Orange & Blue

10 x 8 Oil on Board

I love painting the complementary palette......the orange just pops in this one.

This is one of the times when you need to paint from life

as the elispe is very important to get correct.  Of course I

got to eat the orange after I finished, but it was a little dried out!

Red Shoes Collage

7" x 7" Collage on Paper

What a fun projcet!  I can't remember the last time I had sooooo much

fun with tearing paper and glue!!!!!  As most of you guys know I

have been playing around with collage for a few years......Like the one

of Georgia O'keefe that I did in Sante Fe about 10 years

ago......WOW....how time flies!

Apples in Silver Bowl

8" x 10" Oil on Board

This painting proves you need to paint from life! I sat this still life up

in the Pumfrey's afternoon class....I love all the reflections in  the

silver bowl.....I've been studying a DVD by Patricia Moran.

She doesn't draw the subject on the surface, she blocks in masses of

color......as soft as you can for as long as you can.

I've learned sooooo much, about getting a good start that

will create a great finish.......the ampersand gessoed board that I have been using

makes the brush strokes show without using a great amount of paint.

White Cabbage Rose

10" x 8 " oil on Board

I put this up in the studio just because I didn't like something about it....it didn't feel

right!  Guess What! The sides were off, so in class Wednesday afternoon

I corrected the pitcher and now I know it's finished!

White Cabage Rose

8" x 10" Oil on Panel

I set this still life up in the Pumfrey's oil class at the Beach Art Center.  The past couple of weeks

I have been painting on canvas, but the texture of the canvas make the brush drag

and I don't get those loose impressionist strokes.  The gesso panels

are wonderful, they let you lay down one stroke and the brush hairs show.  I use

a soft synthetic flat brush.  The small detail is done with a small

round synthetic brush.

Back Porch

12" x 12" Oil on Canvas

This was a challenge to get the whites without being chalky.....I need to let it

rest for a few days .....I have been using Jerry's painting book to study

his palette, plus his value range using the high key side of the value scale.

Purple Vase

12" x 12" Oil on Canvas

Painting in the impressionist style is soooooooo much FUN!  I've been studying

William Schultz, Brackman, Frederick Carl Frieseke and my all time favorite

 Frank W. Benson all American impressionist. 

I have discovered that they all talk about " The Mechanics of Painting" 

the 5 Steps that Jerry Fresia uses.  Each having a different twist.

Beach Buddy

11" x 14" Transparent Watercolor

Beach Buddy

My little beach buddy will be taught at the Beach Art Center on

March 15th, Thursday morning Make it Take It class

This little guy was my first one of many kids on the

beach.  What fun!  He could be anyone's

grandson!  Hope to see you in class......

Haddie Girl

11" x 14" Transparent Watercolor on Paper

I just finished this one!  Reminds me of my Great Granddaughter, Haddie Girl......

so that's where the name came from.  This project will be taught at

 the Beach Art Center the first two weeks of April.

Just love all the primary colors.....

White Vase & Flowers

8" x 10" Oil on Board

As many of you know I'm schedule to take a workshop on Lake Como next

fall with Jerry Fresia ( http://www.fresia.com/ ).  He also has a 3 minute video on

You Tube and a wonderful instrucitonal book, plus two small books of his

 paintings.......Wednesday afternoon in the Pumprey's class I copied

one of his paintings .....just to get the feel of what his brush

strokes felt like....what an eye opening experience.  I painted it in

one hour on a Masonite board with a soft hair brush.  I first scumbled

in the dark and middle values per his instructions. The squinting thing

is sooooo important......this morning I actually used my computer to

blur the image.....this is a great help in seeing the dark, middle and light shapes. 

Correction!!!!!

The Birds will be taught the last two weeks of March......I think I'm having tooooooo many senior moments!!!!!  Sorry!!!!!

Florida Birds

11" x 14" Watercolor on Paper

This is a new class projects that will be taught at the Beach Art Center

the last two Wednesday in March.  My friend and student Nancy took this

photograph and wanted to see how I would go about deciding colors, composition

and how to paint the overall painting.

Beach Chair

11" x 11" Transparent Watercolor

The scheduled Make It Take It for Thursday, Feb 23 has been

canceled due to scheduling at the Beach Art Center.

This will be the project for Thursday, March 1, 2012.....

