Gouache Workshop 2015

Today was the Winslow Art Center Gouache Workshop and.....

.....some of you were able to be there to create beautiful pieces of art.  We got a wall full of paintings and didn't even get them all up for the photo.

This was the demo I did to help cement the concept of painting the big shapes before putting in the 'do-dads'....and using a big brush.  Except for the four individual grapes, the whole painting was done with a one inch flat.  Everyone seemed to get the idea because the last paintings of the day were definitely strong artistic statements.

Here is the wall full of color:

Such a committed crew.....even if they had a hard time pronouncing 'gouache'.  

'Deanna's Sunflowers' and 'Pine Street'

Gouache is not one of your Grandmother's hot dishes....

   It's actually a great art medium, blending the best of watercolor and oil painting.....AND I'm teaching a workshop on it this Saturday.  The materials are already purchased so you only have to bring your live body and have fun.  Here is a link to the Winslow Art Center to find out more and sign up.  The materials fee will be about $25.

I find gouache one of the more liberating artistic mediums.  It is really just watercolor with calcium carbonate added to make it opaque when you paint thick....but when you paint thin it can create all that watercolor transparency and movement.   For me it encourages experimentation and rapid execution of pieces.  Make all the mistakes you want and just keep going.

Here is a simpler way to use it through using toned paper, a marker pen, some toned markers and a bit of white gouache.  Magic.  Did it today walking back to the ferry from getting some art supplies in Seattle.

 
It looks far more complicated than it really was to do.  Those touches of gouache make everything sparkle.  Come join us and have some fun learning a new and simpler way to create!

Mask With Red Vase, 10x12

2015......

......came sneaking in almost under my radar.  I could have sworn it was 2012 a couple of months ago, and as to 2013 and 2014, did they really happen?  Since I must be going through life a little asleep it's time for a change.....but What? I ask.

Well, one change is happening without even thinking much about it.  My art is re-forming itself.  I think it had to do with having pneumonia, but it may have been Italy or painting more in the summer or who knows.  'Experiment' is in the air.

Take this mysterious little painting.  I was over at a friends house varnishing a portrait she had acquired from me when I spied this in the room.  It needed to be painted, despite not really having an artistic objective or point except that 'I liked it'.

That's what's happening.  Painting just for painting's sake, watching the strokes go on and the color harmonies form with little regard to making form or composition or having something that could be sold or whether anyone will like it.  It think 'Play' might be the word.

Who knows where this will go.....but this is the year to let more of it happen and see.

Upcoming Teaching schedule at the Winslow Art Center:
  Weekly Painting Class Session I.  Open to Oil, Acrylic, Gouache, Pastel.  January 13th to Feb 10th on Tuesdays, 9:30 to 2:30, open studio until 4:30.
  Gouache Workshop. January 31st, 9:30 to 4:00.
  Weekly Painting Class Session II.  Open to Oil, Acrylic, Gouache, Pastel.  February 24th to March 24th on Tuesdays, 9:30 to 2:30, open studio until 4:30. 
  Portrait Workshop.  March 7th and 8th, 9:30 to 4:00.
  Marker Workshop.  March 21st, 9:30 to 4:00.

Here's to an artistic 2015!

LOOK HERE:  Just after I finished this blog entry I ran across a blog post from Marc Hanson, terrific landscape artist....well, mostly landscapes.  He writes a very good article about his own ideas about beginning the new year with a 'breakout'.  Worth your read HERE.