Where's Waldo?

A Safe Spot © Marian Fortunati 12" x 16" Oil On RayMar Linen Panel

One beautiful day I met a few other painters at Leo Carrillo State Park.  But it wasn't the part of the park I had painted at before.  It was the inland section.  Since I was trying to learn all I could from David Gallup, a fabulous artist and a great teacher, I tried to paint what he suggested.   It didn't work out well.  

However, THIS scene remained in my mind.   I loved the way the light filtered through the leaves in the sycamore as I looked through the tiny canyon created by the creek.  The long sycamore branch was reaching out and casting shadows across the clearing.

Since that week, the weather here in SoCal has turned cold and rainy.  We absolutely need the rain and I usually like the cozy feeling of being warm and dry at home, but after what seemed like forever of not getting out I am sooooo looking forward to painting outside!!!

However, I did get LOTS of painting done in the studio.   Let's see...  This was #2 of 5 new paintings.   Not bad.  

By the way...  Did you ever look through those "Where's Waldo?" books??    I was walking back from volunteering in Tyler's class and right in front of me was the cutest little critter.   I decided he'd look great in this painting.   Do you see him???

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Donating To A Charitable Event -- And a Surprise "Bonus"

Santa Cruz Safe Harbor © Marian Fortunati 12" x 9" Oil on RayMar Linen Panel

I have donated paintings to Charitable Events in the past.  I don't do it often and I really have never decided whether it was beneficial (other than to the charity) or not.   I just never gave it much thought.  The type of Charitable Event that I usually favor is the type where the "commission" goes to the charity and the artist is paid for the work.

However, recently when two friends with whom I worked for many years asked me to donate a painting to their event, I just said "yes".  There are many reasons WHY I said yes.  Among the reasons were:

• I worked in different capacities with each of these friends over our years in education and gained a great deal of respect for them.
• These two friends / colleagues have been very supportive of me since I switched from being a Principal to being an Artist - one had even purchased one of my paintings - something which I felt was a great honor.
• Both of these friends are talented artists - both sing and one also dances. - Both sing in the Angeles Chorale, a well-respected group based in the Los Angeles area, and while I am not a music lover, I appreciate their ability to share their love of music with others with their voice and passion.
• They and a few other of our friends have always shared their enthusiasm for their musical art with me and with others.-- a gift I appreciate.

The Charitable Event that they are supporting is a tribute to Paul Salamunovich who has made a significant impact on the Angeles Chorale.  The event is being held on April 16th at the Town and Gown on the USC campus (where I got my teaching credential and Master's Degree).  There will be a dinner, a pianist and a silent auction (thus the requested donation of my painting).  Everyone who has been inspired by Salamunovich is invited to participate in this well-deserved tribute event.   Perhaps you would be interested in attending.   Details can be found by clicking on the link above.

This time I decided spend a bit of time thinking about the donation.   I emailed for advice to my friend with much more experience in shows and in the art world, Laura Wambsgans.  She suggested I pick one of my better paintings.    Hmmmmm.   Well, I'd had a few in mind, but several I had already decided to submit to upcoming juried shows and of the others, I didn't know which to donate.   One, which I thought they might like, was already promised to a Charity Event in April (the kind where the artist gets paid and the charity gets the commission.)  So... I decided to paint a different smaller version of THAT scene and to let the women decide from several images of paintings which I emailed to them.   I didn't tell them that I had painted one with the event in mind, but wouldn't you know... the one I painted with them in mind is the one they chose! 

The surprise bonus is that one of the ladies has decided to purchase one of the OTHER suggested paintings for herself!   She said it reminded her and her husband of their times sailing around the Channel Islands.   (I didn't even know they sailed.)  I'm thrilled!!   So I get to help them support what they love AND they are supporting what I love.   What could be better???

Between the friends I've made along this art journey and the great friends I had before, I think I'm pretty blessed.

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Geology and Painting With Friends -- What Could Be Better?

