Here's my latest piece! So happy the way this one came out. The challenge here was to create two different "black" shades to differentiate between the black fur of the dog and Charlotte's black top. In the photography these two shapes became one. I chose to change the temperature and texture to separate one from the other.

For the dog's fur I made a more shiny black by using cool colors, cyan blue and alizarin crimson (red). For the black shirt in sunlight which is a duller texture, I used alizarin crimson with yellow ochre and just a touch of white mixed in for the highlights. 

Back story on this painting: I snapped the photo while on the third day of a workshop with Robert Noreika on the Thimble Islands. My dear friend Charlotte joined us that day. We watched Bob conduct an amazing  demonstration right from the porch of this gorgeous house.

The owners were home with their adorable dog. Once the demonstration was over and the students dispersed from the porch to set-up their easels, the owners let their dog out to "meet and greet" his guests.

His sweet yet playful personality shined through as he would dart around from person to person. First close enough to pet then nose into each bag of art supplies.

It was a wonderful day with wonderful memories... and looking forward to painting on the "islands" again this summer with my friends.

and for Motivational Monday (just trying to keep myself motivated this winter) ... I thought I would share another reason why art can benefit your health from an article in the Hartford Art Council - Let's go arts blog, titled,  - "7 ways the arts can benefit your health." 

Art Increases Brain Connectivity and Plasticity
Did you know that every time you engage in a new or complex activity, your brain creates new connections between brain cells? Brain Plasticity or neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to grow connections and change throughout your lifetime. Creating art- whether your niche is pottery or painting- interpretive dance or playing guitar, stimulates connections between various paths in the brain. Studies show that by creating these connections, your brain is increasing psychological resilience and resistance to stress!

Keep creating!
​Linda

This photo reference was from a morning at Stony Creek Boat launch. I set up my easel along with several other artists from the CT Shoreline Art Group. This is a favorite place for the group to met.

As I was working on my painting I could see a woman walking her golden retriever dog down to the ramp to a little bit of a sandy beach. This is where the kayakers usually launch from. I was curious to see were they were headed. She was talking on her cell phone and the dog seemed to be leading her.  Well, they both ended up with their toes in the water, soaking in the summer day. 

Did I mention how much I love painting beach scenes when it's 20 degrees here in CT!!

Just about caught up with the blog posts... now onto social media posting... and then back to the easel! yeah!

Here's another figure study based on a Joseph Bowler painting. This one is painting with a palette knife and mixing colors right on the paper. 
My latest order of art supplies arrived on my doorstep yesterday and can't wait to try out the pad of  acrylic paper by Strathmore. It's a heavier weight than bristol board.  I'm always  on the look out for new materials to try and experiment on. I'll give it a go... and write a review soon.
Until the next post - stay well, stay warm -
Linda

Always seeking to pick up the pace when I work on these quick figure studies. Here's one of my daughter Veronica when we were on a family vacation in 2006. She was 7 years old and loved to dress up every where we went. 
On to the next study....
​

this month's motto: practice, practice, practice... and more practice

It can be very challenging to find a rhythm when it comes to daily painting. So as I ease my way back into this daily habit I've given myself more slack when it comes to all the additional "stuff" that completes the "daily painting" process. 

Starting with taking photos of the work, then modifying in photoshop, downloading to the website and adding a blog post. Not to mention uploading to an online art gallery .... plus the social media aspect of posting on Facebook, instagram and occasionally twitter.

This time around my strategy is all about "clustering" jobs. I'll work on several small sketches one day, then computer work another day and social media the following day. So far this strategy is giving more time to work on larger pieces of work and on the days went I can't work in my studio because of classes, teaching or appointments... I find myself less stressed out.

Here's Day 10 of the Challenge... 1/3 of the way there....
Thanks for viewing my work-
Linda

Last night I received a voice message that completely surprised me! It was from one of the organizers of the Firehouse Art Gallery in Milford, CT. She notified me that my piece "Beach Bound" received second prize in the current show "Favorite Things or Favorite Places" ! What wonderful news! Dean and I dropped off to pieces to the show yesterday around noon and the judging must have taken place shortly after the 4:oopm deadline.

I'm not really sure the name of the road but it's in Milford on the way to the beach. My dad and step mom would rent a house each summer a few streets away. Each time we'd visit , I'd glance down the side streets to see if I could get a glimpse of the water. The closer we'd get the greater our  senses heightened - the air smelled salter, the colors seemed brighter and the excitement rose knowing that in a few minutes we would have our toes in the sand - Beach bound we were!

The Show  Details: 
Location: Firehouse Art Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Ave, Milford, CT
Dates; January 19 - February 17, 2017
Reception: Thursday January 19, 2017 6-8pm
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Although I deviated from the theme (figure studies) in the  30 day challenge I did accomplish two additional goals I set for 2017 -
#1 Prioritizing my time and "blocking in" ample time in my calendar to be in my studio creating my own work.
#2 Participating in more local art shows here in Connecticut. 

But enough about the show and my goals - I would love to share with you some  encouraging words from an article in the Hartford Art Council - Let's go arts blog, titled,  - "7 ways the arts can benefit your health." 
Here's just one of the 7 -
 Art Encourages Self-Awareness and Expression
Creativity is said to be the route to authenticity. As we create we reach into the depths of what we think and believe, therefore, the more we create, the more we learn about ourselves. We discover our impulses, habits and desires all through creativity. When we devote the needed time and energy to create, we find ourselves able to better express ourselves to the world on a regular basis.

Join me in making 2017 a more creative year!
Peace,
Linda

I finished up this piece on Saturday morning. Framed and delivered to the Branford Art Center for the Winter Show. The snow was coming down at a steady pace and the temperatures were dropping outside but working on this warm beach scene caused me to forget ... just for few minutes the reality of January in Connecticut .... and basking in the glorious sunshine.  

Show details:
Location: Branford Art Center, 1229 Main Street, Branford, CT
Show Dates: Jan 6- Feb 15, 2017
Reception: January 14, 2017 6-8pm

If you're in the Branford area, stop in the Branford Art Center - we have over 24 local artists with so many beautiful works of art!

Keep warm and keep creating!
Love,
​Linda

Here's the finished piece - "Sprinker Fun" ! I'm very pleased with the way this painting came out. I played around with glazing and layering on the grasses, foliage and the background trees. The fun part about acrylics is the versatility they have to offer. 

I'm looking forward to my upcoming Acrylics Class at Artsplace - It's starting in a few days  - Tuesday Jan 10 6:30-8:30pm - there's still space available. We have 7 students right now- some new and some repeating. If you're interested please call the office at 203-272-2787.

I'm planning to enter this piece in a show in Milford at the Firehouse Art Gallery  called  "Favorite Things or Favorite Places" ... this painting holds a favorite place in my heart - the fond memories of when my kids were young enjoying a day in the sun and sprinkler fun.

Thank you again for viewing my art -
Love,
​Linda