WACG FAll Show 10 '13

And there still more great art to see.....The Waccamaw Arts & Crafts Guild SHOW & SALE  goes through Tuesday, October 29th at the Seacoast Artists Gallery

 at The Market Common.

The color of the Arctic Sea 10"13

Art Glass Bowl by Kathy Turnauer

This has been a big week for us to add to our art collection.   My husband Bruce fell in love with this beautiful glass art bowl that took first place in the Seacoast Artists Fall Show for non-2 D artwork.  He said it reminded him of the Ocean in  winter.  Sure enough, the artist said she was thinking of the colors of the  sea around Iceland when she was creating this.  Now we sea is a part of our home

Keep it Simple 10 '13

Pawleys Island Marsh 7" x 5"

I love this this little  gem I purchased from Karen Margulis.  I have it hanging in a simple white frame ,on the white wall over the pastel workstation in my studio to remind me to keep it simple.

Nora Mackin Seascape 10"13

Nora Mackin Seascape 12"x 9" oil on board.

I fell in love with this beautiful Seascape by Nora Mackin the minute I saw it and had to have it.   Only  I had to wait to collect in  until the Seacoast Artists Fall Art Show was over so that the the work could have a chance at The People's Choice Award.  I voted with my pocketbook, and now it's a permanent part of our collection.

Creating your own sanded surfaces for pastel paintings. 10 '13

  I spent my scraps free time today creating my own home made pastel surfaces using  recycled 300 lb watercolor paper and Liquitex  Clear Gesso... and I love the results.

I had some partially painted water color paper practice sheets that had been sitting around for years.  I cut them into smaller pastel sizes (9x12, 8x10, 5x7 and aceo).  I used a 4" wide  foam brush to  put one coat of the gesso on  unpainted side of the paper, let it dry  ( about 10 minutes) then came back and added a second coat of gesso atop the first. The gesso stiffened the paper making it even stronger for pastel application, and the grit in the gesso gave just the right amount of  tooth to the surface for the way I apply pastel. I was so please with the results that I repeated the process over the colored side of some acrylic beach washed watercolor scraps.  Again.  It worked beautifully, allowing me to see through the grit to the colored paper.

I can't imagine why I didn't try this sooner

Liquitex Clear Gesso over unpainted watercolor paper

Well actually,  I do know why.  I love working on textured surfaces. ..  the more texture the better,  and have tried applying grounds etc. to make my own.   I usually find it all too messy and time consuming, so I wind up opting for more the convenient, albeit smoother, manufactures brands of sanded papers .  This is a classic example of what I meant when I confessed, in yesterdays post, that I tend to put off  all but the painting until later. I read first read about the Liquitex process over a year ago in Karen Margulis 9/12/12 blog post.  And I  heard about it again this summer  from another pastel artist in the Charleston art Guild.  Both said that it was a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to create one's own textured surfaces.  Even with those voices to recommend the process, I  took no action beyond purchasing the Clear Gesso .  I have been on a roll with my painting this year, and I wasn't about to let anything like the possibility of a better surface get in the way of expressing  my vision.

Liquitex Clear Gesso over recycled  beach wash watercolor paper

 Fortunately the universe has intervened with a mandate that I put off painting  for a short while... just long enough to force me to think through what supplies I will  need for my painting a day project I will begin next month.  In less than the time that it took me to write this post,  I was able to create all the  pastel paper I will need for  next month, and saved a lot of money in the process.   Sometimes you don't know what you're missing until it arrives on your door step.

What to do when the universe hands you lemons 10 '13

My husband and I are involved in a major real estate transaction that has recently developed some serious complications.  Getting all the crinkles ironed out is consuming both my time and my energy to the point that I have not been able to focus on any new paintings for the past week.  Worse yet, it may be weeks before the issues are straightened out and the transaction finalized.  I need long uninterrupted  periods where I can focus on the painting process,  or I lose sight of the original vision.  Right now the universe  just isn't providing the uninterrupted time in order to paint something worthwhile..What to do? 

My solution has been to prioritize my time to focus  upon the real estate, then use the time remaining to work on art business (at least the busy-ness)  tasks.

   Updating my business records in quick books, organizing my art storage, priming supports are all necessary  tasks.  

I seldom get outrageously behind  in the business duties,  but I admit  that  I usually do put these mundane chores off until last, and only tackle them after I have exhausted my passion for painting.   Fortunately,  they are the perfect activities for when  I don't have time to concentrate on a painting and still  want to stay productive.  I can work on one of them  for five,  ten, or twenty minutes, then stop to attend to something else, and come back and pick up where I left off without impacting the results.

The best part is that I know that once both the personal and art business chores are complete, I will be rewarded with all the more time to focus upon  doing what I love most.. painting

Art Party on Pawleys 10 '13

 

From left to right: Ann McLaurin, Annette, Karen

Spent an inspiring afternoon visiting with artist  friends Karen Margulis, Annette Going and Anne McLaurin  on the Pawleys Island Creek.
 

