Barbara Hall Blumer

Museum Notetaker for Little Gems

2012-01-24T19:40:00.000-05:00

Museum Notetaker

8 x 6 Oil on Canvasboard

Today I am dropping off this painting at West End Gallery, here in Corning, for their upcoming show, called Little Gems, which opens February 3rd. Everything in the show has to be small, under 14 inches total, width and height combined.

As background, I saw this woman taking notes at the Tate Britain museum in London last March. I thought it would be interesting to paint her, and her clothing, as well as the younger woman in the background.

They are having a shared experience in the museum even though they are absorbed in their own thoughts, i.e., they are connected to each other without knowing each other.
Subtle relationships happen in public spaces, like museums and libraries. And I find them very interesting.
B

Gift of a Quote

2012-01-20T15:51:00.000-05:00

Received this quote today as a gift and thought I would share it.

If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud. - Émile Zola

Emile Zola was a French writer, important in the naturalism literary movement, born in 1940, and died in 1902.

"Winter Barn" Landscape Oil Painting

2012-01-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

"Winter Barn"

8 x 10 Oil on Panel

Seems appropriate to post this painting today as we are finally getting our first real snowfall of the year. I finished it earlier this week after working on it on and off last year. The reference photo was taken last year about the same time last year when I was driving around the back roads. It was late in the day, as the sun began to go behind the hills. I was looking for something to paint with snow, because I haven't really painted snow before. Not sure I captured the actual feeling of being there, but I am satisfied for now. Time for this painting to find a new home.

B

Makeup Paintings: My Second One

2011-12-15T12:30:00.004-05:00

"Untitled"

16 x 20"

Here is the second painting I made using eye shadow. It will be interesting to see what people think.

Name suggestions are welcome.

Make-Up Paintings (Painted with Eye Shadow)

2011-12-14T11:55:00.010-05:00

"Snowbound"

Painted with Eye Shadow Make-Up

Switching gears now away from posting iPaintings and on to other work I have been doing.

As background, I returned from Japan very inspired and open to trying new things. For example, I signed up for a pottery class so I could learn to throw a pot. (Japan has amazing ceramics.)

But I also wanted (and needed) to return to my old routine, which includes oil painting on Mondays with Lin.

I was very rusty and out-of-practice, not having painted anything since early October. Once you stop, you begin to doubt whether you can do it again. Artist's block, fear, call it what you will.

To chase away the demons, I decided I needed to warm-up by doing something completely different, and out of the box, so that I couldn't have any preconceived notions for how I should paint.

The morning before our painting session, I happened to clean out my make-up kit, and I realized that here was the answer! Three pots of powder eye shadow, two grays and one warm brown.

They were going in the trash anyway, so why not paint with them!

I dug out watercolor paper, my water color brushes, and some photo references from my box of ideas.

Armed with enthusiasm, I went over to Lin's and convinced her we should try this. What the heck, if it didn't work, we could throw it all away.

A few hours later, we both had interesting paintings and were smiling!

I liked doing it so much, I made another painting the following Monday which I will post it tomorrow.

B

"Snowbound"

16 x 20 including the size of the frame

iPaintings: Longitude and Latitude

2011-12-13T11:13:00.004-05:00

Longitude and Latitude

iPainting

iPaintings: Topography II

2011-12-12T11:11:00.000-05:00

Topography II

iPainting

iPaintings: Topography

2011-12-11T11:09:00.000-05:00

Topography

iPainting

iPaintings: Feathers

2011-12-10T11:08:00.001-05:00

Feathers

iPainting

iPaintings: Untitled

2011-12-09T11:08:00.000-05:00

Untitled

iPainting

iPaintings: Turning Red

2011-12-08T11:06:00.001-05:00

I worked on this iPainting in August at the lake. And I am glad I saved it along the way. I think I like the second one better than the other two.

Purple and Yellow

Turning Red

Red

It has been a good exercise to look back on my work in the gallery of ArtRage.

This one was done last August at the lake, without actual fruit, just ones I made up.

I "saved" along the way. Now I think I like the second version better than the other two.

I am keeping some of the work, because I like elements of them, not the finished result.

In this case, I like how I used the roller tool to add patches of color to the fruit. (This review has also made me appreciate the roller tool!)

Overall, this painting is lacking in weight. The values of the color are too close together. If I did it over again, I would darken the shadows, and connect the fruits' shadows to the shadows under them, among other things.

iPaintings: Square Girl

2011-12-07T10:35:00.003-05:00

Square Girl

iPainting

A potential protagonist for a children's story.

iPainting: Lucky Wish

2011-12-06T11:12:00.000-05:00

Lucky Wish

iPainting

Here's another way I have used the roller feature in ArtRage. I made this iPainting around the time when I was fooling around with visually changing the spatial reality, as in my iPainting, Coffee.

It reminds me of making a wish when you visit a temple, or the beginning of a good children's story or fable.

iPaintings: Pink Ribbons

2011-12-05T11:19:00.001-05:00

Pink Ribbons

She started out as a sad green face, more or less an experiment because ArtRage had added some new textures for backgrounds.

A sad face

became a girl

with an odd eyebrow

and then pink ribbons

with green hair (and a softer face).

I haven't been able to delete her from my sketch book, so she must mean something to me.

B

iPaintings: Tower

2011-12-04T09:14:00.001-05:00

Tower

Another iPainting done with the roller feature.

B

iPaintings: Taking a Ride

2011-12-03T08:59:00.001-05:00

Taking a Ride

I have been wanting to revisit the technique I used for the New York City (NYC) iPainting (shown below). I use the roller tool in ArtRage but the result reminds me of torn paper collages.

An imaginary giraffe came to mind, probably due to our visit to the San Antonio zoo with our nieces. I chose to add a figure, to see how I might go about creating one, in this style.

NYC

iPaintings: Samurai

2011-12-02T08:57:00.000-05:00

Samurai

Influenced by our recent trip to Japan. I didn't start out to make a Japanese figure, but he emerged when I made the black strokes that must have reminded me of something I saw while we were there. There is so much in our subconscious waiting to be awakened.

B

iPaintings: Untitled

2011-11-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd post the iPaintings I have done over the last few weeks while we have been traveling and busy with family.

