April | 2014 | The Studio

Archive for April, 2014

In Memory of Manet

Posted in Little Known Facts, Trivia, tagged Edouard Manet, Luncheon on the Grass, Manet on April 30, 2014| 1 Comment »

Luncheon on the Grass
Edouard Manet

On this day in 1883 Edouard Manet died. He was only 51 years old. He was instrumental in the conversion of painting from realism to impressionism. Two of his early works caused much controversy in the art community of the time – The Luncheon on the Grass and Olympia. These paintings are often discussed when studying impressionism and modern art.

Bouquet of Flowers
Edouard Manet

I am much more fond of some of his still life and floral paintings…and of course, his dogs.

The Dog
Edouard Manet

You can see Manet’s work in many major museums around the world.

Learn more about Manet here.

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Gourds Painted

Posted in Art Class, Travel, tagged Art workshop, Chickens in the Road, gourd painting, Sassafras Farm on April 29, 2014| Leave a Comment »

The second painting project we did during the weekend “Creativity Workshop” was a gourd bird house. And didn’t they turn out terrific?! Super work everyone.

Don’t forget if you missed this fun weekend that we will be hosting another one September 13-14th. Just contact me for details on signing up or learn more about it here.

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First Project at Workshop

Posted in Art Class, Travel, tagged painting workshop, Sassafras Farm on April 28, 2014| Leave a Comment »

The first painting turned out terrific at the workshop. For the second painting project we are painting gourds! If you missed this workshop and wish you had come for the good food and fun projects we plan to do another one on September 13-14. We will give you all the info to register for that one soon.

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Sassafras Farm Workshop

Posted in Art Class, daily painter, Other Bloggers, Travel, tagged Art workshop, Chickens in the Road, Sassafras Farm on April 26, 2014| 2 Comments »

I arrived at Sassafras Farm yesterday afternoon to prepare for this weekend’s workshop. The farm is the home to my friend, Suzanne McMinn of Chickens in the Road fame. (Check out her blog here.) I am excited. The workshop is full and I am sure it is going to be a great weekend of learning and fun!

The farm has a multitude of animals from goats, sheep, chickens, cows, horses to of course, dogs and cats. There will be many opportunities for photos to build my reference library for painting. 🙂

In the painting portion of the workshop we will be doing a canvas, landscape painting, as well as a gourd birdhouse. I’ll show you the results tomorrow.

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Kids Paint Sheep

Posted in Art Class, Farm Animals, tagged acrylic, Art Class, farm animals, impressionism, Landscape, sheep on April 25, 2014| Leave a Comment »

The kids class painted a nice little farm landscape with sheep yesterday. They did a terrific job with this painting. Keep up the good work!

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Bluebells

Posted in daily painter, Flowers, tagged acrylic, Bluebells, daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, Virginia Artist on April 24, 2014| Leave a Comment »

We go to the Dog Park almost every morning and for the last week or so the Bluebells have been blooming along the path by the river leading to the park. It’s beautiful.

Of course my “kids” like to take a look and a sniff and sometimes they aren’t so gentle so flowers get smushed. So yesterday when they trampled some I picked them up and put them in a vase when we got home and took them to art class.

Bluebells

This is the little painting that I did inspired by the Bluebells. They are happy, sweet little flowers.

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Celebrating 100 Years at Wrigley Field

Posted in Kickstarter-Painted Diamonds, Little Known Facts, Travel, tagged acrylic, Chicago Cubs paintings, daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, Kickstarter, Landscape, Major League Baseball, Painted Diamonds, painting of Wrigley field, Virginia Artist, Wrigley Field on April 23, 2014| 1 Comment »

Wrigley Field
Home of the Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, turns 100 today.

When asked last year while I was painting the Kickstarter project – Painted Diamonds what is my favorite ball park to go see a ball game I said Wrigley Field. If you haven’t been there you really have to go if you like baseball. It’s a ball park – not a stadium. It has an intimate feel about it. According to where you sit you may have to lean around posts to see. I love Wrigley. It’s a great old park.

Happy Birthday Wrigley!

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Happy Birthday Richard Diebenkorn

Posted in Little Known Facts, Trivia, tagged Ocean Park series, Richard Diebenkorn on April 22, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Diebenkorn’s Ocean Park 67

Diebenkorn’s Interior with Book

Born in 1922, Richard Diebenkorn became a well-known figure in the 20th Century Art World known for his Abstract Expressionistic paintings. His landscape and figurative works are very interesting and influenced by Matisse whom he studies. He is most well-known for his abstract series Ocean Park.

Diebenkorn died on March 30, 1993.

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More on Churchill’s Art

Posted in Little Known Facts, Trivia, tagged Winston Churchill, Winston Churchill's art on April 21, 2014| 1 Comment »

Painting kept in an attic for 30 years because the owner did not like it has turned out to be the work of Sir Winston Churchill.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1054563/Unloved-Winston-Churchill-painting-dumped-attic-30-years-sell-150-000-auction.html#ixzz2zTM9aPJM

I love to read stories about people who came to painting late in life or people who are known for one thing and then become painters. Winston Churchill was such a person. I have read several books about his work as an artist and how he felt about painting.

In his essay, Painting as a Pastime, published in The Strand Magazine in December 1921 and January 1922, he says, ” I do not presume to explain how to paint, but only how to get enjoyment. Do not turn the superior eye of critical passivity upon these efforts. Buy a paint-box and have a try. If you need something to occupy your leisure, to divert your mind from your daily round, to illuminate your holidays, do not be too ready to believe that you cannot find what you want here.”

Woodland Scene Near Mimizan by Winston Churchill

Churchill was an avid painter and encouraged others to try. He often said it was a hobby that kept the “Black Dog”, what he called depression, away.

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“Painting as a Pastime” by Winston Churchill

Posted in Little Known Facts, Trivia, tagged Winston Churchill, Winston Churchill's art on April 20, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Winston Churchill Painting

The Marlborough Tapestries at Blenheim by Winston Churchill

Flowers by Winston Churchill

If you watched the video interview from yesterday’s blog you heard Bush mention that he gathered some inspiration from the essay by Winston Churchill, “Painting as a Pastime”. First published in The Strand Magazine in 1921/22 Churchill writes about coming to painting later in life and the enjoyment of it. Here is one of my favorite excerpts from it:

“Just to paint is great fun. The colours are lovely to look at and delicious to squeeze out. Matching them, however crudely, with what you see is fascinating and absolutely absorbing. Try it if you have not done so – before you die. As one slowly begins to escape from the difficulties of choosing the right colours and laying them on in the right places and in the right way, wider considerations come into view.”

More about Churchill tomorrow.

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