"Birch Dishabille"

This is a newly finished watercolor painting of Birch trees. I like the look of the bark as it strips away from the trunk. I call this painting "Birch Dishabille" because the tree looks only partially dressed.

Linda Kemp Workshop

Examples of workshop exercises by Linda Kemp

A dark underpainting with berry detail added

A fern exercise: the initial leaf-like brush strokes (method: touch, press, lift) became the negative shapes between the fern sections. Note the "descriptive" detail on one portion of the fern.

This negative painting design was made over a wet-on-wet underpainting of diagonal strokes

Landscape cartoon #1 Note negative painting to reveal grass shapes

Landscape cartoon #2 Note negative painting to reveal tree trunks

Landsape cartoon #3 Note grass. tree. and mountain shapes

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In the middle of June I attended a very good workshop in Cookeville, Tennessee. The Tennessee Watercolor Society made it possible for artists in our area to experience the negative painting of Canadian artist Linda Kemp

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Most artists are aware of negative painting and use it occasionally in their work. In Linda Kemp's work negative painting is the main focus. She does not paint a positive shape: she paints "around" it to reveal the form. She led us through various exercises. She made it look easy. Her finished pieces are vibrant and exciting. Our simple exercises were struggles. We worked from 9 AM to 4 PM for four days. We took home a stack of unfinished exercises and happy remembrances.
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Linda works on plexi glass. For a wet-on-wet painting the paper is wet on both sides. It sticks to the plexi with no need for tape or staples. An underpainting is made by dipping a large flat brush into one color on one side and on another color on the other side ("double dipping"), then sweeping across the paper either in curved, vertical, horizontal, or diagonal strokes. It may be sprayed with water or splattered to get different effects. The dried underpaintings are the bases for future designs. We were told NOT to look for shapes in the underpaintings. The artist has control and determines what the design will be. Repeat the same colors used in the underpainting.

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We did exercises to illustrate value changes, hue changes, and intensity changes. We practiced simplifying shapes. A leaf could be made with two curving strokes with a large brush. That basic leaf shape would be given a "descriptive "edge by cutting notches with a smaller brush. Landscape shapes became symbols of houses, trees, hills, mountains.
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We did landscape cartoons. Starting with transparent staining pigment, such as raw sienna, we painted a foreground, covering the entire paper. After drying the first layer we painted the next layer using grass strokes that nipped into the foreground color. When the second layer was dry, a third layer was introduced using another simplified landscape feature. Layers repeat in this fashion to make the cartoon of grass, trees, hills, etc. Look at the three examples above.

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Another exercise was with a badger brush, a stiff bristled one-inch brush. Paper was wet on both sides. Then no more water was added. Using two colors on the brush, pigment was pushed downward with the flat of the brush. Successive layers of color were added to make undulating landscape forms. If the brush was too dry to move the pigment, a drop or two of water from the plexi could give enough moisture to continue. It was important not to get the brush too wet. The result is a soft, fused look of rolling hills and valleys. After the paper was dried, landscape shapes could be added.

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The following "Kempisms" were shared by a friend, Francie Entz. We heard these phrases often:

Colors you build with, you finish with

Harmony through unity

If you are naming it, you are probably working in the positive.

Build by value, light to dark, through hue change, intensity change, value change

Shapes and edges tell the story in a negative painting

Shape first, edge second

Captured negatives

The painter is in control of the painting

Touch, press, lift

Start with the thing closest to you

Kill or cure

A book of plans (not sketches)

Double dip

When in doubt, use cerulean

When in doubt, splatter

Don't do something wimpy ...go for it!

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Linda Kemp's book, "Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines ", is very informative. However, to best appreciate the marvelous color in her work, please look for Linda Kemp on the Internet.

Tree Study

Do you remember seeing this tree? It was first introduced in January, 2008, when I sent it to the Texas Watercolor Society. It was selected to be in the exhibition by the juror, Jeanne Dobie. It was a thrill to have an artist I admire select one of my paintings. I showed "Tree Study" on another post in March when I was notified that the painting had won a bronze medal and an impressive check for "Best Transparent Painting" in the Texas Watercolor Society exhibition.

