Urban Canyon

Urban Canyon

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

12" x 9" x 1.5"

SOLD

I've been wanting to paint some more city scenes of Boston and last Thursday in my painting class, Frank gave me a photo he had taken in downtown Boston. I had been wondering what I was going to paint that night, and well, problem solved. His photo had a lot of great qualities-good light, space and perspective, and windows galore. I think I may have gotten caught up in all those windows, but it was great fun. A palette knife challenge for sure.

Finding your voice

I admit. I love American Idol. I've watched every season. It's one of only a few shows that I rearrange my activities around in order to watch. Just recently, I've made an interesting connection to art. Kind of an "AHA" moment.

Every year, the judges critiques include comments like, "I don't get a sense of who you are or who you want to be as a recording artist." It's clear that many of the contestants just do what they think the judges will like or want them to do. My favorite contestant this year is Chrystal Bowersox. I love her because she is not the usual contestant you see every year. She does not seem to give in to all the hype, glamour, or apparently the pressure to do whatever the judges advise her to do. This past Wednesday night, Ryan said to her, "Kara is telling you to put down the guitar, Simon is telling you to keep the guitar, who do you listen to?" and she replied without missing a beat, "me." End of story.

I believe that the same is true for art. It's so easy to get caught up into what you think galleries are looking for, what people tell you is marketable, or what will sell quickly. But if you don't paint what you enjoy, what's the point? I am a firm believer in painting what you're excited about or can't wait to create. I think that will show in your work and soon others will feel it too.

I recently saw this quote on Katherine A. Cartwright's blog "Don't try to paint a good landscapes. Paint canvases that will show how interesting the landscape looks to you-your pleasure in the thing." And another that said, "don't paint the pig, paint the squeal." Those really resonate with me as I struggle to find my voice and express who I want to be as an artist. Gotta go find that squeal...

Who Does She Think She Is?

I just love that title!

I went to an event at the Norfolk library tonight to view this movie which was followed by a panel discussion. It is extremely well done film, directed by Pamela Tanner Boll, that follows a group of diverse woman struggling to fit their artistic passion into their busy family life. I found it thoughtful, inspirational, and extremely moving. If you can find the full movie (about an hour 20 minutes long) I would highly recommend seeing it. Please let me know if you do and what you think. Click here to see a trailer.

New City View

City View 3

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

8" x 8" x .75"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

I've been painting some more city views from photographs I had taken in NYC. The architecture and juxtaposition of all of the different building styles is so fascinating. I like combining different buildings into my own composition, like this one.

Third palette knife value study

Franny and Boggie

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

8" x 8" x 1.5"

Click on the image to enlarge

Cindy lent me this great photo of her parents to paint. I just loved their poses as well as the classic car. This time I decided to leave the white border and add the date that matched the photograph. These black and white value studies have been a great learning experience. I will probably do some more, but for now, I think I'll go back to color for awhile.

Here is what Cindy wrote about her memory of this photo:

"At the time the picture was taken, my parents would have been 40 years old.  Elderly, in the eyes of a child!  The reference for this painting was taken along the road to Bristol, New Hampshire, before any highways were built.  With 6 people in the car, it was a long trip. My mother always packed a lunch and we stopped somewhere “scenic” to eat.   What I remember most about these trips is my question to my father:  “how much longer, daddy?” and his reply, “over the next hill!”  

It's like an artist's version of Oscar night

Last night I attended our monthly Foxboro Art Association meeting looking forward to the evening's scheduled demonstrator, Eli Cedrone. Her paintings are so inspiring.

But during the first part of the meeting they planned to announce the ribbon winners for the current Spring Member's show. The room we hold our meetings in is the same room where they hang the paintings for the shows. What a wonderful display of talent. I am always so impressed. Well, I can't even tell you my delight and surprise when I heard my name called as the winner of an Honorable Mention ribbon in the Oil/Acrylic category. I've never won a ribbon before (and was so glad there were no speeches required. Ha!) Here is the painting that won called Afternoon in the City.

But wait, there's more.

When the announcement for the Best In Show was read, well that was my name too. I can't even explain how surprised, delighted, and absolutely thrilled I was as I accepted the beautiful light colored teal ribbon. You would have had to have been there to see my face. "You've got to be kidding, right?" Here is the painting that won called Abstract #1.

I'm so proud. What a wonderful honor.

Happiness is...

Mini Me Dolls

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

10" x 10" x 1.5"

This was painted from a photo that my friend Robin had posted on her facebook page. I just loved it. They look so happy with their new bride dolls that look just like them. And I think they must have just gotten their hair done that day to match their new dolls. So cute.

And here is what Robin had to say about her picture:

"I think the dolls might have been gifts in our Easter baskets because my sister and I are wearing the Easter outfits (minus the hats and gloves) that my mother made for us that year. Mine had an apple appliqued on the bodice and my sister's had different colored triangles along the waistband. I actually remember more about the dresses than I do the dolls, interestingly enough, although we do appear to be thrilled with them."

