Ovanes Continued

It's nice to be home today. I get to paint in between my chores of course. I'm working on a special Christmas project with an actual deadline, but also I'm starting with some seascapes from last weekend. Just practice while I can remember something.
On Day two at the workshop Ovanes was kind enough to do another demo and then continue to paint 5 paintings in a matter of about 2 hours. Amazing. He didn't talk about his process as much as the day before and used a little different approach, with no under painting this time.

I painted a little larger and bit off a little more than I could chew....Now when I see his paintings and see mine, he uses even more grays than I thought. I need to use more mixed grays. (mental note to self)

This is his palette set up in the studio

The best part came that evening. We were invited to his Carmel-by-the-Sea home where he set up his studio in what would otherwise be a living room. He had prepared a beautiful table of vegetables roasted and European cheeses, crackers and flat bread, fruit and wine. He set up a large canvas, what looked to me to be about 48x60. He set up an amazingly beautiful table of vases, fruit, silver trays, a silver sugar bowl, a beautiful throw, etc. He put the music on and at about 9pm he started to paint. When he does a demo like this he does not talk at all. The room is quiet. With the exception of one short break he painted till midnight.

OVANES WORKSHOP DAY TWO

before Ovanes painted on it...



and after!

 Well, I got home on Monday evening and have been catching up here. I had to give myself a day at home on Tuesday and had one of those headaches - so I got somewhat unpacked, did some laundry and had to do some preparations for yesterday's class at Capital Art Center.
I've been dying to paint my studies in a larger format, or just repaint them while the lessons I learned with Ovanes are still fresh in my head. But, well - life just gets in the way. This morning it was a dental appointment, grocery shopping and so on....you know what I mean. Perhaps tonight? If only I had a live in cook and housekeeper!
I can't really call this day two because I did not finish with that post, so maybe I should do that first.
Pacific Grove was the most beautiful place, I could not get enough of it. The weather on Friday was cool, cloudy in the morning with the sun peeking through in the afternoon.
Ovanes arrived and walked up to me, as I was freezing and said, "It's a beautiful day to paint!" Okay. And it turned out that he was right. The colors in the water and the sky were amazing and as he painted his demo I could see more and more. It took some time for me to adjust to just staring out at the ocean. It's not something I get to do and I have never painted plein air at the sea.
I froze up some when it was time to paint. I am showing the before and after painting when Ovanes made some adjustments. I quit working on my piece and began to follow Ovanes around as he coached the other students. It is a great way to get the most out of a workshop or class. He looked at my piece and said it was a little busy and needed warm shadows, contrasts of cool and warm. He asked if he could paint on it and I said of course!
I will continue with a demo that Ovanes did that first day.

 



He started with a very thin wash using warm colors.

  

He gave it a few minutes to dry and then started with lots of paint and plenty of color - juicy paint.

  

You want a fairly absorbent surface so the paint will adhere.  Your under painting is very important
Preparation is very important. I think he stresses this because people don't understand that painting is hard enough without having a wobbly unstable set up. He wants your easel and table to be stable and clear of clutter so it will be comfortable. Otherwise it will get in the way of creating....

 

Take your white paper towel and hold it up to the canvas so you don't get the value of the foam too light. Compare it!Remember to consider the "key."

 



Don't think "too much" about local color. Create harmony, "Make it sing."
Compare the value of the water to the rock in the foreground and then compare the water to the rock in the distance. It is  much lighter in value. Value comes first and color comes second...


www.ovanesberberian.com

OVANES WORKSHOP DAY ONE

It was a beatiful day. We parked across from the bathroom on the beach in Asilomar, CA. Ovanes set up and started paintng. I'm so glad I'm here.

I'll try to post tonight or tomorrow so stay tuned.......

OVANES BERBERIAN

I'm going to Monterey tomorrow for a three day workshop with Ovanes Berberian, one of my favorite painters. I've been studying with Brigitte Curt for some time and she studied and continues to study with Ovanes. I had the opportunity to study with him myself in Idaho back in 06 for two weeks. It was amazing. We painted outside in his apple orchard, still life's set up under each tree. It was a wonderful and difficult experience. It was difficult because I was stifled by what I learned for a while, until I began to absorb it weeks later. In the end it was soooo beneficial. I can't wait to find out what happens this weekend. I feel that I am much more prepared to hear and see what he is teaching.
I'll let you know when I get back!


