Patricia Jane Renwick

The Shop Under Edwige

2011-08-23T13:59:00.005-04:00

The Shop Under Edwige - 18x24

So here's a photo of my prize winning painting from the Interiors Exteriors show at the Portsmouth Arts Guild, and here's the comment the juror Lisa Goddard made:

P. Jane Renwick communicated the universal desire of human beings to adorn and embellish our outer selves in order to heighten, emphasize, disguise or mystify how we are seen by others. Her painting took an everyday experience (shopping) in an everyday place (a mall) and wove that image into a rich tapestry of color and form that transcends the obvious.

I'm pretty thrilled with that!

Fantastic weather today. Sunny, warm, and no humidity! Can't wait to get my teeth into another painting, and seeing as I haven't been able to get to the Cape this summer, I think I might start a painting of the Highland Lighthouse in Truro. I'm going through a Hopperesque phase again, I think.

Onwards and upwards!

Inspiration and Rejuvenation

2011-08-18T12:42:00.006-04:00

Oh dear! It's been far too long since I last blogged. I'm kind of embarrassed. But it's not like I've been inactive. I took a break from painting and tried my hand at writing, which is an ongoing process that will probably never end, but I'm back into my painting again, thank goodness. I feel better for it. In fact, I just entered my first show of the year at the Portsmouth Arts Guild, and won 2nd Place for my painting "The Shop Below Edwige"! Score! Stupid me, though. I forgot to take a photograph of my winning piece, so I will do that soon, then post it. Promise!

Wanted to mention one of my favorite authors too, Maggie Stiefvater. She penned the "Shiver" trilogy, and has a new book out in October called "The Scorpio Races". I love her writing, and she's an artist too, in every sense of the world - painter, musician, writer. How can you beat that? Here's an animated trailer for her book, which she created herself: http://youtu.be/tojCn2Y41ig And if you're interested in the book, you can pre-order a signed, doodled copy here: http://www.fountainbookstore.com/autograph-maggie

Well, that's all from me for now. Promise not to be a stranger. Will post some of my more recent work soon. Onwards and upwards!

People's Choice Award

2010-09-29T10:30:00.003-04:00

Well, this was certainly a nice surprise. I was awarded the Peoples Choice Award at the 5 Member Invitational exhibition for my painting "Summer Night at the Frosty Freeze". Quite an honor, considering the outstanding work at the show. Thanks very much to all who voted!

I took a break from painting for a few weeks (had only intended a respite of one week, but it stretched into several). Mind you, I still had a brush in my hand. I ended up moving my studio from the sun room to a spare bedroom, and I painted the walls a neutral gray.

It's been quite energizing working in a new space. I've almost finished a scene from Provincetown, Cape Cod, and will soon start work on a few commissions. I look forward to hunkering down in my cozy studio as the weather gets colder.

Great show

2010-08-22T18:59:00.003-04:00

Had a very successful opening on Friday for the 5 Member Invitational at Portsmouth Arts Guild. Great turnout, not to mention some tasty nibbles. That always helps. Even I succumbed to the cheese and crackers.

More importantly, the art looked fabulous, and I'm not talking about mine. It was an honor to share the show with four very talented people - Anne Winthrop Cordin, Marc Jaffe, Priscilla Foley, and Lenny Rumpler. Their work made mine look good.

Below is a link to Portsmouth Patch, whose Editor, Sandy McGee, wrote a brief article about the opening and took photos.

http://portsmouth.patch.com/articles/five-artists-invitational-show-opens-to-large-audience

Now that the rush is over, will take a break for a week, then work on a few commissions. Would also like to start on some new pieces from my recent trip to Provincetown, MA. No rest for the artistically motivated.

5 Member Invitational

2010-08-18T18:56:00.006-04:00

It's been some time since my last blog. This is becoming a bad habit! I have good reason though. The summer has been glorious, so needless to say I've been spending as much time outdoors, or painting, as I can. The computer sees far more action in the winter months. The show opening this Friday deserves a post, however. This is the big one. The big kahuna! I've been painting furiously for the past 6 months in preparation for the 5 Member Invitational at the Portsmouth Arts Guild, and it's finally here.

