Seeing Shapes .... (Or Not)

Campsite Study
© Marian Fortunati
8"x10" Oil on RayMar Canvas

 
It was another gorgeous day and mindful of our ever-changing often unpredictable winter weather, our teacher decided for an "out" day during the Monday painting class I take from David Gallup.

I love painting outdoors.   I like finding new spots.  Although in this case I have painted at Leo Carrillo State Park, I had never painted INLAND at the campsites on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway.  

Anyway, there were again many beautiful trees, but I had explained to David that I wanted to learn to see scenes with a "different" eye as he does.  So instead of searching for a scene moved me as I usually do, I asked him to suggest some.  Hmmmmm   Well, I had to admit that he chose a scene that I would never have chosen.  Frankly, I couldn't see what it was he liked about it.  He took a small panel and demoed a three value study of the scene so I could begin to see the shapes in the confusion (which I had already confessed that I just couldn't see at all.)   I COULD see my car in the distance....

Anyway I had a GREAT DEAL of difficulty painting anything that looked like anything at all.   I just didn't feel like I was able to see the shapes, although David thought I was doing fine.  A couple of time he would come over and show me something by painting on my palette or on the value study he started with. 

When I was just about finished....   I was just about done in.......I  finally gave up and I told him I had to get home to pick up Tyler, he came over and reminded me (again) that I need to use more paint and had me lay out more paint.  He then took two brushes... one loaded with lights (mixed on the brush) and one with darks.   I want to remind myself by writing this that he did NOT mix them to achieve a certain color but rather added several colors of light VERY LOOSELY together on his brush and used that in a stroke to achieve a light.  He did the same with a dark.   (You can sort of see that part on the left of the value study he used to show me what he was talking about.)

"Birch Grove", 17" x 32", 1889 by Isaac Levitan, Russian Master

I have a VERY VERY VERY long way to go to understand enough of what he's teaching me so that I can use what I want of it.   Later David sent me a few images to help me see what he was talking about when looking for the rhythm and poetry of a scene.   I'll include the one he sent from Levitan which I had to agree was beautiful, poetic and totally rhythmic.

What Is A Painter?

The Painter © Marian Fortunati 8" x 10" Oil on RayMar Panel

David Gallup likes to share books with photos and information about other artists, both contemporary and historical, to illustrate points he is making while teaching.    He questions who my "favorites" are and shares his own.  Before I began studying drawing and painting, my knowledge of technique and really of the history of art was limited to that which I learned in a college course and on my visits to Europe.   I think I should also note that the view I took during my earlier explorations was more superficial than it is now.  I now like to learn about the artists and their work with an entirely different way of seeing than previously.  Whether that is better or worse doesn't matter.  It just is.

I mention all of that because while this painting isn't really a portrait of a specific painter, it is painted from a long-distant photo I took of an artist I admire who had invited me to paint with a small group one day.  I admire her work and I admire her as a person.  I also really liked the scene in Tapia State Park the day we painted there.   I went to Tapia again just last week with my California Art Club friends as part of a paint-out,  (see previous post) but it looked very different than it had several years earlier in warmer months.

The painter (in the painting) often talked about how she learned from another artist with whom she studied in a mentor-type relationship.  I have studied with several artists, and although I have become close to several of them, I wouldn't say I was "mentored" by them.   My hope isn't to develop a style just like theirs, but to learn as much as I can from them so that what I learn becomes a part of MY continually evolving style.  I just learn what I can and use all the wonderful information they share with me to help me continue to improve my ability to create.  No artist creates "original" work...   We all are simply an odd (or ordered) collection of skills, observations, hard work, vision and faith.

I liked the distinct notan of this painting as well as the way the warm grasses and flowers edge the path and lead the eye to The Painter.

Paint Out At Tapia State Park

Tapia © Marian Fortunati 11"x14" Oil on RayMar Canvas

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I always enjoy paint outs.  I get to spend the day with fellow artists in a beautiful spot.   Often it's a place I haven't visited before.  On Wednesday a group from the California Art Club met at Tapia State Park.  I have painted there several times before but each time was at a different time of the year and  each time it looks different.