Make it Take it - Beach Art Center

Make it Take it Fridays

Has moved to Thursday

Due to special workhop schedule

Thursday, Feburary 9th, 2012

Impatience 11" x 11"

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Clematis 11" x  11"

Please contact

Beach Art Center

Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785

or

Call 727 596 4331



White Gerber Daisies

12" x 12" on Oil on Canvas

This is a painting I started last year.  I didn't like the first run at it

so I decided to work on it again......I have been known to do this to

watercolors, but oil can be re-worked too!

As you know from my previous post Dick & I are planning a trip to Europe for our

25th Anniversary.  We booked the rsvp last night! Yea! Yea!  We will be going in late September, first to

the workshop on Lake Como with Jerry Fresia, an American impressionist who studied with

William Schultz, who studied with Robert Brackman who, in turn, studied with Robert Henri, an American who studied in Paris during the 1880's.  He was also a distant cousin of Mary Cassatt, and as you know worked closely with Edgar Degas.  Robert Henri also studied with Ivan Olinsky, who studied with John Singer  Sargent.  Sargent was very close to Claude Monet and James McNeil Whistler.  I plan on studying several artist who studied with Hawthorn who took over for Henri at the Cape Cod School.  Susan Sarback, Lois Griffel and Camille Prsewodek are students of that school.  

My David Leffel Workshop

Begin each day as if it were on purpose!
Maryanne Radmacher

I received an email that David has a broken knee cap, so the workshop for February

was cancelled!!!!!!! Oh, My!!!!!

but

Dick and I have been planning a trip to Europe for our 25th wedding anniversary......so in comes Lake Como and Jerry Fresia......he is an American artist/teacher from Chicago who studied with

William Schultz who studied with one of Monet's students....so in comes my new workshop.

I have Jerry's book (blurb), I love the way he starts a painting (he has a 3 minute demo on you tube) with his

technique of doing a small still life.

If you put it out into the Universe, it may just happen....the new plan is to go on a

barge trip in Europe and then a workshop for a week on Lake Como....he has several openings

in September....once we book the barge I will give you the week

maybe you could join us!  Wouldn't that be a dream trip?



Martha Jane Kirk Slone Dec 9, 1927 - January 14, 2012

My Mom was 85 years old, she had breast cancer 43 years ago, after 30 days of cobalt (radiation that couldn't be measured)....I was told by a doctor at the James that no one has lived this long with that much cobalt....she was a fighter and very strong women.  My daughter, my brother and myself were with her in her home, in her bed, so she got her wish.  I was happy I was there to say goodbye.....

She leaves a wonderful family behind, we will all miss her!Five (5) generations - Left Judah, Brittney, Me, Mom, Kim, and Haddie in the middle.

Brit & Little Levi

Haddie & Rae-Rae

Judah

Mal getting a kiss from Brit

Kim

Drew & baby Levi

These are a few pictures of my family......grand kids and great grand kids....

how lucky am I?

Fall Pear

Fall Pear Oil 8" x 10"

Class Project Dan Edmondson

This painting for me was all about mixing those fall colors of yellows, reds and oranges.  I had to add a couple of layers of paint to get the bright colors.  I still haven't got the lighting worked out in the studio....but it felt great being back in the class.  Looking forward to painting with Judy & Larry on Wednesday....Life is Good

Happiness flourishes in the secret garden of our Soul...

George Eliot (aka Mary Anne Evans)

Telling a Story

11" x 14" Collage

This is one of my all time favorite pieces.....Dick & I were out in Santa Fe, NM, staying at our favorite camp ground.....I had just finished a painting of the "Dough Boy" a sepia painting from an old photograph that was published in the Hertiage Magazine in Lancaster, Ohio.  When I finished the piece it didn't tell the story I really want it to tell.  That particular morning the Sante Fe Newspaper had an article about a lost exhibit of Georgia O'Keefe  at a collage on the east coast.  This was a story ready to be told using a collage technique.....Just think of your family story....pictures of your grand parents, memorabilia from school, the list can go on forever. This painting has had a life of it's own....from being in a couple of magazines to Royal &Langnickel Brush Company using  it on the packaging for a beginning watercolor kit.  

I've always had the desire to have my painting to tell a story.  When I visit a museum I look at all the wonderful pieces thinking of their story.  As one of the goals for this coming year I want my art to tell a story.......What do you want your art to do this year?

Happy New Year!

8x10 Batik on Rice paper

Quote for the Day by President Bill Clinton:

"Nothing big ever came from being small."

