Art Show and Open House on the North Coast

  On Saturday, June 28th, 2014 there will be an Art Show and Open House at 3601 Clifton Way in Fortuna in Humboldt County, California from 9 AM – 2 PM.  Fortuna is a small town near the ancient redwoods about twenty miles south of Eureka.  Both the house and the original art inside are forContinue reading “Art Show and Open House on the North Coast”

Natural and Spiritual Gifts.

The Times-Standard, a Eureka, California newspaper included a very kind article about painting and teaching here on the North Coast. Here is the link:  http://www.times-standard.com/art/ci_23980365/natural-and-spiritual-gifts?source=rss.  I am eagerly anticipating new students for the upcoming Fall classes!

Values in Color, Values in Life

Some of our days, or seasons of our life, can be like dramatic contrast in a painting.  There are portions of brilliant light juxtaposed by deep dark shadows – the peaks and valleys of life sometimes run close together.  In my work in ministry there were weeks when we would both prepare for a wedding, withContinue reading “Values in Color, Values in Life”

5 “P”s – The Fourth “P” is for Passion

When we work with passion there is a quality that draws people.  We may or may not equate with the subject of the passion, but people tend to appreciate someone who is enthusiastically working with their heart and soul.  It is evident, it shows. May years ago I submitted a painting (there is a detail ofContinue reading “5 “P”s – The Fourth “P” is for Passion”

Painted Flowers Express Emotions

The giving of flowers express so many emotions.  Occasions where we congratulate, celebrate, encourage, convey love, tenderness, sorrow and caring are times we give flowers.  God could have created a very  practical world in which flowers didn’t exist or they could have been very utilitarian in form and function.  Yet the earth is beautified byContinue reading “Painted Flowers Express Emotions”

Painting a Wedding Portrait

Adam and Barbara chose a special place for their wedding. Adam, as he grew up, was very close to his grandfather.  Adam’s late grandfather was a dedicated Trustee for many years in his home church.  He made the baby cribs, crafted the wooden cross in the sanctuary and gave over fifty years of service.  He helped to keep the church buildingContinue reading “Painting a Wedding Portrait”

Happy Creating!

  There is a sense of exhilaration as a painting, in this case a wedding portrait, nears it’s completion.  The many hours spent before the easel has something tangible to show for the effort.  There are jars full of various brushes and daily pallets which if seen all together would have hundreds, if not thousands, hand mixed dabs of paint.  The mixed paint onContinue reading “Happy Creating!”

From Pig’s Bladders to Facebook

The French Impressionists, in finding freedom from the use of pig bladders, discovered a modern advance that enhanced time-honored practices in the making of paintings.  Contemporary artists, even those who paint in a very traditional manner, continue to find ways to use things like social networking and other technologies to bring to life new images as well as replicasContinue reading “From Pig’s Bladders to Facebook”

Paintings of Children

I recently ran across a wonderful blog called I Am A Child – http://iamachild.wordpress.com/.   After viewing several of the paintings from the pages of art history of painting after painting depicting children, I recalled how much I love these images.  We are blessed to have a five year-old with us in this season of life.  Again,Continue reading “Paintings of Children”

Painting Difficult Subjects

Some subjects freak people out.  When faced with trying to draw or paint someone’s likeness or a panoramic view or a complicated (or seemingly complicated) object the “I can’t do this” thoughts can fog our brains.  This is when we need to take a step back and literally forget what it is we are tryingContinue reading “Painting Difficult Subjects”