This first one was completed in the Detroit airport during our layover to San Antonio. Any suggestions for a title?

B

"The Princess and The Pea" Oil Painting

2011-11-17T11:07:00.000-05:00

"The Princess and The Pea"

11 3/4" x 13" Oil on Panel

Just framed the final version of "Pumpkin on a Pillow" and named it "The Princess and The Pea." I will be dropping it off at West End Gallery later today for their opening on Friday night, 5 to 7:30. West End Gallery has a new website, too. Check it out. www.westendgallery.net.

B

Japan Trip - Takeo Takemasa Exhibit

2011-11-08T11:23:00.002-05:00

We recently returned from a two week vacation in Japan. (Don't worry, we were far away from the nuclear reactor fallout.) We really enjoyed our experience -- the scenery, the people, their history, the food, the gardens, the art, the ceramics, the trains, etc. I came back very inspired.

Ticket and Flyer for Takeo's Exhibit at the Daimaru Museum Exhibit

One of the purposes of our trip was to see Takeo Takemasa's art exhibit in Kyoto. He is a master glass engraver and we are lucky to have as our next-door-neighbor back home, here in Corning.

It was a rare opportunity to see his 35 pieces of his work, created over the last 20 years. Most of his collectors are in Japan. Few people from Corning -- I think we were the first -- to have seen an exhibit of his work.

It was amazing! And the visitors were truly excited to see the work.

Each piece was shown in an individual case, lit from above, so you could walk around and around the piece to view it from all angles.

Some of the pieces are quite tall. Most of them are multiple pieces of glass which fit together in clever combinations.

All are exquisitely engraved.

The glass is ultra pure, ultra clear, and highly polished which showcases his beautiful tonal engravings.

The glass shape, size and arrangement is as important to design as is the engraving.

An overview, written by David Whitehouse of Corning Museum of Glass, was presented, shown here in English but also in Japanese.

In addition, some of his drawings for the pieces were shown.

Here is a drawing for the piece featured on the ticket.

And here is the actual piece.

Takeo also created a video of his process and studio. It showed Corning Market Street, the Corning Museum of Glass, his studio, his home, and even our street.

A companion 120 page book, featuring all of his work was created for the exhibit.

(I made the portrait of him for it.)

He signed the book for us.

Takeo is a celebrity! He was being interviewed for newspapers while we were there, and will be doing features with other master artists on television. The exhibit will travel from Kyoto to two more cities before he returns home to Corning in December.

B

"Field of Dreams" Oil Painting

2011-11-07T11:14:00.004-05:00

"Field of Dreams"

8 x 10 Oil on Masonite

Put this painting in the mail today. I used a warm silver frame which I ordered from JFM Enterprises that is new to me. The wider frame makes an 8 x 10 look bigger, which is a good thing. The finished size is about 16 x 19.

"Catching Rays" Oil Painting

2011-10-17T11:45:00.000-04:00

Catching Rays

8 x 10 Oil on Panel

Finished and framed another painting from the grid yesterday. David chose this one. I painted it from a B&W photo I took with my film camera many years ago. As a result, I had to create my own colors, since I did not have a reference.

B

Pumpkin on Pillow -- Almost Finished

2011-10-16T10:45:00.002-04:00

Almost Finished - Week 5

approx. 12 x 13 Oil on Masonite

Pumpkin on Pillow

Today I liquined the pumpkin painting to see what I painted last Tuesday night in Marc Rubin's class. Liquin (or varnish) brings back the color and vibrancy. Oils go flat and change value when they dry.

Marc added a 5th week to give us a chance to critique our work and then fine tune it one last time. The critique of each other's work was one of the most valuable aspects of the class so far. It was fascinating (and inspiring) to see how everyone chose such different approaches to the same subject, and to get advice from each other.

In my case, I decided to add a shelf for the pillow to sit on instead of leaving that part of the painting so vague. Also, I cleaned up the background where I got orange mixed into the gray, and really worked on the highlight (where the brightest light hits the surface of the pumpkin).

I am pretty happy with where I ended up. They only things I want to change now are 1) the stem, which I can do from my week 4 photo. (I messed it up trying to put a highlight on it -- lost my place, but I think I can get it back) and 2) straighten the shelf. Then, I will feel I learned as much as I can from this painting.

Week 4

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

Marc's class will be starting a new still life next Tuesday. It will be pears, a much smaller size (10 x 8), and last only 2 weeks. I won't be able to join them. But, I encourage anyone who wants to see Marc's technique to try out the class. You could learn a lot in just 2 weeks. 171 Cedar Arts now allows you to buy drop-in passes for classes.

Pumpkin on Pillow Painting - Week 3

2011-10-04T10:47:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin on Pillow Painting - In Progress

Week 3

I will be going to Marc Rubin's class tonight for the 4th Tuesday (and the last time) for the pumpkin painting. So, I thought I'd assess where I am after three classes.

I am satisfied with the look and feel of the pillow. And my colors. But I continue to struggle with how to render the pumpkin. I pretty much feel like I am at the same place as I was at Week 2. I spent most of last week's session on it and ended up in the same place as I started.

Week 1 - painting with lots of turp, directly on the masonite

Week 2 - oils only (no turp or liquin) -

we painted the background, corrected our initial drawings and started to develop the pumpkin and pillow

Week 3 - Trying to render the pumpkin and make the pillow look soft.

Marc paints much thinner and more carefully than I do. He takes his time and enjoys the process of studying every bit of the still life. Looking, looking, looking. Tonight I am going to try to zone in on exactly what I see, like he does, and hope if I can make a breakthrough.

B

"The Bluff" Oil Painting from The Grid

2011-10-01T11:18:00.000-04:00

The Bluff

8 x10 Oil on Masonite

Back to work again after being away.

This one is leaving today with our son-in-law who picked it out earlier in the summer. It's a painting I "freshened" up for him. I started it a long time ago while out plein air painting around the lake with a group of friends.

From up high on Silsby road, you can see the bluff straight-on where Keuka lake divides into its famous Y-shape. The Branchport side on the left and our Penn Yan side on the right. It almost looks like an island from this vantage point.

The Bluff has a mythical mountain feeling which I exaggerated in this painting.

