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.

Religious Window Displays in Rome

"Advent Purple," oil on linen, 10"x8"

The first time I passed by a window display of clerical garments it was dusk, near Piazza della Minerva in Rome. The light was glowing on the decorative vestments, stoles, chalices and other ornamental pieces. They were beautiful displays of ecclesiastical wear.  As an artist, and also a lady who has spent many a year in Catholic schools, I thought there could be something unique about painting these displays.  I took pictures and painted "The Pope's Tailor" (below) when I returned.  I always meant to paint more from the photographs, but never did.  So now, several years later, I have painted "Advent Purple," the first in a new series I've begun.  (The garment I've painted is a surplice, worn by clergy in a choir, during processions and when administering the sacraments.  The purple stole is worn during Advent and the Season of Lent, also during confessional.)

"The Pope's Tailor" painted in 2008 (sold).

"China Blue," oil on linen, 8"x16" -  SOLD

Here is a new painting I just finished.  I have wanted to paint this one for some time.  I happened to have my camera with me when I wandered into an antique store last year.  I saw this lovely china set stacked in a cabinet.  It was a still life waiting to be painted!  I loved the warm gray greens, also the color of the blue in the china.  I spent a lot of time deciding on and working through a specific and limited palette for this painting.  (No reaching for the Alizarin, Ultramarine, Raw Sienna shadow combo....this time.)  As I painted, I reminded myself to keep the brush strokes soft and painterly.  I had a clear vision of what I wanted the painting to look like, to feel like.....I just needed to have patience with this one.  Trying a limited palette of colors to achieve the color harmony, values and tones I was after was a great lesson and a welcomed challenge.  I hope you like it.  (This painting has was selected for the Salon International Exhibit 2011 held in April this year.)

"Orange Half with Top" oil on linen, 6"x8"

American Art Collector Magazine January 2011

A wonderful way to end the year.  The January issue of American Art Collector has arrived.  I am excited to be included in this months special Still Life Painting Section.  Please find a scan below (click to view, then click once more, it will get large enough to read!) The magazine can usually be found at Barnes & Noble.  Thank you all for visiting my blog and website this year.  Best wishes for a very Happy New Year!

Segil Fine Art Gallery & Old Town Monrovia

'Tis the season for our large California Navel Oranges.  Seeing them at the market, I could not resist painting one more orange painting!  I am thrilled that Laura Sigel, gallery owner of Segil Fine Art, has added this new painting to her Holiday Small Works Show, as well as "Pear and Plum."

"Navel Delicious,"  oil on linen,  6"x12"  (sold)

 

Laura Segil has a wonderful fine art gallery located in Old Town Monrovia.  http://www.segilfineart.com/  The town is located at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. With many great restaurants and lots of charm, the town is not to be missed, take a drive and stop by the Gallery.

Myrtle Ave.

A French Bistro, Cafe Massilia, which we enjoyed very much!

Painting Persimmons

"Persimmons" oil on wood panel, 6"x12" - update sold

It appears I love the color orange.  Didn't know, but it sure got me thinking after painting pumpkins, squash, and oranges.  So, why not try persimmons.  Here is my first attempt at painting some winter persimmons.  I thought it was quite challenging.  The difficulty here is to not make them look like tomatoes! 

Painting more Oranges

"Green and Orange," oil on wood panel, 6"x6"  - update sold
(Though this painting sold in January, from the American Art Collector Magazine article, please inquire if interested in additional orange paintings. Thank you.)

"Sunlit Orange" oil on linen, 6"x8"

Painting Oranges

"Orange and Slice" oil on linen,  5 1/2"x10"  (SOLD)

It's been a while since I've painted one of my favorite subjects....oranges.  (Since this posting, "Oranges and Slice" was selected for the Holiday Small Works Show at the Segil Fine Art Gallery and sold. Thank you!)

Plein Air Still Life

I painted these lemons outside in the summer sun while on my vacation in the Sawtooth Valley, Idaho. I had fun with these lemons, using thicker paint on my brush, making quicker but more deliberate strokes.

"Lemons Plein Air," oil on wood panel, 6"x8"

Lawer Art Gallery

Closing reception for Summer Days Exhibit:

"Strawberries" oil on linen, 6"x6" (shown on the postcard) is available, by Amanda Fish.

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The opening of Summer Days exhibit:

New Socalpapa Art Gallery Exhibit

Socalpapa Art Gallery presents a new show. The exhibit features paintings done of locations that were favored by the Early California Impressionists. In partnership with Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 600 East Bay Ave, at the Fun Zone, Balboa Peninsula.

My painting, "Sycamore Meadow" has been juried into the show by Jean Stern, Irvine Museum Director, the judge for "California Impressionism, Then & Now" exhibit. (Please see previous post regarding this painting which I did Plein Air at Casper's Wilderness Park.)

Idaho Vacation

There have been more local art shows and events this year than in the past. It seems it's been non-stop for the past 3 months....all good...I say!  There have been juried gallery shows at the Socalpapa Gallery, the Balboa Island Art Walk, Art in the Park with Newport Beach, the Center Club Event, and two shows at the Lawler Art Gallery. I would like to thank those of you who have stopped by one (even more) of the shows I have participated in.  After the very successful Back Bay Show in Newport Beach a few weeks ago (with socalpapa), I took off on a vacation!

 I had a great trip to the Sawtooth Valley in Idaho. I brought my painting gear and went out painting plein air a few times, in between some relaxation and hiking. (I will post the paintings soon, need to photograph them.) In the mean time, here are some pictures from my trip. The weather was glorious, and the landscape was lush and green with lots of wildflowers. That's not usually the case this time of year. But, they have had a lot of rain the summer, which also made for mosquitoes. Not the best when painting by the rivers and lakes!

Rainbow after a storm.

I have painted on this road during previous trips. With the pastures being so green this year, and the beautiful aspen trees,  it's a perfect spot to setup. I love the peaceful feeling painting here and listening to the wind rustle through the aspen leaves.

My sister Linda.

After a storm passed, early evening sunset over the Sawtooth Mountains.

I took this picture during a hike. I did not have my painting gear with me. Maybe next time.