Joel Babb Moment

Joel Babb Boston

Joel was my teacher at the Museum of Fine Arts School for many years, an excellent teacher who covered EVERYTHING.  I've been struggling for many hours yesterday and today with the 3-point perspective for my downtown Merrimac Square painting.  After using string about 5 or 6 feet long to get the right angles, I'm finally ready to do some more painting.  In a way, I'm anxious to get it done, but I know if I don't get the math right and the values right I'll be sorry.  So now, on with the values.

pencil drawing

painting so far without today's changes

Farmhouse Bear Hill Road

Farmhouse Bear Hill Road 10x20" oil on linen

above painting for size reference

I am done for now at least on this painting for the upcoming Rhythm Cafe Exhibition, opening on December 27th, 2012 in Merrimac MA.  I wanted desperately to get started on the Merrimac Center painting but wanted to finish this one first.  It was like saving the best for last when you are eating your dinner--now I can get started on the next one.

155 Centurians

I finished inputting information to get the big picture of my project for the centurions.  I feel like I've been to a party and met all these people.  Imagine being a person with parents who lived into their 100s and having siblings who are also in their 100s???  At least one person in this group can say this. 

More Bear Hill Road .....

Almost done with this one....some adjustments are necessary, but I'm getting excited to do another painting of the center of Merrimac with the City Hall building, stores, and the Rhythm Cafe in the distance.  Working on advertising for the exhibition at Rhythm Cafe opening on December 27th!

Centurian Project

This box is a bottomless pit.  I'm still typing, three days now.  I also painted for 7 hours today, started on a painting of a farmhouse at sunset, 10x20". 

Our Towne...

How's that for the title for the upcoming show here in my town, Merrimac MA?  The paintings are all scenes from here and now I'm inspired to paint even more of them.

I met with the owners of the The Rhythm Cafe today to discuss my show in January.  First of all, I love this place, the food is excellent and the owners all work there and they are tops in their profession at everything they do.

I need to choose a day and date for my reception.  Usually they do Monday evenings, but they offered me Saturday afternoon around 2 or 2:30, and I like that better (what do you think?) because it will still be daylight and people might be out since it's the weekend.  I also don't want to be too close to New Year's so maybe the second weekend. 

Last night I input more info for my "Centurion Project". 

The Centurian Project

I've been saving newspaper clippings for years, probably about 8 years, of obituaries of anyone 100 and over.  I'm fascinated with the idea that people can live that long.  I am also amazed at what some of these people's lives were like.  So today I started going through the box of clippings and organizing my thoughts about how to make a work of art about them.  I've been thinking about this for years, and have had lots of ideas, none of which have passed muster.  After 10 hours today of typing and reading, there are still plenty left in the box.  I'm making a record of their names, ages, other pertinent information.  I really had no idea I had so many.  First you think it's a rare thing, then you realize it's happening more and more with each passing year.  My thoughts are changing quickly and I'm not even through the box yet. 

Getting ready...

Last year's goal was to write a curriculum for a class and teach a class.  It was a very long arduous procedure getting the curriculum together but working with it with a student worked like a charm.  I'm starting with another student tomorrow and look forward to seeing how it goes this time around.  It's rather nice to be "ready" and not to have to fret over the preparations.  I am, however, headed to the work space now to get it cleaned up, set up and ready.

Closing reception at Cutter Gallery

Sunday was the closing reception day and it was well attended and you can see details here:
Last day at Cutter and the winner is?

I have a new art student who will be starting the 10-week program his week. 

Show visitors at Cutter Gallery

Added the Summer Shack 12x12" painting to the show (top, green)

Mary Pyche, artist, with Mary and Jeff Lock, Mary's favorite in background

George, Michael and Don Denning

George Pyche and Don Denning

A dear friend from long ago, Don Denning, visited at the gallery and it was very nice to finally get in touch.  Jeff and Mary Lock dropped in to say hello and we went for Chinese after.

THIS SUNDAY, the 25th, is the last day reception at Cutter Gallery from 2 to 5 p.m.

I'll be drawing the winning ticket on the 25th from those who voted for their favorite painting and posting the results.

