For the Birds

 

Cardinal

 

Jay

 

 

It has been too long since I posted new work here, so it is time to catch up with what has been going on in the studio. A while back I gave in to the seduction of the beautiful Schmincke soft pastels and made a series of abstract drawings influenced by several favorite artists (including Richard Diebenkorn, Sean Scully, and Christopher Wilmarth) and coming out of earlier work of my own, both two and three dimensional. Earlier this year, something about the soft pastels called me back to work on an earlier unsuccessful drawing and then to pick up a tiny (3” x 3”) prepared paper. For some now forgotten reason, that small square led me to think of songbirds and the goldfinch in particular. So began a series of small drawings (ranging between 3 and 8 inches square) most of which are based on a particular bird. Ultimately the drawing took precedence over any strict reference to the birds, and some went off on a completely different direction departing from any notion of birds at all. Some of the drawings incorporate some characteristic of a particular bird other than its coloration. To spot this, the viewer will have to spend more time than a quick glance and draw from his/her own birding experience. I’ll be posting images here every day or so, and hope you will come back to check them out! And, with luck, a few readers will be moved to have a closer look at the birds populating their environment.

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ART + FOOD

 

11th Annual ART + FOOD OPEN HOUSE

 

at Huguenot Springs

 

2815 Huguenot Springs Road

Midlothian, VA 23113

 

Saturday, December 2, 10:00 – 4:00

 

hosted by Manakintowne Specialty Growers

 

a benefit for the Center for Rural Culture

 

 

Join us for the 11th Annual Food and Art Open House at Huguenot Springs! We’ll have art and food vendors, a wreath making workshop, and live music. Click here for a vendor list. For more information click the links above.

 

Look for me there. I’ll have some very small (3” x 5”) landscapes in oil and some new abstract soft pastels.

Tiny

 

It is time again for tiny art!!! The artspace biennial, ThinkSmall 9, is opening this Thursday, October 26 (preview gala) and Friday, October 27, 7:00-10:00 both evenings. I have been working on some small oil paintings on panel and paper, and the one pictured, Morning, is in the show. It is oil on paper and the image measures 3″ x 3″. There will be lots of work in the show, all available for purchase. This is a fund-raiser for the gallery and your purchase will help support gallery and artists alike. Drop by at zero East 4th Street in Richmond’s Manchester district for a feast for eye and soul. The show runs to December 17 and all are welcome!!! More information at the link above.

Plein Air Workshop

 

 

MANAKINTOWNE PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP 

Saturday, October 7,  9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

It’s time  again to make plans for the Manakintowne Plein Air Workshop! Jo Pendergraph and I will be offering the fall workshop at the farm at Manakintowne  Growers on Saturday, October 7, 9:30 – 3:30.  If you have participated before, you already know what a lovely day this is at the farm (or Huguenot Springs for the spring workshop). Spend a restful day working amidst the serene fields and flower beds and break for a delicious farm lunch and good company. This workshop is a great opportunity to try a new medium if you have never picked up oil pastels (all materials are provided) or to practice your plein air skills with oil pastels, oil sticks, oil paint, or the drawing medium of your choice. Contact me here if you want to sign up or if you have questions about the workshop. Space is limited, so sign up soon! Bring friends!

Manakintowne Workshop Rescheduled

Lunch at the workshop last year!

MANAKINTOWNE WORKSHOP AT HUGUENOT SPRINGS

Saturday, June 3, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

$115

After being rained out for the first time ever, this year’s spring workshop has been rescheduled as follows. It isn’t too late to sign up…but hurry!

Enjoy a day in the country working en plein air at historic Huguenot Springs in Powhatan, the sister property of Manakintowne Farm. The site offers beautiful old shade trees and a mature garden filled with peonies and irises. This year in addition to our oil pastel workshop, we are happy to have visiting artist Rudi Winebrenner (a.k.a. Maruta Racenis) joining us for a watercolor workshop. Our day includes a break for Jo’s gourmet farm lunch and leisurely conversation. Workshop descriptions follow; please choose either oil pastel or watercolor at sign up. Experienced students may work in other media (such as oils, acrylic, or soft pastel) as well.

