July Portrait Painting Workshops and Fall Art Classes in Woodstock, GA

Thursday and Friday - Mini Portrait Workshop
July 16th and 17th
9:30 - 1:00

Artists' Choice!  Kristina will be on hand as you enjoy two full days from the live model (African American Female)  Monochromatic, painterly, inspired by another artist - you decide!

***ALMOST FULL!***

Email Kristina right away to hold your spot!

$80.00 per artist

-If you can only attend Thursday or Friday - contact Kristina to see if a daily spot is open.


Thursday and Friday - Mini Portrait Workshop
July 30th and 31st
9:30 - 1:00

Artists' Choice!  Kristina will be on hand as you enjoy two full days from the live model. Monochromatic, painterly, inspired by another artist - you decide!

SPECIAL PRICE - for any student who has attended a workshop this summer - $50 for the two day class!

New Students $80.00

ENROLL NOW to save your spot!

Fall Classes Begin August 4th!

This fall I will be offering Tuesday and Wednesday morning painting classes.  These classes are for all levels.

New students will be required to complete two still-life paintings before venturing on to other subject matter.

Continuing students are encouraged to alternate between photo reference and live subjects (still life, sculpture, live model, etc)

Tuesday and/or Wednesday Mornings
9:30 - 12:30 (Doors will open at 9:15)

8 week session August 4th - September 30th (no class 9/22 and 9/30)
$200.00 for 8 weeks.

Drop in rates of $30 per class available if space permits.

SPACE IS LIMITED - contact Kristina to reserve a spot or ask questions!  

Tuesday Night Live Model Group 

I miss drawing and painting from the live model - don't you?!? I'm looking for a core group of artists dedicated to bringing back a weekly figure model session.  

Tuesday nights August 4th - Sept 29th (no class 9/22)

I'm looking for 6 fellow artists who want to pre-register for only $10 a week - must commit to all eight weeks!  That's only $80!

After the first 6 artists- drop-in artists can attend any week for $15.00.

I will ONLY hold these sessions if the minimum artist count is met - let me know ASAP if you want to join!

Full nude, artists can work on portrait or figure.  We will make timing of poses artists' choice week to week - either a variety of long and short poses or one long pose.

Self Portrait With My Daughter - Part Two

OK back to the self portrait...here are a few shots of developing my profile...

I did my best not to over-work it...I love the cool light from the window on my profile, and the warm light from the floor on my chin.  And many of you know...I have an addiction to color, I mean it's worse than my love of dark chocolate.  So although I *try* to tone down the red, the painting always ends up feeling dull and lifeless when I do that.  I find myself thinking "Do I need to be bland to get into the big shows?  Do I need to use just brown and white to be taken seriously?" and truth is...when I do that?  I hate the painting.  I want my paintings to be fun and joyful and colorful, awards may not agree, but that's where my heart lies.

And here are a few of the process shots developing Arianna's face.  You can see it starts out very abstract, and features come into focus after I establish the larger shapes of the face.  No point in making a pretty eye that's too big, too small, or too far to the left - get everything else around the eye correct first.

These pictures are all from my cell phone, so forgive the poor detail.  The final piece...(well...a cropped version of the final...)

I have titled this piece "In My Shelter She Will  Live, Beyond My Shadow She Will Thrive"  It's a combination of a couple quotes I read about Motherhood.  We moms have a very difficult job, to support our daughters yet push them out of the nest as well.  I am realizing that my daughter is already doing things "just to make Mom happy"...like take certain dance classes she doesn't really like, because I want her to enjoy it so much.  I want her to have the chance I didn't have, which was to really take her dance as far as it can go (OK she's eight! I'll give it time!)  So here's the thing:  How do we moms give our kids the support and encouragement they need to succeed, yet give them their own spotlight?  I live with too many regrets, of always leveling out in everything I have done, never reaching a level just above "OK".  I don't want her to be almost 40, wishing she had achieved more.

And yet...she is not me...she is her own person...and my job is not to correct my mistakes though her, but to enjoy her every success along side her, and always, always, let her know that I will support any opportunity that comes her way.

