Still here...

Hi.. Just checking in! I'm working feverishly on getting my workspace set up comfortably. In the next day or so, I'll post new images to share what the space looks like as well as catching you up on the NW Iris.
I ordered and received 6 new canvas's. What FUN!
I have three 4' x 4' and three 4' x 5'... bot 3" deep! So, I also am starting to review photos and thinking about next project.
I try to keep two paintings going at once, so that if I am waiting for an area to dry, but still have the strong urge to paint, I can just switch... more on that later....
Laters for now...
Linda

New Studio setting...

I've been away for a couple of days setting up a new studio in my home. I've always rented a studio in the past, but, learned something about myself and painting habits when I did a residency in Indiana. During that time, I was rather isolated in a home right on Lake Michigan.
I found that my internal Painting Clock was rather fickle. I work better very early in the morning and very late at night... and sometimes everything in between! So, to wake up to the canvas, start painting and worry about showering and getting dressed after my surge, was much better!
My plans are to build a small building on my property, which will still allow me to grab my coffee and head out in my sweats!
So.. for now, I've got a very open area, with lots of light, that is about 200 sq ft. . I don't have things put together, and I'm sure you don't care to see my clutter, so I'll wait and put up some photos later on today.
It does feel comfortable so far. :)
Peace.
Linda

Back again...

hmmm... so far it seems like a post a day... well, I am enjoying it, so here goes again...

Today's message is just a simple look at some of my tools...

Image #1 is just a collection of my daily set up...they are normally not all crammed together like that.. the photo is just for an overview.

Image #2 look at

tubed paint and syringed paint for when i need to pre mix colors that I will use overall. The empty tubes are available at most art supply stores, I believe these were ordered from Jerry's. The syringes are relatively new for me (a few months).. but I think that I love them (they are available at Air-Tite). The shish kabob sticks are used for drawing and redrawing from a photo. These work well, as I usually have a brush loaded with paint in one hand and check angles with the other.

Image #3 is the palette again... Notice the notes taken right on the palette.. I use a "Sharpie" pen which cleans right off when changing palettes. The palette knives are used stricktly for mixing paints and filling tubes or syringes.

Image #4 is a closer pictures a selection of brushes. Yes, I use small brushes even on the backgrounds. It helps me to think and refine. (by small, I mean they a a bit larger that regular, but not much).

Image #4 just a closer view of the syringe with a Q-tip closing the end.

Whew! Okay enough for today! It's time to go paint. Please feel free to comment!

Peace.

Linda

On the easel 9-1-2008

Here are a couple of images showing what I am currently working on. The first is a detail of the NW Iris. Note the many "colors" of white. This is the fun part. Alternating warm an cool whites without going to crazy with it.

The second is my palette set up. It is pretty organized.. but it helps save me from creating mud.

More later... with a lot more explanation....

And... new news! I'm off to play in Portland Oregon the end of September! If you live in the area, I hope you can make it. If not, I'll be posting images from the event. I love Portland! I will be showing and painting at Milepost 5... a wonderful venue which will house about 20 artists!

Portland Art Open

http://www.portlandartopen.com/index.html

About the Portland Art Open:

September's Portland Art Open is a three day art event & party showcasing the range of talents and styles of Portland's artists. It's your chance to experience art on the most personal level possible – see how each artist envisions their work in their own setting. The Art Open's goal is to both challenge and educate Portland's art voyeurs about all the many things art can be.
The event will be 100% free for the public to attend.
Sites are dispersed throughout the city.
Free tour guides, maps and online information about each participating artist and their art will be available in early September.
The Event takes place September 26, 27 & 28, 2008

Peace.

Linda

Just starting...

Well, here we go! This is my first attempt at starting a blog. Please bear with me as I work out the details.

I am a Painter from the Pacific NW, near Seattle. I decided to begin this blog as a way of keeping what I am up to by documenting it. With photos, things that are happening in my art world, inspirations and tips and tricks that I have run across after painting for nearly thirty years.

I'll start by saying that I am a Hyper-realist, and currently working with oversize florals. I won't bother you here with listing education, show history, etc., because I want to keep this light and fun. I will be sharing things that are happening and where I'm at right now, so please feel free to ask questions or make comments. I appreciate your visits and will make a serious attempt to update this at least once a week. During that time I will share with you whatever curerent work in progress that I have going on. I hope you enjoy this, because I think that I will. A simple expression of what I am doing in the artworld...

The process of painting has always been so much more valuable to me than the completed product. I am always challenging myself with different subject matter, different painting mediums, different supports and so forth in an effort to keep my work fresh. In every work that I start, there will always be an element that I don’t quite understand. After nearly thirty years of painting I still feel I have much to learn, and will contiue to keep setting up the challenges.

Peace.

Linda