October Observations

October has been a month of continued research, experimentation, and possibly, a new direction for my painting. I've continued to practice the techniques of transparent oil painting using glazed layers for glowing and reflective color. New kinds of brushes and painting tools have also expanded the possiblities in my painting process. My experimental work has consisted of memory paintings, created from outdoor places that I have been. I am integrating the transparent techniques and using mediums that allow the oil paint to drip down to the bottom edge of the painting. I have noticed that most of my memories include trees and water, and little or no sky. I have also used my memory paintings as subjects for new paintings by looking for places that resemble these memories and taking photos to use for future work. The idea of painting water and reflections of trees in water has come from my experimental work. With the help of photo references I plan to create new designs that integrate transparency, dripping paint, and reflections of trees in water.

Art in Nappa Valley

We took a quick trip to Nappa Valley, CA last weekend. In between gourmet dinners and vineyard tours, I managed to enjoy the art there as well. The Christopher Hill Gallery in St. Helena is showing some very mesmorizing monotoned paintings by an artist named Jeremy Mann. Christopher has sold 27 of these paintings since June, and noted that this work appeals to American, Canadian, and European collectors. He explained that this volume of sold paintings to an international audience predicts a very promising future for this artist. Norman Foster was another artist whose work caught my eye. He paints landscape and abstract subjects.

The other show I discovered was at The Gallery at Cliff Lede Vineyard called "...on Beauty". A definition of "Beauty" written by each artist was posted next to their work. The variety and quality of work in this show, which included sculpture, photography, and painting, was a great reminder that there are many successful artists whose goal is to produce objects of beauty.One artist from this show that I'm learning more about is Gail Chase-Bien I discovered that her "Refections" paintings are the type of painting I have been planning to do for my new work!