The other 4...

Hi Tatiana, Here are the other 4. I did them awhile ago and the curator wanted 2 more to make 6.

Finished

I finished the 2 small pieces and now will frame them. There will now be six small paintings in this group.

2 small WIPs

I am working on 2 very small(for me anyway) oil pastels to round out paintings going to a show in January. I need to finish these this week, and frame them. BTW these are 4" x 6".

Cleaning up

I have been working all week with the artists that I share my studio with to get ready for Open Studios this weekend. It is always a mess while getting ready, and here is a shot of the mess...The fix up will follow in a few days.

Crunch time...

This is the final week before Open Studios and needless to say I have been busy with my studio partners trying to get everything ready for our 18th annual 4th floor artists Open Studios. I have been making cards and prints and bookmarks...framing work and in gerneral cleaning up the studio.

Here is the info about the event.

18^th Annual Open Studios

November 21 & 22, 11 am – 5 pm

The 4^th floor artists are now gearing up for their 18the annual Open Studios located in 2 neighboring buildings. The group has grown since last year to approximately 55 artists.

The 4^th Floor Artists are located in the ET Wright Building, 379 Liberty St., Rockland and in the American Sandpaper Co., 83 E. Water St. Rockland. This is a not to be missed event featuring something for the entire family. In each building you will be able to see artists working and demonstrating in their studios, see displays of their work, do a little holiday shopping, and enjoy tasty refreshments. Maps and artists lists will be available in each building.

The artists include painters, printmakers, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, graphic designers, interior designers, architects, fiber artists, woodworkers, potters, and performing arts. There is something for everyone’s taste and pocketbook.

A special event this year is an “Off the Wall” exhibit featuring small works by the artists for one very nominal fee. 10% of the proceeds of the fundraiser will go to “Rockland Holiday Magic” a local group helping needy families at Christmas.

Plenty of free parking at both locations. The ET Wright building is handicapped accessible.

So come and enjoy all the artists have to offer! You’ll be glad you did.

www.4thfloorartists.org

Final image

Here is the final image of the gouache painting. It is all matted and ready to go. Now on to finish the pommegranate. and claean the studio.

Art for fundraiser

I have been absent for a while trying to finish a mural for our church sunday school. It is now finished YAY! Now I moved on to a 5 x 7 fundraiser for our 4th floor group during our upcoming open studios. This isn't quite finished yet, gouache on 300 lb watercolor paper. Should be able to finish it on Monday then I can get back to my oil pastels.

Calendar Show

I haven't done much lately as we have been away. Back to the studio tomorrow. Good news, 2 of my oil pastel paintings were acepted as finalists in the North River Arts Society 2011 Calendar Show. At the opening next week, 13 pieces from the sixty finalists will be chosen for the calendar.

Pommegranite

Well I have totally decided to revamp the background on this little painting. It just isn't working for me so I'll be back later with a revamp. I don't like the background shape and I really need to get some green in this. Stay tuned.

updates

Here is another update to the pommegranite. Worked on the garlic today and had to put it aside as it became too wet.

New WIP

I started a new oilpastel painting today. I am determined to finish up a lot of the pieces that are hanging around my studio. I started this in and oil painting class so it has a very thin glaze of paint on it. I have now started adding oil pastel to it. My new set up isn't quite like the orginal, but close enough. This is about 10" x 15" on gessoed masonite.

finish

Okay, I tweaked it some, darkened the yarn on the shadow side and did a few more touch ups.

Done.....

I think this is done now, but am still unsure about the values on the yarn, especially on the shadow side. Think they might need to be a little bit darker.

Almost there

Here is another update on the bucket. I had to stop working on the yarn as it was too thick. In a few days I will be able to do more layering on the yarn and then it will be just about done.

Bucket update

Here is another update to the blue bucket. I tried to get the background settled today and may change it a little after I get the yarn and more bucket in. Won't be back until next week.

More blue bucket

I am finally getting back to this and hope to finish it soon. I have been sidetracked the past few weeks with a commercial job and a bit of traveling. Here is another update.

Final

Here is the final of my CP drawing of the beach objects. I had fun doing this despite the time it took.

Another update

Here is another update of the auction piece. One more session should finish it. I learned a new trick for smoothing out the CPs. Use a stiff bristle brush and cut it to about 1/4 inch and brush over the CP...works great.

auction update

Here is another update to the auction piece. About half done.....

auction piece

Here is the beginning of a colored pencil piece that I am doing for a local Art Association's auction. 8x8 on gatorboard covered with Rives paper. It is a still life of shells and beach things.

Almost

This is just about finished except for a little tweaking. I was interrupted a lot during the painting of this and now it is time to move on. More lilies coming.

updates

I haven't had much time to get to the studio lately and there has recently been a lot of business to deal with concerning our studio group. Any way I did get a little more done on these 2 pieces.

We are still sogged in here so no garden or outside work...

Sogged

We have been sogged in with rain for days with no clearing in sight yet. My family from Maryland is here for the week so painting has been on hold. Will be back at the studio on friday. Stay tuned..

updates and another WIP

I haven't had much time to paint this week as I have been getting the vegetable garden in. Planted 14 squash plants today and some flower tubs. Anyway here is an update to the lily from yesterday and a new WIP.

The new painting is also and oil pastel.

Rainbows

Not much painting this week as I have been trying to get the garden in shape. also graduations for 2 of my granddaughters.

After a storm this week we were left with a beauty of a rainbow...and double at that.

more updates

I haven't had a lot of time to work on this.....garden, garden....planting tomatoes..and more veggies. Here is an update.

Update

I have had only a little time to work on this this week, but have done some. I always have a hard time with the yellows so I am letting them sit for a few days. We have been trying to get our garden all planted, but now it has decided to be winter again. Cold, damp and rainy. Hopefully this weekend.

New waterlily WIP

I have started another waterlily in oil pastels and hope to get a series going. One of the artists who shares my studio does digitally enhanced images of wildflowers and weeds of the area. We are hoping to put together a show for next year and the waterlilies would be part of it. The garden has taken a lot of my time of late but it is getting under control so hope to get to my studio more often. This started with an oil underpainting.

Spring blooms

The flowering shrubs and spring blooms have been just gorgeous this year. Here are some.

Been gardening

I'll be posting new work net week. I have been trying to get the yard cleaned up and the garden ready to go. We have been picking asparagus all week...yum. Need to take some pics soon, when the weeds are gone. 

Another portrait

I just finished another commissioned portrait. This is rendered in oil pastel on toned paper. It is a portrait of a retiring Greek Orthodox priest from a nearby town.  The clients will be picking it up tomorrow, always the nervous part...

oops

Not sure anyone will notice the difference, but I published the wrong photo of the finish. Here is the right one....

Finish

Here is the finish of my waterlily....now to get a frame..

nearing completion

Here is another update of the waterlily. I am working on the reflections and it is nearing completion. 

Turkeys

Here is the latest wildlife to our bird feeder. These turkeys stayed around for 3 hours and then wandered away. Hard to believe we have this assortment of wildlife, given we live on a busy highway. However, out yard backs up to a pond and some woods.

The squirrel was really freaked out when these birds arrived.....lol

There were actually 6 of them. Somehow the sixth one didn't get in the picture. Shy maybe...

More waterlily

I had a little time to work on this today so started the reflections. I won't be able to get back to it until next week, but hope to finish it soon as I would like to put it in an upcoming show.