B

Figures in the Landscape: Grace's Gardens "Grid" Painting

2011-09-16T16:27:00.001-04:00

Grace's Gardens

8 x 10 Oil on Masonite

This is our last weekend at the lake, so I am under the gun to finish the grid paintings from this year. I will be putting this one in the mail to Sarah on Monday.

Grace's Garden is an impressive lily garden, open for sales to the public, on the west side of Seneca lake, near Geneva. Grace is a master gardener who I met through The Windmill where I used to sell Two Sisters Studio jewelry.

Over the winter, I got interested in painting figures in their environment. Full figures, not just heads. This led to Grace's Gardens, the Museum Note Taker, Catching Rays, and In the Park. Previously, I had painted cows, but not people.

Based on the reactions to the work, and my enjoyment in doing them, I am going to do more figures in the landscape.

B

New Marc Rubin Painting Class at 171 Cedar Arts

2011-09-14T14:51:00.002-04:00

Last night I joined at new class at 171 Cedar Arts taught by Marc Rubin, a very talented painter, who paints gorgeous still lifes.

I, and his fans, are amazed by the beauty of his surfaces and the thoughtfulness he gives to his still lifes. His interest is in luminosity. Checkout his website: www.marcrubin.net (He is one of the artists in my In Their Studios book and show.)

I have always wanted to know how he makes his magic. How the heck does he do it?

Well, the first thing that surprised me is:

He paints directly on masonite without gesso! He uses untempered, thick masonite. Then, preps it by sanding it lightly and wiping off the grit with a paper towel. The masonite is now thirsty.

Next, he mixes a slurry of half turpenoid, half Liquin and paints it onto the masonite, and lets it suck into the surface.

We are ready to start the underpainting. The first objective is to get the drawing correct.

Our still life is a little pumpkin sitting on a pillow.

There are 7 of us, a mix of painters I know and as well as some I don't know, making a total of eight including Marc. The perfect size for a class. He set up two still lifes, exactly the same. We huddled around them.

He had us use a palette of burnt umber (warm) and raw umber (cool), burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, alizarin, yellow ochre, cad orange, cad yellow and white. I added cad yellow pale.

Using LOTS of turpenoid, we painted the still life, to get the drawing laid in, not worrying about lights and darks, but just looking and looking at the still life and drawing what we saw.

The surface SUCKS up the paint, and dulls it down, but it is really fun and easy to do. Correcting your drawing is not hard as you are working thin.

The goal is to cover the whole surface quickly, including the background.

He recommends that you mix a big pile of your background and keep it for the whole time you are working on the painting. (Didn't do this, but will next time.)

Once we got the surface covered, which means we got the initial design and drawing done, he pushed us to add color, especially the local color (the actual color of the pumpkin) and then to lay in the highlights, even though they will dull down.

Tips for working with still lifes from Marc:

Set up and get as close to your subject as you can. He sits, about 2 to 3 feet away at eye level because he tends to like that perspective.
He paints 1:1, which means that he paints exactly what he sees, the same size on the canvas. As a result, he can measure the height and width of things in the still life and then translate it directly to the painting. If the pumpkin is 5 inches wide in life, then it becomes 5 inches wide in his painting.
He works in daylight and adds a color-corrected spolight(i.e., a special bulb) to pump up the contrast. Unfortunately, our class is in the evening so we will be struggling with the light.

I am reminded how painting is just like handwriting. We can all paint the same subject and no two look alike due to our unique approaches to life.

Here's how mine looked the morning after the class.

Our homework assignment is to let it dry, then put a thin, smooth layer of Liquin on it before we go back again next Tuesday.

Note to self: Especially with still lifes, it is hard to pick out what angle to paint, and to decide why I am doing this painting. In this case, I think I am interested in the strong curve of the pillow in the light, swooping across the picture plane, and the idea that the pillow is cradling the baby pumpkin. It is a small pumpkin. A baby. I am thinking of it as a baby and the pillow as the cradle. "In the Cradle" could be a title?
B

The Grid Update

2011-09-13T12:33:00.001-04:00

The Grid at the End of the Summer 2011

In case you are new to my blog and don't know what "The Grid" is, I thought I'd give an update.

A couple of summers ago, my sister suggested I use a window frame to prop up my lake paintings while they are in-progress. It's in the guest room. I expanded the concept to use it as motivation to keep me painting.

I had a habit of starting work but not finishing it. This project really helps me move forward.

Here's how it works: If you stay as a guest with us at the lake, then you get to pick your painting-in-progress from the "grid." You also pick your frame at that time. Then, I finish the painting and deliver it to you.

It just so happens that horizontal 8 x 10" masonite panels fit perfectly in the grid, up to 15. I am aiming to fill the grid each summer, but I haven't gotten to the goal yet. Too many other fun things going on. But I know it is keeping me painting more than I would if I didn't have the grid project.

B

"Boots" Oil Painting

2011-09-11T12:28:00.001-04:00

Boots

14 x 15" Oil on Masonite

Well, I broke the "rule" for selecting a grid painting, and let Colleen, my sister-in-law, pick this one, because she loved it so much. It was on my wall in my studio, and not actually in "The Grid." I am happy to see it to go to someone who really appreciates it.

It's my prerogative.

"Farmstand Flowers" Painting

2011-09-10T13:48:00.003-04:00

Farmstand Flowers

8 x 10" Oil on Art Board

After much debate, the Spina family chose Farmstand Flowers as their pick from the grid. They wanted a gold frame, so I switched it out and will be delivering it when we next go to Syracuse, probably this weekend.

B

"Big Cloud, Little Lake" Oil Painting

2011-09-09T15:18:00.002-04:00

Big Cloud, Little Lake

8 x 10" Oil on Masonite

My sister, Christine, chose "Big Cloud, Little Lake" from the grid during her visit this year.

I framed it and will be putting it in the mail to Colorado later today.

B

"Lazy Afternoon" Landscape Oil Painting

2011-09-08T17:42:00.000-04:00

Lazy Afternoon

8 x 10 Oil on Masonite

Our summer is almost over so now I am working on finishing up the paintings that were selected by guests from the grid.

