Pinecones and Brass Pot

"Pine Cones and Brass Pot"

12" x 12" oil on panel

Large Version of Mt. Olympus

I recently did a study of Mt. Olympus (Wasatch Mountains)
and here is the large commission I painted form that study.

                                      "Mt. Olympus"
                               36" x 36" oil on panel

American Art Collector Magazine, "Beyond The Ordinary"

I'm am thrilled to be included in the January 2015 Issue of American Art Collector Magazine. This issue has a section on still life entitled, "Beyond The Ordinary" (page 86, 87 and 88).

 


"Autumn In A Silver Bowl," 11 x 18,
oil on panel (above image)

"Copper Urn and Pomegranate," 11 x 14,
oil on panel (top left image)

"Makes Me Cry," 12" x 12" oil on panel

(Bottom right image - Purple Onions)

At times, every artists wonders about the quality of their work. Placing your work in various contexts such as an exhibit or a publication, will provide an excellent opportunity for you to see how well it holds up - compared to the work of other artists.

My ad in the American Art Collector magazine, January 2015 Issue, page 26.

It's Okay To Promote Youself!

Trying to become visible as an artist requires effort. I am constantly reviewing ways to promote myself. This is a good thing. 

Truth be told, it takes a lot of hard work to become known in the art community and taking time to make your dreams come true is a great investment in YOU! If you "wait to be discovered" you may spend a long time waiting!


      Here are some tips to help you get noticed:

•  Wear a smile, greet people and speak intelligently about your work.
• Create matching business cards, letterhead and envelopes.
• Keep business cards in your pocket and hand them out to people. 

• Obtain a domain name and build a website. Keep your website up to date and refresh it often with new pictures.
  
• Enter every local (or national) show possible. You have to enter before you can win an award! Pin your ribbons up in your studio.  Most people love to purchase artwork from an "award winning artist."

• Join local and national art organizations. Yes, you have to pay dues, but joining with other artists will expose you to painting styles, the latest art products,  advice, techniques and motivating competition. Besides the wonderful exposure, it's a good way to find a painting buddy.

Blog. Make sure you don't start out blogging and then fall off into oblivion somewhere. Keep at it. Subscribe to other artist blogs. Follow other artist pages.

Create a Facebook page. It's so much fun to follow the work of other artists and to read about their struggles and successes. Don't post crap. Make sure you are professional in all your posts. Your clients don't want to see a picture of you drunk in a gutter somewhere.

Promote yourself by placing an ad in a national magazine. Don't wait for a gallery owner to stumble across your work by chance. Be proactive!

Of course, through it all, you have to keep painting. That's really the bottom line. What good is becoming visible if you have no paintings to exhibit? My husband created an acronym for me that I use all the time; "PYGO," paint your guts out. So, PYGO. Go make it happen!

Celebrating Autumn

"Celebrating Autumn"

11" x 14" oil on panel

"Trail to the Fire Hole"

24" x 36" oil on panel

Autumn At Silver Lake

"Autumn At Silver Lake"

12" x 16" oil on panel

Latest Painting "Downriver"

I took a canoe trip down the Colorado River just below Hoover Dam. The 

scenery was spectacular. I just had to paint something from the trip!

"Downriver"

16" x 20" oil on canvas

Three Apples

Three Apples

8" x 8" oil on panel

Last Days of Summer

Saturday, my friend, Chris, and I took a photo shoot up Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains just southeast of Salt Lake City. The sun was out, the leaves were past their prime but still very beautiful.

Our destination was Silver Lake, but we stopped several times to shoot some images before we arrived at the lake.

I'm standing at Cardiff Fork, a place where I used to sleigh ride in the winter.

We took LOTS of photographs. The nice thing about a digital camera is that you can delete all the rejects and it doesn't cost you anything!

 

This is Chris with her dog, Alice.

Autumn is a beautiful time to photograph nature!

We are fortunate to live so close to wilderness areas.

Mt. Olympus Sunset

                              This is a quick study.

                             "Mt. Olympus Sunset"

                                 8" x 8" oil on panel

Light Descending

            Here's a new piece from my landscape series.

                                "Light Descending"

                                18" x 24" oil on panel

Relax With "Family Art Night"

Half the fun of being an artist is sharing the experience with 
people you love. I held a "paint out" at my art studio with one 
of my sons and his family. It was relaxing and so much fun!

We used acrylic paint for easy clean-up. You should try this!

 



 

Autumn in a Silver Bowl

I wanted to combine an image of something natural with an object 

that was man-made and elegant. Voila! Autumn leaves in a silver bowl.

  "Autumn Leaves in a Silver Bowl"

     18" x 24" oil on panel

Blog Hop - An Online Adventure!

 A couple of weeks ago, a friend and fellow artist, Brienne Brown (a fabulous watercolorist), asked me to be part of an "Art Blog Hop." It sounded like fun! So, here is how it works: Brienne posts on her blog and links to my blog (along with two other artists), introducing us to her readers and followers. Then she answers some questions about her own artwork.

In turn, I get to do the same; answer some hard questions and introduce you to 3 other artists of my choice...linking you to their blogs. This is a way for all of us to meet new artists and expand our art world. So, here it goes:

How does my creative process work?
I prefer painting directly from life because I can observe and appreciate the subtle colors and values of the real world that a camera cannot capture, but sometimes I do use a camera...in the case of pets, little children or bad weather when I am plein air painting. 