Oil Pastel: Some previous drawing experience is helpful, but experience with oil pastel is not required. All drawing supplies are provided (included in tuition), making this a good opportunity to try out a new medium. Those continuing with oil pastel are welcome to bring their own supplies. For those just beginning in oil pastel, the day begins with a short introduction and demo while continuing students can pick a site and begin working. Individual instruction will be given to all throughout the day.

Watercolor: Open to experienced watercolor students only. Work with watercolor free and loose to capture the beauty of Jo’s spring garden under the guidance of our visiting artist, Rudi Winebrenner. Rudi has taught at the VMFA Studio School, and you probably know her as the former owner of Main Art, our favorite (and sorely missed!) local source for art supplies. You can have a look at her work here: www.marutaracenis.com.

Tuition for the day is $115. At sign-up, please specify which medium you want to work with. Please sign up early as space is limited. More information will be sent upon registration.

For sign up or questions contact me here (or any other way you know how to reach me!).

Spring Plein Air Classes

MANAKINTOWNE WORKSHOP AT HUGUENOT SPRINGS

Saturday, May 13, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM 
$115

Enjoy a day in the country working en plein air at historic Huguenot Springs in Powhatan, the sister property of Manakintowne Farm. The site offers beautiful old shade trees and a mature garden filled with peonies and irises. This year in addition to our oil pastel workshop, we are happy to have visiting artist Rudi Winebrenner (a.k.a. Maruta Racenis) joining us for a watercolor workshop. Our day includes a break for Jo’s gourmet farm lunch and leisurely conversation. Workshop descriptions follow; please choose either oil pastel or watercolor at sign up. Experienced students may work in other media (such as oils, acrylic, or soft pastel) as well.

Oil Pastel: Some previous drawing experience is helpful, but experience with oil pastel is not required. All drawing supplies are provided (included in tuition), making this a good opportunity to try out a new medium. Those continuing with oil pastel are welcome to bring their own supplies. For those just beginning in oil pastel, the day begins with a short introduction and demo while continuing students can pick a site and begin working. Individual instruction will be given to all throughout the day.

Watercolor: Open to experienced watercolor students only. Work with watercolor free and loose to capture the beauty of Jo’s spring garden under the guidance of our visiting artist, Rudi Winebrenner. Rudi has taught at the VMFA Studio School, and you probably know her as the former owner of Main Art, our favorite (and sorely missed!) local source for art supplies. You can have a look at her work here: www.marutaracenis.com.

Tuition for the day is $115. At sign-up, please specify which medium you want to work with. Please sign up early as space is limited. More information will be sent upon registration.

For sign up or questions contact me here.

 

MAY MORNINGS PLEIN AIR DRAWING CLASS

Thursdays, May 4, 11, 18, and 25; 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM;  $120

 

I will be offering this plein air class again this year on four Thursday mornings in May. Bring your oil pastels and paint sticks (or the medium of your choice) down to Pony Pasture Park at the James River for the first class.  For subsequent classes we will visit other sites including Maymont and Virginia House, according to class preference. Please sign up with me soon, no later than April 30.  Contact me here for sign up or more information and questions. If you are new to working outside, I am happy to answer any questions you might have regarding supplies you will need. More information will be sent upon registration. Enjoy a quiet morning at the River. Sign up with a friend! 

 

Friendship and Inspiration

A visit from my two artist friends yesterday was such a gift in many ways. It was a huge honor to share my work with these two creative ladies, and I was humbled by their interest in the stories behind the pieces. We mused over what it might have been that brought us together; interests in words, materials, and fiber are certainly something we hold in common. But I think the bond likely extends beyond our overlapping interests to things less nameable. Both of my friends have an inspiring creative curiosity and delight in the world, and both are kind and gentle souls. It was the first time the three of us had gathered, and I was inspired and blessed by their visit and their friendship. Sadly, one of our three will soon move back to her home country after a twenty year stay here. She will be truly missed in Richmond!

Here are a few more of the pieces that I put out yesterday.