Born and raised in Russian Armenia, Ovanes Berberian received his first academic training from his father, a college art professor and designer of theater sets. Shortly after immigrating to the United States in 1977, he met Sergei Bongart, a philosopher and painter who taught in Los Angeles and gave summer workshops at his Idaho studio. Ovanes was immediately drawn to Bongart’s art, whose sense of values and colors were Russian in spirit. It was Bongart who convinced him to paint directly from nature and fully experience his subjects while painting them. Ovanes notes in a South West Art interview, “Painting from nature is honest and by being honest my intuitive character and style are translated to the canvas.”



Although working from his outdoor field sketches, Ovanes paints his larger studio landscapes and still-life's primarily from memory, incorporating abstract aspects as the painting develops. Citing color harmony as the most important element of his work, he creates a variety of textures, using short, thick strokes of paint in the foreground and longer, dryer ones in the distance, thus creating the illusion of rhythm in the painting.

Ovanes Berberian lives on a six-acre homestead in Eastern Idaho, his studio built in the form of an American church. He also has a studio in Carpinteria, California where he is in much demand for his painting workshops.

Just What I Needed This Morning

A Beautiful & Inspirational Song by Chaya

NEW CLASS at SCHOOL OF LIGHT AND COLOR

My Dear Friends and Students,


I wanted to get a quick letter out to you and hopefully answer some questions in your mind about the upcoming class changes.

Most of you know that I will only continue to teach at the Capital Art Center until the end of the year. So here is what is up:

I will begin teaching at the School of Light and Color in January, twice a week. The classes are going to run for six weeks, but it will be just how it has been otherwise, on an ongoing basis. On the next page you will find all the information you need about the new school.

I hope you know how important you are to me, and that I care that this will be a longer drive for some of you. It was a difficult decision for that reason. For most of you it will be more convenient. I came about the decision because I have some people who want to take my class, but cannot because they work during the day. I called Susan Sarback at the School of Light and Color to find out if I could add an evening class at her school. Turns out she was looking for a beginning teacher to teach during the day as well. Well, this was a new development. What to do? I considered teaching at both locations, but I feel like I would be spreading my efforts too thin. I really want to be committed to being the best teacher I can be. I love being downtown and hope to do a couple of workshops at Capital Art Center during next year.

Other than the change in location, you will be registering for classes through the school instead of directly through me. Classes can be registered for one class, or you can save by buying the full six week course. You will have four months to make up any classes you might miss. After the first six week course, you will be getting a discount for the next six week course.

My evening class will be on a Tuesday, from 6pm to 9pm, beginning on January 11th. My weekday class will be on Wednesday’s, from 9:30 am to 12:15 pm, beginning on January 12th. We will have until 12:30 to leave the classroom on Wednesday because another class comes in at 1:00pm. I am going to see how this works, and then make adjustments as needed.

This will mean that you will want to really try to get to class a little early if you want to paint for the full three hours. If you want to paint for a full 3 hours on Wednesday, come in at 9:15.

I will miss our little lunch gatherings, but look forward to meeting for coffee or lunch at the little café just down the street.

I just want you to know that I hope you can continue to take my classes. I would be sad otherwise, but want you to do what you need to do. I have more plans to paint on a regular basis, either teaching if you want, or just painting together on a couple of Fridays a month, plein air style.

I am planning a little get together for the holiday season, and will get the details out to you about that soon. Please call me or send an e-mail with your thoughts, ideas, or concerns about anything.

And one more thing, the school is going to begin sending out class announcements for the New Year at the beginning of this week, so I have to encourage you to go ahead, call the school, and sign up for the first six week course as soon as you can. The class size will be limited. You can pay by credit card over the phone or print and mail in the registration form (on the website) with your check.

The cost for six weeks is $175.00

THE SCHOOL OF LIGHT AND COLOR LOCATION

10030 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

916-966-7517 www.lightandcolor.com

Go to the website and read about their other very good classes, as people come to this school from all over the world. There are students who drive 3 hours to go to this school. Susan Sarback founded this school in 1989 and last year started down a new road with more classes, workshops, and instructors. Since then the school has expanded and integrated their class offerings into a wide range of courses suited for any artist at any level – from beginner to advance. Students can learn to draw and paint still life, landscape, figure, and portraits using a variety of mediums – oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, drawing, and design. Susan is the author of two books and a few DVD instructions videos.