Glow: The Auction of the Woodstock Vignettes

In just a couple of weeks, the largest group of paintings I have ever created will be divided up, and head off to new homes.  It’s a bittersweet moment for any artist to say “good bye” to just one painting, let alone almost 40 all at once, TheWoodstock Vignettes.

As an artist, one of the biggest compliments I can receive from someone is “You've inspired me”.  It could be a student, a collector, or just an admirer.  My great hope with this group of paintings is that I have inspired more people to believe in, and support, the dream of the Elm Street Cultural ArtsVillage.

The Elm Street Cultural Arts Village will embrace all aspects of creativity, from the visual arts to the theater, the musical stage to the culinary arts.  Whatever you are passionate about, whatever feeds your spirit, you will find an aspect of it that can be nurtured through this endeavor.

The painting Auction, “Glow”, will take place on the Event Green on September 20th.  Live jazz music from Tayrn and the Wednesday Trio, hors d’oeuvres from one of your favorite downtown restaurants, a cash bar, entertainment from our fabulous Emcee and Elm Street Theater actor Joe Lemmo will all come together under the huge tents.

The money raised by the auction of the Woodstock Vignettes Paintings will benefit the restoration of the Reeves Home: the future site of an Art Gallery, art classrooms, and studio spaces.

Renditions of the Reeves House Renovation

Registration is required for this special event, as seating is limited. Please visit www.elmstreetarts.org/glow/   by September 12th to purchase tickets.

Follow the Woodstock Vignettes on Facebook at facebook.com/woodstockvignettes for special preview nights and more information and how you can be part of supporting the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village.

Current and Upcoming Shows and Exhibitions

Hello dear friends and followers...I am so sorry to have neglected my blog for so long!

But I am back with lots of good news to share so let's get to it!

Back in December I was lucky enough to paint a young man I met through my yoga studio.  Not only did I get a great portrait out of the experience, but I made a new friend, as we chatted and laughed and bonded during the painting session.

My original plan was to paint a simple head shot, 16" x 20" portrait.  But my model had other ideas in mind!  he wandered around my studio looking for props, and settled on a skull...but removed the jaw.

So we set up a pose and I pulled out a 18" x 36" inch canvas to accommodate his portrait, his hand and the skull

I got quite far in our three hours together, but further refined the piece using reference photos

I was very honored that this piece was selected for the 2014 LaGrange National Exhibition.  It was beyond thrilling to find out that the museum decided to purchase this painting, which I titled "Cessation of the Mind", for their permanent collection.

I'm also honored to be a newly juried member of the Women Painters of the Southeast, and to have two pieces in their 2014 member's Show

"A Step Back"

"Mona in Turquoise Scarf"

The show will be held at the Magnolia Art Gallery in Greensboro GA March 28th through April 15th.

For the fourth consecutive year I am proud to be part of one of the biggest and fastest growing Art Exhibitions in the area - the Cumming First United Methodist Church Festival of the Arts.  This year three pieces were juried into the show

"A Gentle Soul"

"Anna"

"A Deceptive Calm"

I am consistently impressed with the size and scope of this show, and the entire program throughout the two week run celebrates Art and Music.  Be sure to check the schedule and attend one of the wonderful concerts when you visit the show.

The show runs from march 22nd though April 6th.

In Uniform - Newest Paintings from the Woodstock Series

Memorial Day in downtown Woodstock was absolutely wonderful.  The weather was sunny and clear, and a huge crowd gathered in the city park to honor the Veterans of the Armed Forces.  As I approached the park, I caught my first great photo of the day - a fireman bending down to hand a red hat over to a young boy.

I was pretty far away, so I kept shooting as I got closer.  I ended up combining a couple of shots to get the right pose of the fireman, the child, the firetruck, and the group of firefighters off to the right.

I was hoping to catch a good shot of the local fireman at some point - I often see them at Hot Dog Heaven, but this was a better shot - and showed a great side to their community spirit.

Later in the ceremony, I positioned myself at the back of the Veterans Memorial, where I could watch as several men in uniform came forward to lay a wreath at the base.  Again, I took multiple shots, and I combined a few elements - and left out some extra figures - to come up with this composition.

The gentleman in the middle was the eldest of the bunch, and I hesitated to add the cane, but at the advice of a friend I added it in, and that (along with the height of his waistband!) really helps to show his age.  I liked that contrast of the elder generation in the foreground and the young children in the back, doing their best salutes.  

It was a proud day to be part of the Woodstock community.  

Oil Painting Portrait on Panel, The Woman with Dreads

A couple weeks ago our figure drawing group was working with one of our fabulous models, who has multiple tattoos and a head full of dreadlocks, ribbons and beads.  She posed for a couple portrait shots for me.

I worked on a panel that had already seen a couple of failed paintings, and got a fresh coat of oil primer.  When I primed it, I didn't worry about going all the way to the edges - I let a little bit of the previous layers hang around.

This is the "alien" stage...just a quick indication of the size of the head and starting to mass in shadows.

Blocked in some large areas of color.  I wanted the first few layers to be a bit more bold - I know I can always tone down the color, so I intentionally chose a more saturated orange

Considered the background, started playing around with blues and greens.  Very little detail in the eyes. Mostly shadows.

A few indications of the dreads on the rights

I like this stage, where there are transparent and opaque layers of paint.  Also, working on an oil primed panel, I can still wipe away a lot of paint

Getting a little closer to the skin tone, deeper shadows in the hair.  The shadows and light across her forehead were difficult.  I had to rework the area several times.

Deciding on a background color, and blocking in the rest of her shoulders.  I am using just oil paint and a touch of thinner, no other medium.  Rosemarie brushes all the way.

More interest added to the dreads, including some of the blue ribbon she has woven through her hair. I also toned down the highlights above her eyebrows, focusing more on the highlight on top of her forehead.  Three highlights was too distracting

(20" x 16")

Portrait Painting Step by Step

I know!  Two posts in two days?!?! Crazy!

This is a recent oil portrait on acrylic primed canvas (I only mention the acrylic primed because I am trying to pay a lot more attention to my surfaces...trying new types of canvas and seeing what works best for me).  I think the size is 16" x 20".  The young man in the photo was walking into a restaurant near my studio just as I was leaving.  Much to my husband's delight I walked up to the young man and asked if he'd be interesting in modeling for a portrait sometime.  Well, he was incredibly nice, and turns out he is a very talented musician as well.  (I also took several shots of him playing his guitar - I loved his relaxed stance as he started to sing)

Anyway...this shot was great - taken against the antique stone wall in my studio, just out of the light from the window.

I started by blocking in the large shapes - no under painting really - just right in with a close approximation of value and color.

A little more pushing and pulling on the edges - does the hair have to move to the left? does the chin tilt down more?  Big shapes and relationships...no detail.

Starting to define the end of the nose, the eye (keeping all of the details in the shadows - the eye should not pop out of the socket) and the mouth

Considered the background more at this stage - deepened the shadows, added more color to the shirt.  I wanted to be sure the value of my skin tone was correct in the context.

Finished blocking in the background, re-evaluated the highlights on the face, started to define the dreadlocks

To be continued...final product coming soon :)

CFUMC Festival of the Arts 2013

This is the third year that I am proud to be a part of the Cumming First United Methodist Church Arts Festival.  The festival takes place for a full two weeks this year, and I am thrilled to have two of my recent paintings in the show.

The Orange Shirt

The festival includes a full music program as well.   I highly recommend visiting this beautiful church and enjoying the program.  The show is massive, a huge undertaking, and the staff does an amazing job of bringing it all together.

2013 Concerts & Special Events

The 2013 Festival of Arts will be expanding to cover a two week period.  There will be multiple concert options available during that time.  Concert dates are still being finalized.  Check back often to view updates on the concert schedule.

Saturday, April 13, 7-9 p.m. - Artist & Patron Gala Reception and Gallery Preview.  BY INVITATION ONLY

Sunday, April 14, 2:30 p.m. - Elysium Chamber Orchestra.  FREE

Monday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. - University of North Georgia Symphonic Band.  FREE

Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m. - 'mIfilm' Student Film Festival held at the AMC Avenue Forsyth Theatre.  $5 GENERAL ADMISSION

Wednesday, April 17, 6-7 p.m. - Student Reception for Visions Art Show.  FREE

Sunday, April 21, 11 a.m. - Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society - guest choir at 8:45 and 11 a.m. worship.