On June 12th when I attended the reception for the Fountain City Art Center's Open Show I was surprised and delighted to see a "Best of Show" ribbon on the "Tree Study" painting.

Before The TWS show and the FCAC show I had entered "Tree Study" in another competition. It was the first time out for a very new painting. It was rejected. I accepted the juror's opinion, but decided to send the painting out into the art world for other reactions. I am so glad I did!

Leo the Lap-Leopard

A few weeks ago I was introduced to "Leo" by Shannon, a family friend. That was the first time I had heard of the Lap-Leopard, or Bengal breed of cat. The breed came from selective breeding of the Asian leopard cat and a domesticated cat through at least four generations. The result is a beautifully marked leopard-looking cat with a mellow, loving, playful personality. As Leo lay draped across Shannon's shoulder, he was purring. If only my painting had sound, you would hear his song

After meeting and painting Leo, I wanted to learn more about the breed. I "googled" and found several sites with good photos of Bengal Cats. The coloration of a Bengal may be brown, snow, or silver. The markings may be typical Leopard spots or a beautiful marbling.

I found many sources of information about the Lap-Leopard/Bengal Cat on the Internet. www.SantaFeCattery.com, www.pet-net.net/surprisevalley/aboutbengals, and www.kittysites/breed/bengal are three sites I "googled". There are many more with great kitty photos.

Introducing Oliver

This is Oliver, my daughter's cat, when he was a kitten. He was sweet, cuddly, and all a kitten should be. This painting was a gift for my daughter's birthday. It hangs in her home in La Crescenta, California. A few weeks ago while sorting through old pictures I found more kitten shots of Oliver. One of the photos captured the moment when he discovered his reflection in a mirror. That moment of challenge had to become a painting. The resulting watercolor is called "En Garde!"

In the past several years Oliver has grown to be a very large, mellow cat. His favorite activities

are eating and sleeping. His sleep is accompanied by a very distinctive Oliver "snore". He shares the afffection of my daughter and grand-daughter with a gentle Blue Merle Sheltie named Strider.

"Apple" and Merrick

The portraits shown on this post are of two African friends from Tanzania The young woman is Apollonia, known to friends as "Apple". Her husband is Merrick. They are the parents of a very young son and are expecting twin girls in a few weeks. The portraits are my gift to this young family. "Apple" is tall and elegant with perfect posture. Her skin is a rich chocolate hue. I think she is a wonderful subject. I would like to paint her again.

When I took photos of Apple, Merrick asked if I would take some of him also. Painting him was a joy. I had never tried to paint dark skin with facial hair. As I painted, I felt I was developing a new friendship with a charming personality.

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More Accepted Paintings

The two paintings shown on this post have been accepted in national exhibitions.

"Persimmon Bounty" was accepted by juror Ted Nuttall to be in the Georgia Watercolor Society's XXX National Exhibition at the Colquitt County Arts Center in Moultrie, Georgia, March 30 to May 25, 2009.

"Fuji Reflection" was selected by juror Laurin McCracken for the 39th International of the Louisiana Watercolor Society at Place St. Charles, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 9-29.


"Persimmon Bounty"

"Fuji Reflection"

Accepted Paintings

"Pre-teen Cool" was acepted by John Salminen to be in the California Watercolor Association 40th National Exhibition at the Presidio, San Francisco. March 18 - May 24, 2009.

"Fuji Reflection II" was selected by Judy Morris to be in the Watercolor Art Society 32nd International Exhibition at the WAS-H Gallery, Houston, March 6 - April 3, 2009.

" Waters of the Smokies II"

"Waters of the Smokies I"

Both of these water paintings were accepted in "InSight of the Smokies", a regional juried art exhibition to honor the 75th anniversary of The Great Smokie Mountains National Park.

"Magnolia III" was accepted by Frank Webb for the Gibson County Visual Arts

Association's Spring Show in Trenton, TN.

The above are four of the shows I have entered this year. I am waiting for the results of four more. If I am fortunate to be accepted, I will place those paintings on the blog as well.

