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.

Tennessee Watercolor Society's 31st Exhibition

"Fuji Reflections", introduced in my first blog last December, 2007, was selected to be one of sixty paintings in the 31st Biennial Watercolor Exhibition of the Tennessee Watercolor Society. The juror, Cheng-Khee Chee, had the task of selecting only sixty pieces of art from over 200 entries. His careful determinations resulted in a beautiful watermedia show.

I first became aware of the Tennessee Watercolor Society when I visited the 30th Biennial Exhibit in Clarksville, Tennessee in 2006. I was impressed by the quality of paintings I saw there. I decided that I wanted to be a part of the group. I have been a member since then. It was a pleasure to be a background participant, helping to present a beautiful display of watercolor.

TnWS is a statewide watercolor organization with five chapters throughout the state of Tennessee. The Biennial exhibits rotate among the five chapters. 2008 is Knoxville's turn to host the show. The 2006 Biennial was hosted by the Nashville Chapter in Clarksville; the 2010 Biennial will be in Chattanooga.

Please "Google" for more information about the exhibits and artists of the Tennessee Watercolor Society.

The Busy Month of May

Clematis, image 28" X 20"; framed 36" X 28".

"The Wonder of a Balloon" , featuring fifteen-month-old Jessica.

Jessica at nine months of age, shown with her mother.

The next set of photos are of Angella in a dress featuring McDonald products and logos.

Front view

Side view

Back view

This May I painted and framed two new watercolors, "Clematis" and "The Wonder of a Balloon". "Clematis " is a large painting, 36" X 28". "The Wonder of a Balloon" is a smaller painting of a charming fifteen-month-old toddler who was fascinated with a birthday party balloon. I had painted little Jessica with her mother a few months earlier. She has become a favorite model.

I spent four days with artist friends at Oak Haven Lodge in Sevierville, Tennessee. Three of those days involved painting scenes of the Smokies. Plein-aire painting is a challenge I have set as one of my goals.

A family project in May was the creation of a dress for my daughter-in-law, Angella, to model in a church fund-raiser. The theme for the dress was McDonald products. Materials were collected from a couple of local McDonald establishments. The images were enlarged using my scanner and computer, then cut out and attached to the dress with contact cement. Angella designed the jewelry to complete the costume. This was great famly fun and we all enjoyed the results. Enjoy my merry month of May.

April 2008

Birthday portraits:

Granddaughter, Dacey, soon to be twenty-one!

Granddaughter, Jenna. The portrait is for her mother's birthday.

This is my youngest granddaughter, Kimberly, who just turned eleven.

This is Jasmine, known as "Jazz", my daughter-in-law's constant companion.

This is a recent flower painting, "Camellia".

April is almost over and I have not posted anything. I have been painting some family portraits and I have just framed a new flower painting. The portraits are of granddaughters and a grand-dog. These portraits are birthday gifts for my daughter-in-law and two of my granddaughters. The flower is a Camellia. Painting flowers is like eating comfort food. I like to savor one every once in awhile. I am currently working on two more paintings and helping the Knoxville chapter of the Tennessee Watercolor Society. The TnWS 31st Exhibition will open in June, 2008. Look for news of that exhibition in future posts.

An Award!

Remember this painting? It is called "Tree Study". I photographed the huge tree when I visited Blowing Rock in North Carolina. I used a portion of the tree for my painting. It was shown on my January post after I sent a slide of it off to the Texas Watercolor Society. I was very happy when the juror, Jeanne Dobie, accepted it for the TWS 59th Annual Exhibit. This afternoon I heard from the Texas Watercolor Society. I was informed that I had won the Bronze Award for transparent watercolor. The award includes a lovely bronze medallion and a check for $1000. I have not yet come down from Cloud Nine. I like it up here and may stay for awhile.

My Paintings at the Art Market Gallery

The five paintings shown here are featured this month of March at the Art Market Gallery in downtown Knoxville, TN. Visit http://www.artmarketgallery.net/ for an overview of the gallery.


White Phalaenopsis was shown in an earlier blog. View January: Five Orchid Paintings.

This White Orchid painting was also posted in January's blog: Five Orchid Paintings

This is Lace Cap Hydrangeas. $600. plus shipping

Sunlit Grapes has been shown in three national exhibits: Watercolor West, California Watercolor Association, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. It won Best of Show at the Palm Springs Desert Museum.

The Silver Pitcher was painted because I like reflections. I bought the shining pitcher solely to use in still life set-ups. This is the first time I used it. It also can be seen in my very first blog, December 2007: "Fuji Reflections". Contact me at genieven@gmail.com if any of these paintings interest you. Leave an comment. It is easy to do.