I have to say I am excited to be an instructor at this school. I think you will like it and I’m looking forward to growing together in the creative process as we continue to get to know each other better.

Lindsay Outdoor Study

Lindsay Outdoor Study

I took about 85 pictures of my daughter and 65 of my niece Kimberly. My plan is to do a new series of paintings - classic romantic poses out of doors. I'm going to take more photos of my friend Jennifer this week. This is new for me and will be a good learning experience I think. I'd love to paint the figures directly out of doors, if they had the time. Anyway, I am continuing to read and re-read Hawthorne on painting and he has plenty to say about painting the figure outside.
I'll share some tips, and continue with the small studies until I am more comfortable with larger pieces. That is if all goes as planned.
See you soon!

Lindsay

This was just for fun and practice. I want to try again and loosen up!

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION Brigitte Curt shows us how to make a gray scale....

PART ONE



PART TWO



CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF PAINTERS
http://www.classart.org/

Russion Impressionism with a Modern Twist - Original Oils on Linen/Canvas & Limited Edition Giclees by Randy Blasquez

at THE SMITH GALLERY

Show continues through October 31, 10 am - 6 pm

Monday through Friday

11:00 am - 4 pm Saturday

1020 11th Street

Sacramento

 916-446-4444

www.smithgallery.com

Why It's Hard to be a Women & An Artist

Class Study from CAC

I love my life, I am not complaining! I am so blessed to have the gift of painting in my life. It has been a journey and a blessing.
So why is it hard to be a woman and an artist?
Well, it has to do with a lot of things, but the number one reason for me is because I don't have to make a living and support myself and my family. Um, okay, so maybe that 's not a drawback. I have the freedom to paint when I want and to take time off and it's okay. But what I'm dealing with is the balance of it all.
Don't get me wrong, the biggest problem is myself and my own lack of self discipline. Let me put it another way.
I don't have a "job" and I don't have to pay my household bills. My husband does that. Of course I'd love to get to a point where I am contributing, and I could be right now, if I wasn't busy buying art stuff and taking workshops. But that is another issue. My struggle is dealing with how to find a balance in my priorities, and still invest in my long term art career.
It would be so easy to slack off. And I do. But mostly I give my all, with limitations. I don't have a regular schedule, I don't have that many deadlines, I don't work as hard as I could and should. I do work hard and I love it. It is my passion and my desire to work hard. I want to study and learn and do what it takes. It takes a determination to succeed. Painting well does not come easy, and that is what I'm trying to say. Okay. So to be a good artist, to be a good art teacher, to learn, we have to work hard at it. That we all know. Or at least we find out. I don't have an issue with that. My struggle is in the area of balancing these goals and passions with the other obligations and priorities in my life.
To be a good mom and wife, to take good care of the household, to invest in the important relationships in my life and to be invested in my spiritual growth is all a real balancing act. It takes a commitment in each area of my life. But when I'm in the middle of one of these things, I'm still thinking of the others. I get overwhelmed thinking about it all at the same time. I feel like I'm pulled in so many different directions. So I need to change some things.
My goal for the rest of this year is to get better organized, physically and mentally. And to start separating and delegating and prioritizing my spiritual growth, my work, my relationships, my exercise activity and fun activities, my family, my household chores and getting that in place. I need accountability in order to stay on track. Fortunately I have people in my life for the personal stuff, but not the business stuff.

First, I need to start getting my paperwork organized. My filing and records are a mess! I will create a task list on line and check it frequently. I want to get on a schedule, and I want to start a new painting series. So those are my goals for starters, and now that you've read this I guess I'm really accountable to give you a report of my progress and time goes by. I'll keep you posted. Ouch!
I am excited about a couple of things in particular. I'll be adding a new evening class in January so my students who work during the day can learn to paint at night. And, I took some wonderful photos yesterday of my daughter Lindsay, and I'm going to start painting them. I want to paint a series of romantic female scenes. Thursday I have another photo shoot planned with a very good friend, and then I'm going to shoot my niece next weekend.
So please stay with me and please send me your comments, and also your tips and advice on how I can get my act together. Now you are also responsible to e-mail me if I don't report to you on my progress of course! So now you have to be accountable......

I want to share my feelings with you......

I just have to share with you a recent letter I received from a friend. She and I used to share in some things in life together, and we have somehow lost touch with each other over the years. Our kids are friends and we do see each other, but only occasionally. I had posted on my blog and shared the post on facebook. I was overwhelmed with gratitude when I read her words, so honest and heartfelt.....