A Portrait of Angella

The painting above is a portrait study of my daughter-in-law, Angella. I enjoyed working on this and hope to do more studies of her in the future.

Waters of the Smokies III

Waters of the Smokies III

The month of January has slipped by without a post on this blog. I have been preoccupied with selecting entries for several watercolor competitions, working on another water scene, and taking care of the obligations of a new year. I am very happy to report that one of my entries sent to the California Watercolor Association was accepted for the 40th National Exhibition to be held March 18 to May 24, 2009, at the Presidio in San Francisco. The juror was John Salminen. He chose my painting, "Pre-teen Cool", introduced in a July, 2008, post.

Yesterday I learned that a second painting, "Fuji Reflection II", has been selected by juror Judy Morris to be in the 32nd International Exhibition of the Watercolor Art Society-Houston March 6-April 3, 2009. "Fuji Reflection II" may be seen on the December, 2008, post.

The painting completed in January is "Waters of the Smokies III". During 2008 I did three other water paintings. Two of them are currently in a juried show at the Art Market Gallery in Knoxville, TN. The new painting is a variation of one done previously. I am pleased with the result.

Another "Fuji Reflection"

In December, 2007, while visiting in Los Gatos, California, I was introduced to blogging. I had an image in my digital camera of a new painting. The painting, Fuji Reflection, became the subject of my first post. A few months later in 2008 the painting was included in the 31st Exhibition of theTennessee Watercolor Exhibition in Knoxville, Tennessee. The juror, Cheng-Khee Chee, chose 60 paintings from the 213 that were submitted. I was very happy to have Fuji Reflection selected as one of the sixty. Look at the December post to view the first Fuji Reflection painting.

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Below is Fuji Reflection II, using the same apples, cloth, and silver pitcher as in Fuji Reflection I. I took many photos of the three Fuji apples, changing the arrangement of the apples and the cloth. The first Fuji painting was simply three apples on the striped tablecloth (see July Blog, A Wonderful Reception). The second painting used the pitcher for reflections The third painting is a variation of components. Those three apples have given me many happy painting hours

Introducing Ninja

This is my cat, Ninja. She is a black domestic short-haired feline, but in her manner she is a diva. She will be ten years old on Valentine's Day, 2009

She began her life with me in Los Gatos, California. In this first picture she has not yet had her first birthday. My sleek black girl loves her comforts. She likes boxes and soft fabrics. She at times is very aloof and at other times very needy. I read her eyes and her body language; she seems to understand many of my words and phrases. She is my treasured companion. Every Christmas season I feature Ninja on a Christmas card. So far there are ten cards.

Young Ninja

Christmas cards featuring Ninja.

Christmas 1999

Christmas 2000

Christmas 2001: Ninja with the Nutcrackers

Christmas 2002: In the Poinsettia forest

Christmas 2003: The snow in St. Louis

Christmas 2004: Cozy in Knoxville

Christmas 2005: Still cozy

Christmas 2006: Ninja in a pear tree

Christmas 2007: A box for Ninja

Merry Christmas 2008: Ninja and the Gingerbread creatures.

Beach Grass at Surfside, South Carolina

A photo taken at Surfside Beach during a week in South Carolina in October was the source for the painting below. The little patch of grass growing in the sand caught my eye. The shadows cast by the grass look like nature's calligraphy making strokes across the sand ripples. That quiet, simple statement is what I found intriguing.

A Visit to South Carolina

I visited Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with two good friends. We were able to see an exhibit of Jonathan Green's paintings at the Franklin G. Burroughs and Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. We were entralled with the big, bold, bright paintings of the Gullah culture. I do not have images of the paintings I saw, but I have found some of Jonathan Green's lithographs on the Chuma Gallery website. I have posted the above images. If you like these paintings, google for information about this artist and look for more of his work. Our discovery of Jonathan Green was a highlight of our trip.

Hola, me llamo Omer!

One of my sons sent me photos of his alpacas and goats. They have joined the collection of exotic birds, fancy chickens, and the resident dog and cat on Montevina Road in Los Gatos, California. Their job is keeping the grassy slopes trimmed. One photogenic alpaca caught my eye. When I saw the quirky expression, the crooked smile, and the wild hair do, I knew I had to paint him. I smiled throughout the painting process. I still smile every time I look at Omer. I call the painting "Hola, me llamo Omer!"

