May 5 through 7 Come join me and many other artists this coming weekend for the Spring Art Unveiling Festivities in Cannon Beach. I will be at Bronze Coast Gallery 'unveiling' five new pieces and a new pigment project painted exclusively for this exhibit. During the unveiling, scheduled for 12:30 on Saturday the 6th, I will give a presentation to … [Read more...] about Cannon Beach 17th Annual Spring Art Unveiling
Learning from a Master Oil Painter: Johannes Vermeer
As you know, faithful readers, painting copies of masterworks has long been a favorite learning technique for me. Over the past 40 plus years, I have painted many including Rembrandt's The Polish Rider and Vermeer's Girl in the Red Hat both of which hang in my foyer. I have painted a number of other Rembrandts, a Franz Hals, and so many others I … [Read more...] about Learning from a Master Oil Painter: Johannes Vermeer
Use Light To Create Compelling Shadow Shapes
Compelling and interesting shadow shapes are one very critical component to creating excitement in your oil painting compositions. Light, light direction, light diminishing and building, and light falling on objects can be used to the fullest and will portray drama and mystery depending on how you use it in each particular place on your … [Read more...] about Use Light To Create Compelling Shadow Shapes
Fine-Tune Brushstrokes & Light in Oil Paintings
Sometimes painting small and very intimate compositions is the most gratifying. This 8x10 inch piece is very simple, but the shadow shapes are compelling and dramatic. If you have interesting light, the painting is much more fun, and lights and darks flow across the canvas in a manner that captures the viewer and holds them in. I try to … [Read more...] about Fine-Tune Brushstrokes & Light in Oil Paintings
Recollections of an Early Exhibit
In May of 1995, Mt. Hood Community College hosted a one-woman exhibit for me in their luxurious Fireside Room. This was quite an honor as I grew up in the area and, at one time, had attended a few art classes at the college. My Mom was a Golden Age Student there for many years. My childhood friend, Jeanette Crockett McDermid, wrote a press release … [Read more...] about Recollections of an Early Exhibit
How to Paint Lilacs: Modern vs. Historical Pigments
Last week, after deciding to paint some true beauties of the season (lilacs from my back yard), I faced a dilemma - which pigment should I use: modern or historical? As you know, I love using the natural pigments but sometimes there is no easy choice. In the historical/natural pigment world there are no rich brilliant purples available - with the … [Read more...] about How to Paint Lilacs: Modern vs. Historical Pigments