Our niece, Charlotte, chose this painting, "Lazy Afternoon."

I put in the mail to California yesterday.

Hope she likes it when she gets it.

B

"Yellow Tulips" Still LIfe Oil Painting

2011-09-05T13:33:00.000-04:00

Yellow Tulips

18 x 14" Oil on Masonite

Last Friday, I dropped off my painting, "Yellow Tulips," at West End Gallery in Corning. It will be part of their upcoming show which opens officially next Friday, Sept 9th.
It's a little larger than my other still lifes: 18" x 14". I enjoyed painting the cloth underneath the vase -- it was a first for me.
B

Flight

2011-09-02T13:39:00.001-04:00

Flight

iPainting

I named this abstract iPainting "Flight" because it reminds me of hot air balloons and airfields and clouds and I feel like I am looking down from above. I used the palette knife feature for the first time.

Surgeon

2011-09-01T13:36:00.001-04:00

Surgeon

iPainting

When I start to paint on my iPad, I really don't know what I am going to end up making. This time I knew I wanted to experiment with skin tones and "building" a head but that was about it.

And I wanted to try a new background. Bright pink hasn't been leading me where I have been wanting to go, i.e., believable skin. I know that the painter Tom Buechner used a green he called goop for his underpainting, so I thought I would start there.

I selected the green of hospital scrubs. I read somewhere a long time ago that they use green in surgery theaters because it is the opposite of blood red. (For this post, I looked it up and found that they also used green to prevent eyestrain. White was too bright. Another reason was to prevent theft.)

Subconsciously, I must have been dwelling on the scrubs connection because this surgeon with his half-glasses began to emerge. In addition, I have had the Henrietta Laks story on my mind, too. So many ethical issues in medicine. (In retrospect, I don't think a lot of surgeons have beards.) I am trying to let myself go and explore whatever comes up and not do too much censuring at this point.

Blue Eye

2011-08-31T14:18:00.011-04:00

Blue Eye

iPainting

I learned the hard way that you must save your work frequently in ArtRage or risk losing it all. That's what happened here.

I had taken this iPainting from this chunky, demented-looking start to a soft, sweet girl (smoother transitions, more appropriate skin colors, better head shape) when the program shut down on me. Very frustrating.

But, now a week later, I kind of like the imperfections of this figure and the intensity of the blue eye.

Sketching

2011-08-30T12:50:00.007-04:00

Sketch of Tree with the Lake

Yesterday evening I decided to try to use my iPad to sketch, as I might use paper. There is too much glare to do it outside, so I worked inside looking out the window.

Until now, I have been making up everything that I have painted on my iPad in ArtRage. It was fun to sketch from life.

B

Red Sky landscape iPainting

2011-08-29T17:16:00.001-04:00

Red Sky

iPainting

alternate

Another benefit of painting on an iPad is how you can try out new ideas and easily undo them, using the "back" button.

In this case, I was using a bright red toned "canvas" and was applying thin layers of semi-transparent "paint" on top of it to create an imaginary landscape. The look of the painting totally changes when I put in a traditional sky. I can easily remove it by using the undo button, to see how the color relationships change, and as a result, how the mood changes.

Web

2011-08-28T14:36:00.001-04:00

Web

iPainting

Pink Sky

2011-08-27T22:38:00.001-04:00

Pink Sky

iPainting

Starry Night

2011-08-26T14:39:00.000-04:00

Starry Night

iPainting

Butterfly Flowers in Green Pitcher

2011-08-25T17:16:00.004-04:00

Butterfly Flowers in Green Pitcher

iPainting

This is a reworked iPainting. I was going to give up on it, but I liked the way the blue flowers reminded me of stylized butterflies. So, I reworked the background, foreground and shadows to have more believable light, and a softer color palette. Here is how it looked when I stopped the first time.

Before

Mennonite Woman

2011-08-24T16:00:00.002-04:00

Mennonite Woman

iPainting

What I meant to say but didn't say so well yesterday is-- I can't control how other people react to what I do. I can only keep doing what I do. The viewer may not feel what I intended and that's okay.

Here's another person I made up. I often see people dressed like this because there is a large Mennonite population in the area.

The patches in the upper left hand corner are my palette for the "painting." I picked up the color with my finger or stylus, just as you would pick up paint on your palette, and then applied it to the figure.

"Tom doesn't like her" iPainting

2011-08-23T17:15:00.002-04:00

"Tom doesn't like her"

iPainting

My husband, Tom, doesn't like this iPainting at all, so I am wondering what is causing such a strong reaction. I painted her a few weeks ago, and I keep thinking about how we all have such different responses to visual art. It doesn't really matter what I think about her, now does it?

Coffee

2011-08-22T17:15:00.002-04:00

Coffee

iPainting

This one is a little crude, but I still like it because I enjoyed messing with the space in the background and using extreme color choices.

Along the Side of the Road iPainting

2011-08-21T17:19:00.002-04:00

Along the Side of the Road

iPainting

This was the first iPainting I did when I resumed a few weeks ago. At that time, there were lots of blue weeks along the side of the road where I take my walk.

The Bluff iPainting

2011-08-20T17:17:00.003-04:00

The Bluff

iPainting

This is a loose interpretation of the bluff across the lake. I like the patches (created by using the roller feature) when they mix with the layers of "paint" underneath.

Metallic Landscape iPainting

2011-08-19T17:18:00.006-04:00

Metallic Landscape

iPainting

Another experiment using ArtRage. I can get a highly reflective look by turning up the metallic feature on the paint. Used the roller feature to make the patches of the sky. The brush feature for the hills, and the tube feature for the water.

Red Sun iPainting

2011-08-18T17:11:00.004-04:00

Red Sun

iPainting

In this iPainting, I was was experimenting with letting the background color be part of the painting, in the same way that you would use a toned canvas in regular oil painting.

I chose a very warm rose red for the background. The sky is a very thin, semi-transparent layer (the dry brush setting in ArtRage) of the cream color I used in Dance. The color looks completely different when applied thin versus thick.

The sun was created by using the eraser tool, to let the background show through. Bits of the rose red also show through in the water and the mountains.

Red Sun reminds me of our trip to Alaska and the view of the shoreline from our ship. But, it could be anywhere.

