It’s the day after a horrible accident where my son was hit by a car breaking his perfect front teeth. Following an evening in the ER and an afternoon at the dentist, I found myself showing this painting to my watercolor students. I’d brought it to discuss the usefulness of color comps to explore background color options before starting to paint, as I’d saved the studies. Then the tooth connection clicked! Remember when it was exciting to lose your teeth? It’s no fun when you are 27. May the tooth fairy bring you a generous treat, Adrien. That’s her in the window of the house across the street, witnessing the loss of your tooth. The painting was part of a proposal for a children’s book by Cooper Edens.
Sumi logo for Volvernow.com
Dara McKinley describes our serendipitous collaboration on her web site. Dara always makes me feel like a goddess and is a joy to work with. We saw this image grow from a t-shirt idea, coming soon, to her realization that this image embodied her identity and now appears on her newly designed web site, VOLVER-Returning to Our Feminine Essense.
Sandy Haight is a fine artist who designed the sumi logo for this site. I first saw her art in a local gallery and immediately contacted her about creating a t-shirt. My logo above was the first image she sent me. I opened the file and to my pleasant surprise discovered that she drew my ass:) I had no need to look any further. “She” was the one. Sandy is a dream to work/create with and has a beautiful gift for the sensuality of nature and art.
This sumi-e figure was created for a show at ArtEast Gallery in Issaquah, WA where artists were invited to draw the figure on 1/2 sheets of tan Rives BFK paper to create a unified figure show titled Drawing on Observation. I went to a life drawing session with my biggest sumi brushes and a stack of the sturdy paper and had some fun results, seen here.
Sumi painting sold at Unclad
My painting titled “Dark Face” sold at the Unclad show in Stanwood! Here’s the piece.
3 Juried shows this month!
Seattle Symphony
I’m pleased to be represented in 3 juried art exhibits opening this month. Maybe one will cross your path.
1. Parkland Art Gallery in Kirkland, WA. The show is Local Color featuring local artists depicting local scenes—opening tonight from 6-8 through April 3 at 130 Park Lane, Kirkland WA 98033. An illustration I did for the Seattle Symphony is included….very local. Its special to me that something I did as an illustration is suitable for a gallery. My friend, Pat Clayton, has 3 beautiful oil paintings in this show as well. I’m teaching tonight and won’t be at the reception.
2. Unclad-The Fine Art of the Figure in Stanwood, WA. Opening this Saturday March 12th for 2 weeks, this is the 10th anniversary of the show, and my 4th year participating with my figure work. I have a sumi figure painting juried into the show and many, unframed sumi and watercolor figure paintings and cards in the gift shop. See the show online at http://www.uncladart.com. Its at Gallery by the Bay 8700 271st NW, Stanwood, WA 98292 in the charming old part of Stanwood. This Saturday there will be live music from 2-5, so a fun time to visit the show.
3. The biggest honor is being juried into the NW Watercolor Society’s 2011 Annual Open Exhibition where only a quarter of the entries from around the country were accepted. It opens March 24 through May 13, reception at 6 -8pm on the 24th at the Mercer View Gallery, Mercer Community Center 8236 SE 24th St Mercer Island, WA 98040. Its an all watercolor show. My class will be ended by then and I’ll be at the crowded reception. My painting “Abandoned Red Shoes” will be displayed.