Upheaval © Marian Fortunati 16" x 20" Oil on RayMar Canvas Panel

For years I have driven by the Vasquez Rocks on my way home from visiting Mojave or Bishop or Mammoth.  They can easily be seen from the 14 Freeway and evoke all of the acquired history lessons about the outlaw who evaded authorities while hiding out in these rock formations.  In 1873 and 1874 Tiburcio Vásquez - one of California's most notorious bandits - used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. His name has since been associated with this geologic feature.

The rock formations are beautiful and are really an awesome reminder of the geologic changes brought about by earth movements along the San Andreas Fault.

Marian, Laura, Nita, George, Dyane, Lani, Diane, Sharon all enjoying lunch

On Wednesday of last week we had an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL day.   Storms were predicted for the upcoming weekend but Wednesday, the day the the CAC scheduled its monthly Paint-Out was perfect.   It wasn't too hot nor too cold.  There was a light breeze which pushed the puffy clouds across the blue sky.  Vasquez Rocks Park is quite spread out and all of the painters were too.   I  arrived later than usual and chatted with a few other painters then found a place I liked to set up and got to work.

Mighty Vasquez Rocks My plein air study

What fun we all had.  I worked on a little 8x10 piece using the brush and my palette knife and it turned out okay,  but I wasn't thrilled with it.  After a few hours, we all gathered for lunch and had a great time exchanging ideas and information.  These get togethers are so great.  They're fun AND you can learn so much.

After I got home, I decided to paint a larger painting of the awesome rock formations.    I like it better than my little study.

If you live anywhere near the Ventura / Malibu area, check out the paint out schedule on the California Art Club's event calendar.   Join the group for lots of fun!

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Painting "Big"

Point Lobos Poetry © Marian Fortunati 24" x 36" x 2" Oil on Canvas

I've heard people say that if you don't paint "big",  you might as well not paint.   I'm not sure who the people ARE who say that, or really WHY they say it, but I have heard it many times.

Generally I don't paint "big".   I paint outside and the biggest thing I do outside is 12" x 16".   There are some real problems with painting big in my estimation.

• Most of the paintings that I sell are small paintings.   (Of course that may be because I paint more small paintings.)
• Big paintings are a big time investment.
• Frames for big paintings cost a lot more.
• The selling price of big paintings is generally a lot more - narrowing the potential buyer pool.
• If juried into a non-local contest, the shipping would be very expensive.
• When storing big paintings....   Hey... they take up a lot of room!

All that being said, I decided to paint a 24" x 36" painting.   I used a 2" deep stretched canvas so that it didn't "require" framing.   The question is whether you actually CAN frame it...  I'm not sure.   Does anyone know?  My Dad thinks it would look even better framed.

This painting is of a scene in Point Lobos State Park, Monterey, California.    I totally enjoyed working on it.  I tried to put interesting colors in the dark areas to entertain the viewer when they look more closely at it.   I hope the beauty of the actual scene still shows through even though I've taken some artistic liberties with it.   I have painted several paintings from that gorgeous part of the world over the years and although I've liked them all... I think I'm happiest about this one.

My FASO website hosts an online juried contest.   Of course there is a regular juror who will select paintings based on merit.   But there is also a separate ability for viewers who go online to chose entries they "LIKE".    It uses an application that facebook uses.   I'm really not sure if someone "likes" a painting but isn't a facebook user, whether it counts or not, but I'd love those of you who want to take a minute to go online and "like" my painting... and any other one that you also "like".

****

Thanks!!!     http://faso.com/boldbrush/painting/18271

 

*****

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Finding Another Great Place to Paint

Woolsey Canyon © Marian Fortunati 8" x 10" Oil on RayMar Panel

I have been painting outside so much lately that I find that my blogging is getting very behind.   I just love going out and discovering new areas to paint.

Last Friday I painted with an artist I didn't know very well named Joela Nitzberg.   We had met before, but I never really got to know her.  She decided she wanted to take up plein air painting after a long time of not painting outside, and has been trying to get me to join her.   However we both have busy schedules and despite calls and emails, it just didn't happen for a long time.  But Friday was the day.  