Randy,

This is going to seem really strange to you to hear from me, but artists are people who "feel"in order to create and I want to share my feelings with you.

I was on Facebook, I saw your beautiful painting, and I wanted to look at it more, so I clicked on your blog. Suddenly, I was in another world. I started clicking the older posts link so I could read more about Paris and Provence. I found myself getting very emotional, and suddenly I started to cry. I didn't know why, but I imagine it has to do with several things. One, the beauty of the country held me. Then, reading about the joy that you were feeling while you were there moved me greatly. When I read about the man at the station trying to help you, I imagined you all alone, a bit fearful, and how brave you were to try to maneuver through this unfamiliar territory. I began to think of all the times that I have been in that position and thinking to myself "What's the worst thing that could happen? I could die, surely, but other than that, I'm ok." Unfortunately, it was never about a wonderful journey like yours, but nonetheless, it was the same feeling, I should think. I began to think about how I have always wanted to paint. I am a very good sketch artist, but painting has always intrigued me. I then began to think about my life and how it is solely made up of working and raising kids. I will never have an opportunity to go to France and study art. I will never be able to even stay anywhere in a first class hotel in America! I'm 57 years old, I have done most everything I ever wanted to do in my life, except have money enough to relax and enjoy it. Your blog touched me beyond words. In a way, I am sad for what I miss out on, but mostly, I am moved by the beauty of this world. Should I make a bucket list, or should I be content that God has given me a home and healthy children? Do I leave care to the wind and charge up a trip to a place that pulls at my heart, or spend all my money on this house and the repairs? In a few years, both my kids will be grown and I will be nearing retirement age. Will I have enough to survive, let alone enough to enjoy what remains of my life?

I am not asking for pity, at all. I am not even sure why I am telling you this, except the painting of a well dressed homeless French man brings me to tears and a picture of beautiful gardens where a famous artist once painted does the same. Is this the power of art? Does it move you so much that you begin exploring within yourself and go to places where you don't want to? I am not going to paint, as I imagine you will invite me, because I simply don't have any energy left. But, I thought to myself, "I wonder if Randy thinks about what people are feeling when they read her posts? Does she think that only artists and students of art are reading it? Does she think that her friends are reading it because they love her and want to see what she is up to? Or does some old friend from the past curiously explore her world and find emotions that haven't dredged up in a very long time?"

I think I should thank you, for the emotion that has come over me. I am not jealous, because I learned a long time ago that what I have is what God wants me to have. I just want you to have this gift, this knowledge that a simple post on Facebook has changed me today. Maybe just for today, I don't know. Or maybe it is the beginning of something that needs to stir inside of me.

I asked her if I could post her letter. She said I could, maybe an excerpt. But I had a hard time leaving anything out. Yes, she is an artist. But until I read this I thought she was an actress and I didn't know she was interested in painting. So, maybe some day she will decide to give it a go. I hope so. What I love most about being a teacher is seeing how much painting can bring joy, just pure joy, into one's life!
Why do I get to live my dream and not her? I think we shall find a way my friend. Blessings to you......

"That Time of Day" (rework)

That Time of Day by Randy Blasquez

Oil on Canvas  30x40"

It's time to get this one out of the studio. I've had it sitting around for months. Do you ever have paintings like that? I started this last year from a small study from a couple of years ago.  Anyway I had some difficulty getting the "time of day" light into the painting, so I put if away, frustrated and not knowing how to finish it. Sometimes this works just fine. I finally pulled it out and went back to work after some considerations but found some splashed paint on it, so I definitely had to rework it. I added more light to the sky and the distant water, working from warm to cool in temperature. Now it's going to the Capital Art Center in Sacramento with a price tag on it, finally!
This is my next dream destination so it's time to start saving!

CABIN WORKSHOP SUNFLOWERS

Sunflowers & Cup in Window

Oil on Linen 16x20"

by Randy Blasquez

Well, I learned something from this little demonstration. I liked my painting a lot more at the earlier stages. I would not have noticed had I not taken all of those demo photographs. I might still go back in and move some edges around. Too many edges!
Anyway, at the workshop a couple of weekends ago, Kenzi snapped the photograph for this painting. We all painted it in last weeks class. It's funny because the more I paint from life the more I realize that I don't like painting from photographs. Even after this many years I tend to "copy" the photo instead of relying on my memory and the feel of the subject. Good reasons to paint from life.

