Sunshine Award

Sunny
Rhonda Carpenter, a regular reader of my blog and watercolor artist, has chosen my blog for a sunshine award. I am very appreciative to be one of her six award winners. Thank you Rhonda!

Rhonda purchased my DVD and is doing a step by step on her blog of her progress on a crow.
Check it out!

DVD Inspired Work

Ginny Stiles
Ginny has done two paper paintings since being inspired by my Collage Overview DVD. The bears is called "Overbearing" and the pineapple is called "Welcome" The pineapple was actually growing in her yard here in FL and when the cold weather came, her and her husband decided to cut it rather than let it freeze. Ginny told me it was just a tiny thing, but it inspired her and she wanted to paint it. I love the texture!

On the bears, I helped Ginny with some suggestions on how to keep the chair from blending in to the background and how to handle the shadows under the bears. It all came down to value, and making sure to consider, light, medium and dark and to separate each element of the composition by assigning it a value.

I think Ginny did a great job! Click here to see Ginny's blog.

Dressing Room Project

Peacock Series #3
Well the Dance Competition weekend was a success in many ways. My daughter Emilie and her friends won several awards for their dances, and she even got to go up and receive the plaque for "Stars and Stripes" a very sweet ballet production.

In between dances in the dressing room, I was working away on my peacock series. There is always downtime in the dressing room throughout the day, and I was prepared for it. I brought my panels already under-painted (see older post) and ready for collage. I divided my papers by color in gallon ziplock bags and put them all into a tote bag with the under-paintings, a water vessel, a roll of paper towel, a small container of gloss gel medium, and a #8 filbert synthetic brush.

I worked on my peacocks between dances and I managed to complete three of them throughout the day. Now, this would have been much more productive at home in the studio, because this day was from 9:30am to 6:30 pm. I am very happy with being able to watch all the dances and awards as well as come home with my three pieces ready to be varnished.

Atlanta Workshop

The link is now ready for registration at the Atlanta Workshop.
Click Here

See older post about accommodations for the weekend.

Both Before Breakfast

First Two Peacocks Completed
Here are the first two peacocks collaged. I was up at 5am this morning and got these done by breakfast! Sometimes feeling the pressure of a deadline does not let you sleep. I was happy to work on these in the quiet morning with my dogs and my coffee. Even in Florida, I had to turn on my space heater in the studio!

Peacocks in Progress

Eight 10x12s
A week or so ago I blogged about the fact that the Grand Bohemian Gallery which represents my work in Orlando, Asheville, Savannah and Taos, had asked me to do a series of peacock heads for them.

I have made some progress with the stages prior to collage and wanted to share this process with you.

1. Sketching on sanded wood panel primed with either Golden GAC-100 or Liquitex Clear Gesso
2. Painting backgrounds with drips and spots that are interesting and colorful, these painted backgrounds will stay behind the collaged peacocks
3. Under-painting the peacocks to prepare for collage on top

July Atlanta Workshop

More Information
"Here Boy!" 24x20 | collage on panel | ©The Artist

I hope to fill a 3-day workshop in Atlanta this summer, please pass the word to your artsy friends! In this 3-day workshop we will spend Friday painting our own papers for collage. Saturday and Sunday will be spent learning the Paper Painting collage technique and applying it to a simple "apple" study and then on to an image of your choice!

The Hyatt Place is offering a corporate rate of $119.00 per night for workshop students, it is .25 miles across the parking lot from Binders in Buckhead. This price includes a very nice continental breakfast. The Fairfiled Inn is offering a rate of $79 and is also a close option, .45 miles, easy walk for some. Still waiting on a rate for this hotel. The Beverly Hills Inn is a Bed and Breakfast that is 1.39 miles from Binders.

FOR SPECIAL HOTEL RATES you will need a promotional code provided to you by Binders, please email Eli Pelizza at the link below.

Friday - Sunday, July 16-18, 10am-4pm
All levels: Some drawing experience would be helpful, but not imperative
Fee $250
Location: Binders Art Supply, Atlanta, GA (Buckhead)
Info: email Eli Pelizza