I drove up to her house.  It is in the north-west San Fernando Valley in a canyon I'd never visited before.  The north-west valley is known for many wonderful rock formations and the scenery leading up to her house was quite beautiful.  First, I got a tour of her "gallery".  She has been painting for many years and even teaches students from her home so there was a lot to see.

Then we went out for a quick tour of the area and to a spot she had selected near her house.   She set up and painted near the road and I hiked up the hill a bit and looked at the view down toward her.  I was amazed!!  She was like a magnet!  People would pull their cars over to come look at her painting.. I mean lots of them!  She passed out cards for her class, so maybe she picked up some new students!   I'm going to have to rethink my location strategy!

The area is also known for the strong winds which blow through.   I, however, ignored that information - much to my disadvantage.   My easel blew over twice!   Fortunately, although the painting landed face down both times, the turpenoid didn't completely spill so I could keep painting.... (after picking the weeds, pebbles and foxtails off the wet paint).   The painting I produced wasn't my favorite painting of all time, when I brought it home, but I worked on it a bit at home and now I like it a lot better.   It was a great day and a nice memory.   Thanks, Joela!

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O'Melvany Overlook

O'Melvany Overlook © Marian Fortunati 11" x 14" Oil On RayMar Canvas

SHARING A BEAUTIFUL DAY WITH A FRIEND
There's not much better than a beautiful day with a blue skies and little clouds being pushed across the tops of the mountains by a fresh breeze.   My friend, Diane Nelson-Gold, called me up (actually we probably e-mailed one-another...)  and asked if I wanted to join her on a hike up the hills in O'Melvany Park.   I had lived about a mile away for almost 20 years, yet I'd never taken advantage of this gorgeous area when I lived there so I was anxious to explore it.  It's funny how taking up painting has allowed me to see things, do things and go places I never experienced before.  I feel richer since I began my painting journey.

It was the perfect day.  Warm but not really hot.  A cool breeze to refresh us as we puffed up the hills.  When we got to the top it was ALMOST perfect!   Gorgeous scenery was every where we looked.  The only issue was choosing a view.   Well.... sort of..... the only REAL problems were the swarms of annoying gnats that stuck to anything not dry....   like arms covered with sunscreen or a paint palette .... or a fresh stroke of paint.   Oh well, it added to the authenticity and the poor little things might have been a nuisance but they didn't bite.

JOY AS THE PAINTING PROGRESSES
As my painting began to take shape, I was reminded of the hills I painted when I was capturing the poppies in the Antelope Valley... the painting was called "California Colors".   I was delighted a little bit later when Diane took a break from her work and came over to tell me that this painting reminded her of my "California Colors" painting.     They really were not alike... they had very different colors, etc. but perhaps it was the shapes of the hills that caused the resemblance.

We both set up and painted happily away until it was time for me to rush back down the hill to pick up Tyler from school.   What a great day.   I'll definitely go back.  Thanks, Diane!

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Echo Park

Echo Park © Marian Fortunati 9" x 12" Oil On RayMar panel

I began my teaching career in Echo Park many years ago.   I taught there for more than a decade and have many fond memories of the area and the children, families and colleagues I worked with.  That's one of the reasons I was excited when my art club decided to have a paint out there.  I hadn't been to Echo Park in years but remembered many pretty scenes.

My friend, Sharon Weaver, and I drove down through the morning traffic together.  (Now THAT'S something I don't miss!)  We got there, began talking with some of our fellow artists and then scouted our separate places to paint.   Sharon found her spot on the other side of the little island to which the bridge leads.  I liked the view of the bridge with some of the high rises on the outskirts of downtown in the background.

Frankly, by the time I had to leave to pick up Tyler, I wasn't really happy with this painting, but I added some color and tweaked it a bit at home so now I can live with it.    My Echo Park adventure is the first of THREE paint out days I enjoyed this week.   Between working on my large painting and these three plein air days...  I was pretty tired last night.   It was a good kind of tired though... one that comes from a satisfying and productive week.

