The Arts and the Bible

Art in the Bible?  Yes!  I love the Old Testament account of the plans of the Tabernacle.  Why?  Because tucked in this fascinating section of Exodus is God’s detailed instructions for creating objects of beauty to be used in worship to Him.  Moreover in Exodus 31 God is very specific about the people to whomContinue reading “The Arts and the Bible”

Stretching A Canvas

I was taken back in a large art store yesterday when the clerk said, “we don’t carry supplies for stretching canvas.”  Really?  I had come in to purchase the wooden stretcher bars to supply the framework needed for the Belgian linen canvas I customarily use for portraits.  As grocery stores and hardware stores have comeContinue reading “Stretching A Canvas”

Classical Realism

“Guild Members of the Society…are rooted to the conviction that fine art is, first and foremost, about life: and most specifically about the dignity, beauty, comedy, tragedy, romance, fantasy, pride, and nobility of the human spirit; and all those precious and powerful emotions that form and define the human experience. ” – The American SocietyContinue reading “Classical Realism”

Online Art Shopping and Feedback

When I was a young artist the internet wasn’t considered a place where one purchased very much, and certainly not art.  What a different world we live in now!  Back “in the day” most of my paintings were sold locally and although there was an occasional painting shipped to a large city gallery or purchases by tourists visiting Humboldt County, for theContinue reading “Online Art Shopping and Feedback”

Teaching Art – Part of the New Adventure

Last night students had the choice of either drawing the poseable figure, the fresh-cut flowers, or using the grid technique to enlarge their own personal photograph reference shot into an outlines sketch size suitable for drawing.  I greatly enjoy seeing their progress and hearing of their artistic discoveries.  The feedback they offer encourages me and gives meContinue reading “Teaching Art – Part of the New Adventure”

The Versatile Blogger Award

Many thanks to Joel Tipple http://joeltipple.wordpress.com/ for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award. Unlike the Academy Award or Grammy, when you are nominated for the VBA, that’s it. You are not put into a pool of also-rans to await your fate. You simply take a virtual bow and follow a few simple rules. ForContinue reading “The Versatile Blogger Award”

Observing Details

My current drawing class is made up of individuals with varying degrees of artistic experience and skills.  They are all doing a great job and I am encouraged by their progress.  Each student is learning to observe the world in a more detailed way which is the gateway to artistic endeavor.  In observation we gainContinue reading “Observing Details”

Acrylic Painting Class Through Fortuna Park & Rec.

Beginning Monday Morning, March 11th at 9 AM, a new Acrylic Painting Class is offered through the Fortuna, California Parks and Recreation Department.  This class is open to all skill levels.  The cost for the entire six weeks (2.5 hours per session) is $165 plus materials.  For more information contact the Fortuna Parks and Rec. at (707)725-6648.Continue reading “Acrylic Painting Class Through Fortuna Park & Rec.”

Resurrection Lilies

I started this painting as a sketch last Easter in preparation for painting during the worship service our church had at the local high school.  I do a lot of preliminary work the week preceding Easter so that when I come to the big canvas on Easter morning a lot has already been worked out inContinue reading “Resurrection Lilies”

Color Theory Through Generations of Artists

When I first viewed the paintings of a local artist named Jim Faber in the 1990’s, I was impressed by the stunning beauty of his canvases.  I knew he knew something that I didn’t know about painting, and so I asked him to teach me.  What I soon found out was he had a greatContinue reading “Color Theory Through Generations of Artists”