Dance iPainting

2011-08-17T17:14:00.003-04:00

Dance

iPainting

I used thick paint and a wide brush, then increased the metallic feature to create the shiny dots. It started as a horizontal painting and ended up as a vertical. This one has become one of my favs of the bunch. I like the feeling of movement.

Horse with Red Moon

2011-08-16T17:17:00.006-04:00

Horse with Red Moon

iPainting

Here in Horse with Red Moon, I experimented with the pencil feature of ArtRage (That's the app I am using on my iPad) and the idea of using minimal strokes to convey a subject and create a mood.

Up to this point, I haven't been using the iPad for actual drawing. Too hard to control the lines with my finger. But recently, because my finger was getting sore, I invested in a stylus for $20. Now, a new, exciting door has been opened.

Started Painting Again on My iPad

2011-08-15T17:10:00.001-04:00

Late Summer Coneflowers

iPainting

Started painting on my iPad a few weeks ago, so I thought I'd post some of the iPaintings. Here's one that I like because I felt like I was getting my mojo back when it came together. It is hard to resume doing something once you quit.

Fill Your Paintings with Light and Color Book

2011-06-14T08:48:00.000-04:00

Kevin D. MacPherson's book Fill Your Paintings with Light and Color

This book was an impulse purchase. And a book that I can recommend. It's a condensed version of Mitch Albala's type of book. Lot of examples and easy to read. It's out of date camera-wise, i.e., pre-digital. Nonetheless, it is a good book to have in the library, if only to be familiar with Kevin's work and teaching style.

BHB

Opening Last Night at West End Gallery

2011-06-11T18:07:00.000-04:00

One of the paintings from the new Poole exhibit

Martin Poole's show opened last night at West End Gallery and it is quite amazing, both technically and emotionally. You can check it out online here if you can't get in to see it. Marty's work is inspiring.

One of my paintings at West End

I am pleased that Lin selected some of my work for the upstairs gallery. One even sold! Very exciting!

BHB

What is Art? John Barron's definition

2011-06-10T13:06:00.002-04:00

Written in 1967, John N. Barron's Language of Painting Dictionary is one of my recent finds in the used bookstores. It is geared to the painter, and reads more like a book than a dictionary. He says,

"Art is not an imitation of reality, but evidence of its discovery." And, "In a sense, art is actually a by-product or record of the artist's activity in a state of awareness of, and receptivity to, those interrelationships between the world around him and his own inner world."

"[A painter] tries to express his emotional reaction to life, not describe it."

Alla Prima Attempt

2011-04-24T13:11:00.007-04:00

Sometimes this is what happens. You have to wipe off what you painted for the afternoon and you end up with a canvas that still has good colors and will be used for something else in the future.

I made an attempt to paint a female figure in a lawn chair catching rays in just one session, alla prima, which means you paint wet on wet, in full color. Well, it was going pretty well until I realized I had a drawing problem where her legs crossed and met the lawn chair. I tried to fix it, and then things got worse, and then the whole thing got out of control.

I am not discouraged. It was still time well spent. Someday I hope to be able to paint well alla prima. You can't get there if you don't try. Plus I am kind of excited about how the canvas looks now. I may be able to make it into a landscape or use it to make one of the nocturne paintings I have wanting to try.

B

"Museum Note Taker" Painting - In Progress

2011-04-23T12:08:00.032-04:00

"Museum Note Taker" -in Progress

8 x 6 Oil Alkyd on Canvasboard

This little painting is driving me crazy. I hope after I take a break from it this weekend, (Happy Easter! Happy Spring!) that next Monday I will be able to get in there and fix the drawing problems. I still struggle with basic perspective issues like the artwork on the wall. And, this is the first time I have painted full figures which is challenging for me. The figures I have painted before are elements of landscapes where it is easier to suggest them. Here I must get them just right so they look like are standing in the space.

I am painting it from a photo I took at the Tate in London when we were there in March. I was first following the younger woman in the back (with my camera, not stalking her!) because she had on an interesting hat and garb, then luckily the notetaker came into the scene.

I think it will be interesting if I can put my experience with street photography together with painting. If it is a good photo of people will it also be a good painting? Not sure. It might depend on how well I can execute it.:)

Underpainting for "Patch of Light" - In Progress

2011-04-22T12:30:00.041-04:00

Photo of Underpainting for "Patch of Light" - in Progress

8x10 Oil Alkyd on Masonite

This is another painting in progress. Took a photo of it because the scan is pretty bad as shown below.

Scan of "Patch of Light" -in Progress

8 x 10 Oil Alkyd on Masonite

For some reason, my scanner doesn't pick up purples well. Not good for this underpainting which is done in purples and yellow.

In this painting, I am experimenting with painting from a black and white film image which I took on a trip to Scotland in 1998 before I had a digital camera. I continue to want to figure out how to make paintings from black and white images. Now that I have the underpainting done, I have to figure out how I am going to add color.

This presents lots of exciting problems to solve: what kind of apple is it? A green one or a yellow one. Do I just focus on adding to color to the apple, or to the entire painting?

Also, I don't usually do underpaintings, but it could be a very good step to add to my process because I can solve my drawing problems at this stage. Plus I find it very enjoyable and relaxing to paint monochromatically, just using warm and cool versions of two colors, in this case, purples and yellows.

B

"In The Park" Painting - In Progress

2011-04-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

"In the Park" - In Progress

6x10 Oil Alkyd on Masonite

Right now I have three paintings in the works. This is one of them. It is coming along, but placing figures in the landscape is challenging, as is the dappled light in the shadows of the trees and the strong light of the farmer's market tents in the background. I don't have an exact reference. I have pasted together three photos I took when I saw this scene unfolding in the park.

Recently I have taken up scanning my panels on my printer. It's convenient-- great for seeing drawing problems --but as a result, the colors aren't accurate. In this scan, the colors are too vivid.

New Oil Painting of Shells

2011-04-08T11:43:00.000-04:00

"Shells"

approx. 11 x 14"

Oil Alkyds on Masonite

Resumed painting with Lin on Mondays and have added Wednesday afternoons, so we can get more painting done. We aren't able to paint on her porch yet due to rain, sleet, snow and altogether awful April weather, so we've set up in her dining room, each with a window, and music in the background. In spite of the weather, we've been enjoying getting back into the rhythm. This is the first painting I have to show from my renewed commitment.