September Highlights

In September I took part in two local open shows. The first was the Oak Ridge Fortieth Annual Open Show. The juror was Victoria Boone, of Boone Arts and Consulting and Belmont Univesity in Nashville, Tennessee. The artwork she selected created a beautiful show. I was honored to receive the "Golden Fig Leaf Award", sponsored by Kathy Holland, for the best figurative work.
The painting that won that award is "The Wonder of a Balloon", shown in my May Blog and shown below.

The second show I entered in September was the Tennessee Artists Association Open Fall Show, juried by Clark Stewart, Professor Emeritus, School of Art, The University of Tennessee. When I attended the reception, I was delighted to find a big First Place ribbon on my painting, "Pre-Teen Cool". This paining was introduced on my July Blog and is shown below.

The new painting shown below is of a grand-daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, and her toddler daughter. Laila is my first great grand-daughter. At my request I was sent many photos of family members who gathered at Salt Point, California, for a reunion. Among the photos was one of Elizabeth and Laila. I like the tender relationship of mother and daughter shown in the unposed snapshot. I painted it as a gift for the family.

Sadie's Persimmon Tree

Sadie's Amaryllis

Sadie's Persimmon Tree

August is here and it is time for another post. A few years ago while living in Northern California a very special lady was part of my life. She was in her early nineties and still kept her own house and garden. Quilting and crocheting were her crafts, but gardening was her special love. Two or three times a month she would call and tell me that something beautiful had bloomed. I would drive to her home with my camera and spend an hour or two visiting and taking pictures of whatever wonder her garden had produced. I have a collection fo photographs of Amaryllis, Christmas cactus, cannas, roses, and fruit trees. Several of the photos became watercolor paintings. A painting of her Amaryllis won a first place prize at the ArtFest in Santa Clara. That painting now belongs to my daughter-in-law, Kathleen. I just finished the second painting. It is of Sadie's Japanese persimmon tree. The tree was so laden with fruit that it had to be propped up. I call the painting "Persimmon Bounty".

"Pre-teen Cool"

Twelve-year-old Jonathan proudly came into my room to show me what he had selected to wear. The combination was the comic relief for the day. I had to record the moment.

Rocks and Water II

Here is another scene from Greenbriar in the Smokie Mountains of Tennessee. I love the water action as it flows and tumbles over the rocks.

A Wonderful Reception

"FUJIS"

On June 27th the Fountain City Art Center held a reception for me and Suzanne Jack. Our paintings are on display at the center until July 27th. I have twenty-seven watercolors in the show; Suzanne has several of her very large, impressive pastels and acrylics.

Fountain City Art Center is a great asset for the community. There are many activities that take place there: monthly featured exhibits, art classes, exhibits of student works and exhibits of the art center members. The receptions are well attended and well supported by the community. The director, Sylvia Williams, gives her meticulous touch to exhibition displays. I was very pleased with the way she presented my paintings.

The guests who came to the reception were very enthusiastic and complimentary about the paintings they saw. They had many questions that I was most happy to answer. Every painting has a story, either about the subject matter or about the way it was created. The two-hour reception was filled with good conversation.

One of my favorite paintings, "Fujis" was purchased by Nan Scott. I have included it in this blog.

Painting Water and Rocks

In a May blog I mentioned spending some time in the Smokies of Tennessee. While there I once again attempted plein aire painting. One of the places I returned to paint is a favorite. It is called Greenbriar. Exciting water tumbles and falls over the rocks as it travels down from Ramsey Cascades. There are possible paintings wherever one looks. I focused on a small section and tried to capture the scene. I also took many digital photos. I used my small painting and a photo to create "Rocks and Water I".

Several months earlier I had visited another area in the Smokies on Roaring Creek Road. My digital camera allowed me to capture a mini cascade in the middle of a stream. The resulting painting is called simply "Mini-Cascade". The rocks are mossy and little flecks of leaves add color.

I am ready to sketch my next water and rocks painting. I am looking forward to it.