More France Studies....

I've decided to post a couple of studies in preparation for my upcoming workshop next weekend, "Painting Small to Large". I wanted to paint some samples to share with the class to help them understand my process..
These pieces are just very small, 8x6's and 8x10's that I will use to demonstrate painting a large painting from a small study. I painted them to decide on the value plan and color design that I plan to use.

 This is from a photo I took in Lagrasse, France. It is a beautiful ancient city with a working Abbey and an old bridge. I took the photo from the bridge. I wanted to paint this small and make decisions about the color plan for my larger painting.

 I painted this value study before I painted the color study, to plan my values in advance. I had a piece that I painted that day, but unfortunately it got carried away in a wind gust and was ruined.. I was painting inside the square and thought I was in a relatively safe spot. But one gust and that was it! It was very hot up on the bridge where I took this photo, with no shade. So, sometimes ya gotta go with a photo. I have to say though, that it is more difficult to paint from a photo without plenty of plein air experience.

This one is in Limoux. We walked across this bridge every day and I loved this view. If you want to learn how to make a small painting large, there's still time to join us next weekend at Patris Studio..

Whew! Now About France.....

It's been a bit overwhelming with all the art stuff going on in my life since my return from France. So if you've been waiting for more about the trip, I apologize...
I've got a large commission to finish, a workshop coming up and well, you know how it goes.
I had to share with you this photo of a painting That Nancy Flynn painted of me..

Nancy is part of a group called "Urban Sketchers" and has obviously honed her skills while painting with the gorup in her area of the world in Washington State. It is a nationwide group and something we should all do! Okay I'll just speak for myself on that one. But you can find their website here. http://www.urbansketchers.org/

I was painting a demonstration on a beautiful day on the grounds of an amazing hotel and restaurant called L'Odalisque in a small town only 9km from Limoux.  The owners have a long standing relationship with Montfaucon and are kind enough to allow us to roam the property and paint. Here there is a Medieval town square, old Roman ruins, a stunning Abbey ruins plus a beautiful garden area (on the hotel grounds). The Aude River is alongside the hotel and there is a wonderful view over the bridge that dates back to the 1600's.

This is just one of the many locations that Penny and Maive, our tour guides, had set up for us during our two week stay in the South of France. Penny Wilcox has been a part of Montfaucon tours for 6 years and basically runs the hotel, designs the tours and sees to our every need. Maive has been there for 4 years, speaks fluent French and also works hard for the groups that stay at Montfaucon. They are two amazing ladies. They escorted us to our painting locations each day. We were looking over the ruins into the river and bridge...

Now back to work for me....

Workshop Coming Soon..

Oil Painting Workshop

Small to Large

Sat. & Sun August 3^rd & 4^th

10-4:30

 Bring your small studies  and learn how to take them large. Use one or two  of your favorite plein air pieces (depending on your level of skill), and learn how to develop a plan for your larger piece. You may choose to paint the exact same scene if it was very successful  the first time, or re-design a stronger statement. From this design we will paint a new painting using our studies as a reference guide along with our newly developed design plan.

(If you don’t have a small piece to bring, you have time to paint a small study from a photograph or plein air..)

($50 deposit is required at registration - materials list will be provided after registration - class size is limited.)

Patris Studio and Gallery

3460 2^nd Avenue

Sacramento

916-397-8958

artist_patris@yahoo.com

$125.00

(e-mail or call Patris to register)

Randy Blasquez Artist Statement

As an artist I strive to create a painting that comes from the heart. It takes years of study to become a painter and I believe only then can you become an artist – one who creates. This is where my journey has taken me.

I believe that a successful painting has a certain lyrical or rhythmic quality that will catch your eye from across a room. While sketching out the design of the original concept, I look for this quality. The melody has to be found from a deep search within myself, digging into places that are not always comfortable. It is from this place that I can overcome the conceptual problems that may be interfering with what I am trying to say. I want my paintings to be an authentic expression of the heart and brain connection that comes through the creative process. Something needs to happen between myself and the painting. If I can stick with it through the struggle, the painting feels more genuine.

I love to begin a painting with thin transparent washes and end with heavy strokes of paint. All my paintings are approached from the abstract design, while being careful to keep that design strong through the finish of the piece. I am drawn to the simplicity of form and strive to keep the simple passages. There are two parts of my design: dark patterns to make a statement, and light patterns to create a musical element. My desire is that I will not over-describe my subject matter, but to express the idea or feeling in a strong way.

Eat, Paint, Love!

Well, I did return home on Saturday. The first few days back is always a little tough. I'm still getting settled and will post some photos from the trip later in the week. I have about 2000 to dig through.
The workshop was amazing. The group that joined me in Southern France were open and eager to dig in and learn, grow and break through into some new territory. And they did!
It feels amazing to have worked with these 9 students who had an incredible desire and drive to follow it through as we worked on several concepts in painting.
I am so grateful for them....

Some of us started with a few days exploring Paris. We then joined the remainder of our group in Limoux, France, located in the farthest part of Southern France..

We were treated to some amazingly beautiful and luxurious accommodations along with a private chef or two, 4 star restaurants and local wine and cheese. Also we were led by two expert guides through the region to discover the historic villages and oh, did I mention some incredibly beautiful painting spots?

Quite a few of the painters who joined me for this workshop were new to painting outdoors and adapted with grace to the unpredictable wind gusts and a little rain. 

I will be sharing with you in future posts more about the lessons in painting and some of the beautiful locations we were escorted to in order to eat, paint and learn... Hmm, which reminds me we are all now part of our own private sisterhood of the traveling sketchbook club..!  Maybe we should write a book called "Eat, Paint, Love".!!