Woodstock Openings this Saturday

I am thrilled to have one of my new paintings, never shown before, at the Woodstock Art Association/Museum show "The Other Side of the Mountain" which opens at the gallery this Saturday, from 4-6.

It is one of my larger 24 x 30" oil paintings of an Olana sunset - mostly sky, with just a hint of mountains at the bottom. A small acrylic sky was rejected at the Small Works Show, but I have to say, if I were to choose between the two, I would rather have it be the upstairs/main gallery showing.

This makes the second painting to get into a show. I know you probably think...what's the big deal, but as someone who has always beenan insecure painter who didn't paint for a very long time, this is a joy.

I can't think back to my past, as it does no good. But once in a great while I ponder, "what IF my parents supported my art and my paintings" However rather than the what-ifs, I chose to go with "look what I am doing NOW".

The other two pieces are at the Varga Gallery, two new works that have not been shown and are mixed media pieces. That opening is 6-8, with music at 8.

It has been a challenge however finding time or energy to get into the studio. I am hoping that once I get on a schedule, I will have more impetus to spend a few hours painting. Right now, I have such little drive. School is sucking up all my energy, and all that is left is a little for cleaning the studio some more, and selling papers online as I need to earn some moolah for the heating bills for the studio.

Oh and PS don't forget to catch the openings at the Woodstock School of Art, Oriole 9 and The Dog House Gallery, right outside of town on the corner of Glasco Turnpike and Phillips Road. If you plan it right, you can catch a majority of them. Makes for a fun night out!

Patti
Top Photo: Olana sunset at the Woodstock Art Association (Oil on Canvas Framed, 24 x 30", 500.00)

Bottom Photo: Mon Cherie (mixed media in a fab antique frame for around 265.00--I forgot what the price is) at the Varga Art Collective.

PS due to lack of time, this will be posted to my main blog too. Being lazy.

Paper Art at Paper Trail

I stopped into Paper Trail in Rhinebeck NY with Lois so she could buy her grandchildren gifts. Alanna's birthday is wednesday, and though I had sent off package No. 1 to her, I could not resist a Colorform type toy for her to supplement the clothes and little earrings I was sending.

Their new location, not far from their old one, has given them much more space, and they utilize it for not only merchandise, but for shows of art employing of course, paper.

Currently there is exhibition featuring dresses made of paper; cut up magazines, tissue, and other papers, as well as sculptural relief work made out of books. They were inspiring and it was nice to see a store that was delectible in every way.

The holidays are coming, and perhaps I will do my shopping here. From large sparkling letters for a child's name, to journals, paperweights, cards, and more, it could be one stop shopping for me. Plus, I am giving a local business, not the box stores, my money.

And perhaps one day, I will bring them my portfolio.

Stop in and visit, you won't leave empty handed!

Card and Book Design to the Highest Level

Larry sent me a link today for the a book by Barbara Hodgson titled My Card: Variantions. Limited Edition of 9 copies, only 6 of which are for sale. $2500.00 for a copy.

Of course you know out came my calculator to figure that if there were 30 cards in the box, it came to 83.00 a card. She has to share the profits with the bookbinder and printer, and then there are the supplies, but even if she mades 40-50.00 a card, she isn't doing badly.

It looks like a beautiful collector's item.

Perhaps I too have to raise the card to an even higher level than I already have.
But something tells me that it is very hard to sell something like this; most likely a museum or library might buy it, or a collector of rare and limited edition books.

But I like the concept, and I will muse upon it for a bit. If I only had all the cards I made over the past 10 years; I would have an incredible set of cards made with antique paper, with text to chuckle by. Sort of a feminine Edward Gorey. I already have the title for it...."Nursery Crimes".

You never know......

A Great Read and Cleaning the Studio

I recently finished STRAPLESS: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X by Deborah Davis.It was a fascinating read about Europe and the US in the time of the Belle Epoch, and colorfully describes the social customs of artists and the elite, and the intertwined lives of Sargent and the woman who was the subject of the painting MADAME X, which resides at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. Sex, fashion, mores, scandals, and affairs, the author tells the story is a lively manner. I could not put down the book; it is much more animated than the other biography I am reading, The Duchess. It is a must read for those who are interested in the art and social customs of that period. Illustrations in both black and white and color, and it is a book that will be kept for reference and as part of my art book collection.