The paintings shown here are just two of the pieces I've entered - "Corn Dogs" and "Candy Apples", which are scenes from a carnival that I visited in May. My initial thoughts were to paint the ferris wheel and other carnival rides, but I was drawn to the carnival workers and the booths they worked in. I just loved the signs, and the abstract shapes and bright colors, and I wanted to paint them. I did eight pieces in total, all based around a "people and places" theme, two of my favorite subjects to paint.

Come to the show if you can. I will update my website shortly with new images of my paintings.

Corn Dogs - 18x24"

Candy Apples - 20x20"

Looking forward to summer

2010-06-12T01:32:00.008-04:00

Edouard Vuillard - "The Garden at Vaucresson"

Boy, it's been a while since my last blog. We're mid June already, though it doesn't feel like it this week. It's been cool and overcast. Hoping for some sunshine soon.

Spending most of my painting time preparing for my upcoming show in August, the Portsmouth Arts Guild 5 Member Invitational. Racing against the clock now. Ugh. I don't like pressure, but it's certainly motivational. Have been working from photos I took at a local carnival, which is somewhere full of people, light, color... my favorite things to paint. Last weekend I went to New York City, which is only my second visit to this amazing city. Took almost 700 photos, so I think I can safely say I have plenty of pictures for future paintings. I do plan on entering a few New York inspired pieces in the August show.

Of all places I visited in NYC, the Metropolitan Museum of Art left the biggest impression, from a painting perspective that is. Discovered some new favorites, such as Pierre Bonnard and Edouard Vuillard. Their sense of color and light was incredible. For the time being, I have lost interest in painting landscapes, but if anyone could inspire me to take my easel outside and get busy en plein air, these artists could. Photos don't do these masterpieces justice, but I took some anyway, then went and bought the book from the MET gift store. (As an aside, the MET gift store is a major trap for the unwary. It's full of every conceivable art momento...books, mugs, t-shirts, posters...the list goes on. Avoid it if you don't want to blow your travel budget. I couldn't help myself!)

Right now, I feel like I'm bubbling over with artistic creativity. Hopefully it'll keep me going for many months to come.

2nd Prize!

2010-04-08T12:20:00.004-04:00

Received some exciting news yesterday. I won 2nd prize at the Imagine Red juried show at the Portsmouth Arts Guild for my painting "The Red Duvet"! Yay! It was entirely unexpected, particularly as my only concern was just to be accepted into the show. I'm quite chuffed. Shall be attending the opening tomorrow night, for sure. Will post a pic of my painting shortly.

The good news was especially welcome considering the awful time we had last week with the record rainfall in Rhode Island. Never thought we'd have to worry about flooding, but the backyard became so waterlogged from the 9 inches of rain that fell in such a short time, that the septic couldn't handle it, and waste began to back into the house. Gross! Was on the bucket-brigade for at least an hour, non-stop, till the plumber arrived and at least relieved me of duty. Managed to prevent any major damage or flooding in our basement. Had to spend a couple of nights in a hotel while we let the septic get on top of things again, but everything seems okay now. Still, I'm a little nervous of the rain that's forecast for tomorrow. Hope the ground has dried up enough, with all this sunny weather, that a little rain will go unnoticed. Cross fingers.

Will have to start painting this afternoon. Haven't painted anything since last Monday, and I'm suffering from creative withdrawal.

Art and dolphins...

2010-03-11T11:32:00.004-05:00

Had some great news this week. I've been accepted into the juried show at Portsmouth Arts Guild entitled 5 Members' Invitational. Myself and 4 other PAG members will be showing our work at the Portsmouth gallery in August. I'm thrilled! There's lots of painting to be done, but I'm feeling motivated and up to the challenge. All this sunshine we've been having lately has certainly helped. Spring is almost upon us, and I love spring.

