Little Lincoln

Here is a small graphite pencil portrait I finished recently. This little guy was just so very busy, and talkative, and undeniably cute! I basically trotted around after him with my camera as he ran around his grandparents' yard, dealing with dogs, dirt, toys, tools, and snacks, all the while providing a running commentary on the whole thing. What energy! He did slow down enough for me get some good reference shots, though, and I think the drawing shows his sparkling personality.

Sunny Work In Progress on a Cloudy Day

Wintry weather is in the forecast on this gray Maine day, but the still life I am working on is warm and sunny.

This is one of those pieces where I really am enjoying all of the contrasts and connections going on.

The very orderly arrangement of stacked plates and perfectly centered tomato is overlaid by the odd angles and indistinct shapes of the cast shadows. The soft, fleshy tomato appears even more ripe in contrast with the cool, hard ceramic surfaces. And, of course, it's hard to miss the hot reds versus cool blues!

The bottom plate's geometric details seem to reach out and connect with the linear shadows, while the little top plate's design mimics and surrounds the tomato's contours. And then there's the middle plate: its slightly sculptural texture hinting at those lobular shapes on the tomato, as the fence, earth and clouds illustrate quite literally where it was very recently growing.

Published! Grace's Alpaca Hat In Strokes Of Genius 4

Strokes of Genius 4 The Best of Drawing - Exploring Line is now on the shelves of bookstores everywhere, and on Amazon. I am excited that my colored pencil portrait, Grace's Alpaca Hat, was selected for publication in this book, and can finally be seen on its pages! The portrait of my niece, Grace, was completed in October of 2010, entered in the competition and selected in the spring and summer of 2011, and now published in October of 2012. I saw Grace recently, and we were trying to determine how many drastic changes in hairstyle and color have happened since this portrait was done... I lost count!

Art Exhibits & New Work

 It looks like art exhibit season is here, with all of the framing, delivering, shipping, printing of cards, and hanging that goes with it. I am pleased to have my work juried into three upcoming shows so far.

Tomorrow is the opening reception of the Art Is Community III juried regional show at the Old White Church in Bar Mills, Maine. Three of my still life pieces are hanging in this very special, local show.

On Monday, I will be shipping my September Still Life On Moss to the 20th Annual CPSA International Exhibition, at the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington, Kentucky. This is my third year in a row being accepted into this show, which means I'll achieve signature status. Very excited about that!

Then, in another week, I'll deliver two pieces to the juried show of the New England Chapter of CPSA, at the Sharon Arts Center in New Hampshire.

The still life shown here (as yet untitled) is in the process of being varnished, and will be framed very soon for entry into yet another local juried show. I love the calm feeling of this piece... everything worn, and pale, and comfortable. The bottles were actually found under the floor of a good friend's barn, many years ago, by our boys. They were just doing what boys do: burrowing in the dirt, and finding treasures. They are almost sanded to a frosted surface, like sea glass. The shells, too, have that rough-tumbled quality, worn away, showing their layers, or encrusted with limpets. I'm counting on these charming qualities to help me come up with a suitable title. But, right now, I'm off to help prepare the exhibit space for tomorrow's opening!

September Still Life On Moss

Back in September, as my garden overflowed with beautiful still life possibilities, I took a few days to set up and photograph some unusual groupings, for future inspiration and reference. This was drawn from one of my favorite creations from that project. And, yes, I consider the gathering of objects and placing them together in various ways a creation in its own right. It's amazing how much trial and error, arranging and rearranging, tweaking and nudging, and toting things from place to place it takes to come up with a good still life composition!

I wanted to use the bright peppers and large, almost ripe, heirloom tomato in this modern art-glass bowl, with a snip of turning Virginia creeper vine as a "garnish" of sorts, over the top. I set it all up on vintage linen tablecloths... a white, a turquoise, and a swirly print, then on an old wooden chair with peeling paint, then a granite step. I tried it in the garden, among the growing plants, on a huge tree stump, and, finally, right on the ground in a mossy area strewn with maple seeds and dry leaves. I found it enchanting. Really. Like fairyland enchanting. Once I saw how the dappled light worked its magic with the glass and the shadows and the cushiony green carpet, I was powerless to do anything but draw this lovely little moment in time. That is how this particular still life came to be. And after many, many hours of work, we all lived happily ever after. The End

Three Sisters In Graphite Pencil

I recently delivered these commissioned pencil portraits, of three completely charming and lovely girls. Drawing siblings is always interesting, because as I work I notice the features and expressions that may be similar to each other.

Another thing that is unique to a set of portraits such as these, that will be hung together on one wall, is making sure that they look comfortable together. The way I accomplish this is to make sure they are each lit from the same direction when I take my reference photos, and choose poses that create a feeling of unity.