I drove to the park with my friend, Sharon Weaver.  She is a wonderful painter who also likes to get an early start.  We arrived before the other painters and she quickly settled in and found her spot.  I just couldn't find a scene that inspired me.  It's not that there weren't lots of pretty spots, it's just that I couldn't settle on something. 

Finally after walking all over, and long after many of the others had arrived and set up, I went into the dry part of the creek bed and looked  toward a stand of young sycamore trees and other leafless trees and the Santa Monica Mountains.   My favorite part of the painting is the sandy trail.   Perhaps the groupings of the sycamores could have been arranged more rhythmically, but generally I was happy with the overall look.

The weather was warm and beautiful.  I got a little chance to talk with friends over lunch.  It was a great day. 

Studying With David Gallup

Twisted Sycamores © Marian Fortunati 8" x 10" Oil on RayMar Panel

Twisted Sycamores
© Marian Fortunati
8" x 10" Oil on RayMar Panel

Goals
One of the goals I set for 2011 was:

• Study regularly with a high level plein air and studio artist so that I regularly can take plein air studies to make larger, studio pieces.

In order to meet that goal, I decided to take David Gallup's regular advanced painting class.  The class works en plein air as well as in the studio creating larger pieces.   I am hoping to learn some of David's wonderful color theory along the way.  I'd also like to learn how to look for unusual compositions when developing a painting.   I'd like to learn to use brushstrokes to help tell the story of a painting.   I'd like to develop better skills with edges especially since during our Channel Islands trip David told me that was the skill I needed to work on the most.  For me however, most of all, I would really love to learn how to better evaluate my own work...  Find what doesn't work and fix it...  When I like it... understand WHY I like it.

David's Class
I've enjoyed two classes so far and look forward to many more.   I've begun a larger studio piece inspired by a small plein air seascape study.   Last week the weather had turned lovely so we painted outside in a place I've never painted.  I love going to new places.  We went to Point Magu State Park and the drive up the coast above Malibu was beautiful.  Check out the map on the left side to see where it was.

I had a great time painting.  The other painters in the class are wonderful and I am looking forward to getting to know each of them.   We all found our "spots" and began to paint.  David came over after I started out to check my start and give me the okay.  He came over several times during the day to give me pointers and I went over to watch him several times as well.

He was painting a patch of tiny ferns in the shade -- something I would never have considered painting.  Of course his painting turned out wonderfully and was so unique.  I focused on the sinuous lines of the long sycamore branches.   I tried to get the values right, but think I didn't put enough contrast in the work.   Dave encouraged me to use more color choices rather than my limited palette.  He said it allowed you to mix a wider variety of colors of the same value so that you can overlay the strokes and create interest for the viewer's eyes.  He reminded me that the joy of any painting is not in explicitly telling the viewer WHAT to see but by creating a painting that will allow the viewer to wander through the painting and bring his/her own meaning to it.

The painting above is my first plein air effort from the class.  I have much to learn and I'm looking forward to it.  Please click on the link above or HERE if you would like to purchase this painting.

Opening at La Galeria Gitana
Some of you wanted to see photos from the show opening last night.  I forgot to take many because I was having too much fun.  I did ask a friend to take a couple of photos, though.  One of my paintings sold last night and I'm hopeful that a couple more will find homes before the show is over in March.

A Whirlwind Week

Sailing Santa Cruz

© Marian Fortunati

12" x 9" Oil on RayMar Linen Panel   

CLICK on the link above for more information about "Sailing Santa Cruz"

Today is the first day this week that I haven't been out doing something art-related.    Instead I've been in all day doing art-related paperwork for one of my clubs on which I serve as a board member.  Ugh... I hate paperwork.

For quite a while during the last few wet and cold weeks I pined inside to get out and paint and this week I was outside painting two days, doing art club business on another day and I went to see the Los Angeles Fine Art Dealers Association Show at the LA Convention Center yesterday.  I missed the FADA show last year because it was pouring rain and I was otherwise occupied.  Some said it wasn't as "good".  However I was inspired by the beautiful paintings... the Wendts, the Paynes, the Puthoffs...  So many beautiful pieces of art.  And there is NOTHING like seeing them up close and personal.  No photo can compare.   I really had a nice time at the show.