I certainly welcomed the good news after my miserable Monday this week. I came across a documentary called The Cove, a snippet of which aired on the Oscars Sunday night (The Cove won an award). Totally depressing footage of dolphins being brutally slaughtered in Japan. I was absolutely horrified. As you may have noticed from the animal-related banners I have on my blog, which includes WSPA (World Society for Protection of Animals), Potter League (a RI shelter), and AAVS (American Anti-Vivisection Society), I love animals, so I was brought to tears by the image of a dolphin fleeing for its life, albeit unsuccessfully.

I immediately texted Dolphin to 44144, which was the number the creators of The Cove held up when they won, and hence discovered a website called Care2.com. I joined the group, which was free, and signed an online petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/724210624 If anyone is interested in helping these beautiful, intelligent animals, please click on the link.

If you're interested in learning more about the dolphins' plight, you can read an article here: http://www.wspa-usa.org/pages/425_january_2005_japanese_dolphin_slaughter_continues_unabated.cfm?searchterm=dolphins_japan There is more information on the WSPA website.

Appreciate the sunshine

2010-03-02T12:26:00.005-05:00

It's still cold outside, but the sun is shining, which is such a nice change. More crappy weather predicted tomorrow though... snow, rain, sleet. By March I'm thoroughly fed up with winter. The only silver lining is that it gives me an excuse to do some work on my website.

Speaking of which, I downloaded my new and improved website last night. The biggest change is the neutral grey background, which I hope enhances my paintings. Aside from that, most elements of the website have remained the same. To be honest, I really just enjoy playing with Dreamweaver, and when I get bored of how things look I enjoy the challenge of discovering new ways of displaying my work. There are still many tricks I haven't yet learnt.

I'll be posting some new images on my website this week, one of which will be on show at the Portsmouth Arts Guild Annual Members' All-Media Exhibition which opens on March 14 at 2pm. The exhibit runs through till the beginning of April.

2010-03-02T12:26:00.000-05:00

Things to come

2010-03-01T11:43:00.005-05:00

With the approach of Spring (though it certainly doesn't feel like it with all this rain and cold weather), comes another year of exhibitions and painting deadlines. I've got a few shows lined up for 2010 already, with others hopefully in the pipeworks. I'm also displaying work at the Portsmouth Arts Guild again this year, from April through to July.

All this means I have to get my A into G and produce a lot of paintings. Luckily I feel inspired and motivated, which is often not the case with me, but lately I've developed a keen interest in two subjects which should provide a limitless resource of material. One is interiors, the other people-scapes.

So far, the interiors I've painted have included a movie theatre, a restaurant, a diner, two motel rooms, and several rooms from private residences, with many more pieces to follow. My people-scapes have been inspired by New York and the busy Provincetown in Cape Cod. Aside from my interest in light, shadow, and reflection, what these two subjects have in common is the human element, whether it's the hustle and bustle of a busy street, or the quiet serenity of an empty room where the occupants have only just vacated, or are about to inhabit it. I like to wonder about these people - what are they thinking, why are they there, where are they going? People are interesting, and even a vacant room has a story to tell.

Right now I'm longing for summer. (I'm sick of being cold, and I desperately need some Vitamin D.) The onset of warmer weather also brings with it tourists to Newport, and thus busy, crowded streets. Good subject-matter for my people scapes. The sun also creates marvellous interior shots. In fact, the sun is essential to both my outdoor and indoor scenes. There's nothing like a darkened room with a liquid pool of sunlight, or the blue-grey afternoon shadow of people and buildings late on a summer's day.

I will be updating my website again in the next couple of days. I'll also add some of my most recent paintings. As you may have guessed, they're of interiors and people-scapes.

2010-01-09T23:08:00.013-05:00

Lobster Pot Lights, 20x20" (top) - Late Afternoon on Commercial St, 20x20"

Room 28, 16x20" (top) - Room 14, 14x18"

It's been a while since my last post. I haven't blogged or updated my website for many months, and now we're into the new year! Geez, I really have been slack.

