Working out a painting

The last few days have been spent in the studio and outside painting plein air.
Saturday morning was an overcast morning and after walking around the Glendale Art Show, I settled in to paint the gazebo in the Village Square. It was fun saying hello to everyone who stopped by and commented on the painting. Due to other commitments I couldn't stay as long as I wanted, but the painting is a great start and I have some good photo reference. I'll work this out over the coming weeks and you'll see the results here I'm sure.

I've also been working on my maritime series. I wanted to get started on these paintings while St. Andrews was still fresh in my memory. My studies and photographs are proving to be priceless. I thought inside of continuing two blogs, that I'd post my work in progress here on the site. It is amazing how much progress you can make by painting plein air. And..well--drawing. I've been doing more drawing and sketching and that seems to have strengthened a number of skills.

I've gone through over two hundred photos of the St. Andrews experience and whittled them down to ones I want to paint. I start with a sketch of the photograph, beginning to work out details and composition. From there I go to a 11X14 canvas board and work out more of the sketch. Here's the first layout I did with the along with the light and shadow areas blocked in...











There were a number of things that I didn't like about this painting and a number of drawing issues. This was a timed study and wasn't meant to be a painting ready for sale, but one to study and determine what I needed to change, what I liked about it, are the values good...just a timed study to question, practice painting quickly, and from to learn. I decided to return to my photo references and decide if there were some elements from other photos I wanted to pull in or was there a better representation of the man in the boat that would be better.

For example, the man is facing to the right. Your eye follows that direction and "off the page you go" since most of us read left to right. There is nothing really to circle your eye back around in the painting. The boat is somewhat centered right in the middle of the painting. I sat and studied the first attempt for a few hours making note of things I didn't like. Also, the size of the man to the boat is not proportioned right. Perspective is a bit off.

The result was this second study. Again, another timed study, only because I want to practice catching and working out details quickly. This again was a study to work out composition issues and focus on getting the drawing and perspective correct.
Here's the drawing that I did...




This drawing is much better and some composition issues were addressed. The man in the boat is more balanced, and the boat is not smack in the middle of the painting.
The background land is more proportioned and adds depth. The man is now turned back to the left, leading your eye not off the page, but back into the land mass and trees. The trees have sufficient interest as does the rocks. Here's the painting in middle.




Note that there is a considerable lack of interest in the center of the painting. While the values lead you to believe this is a sunny day and add some interest there is nothing really in the center to make you want to linger. Now take a look at the finished study.




The pine trees were added and have some curvature to them that pushes your attention to the right...so your eyes enter the painting at the left (because we read left to right here in the USA) move to the boat, man and then back to the rocks to the left part of the painting. The trees lead you to the right to the house roof, which leads your eye down to the land and the seaweed which leads you back to the right.
The result is a balanced painting. The composition is much improved from the first try and the perspective is also improved. With most of the issues worked out, this is ready to be transferred to a larger canvas. Before that occurs, I'll be pulling my studies from St. Andrews out and place it side by side with this study. I'll be asking myself are the values true to what I saw up in St. Andrews when I was plein air painting. I'll make notes right on the canvas board where it should be lightened or darkened. Then, I'll begin the painting that will become the second painting in my maritime themed paintings.

Check back and see the progress from study to completed painting for the "Seaweed Harvest" painting. I hope you found this interesting as you become part of the process of creating a painting. You know how to reach me if you have any questions.

Ciao,
Linda

Hurricane Ike hits Ohio??

Hello everyone.

Sunday afternoon (Sept 14th) Hurricane Ike blew (literally) into the my hometown. We had 80 mile an hour winds that lasted for about 4 to 5 hours. I could hear the rafters of the house cracking and creeking and the windows making noises as if they were about to pop out. I can only imagine what the folks in Texas and Louisanna were experiencing with higher winds!

I was actually out in the storm in my car and almost got a live electric line along with the tree that brought it down on my car! The wind, when behind me while in my car, felt like it was going to flip the car over tail first!! When I got home, the electricity was off and there was no way the car was going to sit outside with everything that was blowing around--actually more like airborne projectiles!!

