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Spring Pentaculum 2024 – Arrowmont
I was honored that Mark Errol invited me to Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts for their #springpentaculum2024 . My idea for the residency was to spend the week studying the ‘boneyard’; a library of unglazed pots that have been left behind by previous instructors. When I took this photo, i had just arrived and had a combination of ‘imposter syndrome’ and being a child in a candy store: so many beautiful ceramic objects to explore!!!
It’s impossible to summarize all the growth that I experienced during that week with a social media post, but I’ll just say, the magic of Arrowmont is something you need to experience in person.
I learned a lot about throwing last week at Arrowmont and made a ”few” New forms. I tried to give as many as I could away, but still have these to deal with. They have been fired once, so I can’t use the underglaze techniques Im familiar with. Time for glaze experiments!!!!
A quick plein air study of the ‘boneyard’ at Arrowmont. They have an impressive collection of unglazed pottery that was made by previous instructors–it’s a learning tool for future students (like me!)
More important than the things I learned was the amazing artists I met and now consider friends!
A million thanks to Mark and Arrowmont for this opportunity!
Lucky Kentucky Derby Cup
it started with this post on social media:
I can’t make any guarantees, but we can all agree, whoever owns this handmade porcelain cup will most likely have the winning horse at tomorrows Derby. If nothing else, they will have a beautiful handmade and functional work of art.
Followed by Kristina Cox being the big winner and owns the lucky horse cup! Thank you so much for your support, and best luck with tomorrow’s derby!!!
I ‘might’ have been bluffing, but it turns out, the Kentucky Derby cup had magic powers all along!!
Painting With Friends – Federal Hill – 1 May 2024
painting from life – step 1 – work out the composition and values: no colors
step 2 – figure out what colors you want to use, and get them all on the painting- light is changing fast, so you want to capture the moment
step 3 – work out details and keep painting until its finished, OR the light has changed so much its nothing like the painting
every days a good day when you paint
-Bob Ross
every day is even BETTER when you paint with FRIENDS!!!
-Ken and Dawn Kincaid
Dawn’s painting
Federal Hill
8×10”
oil on canvas
My painting!!!
Federal Hill
6×8”
Oil on Canvas
We chose to paint Federal Hill to bring an artistic flair to the upcoming event to help raise funds to restore the historic property.
Some work local artists (left to right)
Sue Ellen Gorman, Dawn Kincaid, Ken Tucky Swinson + Ruvonna Bevard. Hope you can come see the paintings on 11 May at the event!Supporting the Preservation of Federal Hill with Art
Making block print notecards with my dear friend, Barb Clarke. The cards will be offered as part of a fundraiser on may 11 at federal hill in old Washington. The historic property will be open to the public with tours and activities.
I also made some cups
and donated this original oil painting
All proceeds will go toward helping with the restoration of the building. Hope you can make it!
Cincinnati Art Club Sketch Group 30 April 2024
I’ve been studying the portrait and figure on Mondays at the Cincinnati art club…drawing from life (no cameras, transfers, technology or ai). I don’t really want to do portraits, but I DO want to keep improving my craftsmanship as an artist. With the human form, measurements have to be right—they aren’t forgiving like trees or other shapes in nature.
I didn’t achieve a 100%likeness but it’s close. looking back at my sketches since joining the group, it’s amazing how much I have improved. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity.
If you think you have ‘plateaued’ as an artist, I encourage you to keep pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. There is always something new to learn.
First Irises – plein Air 29 April 2024
The evening light is so pretty–and dramatic. Lighting up these seasonally early irises that popped up in my yard.
as if flowers aren’t already hard—oh the translucence of the sun shining through
Here’s the underpainting – i have to work fast while the sun is setting–no time for a composition sketch
I am looking towards the sun, so color choices are really tricky, but I think i have something that will work
oh my gosh!!! that was crazy and fun!!! Painting while looking towards the sun–talk about a chaos palette!!!
First Irises 2024
6×8″ oil on board
Painted by direct observation:
no photos, technology or Ai used
Poppies – Plein air 28 April 2024
To celebrate a beautiful morning, I’m going to try and capture the vibrance and joy of these poppies. I’ll work from direct observation: no photos, no technology, absolutely zero ai.
i scratched out a simple composition…I like the cluster of poppies in the foreground, then tall blades of grass, and poppies in the distance. A bee is floating between the different flowers. stay tuned to see if miss b makes the cut
All my big panels are in my studio, but I was lucky to have some little 6x8s laying around in my car. For this underpainting, I’ve used my biggest brush -to keep from getting lost in details…on my smallest panel size. it might not make sense right now, but color is what will hold this painting together…that’s the next step!!! Stay tuned!
Maybe it would be easier to work from a photo. the flowers are Constantly moving, blowing with the wind…and then the SUN moves too1-changing everything. But there is nothing like being outside + a part of the world I am trying to capture with paint. I *think* I have a color scheme worked out, but it keeps changing: at this point, I’m going to trust my eyes, and go with it!
the wind decided to obliterate one of my models!!!! oh the carnage!!!
Well, im truly a Sunday painter! What a nice way to start the day! In nature with my paints (and Facebook friends!!!). Hope you all have a great day! Pop goes the poppy!! 6×8 oil on panel
Tulip Time! plein air 25 April 2024
Good evening! theres Nothing like the warm late afternoon sunshine. Going to try and capture it (and these tulips) with some oil paint!
afternoon light changes fast, so no time to fuss around. Here’s my composition-let’s get it started!
Values (dark and light) worked out. Time for color! This painting is all about the bright yellow flowers, so all decisions made will be to support that yellow.
I have a color scheme worked out…now it’s all about the details…and a race to get them on the board before the sun gets any lower
I have a color scheme worked out…now it’s all about the details…and a race to get them on the board before the sun gets any lower
As if the quickly changing evening sun isn’t challenge enough: NOBODY TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO CLOSE THEIR PETALS ONCE THE SUN WENT DOWN!!!! That was a surprise! Well, regardless, I had a wonderful time painting from direct observation: no photos, no tech, no ai: is nothing like working from life…bugs and all!!! Clever titles welcome – oil on board, 6×12”
Asparagus – plein air 24 April 2024
It’s lunch time, and these asparagus are ready to eat! It’s been a good year for asparagus so far, so I want to celebrate the bounty with a painting!
I have a composition worked out. The drawing on the left is close to the values (dark and light) I want to capture, but the sketch on the right is closer to the composition I want. I want to emphasize the height of the asparagus. A panoramic proportioned board will help. Ok painting time!
The underpainting is roughed out. I used a combination of yesterday’s leftover paint and some violet and Veridian (green). Now it’s time to put colors in!!!
I have a color scheme worked out. A lot of artists find GREEN to one of the more difficult colors to mix. Well, this is a green plant with a green background. I’m living my dream, and I am the one who picked this subject, so will try not to be a crybaby and complain.
Ok! That’s a wrap!!! I really want to title this “kiss my asparagus” what do you think? 6×12” oil on board
Yellow Tulips – Plein Air 23 April 2024
Hi there! It’s been awhile since we’ve painted live. These tulips arent going to get any prettier, so let’s paint them today!!!
Worked out a few thumbnail sketches…going to go with the bottom left sketch. Let’s paint!
The underpainting…boy is it windy!!! Let’s get some color on the panel!
Some color down…now to work the colors into a harmony without losing my mind
My painting buddy says he thinks it looks good enough. I think he just wants to get out of this wind. A few more touches and it’ll be finished!
Threes company 6×8”
oil on panel