I also have been painting a lot in my studio at home.  So.... WHAT should I post??  I have two plein air sketches, a small studio piece I worked on last week and another larger piece that I worked on but need to do some more work on.   Hmmmmm..

I guess I'll start with the "oldest" first.  This is a scene I painted from a photo of our Channel Islands Trip.  There are many safe harbors on the "inside" coast of Santa Cruz Island.  I'm not entirely sure, but I THINK this one is Frye's Harbor.  And here is another sailboat bobbing peacefully in the gorgeous warm sunshine of a beautiful September day.

When I first painted the boat, the bottom felt too "flat" so upon advice, I've added some tones to make it appear to round out a bit.  It may still need a bit more.  But I was rather proud of my rock cliff.   They say the more you paint, the better you get.   Well that's what they say anyhow.

I hope you enjoy it.

Two Show Openings

If any of you are in the area, the opening receptions for two shows are this weekend.

Rediscovering San Fernando at 100

La Galeria Gitana

Saturday Night, January 22, 2011

6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Topanga Canyon Gallery
2011 Juried Open

Reception and Awards
Sunday Afternoon, January 23, 2011
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

I will be at the reception after 3:00 p.m.

I'd love to see you if you can make it to either show.

2011 Goals

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." - Michelangelo

Fall Reflections © Marian Fortunati 9" x 9" Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

 




SIMPLE GOALS FOR THE COMING YEAR
I decided to simplify my art-related goals for 2011, but I still want to keep them challenging enough to make me aim high while allowing me to smile my way along the journey.


I've decided to focus on these goals for 2011.

• Increase my painting skills though continual daily painting.
• Study regularly with a high level plein air and studio artist so that I regularly can take plein air studies to make larger, studio pieces.
• Paint en plein air AT LEAST three times a month.
• Sketch or draw at least weekly.
• Continue exhibiting in "La Galeria Gitana" and seek other appropriate venues to exhibit my work.
• Show in appropriate venues that will enable me to expand my collector base.
• Sell 50% more paintings (and make more $) than in 2010.

I don't know if I'll achieve all of these goals, but nothing ventured... nothing gained.   Wish me luck!


LESLIE SAETA WORKSHOP DAY 2
The second day of Leslie's workshop was another great day.  It was fun getting to know some of the other artists as we chatted while painting and during lunch.  Again we worked with intense color and glorious reflections.  Leslie showed us more ways to hold and use the knife to get different effects.  In addition, she showed us how she will work into a painting after the initial block in to provide just the right amount of information making the painting interesting and readable.  I think it's one of the reasons her work is so striking. 

The day finished with a fun activity where everyone in the class played a kind of musical chairs to create a painting all together.  As a medley of Beach Boys songs played, we were each given a photo of one of Leslie's paintings.  We mixed paint, sketched the painting and began to paint as we moved from one easel to the next.  The painting on the left is the group painting of a sunflower.   We laughed the whole time, but it did force us to evaluate drawing, color, values and texture without being bound by the emotions of "ownership".  Another great day!   Contact me by clicking HERE if you would like more information about "Fall Reflections"  

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A Bit Of Fun

Harbor Reflections© Marian Fortunati 12" x 12" Oil on Gessoed Hardboard

The Virtual World
It's amazing how different our world has become since the internet. You can learn new things, share stories, keep in touch with people who you might not communicate with normally.  And best of all you can make new friends.

I met a wonderful person on-line.   I met Leslie Saeta while blogging.   How many of you are learning more about something you're interested in and learning about people who have similar interests while online?  Since we got to know each other online, we've gotten together face to face a number of times and, I think, we've become friends. 

I imagine most of you already know Leslie, but if you haven't seen her work, read her blog or listened to her weekly "Artists Helping Artists" Blogtalk Radio program which she co-hosts with Dreama Tolle-Perry you need to get to "know" her.   She's got amazing information to share.  I really like Leslie... Love her work and love learning from her.