As mentioned we lost power at 3:00 on Sunday. As of Sunday, Duke Energy--who had sent a large number of workers to Texas, had close to a million people without power in our area alone (Southwest Ohio--Cincinnati/Dayton). They are working around the clock to restore power--and ours has been restored 48 hours later. However, as of last night, still close to half a million still didn't have power and they are saying it will be well into the weekend for majority of power to be restored. Workers are expected to stay in our area for two weeks.

Gasoline here is getting sparse as well. Long lines, some impatience and in some cases the news is that some stations who have been up are now running low or are out of gas. Other stations can't pump what they have because the electricity isn't on at their station.

Then there's the ice issue. Anything that was in our fridge is now tossed...and anything in your freezer has to go as well. Especially if you can't find ice--which you'll burn your gasoline up trying to do. Our local stores lost all the meats, milk, milk products, freezer items and such. So--it will take some time to stock these up and yesterday--some of the local stores had limited power. If our schools have power--they don't have food for lunches--so schools are off again today.

The worst part about this storm was that it caught all of us by surprise. A majority of folks just weren't prepared to be out of power for this long. While we were without power, we had a battery radio that we could listen too. I got plenty of news on Cincinnati or Dayton--but nothing on the smaller town between the two cities called Middletown. No news on where we could go get ice--if any was available, etc. Without electricity, I felt like I was in a world all by myself. Totally dependant on yourself and you had to depend on your own resources. It was a very lonely feeling and it was very scary.

So why am I writing this--to urge folks to be prepared for anything in your house and area. Who would have thought a category 1 hurricane would hit OHIO!!!??? I faired a heck of a lot better than at least half a million people who are still waiting for power--but we aren't out of this yet. I faired a lot better than folks in Texas--we at least didn't have the storm surge and flooding and I'm not sitting on a roof waiting to be rescued without water or food. I was minorly inconvenience...but it isn't making the impact any easier to deal with....

Please keep those in Texas in your thoughts, and please add us in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky in your prayers as we deal with this crisis too. The press obiviously don't think we are in as dire straits, but there are folks who are. There is a state of emergency here--and the Governor is lobbying to have Ohio added to the Ike recovery list of aid etc--but folks need the help now--as do those in Texas. The media is missing the point here--this is huge--bigger than Katrina in the area that the hurricane hit. Ohio's Emergency response is being tested...and they'll learn from it--but in the mean time things are stressed--including the power grid/infrastructure. For the most part, we are all exercising our patience, but for some that isn't going to last long.

It is a stressful time. It is a total feeling of isolation even with a battery operated radio. It also was a time of learning and discovery---Just what can you do with a can of pinto beans and just how long will that food in your refrige remain good if you don't open the door but once a day? After cleaning up the debris from the storm, helping neighbors, what do you do without a computer, TV, and other electrical appliances? What do you do to get information and where can you go for help? Bottomline--you don't get information....even if you do have a radio. Folks need to realize that sending out a media release or an emergency email, doesn't cut it. Without electricity--YOU CAN'T GET THE MESSAGE! DOH! (and yes--I had two email messages the last two days with emergency messages from my city that I didn't get till this morning.) While without power--I heard nothing...got nothing...saw no police or anyone in authority (and I have a councilperson who lives behind me and down a few houses.)

Thanks for reading--it's nice to be back with some electricity....Thanks to friends that have pitched in and helped one another. My thoughts are with those who are facing more days in the "dark".

If you have contacted me in the last few days--I'll be getting back to you shortly. Thanks

Linda

Back from St. Andrews By the Sea

Hi all,
Just a quick note to let you know that I've returned from my little tours of travel--frist North Carolina and then Canada.

Most recently returned from St. Andrews By the Sea in New Burnswick Canada and what a wonderful paint out we had. I painted with Joe Anna Arnett and James Asher for a week of fun, laughter, joy, frustration (with my painting!) and would still love to be up there in their company.