Since my trip to NYC I've been back to the Cape, and had a weekend in Salem, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. I love Cape Cod. I embarked on a Hopper pilgrimage of sorts in an attempt to track down some of the Truro and Wellfleet locations he immortalized in his paintings. I was somewhat successful, but even when I wasn't, at least I had fun en route.

My most recent paintings have, of course, been of the Cape. I painted two interiors of the motel rooms I stayed in, and several street scenes from Provincetown. I've found myself wondering about the people I paint in my street scenes, what lives they lead, their relationships with each other. It's the same with my interiors. Despite their emptiness, my intent is to make the viewer curious about the previous occupants, or the occupants to be.

I have a few more paintings yet to post. I've also just completed a Monet forgery for the upcoming Fakes & Forgeries exhibition at Spring Bull Gallery in Newport, RI, and in the next few days I'll start on my next painting project. A new year, and a new start. Hopefully it'll be a successful painting year!

New York series continues

2009-07-20T20:20:00.006-04:00

I've been a tad remiss in blogging lately. Too busy enjoying this fabulous weather! At last, summer has arrived.

Since my last painting "NYC Taxi Cab" I've created several smaller paintings of New York, which can be viewed under Cityscapes. My latest is "NYC Promenading II", another scene of pedestrians in New York backlit by the bright lights of Time Square. I have painted quite a few pieces from this angle. I was completely mesmerized by the neon lights, like a deer frozen in the headlights. Boy, New York's electricity bill must be huge! I love it though. What an amazing city.

NYC Promenading - 8x10"

More Big Apple...

2009-07-02T21:48:00.003-04:00

NYC Taxi Cab, 10x20"

Finished my latest New York City painting this afternoon. I haven't exhausted my subject matter yet. In fact, I don't expect to for some time, so expect to see more in this series.

3rd Place!

2009-07-01T15:06:00.003-04:00

Beach Gossip, 8x16"

I'm on a roll! I won 3rd place at the Portsmouth Arts Guild Summer in Rhode Island juried exhibit with my painting "Beach Gossip". Awesome! The show runs from July 2-26, with the opening reception on Friday July 3 from 6-8pm.

More Big Apple

2009-06-30T23:15:00.004-04:00

I'm on a roll with my NYC paintings. Just love the city, and have developed a particular fondness for the taxis, which of course are everywhere. Finished my latest "NYC Reflections" last week, and have almost completed my next one already. I'll run out of reference photos soon, and will have to go back for more!

NYC Reflections, 14x18"

Updates!

2009-06-23T20:27:00.010-04:00

"Night Lights" - 8x10"

There's a few things to update you on. Firstly, I won 2nd Place at the Imagine Yellow exhibition this month at Portsmouth Arts Guild with my painting "Night Lights". That was rather exciting, and quite unexpected!

This month I also made my first trip to New York City, which was fantastic! I love NYC! I love the buzz, the hustle and bustle, the honking taxi cabs and the bright lights. There was so much to look at! Weather wise my first day was pretty wet and miserable, but there was a fabulous silver lining. I took plenty of photos and the best ones were from the rainy day - lots of umbrellas and reflections. I've already created two paintings, and I'm currently working on my third. I'm thoroughly enjoying immersing myself in the city to create these pieces. It's almost as good as actually being there again. I'm definitely going back, and soon!

"Rainy NYC Day" - 12x16"

"NYC Taxi" - 20x24"

After my NZ trip, I also created some NZ themed paintings, which I will soon post to my website. I plan to update my website and make a few changes, so it may be a few more weeks.

Hello again...

2009-05-13T12:22:00.008-04:00

It's been a while since my last post, but it's been a very busy time, what with going to New Zealand for three weeks, then trying to get back into some kind of routine. I had a fantastic time visiting family and friends and doing the touristy bit, so it's been hard coming back down to earth again now all the travelling is over. I'm getting there though!

