February 18, 2017

Happy Spring! Okay, maybe not by the calendar, but if you looked out the window today, you'd be excused for thinking Spring had arrived. We missed a few artists today—for some it was the weather, for others, an early start to a long weekend. But those of us who showed up had a wonderful time and painted some fun (and ambitious) paintings. Here, for instance, Elaine added the final touches to her painting. You have to love kids with 3D glasses!

And then, Elaine painted this.... all in one session, too! It was inspired by a small black and white photo she came across in a magazine. The woman's face intrigued her and so did the story. Now, she's planning to hit the library to learn more. This is Dorothy Day, by the way, if you want to look her up. 

 

Sara is also tackling portraiture... a notoriously ambitious genre. Especially if you know the people you are painting well. She's fine tuned the background of this sweet wedding portrait. Now, all that's left is to add the faces. Tune in next week to see those!

Ellen  has finished a portrait of a different kind. This is a family portrait of an elephant family, also taken from a small black and white image. She's only used two colors (complementary colors, of course!) and used the spatter technique to great effect. You can just see the dust raised as the elephants thunder towards you.

Ellen's still using a minimal palette to paint this stunning travel photo of Machu Picchu. She's included the road and the village below the peak, but reduced their intensity to draw focus to her subject.

Steve is also painting travel memories. This painting contrasts the gondolas in the foreground with the city buildings in the background, using complementary colors and value.  You can just feel Venice awakening on a summer morning.

Tony's Mediterranean scene is all blue and white, but with a variety of blues. Already you can see the clear turquoise sky and the brightly painted blue balconies. Keep watching this one.... it's going to be lovely.

Oh, and just so you know, Tony hasn't used a touch of pencil on this, using paint to do the preliminary drawing. Here's proof.... it's a photo of the early shapes blocked in.

Ken is getting through winter by painting summer produce.... specifically Corn. Here's the latest in his second Corn series. This is based on a very pale, monochromatic photo, but Ken has added his bright signature colors.

 

You'll see the same colors and stripes in Ken's previous painting. While these are the most abstracted versions of corn he's done, you still get a feel from the shapes and pattern that this is definitely corn.

Hector is also into abstraction.  Inspired by the weather and the colors on his palette, he painted this flower. We're especially impressed by the sense of movement....

... which loses nothing by being turned upside down. The sense of movement remains but now it looks like a flamenco dancer.

 Speaking of movement, look at the sense of movement in Rommel's exercise pages. He's managed to "match the color" perfectly, but also made each example a thing of beauty.

The "match your skin" and "match a paper towel" are two of the most difficult, but Rommel makes it look easy. And he makes it interesting, adding figures, chevrons and symbols to keep our eyes moving.

Finally, in the "three-way fruit," Rommel chose a banana and painted in in three different styles—(left to right) wet, dry and a combination. We admire the control he's achieved on the wet painting and the degree of dryness.

Come join us!

Here are some ongoing exhibitions you don't want to miss. And mark your calendar for February 25. St. Gregory the Great Church is having its quarterly "Open Sketch." You're invited—so bring a pencil and paper and join us.

 

Open Sketch date
It's an open sketching/photography session at St. Gregory the Great Church and we are invited! Bring your cameras, sketch pads, pens and pencils. A docent will also be on hand to answer questions.

     Where:
     St. Gregory the Great Church
     5545 N. Paulina
     Church entrance is on the corner of Gregory and Paulina;
     one block west of Ashland and one block south of Bryn Mawr

     When:
     Saturday, February 25
     12:00–3:00pm

  

Orange.  Bill and Madeleine are having an exhibit at Orange. Bill has watercolors; Madeleine has oils. Drop by for some food and some art.

      Where:
      Orange

      2431 N. Clark (north of Fullerton)
      Chicago, IL

     When:
     Ongoing through the end of February

 
The Corn Exhibit.  Ken will be having a show at Ten Cat. Drop by to see the art...and maybe play some pool. 

      Where:
      Ten Cat Tavern

      3931 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL

     When:
     January 22–March 15, 2017

12 Notes/12 Artists
Erika is part of a group show where 12 artists paint their visual response to music. Click the thumbnail at left for more information.

     Where:
     Perkolator
     6032 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL

     When:
     February 9–March 27

See you next week!