My plan with these three was to place this one in the center, with the other two sisters each facing toward her. Once they were matted and framed (beautifully, thank you Sylvie!), they did indeed make a very nice group!

(each 9x12", graphite pencil on bristol)

Strawberry Shadow Play

This sunny still life will be featured in an article which will appear in a summer issue of the Daniel Smith Artist's Materials catalog, and also on the Ampersand Company website. The nice people at Ampersand asked me to do this after seeing my prizewinning piece in the Artist's Magazine, and I was very excited to accept. (Ampersand makes the Pastelbord that I have used for almost all of my colored pencil paintings.) Included in the article are some photos showing the drawing at different stages, along with information about my process, and some thoughts about my work.

To coincide with the catalog's season, I pretended it was summer here in chilly Maine, and set up the strawberries, old blue glass saucer, and a favorite tiny yellow pitcher out on the sun porch. That was when those great shadows introduced themselves to the composition. I really like how they formed a kind of sunburst shape on the little pitcher!

I will post an alert when the article has ben published, but for now, here is Strawberry Shadow Play.

(12x9", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Portrait of Audrey

This little portrait of my grand-daughter was a long time coming.

First, it took a long time to get some good photo reference, even though I had taken plenty of pictures of her every time we were together. The thing is, I have some criteria for my portraits. I want the pose and facial expression to be relaxed, calm, and contented... as if the subject sat comfortably with me as I worked on their portrait. (Even though I actually use my photos for reference.) My feeling is that the resulting portrait is one that will be enjoyed with that same contentedness by its viewers.

But, whenever Audrey spied the camera, she would make a funny face. So, although we had a lot of fun, those needed reference photos eluded me for months. I finally got some I liked, and began drawing... oh, back in August, I think. I finished it just in time to give to my son and daughter-in-law for Christmas. Granted, there was a lot going on in my life during that time, but still, that is a long time for a little portrait. I keep comparing it in my mind to a slow-cooked meal. I suppose it's o.k. to be a crock-pot once in a while. Who knows, maybe I'll be a pressure cooker one day!

(6x9", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

The Artist's Magazine 28th Annual Competition

I am happy to finally be able to announce that my colored pencil piece, Mottled, has won second place in the still life category of The Artist's Magazine's annual competition! It was so exciting to find out about this several months ago, and waiting until it hit the newsstands to publish my news has been tough. (I was just informed by my sister that she and my mother did indeed see the issue in a bookstore today... and they bought every copy there!)

(For a better view, click on "Still Life Gallery", to the right. It's in there!)

Work in Progress and a Weekend Show

This piece should be finished and framed in time for the "Art at Marrett" show this weekend. I'm calling this one Onion: Past Her Prime. More and more, I am inspired by the undeniable beauty of things that are slightly worn, over-ripe, chipped, patched, or gone-to-seed. You have to admit, for an onion that a few days later, went to her final rest in the compost, she's looking quite striking here!

Appropriately, the upcoming show is in the barn at the historic Marrett House in Standish, Maine. I will be happily surrounded by antiquity!

Isabella

This little graphite pencil portrait is a special one, in that it's the latest in a series that was begun over twenty years ago. I have a few precious clients whose collections of my work are like visual chronicles of their families' growth: in this case, pencil portraits of grandchildren. The snapshot below shows the drawings of Isabella's older cousins on the wall... some of whom are young adults now. Time really does fly.



(9x12", graphite pencil on bristol)

At the Barn Gallery, Ogunquit, Maine

My colored pencil still life, Heirloom Tomatoes and Chard, has been juried into the Barn Gallery's annual Open, Regional, Juried Exhibition. It's exciting to be a part of this show, and I must admit that sometimes I forget how fortunate I am to live so close to an area that has such an active and dynamic arts community... especially in the summer!

Regional Artists: An Open, Juried Show
Barn Gallery
On the corner of Shore Road and Bourne Lane
Ogunquit, Maine

Exhibition Dates: Wednesday, June 29 - Sunday, July 30, 2011
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 9, 5 - 8 PM

Friday Reception at Lyme Art Association

I'm excited to be visiting Old Lyme, Connecticut for the first time, as I travel there on Friday for the artists' reception of the Hudson Valley Art Association's 80th Annual Exhibit at the Lyme Art Association. Seeing the nearby Florence Griswold Museum is going to be a wonderful bonus!

This detail of Pizzelle On A Pedestal, my colored pencil piece which is included in the HVAA exhibit, shows very well a particular characteristic that has earned it an alternate title, coined by my much beloved mother: You Could Have Ironed That. I love it!

****6/24 Update: A disappointing change of plans!
A miserable sounding and potentially hazardous weather forecast for the Lyme area today... which would come after our four hour drive... has prompted me to cancel our trip. I'm feeling sad about missing the reception, but still hope to see the HVAA show, and the Florence Griswold Museum sometime in July.