There will be more later in the Journey to Plein Air blog about the trip and update to the site soon.

Stay tuned...lots happening!

Paint Out in New Brunswick Canada!

Exciting News! I've been invited to paint with the En Plein Air Masters in St. Andrews By the Sea in August. So--what is En Plein Air Masters?

You can learn all about the paint out and who is participating (as in the Master painters) here, but in short the following artists will be participating and helping us all learn as we paint with them:

Kevin MACPHERSON / Oil Painting Landscape
Joe Anna ARNETT / Landscape & Still Life Oil Painting
James ASHER / Watercolor, Landscape / Architecture
John BURTON / Portraits, Figurative / Landscape
Kenn BACKHAUS / Oil Painting, Landscape
Gil DELLINGER / Pastel & Oil Painting
Betty CARR / Watercolor & Oil / Painting
Jeff LEGG / Oil Painting, Still Life, Landscape
John BUDICIN / Oil Painting Landscape
Clayton J. BECK III / Landscape, Portraits/ Figurative
Barry HERNIMAN / Watercolor, Landscape & Seascape

I'm honored to be painting in such company. All, as you can see by the bios and photos on the site, are extremely talented and I look forward to the mentoring they will bestow on me during the paint out.

The painting on the first page of the site, "Diane", was done from a study I did when painting with Kevin Macpherson in Taos. Diane posed for us--tirelessly for a good 4 or 5 hours, hence the name of the painting. She was a good sport and in good spirits we finished up the morning session. The painting was done on the grounds of another nationally known artist, Walt Gonske, home. It was another great honor to meet Walt and he was very patient with all of us. He even painted with us--although I haven't checked to see if his painting of Diane has been added to his site. It was a stunning painting!

Work continues on the Reflections On A Pond exhibit and tickets will be on sale soon
for the Opening weekend in Middletown. There is a lot of activity behind the scenes for future exhibits as well. More on that as things develop.

And with all of this going on, I do find some time to paint. I am currently working on a painting of an adobe oven with three bowls of rising bread dough which are covered in fabric. The fabric is giving me fits--but I think I figured out why and that will be added to the site soon. There's some travel coming up and I'll be taking my plein air setup so I can capture some painting at the beach in North Carolina. Be sure to check the plein air blog for updates--as I'll be heading outside to paint studies as the weather and time permits.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out wassup.

Caio for now!

Macpherson's New Executive Director

Hello friends!

Yes, it's true. Kevin has appointed me his new Executive Director. I'm very thrilled to be working with Kevin and looking forward to the many opportunities ahead of us.

Here's the press release---it tells of the responsibilities I'll have and what I'll be doing.

Press Release: Kevin Macpherson Appoints Executive Director
For Immediate Release

July 2, 2008


Kevin Macpherson, Master Signature Member of Oil Painters of America, Past President of Plein Air Painters of America and one of the country's leading En Plein Air Painters, is pleased to announce the appointment of Linda Fisler as his Executive Director.


Mr. Mapherson's desire to pursue opportunities exhibiting the "Reflections On A Pond" collection to museums across the United States as well as educational activities in association with the exhibit were cited as the purpose for appointing Ms. Fisler. "I look forward to working with Ms. Fisler. I consider Reflections On A Pond my legacy. The cycle of life in the microcosm of the pond made me aware of the macrocosm of change we live through. Through the educational activities, this concept of change and the journey we all are on can be reflected upon and reveals how preserverance is key."

Ms. Fisler's responsibilities will include the submission of proposals to museums, oversight of the exhibit's progress on Mr. Macpherson's behalf, working with the museum's staff to ensure a successful exhibit for both parties and monitoring the progress and logistics of the exhibits and associated programs.

"I look forward to working with Mr. Macpherson in offering a wonderful opportunity for everyone to see this Master's work and study the effects of time, light and atmosphere. The Reflections On A Pond collection represents not only change in the pond itself, but how change is a daily occurrence in life." Ms. Fisler stated. "I look forward to working with museums across the country in the effort to exhibit this commentary of life."