Wielding The Knife
Leslie's a palette knife painter - a skill I'd like to get a lot better at.  It's not that I want to ALWAYS use a knife when I paint OR paint like Leslie does, but I'd like to be able to use the knife effectively in my own work.  So I decided to take her two-day workshop.  It was lots of fun.  I practiced using the knife... she showed us a variety of ways to get different effects.   Many things I had done while playing with the knife on my own weren't ideal for getting that luscious texture that Leslie is able to achieve.  Leslie talks about texture being one of the main reasons that palette knife paintings are so enjoyable to look at.   She reminded us to use interesting texture wisely... not all over but in certain places where we want to draw the eye.

First Day Paintings

So Much More To Learn and Practice
Leslie also impressed me with her explanations about color and value.  She has a unique and wonderful sense of color.   During the demos she did, she did not necessarily use the colors in the references she was using but put together color that she thought would be delicious.   She definitely gave us all a lot to think about when trying to create an aesthetically pleasing painting.

Although I still have much to learn, I enjoyed the two days.    Each day we all painted from a photo that Leslie provided.  At the top you can see the results of my efforts on the first day.  In the second photo you can see most of the paintings done the first day.   I think they all turned out well.... different but well.

Can you tell which one is Leslie's?

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Contact me HERE if you'd like more information about the palette knife painting "Harbor Reflections".

A Really Nice Day

A Bird's Eye View
© Marian Fortunati
6" x 8" Oil On RayMar Canvas

Wimping Out
Okay... I wimped out on painting with my friend, Sharon Weaver, yesterday.   Somehow I moved wrong at a party on Saturday night and my neck had gone bad.  I couldn't move it in all directions without it seizing up and making me wince with pain.  I spent Monday in pain and Tuesday with one of those little warmers you heat up in the microwave around my neck.  Somehow, mine smells like Malt-O-Meal whenever I put it around my neck.  Guess it must be filled with some sort of grain. 

It had been cold over the weekend and on Monday and Tuesday and I was afraid that the cold (well, cold for Southern California) would continue into Wednesday - our scheduled painting day.  It didn't, but I had already canceled our plans to go out.  My neck was better, so I decided to shop for some "necessary" art supplies.  Afterward I drove by the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve and I decided to jump out for a quick plein air "fix".

That Wonderful Feeling
I've been painting a lot lately.  Those for the upcoming show and also some others that I haven't posted yet.  I have gained that excitement again about a painting.  Do you know that tingly extra "in the zone" feeling you get when you are painting something you like.   When the canvas is bare you have that anticipation that this could be your next train wreck  OR  the next painting you really love.   Anyway, I've done two recently that made me feel that way and I'll post them later, but I wanted to post this plein air study I did yesterday because I was really missing getting out in the open to paint.  

Plein Air
I just love painting outside.  It's partly the joy of discovering a new place ... even like the space today ... one that I drive by several times a week.  But there's also a special feeling you get when you try to capture the sense of the place.  I'm sure that all of you who paint outside know what I'm talking about.   You just forget everything else.  You smile at yourself because you know you've been given a special treat to enjoy.

I've painted in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve before, but this time I was on the eastern-most berm near the 405 Freeway looking west across the Bird Sanctuary toward the Chatsworth Hills.  It's winter and many of the trees are bare, but there is still plenty of color.  If you live anywhere nearby you should visit.  This is a great place to hike, to bird-watch or to paint.

If you would like to learn more about this painting, click on the link above to inquire or visit my website at:

www.marianfortunati.com

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Jugos Y Tortas

Jugos Y Tortas ©Marian Fortunati 14" x 11" Oil on RayMar Panel

Delicious Tortas
While exploring the City of San Fernando for the upcoming show, I stopped by a tortilleria on Maclay east of La Galeria Gitana.  Tortas are basically Mexican sandwiches and they are delicious!  When I walked in the door, I was greeted by a lovely young woman who was standing behind a series of jugs full of what I think of as juices or "jugos".  I later found that these are called "aguas".   I guess they are flavored waters, but I still think of them as juices.

