June 22, 2019

It's officially summer, so what better way to begin than with some colorful flowers? Isa continues her colorful orchid painting. She's added more orchids and is readying her small brush to add stems and leaves. These colors are such a happy combination, aren't they?

Greeta is painting the flowers in her garden as they appear. She's using a sheet of printmaking paper, cleverly cut to fold down into a booklet format. We're showing the unfolded sheet, but feel free to zoom in and look at each painting on its own. As you can see, it's been a great year for tulips in Greeta's garden.

From there, Greeta continues her house portrait (it's not her house, but it's a lovely portrait, isn't it?). The solid building contrasts well with the exuberant brushmarks of the light-filled foliage surrounding it.

Sara hits all of our three major themes today. She painted this study of sunlight on trees at twilight (plants, studies).... 

... before doing this larger, more graphic version.

Here's a look into Sara's process as she paints her self-portrait (that's our third theme—portraits). After several sketches in pencil and direct watercolor, she draws the major lines in a tracing paper cartoon.

Then, Sara does one final small study to lock down the colors she's planning to use....

...before beginning the large final painting. This is the first layer of soft color. Already, we can see Sara in this—her likeness and, more importantly, her personality. Come back to see how this turns out. Every year's birthday self-portrait is more interesting than the last.

Richard's back and he painted this skull in his sketchbook. He's not interested in perfect color matching; he's merely going for lights and darks. Still, he's successfully modeled the skull in chiaroscuro lighting.

Looking further back in Richard's sketchbook, he's continuing to do a daily self-portrait (see what we mean about studies?). This is a valuable practice; each day, we see something different. We haven't included all of them, but here's a sampling. From this high-key portrait....

...to this lower key one, it's still Richard, but different aspects. And notice that he's continuing his minimalist approach to color.

Alan is right on theme with this delicate portrait of Greeta in a natural setting. He's using Yupo, as you can see from the characteristic brushmarks. 

More flowers... this time, they appear on the bowl holding some sweet summer fruit. Again, Alan is using Yupo paper. This just feels like summer, doesn't it? The colors are luscious and he's even captured the texture of the peaches. Yum!

Alan finished his double portrait below. This is on traditional paper and he's happy with all of it, except for his granddaughter's face. We aren't in agreement there... we like the faces, along with the clothing, the background and the likeness he's achieved.

We also like the clothing here! Steve's at the tweaking stage now—he's done a lot of work on the fabrics, as well as the sky. And finally, he's started to glaze a suntan over the bodies. Yes, it's beginning to feel a lot like summer!

Elaine T. spent last week swatching out her paints... and now she's diving in, using as many as possible in one painting. And not just lots of colors, she's going for the brightest, most colorful paints she has. Normally this is a recipe for disaster (or, at least, a disjointed painting), but not here. Elaine's painting some of nature's most colorful specimens—the cassowary bird, mantis shrimp and some beautiful fish—and they all look great!

Meanwhile, Elaine O. is using two sets of complementary colors to paint this gray urban landscape. We're driving south on Lake Shore Drive, glimpsing downtown Chicago through a veil of fog and mist. What happened to all the colorful flowers she's been painting?

Janet is also exploring complementary colors, but they look a whole lot more colorful, don't they? She's also using her complementary color expertise to match some difficult neutrals—the infamous paper towel and her skin. 

One more of our favorite genres is the food painting. And Susan has taken that on with this painting of Balut. If you are at all squeamish, look away now!  Still here? Okay, don't say we didn't warn you! Anyway, she's painted the essence of the Balut experience within the white space of a duck. Then, she cleverly used the negative space around the duck to tell the viewer all about Balut.  And all this while using colors and patterns suggestive of the duck's environment. Zoom in to read all about Balut...if you dare!

Meanwhile, you're invited to some special events. Get your pencils and calendars ready!

Upcoming Events

 

Concert! In the mood for some great music? The DePaul Community Chorus, featuring our own Steve, will be performing Beethoven's Ode to Joy, plus songs, madrigals and spirituals at Orchestra Hall. It's the perfect way to welcome the season, so plan to come if you can.

Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 8pm
    Orchestra Hall/Symphony Center
    220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
    Click on icon at right for instructions on purchasing tickets online
    or at the Symphony Center Box Office.

Art Exhibition. Save the date for Art in Motion, an exhibition featuring our very own Isa. Details will follow, but get this on your calendar now:

     Where:
     Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

     When:
     Friday, September 6

Art Exhibit. Want a great haircut/style... with a chance to enjoy some art at the same time? Drop by Duet Salon, currently exhibiting artwork by our own Elaine O.

     Where:
     Duet Salon
     4615 1/2 N. Damen
     (right off the Damen Brown Line Stop)
     Chicago, IL