"Truckee Love"

Oil on Linen Panel    9x12"

Available Here

I have lived in Truckee, California for almost a year now. I opened my Studio downtown last November and I am loving it. Life is different here. Slower. The people are incredibly friendly, caring, active. 
This view is right above where my studio is, at the top of the stairs. It is a beautiful view. I see it all the time and it changes everyday, as does the weather here. The light through our little town is beautiful, and I especially enjoy it in the late afternoon, when there is still a little snow on the mountain and it has a pinkish hue. 
This painting is from a photo taken a little earlier in the day, at the beginning of Summer. I'm hoping to paint this one again as the season changes this coming year.

Recent Inspirations - Day Eight

"Golf as it was Meant to Be!"

Oil on Linen Canvas   14x11"

NFS

For this piece I painted from a photo the Pacific Dunes Golf Course. Michael is playing in a local tournament this coming weekend and I am providing this piece for one of the raffle prizes. It was fun. One thing to remember with this kind of painting is that you really need a strong light source to bring interest and excitement to the painting. 

Now that I am learning to play golf, I suspect you will be seeing more of these types of paintings from me. In fact, I'm looking forward to our trip to Hawaii, my first ever golf trip next month. 

As the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge progresses, I am coming to a couple of conclusions. Number one, I am enjoying it and I love that painting is becoming a habit again. Number two, I can't believe I signed on to this challenge as I realize the upcoming events this month that will really make keeping up difficult! So I will just keep saying to myself, "One day at a time, one day at a time, one day at a time!"

Recent Inspirations - Day Seven

"Sunset View at the Keyhole"

Oil on Linen Panel   9x12"

Available Here

This is another beautiful spot that we painted en plain air last week. I can't believe i used to live near here in Southern California, back in my 20's. I appreciate it so much more today. It has so many beautiful places to set up and paint. 

This too, I had to paint a second time. Looking forward to planning another trip to this area...

New Inspirations - Day Six

"San Clemente Pier Palms"

Oil on Linen Panel

Available Here

Another photo from last week on my girl trip. I loved this scene and painted it once per "plain air", but wanted to paint it again. When I get out there and I'm looking at some beautiful scene that I don't often get to see, it is overwhelming. I need to study it, and take time to paint it again in order to understand what I'm looking at. So, attempt number two! I hope to paint it many more times. I really am enjoying this view with the palm trees lined up in a lyrical manner.. Really fun!

"Letting Go" - New Inspirations - Day Five

"Letting Go"

Oil on Linen Canvas    18x24"

Today I was fortunate to spend time with students in the studio. We studied the idea of letting go and letting things happen on the canvas. We began with a transparent wash of color and value, then layered on the paint thick. It was a fun experiment!

North Shore - Lake Tahoe - Day Four

"North Shore"

Oil on Wood Cradle Board  6x12"

Available Here

I have fallen in love the the Lake Tahoe Region. I still can't believe that I live here. Yes, I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful areas of the United States. It has been quite an adjustment to be sure, (I guess it gets harder as we age), but I have met wonderful new friends, I have learned to golf, I am getting my ski legs on, and I have my own painting studio!

Yes, I am living the life and I am feeling blessed beyond measure.

Recent Inspirations - Day 3

"Dana Point Harbor View"

Oil on Linen Panel   8x10"

Available Here

This past week I spent a week hanging out with good friends in Southern California. We got to paint, take photos, visit some beautiful sights and visit the San Diego Museum (Sorolla!), and the Festival of the Masters. It was an exceptional trip. 

I painted this piece from a photo I took of the Dana Point Harbor. This was my first attempt, but I plan to paint it many more times from different perspectives in order to learn from what I was looking at. It was really the best of times.....

Recent Inspirations - Day Two

"On the Road Again"

Oil on Linen Panel   8x10"

Available Here

Day two of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, I chose to paint a photo from a recent road trip to South Dakota. I was attracted to the pastel colors of the landscape passing by. I like the simple moving stripes of colors as they speed past the window.
A different and new subject for me, I am enjoying the view from the car window. Below I've uploaded some of the photos from the process of painting. I washed in the underpainting using my clear washy medium mixed with the transparent paint colors.

"Recent Inspiration" - 30 paintings in 30 days

"Laguna Beach Sunset"

6x8" Oil on Linen Panel

Available Here

I'm struggling with focus. My life has been so full of fun and travel this Summer. Wonderful really. But I have lost my focus on painting. My love for painting is still in tact, but there is no flow. So I've decided to take on the challenge that Leslie Saeta has proposed again this month. Paint a painting a day for 30 days. We will see how is goes.
My quest-
I am looking to grow in the next thirty days. My goal is to use a thin transparent underpainting and then add large strokes of opaque impasto on top. Should be fun!

*These paintings will be available on the Daily Paintworks Website.

