Half Moon Mast, 2022, acrylic on canvas,
120 x 110 cm. |
Mauricio y Camila, 2022, waterrcolour,
39.5 x 28.5 cm. |
Portrait of Eric, 2023, watercolour,
33 x 28.5 cm. |
I closed out 2021 and continued into 2022 with portrait commissions. The first one is Ray with his Tractor, such a rugged, handsome man. Ray was the dad of my "brother from another mother," who has long taken care of me.
Watercolour, 29 x 37.5 cm |
I had to interrupt Ray's portrait to paint these adorable Labradoodles. They were commissioned as a Christmas present so I has a deadline. I love dogs and love painting them but curly, light-coloured dogs are definitely a challenge.
Watercolour, 30 x 45 cm |
Sip and Paint Art Exhibition
After a two year time out due to the pandemic, my Sipping Painters were able to show their stunning work at Amalur Restaurant and Hostal in Canoa. The exhibit featured work by Joni Jahren, Deb McKeller, Don Newell, Michelle Jeannerett, Micky Pedersen, Cristina Sequeira, Cynthia Kelley, Kathy Welte and myself, as well as photographs by John Fisher. Everyone in the area was happy to get out to attend a cultural event after the long dry spell. People came from San Clemente, Crucita, Manta and even from as far away as Cuenca.
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Back in 2020, a good friend and kind patron of local artists, commissioned me to paint an image of peonies. With the preparations for my Cuenca show and earlier orders for cats and dogs, I wasn't able to seriously get down to work on it until March of 2021. I had already stretched and prepped the large canvas (110 cm x 120 cm.) and done the underpainting, and thought I could finish the piece in a month before heading up to Cuenca for my show. I should have known better. Normally I do high realism or completely abstract work. This stylized, rather impressionistic abundance of peonies was a challenge unlike any other in my long career. Three months later I was finally finished and able to deliver it. My friend and patron was thrilled with the work and hopefully felt it was worth the long wait.
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For the past three years I have been working on a series of shield sculptures and collage on canvas, using materials that I find on the beach and in the woods. Sara Coppler of IdiomArt in Cuenca, invited me to exhibit my work there in April of this year. Unfortunately, Ecuador was hit by another lockdown and the show had to be postponed, until August or October of this year. Thank you, Sara, for your belief in my work and for the beautiful poster you designed. The show will go on, one of these days when life is safer. |
Maija Burglin Stromberg,
Shell on Blue Background 2018 acrylic on paper, 29 x 21 cm |
Laurel Blackmore
The Catch 2018 (after "Mykonos" by Nicola Simbari) acrylic on canvas, 28 x 34 cm. |
Deb McKeller
Sea Urchins 2018 watercolour 29 x 22 cm. |
Advanced Acrylic
We will be resuming acrylic classes for experienced painters on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. The course will run for 10 weeks, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Cost is $15.00 per class, pay as you go, or $100.00 for the entire course. Look forward to seeing you!
Watercolour for Beginners
Let it flow in this beginners watercolour course. Every Wednesday morning, 10 to noon, starting October 4. We will debunk the myth that watercolour is difficult. Calling all beginning painters. Please contact me for more information.
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If you can’t commit to a full two month course I am offering one or two day workshops, every other Saturday in October and November. Because these workshops will focus on specific skills and techniques, they are equally useful (and fun) for both beginners and experienced artists. The workshops run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a potluck lunch to break up the day. Cost is $50.00 per day. All materials provided. October 14: Painting on beach wood in acrylic October 28: Collage and Assemblage using found materials. November 10, 11: "The Notion of Ocean" Watercolour vs. Acrylic. Painting the sea in both media November 25: Watercolour Clouds and Sea |
Hurrah! Art classes will be starting up again next week. I have planned 2 six week courses, one for beginners (or with little experience) and one for more experienced painters. If you can’t make it for the full 6 weeks, you will still learn a lot and have fun. Both courses will be in acrylic painting.
Beginners (relative): Tuesday mornings, 10 a.m to 12 noon, July 26th to Sept. 6th Experienced: Thursday mornings, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, July 28th to Sept. 8th At my house, Entrada a La Fortuna, near Briceno, between San Vicente and Canoa The focus will be on colour: colour theory, mixing colours, expressive use of colour and contrast. Cost: Because we are all a bit broke, post earthquake, the cost is $10.00 per class ($60.00 for the whole course) if you have your own paints and brushes. If you don’t have supplies, there is a one-time charge of $15.00. I will supply paper for everyone or you can bring your own painting surface. Please contact me if you are interested in either course and I will send you a course outline. If you haven’t attended before, it’s easy and fun and an excellent way to get beyond all that we have been through. |
Girl in a Red Dress, acrylic, 140 x 70 cm. (copy of work by Emerico), 2016
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One of my students, Cristina Sequeira, has been with me since I began giving classes here at my house two years ago. The wonderful work at the right is an acrylic on canvas that she just finished on November 10. It was a joy to watch her work on it. This time it was the painting itself that told her what to do, not me. She worked instinctively and was definitely in the zone. |