October 8, 2016

It's a perfect crisp, clear fall day today and we were painting, chatting and enjoying ourselves tremendously. We're in a newish space (to us) and are still figuring things out ...like Showtime! We tried something different today. We stayed in the studio and presented each painting on a single easel with each artist choosing the next artist to exhibit. So, in that order, we begin with Ken's corn series. Just as the season is ending for the corn, it seems to be winding down for the painted corn. The colors are warmer and more autumnal and the corn field is more abstracted.

Next up was Bill, also with a field, but of Irish cows. He's added to the foreground and focused even more on the cows by use of complementary colors. It's a beautifully atmospheric Irish day.

Similarly atmospheric, but miles away from Ireland, Bill is painting an Uptown skyline. The colors are Sargent's and there is a distinctly Turneresque feel, too.

Madeleine has finished her Dublin rowhouses We love the "same-but-different" pattern, not to mention the precision and intricacy of the painting.

In this Irish scene, Madeleine uses similar patterning (a row of boats instead of houses), but chooses to place them against softly defined water, skies and hills. The lush background perfectly complements the sharply detailed boats.

Sara has added beautiful color to this beautifully composed scene. The colors vibrate like Wolf Kahn's and the painting feels like Wyeth. We can't wait to see how this turns out... even though Sara says it's just a study, we love it.

Elaine has (finally) moved to the faces and is almost finished with her dual portrait. Except for the pops of color in the children's clothing and ice cream, this is a very subdued palette for such an exuberant subject.

Marva has just finished sketching and begun painting another natural masterpiece. The subject is a verdant park and we're already getting a sense of the final from the small corner she's started with. No one does foliage like Marva!

Isaac's still life is coming along beautifully. The cup and saucer have the feel and shine of porcelain. The spill of light from the window on the subject against the warm, rich background gives the feel of a Vermeer, but featuring a tulip instead of a woman.

Glen's autumn leaves are lovely! They capture all the colors of fall as the leaves seem to dance across the surface. In particular, he's managed to capture the sharp, clear light that says fall—not an easy task!

Greeta has done another of her wonderful fruit paintings. This time, she paints pears... but these pears are far more beautiful than the dull grocery store variety. They sparkle; the colors are inspired—even the shadows. Zoom in and see.

Greeta has relegated her fabled fruit still life to a small part of this painting. She's maintained her delicate hand at color blending. Like Isaac's, this painting skillfully draws on Vermeer but the light modeling the subject's face comes from the light bouncing off the still life instead of a window.

Alan's almost finished with his "onion" series. In this painting, he experimented with illustration board as a surface. While he didn't like it, we love the outcome. It's festive and celebratory and much more beautiful than you'd ever imagine onions could be.

And speaking of experimenting.... just look at Alan's latest. It's on standard watercolor paper, but that is where the "typical" ends. Look closely at all the texture! The trees use alcohol drops and sprays to create the mossy, bark-like feel. The ground owes its texture to salt (but not typical table salt! It's large and flaky and looks like shaved parmesan). The water is masked out for now, but come back to see how this turns out!

Did you notice all the references to past masters? We owe that to Greeta who brought in a book called Awash in Color, filled with wondrous watercolor art.  Also, to Sara, who reported on a visit to a watercolor museum in Wisconsin. Makes us wonder why aren't there more watercolor museums? Or more watercolors in existing museums?

Mark your calendars! It's getting close to ..... 

Group Art Exhibit at Ten Cat

As you know, October is Artists Month in Chicago and our very own Bill and Madeleine Settles are having an exhibition at Ten Cat. You can see the art throughout October, but you are also cordially invited to the  opening reception. Mark your calendar—this is a great venue and we always have fun. Details below:

Madeleine Settles and William Settles
Recent Watercolor Paintings

Exhibition: October 3–29, 2016
Opening Reception:

Saturday, October 15, 2016, 4–7pm

3931 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago

See you next week!