I began with a wash of odorless mineral spirits and two paint colors. I used alizarine crimson and hansa yellow orange. I wanted a very warm and transparent wash to begin my lay in. No drawing here, just noting location of the subject and looking for a pleasing composition.

Here I just added my darks, using transparent red oxide, alizarine crimson and some blue for a dark. Still transparent.....

Also, you may notice that I wiped out my lights with a paper towel dipped in mineral spirits. I almost always use this technique.

I started adding color and some opaque colors. I relied on my premixed grays that I always add to my palette these days. I also mentioned to the class to continue to use your piles of paint and the grays that come from them. Use them all the way through the painting. Mix the colors that you've already been using into each other. This will insure that your painting will be harmonious.

Now, some local color, keeping the paint thin and almost dry on the brush at this stage. No medium or mineral spirits. Continue to lay in the LARGE value shapes of color until you have covered the canvas. It is easy to get too involved in one area of the painting that you like, and forget to continue covering the canvas. It is way too early to get involved......

After you have finished covering the canvas, re-evaluate and use your mirror. Walk away and come back to take another look. Is it a good time to make any changes in your composition, and to look at the music of the piece. Think about what you are trying to say. Look for the darks and lights to lead you through the painting. Is anything too centered??

Use more paint now. Use the most paint in the area of interest, in this case, the large sunflower that faces the viewer. Now, I need to go back and handle those edges!

Back to Bistro Jeanty

Plein Air Dining, Bistro Jeanty

Oil on Linen Panel

10 x 10" by Randy Blasquez

I welcome your comments and suggestions for this piece. Was tougher than I thought. I do love the subject though. I'm finally getting back to painting today! I've been on the go and needed to catch up on life. Next I'm going to start a very large piece for my church gallery, Art and Soul Gallery. This will be a painting about the light of God through the birth of Jesus Christ.
I have been meeting by weekly with the Covenant Artists Group to pray and talk about what we will do for the show. If you'd like more info, shoot me an e-mail. You are welcome to participate.

Wow! What a weekend......

This past weekend I held my very first Painting Workshop/Retreat.
I am calling it a workshop/retreat because I wanted it to be both. It turned out to be the right thing I think. We had a wonderful time up at our family home in the Lake Tahoe area. It is located in beautiful Tahoe Donner outside of Lake Tahoe, very close to Donner Lake.
It houses 8 or 10 people very comfortably so I invited my students/friends to join me. We drove up Thursday afternoon, shared our first dinner together and settled in. After that we got our jammies on and watched "The Impressionists". Wonderful movie!
Next morning we took a drive a few miles along the Truckee River toward the big lake on hwy 89 and painted at the River Ranch Lodge and Restaurant. They were very nice to allow us to use their patio with an amazing view.

I did a very quick demonstration of a simple composition for the students. A couple of the ladies have painted in plein air before, but some had never painted outside. We had a blast. The weather was perfect!

Below are a couple of the student pieces

Amazing!

Saturday we stayed in and did a couple of exercises to help the painter succeed. The first one was a color mixing exercise. This was very eye opening for everybody, including myself.

After lunch we did another really fun exercise that was equally enlightening. I borrowed this exercise from Peggy Kroll Roberts. We counted our brushstrokes with a limit of 35 to 40. I was amazed at how the paintings came out, and of course, we all learned a lot - including the surprise element of how beautiful brushwork can be when you load up the brush and limit your strokes. No more "licking" the canvas or overworking the strokes.

Well, I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed being with these women. Yesterday morning we went for a wonderful hike and then packed it up. I can't wait to do it again!

Now it's time to get back to work. I have many unfinished projects and paintings to finish. Hopefully if I'm successful you will see some new work up on the blog soon.

Happy Painting!

 

Bistro Jeanty

I started a new painting this morning. Will finish later today I hope. If you have not eaten at this French Bistro in Yountville, you must. Authentic French food. Yum! It's the next best thing to being in Paris!

10 x 10" Oil on Linen

Three's A Crowd

Three's A Crowd

Oil on Linen Panel  8x16"

$300





I just finished this piece. It is one of those photos that I've had in my pile for years. Who knew I would ever want to paint chickens? I guess there is a reason I never threw it away. I love the format and not every subject will work on an 8 x 16 inch panel. It would be really fun to set on the kitchen counter inside an iron easel, or just as nice in a frame.