La Vendemmia

La Vendemmia © Marian Fortunati 11" x 14" Oil on Linen
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I keep telling myself that I'm going to stop painting just for shows.   I mean there is never any guarantee that your paintings will be juried in and then you're usually stuck with paintings you probably wouldn't have painted otherwise.  On the plus side, however, sometimes painting things that are not your usual "thing" can stretch you and help you extend your skills.   I have quite a few cityscapes that I painted for two different shows and while most of them didn't sell, they HAVE led to some very interesting new opportunities.

I have to admit, that I did enjoy painting this one.   There was a show coming up that I wanted to submit to.   The theme is "The Farmer's Market~from Field to Farm, Market to Table".   Initially, I didn't think I had anything I could submit, so I began to search my files for ideas.   I came up with a few paintings I was pretty happy with.  Then it occurred to me that I had another painting already that I could submit and since you could submit three images for the same price, I figured... what the heck.. why not? 

Happily I got a notice the other day that two of my paintings were accepted.  But only one of the paintings was one that I painted specifically for the show.  Luckily this painting and my last minute inspiration were both juried in.

I started this painting by toning the whole canvas in raw umber and then rubbed out the areas that were the lighter areas of the painting.  Since the figures of the man and his donkey were the focus of the painting, that's what I concentrated on first trying not to noodle too much.  I liked this one and have always liked the other one they juried in:   Fresh Catch 

If you are anywhere around SEGIL GALLERY on June 23,  please come by for the opening reception.

Segil Fine Art
110 West Lime Avenue
Old Town Monrovia, CA 91016
Phone: 626-358-5563
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 1-6 pm
Online: SegilFineArt.com
2012 Summer Show, “The Farmer’s Market~from Field to Farm, Market to Table”

Exhibition dates are June 23 through August 18, 2012.

Artist’s wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, Saturday, June 23, 5pm-7pm.

Hope to see you there.

 

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Rushing In

	Rushing In © Marian Fortunati 8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel
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Have you ever been in the situation where there are so many disparate things to do that you don't know what to do first and pretty much end up doing nothing at all?

That has been my life lately.  Between trying to prepare paintings for several shows, organizing and communicating with people about some fantastic opportunities that have come my way, trying to get things together from my father's estate and just life in general...  It's got me scattered.

I guess I'll just have to suck it up and get it done, but wow.. inertia is hard to overcome!

The best tension easer ever is painting en plein air with friends.     The plan was for Diane and I to get together and paint.  Well, that was what was initially planned but we went with plan B because we got a late start and Diane's car broke down.   We did get together and I painted for a few hours.   Our friends from David Gallup's plein air class were there so we did a lot of chatting.    I managed to do this little study before I had to leave to pick up Tyler.  Diane stayed, watched the dolphins playing and then saw the sun sinking below the horizon.

I think painting rocks is still hard, but at least my rock studies are looking more like rocks!!!

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Lost In Time -- Hills Of Mustard And Oak

Hills Of Mustard And Oak © Marian Fortunati 8"x10" Oil on Linen Panel
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Sometimes on a delightful day, you can lose yourself in time.   Hiking or painting... You can find your muse in the gifts of nature.

On Monday I was supposed to drive to Camarillo for my class with David Gallup.   I love being in David's studio and seeing all of the work he is doing for his upcoming show.  It's tremendously inspiring.  And, of course, David is a motivating instructor as well.

The class, however, doesn't start until 11:00 which is a problem for me because I'm up and out by the time I drop Tyler off to school at 8:00 and I have to be back in time to pick him up at 3:00 when he gets out.    But I take what I can get.

I squandered away an hour reading my novel and eating a bagel and decided to head out to find a good spot to paint BEFORE I got to the class.   I remembered a spot where I had painted in the past just north of the Las Virgenes turn off on the Ventura Freeway.   I had enjoyed painting there once before and hiking there several times.   At this time of the year the mustard is gorgeous and the area is filled with brilliantly colored blooming thistle plants.   And of course it is dotted with wonderful hearty California Oaks which have survived the fire that ravaged the area a few years back.  

Here is a link to information about the location if you want to try it out:  http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=28   One thing to keep in mind if you are planning to hike or paint or mountain bike for any length of time there is that there are no potties of any kind around.   So don't drink or ???

Anyway the whole point is that when I finished my hike, found my "spot" and settled in to paint, I got lost in time.   It is a wonderful totally engrossed feeling of the joy of being in a beautiful place doing just what you want to do.   But I was sooooo lost in time, that I ended up being quite late to my class.   Oh well.   It's always about the miles and the joys isn't it?

