MADE (exclusively) for MOM: A painting of "A few of her favorite things."

It all began with a commissioned painting, entitled "A Few of My Favorite Things." The name was a natural, considering that my patron and I had made the rounds of her home together gathering treasures that reflected meaningful memories for her and her family.

Back at my studio, I composed a set up of these intriguing mementos and rounding out the composition with luscious plums to compliment the purple etched glass; delicate white orchids to offset the vintage cloth, I took some photos for my patron's approval.

After completing the commission, its title got me to thinking... "Why not do a collection of 'favorite   things?'" It also struck me as a beautiful and unique commemorative gift idea for any special occasion. And so... a series was born!

Mother's Day fast approaches... If you would like to thank mom this Mother's Day with a special painting of her "favorite things," please e-mail me for specifics. Mom will receive a personalized signed gift card explaining your intention to honor her with a beautiful painting, and together we will create a memorable keepsake for her and future generations to cherish and enjoy!.

Happy Mother's Day,
LBH
e-mail: theartworks@earthlink.net

NEW WORKSHOP: Painting Moving Still Life

If you have a passion for painting still life, I welcome you to join my newest workshop, "Painting Moving Still Life" on August 7 & 8 from 10 - 4:00 PM at the Art Center of Northern New Jersey in New Milford. Have fun exploring imaginative ways to paint everyday, non-living objects, like 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).

Beginning with an underpainting (modified Grisaille), students will learn to understand the basics of light and shadow and how a dramatic juxtaposition of the two creates atmosphere and depth.  We will move on to adding  color and work toward completion. Short demonstrations, one-on-one coaching and critiques will be offered at each student's easel. Space is limited.

For more information or to reserve, please contact: Ruth Miller @ http://artcenter-nnj.org,
or call 201/599-2992. The Art Center of Northern NJ is located at 250 Center Street, New Milford, NJ 

FEE: $390 Non members; $360 Members.

10 Tips for a Better (Painting) Life

Last year around the holidays, a good friend sent me a list entitled:  "40 tips for a Better Life," which I have since seen published with various additions and deletions as "Enjoy the Ride," "45 life lessons and 5 to grow on," "20 tips for a better New Year."
As I read over the 40 inspiring tips, I realized with a little tweaking some of the themes could easily be applied to us artists and set about drafting a version that became my 2009 New Year blog post. Heading into 2010, I took up the challenge again. Here, then, revamped are my "10 Tips for a Better (Painting) Life." 
1. Set consistent work habits and painting goals and stick to them. Start each painting session by abandoning preconceived notions and stumbling blocks.

 2.  Be true to YOUR 'art and soul.' Encourage your inner vision; listen to your private voice; let your imagination soar and don't concern yourself with what others may think of your work.
3. Take short breaks, particularly when you've hit a rough spot or are experiencing a painting block. Stand back from your canvas on occasion. Quietly review your day’s work and take it all in with a fresh eye. 
4.   Take pleasure in the painting process. Continually advance your skills.  Read instructional books, attend workshops and exhibits, frequent museums, and study the masters.
 5. Be generous with your knowledge. Whenever possible, exchange ideas, tips, techniques with other artists. (Twitter, Facebook, Fine Art Views "FAV," artist's blogs, are all great places to start).  The more you share, the more you learn, and the benefits of networking are limitless. 
 6.  Be passionate about creating your art, but do make time to nurture relationships. As in all things in life, balance is key!
 7. Clear out the clutter from your studio. It will help you hone in and focus. Reassess unfinished work. Categorize as salvageable or not. Discard or sand down any canvases that don't make the grade and start anew.
 8.   Learn from the challenges that each painting offers and move on to your next masterpiece. Keep a positive mindset and resist being over critical. Give yourself the right to make mistakes, a free rein to experiment. Remember, oil paint is forgiving, can be wiped out if wet; painted over when dry.  
 9. Bring HEART to your work. Treasure wisdom and innocence wherever you may find it
 10. Work from promise not fear... the best is yet to come!  Think of that blank canvas as an opportunity to color your world!

A year in Art: 17 of my paintings

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Came across this beautiful quote by Souza. Plan to make it my mantra for the New Year.

And... if I may add one other phrase...
                                                     paint
           as though you can be seen but not heard!
A special thank you dear readers for your friendship, support and insightful comments this past year.  
Wishing you and yours all good things in 2010!
LBH

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.