Reflections On A Pond is an in-depth visual exploration and portrays a year in the life of a pond: 365 days, one leap day, the last day of the century, and the first day of the new millennium. Although Mr. Macpherson knew change was at the heart of the project, he held several elements constant. Each painting was created on a 6 by 8 inch panel. His palette was consistent and he remained faithful to the reality of the scene's composition.


Just as Claude Monet worked to capture the beauty and brilliance of his beloved Giverny Garden, Kevin Macpherson's love affair with mercurial light and mesmerizing colors was interwoven with his heart.

This picture of Wanda, Kevin and I was taken the afternoon of the appointment. The prior week I spent in Kevin's workshop in Taos, painting on hot, sunny, beautiful days with Kevin and a number of other talented artists. It was a challenging and FUN week.

I'm looking forward to working with Kevin and Wanda. The journey has just begun!

Cheers,

Linda

"Places I Remember"

Well---the paintings are hung! Next up is getting things ready for the opening reception on Thursday. My artwork page on the site will be updated on Friday with actual pictures of the paintings taken by my dear friend, Deborah Rumford.
Deb took some shots of the gallery after we set it up...here they are--kind of a sneak peak for tomorrow night. If you want to see the details of the paintings--you'll have to stop down the center for the opening!

I've dubbed the show "Places I Remember" and if you now have the Beatles tune in your head--well that's a good thing. It's taken from the Beatles' tune "In My Life".
The concept for the show has taken shape over the last few months starting with the 120 hours I worked on the Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's" era painting I did. Of course the portrait of the Fab Four is included in this showing. It's hanging on the wall I call my Rock N Roll and Fantasy wall. Here's the picture of that grouping



Of course the Beatles painting is already hanging out on the website. You can see it here.

As mentioned, "Places I Remember" is about places I visited and remember. These are some of my favorite places, some places that just struck me and awed me, and some are wineries that were beautiful to visit.
Here's a wall that include some winery paintings and the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge.



The next grouping of paintings were grouped because mostly of the color notes and balance between them. There are 3 never before seen paintings here that will be on my artwork page on Friday. There's a tie for my favorite here--"Walkin' Down a Country Road" was painted of Pascal Winery in Talent, Oregon---in the Rogue Valley. While standing there making mental notes and taking pictures, the ducks walked up and took a walk. The other painting is of Iron Horse Winery in California. It was crush that day, and the barrels were there. It was after a night of food poisoning--so I wasn't tasting the wines. If I had I would have missed this scene completely. The barrels didn't stay long in the sun.



And last is a grouping feature two Middletown paintings--of the Farmer's Market and the Ohio Balloon Challenge. Also grouped are two paintings from my ESCAPE video. One of the Chandon Winery waterfall. Chandon Winery is beautifully landscape--almost looking like a minature Giverny Garden. The other is from a hike I took in Red Rocks State Park. Red Rocks is so spiritual and quiet! I'm hoping to get back there soon!



Check back on Friday to see the updated page. To see the studies I've been working on and the journey back to plein air, don't forget to check out the other blog! I'll be getting the lily pond painting I did up on the site soon as well!

That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you Thursday, June 5th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Middletown Art Center for the opening reception.
(MAC is located at 130 N. Verity in Middletown, OH).

Caio
Linda

Golden Slumbers Fill You Eyes-Smiles await you when you rise

Hello everyone,
Just a quick note to let you know of some great things happening!!!

First, an update on the sponsorship of the Macpherson Exhibit and associated news there. We are honored to have the following companies join our distinguished list of sponsors:

Kleingers and Associates
Creative Butterfly
North Light Books

They join our other sponsors:

Evertz Technology
Drury Inn and Suites
Duke Energy
Rumford Productions
Alliance Printing
Weigold Photography
Linda Fisler Fine Art
Bill Murphy

Please take a minute to check out their websites!