This was a fun project......Kathie George is the owner of the design.....she is a not only a wonderful teacher but a great friend.  I have always wanted to play around with her batik style but never took the time....so over the holidays I took the time....what fun!....but way too much work.  I now really appreciate what she does....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season....mine was wonderful all of my grandkids and great grandkids were home.....we are now back in Florida.  Yea!  Yea!  Warm sunny days....I'm getting ready to teach starting next week, Wednesday, January 11th.....plus I will have a make it take it on Friday, January 20th.

Daniel Edmondson Still Life Project #1

Oranges & Grapes

This is my first project in the still life workshop

of Daniel Edmondson....I sent it off for

critique this morning.....I'm not real happy

with the leaves, but we will see!



Levi Paul Stasi

This is my third great grand child!  He arrived about 5:30pm November 9th.....can't wait to see more photographs......

November Newsletter

This months focus in the newsletter is all about drawing with a "Sight Size Method"....it's the old world masters technique.  It really gives you an acurate drawing.  The photographs are the steps for setting up, placement of the easel, actual looking at the sight size, and the markings.  If you want a copy of the newsletter.....let me know!

Sunny Florida

In Full Bloom

11" x 11"

Step by Step Instructions available on my web site

http://www.maryspires.com/

My Landscape Workshop #2

I received my critique over the week end.....I just can't believe how fast he does the critique.  He like the snow painting and only had one suggestion, add a little more light on the right bank of the water.  I'm really looking forward to starting the Still Life Workshop next week.  I hope to do this workshop along with the landscape workshop.  I made it to the dentist yesterday (morning and afternoon).  We are planning on getting everything finished in 3 weeks so we can go to Ohio for Thanksgiving.  My granddson is here until Saturday, spending a lot of time at the beach.  He going to move to Jacksonville this weekend, starting school the first of January.  Soooooo nice having him in the state!

New Snow #2 Project

New Snow 8x10

This is  my second project in my on line workshop class with Daniel Edmondson http://www.oilpaintingworkshop.com/     .....this was a lesson in mixing "whites".  One of the most interesting things is how blue the snow is in shadow, I had about 6 puddles white....this reminded me of the color mixes "mouse colors" of Jean Dobbie's in Making Color Sing.  We are in the process of getting ready to go to Florida for a couple of weeks.  My game plan is to start working on the Still Life Workshop....I just love the first project. 

The November Newsletter is almost complete.....I've done quite a bit of research on the "Sight Size Drawing Method", I even purchased a DVD with Judith Kudlow.  I sat up a still life and maped out the design.  It a challenge, but once you get going it's a lot of fun......it really makes you look at your subject in relationship to the placement on the canvas.

Got My Critique Today!

I can't believe the turn around time that Daniel Edmondson did on my critique.....I email the photograph (like I said way to much color) on Monday and I received a 5 minute video!  WOW! I'm truly impressed......I also received a 4 minute video on photographing oil painting indoor.  I plan on trying it tomorrow.  Stayed Tune!

We are in the process of getting ready to go to the condo for 2 or 3 weeks so I can get my dental work finished.....as many of you know...I had to have a new cap, but had to return home because of my mother...so 6 months later we hope to get the process finished.

I also received my new project for this week which is a winter scene.....I've had a brief view of the video today, so I'm hoping I can watch it from start to finish tonight.....probably won't get painting time in before we leave, but I can paint it in my head........Monet made a quote one time about he painted the picture in his head first........ 

Back to School!

8x10 on Canvas Board

(this photo has the color more intense that it really is)

One way to get better at painting is to take a workshop.....I've signed up for 2 more besides the one with David A Leffel.  Recently I was surfing the net (I've been doing more of that than I should) and came across a blog that I've watched off and on for the past couple of years.  Daniel Edmondson has a couple of on line workshops using Video's with a step by step method.  You sign up, he sends you an email with the video link plus the photograph.  The really great part of this is you get the DVD in about a week in the mail.  I signed up for the Landscape first then decided to do the still life also (he's running a special).  I have to say this is a great workshop. You can go at your own pace, so if it's a busy week you just do the class the next week.  You also get to send emails with questions plus a critique once the project is finished.  He will send a video or email critique......what can be better than this?

This is the first project, the video is about 90 minutes and he really explains his process, plus what he's thinking..........I used a lot of palette knife which is very new for me....I did most of the rocks.  His workshop web site is http://www.oilpaintingworkshop.com/ you can also see his work on his web site http://www.danieledmondson.com/

Notes on Chiaroscuro

Since my last post I've had lots of stuff going on!  A few of the girls and I spent a couple of days in the Hocking Hills....painting, eating really great food and in general having a great time!  My car (new van) has been in the shop for 3 weeks trying to get a new engine.....hopefully I will be able to pick it up tomorrow.  I'm visiting my Mom in West Virginia (arriving at 8 am this moring, I left my home at 4:30 am! ).....she is still very ill and has had a mini stroke this morning. 