Studio Blasquez News.....

Snow Shadows
Oil on Linen    16x20"
Available HERE

It has been a busy Summer here in Truckee at the Studio. We've been busy with the Truckee Thursday event here in town almost every week as well. We learned how to set up a Canopy and Pro Panel Walls, and how to haul the artwork to the Street Fair on Thursday evenings. It has been fun. (Come on up for the last Truckee Thursday on August 21st.)

On top of that, we have had some fun family time and have also done some traveling. I haven't figured out how to be married to a retired person and hang out with him, and at the same time continue to run my business. I have to say though, I am not complaining. I love my studio and have had some of my friends, (you!), come up to paint with me and that is the absolute best. Please come on up anytime! Also, I have been teaching here in the studio and making new friends. I have learned how to play Golf. It turns out that I love it! I guess all I need now is two of me.....

I hope your Summer has been half as good as mine. I am very blessed indeed. Read up below and join me if you can for a Workshop or Studio Class.

Coming Up -
30 paintings in 30 days......
By now you probably know that I've participated in this before, the challenge coming from Leslie Saeta, of "Artisits Helping Artisits".
Beginning September first, over 400 artists (so far), are joining together to paint a painting a day for 30 days, and then posting them on Leslie's Blog.  Why you ask? Because it is a wonderful way to get better and faster, to get into the creative mode, and create good habits. It's not about being perfect or even finishing the month (or each piece for that matter!). It's about having fun and painting!
I'm challenging you to join me in this challenge. Follow the link above to learn how.

Workshops and Classes......
I am offering a limited amount of classes this Fall. First, two one day workshops at Patris Studio on the first Thursday of September and October. (more info below)
Additionally, watch for Tuesday Classes to Pop Up over the next several weeks as well.

Beyond that I will continue to offer Simi-Private Lessons here in my Studio in Truckee. These classes are very small with plenty of one on one attention for each student. If you are looking to focus on one element of painting at a time in order to get better - such as - learning to see like an artist, starting a painting, composition and design, large value shapes that greatly increase the success of a painting, color mixing and more.

See class and workshop dates below.....

Italy??
Look for news as things develop for workshop in Italy next year. Please let me know if you are in any way interested. I am looking at either Tuscany and then Venice, or Venice and then Tuscany.  Very Excited!!



Full Day Workshops at Patris Studio...
"PILE IT ON!" - and finish with finesse...
Freedom! That's what this workshop is about. Be bold!
If you've ever wanted to learn how to use more paint this class is for you. We will wash in the underpainting quickly and then grab our palette knife.  We will pile on the paint  before learning to soften the edges with the brush and finish with any necessary detail. This technique is designed to teach you how to trust what you see with your eyes while squinting to see the large value shapes, in addition to learning to manipulate more paint on the canvas.

Thursday September 4th   9:30 to 4 pm   $75
Thursday October 2nd       9:30 to 4 pm   $75


3460 2nd Avenue, Sacramento CA, 95817

To Buy this Workshop Go:  HERE
e-mail me at ranblaz@hotmail.com
or call 916-952-7914 to reserve your spot. No deposit is required. I will send you a supply list and more info....


Simi-Private Lessons in my Studio..
Full Day Workshops at Studio Blasquez...

10:00 to 4:00 pm on the following Wednesdays..
Note: There is no class on Oct. 29th - was a type error

September 17th & 24th
October 8th, & 22nd
November 12th & 19th
December 10th & 3rd

Learn the Basic Elements of Painting by attending these ongoing workshop days at the studio. I will work with you individually as we learn to overcome the obstacles that we all need to overcome. Learn to see like an artist and begin to paint fresh, bold, successful paintings.
 As we grow we must learn to paint many starts. We will practice each element and become confident before we tackle the next one. This class is not about taking home a large completed piece, but focuses more on practice. 
From beginner to intermediate levels.

10382 Donner Pass Road, Suite 2, Truckee, CA 96161

To Buy This Workshop Go:  HERE
OR:  916-952-7914 Call or e-mail me at ranblaz@hotmail.com to sign up.

Sand Harbor

Sand Harbor

Oil on Linen   11 x 14"

sold

Sand Harbor Study

Oil on Canvas   6 x 8"

Available here

It has been great to get back into the studio this week. I find that if I don't get there on a regular basis I begin to loose my desire to go. Then I get real unhappy, and wonder why..
I had a nice visit from some of my favorite people from the Sacramento area. I miss them so much and for them to make the trip up here makes me feel loved. They came for the Truckee Thursday event and a couple of them stayed over to paint with me on Friday. More happiness!

Anyway, I have been working these past few days on a couple of different pieces, one being this 11x14 commission piece. I painted this from a study reference that I painted a few weeks back. Michael took me to Sand Harbor on a beautiful stormy day last May and I came home with some amazing photos. I couldn't believe the colors in the water. It so happened that the clouds added to the atmosphere and the colors shone.

