more_color_2019
Posts from the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Jun 24
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thinking in Color
noun: colour
-
the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light.
This week has been ‘eye-opening’, for sure. I have declared 2019 the’ year of color.’
Amazing lessons, workshops and simply working with color has been rewarding.
A new language: color with concept, approach and meaning.
Check back, as I am fulfilling 30 painting/ days of color. Join me?
3 Summer Gatherings
Open House + Demo
Connect with the world and experience life.
rsvp. 
Introductions: Civita di Bagnoregio
Let yourself begin anew. Pack your bags. Choose carefully what you bring, because packing is an important ritual. Take along some humility and lessons of the past. Toss in some curiosity and excitement about what you haven’t yet learned. Say your good-byes to those you’re leaving behind. Don’t worry whom you will meet or where you will go. The way has been prepared. The people you are to meet will be expecting you. A new journey has begun. Let it be magical. Let it unfold.—Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart
When introducing students to Civita since 2013, there is a many tale I would love to share. However, like every good teacher, I share a bit, tell them ‘come this way’ and simply discover this magical and sensational place, Civita. ‘ Let it unfold.’
Once again I am offering two sessions:
Session 1: September 24 – 30, 2019 + Session 2: October 2 – 8, 2019
Each session will begin by observing the contextual environment of Civita di Bagnoregio and its surrounding context: learning about the ‘power of a place’ through drawing; mark making inspired by Civita’s extraordinary setting and the beauty of Italy.
+ here’s a tip about what to bring. OK. Maybe a bit more required….
While traveling and sketching outside of studio, I have found these ten essentials so very helpful:
1. Soft pencil, HB recommended. Or a black fountain pen, such as a Lamy.
2. Thin eraser, used for drawing, typically. used for negative space, not errors.
3. Sun hat and sunglasses.
4. Small tripod travel stool, one can select a perfect spot anywhere.
5. Soft paper, 9” x 12” minimum, format horizontal, vertical or square.
6. Time (20 minute minimum).
7. (good) Attitude.
8. Right brain thinking.
9. Confidence.
10. Intent.
And, I found these two videos. Just the beginning, yes? ‘ Pack your bags.’
Contact me with your interest. go here
workshop: ‘what if’
The ‘what if’ and ‘then what’ were words in my head this past week at a Skip Lawrence workshop. We focused on shape, edges and color, texture; design elements, those I have been pursuing over and over in my own work and in teaching these many years.
‘Nuance and Design’ were concepts mentioned continuously in Skip’s clever ways; usually with wonderful humor and generating so much laughter.
And, of course, the infamous ‘mostly’, establishing dominance in a painting especially about in use of color, its strong emotive powers, creating connection, unity and variety.
And, how to evaluate one’s own work?
Dominant: Mostly? Enough Contrast to make shapes read? Creative, thoughtful, individual Shapes? Color Variations? Consistency to one Concept? Whew.
A terrific week. Ready to head back to Studio and ready to share these amazing lessons with my students. Stay tuned.
inside, out.
While in Civita. my (teaching) studio was a marvelous space, full of history and learning and amazing spirits.
The ‘studio’ traveled to the outdoors and as the windows and doors were opened; studio became inside + out.
Myself and the students were inside and the out again; plein air became studio; studio became plein air.
Finally, I made the connection and my depictive work, though still evident, certainly took a back seat and out came the evocative.
Have I all this time made that separation between the two?
Studio is everywhere. I hope you find yours.
Now I have it: ‘right side out.’
It was there all along: there’s ‘No place like studio’.
new classes 2018/2019
Join me.
Contact me with your interest. Private instruction also available.
Note: There is a $35 cancellation fee. Full credit for a future class (credit expires one year from date of purchase) if you cancel before 2 weeks before the day of the workshop. No refunds for cancellations received less than two weeks before the day of the workshop.
that time of year
The rains are back in Seattle, arriving home from my travels and studio beckons.
I am gathering my notes, thoughts, sketchbook notations and paintings.
How wonderful to have these collections and recordings. It’s a mystery right now what may come next.
While ‘stepping into the wilderness’, one never knows. Stay tuned.
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the great outdoors: some ‘passing notes’
Gaining inspiration from the great outdoors; just right. Just over the other side of the Cascade Mountains, we got outside. Fun and games, music, hiking and water sports were all included; though I still lost myself in looking and seeing and finding the ‘crux’ and letting go; study after study, one finds their way by doing the work/play.
My tools: pen and ink, watercolor, graphite and charcoal + art graph.
Inspired once again to pick up the many instruments in studio I play and begin some musical notes and compositions.
Get out there. So much music.
Civita 2018: There is never, never enough time at this place.
Stroke: It’s simply a matter of putting the right colours in the right places and doing it well.
Touch: Touch can be tender, casual, tentative, bold, curved, straight, thick, thin, sensual, energetic, dramatic or violent.
Words: Design, pride, joy, grand, flourish, style, quality, work, play, confectionery.
Thoughts: Waiting for the right mood or inspiration is counterproductive. Inspiration comes from doing. Action is more valuable than thought.
Preparations: To take moments to scrape along the golden riffles of memory. To cruise present as well as old reference. To decide size and format. To make sure that the tools are ready to go and that supports and materials are readily at hand. To decide to pre-mix colours — or merely to squeeze. To raise or lower a daring blank canvas to its beginning height. To realize that all other artists, living and dead, are sitting right here beside me. To turn up the Mozart, to count blessings and to commit.
Regrets: There is never, never enough time at this place.
Easel Living (Robert Genn)
join me:
