HOLIDAY TREASURES: Art for a good cause

Slice of Light. Oil on Linen 11 x 14
Just back from hanging  "Holiday Treasures: Art for a good cause" at Mane on Madison ("MOM") Salon in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Great to see the fruits of my labor displayed in such a beautiful setting all decked out for the holidays. (Showcase runs through January 3, 2010)

A stylish, inviting and lovingly restored 3-story home turned full service salon, MOM is tucked-away on a quiet side street near town center. It's an ideal venue to showcase 16 of my recent paintings, including: Slice of Light," "In Full Bloom," "Coming up Roses," to name a few.

This year's exhibition is also a fundraiser for Table to Table, the organization that collects prepared and perishable excess food and delivers it to organizations that feed the hungry in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties in New Jersey. A portion of proceeds from all paintings sold will be donated to this fine community-based food rescue program.

Should you be in the area, do stop in. Coffee is always brewing, browsing is encouraged and the staff is amazingly talented and welcoming. And in the spirit of the giving season, perhaps you could find it in your heart to make a small donation to Table to Table to help feed our area's hungry.

Artur ZMijewski Film Documents Collaboration between Artists and Steel Workers

The Museum of Modern Art presents Projects 91: Artur Zmijewski, featuring the premiere of the artist’s newest film Swiecie, 2009 (2009) shown in a continuous 24-minute loop, in the Museum’s Contemporary Galleries through February 1, 2010. 
For the film, Zmijewski (Polish, b. 1966)—whose work investigates social norms by inventing or staging unusual scenarios for his subjects and documenting their reactions—invited seven artists from different parts of Poland to collaborate with steel workers in the city of Swiecie. They created public sculptures that were installed around the city. Projects 91 is organized by Connie Butler, The Robert Lehman Foundation Chief Curator of Drawings and The MoMA.

Sargent and the Sea Exhibit

John Singer Sargent, 2. En Route pour la pêche (Setting Out to Fish), 1878, oil on canvas. Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Museum Purchase, Gallery Fund, 17.2.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art presents Sargent and the Sea through January 3, 2010. Featuring more than 80 paintings, watercolors, and drawings depicting seascapes and coastal scenes from the early career of the late 19th century American expatriate painter John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), the exhibition highlights the impact that the sea had on Sargent’s career, development of his style and artistic preferences.

The exhibit travels to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (February 14–May 23, 2010) and the Royal Academy of Arts, London (July 10–September 26, 2010).

Largest-ever retrospective of painter John William Waterhouse

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is hosting the largest-ever retrospective of the British painter John William Waterhouse (1849-1917). Thanks to loans from the Tate Gallery, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Leeds Art Gallery, the Museum will present all three versions of The Lady of Shalott, Waterhouse's most celebrated and popular piece based on Tennyson's poem, This showing will be the first time these three works have been presented together. 

 J. W. Waterhouse: Garden of Enchantment runs through February 7, 2010 and includes some eighty works, paintings and works on paper plus a book of poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson belonging to the artist. The first international exhibition of the artist's work since 1978, it is also the first to feature the entire artistic career of this modern Pre-Raphaelite, who was fascinated with  the femme fatale of literature, both as enchantress of ancient times and romantic heroine. 

A classical painter, J.W. Waterhouse borrowed generously from Naturalist and Impressionist schools and often scandalized peers and critics of his time with his modern approach and combined techniques.

Coming up Roses!!

"Coming up Roses"
Oil on Linen Panel
12 x 12

The vase in this composition was actually clear glass. However, as I was painting it a  Murano-like  effect kept coming through. Rather than paint what was actually there, I decided to experiment, go with the flow and see where artistic license took me.  Happily, following my mind's eye helped the piece as I think the hazy blue/green glaze on the vessel actually compliments the rich solid color of the roses and adds a sense of mystery.  Sometimes... everything does come up roses!

Sorry about the photo. Will attempt to take a better one and post  this week. 

Important American Paintings at Christie's Auction

George Inness, "Near Peekskill"

Christie's New York will hold an important auction of American Paintings on September 29, 2009. Spanning the country’s most significant historical periods, for this event they will bring together Modernist, American Impressionist, Surrealist and Western works by many of the most celebrated names in American art. Emil Carlsen, Reginald Marsh, George Inniss, Edward Kemeys, Sally Michel Avery, Richard Schmid and William Aiken Walker are but a sampling of artists represented. Previews begin September 25 through 28th. Admission is free!

ART & ABOUT: Joaquin Sorolla Exhibition Breaks Ten Year Attendance Record

MADRID.- The Museo del Prado has broken a ten year old attendance record with its Sorolla Exhibition. More than 450,000 persons visited the exhibition which closed on September 13, 2009 and was visited by more persons than other exhibitions for Velázquez, Ribera, Murillo, El Greco, Zurbarán and Goya.

          JOAQUIN SOROLLA y BASTIDA studied painting from the age of fifteen in his native Valencia, Spain. By the time he was eighteen, he had traveled to Madrid, where he copied Master paintings in the Museo del Prado. Four years later, after winning a grant, the young artist began studying painting in Rome and worked on perfecting his signature style and ability to render luminous light effects.
          Upon Sorolla's return to Madrid, his portraits, landscapes and monumental historical and social pieces already gaining recognition internationally, he exhibited at the 1901 Exposition Univeselle in Paris and was commissioned by the Hispanic Society of America to paint decorative scenes for its NYC library. 
          Sorolla's widow left a large collection of his paintings to the people of Spain. They are now housed at the Museo Sorolla, in the artist's home in Madrid. Other prominent colletions include The J Paul Getty Museum's ten Impressionist beach scenes (Los Angeles) and the Hispanic Society of America's entire room devoted to the Spanish Master's work. The latter, located in Harlem, NYC, is currently under renovation and expected to reopen in October, 2009.

CALL TO ARTISTS: Please share your favorite painting tip

I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON AN ARTICLE that will feature Painting Pointers and Tips for artists. Would love to have you participate by passing along one of your faves. All media and artist levels welcome.

Please help me make this list an inspirational working tool for all artists:

1. Share your favorite painting tip. Be sure to include your name, media and website along with some background or anecdote about your discovery .

2. Tell a friend (or friends). Share a link to this site with fellow artists for their input.

3. Feel free to add your suggestions here and/or e-mail them to me at: theartworks@earthlink.net.

4. Follow my blog. I will publish periodic updates about this collaboration along with the publication date for the article.

HERE'S MY TIP: This was passed along by noted still life master painter and consummate teacher, Frank Arcuri.

When attempting to match a color in your set up, hold a a small mirror at arms length in front of you. Position it in such a way as to view your set up and canvas in the same frame. Still holding the mirror in one hand, with the other, lay down a stroke of mixed color on your canvas. You'll see right away if it is a good match. Really works!

"In full Bloom" accepted for exhibit at the National Arts Club, New York

Happy to announce that "In full Bloom" was accepted into the 113th Annual Exhibition of The Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club.

The exhibition of works in a variety of media by women artists from all over the United States was by juried admission and is open to the public from October 1 to October 23, 2009 from 3 pm, Monday through Friday, 1 pm - 6 pm Satuday and Sunday. to 6 pm.

The National Arts Club is located at 15 Gramercy Park South, New York. Info: 212-475-3424.

Vacation shots... reference material for future paintings

Lately it seems I've been painting flowers exclusively. Inspired by a recent vacation, and ready to try my hand at a cityscape or still life again, I went rummaging through some recent snapshots in search of inspiration. These two stills of Venice caught my eye and fancy. Have decided to use them as reference material for my next paintings. Plan to document my progress in stages and post on my blog.

Painted Peonies

"If you hear a voice within you saying, 'You are not a painter,' then by all means paint... and the voice will be silenced." - Vincent van Gogh

Lately, having not caught sight of my studio for the past eight weeks, that quote has been nagging at my thoughts. First, a "minor" ceiling leak kept me away during two weeks of repair, as did end of school year activities with my daughter and then we were off on an extended vacation.

Of course, getting away with family is always a treat, and as we were in Paris and Italy, inspiration was plentiful. Visited longtime friends: Chardin, Leonardo and the Dutch masters at the Louvre, marveled again at their work and that of contemporary artists whom I met throughout our travels. I even got to see Monet's huge circular murals and the Paul Guillaume art collections at the Museé de L'Orangerie (long on my "to do" list.) Still, eight weeks without putting brush to canvas, how do I get to call myself an artist with that lapse of hands-on time?

Be silent my internal critic... I'm headed back to the studio today and I think my travels and the time off has actually done me some good. Not only am I itching to tackle the set up I had carefully composed before going away, but I feel energized and refreshed with all sorts of new ideas and projects taking form.

'Painted Peonies" (Oil on Linen 12 x 16), the last painting I finished prior to the studio deluge, was a pleasant distraction. The flowers seemed to flourish along with the steady but slow ceiling drip.

The Maestro Upstairs: The art and life of Frank Mason

"Art is the invisible rendered visible, wrought with love." Frank Mason

Upon my return from a month long stay in Europe, I was sad to hear of the passing of Frank Mason, artist, teacher and champion for traditional techniques, who led the movement to save Old Masters' paintings from damaging restoration.

I never studied with Mason, but I know many friendswho did at the Art Students League, New York. They counted themselves fortunate to be part of a lineage that dated back to Frank Vincent Dumond and the French Barbizon School.

Maestro Films recently announced a soon to be released documentary, "The maestro Upstairs: The Art & Life of Frank Mason. No date set yet, but you can view the trailer, interview segments and current info on its release @ www.frankmason.org

Hollywood and the love of art...

Although not officially released as of yet, two Hollywood films are creating quite a buzz in the art world and inspiring audiences and artists with their themes about the love of art. Both are on my must see list this year. Local Color.. Local Color, the new movie by award-winning writer, director and painter, George Gallo has been garnering accolades and awards, including taking Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay and Star on the Horizon at the Ft. Lauderdale International film festival among others. The semi-autobiographical piece about "one master, one student, one summer to dream," follows a young 18-year-old-artist (Trevor Morgan) in his search to find aging painter, Seroff (Armin-Mueller-Stahl) in an attempt to apprentice with the master and learn to paint in the tradition of the great impressionists. Gallo painted all of the oil paintings in the movie and those seen in the beginning scenes are the exact ones he showed to the person on whom the Seroff character was based. Check out the trailer at http://www.localcolormovie.com and look for its release in New York on June 26, 2009. The Maiden Heist... The Lonely Maiden, a painting by Jeremy Lipking plays the title role in the film The Maiden Heist starring Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman, and William H. Macy. The film is a comedic caper with an underlying message about a visceral reaction to art that people of all backgrounds can experience. Christopher Walken plays a security guard, Roger whose favorite painting The Lonely Maiden is sold along with other traditional works of art to make room for an installation of modern Dung art. Roger and two other guards devise a plan to steal the painting along with other favorites and replace them with reproductions. I met Jeremy this past summer when I attended one of his workshops at The Grand Academy of Art, NYC and subsequently wrote a feature on him, "Drawing Out the Riches" for the November, 2008 issue of the Artist's Magazine. As mentioned in that article, Lipking is widely recognized for his compelling paintings of women. It's easy to see why director, Robert Hewitt chose to make one of his paintings the film's intriguing centerpiece. The Lonely Maiden painting, by the way, was completed under a tight deadline. Says Jeremy: "When I first met with the director he opened up the Gabriel Weisberg book Beyond Impressionism: the Naturalist Impulse, (which is probably the most worn out book on my shelf) and said, 'We need something like this, a painting in the manner of Natural painters George Claysen, Emile Friant and Jules Bastien Lepage.' I had to finish the painting in 7 days. It normally would have taken me a month or longer to do something this size." The Maiden Heist is set to hit theaters this fall.

Feel Good, Colorful Celebration to benefit the "Love Fund" of Wycoff

"The Gift" 18" x 24" Oil on Linen

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Please join me for a "Feel Good, Colorful Celebration" to be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. 

I will be participating in a fundraiser at Mane on Madison Salon (238 Madison Avenue, Wycoff, NJ) for the benefit of  the "Love Fund," a non-profit organization that helps local families with such things as: food, clothing, dental care and professional counseling.

With an economic and personal stress climate surrounding us at every turn, here's an opportunity to enjoy some pampering, while helping to bring a little radiance back in the lives of others less fortunate.

 Day and evening events will include Fashion... Makeovers... Fresh Vision Haircuts... Goodies... refreshments... raffles.... in addition to an exhibition of my newest paintings .  10% of all sales will go to the "Love Fund."

To reserve an appointment, call 201/848-6969, or  stop by and join in the festivities (I'll be helping out on-premise from 5 to 8PM). Hope to see you there.

Color your World!

LBH

A winning Jump Start to 2009!

Attending the Award Ceremony at the Ridgewood Art Institute. 

Photo by Imagery by Kate

2009 KICKED OFF ON A HIGH NOTE as I attended the reception for the Ridgewood Art Institute's 29th Open Juried Show and was honored to receive the coveted Betty Kaytes Floral award for my painting "Asian Beauty." 'Twas a great way to start the New Year!

New Year Resolutions... with a little help from a friend

PAINTING: "Cheers!" Oil on Linen. 11" x 14"

Private Collection

Have you made your New Year resolutions yet? Hopefully, the kind that you can  keep and that will set you up for success. 

Coincidentally, while planning mine, I received some timely WORDS of WISDOM, from a brilliant poet/lyricist and longtime friend, Denice I. Ferrarelli.  Her sage advice inspired me to  draft some  painting pointers of my own,  (incorporated in hers below as parenthetical comments in bold typeface). 

This new list, posted close at hand on top of my easel, will be updated regularly as additional pointers come to mind. Care to add your tips to the list? Please do. I will assimilate and re-publish periodically.

20 Tips for a Better  (Painting) Life 

1. Take a 10 - 30 minute walk every day (particularly when you've hit a rough spot or are experiencing a painting block). And while you walk, smile. it is the ultimate anti-depressant. 

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. (Take time to stand back from your canvas, quietly review your day's work and take it in with a fresh eye.)

3. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is about. (Always be true to YOUR 'art and soul.')

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to _______ today.' ("truly see," "abandon preconceived notions," "take my time as I paint." "encourage my inner vision." "work from promise, not fear"

5. Live (paint)  with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy (Everyday, if possible).

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.   Take pleasure in the painting process and advance your skills in 2009.  Read instructional books, attend workshops and exhibits, frequent museums, study the masters.

7. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. (Bring HEART to your work. Treasure wisdom and innocence wherever you may find it.)

8. Dream more while you are awake (AMEN!)

9. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk (your studio) and let new and flowing energy into your life. (Reassess unfinished work. Categorize as: salvageable or not. Discard or sand down any canvases that don't make the grade and move on.)

10 Don't waste your precious energy on  issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy (and talent) in the positive present moment.

11. Realized that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away  like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

12. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away. (Resist being over critical. Remember, oil paint is forgiving, can be wiped out if wet;  painted over when dry. ) 

13 Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.

14. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. (Learn from the challenges that each painting offers and move on to your next masterpiece) 

15. Whatever other people think of you (or your work) is none of your business. 

16. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. (Be passionate about creating art, but do make time to nurture relationships.)

17. No matter how your feel, get up, dress up and show up. (Be consistent with your work habits. Set painting goals for yourself and stick to them).

18.  The best is yet to come. 

19. Each night before you go to bed complete the following: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished ______________.

20 Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life. Make the most of it! (Color your world!)

All good things to you in the New Year. Cheers!

Louise

Announcing new still life classes....

Happy to announce that I will be teaching an adult still life oil painting class at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey. The classes, which will begin on April 20 through June 15 (No class on May 25), will be held on Monday evenings from 7:30PM to 10PM. 

If you have a passion for painting still life, come join us as we have fun exploring imaginative ways to paint everyday, non-living objects, including drapery, fruit, china, metals, etc.

Focusing on new interpretations of traditional artistic principles such as composition, object interplay, lighting and form, students will have an opportunity to experiment while working from life at their own pace. (all skill levels welcome). Short demonstrations, one-on-one coaching and critiques will be offered at each student's easel. 

For more information contact: Judy Belinfante, Adult Program Director, 201/569-7900 x463