See One, Do One, Teach One

I am busy working on a number of seascape/landscape scenes right now... and having a ball. I have mostly worked on portrait, figurative and genre scenes over the last couple of years, so this redirection feels really fresh.

So far, I have been relying on photo references.. and I feel mildly ashamed to admit that. I know my work would be enriched by on site sketching... I was struck most acutely with this reminder (of the importance of capturing a scene the 'old fashioned' way rather than relying exclusively on photos) when I agreed this week to take on my neighbors' twelve year old son as a summer pupil. We start next week... and as I contemplated my approach to teaching, I realized that this would be a bit of "do as I say, not as I do" given my current habits! So I vow to start carrying my tiny watercolor kit and sketchbook from now on as I walk on the beaches each day. I will only use my phone camera as a supplement.

Since Theo and I are not able to start our lessons until next week, I have elected to give him an advance assignment. I have given him a book (1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die, edited by Stephen Farthing), and assigned him the task of looking through the book and selecting five paintings he likes the best. This will keep him occupied until Wednesday! Part of our first session together will include a discussion of why he chose the paintings and what techniques they depend upon. I figure this will help me get a general sense of direction for our work together over the next few weeks. That and an assessment of his current level of drawing capability.

Although I have taught workshops - these have mostly been demonstrations with q&a, and were geared to practicing artists. This is my first time taking on a child. Should be fun (I hope!) Suggestions gratefully accepted!!

The painting included here is one of the referenced local scenes currently on my easel. I relied on several photos taken with my cell phone camera on my walks... in this case on Harding's beach, site of a protected Piping Plover breeding area. The scene has been liberally edited to enhance composition, since plovers rarely stop running very long as they play tag with the waves...I have many blurry images as evidence !

In A Gallery: A New Page

Anyone following this blog will know that my husband and I have recently relocated from upstate New York to our home on Cape Cod. Although we have moved several times as part of the nomadic tradition of "corporate" work, THIS move is a turning point. For one thing, it is made independent of a job. For another, it is the home we have both planned on retiring to (although admittedly, we had imagined that happening a bit further into the future than now!)

This past week marked another turning point for me, emanating directly from this move. I was approached by a local gallery, here in our town of Chatham, MA, and have signed on with them. Having been a decidely VERY part time artist until now, my only experience with galleries had been as an appreciative visitor/spectator. I had no familiarity with the ins and outs of being an artist represented by a gallery.

The Bartholomew Gallery http://www.chathamartandjewelry.com" is right on Main Street, across from the Wayside Inn - right in the heart of town. The gallery owners, Marilyn and Sally, are lovely women who've been in the art business for twenty years, and in this location for six years. And the art in the shop - paintings, sculpture and artist-made jewelry, appealed to me. So it felt right, especially since Marilyn and Sally have been so welcoming and warm.

As you might expect, at least during the twelve-week summer season, they have a particular interest in works that highlight local scenes... So far, I have five works in the shop, including the finished gull portrait, now called Stage Harbor Sentry, which I include here. I have five more started and will post them as they are completed. Meanwhile - I eagerly and hopefully look forward to this new chapter!