The studio took in water again with all the storms, and I am tearing it apart, and boxing up things that I will no longer use and posting it on yahoo groups first before I take the time to post it to Etsy. Antique paper, vintage marbled paper, mixed media/rubber stamp supplies. Though I will take a considerable loss, it is better to make room for my canvases and paints, and find a home for others who will use them..than to have them sit and collect dust. With my water problems, I am trying to simply and keep everything I can off the floor even though they are in plastic.

Off to wash my hands, and make a drink.. It is hot and dusty work!

Patti

Small Paintings

The past few days have been full of domestic duties and art time.I have a handful of canvases/boards that are partially painted, and need finishing.I have to force myself at times to finish what I start..too easy to have flotsam and jetsam cluttering up the studio....so this summer I have managed to finish and frame a few collages, as well as some of my paintings.

Here are two that I worked on...small 6 x 6" oils on lovely wood panels, with 3/4" painted wood sides. Perfect to hang on the wall as is, or else floated in a frame. One of my goals today is to order up some frames from Dick Blick so I can finish off a few of my pieces. I have a few bucks in my business account, though that will go fast I am sure. Just need to sell a few paintings. AND, by the way, if you are interested in any paintings that I show here, please inquire! Make me an offer I can't refuse!

Oh, and I was on TV last night..on Apocalypse Varga, public TV in Woodstock. Christina runs the Visionary Art Collective where I show my work. It was fun, though I have to say I was a bit nervous and it felt very unnatural to be up on a stage with a mic in front of my face. Those things make me nervous. It was fun to show a few of my larger oils which have not gone out into the public yet, and see how a small TV show is operated/streamed. FASCINATING! Oh and as an aside, someone called up to say they liked my art, then proceeded to ask some twisted sex question. Fortunately Christina had not been able to hook the phone up to the TV set, and it never got asked on air. Sheesh, and I had not even discussed what I love about the sunsuality of the paint!

Off to tidy up the studio for a bit, then perhaps paint some more. My electric was out for hours yesterday, and I never got some reference photos printed up so that I can finish a few more pieces.

out to da studio!

Patti

In Progress

Here are three painting in progress that I started on the Cape. They are very rough, are blocked out in acrylic, and I suspect that they will all be done however in oils over the acrylic. I cannot achieve my vision in the acrylics, save perhaps for the one of the salt marsh.

The blue one is a view from our terrace at 10 pm at night, the glow from the town of Wellfleet hovering over the tree line of the marsh, with the little lights from the huge house on the march aglow.

The other is of a sunset in progress....lots more to add.

The final one of the salt Marsh at Great Island. Only just started.

Will have to work on these this week, along with one of the distant view of the Hudson from Olana that needs another layer. I am liking painting small for a bit, but do miss the looseness of the large canvas.

Off to swim for our last day of the weekend...and maybe some time later on in the studio.

Patti

From Wellfleet

The days have been sunny here, and more conducive to going to the beach and exploring than for painting.

One cloudy morning I primed 7 canvases with black gesso, which has been the color of my ground for the past year. I have been working on a variety of smaller canvases, which are easier to transport, and I figure easier to sell than large canvases. Also, cheaper to frame. I am hoping to bring some of them to my yearly art/craft fair that I do, as I start to phase out craft for painting.

As I study with different artists and teachers, I learn new techniques. Some I have abandoned, using only what works for me, others I incorporate into my work on a long term basis, until I have mastered it, or discover something else. I am trying not to bounce around too much, as I don't want to be a master at nothing.

I have taken many photos, a few which will be used for painting in the studio. Like with technique, I take what I like, and leave the rest. The photos are useful for seeing shape, light, and color, though the greens and intense blues of the marsh are etched into my brain.

Today is cloudy, and perhaps I will start a painting. I have bought acrylics with me, which I am learning to use better as I learn to paint with oils. I know it sounds odd, but as I became more adept at handling oil, I am learning how to tame acrylics in spite of their fast drying time.
They no longer frustrate me quite like they did in collage years, where I likened to painting with acrylics to skiing, going from quick packed powder, to slush.

Photos of the salt marsh.

Patti