Sunday, April 21, 2:30 p.m. - Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society in Concert.  FREE

Wednesday, April 24, 7 p.m. - Rising Stars concert competition.  (Classically trained young musicians high school age and younger.)  FREE

Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. - North Georgia Symphony Orchestra.  $10 general admission.  $5 students.

Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m. - Cumming FUMC Chancel Choir - providing special music at 11 a.m. worship.

BACH'S LUNCH CONCERTS

All concerts take place at Noon and are free followed by a light lunch available for $5.  Week one features the performing fine arts departs of the five Forsyth County high schools.  Week two features performances by professionals from the Atlanta metro area.

Monday, April 15 - Lambert High School

Tuesday, April 16 - North Forsyth High School

Wednesday, April 17 - Forsyth Central High School

Thursday, April 18 - South Forsyth High School

Friday, April 19 - West Forsyth High School

Monday, April 22 -  City Gate Dance Company (contemporary dance and ballet)

Tuesday, April 23 - Nathan Munson & Amy Little, Tenor & Soprano soloists/duetists

Wednesday, April 24 - David Bros. Jazz Quartet

Thursday, April 25 - Atlanta Saxophone Quartet

Friday, April 26 - Trey Clegg, organist

Painting a Garden of Roses

Without getting too deep psychologically...let's just say that, for me, painting can be like a good therapist. And let's just say, I really needed some therapy these last few weeks!  I actually set aside all of the figurative pieces and portraits in my studio and focused on a quick series of roses.  A few months ago I took dozens of shots of roses in a garden in Chattanooga.  The roses were perfect therapy - colorful, engaging, and relatively quick - I painted 8 in 8 days.

This was the first painting.  All of these panels are 6" x 6" masonite, pre-primed.

I loved the warm orange and peach center framed by the periwinkle blue petals.

I started each painting by focusing on the negative space and background - not the buds and blooms.

Working from the computer screen is so helpful - the colors are so vibrant, and I can zoom in and get all the detail.

This was probably the most complex rose I attempted - not only the number of petals, but the combination of warm and cool.  I had to make the blues pure and bright - but in the shadow.

The first four in the series.

OK this is the 8 paintings.  I don't know why it keeps showing up upside down!  Until I figure it out I'm leaving it like this.  Because, you know, the more issues I have dealing with the little things that really should NOT take ten times to figure out, the more therapy I need, and the more therapy I need, the more I paint...so it's a win-win, really. 

Where do I begin?

How can I feel like I have so much to tell you, yet I can't even begin to tell you what's going on?  It's been very busy at the studio, at home, and everywhere in between!

So I will share what I can through photos...and share the long version for another day :)

New Woodstock paintings in the works...

The Barber Shop and Tea Party Restaurant on Main Street

Our Wednesday Evening figure group has been awesome every week - fabulous artists and amazing models.  These are a couple of my recent pieces.  The red ones are watercolor pencil on Wallis paper (12 x 18) and the brown one is oil on canvas (12 x 16)

This is the work board of one of my students for the Value Class that I ran last month.  It was a focus on value, not hue.  If your values are correct, used in good proportions as well, your paintings will be more successful.  It was a great class that I look forward to having again!

One afternoon I set up a nice yellow pear in a little turquoise dish, with the light from the window creating a beautiful sunlight pattern.  From this shot you'd think I had made a great painting.  Well...you'd be wrong.  It turned out muddy and overworked.  It got painted over.

This painting of a small striped pumpkin turned out much better.  Please ignore what looks like my finger in the upper left corner...

I'm also spending a lot of time researching and implementing a special diet for my son Jack.  It's based on the Feingold diet - the biggest aspect being eliminating artificial food coloring (which we've been doing for a while) artificial preservatives, and various other foods that tend to exacerbate his poor behavior.  While just focusing on food coloring was working for a while, it seems like he still has problems after eating foods that you would think would be ok - such as orange juice, apples or apple juice, milk, grapes, peaches, fresh pineapple, and almonds.  It's a continuous experiment, finding foods that are not only as all natural as possible, but don't contain those foods that may trigger emotional outbursts (yes...all children have behavior issues at some point...but these meltdowns are beyond definition).  If you have any experience with the Feingold diet, or any other elimination diet and behavior, I would love to hear your feedback!