Six Inch Squared Holiday Exhibit

Two of my 6"x6" oil paintings, "Paris Rouge" and "Coffee Ready," are at Randy Higbee Gallery for the new "Six Inch Squared" exhibit.  December 3 - December 23, 2011.  Please check out Higbee Gallery website for more information http://www.randyhigbeegallery.com/  (You can view these two paintings in previous posts below. Thank you.)

Le Cafe at Julienne

"Le Cafe at Julienne" oil on linen, 16"x12"

(Update: this painting was selected for "Contemporary Masters III: Artistic Eden" exhibition, Pasadena Museum of History, http://www.pasadenahistory.org/  March 9 - July 29, 2012. SOLD opening night to the owner of Julienne Cafe.)

I recently discovered a very special restaurant, Julienne in San Marino, CA.  This wonderful French Brasserie and Gourmet Market, was established in 1985.  (How could I have missed what so many others have been enjoying for years!)  The elegant charm and delicious food is as warm and welcoming as it's owner Julie Campoy. Thank you Julie for allowing me to take pictures inside your beautiful Parisian Cafe. http://www.juliennetogo.com/ 

 



White Coffee Cups

"Coffee Ready" oil on wood panel, 6"x6"- Sold

There is much to be enjoyed when painting white objects.  So many subtle warm and cool variations to work from.

Ginger Jar and Plums

"Ginger Jar and Plums" oil on linen, 11"x14" - SOLD

Nostalgic Tea Cup Pattern

"Nostalgic Tea Cups" oil on wood panel, 8"x8"  - SOLD

Paris Paintings II

"Paris Rouge," oil on wood panel, 6"x6."  I am honored to have received "2nd Place" at "Six Inch Squared" holiday show at Randy Higbee Gallery for this painting.

"Just Looking," oil on wood panel, 8"x6" - Sold.

Single Espresso

"Single Espresso," oil on birch panel, 6"x8" - sold

Paris Coffee Cup

"Paris Break," oil on wood panel, 6"x6" - sold

Sometimes at the end of the day I have large piles of (mixed) paint on my palette.  But, since I mix medium into my paint, I usually do not use it the next day.  I have been working on two large paintings for weeks.  One of them has a limited color palette (Raw Sienna, Ultra Marine Blue, Alizarin, White, and a touch of Indian Yellow), leaving me with wonderful greys at the end of the day. 

Looking at the greys a few days ago, I thought of the photographs I took of coffee cups in Paris.  There are many interesting warm and cool colors, all in varying shades of lights and darks found in white cups and saucers.  For this small painting I wanted to keep my brush stokes fresh and loose.  I think it ended up being a good way to use up the paint.  (One of many double espressos I had.....this one with a spot of milk.  I loved that it came with sugar cubes.  So classic.)

"French Linen with Oranges" oil on linen, 6"x12"

I bought this classic blue and white linen tea towel a few months ago while in Paris.  I've been thinking about using it in a still life ever since.  The small boutique, Les Bugadieres, was lovely.  Many of the items are hand-sewn by the lady who owns it. 



"Figs with Dragon" oil on canvas, 8"x16" - update sold

"Kutani and Mandarins" oil on linen, 8"x16" - update sold

Here are two new paintings I finished over the past week.  I had a third one to post, but really messed it up when I tried to varnish it this morning!  It's a small painting of mandarins with a Double Delight rose.  The white paint on the rose had not dried completely.....well, you get the picture.  I have not done that in awhile!  Fortunately, I was able to clean up some of the white mess by gently lifting it off with mineral spirits.  Much of the rose had been painted over a week ago - thank goodness it was dry.  I'll put the painting aside for a few weeks before I repaint the lightest areas of the rose.  Being impatient never pays off....especially when you are an artist. 

The tea cup in "Kutani and Mandarins" is part of a collection I inherited from my Grandmother.  Though it's a familiar cup from my childhood, I knew nothing about the maker and origins until I decided to paint it.  I did a little research.  (Isn't the Internet great for things like this?)  Kutani porcelain dates back to about 1655.  When high-quality china clay was discovered in the Kutani Village (now in Ishikawa Prefecture Japan) a kiln was established to make porcelain with bold colorful designs.  Characterized by motifs of birds, flowers, landscape and geometrical patterns, the kiln suddenly closed about a half a century later.  In the early 19th century, the local ruling clan, which was enjoying power and influence, revived china making in Kutani.  The pottery is celebrated today with many working kilns in the area.  (The teacup and saucer I have is from the Kosen Kiln.)  It appears to be a very popular place for tourists and they even have a Kutani Pottery Festival each year.  How'bout that! 

New Orange Painting

"Sweet Orange" oil on linen, 6"x12" - sold

"Vintage Find" oil on wood panel, 8"x8"- (SOLD Segil Fine Art Gallery)

(Sorry this is posting for a 2nd time, I updated this to put sold on the painting.) I painted this on a gessoed wood panel adding medium to my paint.  I think the glossy look works really well, showing off the table and porcelain cup.  Though I was not too keen about the new medium I chose to work with.  I recently bought Gamblin Galkyd Gel, it drys way too fast for me, among other things.  I'll stick to M. Graham Walnut Alkyd Medium or the wonderfully toxic (!) Old Masters Maroger.