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Munster and Merlot - Several Versions of a Still Life

Munster and Merlot © Marian Fortunati 12"x9" Oil on Canvas
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I don't usually do still lifes, but had decided to give one a try because it fits in with a themed show that is coming up.  Right away I should have been wary, but still I forged ahead.

I got out my glass, my bottle of wine and some cheeses and got started.  I was actually pretty happy with the result (except when at the last minute, I decided to add a cheese knife) until my husband, Gastone, looked at it and declared the background "too dark".

The Original
Version 2 or maybe 3

I usually don't take criticism well, but he and I have learned to wait until I ask for it.  Well, since I HAD asked for it... I took a day and decided that he was right.  So I set about lightening it. 

Okay... THEN I thought I was finished, but after I had photographed it, I decided that the background STILL wasn't light enough.   So I changed it again... leaving lots of thick juicy paint on the surface.   I photographed it again.   THIS time I decided that I didn't like the temperature ... not so much the value...  of the background.

So in I went AGAIN to change it to a warmer background.   I had a huge amount of fun mixing up large piles of color which were the same approximate value but which tended toward the green side, or the red side or the blue/purple side.   I think I like it the best now.

I think.

I did have lots of fun with my piles of paint... however it may have turned out.   And with dark paintings... It is AMAZING how different they look under different lighting conditions.  For now the one on top is the best I can present you with.  

Bon appetite!!

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Cormorants' Roost and the FASO Daily Art Show

Cormorants' Roost © Marian Fortunati 6"x8" Oil on Canvas Panel
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My art website is hosted by Fine Art Studio Online (FASO).   I love the website for many reasons... including its easy handling and all of the support and special features which help us artists easily do all the things necessary to market our art.  One of the more recent additions to the FASO's marketing efforts is something called the "Daily Art Show".

Each time one of their artists uploads an artwork, it is included in the daily art show.   I had seen it included in FASO's newsletter (Called Fine Art Views) and on several other e-publications they send out to help inform artists and collectors.

Then I noticed  dailyartshow.faso.com/dailyartshow/...   appearing on my website stats indicating that someone had visited my personal website because they had clicked on the image they saw on the Daily Art Show.   (Click on the arrow above to see what the Daily Art Show looks like.)  So I began to wonder WHAT they were seeing.   Obviously they had clicked on one of my recently uploaded artworks... but which one???   Sometimes my work was easy to find.   Other times, despite the fact that I KNEW one of my images was there, I couldn't find it.  

	Sea Lace© Marian Fortunati 6"x6" Oil on Board $50 contact the artist

HMMMMM   If I couldn't even find my own work... maybe it just didn't stand up to the other work.   I wonder what elements that could be seen in that teeny tiny jpg image could be used to strengthen the work I do??

I will tell you that when I uploaded "Cormorants Roost", it wasn't easy to find.  Even though, its only a simple 6"x8" plein air study and I liked its simplicity, it probably isn't strong enough for anything more than a joyful moment of painting on a foggy day at the beach.  The cormorants didn't seem to mind whether the weather was brilliant and sparkly or foggy and cold.   They just sat and enjoyed their surroundings.  

I painted two small paintings that day.  We were there at Leo Carrillo State Beach on a typical "May Grey" day.  Despite the fact that I was VERY cold even layered up, I had a great day!

So which little painting is YOUR favorite??

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Newsletter Marketing

A Medley Of Pansies
by Marian Fortunati
8"x16" Oil on RayMar Panel

When I First Started Sending Newsletters
I first started sending out a newsletter because it was available on my Fine Art Studio Online (FASO) website and I had read that it was an important way to get your name and your work "out there".   I was pretty consistent...  Sending one out just about once a month and I always had people who would follow up with nice notes or suggestions.   Sometimes they would put a show opening on their calendar and come out to see me and the work.  Sometimes, happily, they would follow up with requests to purchase a painting.

Slow Times
In recent months, family issues have slowed my painting down and I was more sluggish about putting out newsletters.   I didn't have much work in shows and didn't have a lot of new paintings to "announce".  However, last Saturday I forced myself to sit down to do a "short" newsletter... just to stay in touch.   I decided to go with a theme for the paintings I displayed on the newsletter and I went through a lot of my older florals.   They were paintings I'd liked but which have languished in the "room" with all of my others.   I think I picked florals because they are bright and happy and I wanted to cheer myself up. (HERE IS MY STILL LIFE AND FLORAL COLLECTION) -- They also seem to sell better than the landscapes and seascapes that I most love to paint.  I'm not sure why that is... but it is.   I'm not going to stop painting landscapes and seascapes because it gives me a great deal of joy to paint them... but they don't fly off the walls as fast.    (Landscape Collection)   (Coastal Collection)

Exceptional Response
The newsletter went out Saturday evening.