B

It's Okay to Make Mistakes and Have Fun

2011-03-22T11:57:00.000-04:00

Big Nose Experiment

Last night I worked on faces on the iPad again. In particular, I focussed on painting a nose. I have to keep reminding myself that it is okay to make mistakes at this stage.

And have some fun. So, after I drew the nose, he looked like an old man, so I added a green tam. And green eyes.

B

Crazy for iPainting

2011-03-21T11:09:00.000-04:00

Face Experiment

Still not sure what I am going to do with the paintings I am doing on my iPad. Still getting the hang of how to use the various tools. It is harder than you might think.

Here is another experiment from last night. I didn't sign it. This is as far as I had gotten when it was time to stop. I was very frustrated with the nose. I was making her up as I painted and the process was highlighting just how poorly I understand noses.

Nonetheless, there are little things that tickle me about painting, even iPainting. I love the way my original blue cross marks for starting the face are still showing through in her eyes.

B

Donation for Red Cross "Spring Seasonings" Fundraiser Next Friday

2011-03-20T22:57:00.002-04:00

Flowers on the Fence

8x10 oil alkyd on masonite

I am donating "Flowers on the Fence" to our local Red Cross for their upcoming fundraiser this coming Friday, March 25th, here in Corning. If you plan to go, please look for my painting and bid on it. It's for a good cause.

New iPad Painting

2011-03-19T22:46:00.000-04:00

"Pears"

iPainting

An art buddy told me about a video on YouTube of David Kassan doing a formal portrait using Brushes on an iPad, so I checked it out and recommend you do too. It's inspiring. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OLP4nbAVA4

So, I decided to try using ArtRage for iPad to make a more traditional still life. And this is the result.

I didn't use actual pears. I painted imaginary ones.

Daily Paintings

2011-03-06T16:02:00.000-05:00

"NYC"

iPainting

This week I continued to make iPaintings (digital paintings) each day and posting them on Facebook. Even while we were traveling.

I am really enjoying the process. For me, filling a blank page each day then posting it to cyberspace is exciting and challenging. Feels daredevil-ish.

Will I do it daily? Not sure. But for now, I have discovered something that is fun, yet fulfills my need to dream up something from nothing. And it isn't messy!

"deep"

iPainting

"swath"

iPainting

"su'ub"

iPainting

More iPaintings

2011-03-01T15:15:00.000-05:00

People have been asking what program I am using on my iPad. It is called ArtRage. I am sure there are others. I just happened to find this one.

in the distance

Gree

and then

iPainting on my iPad

2011-02-26T16:44:00.000-05:00

Strata

iPainting

A few days ago I downloaded an art program on my iPad, so that I could do something that is "creative" when I am traveling (versus playing Angry Birds.)

I have no idea how to properly use the program, but I am having fun painting with my fingers! Each day I have been posting one on Facebook.

Not everyone is on Facebook, so I thought I'd post them here, too. To catch up, here are the first four iPaintings I have done. The latest is at the top of this blog entry, earliest at the bottom.

The Parasol

iPainting

Woven

iPainting

Face

iPainting

Midday Sun Painting

2011-01-28T16:44:00.001-05:00

Midday Sun

approx. 2 x 3 inches

This is the smallest I have ever painted. The painting is about 2 x 3 inches or the size of a school picture. I bought a set of inexpensive small brushes and just went at it. It was lots of fun.

Blue Hydrangea Oil Painting

2011-01-26T16:43:00.000-05:00

Blue Hydrangea

approx. 5 x 4 inches

Recently I have been painting quite small. This one is about 4 x 5 inches. I think I am done, except for pumping up the highlights after they dry. The blue blossom is from one of the new hydrangea plants at the lake. I photographed it last summer when the plants were at their peak. I used the sleeping porch as my background, as I did in Lake Wildflowers. There aren't strong shadows in the room, but the light is beautiful.

BHB

Visit to the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa

2011-01-21T15:19:00.000-05:00

National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

If you are ever near Ottawa, I highly recommend that you visit the National Gallery of Canada which is chockful of art, including an extensive contemporary art collection.

The building itself is worth a visit. From a distance it looks like a huge greenhouse or conservatory. It was designed by Moshe Safdie.

This is the entrance into the museum. The light is magical, and as you progress up the ramp, you felt like you were embarking on an adventure.

We spent the entire day in the museum and still did not get through all of the galleries. We really enjoyed learning about the Canadian artists, like Tom Thomson, as well as seeing all of the famous works, like those of Rembrant, Klimt, and Warhol.

Our favorite piece was this newly installed one. The whole room, including the mirrored floor, was part of the work, which was suspended from the ceiling.

Up close, it is a construction of mesh wire, and beads, creating a very intricate made-up world.

You can read more about the museum here on Wikipedia or visit their main site at the National Gallery of Canada.

Thousand Islands Study No. 30

2011-01-15T16:09:00.002-05:00

Thousand Islands Study No. 30

Over the holidays, we stopped by the cottage at Thousand Islands Park on our way back from Ottawa to check on it. I didn't have my good camera with me, but I was able to make this photo using my little camera. It was unusually warm. Not much snow, and no ice on the river, except in the shallow coves.

Oil Painting of Lake at Dusk

2011-01-07T23:04:00.001-05:00

Lake at Dusk

8 x 10 Oil Alkyd on Masonite

For the Blue Moon Ball fundraiser this year, I am donating the Lake at Dusk painting from my series of paintings from the lake. It was one of the last ones I did before we packed up in September and came home.

It is mostly blues and purples with some pinks for the evening sky at dusk. In the upper left hand corner, our neighbor's sailboat is anchored offshore, and the lights of the cottages are coming on the background. The rest of the lake is in the distance. Looking South.

It was painted in one session so it is loosely done, and more about mood than precision. I scratched the mast of the sailboat in with the wooden end of my paintbrush.

It was challenging to get the effect of dark water and the colors at dusk. This was my first painting of a night subject. I am interested in nocturnes and see myself doing more of them in the future.