Setting up a still life in my studio is a favorite challenge of mine. Sometimes I want to complete the work á la prima by capturing the essence of my subject all in one session. This encourages me to simplify my presentation and learn to paint quickly and intuitively.

Other times, I want to focus on the details, and I strive to include every tiny feature of my subject into the painting. This requires many sessions and a detailed examination of my subject. To me, this can be as rewarding as a science experiment!

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I like to zoom in and capture an intimate view of my subject. Yes, I have painted plenty of traditional views - but the close-ups are my favorite. I would rather paint a single blossom than an entire garden or a pine cone instead of a pine tree. I love to use strong color and employ energetic brushwork. 

On what projects am I working?

I have recently started doing more work with a palette knife because of the boldness and vitality it introduces into a painting. Currently I’m working on a landscape series of local scenes here in Utah.

Why do I create artwork?

I simply cannot stop. It’s my passion. I have always been an artist and will likely go to my grave with a brush in my hand. Besides, on those rare occasions when I must delay my work, my family reminds me that I need to paint (maybe I get grumpy).

Now, the fun part: I’d like to introduce two other artists to you!

My good friend, Colleen Howe Bleinburger is a local artist here in Utah. I met her when I moved into the Rockwood Art Studios in Sugar House (her studio was across the hallway from mine). Her work is full of light and color. She captures the rhythm of nature in a soft and romantic way. Working in both oil and pastel, she renders beautiful paintings of rural farmland and outdoor landscape. She’s also an excellent teacher and blogs about her workshops and current projects. I think you’ll like her work!



Renon Hulet resides here in Salt Lake City. I met her through the Intermountain Society of Artists. Her lively work is evident when you browse her blog. Working in acrylic and oil, she paints landscape, people and architecture in a bright, sassy way. She also throws “Painting Parties” for Corporate Team Building, Girls Night Out, Family Reunions and the like! She also teaches art classes in her studio. check out her blog.

That’s it!  You’ve just been introduced to two wonderful artists! Perhaps this will inspire you to keep painting and growing as an artist!

Plein Air Paradise: Spring City, Utah!

Where can a plein air painter experience a 4-day thrill of stiff painting competition, surround themselves with beautiful scenery and share the camaraderie of other artists?

You guessed it...Spring City, Utah!

Here are some pictures of the town, the people and this year's plein air event. To get a feel for the action, scroll down and watch the video clips too.

 

Nestled in the rolling farm hills of Central Utah, Spring City is alive with the gentle sounds of lowing cattle, baaing sheep and crowing roosters (although at 6:00 am it's surprising how loud those animals can be). Spring City is one of the two cities recognized nationally as "historic cities" (Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia is the other city).

 

I stayed in the historically renovated home/art studio of Susan Gallacher. Susan has thoughtfully furnished her home with authentic antiques that reflect the style of the early Utah settlers.

Here's the bedroom, the living room and the dining room.

 

 

 

Thursday evening, we met at the home of Chris and Allison Anderson for a 

"welcome artists" bar-be-cue. Their home, barn and grounds were spectacular! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday morning, I began a painting of the "Senker House" along Main Street.

 

While I was painting, the owner of the house came out and 

brought me an ice-cold glass of lemon tea (his own 

special recipe)...a friendliness typical of the townsfolk here!

 

When I finished my painting, Mr. Senker came out to look at my work 

and accidentally left the gate open. His mare "Freckles" bolted out and 

kicked up her heels through the streets of Spring City until a kind 

neighbor brought her back home.

Friday morning brought another round of outdoor painting.  A cowboy 

and his horse modeled for some of the artists.

 

 

I decided to paint a portrait of Susan Gallacher while she painted the horse and 

cowboy.  I observed her for a few minutes and then determined that the only 

consistent pose she maintained was when she leaned back to study her canvas.

Friday evening, all the plein air work was turned in at the Main Street Gallery.

 

  Bryan Mark Taylor was the judge for the competition. After an award ceremony and a scrumptious buffet, Bryan gave a painting demonstration with tips and pointers 

for plein air painting.

 

This is Bryan's block-in from the demo.

Later that night, several artists gathered on Susan Gallacher's front porch to relax.  

Steve and Greg played the guitar and there was plenty of laughter and singing.

 

"Das Cafe" is an awesome place to eat breakfast and lunch in Spring City! If you want 

good German cooking, you'll find it there! The walls are painted a sunny color,  

the food is terrific and the owner/operator couldn't be more gracious.

 

The kitchen is right in plain sight and you can watch the ladies do their magic as they cook!

Here's Tom Howard putting the finishing touches on his painting.

At the end of a fabulous week of painting, the locals and the remaining artists 

gathered together for another bar-be-cue and a barn dance. Holy cow!

These people can throw a party!!!

 

 

 

 

 

There was even a homemade zip-line!

 

After dinner, most folks went into the barn to dance.  

 

 A huge thank you to Chris Anderson and many others from Spring City who contributed 

to the success of this annual celebration. It was extraordinary and inspiring to see 

the tremendous support that this community has for the visual arts!