"The Spark"

  "The Spark"

 

Judging for the Winter Juried Show was done last Sunday by Lynn Ferris, the workshop instructor this week.  I am please that I won an award with this mixed media painting.  A very instructive moment came when she turned my and another painting upside down to help decide which would get the higher award.  Composition becomes even more evident when turned.  It was obvious to even me as I watched, the  other painting was the stronger.  Rats!!!  but lesson learned.  Turn your abstract paintings in all directions to check composition. I'm sure I've been told that before but this was a graphic reminder that will stick in my head now. 

 

 

There were many beautiful paintings in the show and Lynn had a difficult decision to make when jurying.   I'm learning a lot being on the judging committee.

 

My other painting "New York Minute" was accepted but I think I'll be working on it a bit more before the next time I enter it into an exhibit.  On Tuesday I deliver "Genesis" to Big Arts...wish me luck!!!! 

Last week......

I spent 5 days enjoying the company of Kris here in Florida.  She had a chilly, but exciting visit as the first day consisted of torrential rains, a tornado and a 60's concert in a boat barn.  It was fun and the dinner at Gulf Shore Grill  prior to the concert was delicious.

Saturday we walked the beach on Sanibel and exclaimed at the crab traps blown ashore by the storm.  Hundreds of conchs were stranded on the beach and vainly trying to turn themselves over before the gulls ate them.

Later that day we toured the back bay with friends on a pontoon and soaked up the sun.  Cocktails and snacks as we rode, jumping dolphins and sunshine with good friends...what more could you ask?  Kris said it was perfect!

A bit of walking, outlet shopping, knitting, eating at her favorite restaurants completed the days for Kris.  Not quite what she hoped for in the temperature range but a nice relaxing time.  We enjoyed her company immensely and she went home refreshed with bulging suitcases.

Now both of us get back to work!!

TV armoire conversion to bar

I love this cabinet so when the TV we bought was too large, I converted it to a bar in the dining room.  We'll add a mirror or glass surface.  Below are the liquor bottles behind doors.  It took me a while and a lot of looking to find the pieces but I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

Today at Edison Ford Homes...pastel of Ford home

It was very chilly today and only a handful showed up to paint bundled in long pants, jackets and even gloves.  Normally I hate to wear my rubber gloves in Florida as they sweat so, but today I was glad to have them on my hands.  I will need to do a few touches on this one but mostly finished.  Only a 8x11 so easy to complete in the 2.5 hr we spend.

 

This is the Henry Ford home which I have painted several times.  I liked this angle today with the fence showing. It faces the river which is behind me to the right.  Next door is the Edison home, really two connected with a trellised walk.  I've painted that one too!

 

Although we grumble to get up early and drag all our gear to a painting site, those of us who do so love it.  My favorite memories are painting plein air...sometimes a choir will sing, music wafts forth or delicious smells.  Painting on a mountain in France..spectacular.  I am blessed to be able to do this work.

Yesterday's work in progress

  This Experimental work isn't complete but I need to view and determine where to go next.  Very close I think....what do you opine??   Mostly acrylic on paper, with a bit of collage.

#pixlr

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First week of the New Year....

 

 

 

 

 

Since enjoying the New Year celebration with friends, eating Chinese food and watching fireworks at the pier, I have been working in the studio.  A goal I've set for myself is to enter more exhibits, try to sell more paintings, and paint, paint, paint.  Figuring out which paintings to enter in which shows due to eligibility and availability is a challenge.  I had to make a spread sheet to do it!!

 

First up in the Experimentalists exhibit at FMBAA where the group of us will display our work.  These can be from workshops, nice as those works get little exposure due to the ineligibility for major exhibits.  Below is one I did in Sue Pink's workshop last year.  You can see a bit of her influence on my brain, but work is my own.  It is called "Learning"

 

 

 

 

This painting is called "A New York Minute" and is done, I think.  I plan to enter it in the ACSWF show in February.  This is one that has gone through many phases and changes.  On Saturday I added the light areas after much deliberation.  It takes courage to do that!!

 

 

So tomorrow I'm off to the gallery to work with the group and on 3 different pieces.  It is such fun to see what the "start" turns in to when finally complete.  Some pieces evolve over a few years, yes years, and some burst forth from the start.

 

 

Next week I'll add in the plein air painting that I also love...for now I'll keep it simple!!

 

 

And I've decided I'm in my "quadrant" phase of paintings.

New Year lantern lighting

    George at Fort Myers Beach