Anyway I was entranced by the lovely colors of the liquids in the jugs and decided that it might make a good painting to include in the show.  It is one of two figurative pieces that I completed to celebrate San Fernando's 100th year since incorporation.

I left off all of the clutter of signs and papers tacked to the wall behind the young lady and simply added word signs.

Apparently painting this piece was a good idea because Karen, the gallery curator / director, seemed to like it and said that this type of thing would also be good to place in some of the restaurants where she places paintings around town.  So... I guess if it isn't snatched off the wall during the reception on Saturday, January 22 from 6:00 to 10:00 or anytime during the exhibit until March, it has a chance at another life in San Fernando.

Baby, It's COLD Outside
Although the weatherman had told us that it would be warming up, it's still plenty cold outside.  This little wimpy Southern California gal was hoping to go out plein air painting tomorrow, but... I may wimp out.   I know all of you who live in snow for a good part of the year have no sympathy for this... but it is how it is and I yam what I yam!!

An Old Queen

Queen Anne Shadows © Marian Fortunati 10" x 8" Oil On RayMar Canvas Panel

Early Teaching Career
When I first started teaching many years ago I used to teach in Echo Park.  Nowadays we think of Echo Park as PART of downtown Los Angeles but in the early days of the city, it was a "hot" suburb where all the "in" people wanted to move.  There were many beautiful examples of early architecture.   My favorite houses were in part of Echo Park known as Angelino Heights.  I used to take my kids on walking and sketching trips to a street called Carroll Avenue which was full of beautiful Victorians.   It was there too, that I first learned about Queen Anne Cottages.

Here is some history from Wikipedia about Echo Park:
At the end of the 19th century, when the hills were still covered with native plants and grasses, a horse-drawn streetcar line served the dirt road that is now Echo Park Avenue.  The community of Echo Park was founded by Thomas Kelly, a carriage maker turned real estate developer. In the late 1880s Kelly teamed up with a group of local investors, selling off pieces of what they called "the Montana Tract." Legend says that the lake got its name after workers building the reservoir remarked that their voices echoed off the canyon walls.  Echo Park was named Edendale before the construction of the park itself. 
The Los Angeles film industry was centered in Echo Park before the studios moved to Hollywood, just before World War I. Mack Sennett's studio was in Echo Park until the end of the silent era, and a large number of silent comedies were shot in the neighborhood, as were several Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Our Gang, Ben Turpin, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Charley Chase, Chester Conklin, and Three Stooges shorts. Tom Mix also built his studio just over the hill in the Silverlake area, and many Westerns were shot in hills of Echo Park, East Silverlake and the Elysian Hills. Some of the earliest screen performers, including Gloria Swanson and Tom Mix, bought homes in the Angelino Heights and surrounding neighborhoods before moving to Hollywood and other areas.

Victorians In San Fernando
When I saw this house while driving around the city of San Fernando, I immediately began to remember my days in Echo Park.  The sun was shining on the front of the house casting dark shadows inside the porch.  I decided it would be fun to try to paint this lovely old Queen Anne Cottage but I wanted to emphasize the shadows.  I hope you like it.

This old queen is the last of my house portraits for the upcoming show called "Rediscovering San Fernando at 100".   I've also completed two figurative paintings for the show and am looking forward to delivering them on Sunday.   The reception will be from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. on January 22, 2011 at La Galeria Gitana in San Fernando, California.

Still Life Diversions

Blue Bottle and Pitcher
© Marian Fortunati

6" x 8" Oil on RayMar Panel

Four Cuties and a Pitcher
© Marian Fortunati
5" x 7" Oil On RayMar Canvas Panel

I wanted to keep painting and drawing and I was tired of painting houses, so since it was wet and rainy anyway, I decided to do a little still life or two.  My goal is to draw and paint every day.   I figured I should practice my values on the form... (although now I see I should darken the highlight on the pitcher that is in the shaded area  following the rule that nothing in the dark is lighter than anything in the light.) 

Originally I worked on a small 5" x 7" panel and used 4 cuties and a small white pitcher.

