Unlike the previous featured artist, Elisabetta Sirani, Rachel Ruysch lived a long and fruitful 86 years. It’s no wonder her passion for art developed early with a penchant for natural marvels like flowers, butterflies, lizards, and other creatures because she was raised the daughter of a physician/anatomist and botanist, Frederik Ruysch. Fortune … [Read more...] about Dancing the Rigaudon Backwards: Rachel Ruysch
Pigments: Historical and Modern
There is a distinct difference between modern day pigments and the natural pigments used prior to the middle of the 1700s. In the past, artists had apprentices who ground the colors for them throughout the oil painting sessions. Because they were made by hand, the pigments retained a natural grittiness and consistency with larger particle size. Today's oil paint manufacturers make synthetic colors in huge vats where the end result is exceptional smoothness. Prior to the middle of the 1700, natural pigments came from dirt, minerals, and even plants.
Dancing Backwards with Elisabetta Sirani: 1638-1665
After deciding on the topic for this project, I found two books on women artists in my library and began the research. Several works by certain artists stood out. As usual, vibrant shimmering color or color harmony draws me in to a composition. The work of Elisabetta Sirani instantly reveals a bold color palette often with unmuted primary and … [Read more...] about Dancing Backwards with Elisabetta Sirani: 1638-1665
Getting Down to Specifics: Part Two
This commission piece was a delight to paint, and each day a pleasure, not work at all. As the painting progressed, I found it hard to stop at the end of each painting session. Often, I took photos of the transformations and sent them along to the clients. Because of the marvels of the iPhone camera, it was easy to document day to day progress and … [Read more...] about Getting Down to Specifics: Part Two
Getting Down to Specifics: What’s in Your Mind’s Eye?
Part One One of the most enjoyable projects in my painting life is working directly with collectors planning a commission piece, and this was no exception and loads of fun. Several months ago, a couple from nearby Washington State contacted me inquiring about a very personal painting for their collection. They wished to include a few heirloom … [Read more...] about Getting Down to Specifics: What’s in Your Mind’s Eye?
Quintessential Blue Comes to an End
Circles Modello Joker in the Tulip Garden Mystical Modello Vessel for the Water Endlessly Modello Palpable Modello Infinite Modello Crystalline Modello Quintessential Blue comes to an end. All paintings are on view at Bronze Coast Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Thank you for following my stories of the … [Read more...] about Quintessential Blue Comes to an End
The Final Home Stretch: Quintessential Blue
Quintessential Blue Pigment Project has been great fun for a pigment nerd like me. For this series, I used some unusual colors on my palette with unexpected surprises. One is the cobalt turquoise and the other manganese blue that both are now my all-time favs. Though neither are historical colors, I know I will continue to explore making and using … [Read more...] about The Final Home Stretch: Quintessential Blue