Anne, CC, Karen

 Sometimes hanging out on-site with other artists can be as motivating  (or more so)  than the scene we are looking at . All three  of these artists are incredibly giving generous when it comes to sharing their expertise.  

Karen discussing first strokes with Annette

 Karen  showed us her new travel equipment and volunteered to give us a painting demo

The cool thing about committed artists is that they can find inspiration even on a moody,   rainy day. Look at how much color, Karen is finding in the scene above.. I was impressed.

You can see more of Karen's beautiful work on her blog at   Painting My World

Last Day of the Peoples Choice Show 10'13

My entry "Ricefields on the Ashely"

Today was the last day of the Peoples Choice  Show in Charleston.  It made for a great excuse to spend the afternoon in at the Charleston Artists Gallery, visiting with  my artist  friends who had come to retrieve their work, and getting to know some of the newcomers to the Guild.

Applewood Gallery Paintings 10'13

Out with the old series

This afternoon,  my husband, Bruce helped me replace some of my paintings  from the  local landmarks series with some of my beach scenes. We love how the bright colors and playful subject matter stands out on the bright red Applewood Gallery wall.

In with the new.

Seacoast Artist Guild 2013 Fall Show and Sale, 10 '13

Today, I will be attending the sales desk  at the
Seacoast Artists Guild 2013  Fall Show and Sale which is being held at:

3032 Nevers Street, Myrtle SC

Drop by for a visit and see all the fine artwork in the show.

Here are my  two entries into the show

Both Middle Saluda_Jones Gap (above) 

and  Lake Keeowee_Toxaway  (below) 

are from the State Park Series.

By the way, the show runs through October 21st and includes a  chance for you to be an art show judge.  Starting today, visitors to the gallery can vote for their favorite piece. At the end of the show,  the piece receiving the most votes will win an award.

People's Choice Exhibit Reception 10 '13

There was a huge turnout for the People's Choice Exhibition Reception in Charleston this evening...Bruce had to try three times before he could clear enough space to take a picture of me with my entry: " Oconee State Park" Good food, good music, good company, and lots of great art.  What more can one ask for?

American Impressionist Society (AIS) 14th Annual National Juried Exhibition 10"13

Bruce and I  went to see the American Impressionist Society (AIS) 14th Annual National Juried Exhibition in Charleston.  Outstanding artwork.  All the big guns were there.  So nice to see their artwork in person.   ( And more than a little humbling as well.)   This crew really are Masters at what they do.  This is definitely a "must see" exhibition if you are anywhere in the area. 

The exhibition is scheduled to run through October 30

 For more information please contact M Gallery of Fine Art at 843.727.4500, m@mgalleryoffineart.com, www.mgalleryoffineart.com, or stop in 125 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401.

Master Pastel Artists at the 14th Annual AIS Exhhibition

Congratulations to Clive Tyler and Aaron Schuerr for winning awards in the 14th  Annual AIS Exhibition..  I have seen time and again how  outstanding pastel paintings are often overlooked  when hung in exhibition with oils.  I paint in both oil and pastel, so am always thrilled when I see pastel paintings getting their fair share of  recognition when being judged against masterful oils.

To see all the paintings in this wonderful show go to:
http://www.americanimpressionistsociety.org/show2013/

SAG Fall Show and Art Sale Preview 10'13

Bruce and I spent yesterday evening checking in entries to the upcoming Seacoast Artists Fall Art Show. I can't show any pics until the show is judged and open to the public (Opening Reception next Saturday 6-8 pm 3032 Nevers Street, Myrtle Beach, SC) , but I can tell you it is going to be spectacular. Lots and lots of great work entered last night, with more to be delivered today. Can't wait to see it all hanging.

Pumpkin to Paint 10'13

Bruce bought this gnarly little pumpkin at a farm-stand yesterday. The checkout person asked if we were going to eat it. Bruce answered, " Not before my wife has a chance to paint it"

People Choice Exhibit Opens Today 10'13

 The 2013  People Choice Art Exhibition opens today. 

This is my entry.

Oconee State Park

This annual Charleston  Artist Guild  Exhibition is sponsored by First Federal Bank.

You can see this  piece and all of the other fine artwork

 between 9 am to 5pm daily from Oct 2nd through Oct 17th at:

First Federal Bank Building

34 Broad Street, 

 Charleston, SC

There will also be a

  

 an

Awards Reception:

October 10, 2013 - 6pm - 7:30pm

New Artwork in Charleston today 9'13

Twin Falls

Two new paintings are going on exhibit in the Charleston  today

You can see them at:

The Charleston Artists Gallery

160 East Bay St

Charleston, CA

Twin Falls

I will also be at the  Charleston Artists Gallery from 11 am to 6pm today,   greeting visitors and answering  questions about all of my own and others new artwork.