I do have news to catch up on. I won a Merchandise Award at Gallery 297 in Bristol at the Art League of Rhode Island Associate Members show in April with my painting "Late Night Movie", which was fantastic! Click here to visit the ALRI website and check out the May 2009 newsletter. I'm also exhibiting at the Portsmouth Arts Guild again this year, from now till November, as well as a new gallery opening in Newport called Isherwood Gallery, the grand opening of which is on Friday May 29th from 6-8pm. Isherwood Gallery is a great space and has a wonderfully ecclectic mix of art, so I hope to see you there!

Another interior...

2009-03-24T20:25:00.003-04:00

"The Sitting Room" - 16x16"

I completed my latest project today, "The Sitting Room", which I've been working on for the past few weeks. I abandoned my usual bright palette for much more muted tones, which seemed fitting for the cold winter's afternoon the photograph for this painting was taken on.

Interiors really appeal to me, in particular light and shadow. With this scene, I especially loved the way the light fell in the room and reflected back into the space, softly illuminating the walls and other objects. To create the illusion of space on a flat surface is an exciting challenge.

ALRI Associate Members Show

2009-03-07T18:25:00.009-05:00

"End of Winter Sale" 2009 - 16x24"

It's showtime again. This time I entered a painting into the Art League of Rhode Island exhibit "End of Winter" at Spring Bull Gallery in Newport, which opened tonight. I named my painting "End of Winter Sale". Not very original, I know, but I was trying to be clever.

I've also just completed two other paintings for the Portsmouth Arts Guild Annual Members All-Media Exhibition which starts March 12. I went for a floral theme, inspired by some beautiful pale pink tulips I'd been given in February for my birthday. My style was much more representational with these pieces, only because I wanted to render the beauty of the flowers more accurately.

I have one more month to paint and prepare for the upcoming shows before I'm away on holiday for 3 weeks. I'm going to New Zealand in April to visit family and friends. I only get back home every 2 years or so, so I'm really looking forward to the trip, and hoping for a lot of photo ops so I can paint up a storm when I get back.

"Ballerina" and "Tulips" 2009 - 11x14"

It's nice to be recognized...

2009-02-14T23:41:00.004-05:00

I found out today that my painting "Before the Rush", which was accepted into the Newport Art Museum 2009 Annual Juried Exhibition just over a week ago, received an Honorable Mention! I was thrilled to be accepted into the show, but to also get an award was fantastic! I'm just sad I missed out on the award ceremony.

I have to keep up the good work, though, and there are a lot of open exhibitions at this time of year. Right now I'm working on a painting for the Art League of Rhode Island show in March, then once I'm finished with that I have to start on some florals. Not only that, but I'm also renting space at the Portsmouth Arts Guild for 8 months, starting in April, so I need to get cracking on some new pieces!

The busy year ahead...

2009-01-27T21:10:00.005-05:00

I entered my painting "Before the Rush" into the Newport Art Museum's Annual Member Show last week, and discovered today that it was accepted. I'm so pleased! There's always an amount of uncertainty and self-doubt when you enter a painting into any juried show, so when you're successful it's like a reaffirmation of your work and an indication that you're doing something right. It's a nice feeling.

I've actually got a busy exhibition calendar for the next few months. I just hope I can produce enough pieces to enter them all. It's good to keep busy and have something to aim for.

"Before the Rush", 6x12"

Fakes and Forgeries

2009-01-24T23:51:00.005-05:00

"The Dream" (Original by Pablo Picasso), 18x24"

I finished my Picasso forgery this week. I learnt a few interesting facts about "The Dream", or "Le Reve" as it's also known, while painting it. Firstly, as I think I mentioned in a previous blog, the lady in the painting is Marie-Therese Walter, one of Picasso's lovers whom he had a child with. On researching Ms Walter, I discovered she was only 17 years old when they met, and though their relationship didn't last, Picasso supported her financially for the rest of her life.

Most curiously, I discovered that Picasso liked to include the image of a penis in some of his paintings. I didn't notice it at first, but it seems pretty obvious now. Just take a look at the top half of Ms Walter's face. Yes, there's a penis! In this case, I read that the penis represents Ms Walter's sexual dream.