Passages

5/5/2012 9:09:59 PM

By Sunday I had some of the most WONDERFUL responses from people I've never met who live in New York, in Brazil, in Northern California -- and all over!   I also heard from virtual friends and from "in-the-flesh" friends from around the world.   Then by Sunday afternoon I had two requests to buy paintings and on Monday I received another.   So I'm here to say that newsletter marketing works!

I will say that for some reason THIS newsletter has resulted in more sales than any other, but the benefit for me goes far beyond that.  This is just ONE of several beautiful heartwarming notes I received from people I've never met:

"Dear Marian, Your website, blog and art are incredibly inspiring. I found your site by accident and signed up a month ago. When I received your newsletter/blog for the 2nd time, I felt every bit as excited about seeing your work and reading your blog/newsletter as I did the first time I saw it. You inspire. Thank you for sharing and providing an opportunity for me and others to join in your learning and exploration as you share your beautiful art. I, too, am a retired school teacher, principal and spent 15 years also at the University/college level. Now, as a retired woman, I have this "pulling" to spend time painting. and studying art. I am in the beginning stage and am hoping that I have enough years to learn all that I want to learn. Finding your website gives me hope and lots of inspiration. Your site is beautifully organized, your writing warm and inviting and your art is stunningly beautiful. Thank you for continuing to teach through this wonderful site. You inspire!"

To me, her NOTE was inspiring.   Sometimes we all feel "un-noticed".   It was uplifting and reassuring to read these thoughts and know that we're all in this together...  One helping another.  

NOW HERE'S what I'm wondering:
To be sure, most of the people who sign up for my newsletter are other artists.   I know that I sign up for other artists' newsletters... I get inspired, awed and I get ideas.   Of course every once in a while I buy a painting ... but I think that usually paintings are bought by "non-artists".   At least most of the people who have purchased my work are not artists. 

SOOOO ... How does one get information about signing up for an artist's newsletter to people from OTHER walks of life?  ... to the librarians, or the park rangers?  How about to mountain bikers or those gardeners who love flowers?    Is there a place where people who like to sail or back pack or just enjoy our beautiful outdoors go to see what's happening?   How about campers and adventurers.... What do THEY google to find out places to go??   Wouldn't it be great to be able to market to them??

Who has an idea???

.......   And of course....  if haven't already signed up and you'd like my free almost-monthly newsletter now's your chance!

NEWSLETTER

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Canyon Spring

	Canyon Spring © Marian Fortunati 8"x10" Oil on RayMar Panel
	Click on the link above.

Sometimes I can't find any friends to go out and paint with me.   Sometimes I just want to spend time alone.  Plein air painting is a great excuse to get outside in a beautiful spot and really see things.  I think about life.  I enjoy nature.  I get some great exercise when I hike up and down the trails looking for something that strikes my fancy.

Near my home is a lovely little canyon called Caballero Canyon.   From some of the trails leading up the hills I can see the homes in my community.   From other spots, however, it seems like there are no homes or "tamed land" anywhere.   Caballero Canyon is a favorite for hikers and mountain bikers, for dog walkers, nature lovers and people who like the outdoors. 

I realized when I stole the day last week to grab some fresh air and sunshine between clouds and rainy days that I have mostly hiked in Caballero Canyon in the fall when the orange and rust colors dominate the landscape.  Last week the fresh greenish mustard was just starting to come up near the trailhead and the spring flowers were popping out all over.  There was so much beauty hidden amid the grasses and brush.  I spent the morning with this little study, but I'm inspired to use this and my photo references and my memories to paint a larger (22"x28") painting of Spring in Caballero Canyon.

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Promise

Promise - A figurative study
by Marian Fortunati

I painted this study on my first day back in David Gallup's Master Class.   I always enjoy David's class.  He shares so much information about art and artists PLUS watching HIS creations unfold is mesmerizing.

I wasn't expecting a model that Monday -- and was delighted to find that we not only had a model but a very pregnant model.   I have always felt that a pregnant woman is especially beautiful.   I only had a few hours to try to capture the essence of shapes and light.   Maybe one day I will be able to have another similar opportunity.

David's suggestions were to make sure that the patterns of light and dark moved throughout the painting...  No EDGES where the values were the same...  For example the color of the buttocks blended into the shadows behind it and the light on her belly and lower leg blend in to the lighter values of the sheet.   The "line" can be determined by changes in temperature rather than changes in value or line.   All in all I think David approved of my first day's effort .. and best of all I did enjoy the painting session and I do like my very unfinished study.

On an interesting side note....  
I posted a link on my FB page to this image on my website yesterday.   (The link went HERE to my artwork page.)   I was AMAZED at the number of people who clicked on the link to see the painting!   I guess nudeness... or pregnancy creates an interest and curiosity that landscapes can't. 

What are your thoughts?

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