Cleaning up

Summer Shack 12x12" oil with custom maple floating frame

I bought a giant tool box and have organized and put everything away where it belongs, so now I can start a new phase of painting.  I finished the last of the Bear Hill Road paintings this week (Summer Shack) and have brought it to the solo show in Arlington where it now hangs beside the October version of the same scene.  The pencils I ordered to go along with the two shows that I have up at the moment have arrived and have been delivered.  People can vote for their favorite painting, keep the pencil, and maybe win a painting, the drawing will be from the voting slips.

Arlington Artist Reception Yesterday

The reception from 2 to 5 pm on Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington yesterday was very nice, good friends showed up, a few people came in because of the open sign out front.  We had lots of good food, there was lots of wine but no drinkers, and I sold one painting.  I'll be there next Sunday from 2-5 and might bring my painting equipment as a way to use my time efficiently.  Hope you can come.

The Fletcher School visitors

Gladys the hostess and bartender

Roberta and Eddie

Grace and Georgia and her new painting.

good food, good drinks

Another show is hung! West Newbury

This morning I hung the art show at the West Newbury Library that is there now until January 1st.

Paintings are atop the library stacks and on the window sills and the fireplace mantle.  I am having a "Vote for your Favorite" (actually at both my shows) and from those votes I'll do a raffle to give away a small painting.  I also have ordered engraved pencils to give away to those who vote (or don't vote).

Show is hung! Arlington, MA

I had 1 1/2 hours of traffic to get to Arlington this morning after I had planned to drive after the rush hour.  I can't imagine how it would have been if I had left earlier.  Then it took me 2 1/4 hours to hang the show.  I think I did it in short time having had the experience of hanging shows in the past.  Actually I received a Volunteer of the Year Award from Newburyport a few years ago.

Enough said about the hanging, so here are the pictures:

left corner of gallery

left as you enter the gallery

right wall as you enter the gallery

entrance area with George

guest book et al - raffle for voting your favorite painting

Entrance to the Cutter Gallery - Arlington MA

40s modern contemporary picture frame finished

or Frame Building, Part 2.

Remember when I started this frame?  Go to Frame Building, Part 1, scroll down to find it.

Anyway it started with gluing various strips of wood together, then painted silver, then painted white and scraped off some on the edges to let the silver show through.  Then assembled.  Then sanded, sealed, puttied the inside corners, painted some more, applied transparent silver on some high points, varnished, framed, and HERE IT IS.

Sandy took a favorite tree

The subject of some "Bear Hill Road" paintings, I love these two trees, now one is gone!  This picture taken only a few days ago was probably the last time someone took her picture. :(

Luckily I have power - Hurricane Sandy

I've been on the computer doing paperwork all day so far and I'm just about finished.  I created my guest books for the two shows I'm hanging this week, Thursday and Saturday.  I made signs for raffles that I'm having to get people to vote on their favorite painting, the vote is their chance to win a small painting. I've ordered engraved pencils to give out. I did the price list for the West Newbury Library show which is more like an inventory clearance event.  I made individual little tent signs for each painting.:10 small paintings and 19 regular sized paintings.  Made up the bio sheet.  Yesterday I shopped for the wine cups, napkins, table cloth, container for the raffle tickets for the Arlington show.  I'm almost there.

In the framing stage...

Floating frames 

A woman's work is never done.

I did it again, posted my daily art work chit chat to the "other" blog (about my adventures).  Please click here to see today's blog.....what I did yesterday.

Lost in the Details

I've been on the computer for three days straight.  I've updated my web site that is very old and added a page for the upcoming solo show Bear Hill Road in Arlington MA at the Cutter House Gallery.  What I really want to do is build a totally new web site with software I've had now for a while, but it takes so much time away from painting.  I've also thought of just going with FASO, an easy to work with on-line software, but I guess I love the challenge of doing it myself.  It's the challenge that compels me to paint too.  Of course, before the web site work, pictures were taken and uploaded and adjusted.  I didn't do a good job of resizing them because they are taking too long to load on the web page.  I had to make lists of the paintings, their sizes, try to figure out the prices.  I'm waiting right now to hear back from the gallery about what their percentage fee is before I can post the prices.  I heard from my lumber mill and I can pick up the molding on Monday, then start the framing work.  I hope I sell enough paintings to pay for the lumber.  Now today I'll update my inventory list and varnish some paintings.