New small Paris paintings

"Chairs in the Tuileries Garden" oil on linen, 8"x6"

"Paris Blooms" oil on linen, 6"x8"- SOLD

I've begun to select pictures from my Paris trip to paint. Here are two  paintings - little vignettes - just off my easel.  I stayed at a hotel not far from Rue Cler and walked by this flower shop many times. 

The light was beautiful around 8:00pm in the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries, created by Catherine de Medicis, 1564).  I had planned to sit and paint with the watercolors I brought, but by the time I finished taking a ton of photographs the park was closing.  With so much light still left, it was too bad we all were gently ushered out.  More Paris paintings to come.

It's high time to blog and paint again.  Unfortunately, I got sick soon after I returned from my exciting trip to Paris.  June turned out to be a slow month recovering.  Feeling chipper again, I'm back to doing what I love most....painting. 

During my annual summer trip to the Sawtooth Valley (in Idaho) last week, I painted a few still lives.  Gathering up items at my sister's ranch, we created some fun setups inside the barn. With all the beautiful landscape outside, we had never thought of setting up inside to paint.  The natural light streaming in was perfect, also the magnificent view out the window.

"Country Kettle" oil on wood panel, 8"x10"

Inside the loft of the barn.

"Western Stories" oil on wood panel, 10"x8"

My sister Linda.

View from the barn, Sawtooth Mountains.

This is "4th of July Lake" in the Sawtooth Valley.  It's a beautiful hike up to the lake.  We were surprised by all the snow still there.

Trip to Paris

Soon after I participated in the annual Balboa Island Art Walk last month, I left for a wonderful trip to Paris.   It was a perfect vacation filled with visits to museums, parks, churches, cafes, and more!  It would take pages of blogging to share my experience as an artist in Paris.  So, for now, I decided to just post some pictures (selected from over 1,000 I took!) of my days in this amazing city. 

Musee d'Orsay.  Since the museum is undergoing renovations, much of their famed collection has been touring the United States.   (I missed my opportunity to see the exhibit when it was in San Francisco.)   Though I was disappointed in the limited number of paintings on view,  I did see the special Manet exhibit which was wonderful.  No photos are allowed inside.  (Purchase a museum pass to by-pass the long lines.)

I took this picture from inside one of the galleries at the Louvre.

I could not resist posting this picture.  Can you spot the Mona Lisa?

After 6 hours at the Louvre (which included lunch at one of the restaurants in the museum) I finally reached the highlight of my museum visit, paintings by Jean -Simeon Chardin.  The collection was worth the wait.  I got to view over 25 fabulous paintings by one of my favorite artists.  Also hanging in the same wing ( French 18th-19th century artists), was a large collection of Camille Corot paintings.  One room after another was filled with his inspiring paintings, it was an unexpected delight!

Painting by Camille Corot

Notre Dame

Inside the Sennelier art store.

Jardin des Tuileries at 8:30pm. With the sun setting about 10:00pm, it made for lovely long days.

The Paris Metro

This week I painted a few local scenes to show at the upcoming Balboa Island Art Walk, Sunday, May 15th.  The two small landscapes were painted plein air in the Back Bay Nature Preserve, Newport Beach.  The Balboa Candy Shop was painted in my studio using photographs I took on Balboa Island.

  "Eucalyptus Path" oil on wood panel, 8"x6"

"Spring Field" oil on linen, 6"x12"

"Balboa Candy Shop II" oil on linen, 8"x10"

"Herbs with Garlic,"  oil on linen, 6"x6" - sold

I have painted this Herbs of Provence jar a few times before.  It's always placed next to my stove - I keep refilling it with loose herbs - I just love the look of it. 

(This painting has since been selected for "6 Inch Squared" exhibition at Randy Higbee Gallery, opening April 16, 2011.  Please see show information above.)

Painting at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

The park is located in Laguna Canyon, wonderful hiking trails http://www.ocparks.com/.  It was a beautiful day painting with friends from Southern Ca Plein Air Painters (SOCALPAPA). 

My finished painting - "Canyon Path" - plein air oil sketch on linen , 8"x10"

Painting Laguna Coast

A few weeks ago I joined some friends in the late afternoon to paint in Laguna Beach.  I don't often paint outside during the winter months, so I was caught off guard when the sun disappeared WAY before I had a chance to lay in my colors!  I was unprepared for that.  I think I'll stick to painting outside when the days are longer. Of course it really didn't matter that I failed to paint much, it was just beautiful being outside in the brisk air taking in the view.

Wendy painting...into the sun. Not easy.

Laguna Coast, sun setting behind Catalina.



Pear Sketch

"Studio Pear Sketch 2,"  oil on linen, 10"x8"

Pears are a popular choice for teaching beginning still life oil painting.  This is from a workshop I gave over the weekend. 

Salon International 2011, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art

I am excited to announce that my new paintings, "China Blue" and "Vestments and Sacraments" have selected for the Salon International 2011 Exhibit.  (You can view both paintings in my most recent blog posts below.)  I am very honored to be recognized by the owners of Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art for the 4th straight year in their annual juried competition.

The Salon International Exhibit is part of the International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art program, founded by the owners of Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art.  It supports artists who paint in a traditional representational style. Their shows "challenges artists to always strive for a higher level of artistic excellence." For more information please visit, www.greenhousegallery.com  Opening night banquet reception, reservations required, Friday, April 1st.  Exhibit opens Saturday, April 2nd.  Show closes April 22, 2011. 

"Vestments and Sacraments," oil on linen, 9"x12" - sold
 Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art Salon International.