The Blue Moon Ball is a fantastic, annual fundraiser for the Corning Children's Center. It is held at the Corning Museum of Glass, next weekend.

It is a top-notch children's center and I am happy to support them. Over the years, I first donated jewelry for Two Sisters Studio with Pip's Boutique, then for the last couple of years I have donated a framed black and white photograph along with one of my books, and this year I am donating a painting.

The Children's Center has been one of my most enthusiastic supporters of my creative efforts, and it is most appreciated.

Lake Wildflowers

2010-12-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

Lake Wildflowers

8 x 10 Oil Alkyd on Masonite

I picked these wildflowers alongside the road last September and put them in a jelly jar on the windowsill of the sleeping porch at the lake, then photographed them as a reference. I painted more brightly and more loosely than I usually do. This is a overdue gift that I recently finished and put in the mail. Hope she likes it!

Woohoo! It's Beginning to Sink In

2010-11-26T11:00:00.004-05:00

I am just starting to feel the positive effects of letting go of something as big as jewelry-making was in my life. I have so much more time to think! I feel free because I don't have any obligations other than those of my own making.

I still have a lot of work to do to finish selling off my beads, etc. associated with the jewelry business, but somehow it doesn't feel like work.

I can't believe I don't have to spend time making jewelry for the holiday events! This is the first time in many years that I won't participate in Sparkle. Which is a relief for me.

Instead I have been finishing up the art projects that I said I would do, and I may actually start the new year without any promises from the past hanging over my head. That will be a first!

Woohoo!

Change is Good

2010-11-25T11:54:00.010-05:00

Thank-You Sale for Two Sisters Studio with my artwork in the background

End of an era. I have stopped making jewelry and have been selling off all of my stuff: beads, displays, tools, etc.

In a temporary storefront on Market Street, I recently held a Thank-You Sale for all of the Two Sisters Studio customers and their friends. It was a big success and I am grateful to all who came.

I presented some of my artwork on the walls in the space so that all I had to do was turn around and show them what I will doing in place of jewelry.

I also laid out my books, including my food blog cookbook.

Some knew of my photography. Fewer knew about my painting. It felt good to show everything together, even though it was a temporary space.

I have use of the storefront space until they find a new renter, so I am enjoying having a satellite studio.

It is great to have so much space.

Stop in and see me if you are in the area. It's at the corner of Market Street and Cedar, in the old Treu Office Supply space.

New York City Door

2010-11-24T09:44:00.004-05:00

New York City Door

While preparing the Ellis Island studies, I ran across this image from several years ago, during my "digital transition" phase. I took it during our walking tour of Chelsea Market and the meatpacking district. The vignetting on the edges of the images was a mistake, part of my learning curve with the new camera. But looking at it with fresh eyes, it doesn't detract. Some photographers even add vignetting as an artistic element.

Ellis Island Study - No. 14

2010-11-23T12:16:00.001-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 14

Ellis Island Study - No. 13

2010-11-22T12:13:00.001-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 13

Ellis Island Study - No. 12

2010-11-21T12:11:00.000-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 12

Ellis Island Study - No. 11

2010-11-20T12:09:00.000-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 11

Ellis Island Study - No. 10

2010-11-19T12:15:00.005-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 10

Ellis Island Study - No. 9

2010-11-18T12:14:00.000-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 9

Ellis Island Study - No. 8

2010-11-17T12:14:00.000-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 8

Elllis Island Study - No. 7

2010-11-16T12:14:00.000-05:00

Ellis Island Study- No. 7

Ellis Island Study - No. 6

2010-11-15T12:13:00.000-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 6

Ellis Island Study - No. 5

2010-11-14T12:12:00.002-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 5

Ellis Island Study - No. 4

2010-11-13T12:11:00.002-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 4

Ellis Island Study - No. 3

2010-11-12T12:10:00.002-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 3

Ellis Island Study - No. 2

2010-11-11T11:06:00.001-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 2

This is what I saw at the top of the stairs, to the left of the great hall, that got me excited. I saw patterns on patterns created by the beautiful bright light coming through the panes in half-circle windows. The patterns of the tiles on the floor and the shadows on top of those patterns were dramatic.

Ellis Island Studies - No. 1

2010-11-10T10:03:00.001-05:00

Ellis Island Study - No. 1

Passing Lady Liberty

I have wanted to go to Ellis Island for a long time and finally got there recently, thanks to a travel gift from my generous husband.

Like millions of immigrants did, you take a ferry past the Statue of Liberty to get there. Then you embark, line up to enter the building, and climb the stairs to reach the large, vaulted main hall used for processing.

I did not intend to make a series of photos when I went, but I found myself responding to the patterns of light, and the emotion of the place, so I got out my little camera and came away with a group of studies which I will post over the next week or so.

First a couple of comments about the image of the Statue of Liberty. I love the fact that I could take this photo while on a moving boat, just holding my camera above the heads of all the tourists craning to take their own souvenir photo, and still get the details in focus! Her hands as well as the people at her feet are all in focus. Today's technology is great.

Here's what was in front of me. A lot of time it's what you don't put in the frame that makes a better photograph.

The snapshot above was what I would call a warm-up shot. It's when I start thinking about what I want to do. Am I more interested in the clamouring tourists? There were some interesting characters on our ferry. Or the cruise ships in the harbor? or Lady Liberty?

I decided it was dramatic size and iconic nature of the Statue of Liberty. So, I waited until we got closer and could see her face well. I chose to put her to the left in the frame, since most of the souvenir photos put her in the middle. And because, as painter, you are taught to give your subject some room to gaze, if you are doing a portrait.

Paintings from the Lake - Peony Farm Barn

2010-11-09T15:40:00.002-05:00

Peony Farm Barn

10 x 8 Oil on Masonite

My in-laws chose this painting as their guest painting when they visited us at the lake last August. I am delivering it to them this coming weekend. I hope they like it.

I could not have predicted who would choose which painting from the grid. It was fun to give away the paintings to guests. It was a good project. I am glad I did it.

Paintings from the Lake - Happy Tulips

2010-11-08T16:34:00.001-05:00

Happy Tulips

10 x 8 Oil on Masonite

My niece selected this painting from the grid at the lake because she said it made her feel happy; hence, its name. I recently finished it and sent it to her for her birthday, belatedly.