I hope to paint more of these.

And by the way, look for news from me in the next couple of weeks. I plan to announce my Fall workshop and class schedule. See ya next time!

The Truckee

"The Truckee"

Oil on Cradle Board   12 x 12"

purchase here

I haven't painted in what feels like weeks, other than here and there. What with family visits, the holiday and just this past weekend a trip to Utah. I needed to get into the studio today. I had started this piece by painting a heavy layer of white oil paint mixed with a little alkyd to help it dry faster and give it a bit of texture. I like the non-adsorbent texture of painting on wood and have decided to paint a few of these smaller panels.

At this point I went into the transparent wash, using rich runny color. It is a fun and exciting way to start a painting, but a real challenge because it is so abstract. In this instance I kept the values in tact and tried to create the glow that I enjoy so much. I also wanted to keep a strong abstract element.

This under painting has been sitting in the studio for weeks, so it felt good to go in and finish it up.
I'm still wanting to paint the snow, I guess I was just inspired. I love the play of the warm and cool. I've been wanting to paint the Truckee for a while, I really enjoy the piles of snow on the rocks in the river.

And I'm ready for snow again already!

Choosing a Photograph & Avoiding the Pitfalls....

Snow Patterns  9x12"
Oil on Linen
Available   $725

Selecting a photograph as a reference tool for a painting can make or break a painting. Consider these ideas –

•   Look for what excites you - but do not choose a photograph without using your artistic experience.

•   There should be a foreground, middle ground and a background.

•   What is your CONCEPT? MOOD?

•   Look for large value SHAPES that can be easily constructed into a simple statement.

But you must know that photographs will LIE!

•  The darks will be darker.

•  The lights will be washed out to white.

•  The scale or proportions will be distorted.

•  Color will not be natural.

•  Nature will repeat shapes and create lines that lead you out of the painting.

•  Photos lack the human poetic story telling aspect.

Hints to Keep in Mind -

•   Remember the goal is DO NOT COPY the scene.

•   Create a strong DESIGN.

•   Squint and compare everything, but don’t rely on the photograph and use your memory and be creative.

•   Eliminate detail!

•   Link shapes together to create a musical flow – interesting patterns of dark and light.

•   Loose edges by bringing values close together to combine smaller shapes into larger shapes.

•   Push values lighter or darker to strengthen your design.

•   Use the process of ELIMINATION – when in doubt, leave it out.

The “Creative” Process

•   Create designed shapes using a pictorial language to substitute the objects in landscapes. Bushes, trees, mountains, etc. will be represented into new shapes that easily identify the real objects but their lines will be melodic and graceful as well as their shapes being interesting.

•   Experienced artists are not concerned about making things look real, but are more interested in making things look beautiful.

•   Think in the abstract. An abstract shape will not be equal to another shape in any way. Your shapes should have melodic lines, make this a priority!

•   Group the details together and round them up in mass value plans.

•  If a scene is particularly complex, don’t even begin until you have a plan about how to simplify.

•  Squint and Simplify – and Compare Everything!

•  Values are relative, use them to create contrast.

•  Choose what will be the star player – make everything else subordinate no matter how compelling it is.

The Impressionist's by Karen B Owen

Rouge un Parapluies

by Randy Blasquez   Sold 

Karen B. Owens is the author of a new book, "The Impressionists'" Corner at Cafe' Guerbois. She contacted me about a year ago and asked if she could use my painting, "Rouge un Parapluies" for her cover. A bonus, the book is about the Impressionist Movement and its founders, one of my favorite subjects. This book covers more about the artists personal history and the often overlooked friendships and resolutions of the men as they met each night at Cafe' Guerbois. She says that the definitive foundations of Impressionism were formed at this Cafe'. The camaraderie formed at the Cafte' Guerbois was a strong shield against their being the brunt of criticisms by the Salon, critic's, and the French are-viewing public.  (taken from the book)

This book can now be purchased through Amazon.com by clicking HERE

About the Author

Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier (1815-1891), French painter extraordinaire, once commented, "If I had not been a painter, I should have liked to be an historian. I don't think any other subject could be so interesting as history." Substituting professor for painter summarizes my sentiments as well. My interest in history and biography began several decades ago and the last several years have been consolidating my researching and reading - culminating into these recent works: Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth: The Last Great Monarchs of Austria-Hungary (McFarland Publishing), They Changed The World, and In Pursuit of Dreams: Extraordinary Women of Achievement. Prior to writing these books, as a professor of developmental psychology and visiting lecturer in England, my published works have included authoring college textbooks, The World of the Child (Macmillan) and Child and Adolescent Development (Wadsworth). My research interests in self-esteem and children's learning styles have resulted in two works, Raising Your Child's Inner Self-Esteem (Plenum) and Critical Thinking (Kendall/Hunt). Interest in children and parenting lead me to create a research-based website on helping parents tackle today's parenting issues: Theeducatedparent.net. My most current writing adventure is on the fascinating lives of the core Impressionists - Manet, Monet, Degas, Cezanne, and Renoir: The Impressionists' Corner at Café Guerbois.

