Almost There

The local middle school has an artist in residence program. Each year I am lucky enough to be asked to be one of those artists. This year I decided to do something a little different. I bought this wonderful paper years ago. It is a hand made paper that has darker threads and also iridescent sparkles running through it. It has just enough tooth to be able to work with pastel. I thought this scene would appeal to the both the boys and the girls and sure enough they were extremely intrigued and asked more questions than usual.

The artist actually sets up in the main hallway. The art teachers bring their class down, but also when the bell rings and the kids are going from one class to another they pass by and stop and chat. I think the appeal to them was not only the subject matter, but the brightness of the work and also how the paper is still a big part of the painting. It was a good lesson in perspective which coincidentally they just finished studying in their art class. (I honestly did not know that ahead of time.) Quite a few must have been paying attention in class and when I asked different groups which type of perspective this illustrated, they would shout out "one point perspective". Yeah! I worked from a photo that I had taken on a trip to Pennsylvania. And I made sure to let them know that I was the passenger, not the driver, when I took the picture. The kids gave me the best compliment by telling me that the painting was very different from the photo and so much better than the photo itself. If I have to work from photos only, this is what I like to hear.

The only hard part of the day was, for some reason, there was also a giant heart shaped balloon near by that actually had a button on it that when pushed would play a tiny rendition of some song. (I have luckily forgotten the song) Of course the kids could not resist pushing it, so by the end of the day I was wishing I had a giant pin to pop it. But otherwise a fun day.

North River Arts Society Members Show

Information on NRAS site

The Opening of the Member's Show for the North River Arts Society is tonight. With all the snow we have had piled up high on the side walks, we weren't sure what was going to happen. For the last two days we have had unusually warm weather which is melting away a good amount of the snow. Being a skier and Feb vacation just around the corner, I usually don't like a warming trend right now. But this time I am glad for some melting as this will make it a little easier to attend the event.

I am forgetting the exact number, but we have around 250 entries to the show. Joseph McGurl was our awards juror and with this many entries I know it was an extremely hard task. He was very sensitive to his job and viewed each piece in the show with great care. If you haven't seen Mr. McGurl's work, please take a look by clicking on his name and it will take you directly to his site. The light and quality he captures within his pieces is remarkable. Just stunning.

So...hope to see you at the opening and if not, the show runs through February 27th so there is still time to take it in. Just call the North River Arts Society for hours.

New Class Offerings

I am offering a new listing of classes for the New Year. See them right here on my blog under...guess where...class offerings-on the right. There are both Adult and Children's classes listed. This great little collage is from a young student in my last Children's class. The class incorporated collage in with the pastels as they all wanted to use glitter and have Christmas themed pieces. Tis the season for glitter. The children always amaze me at how creative and uninhibited they are at experimenting and thinking "out of the box". We all need to take lessons from them.

North River Arts Society Art Sale

Click here for hours and details

Every year the North River Arts Society has a wonderful art sale. There is fantastic original art, prints and tons of other items all priced just right for the upcoming holidays. So if you want to start your shopping early and are tired of giving out those traditional boring shirts and ties, come on by and add some spice to your gift giving.

I will be selling framed originals, unframed originals, some prints in these fantastic little stand alone easels that sit right on a small coffee table and coasters.

Many of my first-rate artist friends will have their gorgeous items there, also. Somehow I always end up spending part of what I earn cause I just can't help but grab that scrumptious landscape at it's marvelous price.

Get there early as it's always a popular event!

Golden Light

The Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod will be having their annual Member's Show to be held at the Brewster's Ladies Library-1822 Main St., Brewster Ma. The opening reception is November 6th, from 3-5 and the show runs through the 30th. I have entered this little 8"X8" fall piece (and it is for sale). The lighting was extraordinary that day casting a golden glow on the river. I found this fall fantastic for painting with our unusually warm crystal clear weather and gorgeous skies. Made up for the fact that the leaves on the trees, although still stunning in places, were not quite as vibrant as past years.

126 Front Street

I finished this piece a while back and hope to enter it in some upcoming shows. There are many elements that are represented within the painting that depict the contrast between gaiety and innocence and the desperation of our social times.

The subdued tones of the worker's attire reflect the resignation of the figure to his situation in life. In addition, he is surrounded by the crumbling, faded brick building.

Although currently trapped behind bars, the children's lighthearted pink painting on the door suggests that there can be hope for the future.

Arts On

click here for all the details

There is a great event happening this weekend for anyone interested in some fantastic silent auction prizes, a tasting of some premium wines or a tour of some very talented artist's studios. Should be a lot of fun! And all to help support a wonderful arts organization...

A New Leaf

Out walking yesterday on the first day of fall and came across this remarkable brilliant red leaf on the ground. First brightly colored leaf I had happened upon this new season. "How appropriate and beautiful," I thought. After I picked it up and studied it, I looked up and around trying to find which tree or bush it had come from. The only other red leaves I could find were a patch of poison ivy. I had already been holding the leaf for a few moments and grazing it gently with my fingers when I came to this realization that I may have ruined my day. I gingerly tiptoed up to the poison ivy patch for a closer look making sure not to inadvertently touch the nasty stuff and much to my relief, my leaf was somewhat different. So I took it home and did a painting of it...Anyone know what it is?

Also, I am testing out the different grades of Uart Pastel paper. This was done on the 800 grade. I found it very much less granular. It doesn't allow you to scumble as much as the lower grades. And gives kind of a fuzzy effect and a mushy feeling. Getting tight details is a little hard. Good for if you want to not be too tight with your work.

Anyone looking for a plein air umbrella? I have a new box that has a specific umbrella that works with it. So my other very lightly used one is up for bids. Comes with carrying case and accesories...

plein air umbrella

Crabbin'

It has been at least 30 days since I dropped my middle child off to college. There is a definite missing piece around the house without him here. While watching the late night news if I hear a sound, I absentmindedly think it is Jarrod coming through the door, only to be disappointed that it is the house settling in for the night. I miss those hilarious, animated midnight stories of his adventures or misadventures of the day.

I made my first fall dinner of home made beef stew the other night. One of his favorites. And felt guilty eating it without him present. My husband and youngest child did not have the same concern.

Time really does fly by too fast. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I captured he and his friends “crabbin” in the pool tides. I know he must now yearn for those lazy summer days when his only concern was making sure his fingers weren’t pinched by the wary crustaceans. Now his responsibilities are studying, grade point average, professors and girls. Of course, he is also having the time of his life taking in incredible Penn State football games, clubs and just hanging out with a slew of brand new friends.

So while I do have my extreme moments of melancholy, I only have to imagine Jarrod now in a group of Penn State friends laughing infectiously as they walk the narrow paths of the campus and I feel much better.

Beginning of Summer

Available at

I had done a small 8"X8" plein aire piece for a fundraising event at the North River Arts Society, Out of the Box (or OTB). In that event, everyone is given a small square formatted board to work on. When I was out painting it, I thought it would be nice to actually compose the scene in a long horizontal format, so I used the plein aire piece and my reference to complete this larger painting. I couldn't post my larger piece or even the smaller piece until the Out of the Box event was done, because part of the fun and mystery of that event is to keep secret who the artist is who did the painting until bidding has ended. Well, the event ended this past Saturday night with a great party, absolutely fantastic Choclatinis and lots of happy people leaving with their newly won artwork.

So here is my longer 13" X 27" composition piece...