I also found out that the original painting is currently owned by Steve Wynn, a wealthy art collector who was on the verge of selling "The Dream" when he accidentally damaged it. While showing it to some friends, he lost his balance and put his elbow through the canvas, tearing a small hole the size of a silver dollar. An expensive accident! He decided to keep the painting after that.

I still like this painting a lot. Despite having a penis on her head, I think Marie-Therese is beautiful in her own way. I'm putting it in the Fakes & Forgeries show at Spring Bull in February.

Painting of a different kind...

2009-01-16T18:45:00.006-05:00

I've been very slack this week where my art is concerned. I haven't worked on my paintings at all. Pablo's "The Dream" is still awaiting final touches, and my next painting idea is on hiatus until I can I can take pictures and do some sketches. That's not to say I haven't actually "painted", but instead of sitting down at the easel I stripped out my bedroom and started cutting in on the walls.

I haven't done any home decorating for some time. There's something revitalising about changing your environment, and most definitely about improving it. I've been looking at puke green bedroom walls for so long I thought it was time to change them to something lighter and brighter. Boy, what an undertaking it was though. I'd forgotten about all the preparation involved - moving furniture, cleaning, and just the general upheaval of not having things where they're supposed to be. Then there's the disagreements, the heady paint fumes, and the tired, achy arms. A project I thought would only take a day ended up taking four, and for three nights I had to sleep on the couch. I hate a messy house.

The bonus of course is that now I have a nicely painted bedroom and I'm no longer cringing at the sight of it. Even better, I'm going to Ikea this weekend, that great Scandinavian home store, and buying new table lamps and a mirror (plus a few other odds and ends I'm not telling my husband about). That's something to look forward to.

So, although I haven't exactly been expressing my creativity this week, I've been busy. I don't think I did a bad job either. All the same, I think I'll stick to painting pictures. Next time we're hiring a professional.

Dreaming...

2009-01-08T20:51:00.006-05:00

(left) "The Dream", 18x24" (original by Pablo Picasso)
(right) The original "The Dream" by Pablo Picasso

I've almost finished my forgery of Picasso's "The Dream". I apologise for the poor quality of the photo. I manage to paint by this light, but it doesn't photograph well.

This picture was really enjoyable to paint. I love the curves and the sumptuous colours, and although she's a little misshapen, I think the figure is quite beautiful. I read in one of my art history books that this was Maria-Therese, one of Picasso's lovers.

I'm putting my version of "The Dream" into the Fakes and Forgeries show at Spring Bull Gallery in Newport in February.

Ticket Please!

2009-01-03T21:27:00.003-05:00

The opening of the Spring Bull show Ticket Please was held tonight. There was a nice little gathering of people, and I was quite surprised to see "Late Night Movie" in the prime position in the entrance to the gallery, right as you walk in. Some amazing paintings there, so I was in good company.

If you get the chance, stop by. The show runs until January 31, then I'm also putting a painting into the Fakes and Forgeries exhibition which starts in February. That's always a popular event. I'm tossing up between painting Picasso's "The Dream", and Renoir's "The Parisienne" this year. Both very different paintings of women.

Late Night Movie

2008-12-29T18:11:00.006-05:00

"Late Night Movie", 16x16"

I finally finished it! The last thing I did was add the figure and the image on the movie screen. This painting is sort of a self-portrait, as that's me in the chair.

I'd planned to put a figure in the painting from the start, and I realized it would be easier to use myself as a model. That meant going back to the same movie theatre where I'd taken the original photo, which was at the Warwick Showcase cinemas, and getting my husband to take the photo. Unfortunately there are many different theatres there so even after seeing several movies I was unable to find the right seating arrangement.

In the end I waited for the next big release, which turned out to be "The Day the Earth Stood Still" with Keanu Reeves. I suffered for my art, literally, as it was a terrible movie, but I got my shot and, hey presto!

