Of Contests Part II

Just a brief posting this week ...

This past weekend, my painting -- Sailboat on the Pointe -- was named as the Greater Loveland Historical Museum Award winner. It is always an honor to be selected for any award in an art show, especially in the Greater Cincinnati area where there are so many talented artists living and producing in this community. This was a very nice honor, especially in light of the fact that I had won previously. As an artist, you always hope that your work has an impact on its viewer or viewers -- that it moves them, intrigues them, motivates or amuses them. A good friend, Monica Achberger, won Best of Show,


I spent most of this past week catching up on some business work (bills still have to be paid!). Though I did manage to resume attending one of the two weekly live sketch group sessions offered by the Cincinnati Art Club to its members. I cringe every time I see my final product, but I know that it's better than the first time I tried it. Progress comes in baby steps.

Calliope returns

 

For those of you who are familiar with the dog, Calliope, that I have featured in a previous painting, you will be happy to know that he is making his return in the next several weeks! So stay tuned. The sketch for the painting is done and there have been some tweeks here and there. I still need to attend to a couple of details such as spending much of the last couple of nights working out "light" issues. 

When I'm satisfied with the progress of the painting, I will begin to post it as it develops.

Contests and such ...

I was more than a little bit surprised to learn that I took second place in this year's Colored Pencil District Chapter 119 show! What an honor! Especially considering that I finished behind one of the people I most admire in colored pencil, John Smolko, who is also a member of our local chapter.

If you have been following my blog over the last few months, then you probably recognize the piece -- 324 --that took the award.

The show will continue throughout the month at "The Barn" in Mariemont, OH ... also the home of the Cincinnati Women's Art Club. The show runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept 22 and Fridays from 5-8 p.m.

324

More to the Point-illism ... 

As promised, below is the finished product of the pointillism painting -- Sailboat On the Pointe --  that I have also been working on over the last 6-7 weeks. I entered it in to the Greater Loveland Historical Society Museum show. If I failed to note this before, the acrylic painting is a pretty big piece at 30 x 40 inches, unframed. The Awards reception will be this coming Saturday (September 14) from 2-4 p.m. at the Museum on 201 Riverside Dr. in Loveland, OH. 

Sailboat On The Pointe

I entered and won this show three years ago and the winning piece of award featured below was purchased by the Museum and is on permanent display there.

That piece was done in scratchboard, which, while I don't do it very often, is one of my favorite forms of artwork. 

Stolen: Porridge Made from Scratch

Detailed close-up

As you can tell from the detailed breakout, this is another one of those tedious projects that I often find myself doing. But, much like the pointillism painting, I find doing scratchboard to be very relaxing.

This year's show will run on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 14 through October 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the Museum center in Loveland.

A grand afternoon

After dropping off my colored pencil artwork this morning for final entry in to the Cincinnati CPSA chapter show (more on that later) ... I spent the afternoon doing what I do every year when my grandchildren "invade". We paint!

For five-year-old Tabitha, this was her third painting endeavor and we decided it was time to actually attempt a painting of something more than just having fun with paint on a canvas. For three-year-old Zoe, however, the painting was all about getting "violet" on canvas. (I said nothing about my penchant for violet-purple shading!!!).

Fortunately for me (and her mother, my daughter, Marisa) we split this year's painting project in to shifts. Zoe, being the youngest went first.

(Left) Zoe selects her favorite weapons from among my arsenal of acrylic paint brushes.  

(Right) Art is serious business.








But then there is that moment when everything comes together and -- IT'S MAGICAL!!

And, finally, there's a masterpiece! For a thing of beauty is a joy forever. (Grandfather was particularly impressed with the bold strokes and the fearless impasto work).





After a quick clean-up, it was Tabitha's turn. As noted earlier, we decided to embark on a painting of her choice. Since she wanted to paint her favorite animal -- a zebra -- it was quickly changed to her choice of fruit. An apple or a pear. The apple won out. I had her actually draw an apple on the canvas board just as she would a normal painting. Then the painting began after she selected what colors she wanted for her background.

(Left) Obviously, grandfather was absorbed in the process that Tabitha employed.

(Right) Of course, getting paint on your hands is a source of much consternatiion.






(Right) Grampy explains 
the importance of light.






The final result showed Tabitha's grasp of light source AND her first signed artwork!

All and all, a grand afternoon!!

CPSA Show on Friday

The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America (Chapter 119) will hosts its annual chapter show at the "The Barn" -- home of the Cincinnati Women's Art Club on Cambridge Avenue in Mariemont.

This year's show chairman, Katherine Thomas (see link to her enjoyable blog) deserves "props" for the great preparation she has done for this year's show. The opening night ceremony runs from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6 and well worth attending.

Pointillism ...

Finally ... I think I have finished my pointillism painting and will feature it in a blog later this week or early next week. I just need to put my signature on this piece and I'm still debating whether to do it in pointillistic style or just straight script. Any votes for one style or another will be graciously appreciated!