"Frosty Morning on Donner Pass Road"
Oil on Linen    20 x 20 x 1.5"
$1400  Studio Blasquez
Available through artist at ranblaz@hotmail.com

Studio Blasquez

I have lived in Truckee now for about six months. It is very exciting to me that just driving around town has been inspiring. I used to think that I'd have nothing to paint here! Crazy huh? It turns out that I am loving the beauty in this area of the mountains. Every day when I drive into town to my little studio I see something new. It usually has to do with the light here and how it hits the mountain view at different times of the day, and even more inspiring to me lately is the light effect on the roads. I think I'm going to be painting more of these local road scenes. 

I'm a little sad to see the snow gone now as I have just begun to enjoy painting it, but the summer time here is equally beautiful. So I'm sure I will continue to enjoy the scenery. It feels like one long adventure to me and I'm loving it.

Be sure to come up for a fun evening on any Thursday through the Summer starting next week on  June 12th. I'll be out with my paints in the middle of it all, with some paintings and some jewelry hand made by my dear friend Dee Alyson. 

https://www.facebook.com/TruckeeThursdays

Summer Class Schedule at Studio Blasquez and Patris Studio Gallery

10382 Donner Pass Road, Unit 2

Truckee CA 96161

Summer Schedule of Classes with Randy Blasquez

AT STUDIO BLASQUEZ:

We will start at 10 am and end at 4:30 pm, with a short lunch break. I will be covering many of the basic foundations of painting, while working with each individual student on their own particular interest. I want to work with you on your problem areas, taking one at a time, and moving on from there. If you sign up for a class, from there we can talk about your personal goals. You will get plenty of personal instruction.

Location:  Studio Blasquez - 10382 Donner Pass Road Suite 2
Cost is $75

Paint Days are on Wednesday:
May 28
June 11
June 25
July 9
July 30
August 20

*Note. Please email me to sign up for this class. ranblaz@hotmail.com or call - 916-952-7914.
These dates may change due to sign up fluctuations. 

I will also be teaching at Patris Studio in Sacramento on select Tuesdays this Summer from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm. We will work on the basics, still life set ups or you may work from your own photograph.

Location: Patris Studio and Gallery - 3460 2nd Avenue, Sacramento
Cost: $40
Contact me at ranblaz@hotmail.com or 916-952-7914 to sign up for this class.

Paint Days are on Tuesday:
(the first date is posted, with more dates to come)

Tuesday June 17th - We will be studying the concept of division of space within the composition, values and brushwork with a fun exercise or two. 

It's All About Relationships....

"Last Ski Day at Squaw Valley"
Oil on Linen
10x10"

“When the student begins to see each color in true relationship to the rest, he becomes a painter… Everything begins and ends here”. 

                                                                                                                 Sergei Bongart

Do you know what Sergei was saying here?  I am certainly still learning but I do believe that we need to continually compare every shape, value and color relationship as we paint. 

The basic relationships that we are comparing to each other are value first, color, color temperature, edges and texture. The order after value are not so important in order of significance, it will depend on the order of thinking that the artist follows.

So, thinking, is the key word here. We must think through each step as we paint. One of the most important things we think about is relationships.

If painting were easy, everybody would do it. But it is not easy. It takes a lot of dedication, practice and study. We have to LEARN to THINK LIKE AN ARTIST as we paint. 

I like to start a painting using the rule of simplicity by squinting and sketching a notan or three in order to simplify the design. I will break the subject down into 3 to 5 shapes. This is where I will compare values. 

Which shape is darker? Which one is the lightest shape and which one is more of a middle value. At this point you will need to decide which value will be dominant. From here everything is compared to what it is next to, but also you must step back and compare the values as a whole. Or you can do this in your design while sketching out your notan.

Here are some examples of a notan design:

In this case I used a couple of gray value brush pens to quickly mass in the shapes. I was looking for the most pleasing design. Our eyes will see the design more accurately in a small sketch. This sketch must have a border in order to contain it - this is the first and most important element in design. The border must match exactly the proportions of your canvas.

I liked the third option best, it is middle value dominant, the light is secondary to the middle value and the dark is the smallest shape. This is the a very important element of design, and one we want to work out before we begin our painting.

Now you have the basic design for your painting. How great is that? If you keep this design as you work through the thinking process of comparing in a step by step manner, you can't go wrong.

Please let me know what you'd like to talk about next regarding the painting process and what area gives you the most trouble. I love talking about this stuff.