Featured Artist of March

The Magnolia painting on the easel welcomes guests to the Art Market Gallery

The Featured Artist Wall shows five of my paintings and the ceramics of Erline McKay I have been a member of this beautiful cooperative gallery in downtown Knoxville since August, 2007. Each month two of our artist members are featured, one is a 2-D artist and the other is a 3-D artist. On the first Friday of each month the gallery stays open until 9:30 PM and offers hors d'oeuvres, wine, and music for our guests. This has become a very popular happening. We draw 500 - 600 guests on that night. Visit http://www.artmarketgallery.net/ for a view of the gallery and the work of some of the members.

Beginning a New Year

"Cleo" is a painting I shipped to Jenna Mandis, my oldest granddaughter. A few years ago she
took a photograph of this feline member of the family. I liked the light pattern and asked to borrow her photograph for a painting. I am pleased with the result. Some of the things that please me are the dramatic light pattern, the color harmony, the treatment of the fabric, and the rim lighting that traces the back of the cat. This painting now belongs to Jenna.

This is "Tree Study", the painting I shipped to the Texas Watercolor Society's 59th Annual Exhibit. Having the juror, Jeanne Dobie, select it means a great deal to me.

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After my December trip to California for my birthday and a busy holiday season here in Knoxville I had to get back to the responsibilities of daily life. The first two weeks of 2008 were filled with many necessary chores. My art related activities included taking down an exhibit of twenty paintings from the Schilling Gallery of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, picking up paintings from the Tennessee Art Association show and the Arts and Cultural Alliance juried exhibit, and trying to find wall space at home for the twenty-two retrieved paintings. I spent a day at the Art Market Gallery, taking my turn as a member of our beautiful coop facility. I gave a presentation at the Knoxville Watercolor Society meeting, explaining my method of composing and transferring a subject to paper. I packaged and shipped two paintings, one to the Texas Watercolor Society juried exhibit, and one to a granddaughter in Los Gatos, CA. I was without my car for a couple of days while a needed tune-up was performed and I shopped on the Internet for a new printer. Both the car and the printer are very necessary items in my life. Now that my car is running smoothly and the new printer is functioning efficiently, I can resume a more normal schedule in the few remaining days of January .

Five Orchid Paintings

White Phalaenopsis
$600. plus shipping

Orchid Fiesta

$900. plus shipping

White Orchid

$700. plus shipping

Cymbidium Duo

$700. plus shipping
SOLD

Cymbidium Cluster

$700. plus shipping

The source for these orchid paintings was the St. Louis Botanical Garden orchid shows. Every year while living in St. Louis I visited the beautiful displays and took photos for reference. When ready to plan a painting, I had many decisions to make. For three of these paintings: White Orchid, Cymbidium Duo, and Cymbidium Cluster, I chose to make a simple statement. I wanted to feature the blossoms against an uncluttered background. In order to do this I used Frisk Film, a clear covering which airbrush painters use to cover and protect portions of their compositions while applying paint. As a watercolor painter I had to take another step. I had to seal the edges of the Frisk Film so that watercolor would not seep under the film and ruin the orchid image. This required a tedious application of liquid frisket around the edges of the Frisk Film. Once the flower image was protected, I was able to freely apply numerous layers of watercolor pigment to the background area in order to get the color gradation I wanted for each painting. I learned this method from a Santa Cruz, CA. artist, Elizabeth Kincaid, during a three-day workshop. Her watercolors show a masterful use of Frisket and Frisk Film.

The dimensions of the five orchid paintings:

1. White Phalaenopsis: image 20"x12"; frame 28"x 20"

2. Orchid Fiesta: image 28"x20"; frame 36"x28"

3. White Orchid: image 20"x14"; frame 28"x22"

4. Cymbidium Duo: image 20"x14"; frame 30"x24"

5. Cymbidium Cluster: image 20"x16"; frame 28"x24"

Contact genieven@gmail.com

A Visit to Google December 2007

I went to visit the Google site in Mountain View, CA, with my son, known at Google as Simon Quellen Field. Simon has been with Google for the past four years . He has witnessed its tremendous growth. He was one of a thousand Googlers then. Now there are sixteen thousand members of the Google complex. The buildings, each with gourmet kitchens, micro-kitchens, gyms, child care, and a policy of welcoming pets at work, are designed to provide an idyllic work environment. The result is very impressive. It was a treat for me to see where my son happily spends his time.

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

A view from Montevina Road

Diane, Katelyn, Penny

Jenna and Dacey

My three California "kids" arranged for me to join them in Los Gatos,

California, to celebrate my 80th birthday. It was wonderful to spend time with my three oldest "kids", Glen, Simon, and Diane; my two daughters-in-law, Kathleen and Penny; and three of my granddaughters, Jenna, Dacey, and Katelyn. My graphic-artist daughter, Diane, had selected several photographs from the family albums. She enlarged, mounted, and laminated them. Images of me as an infant, a seventeen-year-old graduate, a bride, and in the multiple roles of helmsperson, charter chef, and snorkeler in the Caribbean became a part of celebration decor throughout the dining room and living room. It was quite an experience to see so many views of oneself.


Kathleen's spirited little dog, Jasmine, and Simon's African Gray Parrot, Corky, were very much a part of the gathering.