Paintings from the Lake - Dappled Path

2010-10-22T16:49:00.000-04:00

Dappled Path

8 x 10

Oil on Masonite

I started this painting en plein air and finished it recently. It is now on its way to our guest who selected it. It is a path in Penn Yan at the head of the Outlet Trail. I tried to be very loose. I had seen a demo by a painter using a very long bristled brush to do a landscape so that it didn't allow you to get too tight. So, I bought a couple of the brushes he recommended and dabbed away. I like the effect.

Paintings from the Lake - Keuka Lake with Vineyards

2010-10-21T09:31:00.003-04:00

Keuka Lake with Vineyards

8 x 10

Oil on Masonite

Early on, this painting was chosen from the grid. I had fun framing it and delivering it to its new home last month. It has really worked for me, as a process, to have "the grid" as a project, to paint these summer studies, knowing that I will be giving them away. I have learned that it seems strange to others, but to me, it is very motivating and freeing. In this painting, I worked on how to create lots of layers in the landscape, starting with the posts of the vineyards in the foreground to the hills behind the lake in the far distance.

Paintings from the Lake - The Grid

2010-10-20T18:12:00.001-04:00

Paintings from the Lake - The Grid

If you recall, I had a painting goal last summer which was to fill up the grid in the guest room with 8 x 10 paintings; and, then to let our guests choose which one they would like to have.

Here's how the grid looked at the end of the summer. I was two short of my goal, but still pretty good, considering how busy our summer was and how little painting I did.

Transition Time

2010-10-19T12:15:00.002-04:00

9 x 12 Oil on Masonite

Time and time again, I learn that if you let go of something, then something new and more fulfilling will arrive in its place. As with most transitions, when you get to the other side, they are actually freeing.

I have finally decided to let go of my jewelry business so that I have the time to do other things I love, like painting and food blogging. This coming weekend I am having a big blowout sale of all of my beads, displays, tools, signage, etc.

I have dismantled my jewelry workshop and taken everything downtown to a temporary location in Connor's empty space at the corner of Cedar and Market Street (where Tru Office Supply was).

My doors will be open to anyone who wants to buy. It coincides with the Apartment Tour to support the Arts on this coming Sunday. Be sure to email me, or call, if you want to arrange to make an appointment to buy. Or just stop by!

In the meantime, I am going to post the paintings I am in the process of completing.

This is one I think I am almost done with. I started it during the summer and recently added color to the pitcher and the yellow flower. I've put it in a frame and have been looking at it for a week or so now. I see a few things to touch up, but it just needs a good name. Suggestions are welcome.

Unlike other paintings, I did an underpainting for this one. I did the underpainting fairly quickly, in one session, on the Lin's porch. Marty Poole had showed me how to do an underpainting in a very loose way during the workshop I took with him back in June, so I wanted to try out the technique. I used a new color: Van Dyke brown. You apply the paint with a brush on a white surface, starting with straight color for the darks, adding solvent to lighten the paint for a range of tones, and then wiping away the lightest, highlighted areas with a rag. It was helpful to solve most of the drawing issues during the underpainting stage. It may have actually reduced my stress! I am usually teetering on the edge of being out of control because I go right into painting with full color.

Thomas S. Buechner, 1926 - 2010

2010-10-10T12:38:00.038-04:00

"Smoke"

Thomas S. Buechner

Tom is no longer with us, but his presence will be lasting. He has touched many, many people. He had a long career as the head of the Corning Museum of Glass and was an active member of the community, but he especially touched the painters with whom he generously shared his passion.

West End Gallery is presenting an exhibit of his work, some previously unseen, and a tribute by artists who painted with him. Downstairs will feature his work, and upstairs with show work by over forty artists. The opening is Thursday, October 14 from 5-7:30 p.m.

"Smoke", shown above, will be included in the show. That darn cigar was always present, so I thought it appropriate. In addition, my painting of "Innkeeper's Doorknob" will be shown upstairs as part of the tribute to Tom. He encouraged me to go ahead and paint the filigree detail, which was a challenge for me, and a door can be a metaphor.

"Innkeeper's Doorknob"

10 x 8 Oil

I am grateful I was able to spend time with Tom during the last year. We became friends. Our friendship started when I made his portrait for my In Their Studios photo essay, and then I took a painting workshop with him, which led to him inviting me to paint with him and Lin Gardner on Wednesday afternoons during what turned out to be his last six months.

He would work on his stuff while we worked on ours. Some days when he didn't feel up to painting, he would read while we painted.

He has lots of rules -- don't ring the doorbell, don't track in winter slush on his refurbished studio floors, don't interrupt his nap, let him speak, stop at exactly 5 p.m.--- but we adapted easily. The camaraderie more than made up for any conforming we had to do.

We enjoyed feisty conversations about everything -- from local politics -- to how best to help struggling artists we know --- to the "right" way to hold a paint brush --- and how he should stop picking on the way Lin and I like to bring a lot of stuff with us to paint with him. He found my toothbrush holder for my paint brushes particularly peculiar.

I fondly remember one of our conversations. We were sitting on his patio in the sun while he smoked his cigar and I showed him a group of photos I was considering for the basis of a new series of photographs, called Beyond The Path. I was stuck and wanted his opinion.

One of the images in the series was this tree -- the Buechner tree next to his garage. He said how intrigued he was that he had never observed it in this way. And then, sarcastically said that he'd have to charge me for use of it! So, I said I'd have to charge him back for some prints I had just made for him. That was our banter.

What I will really miss about Tom is the opportunity to talk to him about what he thought of things. In turn, I felt like he cared what I thought, which is a gift I will always appreciate. But the more interesting thing to me is that he gave the same gift to hundreds of people. He was very generous.

Tom in his studio

Watkins Glen Study No. 10

2010-10-09T15:26:00.002-04:00

Watkins Glen Study No. 10

Watkins Glen Study No. 9

2010-10-08T15:25:00.003-04:00

Watkins Glen Study No. 9

Watkins Glen Study No. 8

2010-10-07T15:23:00.004-04:00

Watkins Glen Study No. 8