A Painting Day Off

Wow, today I'm doing lots of administrative and logistical things to prepare for my upcoming shows, and I see that the swans are having flight training outside my back door (I live on the water where they live.).  The parents teach the babies to fly so when it freezes over, they all fly away until there is the smallest unfrozen spot, then they are back!
I was up last night until 1:45 a.m. taking photos of paintings for the Arlington solo show that I need to make up post cards, do my web update, inventory, etc.  So today I'll be on the computer most of the day, and tomorrow I suspect.  Maybe I'll paint a little tonight.  You have to do the photography at night so the room will be dark and only the special lights with the white umbrellas are lighting the subject.  Photos of the work are never perfect, but I try.

I also met yesterday with the West Newbury Library about that solo show for November and December.  I have painted several scenes of that town common and other area spots of interest between here and Cape Ann which I think everyone will enjoy. 

Hibbard Panel Discussion

A.T. Hibbard Show, Rockport Art Assoc.

On Thursday evening at Rockport Art Association, a panel with T.M.Nicholas, Tom Nicholas and Dan MacDougal met and was moderated by Walter Manninen.  Several questions were put to the panel members and all replied with informative answers.  Each spoke on their favorites from the many paintings being displayed currently at the unique and extensive show now at RAA.  Comments were made regarding what makes a great artist, competitive nature, advice to collectors, did modernism hurt traditional methods of learning art, what about future value of art, auctions, Hibbard's style changing over the years, self-expression, snow paintings, white paint and successful regions of the country doing business today.

Stapleton Kearns does Hibbard

Elaine Hibbard Clark, Stapleton Kearns

Tuesday I attended the gallery walk and talk by Stapleton Kearns at the Rockport Art Association.  About 50 of us were glued to his every word as he pointed out many important facts about Hibbard's painting career and his unparalleled technique.  Aldro's daughter, Elaine, attended and added interesting anecdotes.  Stapleton had many very informative things to say about these stupendous works, and there are many more paintings hung than anyone would expect to see.  The pieces were gathered from all over the country from museums, galleries and collectors--an unusual outpouring of genuine consideration on their part to honor Hibbard's life's work as well as acknowledge the RAA's 91st Anniversary year.

Frame building, part 1

After cleaning paint off

Silver Paint

I'm making this frame in the style of "1950s modern" for a painting I did in a modern style.  I'm trying or hoping that it will be white with silver showing through along the edges.  First I glued up various pieces of moldings then sanded and painted the silver undercoat.  I tried to do it indoors but the spray oversprayed the newspaper and got all over my floor tile!  Quickly I got out the turps and cleaned and washed it, so here is the after shot.  It's OK I hope.  Then moved outdoors to put on the next coats.  Next I'll sand, seal, and paint with white paint, maybe gesso first, and wipe it to allow the silver to show through.  We'll see how that goes.

Wet Paint Auction Friends for Peace

1822 Powder House, Newburyort MA
Wet Paint Auction SOLD

Photo of 1822 Powder House

The Paint the Town 2012, Wet Paint Auction for Friends for Peace, Newburyport, MA. event was held on Saturday, Sept. 19th.  It was a rainy day when I registered early in the morning.  I  was going to paint a view of the wind generator with a view of the highway that passes through the town of Newburyport because I like the feeling of an old town with a new power generator, then a few days before the auction, there was an article in the newspaper about the restoration of this old powderhouse.  I went over to see it before heading home to paint since it was raining.  I liked the old powderhouse with the view of the wind generator in the background and had the idea to paint "war" clouds and embed pieces of the actual newspaper article.  It came out darker than I would have liked, but I didn't have a lot of time to work on it.

Gearing up for shows

I'll soon be posting lots of photos of completed works both large and small.  In November I'm in two shows, one is my first one-man show and it's at the Jefferson Cutter House in Arlington MA, the other is at the West Newbury Public Library.  In January I have another one-man show at The Rhythm Cafe in Merrimac MA.

The paintings at Cutter House and Rhythm Cafe are from "The Bear Hill Road Series".  One of those paintings won best in show at the Newburyport Art Association early this year. 

If you are able to attend any of these shows I'd love to see you and talk with you.  I'll post openings, etc. as soon as I have that information.