I have registarted for  a 10 week online workshop with Daniel Edmondson, http://www.oilpaintingworkshop.com/....I read about him from one of the artist on the Daily Paint Works Blog.  You get 10 lesson via email which includes 2 hours of video, plus photographs and once completed a critique.  You may also contact him with questions or asking general information.  As most of you know I have a very slow internet connection so I've been waiting for the DVD (this is also include) with the workshop.

The last newsletter I talked about chiaroscuro, since I'm in the workshop with David Leffel at the end of February at the Longboat Key Art Center (Florida), I decided I would go back and study Gregg Kerutz's book.  I have read several books on Chiaroscuro and his is the best for getting down to the basic.  As part of my work / study programs I decided I would share the basic information with you.....his book is available at a very good price on Amazon for about $15.00.

Daniel Edmondson

Notes from Gregg Kreutz Book

Problem Solving for the Oil Painter

1. Does the painting have a Focus? Paint with your eyes on the center of interest….when we look at something we always look at SOME THING!

2. Does the painting read? Is there a route that the viewer can follow to the focal point/center of interest. Western cultural reads from left to right….most view a painting the same way.

3. Note: The intensity of a picture is an echo of the intensity with which it was painted. Greg feels that getting something finished on the painting moves you forward to a successful painting. This also help with the vision of the finished painting.

4. Shapes! Are essential tools for the painter, as is the color, value and composition.

5. Are the dominant shapes as strong and simple as possible? Simple shapes carry and make the picture readable from across the room.

6. His start

a. Concept (what do you want to say).rough in the objects. Get their placement.

b. Rough in the background--- helps check the values. Also checks the composition.

c. Paint background the correct value! What is the light path?

d. How does the painting read? Pump up the focal area!

e. Make the center of interest as intense as possible – halo, intense reflected light, this makes the center of interest more intense and bigger.

I will post more notes next week, check back!

Clematis Step by Step (Day 1)

Clematis 22" x 30" (Full Sheet Watercolor)

Step 4

All the petal and leaves have a first layer of color.  The dark

shapes come  next. Love painting the high contrast with that

spring sunshine.  This photograph was taken at my mother-in-laws

this past Spring.  Her pride and JOY!

Work in Progess.....hope to finish this week.

Clematis 22" x 30" (Full Sheet Watercolor)

Step 3

Painting those shapes!

Clematis 22" x 30" (Full Sheet Watercolor)

Step 2

I work on the big areas first. Getting my first layer down.

Clematis 22" x 30" (Full Sheet Watercolor)

Step 1

I used the wet into wet technique with this painting.  I first wet the paper

 then drop in Green and Purple.

What's up!

Things have been very busy, but I'm hard at work, taking two classes weekly.  Monday morning is "plein air" with Deb Dawson....an awesome painter and great friend.  Tuesday is the weekly class at Donna's.....I leave Wednesday for a day visit with my granddaughter Brittney.....with her wonderful husband and fantastic kids, Haddie Girl 3 1/2 and Judah 2 1/2.....plus Levi due November 1st....then off to Columbia for a two day workshop.....painting with my friends!

I have been doing a lot of research on the "Chiaroscuro"  ( skyur-o-skur) style of painting.  Merriam Webster 1:  pictorial representation in terms of light and shade without regard of color 2: the arrangement or treatment of light and dark parts in a pictorial work of art.

David A. Leffel is the master of chiaroscuro, I've had the privilege of seeing him demo a couple of times at the Longboat Key Art Center in Florida.  His book An Artist Teaches:  Reflections on the Art of Painting; he was so kind to sign it for me.  What a gentle soul!  Very personable and down to earth.  About 10 years ago I was in a gallery in Arizona and happened upon a few of his paintings......at that time I didn't know anything about the artist, but it was truly the WOW factor.  I've never forgotten my feeling of aw!  It was about the traveling of light across the objects in the painting.  At this time I was still painting watercolors, but every time I would think of those paintings I would get that same feeling of Aw!  A couple of my friends have study with him and I'm on the list for this year, I can't tell you the excitement I feel at having this opportunity. 

David's doing the demo, Self Portrait.

On display in the the Art Center Gallery.
Another WOW

Don't forget to sign up for this months newsletter, it's all about

Chiaroscuro