeam is the blog of a piano teacher and reiki master in Minnesota, US, who calls herself Humbird.  Perhaps she has an affinity to hummingbirds the way I do to crows?  Visit her blog - she captures photos and then adds her own poetry to the images.  A very nice way to begin a lazy Sunday morning.

I hope you do visit and do enjoy these blogs.  Have a wonderful Sunday and a great week to come.  I'll be back with more work on the caw girl tomorrow :)

Saturday, March 10, 2012

WOMAN'S ART CLUB PROGRAM

Today, I drove over to Mariemont to sit in on the monthly meeting of the Woman's Art Club of Cincinnati and see the guest artist/speaker, Christina Wald.  Christina has done illustrations for children's books, logos, magazines, and other things all over the country for the past 15 years.  She had a lot of her work to show and did a nice PowerPoint presentation, too.  She has a blog of her work and a webpage, if you're interested.  You can find more info here.



I also got to view the current show - the students of Nancy Nordloh Neville's watercolor class - before and again after the meeting.  The show is called Just Add Water and the students each had several paintings showing, as well as Nancy's paintings.  That show continues through March 25th.



Not too warm today, but the sun was shining and it was a nice day for a drive.






And tonight we SPRING FORWARD!





Friday, March 9, 2012

POURED PAINTING

Remember the poured painting I began before going off to the workshop and then life taking over so no time to paint?  Well, I finally got back to it.  She's just been sitting around, staring at me with that LOOK so I had to get back and do something. 

Starting with her dark colorful hair and the crow, I used the same 3 primary colors I used for the initial pours.  I admit, I did add in a touch of Alizarin Crimson and some Shadow Violet in places to give it a bit more darkness and color.  Other than that, the same colors (still in the baby food jars mixed from weeks ago except the yellow had dried out a lot). 

Prewetting the areas and then touching in color and shaping more as the paint dries.

If you're interested in seeing how this one started with the pours and the colors, go here:
http://rhcarpenter.blogspot.com/2012/02/pouring-on-paint.html

More to come as I slowly work into her body - saving her face for last.  I may get some more done this weekend if I can break through this head cold :(

Thursday, March 8, 2012

WHAT A LOVELY SURPRISE GIFT!

This week, I received a lovely gift from "across the pond". 
I'd forgotten that Maggie Latham had asked for my mailing address weeks ago because she was going to send something to me.  Completely forgotten.  And those are always the best kind of surprises!


This little package, wrapped in white paper with a raffia ribbon, came inside an envelope that had, obviously, gotten lost along the way from the U.K to the U.S. - and spent a few days in Australia! ha ha  I hope it had fun there and that it was warm and sunny.




When the package came, I made Sweetie open it right away and stop reading the outside!!  And inside, this beautiful note, a lovely painted card!! and and and this blue notebook, created by Maggie herself and painted blue and mailed to me over the pond!! 

It may just be too pretty to use, Maggie, but I THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!


I am always touched by the wonderful people who enter my life due to this blogging and art thing I began a few years ago.  There are some truly amazing people out there in the world.  So when your world is feeling small, petty, or just tired, think of those kind hearts who have reached out to you just because they "know" you from your blog or art page or Facebook or whatever and know that no one is alone, ever :)

Sending you a big virtual (((HUG))) today, Maggie!

And our GCWS meeting yesterday was great.  Our guest artist/speaker was Nancy Nordloh Neville and she brought a still life set-up of daffodils and silver pots and spoons to paint.  It was a very enjoyable 1 1/2 hours and her watercolors are just so lovely and full of light.  And I didn't do too badly my first day as Program Chair :)

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

ONE WORD WEDNESDAY


Whooo!


Photo by Jerry H. Carpenter

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

SMALL CAW GIRL STUDY - STAGE 2



I did a bit more to the study.  Now the claws on the crow are too big.  I'm going to have to practice bird feet!  I may want to even put them in using just graphite in the future.

Tomorrow I have a lot to do as the new Program Chair for the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society so it will be a busy day for me.  I said I would take minutes/notes and photos, too, since our new Recording Secretary won't be there.  So will do that, introduce the guest artist/speaker, Nancy Nordloh Neville (a very well known tri-state artist and teacher); and help her with the small critique session after the program. 

Monday, March 5, 2012

I JOINED THE STRATHMORE WATERCOLOR SKETCHING GROUP

Cathy Johnson, artist and writer, is running a workshop (free!) for Strathmore and I signed up for it months ago, thinking I would have time.  I'm going to have to make myself do the "lessons" but they will be enjoyable.  On my Strathmore Visual Journal (140# watercolor paper) 9 x 12. 

 I think you can still join up, if you want.  We just began March 1st and Cathy has a reputation for being an excellent teacher.

http://www.strathmoreartiststudio.com/group/workshop-2-cathy




Here is my first journal entry, recording my new Daniel Smith Shadow Violet watercolor.  I think it separates and looks (on the palette) like Moonglow (also by Daniel Smith) but I like it so will have to see which one I like the best.  (This is just on half sheet of the 9 x 12 sheet in the Visual Journal). 

Sunday, March 4, 2012

MORE POSTCARDS TO GO OUT

March sneaked up on me.  It's already the 4th and I haven't mailed out my March postcards yet.  I will do that Monday (have to have postage so have to go to the post office).  These are going to TX and PA so should get to their destination quickly.





Saturday, March 3, 2012

MY FRIEND, DEB WARD

Pop over to see my friend, Deb Ward, on Carrie Waller's blog.  Deb is the Friday Featured Artist and I learned things I didn't know.  Of course, I can't tell you all the things I DO KNOW about her - she wouldn't be my friend if I told! ha ha

And for those of you who are behind in catching up with my blog, I got to meet Carrie at the recent Carol Carter workshop.  We both drove down (me, alone; she, with 2 little boys in the car) to southern Illinois to take a 3-day workshop from Carol recently.  It is always fun to meet fellow bloggers and find out they are just as nice in person as they are online :)

Friday, March 2, 2012

SMALL CAW GIRL STUDY



I drove over to Deb's Thursday morning - a beautiful drive in sunny, warm weather - to paint with Deb and Sharon.  I admit, we spent more time talking (catching up) and having the nice lunch Deb provided than we did actually painting.  And I didn't have anything planned.  So did this little study for another caw girl painting.  Just working on color choices and such to see if I want to paint this one larger.  I'm thinking I'll leave the Caw Girls with white or pale backgrounds so they stand out.  I like that and I don't really want to place them in any recognizable background situation.  I will work on this a bit more, adding to her shadow and touching some areas in the face but I like the unfinished look of her face now.  The crow's claws/talons need to be larger and longer, too. 

Ordered some Daniel Smith paints (mostly refills for ones running low) and got those in yesterday.  A new one = Shadow Violet that Carol Carter uses.  Have to try it.  Going to make another order from Cheap Joe's today.  I'm stocking up on things for the spring Myrna Wacknov workshop I'm taking this April!!  Talk about something totally different :)

Have a wonderful weekend.  We are in the path of some serious storms coming.  I hope it doesn't blow up a tornado.  I can't imagine what those people in Missouri, Illinois and southwestern Kentucky are going through right now after the Feb. 29th twisters hit so many towns.