Finished a miniature of a vineyard scene. Feels like Italy to me, but I've yet to name or sign it. I painted it on Monday, working throughout the day and evening fairly steadily.
Tuesday I went to Hillsboro to get some supplies with the certificate I won at the Plein Air painting competition on 7/19. I found 300# hot press watercolor paper & got 2 22"x30" sheets, some tiny, tiny "gallery wrapped" canvases (for my novelties collection), and a composition framing tool. After shopping I went to a gallery and was directed to a warren of artists' studios upstairs. I got to visit with five working artists. They were all very welcoming and encouraging. They offer classes through the facility, weekly figure-drawing opportunities with live models, and monthly brown-bag lunch lectures. I'm excited about joining them for some activities in the future.
When I got home TK had received a notice from Lawrence Gallery in Sheridan that they were featuring Plein Air works, so we hopped in the car and went out there. I saw some very inspiring work. I really liked the handling of color in some of them. The woman working there looked at my mini-portfolio and painting of the Hortons. She gave me an invitation for Plein Air artists to come paint on Saturdays in August.
Thursday I went to the drop-in meeting of Portland Plein Air Artists. It was wonderful. Again, such accomplished and varied artists being so welcoming -- I was very impressed. It was very worthwhile. Good sharing on a number of art-related topics and critique of 2 paintings.
Things seem to be unfolding very quickly.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Let Me Introduce Myself
Thank you for visiting my blog! I am an artist living in Sherwood, Oregon, which is just south of Portland. I studied art history in the early 1980's but never considered myself a studio artist. Over the years I attempted a few large paintings (i.e.: 36"x48") for friends and family, but they were much more struggle than joy, and I was less than satisfied with the results.
I did discover water-soluble oil paints while working large and found they worked quite well for me. I liked the ease of clean up, not only of my brushes and equipment but of clothes, tables, carpet, etc. When you aren't using terpentine but water, the fumes are a lot easier to take indoors, too.
In March of 2007 I dusted off my paints, and after becoming frustrated with my work on an 11x14 canvas, I tried a quick little sketch, about one inch square, to end the day on a more positive note. I was so pleased with the outcome! It was much better than anything I'd done till then, and I enjoyed doing it.
The next day I raced home for work, marked a sheet off in tiny rectangles, and blissfully painted one image after another. I began researching miniature painting and found a competitions and shows of these small works, even one about a three-hour drive away. I made it there about five minutes after the doors were closed on the final day. I stood outside pressing my nose against the glass, and when somebody came out I uncharacteristically walked in through the opened door.
Standing in that gallery I was hooked. Each framed painting was a little jewel, a tiny world unto itself. I lost myself in one after another: landscapes, wildlife, portraits, still life. I was amazed at the skill of execution and delighted by the accessibility. On my drive home I set a goal to be accepted into this juried show the following spring.
That is how I began my involvement in miniature art. It took awhile to find out what distinguishes a true "miniature" from just a small painting, and to find a welcoming and open community of miniaturists from around the world. It seems that this is a growing specialty. For me, there are so many things associated with it to study and try. I've had some success, some disappointments, but never a lapse of interest. I hope I can excite you about these little jewels as well!
I did discover water-soluble oil paints while working large and found they worked quite well for me. I liked the ease of clean up, not only of my brushes and equipment but of clothes, tables, carpet, etc. When you aren't using terpentine but water, the fumes are a lot easier to take indoors, too.
In March of 2007 I dusted off my paints, and after becoming frustrated with my work on an 11x14 canvas, I tried a quick little sketch, about one inch square, to end the day on a more positive note. I was so pleased with the outcome! It was much better than anything I'd done till then, and I enjoyed doing it.
The next day I raced home for work, marked a sheet off in tiny rectangles, and blissfully painted one image after another. I began researching miniature painting and found a competitions and shows of these small works, even one about a three-hour drive away. I made it there about five minutes after the doors were closed on the final day. I stood outside pressing my nose against the glass, and when somebody came out I uncharacteristically walked in through the opened door.
Standing in that gallery I was hooked. Each framed painting was a little jewel, a tiny world unto itself. I lost myself in one after another: landscapes, wildlife, portraits, still life. I was amazed at the skill of execution and delighted by the accessibility. On my drive home I set a goal to be accepted into this juried show the following spring.
That is how I began my involvement in miniature art. It took awhile to find out what distinguishes a true "miniature" from just a small painting, and to find a welcoming and open community of miniaturists from around the world. It seems that this is a growing specialty. For me, there are so many things associated with it to study and try. I've had some success, some disappointments, but never a lapse of interest. I hope I can excite you about these little jewels as well!
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