Before the Rush

2008-12-14T13:19:00.005-05:00

"Before the Rush", 6x12"

I finished my latest creation "Before the Rush" on Friday. It's an inside view of one of my favorite restaurant's, Leo's, a little Italian place on Hope St in Bristol, RI. They do the best New England clam chowder. I wondered if it were wise to do a painting of an empty restaurant, but I couldn't resist the complimentary color palette. Besides, I thought the title hinted at the people to come.

Exhibiting

2008-12-01T19:48:00.004-05:00

I've been steadily working on my "Late Night Movie" in preparation for Ticket Please, which begins in January. It's been slow going with such short days. Artificial light can really exaggerate colors so I'm constantly having to check my painting in the morning to make sure it's not too dark.

As for current shows that I'm taking part in, there's the Under $200 Holiday Show at the Portsmouth Arts Guild which runs until Dec 23rd, and 18th Annual Les Petites Oeuvres (The Little Picture Show) at Spring Bull in Newport which opens Saturday Dec 6th from 5-7pm. I'll be dropping by the gallery to check out the competition.

Late Night Movie

2008-10-30T20:36:00.006-04:00

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Yesterday it came from glancing at a postcard from Spring Bull Gallery in Newport, RI. They sent me a Call for Entries, listing the shows they're holding over the next few months, and one in particular called Ticket Please caught my eye.

Sometimes I'll create a painting specifically for a show, which is a fun way of getting the creative juices flowing and perhaps painting something you wouldn't normally paint. The theme for Ticket Please is the "creative expression of an event in which you purchase a ticket" so I decided on "going to the movies" as my subject matter. As it happens I'd actually taken photos of the inside of a cinema a few months ago, as strange as that may seem, so I had reference photos on hand. I'm a big fan of Edward Hopper and his painting "New York Movie", which inspired me to take the photos in the first place.

I did a sketch yesterday, and began painting today. Hopefully in the next week or two I'll have the finished result.

"New York Movie" 1939 - Edward Hopper

We are just the monkeys...

2008-10-16T20:18:00.008-04:00

"Golden Sunlight", 5x7"

I bought the new Keane album this week "Perfect Symmetry", which I think is fantastic. I loved their first two albums so it wasn't surprising that I'd take to this one too, but it's proving to be my favorite. While it still has some of the bittersweetness of "Under the Iron Sea", the tunes are more upbeat and toe-tapping.

I love buying new music and listening to it for the first time, then again, and again. I listened to the whole album while I painted my first picture of the week "Golden Sunlight". I always have music on when I paint but today put me in such a good mood that I produced it in record time.

Miniature Portraits

2008-10-08T21:10:00.003-04:00

I finally got back to painting yesterday. I was inspired by our new kitty Aggie, and decided to do portraits of our three cats based upon 18th and 19th century miniature portraits. At 2.4x2.8" inches it was a challenge but surprisingly the small scale enabled me to loosen my painting style. I really enjoyed myself.

"Agatha" - "George" - "Frankie", 2.4x2.8"

Recent Painting

2008-10-01T20:11:00.004-04:00

"Under the Summer Sun," 10x10"

My last painting before adopting Aggie was "Under the Summer Sun", a beach scene from Pt Judith, RI in front of the restaurant George's of Galilee. In July I'd lunched with a friend and snapped a few pictures of beach-goers, hoping for an interesting shot. Beach umbrellas have become a favorite of mine so I was happy to find them lining the shore, adding color and pattern.

Back to Work!

2008-10-01T19:32:00.014-04:00

I've had a hiatus from painting recently. My husband and I added a new member to the family, a 2 1/2 year old black and white kitty we've called Aggie (short for Agatha, after one of my favorite authors Agatha Christie). She's settling in now, but it took all my time and energy to see that she was comfortable and getting along with our other two kitties Frankie and George. She's such a joy though. At the Potter League, where we found her, she was a very quiet kitty, but at home she's playful and loving. She has the unusual habit of lying behind me on the pillow, wrapping her paws around my neck, and resting her head against mine, all the while purring loudly. It's adorable!