I hope you enjoyed one too!
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A Profusion Of Pink - Lake Balboa Blossoms

Balboa Blossoms © Marian Fortunati 8" x 10" Oil on RayMar Linen Panel

Every spring the local residents flock to Lake Balboa, a man-made lake created in our San Fernando Valley's flood control basin.  Actually it is a favorite relaxation spot all year round, but in the spring the cherry trees blossom and photographers and those who enjoy watching nature's fashion show, flock to the Lake to see the trees.

I've painted there many times, and although I've had a good time, most of the time I have been disappointed with my results.  Basically the profusion of pink is a bit too much for me.  I'm not sure why, but when painting... it's just too much pink.... reminiscent of Pepto Bismol.   The trees and the park themselves are pretty... but not when I paint them.

So when my friend, Diane Nelson-Gold, suggested that we go paint at Lake Balboa I almost said "No, thanks."   I have been working on a really large painting and it's going pretty well, so I wanted to keep working on it.  I was excited to see if I can finish it without "ruining it".  ... BUT it really was a gorgeous day and our weather has been rather fickle lately.   I went for it.   First, I volunteered in Tyler's class as I do every Friday, and then I headed to the park.  I think it was better for Diane than way too, because she usually is a "late to bed.. late to get out" type person. 

Anyway, we both set up and had a great time.  It was actually hot and I had to dispose of my multiple layers of clothing.  I even got a bit of a suntan because I forgot to put on sunblock.  We had a GREAT time talking and exchanging ideas.   She would say something and make me think about what I was doing in a different way.  It's fun to bounce ideas off one another.  I'm glad I went.  I even surprised myself by painting a small painting that I actually liked... despite the profusion of pink!   - Thanks Diane!

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Going To The Dogs

Hendry's (Arroyo Burro Dog Beach) © Marian Fortunati 16" x 20" Oil on RayMar Panel

FAMILY TIME
Things have been going on with the family which, as they should, have taken some time from painting.  For a while it seemed that everything was "going to the dogs".  Happily all seems to be back on an even keel and I'm back painting and blogging again.   I'm not posting the painting I'm currently working on because it's a big one (big for me) and it is taking me a long time to paint.   I was really excited about it and liking it, but I think the work I did last night might have been a bit over the top color-wise, so now I have to stop and reflect whether to wipe it down and start over or whether I can do something else that will help me get back on track -- or whether the color is beautiful and exciting and I should just leave it.   I still think it may be one of my best paintings yet.    If I ever finish, I'll post it and perhaps you can make your own judgment.

Hendry's
In the meantime, I'll post this painting I did a few weeks back for an upcoming show at La Galeria Gitana.   The show's title is "Favorite Weekend Getaways - Where Angelinos Go To Play".  I'm really honored once again to be included in a group show at this beautiful gallery.  It will open in April.  Karen, the gallery curator/director/artist has selected 13 of my paintings to be included.  (Did you know that 13 is my LUCKY number???  I met my husband, Gastone, on the 13th of August!!)  I would love it if you could come by and see all of the work that will be displayed by many wonderful artists.

Hendry's is the name the locals have given the lovely beach in Santa Barbara officially known as Arroyo Burro.  Hendry's is where people go
to share a beautiful sunny day at the beach with the family..... including the family dog.   It's one of the favorite places that my daughter and her husband take their dog, Lulu, now that they live in Santa Barbara.   Lulu is a "hound" mix.  She's BIG, gregarious, curious and full of energy.  Her happy tail is a weapon and she requires regular walking and outside exercise to keep things sane at home.  I painted a little portrait of Lulu on her first Christmas with us during one of her rare quiet moments.   It was a present to Francesca and Greg, my daughter and son-in-law.  I think they like it.  If not, maybe Lulu does!

You can see people playing, resting and just enjoying themselves all over the sunny beach at Hendly's...  along with man's best friend.

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