Cantelope and Plums

Today we continued in class on the "fruit still life" theme. The students are really enjoying this beautiful fresh fruit. When I got home today I was so hungry and it looked so good, I had to eat the melon!
It's been a good exercise in really learning to "see" what we are looking at. It helps to know what you are looking "for". We were looking for VALUE, SHAPE, LIGHT, & SHADOW. If you look you will find it......
I brought my two paintings home to photograph and post. One of them got mushed in the car ride, ugh!
After my trip next week (post coming soon about that), I will finish the two pieces in class while helping the students complete their works. I will post more photos at that time.

More Melons

I wanted to re-post the photo from Tuesday and add the second melon piece...........

Today's Assignment

Last night and this morning in my beginning oil painting class at the School of Light and Color we painted melons.......
This class had a chance to practice their angles and proportions in the sketch and then learned some about the light on a dark surface. Also it was a good lesson in changing values in light and shadow within the red of the melons and also the rind.
I'm so blessed to have these students!

Coming Soon.....

I'm excited about the next few weeks because I have some fun trips planned. First is the Napa Art Festival tomorrow. I love to go and view the wonderful artwork and pay a visit to some artist friends. All my favorites will be there. I also love Yountville and it makes me hungry just to think about it. (Bistro Jeanty, yum!)
http://www.napavalleyartfestival.com/

Next I'm going to the Weekend with the Masters event in September. I was happy to learn that it was going to be in Northern California this year. It was started 3 years ago by American Artist Magazine. I'm not attending the whole conference but signed up to go with my friend to see a lecture and participate in a workshop with C.W.Mundy and then go to a demonstration with Quang Ho. Can't wait. Follow the link below to read about all the artists and workshops that will be happening.


American Artist’s third annual Weekend With the Masters Workshop & Conference will take place September 7-10 at the Portola Hotel & Spa, in Monterey, California.

Now in its third year, Weekend With the Masters has gained an international reputation as the leading art education event. It continues to draw top masters from around the world to teach workshops, offer demonstrations, lead lectures, and participate in discussions about the renaissance we're experiencing in representational art.

Atrium in Portola Hotel & Spa

Students travel from around the world to have access to this once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity, to learn from and interact with some of today's top practitioners, and to connect with fellow artists. The artists leave the conference feeling inspired and energized, and full of new thoughts, philosophies, and approaches to representational painting. Monterey, California has historically been considered an artist's paradise, and nearby Point Lobos has been deemed "the most beautiful meeting of land and sea in the world." This inspiring destination will be the perfect backdrop for the exchange of ideas, information, and insight that will once again take place between master and student. The Portola Hotel & Spa will be the primary location for this event, with opportunities to paint en plein air at inspiring locations frequented by area artists for centuries.

http://www.cvent.com/events/american-artist-s-weekend-with-the-masters-workshop-conference-2011/custom-22-2dfaba13d9cb4a64949a8733d429a603.aspx?Refid=wwm110629#Quang

Finally, I get to take another 3 day workshop with Ovanes Berberian in Carmel at the end of September. I was there last year for his plein air workshop but this year he will be teaching the still life at his Carmel studio. Also included is a personal tour of his show at the Amsterdam Gallery in Carmel.

Life is Good!