Black and white palette knife exercise

Loveseat

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

10" x 10" x 1.5"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

Thanks to my friend Tim for letting me paint from this great photo of his parents. I think they look like they are stars on the set of an early television show, don't they? Perhaps Lucy and Ricky's other neighbors? 

I painted this in black and white because we were doing value studies in my weekly painting class and I thought this photo had a nice balance of all the values from light to dark. 

Tim had this to say about this picture of his parents:

"I love this photo. I found it in a box of photos my mom gave me a few years ago. No one had ever really seen it. My mom doesn't really remember where they were. It is now one of our favorites of my dad. I love their relaxed comfortable manner with each other, the setting, the clothes, the glasses. I remember that sweater so well. I also love that my dad looks like he has had a couple of drinks."

The Gorman Girls

The Gorman Girls

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

11" x 17" x .75"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

Thanks to everyone who has already sent me their inspiring family images to paint. This painting was done from a wonderful photo that a friend, Liz, sent me of her two girls. She wrote "I took this photo on a beautiful day in the fields behind Drumlin Farm. The girls were having the time of their lives exploring the path in the field. I will treasure this painting." How great is that?

While it was a great painting challenge for me with respect to foliage, perspective, and space, I had such fun painting it. As I look at it now, I think those pink trees in the background are competing with the girls who should be the focus so I might go back and tone that down a bit.

The deadline is March 1, so there is still time to send what you find. Polo and my joint show is in June, (reception Friday, June 4) so I'm trying to get as many done as I can before then. As a reminder, click here to see the "rules" for submitting your photographs.

Happy Monday!

Sunshine Award-I need some of that!

I just received this cool award from fellow bloggers Tammy Hext, Claire Kayser, and Mitzi Easley. Couldn't have come at a better time cuz I could really use a little sunshine about this time of year. This is when the winter blahs really kick in.

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blog world. The rules for accepting these award:

Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.

Link the nominees within your post.

Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

So here is my list of Sunshine Blog Award nominees and a quick reason why.

1. Polo Barrera-he is spreading sunshine with his growing production of apple paintings

2. Kim Morin Weineck-always a cheerleader when it comes to art and artists

3. Autumn Leaves-so generous and honest with her comments and her encouragement

4. Mitzi Easley-a new surprise treat every time I visit her blog

5. Sheila Tajima-a talented, generous, and thoughtful soul

6. Tony Donovan-he's heading for sunshine and inspiration on his road trip to Sedona, Arizona

7. Nancy Rosetta-hoping this will bring her back from Facebook to blogging about her beautiful jewelry!

8. Frame of Mind-a wonderful shop full of sunshine all the time

9. Kerry Hawkins- photographer extraordinaire who truly uses sunshine to create her art

10. Kathy Weller-always sharing her wealth of knowledge and cute illos with the world

11. Tammy Hext-I think she was right when she said we are kindred spirits

12. Claire Kayser-a recently discovered, unique talent!

Now go check them out!

Palette knife portrait surprise

Girl with the Green Earring

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

10" x 8" x 1.5"

Click on the image to enlarge
NFS

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

This portrait was done as a surprise thank you for Karin Jurick, the artist who organizes the Different Strokes from Different Folks blog challenges. You may remember that Karin's end of the year challenge was a portrait swap. Out of the 180 participants, there were 4 artists who weren't able to come through. So at the last minute, Karin painted those missing 4 portraits so that those artists wouldn't be left out. Jill Polsby was one of those artists. So she organized this project as a thank you by contacting as many artists as she could to paint their own portrait of Karin. Then she created a book of all of the paintings. Take a look at all of the wonderful portraits here.

I don't know why, but I never had an interest in painting portraits. It's probably the pressure of getting the likeness just right. But I've discovered that I really enjoy painting portraits with my palette knife. I feel as if I am carving out the structure of the face with my knife. I thank Karin for introducing me to subjects I would not choose to paint myself. It has really pushed me as an artist.

Afternoon in the city

Afternoon in the City

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

8" x 8" x .75"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

This is the second in my series of paintings from our last trip to NYC. We had just arrived at my friends place and the warm light shining on the buildings across the street caught the attention of my camera. I see a few things I might want to fix, but overall I am pleased with out it turned out. Would love to hear your comments. Kim-I know yours will be "bigger!".

A New Gallery!

Last Friday I went to meet with the nice folks at 13 Forest Gallery in Arlington to see about showing some of my work there. They selected three pieces of mine and one of Polo's. Yeah! How exciting is that?. The gallery has a great location along busy Mass Ave and they have a wonderful variety of artwork on exhibit there. We are thrilled to be a part of their collection. They have a new show opening next Friday from 7-9 so stop by and check it out!

I also want to give a big thank you to "my two Kims" for their encouragement.