I'm keen as mustard to paint again, though. It's like riding a bicycle, but at the same time it can be hard to get back into the saddle, even after only a couple of weeks of painting abstinence. I haven't been totally inactive in the painting arena, however. This week I entered into the Juried Members' show at the Portsmouth Arts Guild and got in! Yay! Two pieces "Through the Fields" and "Around the Bend" were both accepted. The show opens this Friday, with a reception from 6-8pm, and runs until November 16th.

"Around the Bend" and "Through the Fields", both 8x8"

Stormy weather

2008-09-09T20:36:00.005-04:00

"Beach Gossip", 8x16"

It poured down today. Luckily the darkness lifted so I was able to paint with natural light and finish "Beach Gossip", the painting I started on Friday. It took only two days to complete this piece, which is typical for a painting this size. I like to work quickly, blocking in color and making any adjustments to the composition first, then finally adding detail and any finishing touches. With the days getting shorter I had to work the last few hours with the aid of my artist lamps, so I'll need to review the painting tomorrow when the light has improved.

Another day, another painting...

2008-09-05T20:00:00.005-04:00

I wasted no time today and started my next painting. It's still in its initial stages, which is the say it's looking a little rough, but it's a slow process.

I was at a beach in Barrington, RI when I saw these women sitting on the sand talking. Sometimes I'll come across a scene like this one and be lucky enough to capture it on film. It's not about copying the photo, but enhancing it and adding something of my own, so in the end it's quite different.

A painting day

2008-09-04T22:17:00.003-04:00

I was finally able to do some painting this week. My new piece "Reflecting" has been sitting on the easel in my studio waiting to be worked on. It's frustrating when I want to paint but don't have the time.

It's only a small painting at 6x8". The scene is of the dining room at the Bed & Breakfast my friend used to own. It was a beautiful, stately place with a wonderful atmosphere, and on looking back at photographs my husband took I thought I'd try capture some of that ambiance.

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-01T22:45:00.007-04:00

Well, the long weekend is over, but my work has only just begun. I took photos most days looking for painting ideas that I hope to work on over the next few weeks. Yesterday I went to a free outdoor concert in Newport - Beatles cover band Abbey Rhode. A great place to people watch and look for material for people-scapes.

I went to Tiverton today, a favorite place of mine to photograph landscapes - "Through the Fields" and "Around the Bend" were painted from photos I took on Seapowet Ave. No matter how many times I visit the area I always discover something new. I find the best time of day is in the afternoon when the light is golden and the shadows are deep.

"Through the Fields", 8x8"

Reflecting

2008-08-29T22:40:00.008-04:00

I was finally able to do some painting yesterday, which was my first and last painting session for the week. I've had such a busy time of it lately. I began a small painting I think I'm going to call "Reflecting", based on a photograph my husband took several years ago of a friend's Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand. It's an atmospheric interior that I may develop into a series of interior paintings, something I've wanted to do since painting "Bishop's 4th Street Diner", pictured below, in 2004.

Getting Organized

2008-08-26T20:42:00.002-04:00

Beautiful weather today. It's starting to feel like Fall, which isn't all that bad. At least it's still pretty warm during the day.

Decided to reorganize my studio. I hung all my new paintings gallery style. I'd like the space to be more welcoming for potential customers, and I'm hoping the new arrangement will inspire me, which it has done. Unfortunately I was too tired to paint once I'd finished, but I'll be rearing to go tomorrow.

Art Affair on the Fence

2008-08-25T18:18:00.005-04:00

I had a great day on Saturday. The first ever Art Affair on the Fence at the First Congregational Church in Bristol, RI went rather well. The weather was fantastic, and we had a good crowd. I sold a few pieces and met some very nice people, including other artists at the show. It's always good to network.

I have a quiet spell to concentrate on other projects now. I'm hoping to work on a new series over the next couple of months, something I haven't had time for in the past. I'm looking forward to this new creative period.