Later I decided to add some color interest, so I put in the blue bottle and an amber glass apple.  You might look at that glass apple and say that it's green but the sunlight streaming through the blue glass bottle then through the amber glass apple made it turn green.  I thought it looked pretty neat. 

I liked the looser paint in the first one and the cool colors in the transparent glass in the second.  Too bad I couldn't have achieved both with both.   More practice needed.

I have one more house painting for the upcoming show at La Galeria Gitana to share and I also painted two figurative pieces.   I'm looking forward to the reception which will be on January 22 from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.    If you're around, you might enjoy coming too!

Contact me HERE if you are interested in either of these small paintings.

When Is A House Portrait Not a House Portrait?

Canna Lilies and Patriots ©Marian Fortunati 12" x 9" Oil on RayMar Canvas Panel

Upcoming Show
I know I've mentioned on past blog posts that architecture isn't really my thing.  But I've been trying to paint house portraits because I want to create some interesting work for the upcoming show called "Rediscovering San Fernando at 100" for my favorite gallery, La Galeria Gitana.  I so appreciate the curator/gallery director, Karen Nichols, who is also a wonderful artist, because of her encouragement and kindness.   She found my work almost two years ago and has been encouraging me ever since.  I have been proud to show work in several group shows since her first invitation.  Several times, the subject matter wasn't what I was accustomed to painting, but I did learn and enjoy from each experience.   In fact, most of the work in my portfolio called Urban Scenes/ Cityscapes originated because of an earlier show about the San Fernando Valley where I have lived most of my life.  Painting for this show has also been a learning experience.

Karen suggested I keep my work small (there are other artists of the twelve in the upcoming show who go for LARGE paintings... AND small paintings cost less so sometimes sell better.)  She also wanted to invite the owners of any homes represented in the paintings to the show which I thought was sort of a cool idea. 

This latest is another house portrait, but not really.  I was attracted to the beautiful canna lilies in the front yard, much like I was to the roses in the painting "Roses on Newton Street".  Owners and neighbors will probably recognize the house, if only because of the American flag displayed on the front porch, but the focus is on the lilies.  I think it's almost more of a floral.   What do you think?

QR Codes and Tags... More Conversation
It's interesting how the internet works.  I had commented on a blog post made by Moshe Mikanovsky, and as a result received a wonderful series of contacts from Charlie Bogusz.   She runs an art consulting service and has used the tags very successfully.  Several of the ideas she shared such as having the Tag automatically add an address entry into your phone or "people" data base were fabulous and very useful.   She acknowledged my issue with too much specificity of the Microsoft Tags and said she will be writing a follow up blog post on the subject.   The Microsoft Tags are really pretty, small and attractively customizable, but in my opinion, a more generic tag which can be read by ANY scanner application would be more useful.   I'm looking forward to reading her discussion of the issue.  I'm always curious about ways to share my work... aren't you?

The Awwww Factor

Uh Ohh!! -- (Who Me??)                         © Marian Fortunati                         7" x 5" Oil on RayMar Panel

Happy New Year!
I have noticed that people (like me) seem to be attracted to images that are really cute.   They have that "awww" factor.... not an "AWE" factor or an "ahhhh" factor.... it's the AWWW factor that seems to attract us. 

Sometimes, when I look at a beautiful landscape, it's the AWE factor... but for cuteness... it's the awww factor.   When I saw this little kittie, my mind said, "Awwww".     I loved the way he was all tangled up in the yarn from the ball of yarn he was playing with.   And he's looking up as if he's been caught... but he knows that those if he just up a certain way with those big eyes... the "awww factor" will get him off the hook.

I enjoyed painting this little 7"x5" painting.   Trying to get a fluffy look to the fur was just pure fun.  And of course as you know, I like the small formats.

Rose Bowl
Right now I'm sitting here on the sofa  in front of the TV watching and enjoying the Rose Bowl game.    I am enjoy the action, but REALLY like the combination of the colors that these two teams are displaying.   GREAT mix.   A special treat to the eyes. 

I hope you're all having a relaxing and enjoyable New Year's Day as well.