Opening Reception on Friday

Two of my colored pencil pieces have been juried into this wonderful local show, Art Is Community II, put on by the Saco River Art League. I have shown my work once before in this charming space on the banks of the Saco River, and am happy to be here again... this time with so many special people!

Not only is this an exciting exhibit of the work of many of the area's artists and fine craftspeople, but also a real community event which includes art making activity for one and all! Come check it out and have some fun, in the lower level of the Old White Church, this weekend.

I'm looking forward to seeing many old friends and new at the reception on Friday! (I will be at the show on Sunday as well.) Please come if you can!

“Art is Community II”
A juried regional show and sale of art and fine crafts
Friday June 17-Sunday July 17, 2011
Opening Reception, meet the Artists: Fri. June 17, 4-8
Gallery Hours: Sat. June 18, 10-2, Sun. June 19, 10-4
also July 15 & 16, 5:30-7:30 or by appointment
At The Old White Church,
15 Salmon Falls Rd, Buxton, ME
Next to the Saco River Grange Hall
FMI- 642-4219 or 929-6472

Hudson Valley Art Association 80th Annual Exhibition

I am happy to report that my colored pencil drawing, Pizzelle On A Pedestal, has been accepted into the Hudson Valley Art Association's 80th Annual Exhibition. The show travels from the Lyme Art Association's Cole and Goodman galleries in Old Lyme, Connecticut (June 17-31), to the National Arts Club in New York (August 4-20).

Macy

Here is the commissioned portrait that I've been working on intermittently for quite a while: the lovely Macy and her sweet pooch, Allen. As I often do, I am posting at the point of about 99% finished, to take that final look before the last little adjustments are made.

I find that when I work at a slow and steady pace, as I have here, I seem to want to just keep going that way, and the finishing point remains far away... almost like a song that never ends... I could keep humming along happily! But, it's time to get Macy and Allen matted, framed and delivered to their home, so that finishing point has come, and it's time to stop the humming. I hope it will be enjoyed there as much as I have enjoyed creating it here!

CPSA 19th Annual International Exhibition

I was so happy to learn yesterday that my portrait, Ella and the Cosmos, has been accepted into the Colored Pencil Society of America's 19th Annual International Exhibition! This year's event is in Dallas, Texas, at the Charles W. Eisemann Center Gallery for the month of July.

Heartfelt thank yous and lots of love to my niece (for posing), and to my brother and sister-in-law for being such wonderful patrons of my artwork... and allowing this portrait to take a little trip to Dallas!

Portrait Progress

Here is what is on my drawing table. I've been working on this commissioned portrait for a while, and I think it is far enough along to share my progress. I am enjoying this special project, and though there is a long way to go, I'm seeing the likenesses emerge: one lovely, and one cute!

An aspect of this piece that has been quite time consuming is the large amount of white and near-white areas. I am again drawing on the gray Pastelbord, which is requiring a lot of layering with the light colors to achieve the right values. Some might wonder why I didn't just use a white drawing surface for this one, and maybe save myself some work! Well, I happen to really like the effects of the light colored pencils on the mid-toned gray. It seems to give energy to areas that might otherwise be flat and lifeless... a wall, for example. There is something about the way the gray plays against the pigments of the pencils as it peeks through that I think just works!

(16"x20", colored pencil on Pastelbord)

Maine Blueberries

This tiny, three inch square drawing is my part of a collaborative project by the New England chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America. We members are creating a montage of these minis to represent our group at the 2011 CPSA conference in July, in Dallas.

It was pleasant to work on this close-up view of low bush blueberries while the only thing growing around here was snow and ice! I used a new material, called Pastelmat, which is a heavy paper with a sanded surface. The grit is finer than the Pastelbord, which I usually use. Layering of colors was more limited, and the texture was quickly covered, but I think I'll be trying a few more pieces with it. I'm heading to Florida for a week, so don't be surprised if a seashell drawing shows up here soon!

A New Year

After a little hiatus, I am back to work. The new year starts for me with a commission for a large colored pencil portrait, just begun, that I am excited about. Lots of still life ideas are coming together in my head, and a couple more small projects are on the horizon.

I realized that O.J. and Blues was never posted here as a finished piece, and its sunny, brand-new-day feeling seemed an appropriate image for my first post of 2011. This was one of the varnished pieces included in my recent show. Having some work matted and framed under glass like a traditional drawing, and some varnished and framed as a painting certainly added to the interest and inevitable questions that go along with showing colored pencil artwork.

Speaking of the show, I've added a separate page of photos, mostly of the opening reception. (A special thanks to those of you who shared your photos!) Just look in the right hand column, under "pages" and click on "Firehouse Show Photos".