Out the Back Window

Out the Back Window

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

8" x 8" x .75"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

While we were in New York City a few weekends ago, I took a bunch of photos as inspiration for new paintings. It's pretty easy for me to get inspired in New York. This painting was done from a photo I took looking out the back window of my friend's loft. I painted it in one sitting at my art class last night. (I guess that is technically considered alla prima?) I really prefer to keep working at a painting while it's still wet. Especially with the thickness of the paint that I use. I'm excited to do more of these.

Time to "Think Spring" again

I just found this scan of a series of mini paintings that I did awhile back for a small works show. Each one is only about 2" square. Made me think of spring and I hope it does the same for you no matter what that pesky groundhog sees today.

I am also thinking of my friend Haydi today and sending warm thoughts her way.

Camouflage

We were in New York City this past weekend and spent the day at the Museum of Modern Art. This was one of those moments when I'm so glad that I had my camera with me. We turned the corner into the Jackson Pollock room and saw this guy who was wearing a camouflage coat that looked just like one of the paintings. Too funny. I imagine him saying to himself "I am so drawn to these paintings, but I don't know why."

KenVi palette knife portrait commission

KenVi

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

12" x 9" x 1.5"

SOLD

My good friend Wendy asked me to do this painting of her parents Kenneth and Vivien, otherwise known as KenVi (a la Branjelina, Bennifer, etc ). You may remember I did a painting of Wendy and her new husband on their honeymoon in Spain a few months ago. This photo of KenVi was taken at Wendy's wedding last summer where I had the pleasure of spending the time getting to know them better. Such a warm and generous couple of folks. Her family is meeting up in Florida this weekend and Wendy plans to surprise her parents with this portrait. I am jealous of the warm weather they will be enjoying. Is summer here yet?

Masquerade Show and Pastel Demo

After John Singer Sargent, Daughters of Edward Boit

by Frank X. Quinn

Last Wednesday was the reception and awards presentation for the Foxboro Art Association's show called Masquerade. The painting shown above was done by my friend and fellow painter, Frank Quinn. An ambitious undertaking and didn't it come out great? If you look very closely in the bottom left corner, you will see an electical outlet (so clever, Frank!) .

Everyone did an amazing job painting their own version of a famous painting or in the style of a famous painter. I wanted to show you some of the entries, but the room was very crowded so my photos aren't the best. They will give you a sense of the some of the entries anyway.

Below is the first place prize winner, painted by Diane Scotti (after Sargent). Really beautifully done.

Here is a link  that shows my entry, inspired by Mary Cassatt's painting Mother and Child. Everyone enjoyed the show so much, they are talking about making it an an annual event. 

The second part of the meeting was a pastel demonstration by portrait artist, Alain Picard. It was an inspiring presentation and very entertaining as well. How many of us could paint under pressure like that if front of a large group of art critics? His work is simply stunning. Here is a great shot, taken by Frank, that shows the model and the artist with his painting in progress.

I also took this shot of his pastels because he said he got these trays at IKEA for $6 each and he can stack several of them without crushing the pastels. Pretty cool, huh? 

Do you have art supplies or materials that you use that were actually meant to be used for something else? I think that might make an interesting future post–how artists get creative with art supplies and tools. Even better, send me photos and I will post those too.

Warming up with wrinkles

Wrinkled

Oil with a palette knife on canvas paper

7.5" x 8.5"

SOLD

I started off the new year with this painting done in my Thursday night class from a photo reference that was suggested by my art instructor, Kim Morin Weineck. She thought that the wrinkles would provide a great palette knife exercise. She was right. It was also great practice for mixing skin tones. As she noted during critique, my skin tones in the past have tended to be pasty white and chalky, but these came our much warmer and richer. I also have started adding impasto to my colors and like the way it thickens and extends the color without altering it.

This is actually a famous artist. Can you guess who it is?  

Call for inspiration

These 3 painting were done from some of my family's old photographs. They are currently hanging at Custom Art Framing & Gallery 9 in Norwood and have inspired a few people who have seen them to commission me to do paintings from their own family photos. I mean, don't we all have photos just like this at home somewhere?

Which sparked an idea.....

I have an art show scheduled for the month of June and I'd love your help. I would like to invite you to submit a family photo or two of your own that you think might make a great painting.

Here are the rules:

1. Please don't send photos taken by a professional photographer. The photo must have been taken by you or someone you know.

2. Preferably color but black and white is ok too

3. Preferably nostalgic

4. Preferably with people

5. Email a jpeg image to anngorbett@gmail.com and provide a little info about the image, who is in it, and the approximate date the photo was taken if you know it.

6. The last day to submit an image is March 1, 2010

7. By submitting an image, you agree to allow me to use it as inspiration for a painting, choose the composition and the size, exhibit in shows, post on my blog, and offer up for sale.

8. You are by no means required to purchase the painting.

Take a look at my Family Album Series to view previous paintings I have done from family photographs.

I am excited to see what you can dig up!

Oh, and by the way, my mother, who is in 2 of the 3 paintings above, would have turned 76 today. She shared her birthday with Elvis Presley. I'm sure mom and The King are having fun somewhere today.