Other news on the exhibit is that Kristin Allmyer has joined us to head the Youth Program of the exhibit. Along with teaching youth classes in the summer, Kristin will be working with the Middletown Library to have the kids create their own version of "Reflection On a Pond". The children's creation will be displayed at the library and possibly on Kevin Macpherson's website that he is now creating to highlight the Reflection On A Pond exhibit.
This will be a great event for the kids and fun for everyone. So when you head to Middletown to check out Kevin's work next May (2009), don't forget to stop by the Library just a few blocks away and see the world through our children's eyes.

The Middletown Symphony Orchestra will also being playing that opening weekend of the event and the program was announced. Work continues on this part of the program with a few more details to be worked out--but overall the weekend is shaping up to be a great time in Middletown.

I've been asked to participate in Career Day at Verity School. I'm looking forward to talking with the future artists on this day. I'm very honored to be involved and that they extended the invitation.

I will be having a gallery exhibit at the Middletown Arts Center with an opening reception on June 5th. The gallery hangs at MAC until July when it will be switched to the Atrium Medical Center. I hope you get an opportunity to check out the artwork--there will be seven or eight never before displayed peices that worked on especially for this exhibit. The website will be updated with images of these new paintings after June 5th. So if you want to see them the day they premierre, you need to stop down at MAC. I hope to see you there!

I'm trying to paint everyday and will be out and about painting plein air before heading to Taos in June to paint with Kevin Macpherson (in his workshop--one of only a few he is offering this year). If you see me out painting, be sure to stop by and say hello!

I'll also be teaching a class on Thursdays, starting May 22nd, at the Middletown Arts Center from 10:00 to Noon. The first term is $40 and the second term is $60.
More information is available by calling (513) 424-2417 and you can register at that number as well. We'll make painting fun--so give it a try!

That's all for now---I hope to be blogging more often and keep an eye out for an announcement at the end of June. More things in the works that I'm not willing to announce just yet--but it very exciting news.

Keep on painting, rocking and having fun!!
Peace,
Linda

More News on Kevin Macpherson's Exhibit

Hello everyone!

It's been a busy time working on the fundraising for Kevin Macpherson's "Reflections on a Pond" exhibit that will be shown in May 15, 2009 to June 15, 2009 at the Middletown Arts Center. To date, things are falling into place and
the contract has been signed--so this is really a go now!

First, I'd like to thank those who signed on as sponsors:

Evertz Technology
Drury Inn and Suites
Duke Energy
Rumford Productions
Alliance Printing
Weigold Photography
Linda Fisler Fine Art
Bill Murphy

Without your help and support we wouldn't be able to bring Kevin and his work to Middletown! We have to hear from a few more folks who have promised to pledge and I'll be following up with them in the next month.

In the meantime, I've been painting--getting things ready for the gallery show in June at the Arts Center. There will be an opening reception on June 5th. Check your mail for an invitation to the reception. There will be new work in this show--the work hasn't been posted to the website--so never before seen.

The next two months will be spent painting--getting ready to attend a workshop by Kevin Macpherson in Taos, New Mexico June 16-20. I'll be outside painting plein air in preparation for this workshop.

More news later---but for now just wanted to say thanks and can't wait to see everyone at the show/reception in June at the Arts Center. The artwork page of my site has been spruced up a bit. At least now you can see all the landscape paintings together and so on. Hope the change is helpful and more appealing.

And as you probably saw, I'm not offering workshops now due to a wonderful opportunity that has presented itself. Not ready to announce that formerly here yet--but keep checking back.

Keep paintin'
Linda

Kevin Macpherson Exhibit to Hit Middletown!!

Well--it's pretty official--ok--it's officially announced.

Kevin Macpherson, master oil impressionist and highly sought after artist, is coming to Middletown to exhibit his "Reflection on a Pond" series. He'll be lecturing and demoing on the weekend of his visit. Kevin's exhibit is scheduled for May of 2009.
I'm the chair of the exhibit and now the work begins--securing funding and all that good stuff!!

Kevin is a wonderful (understatement!) artist and if you'd like to his work you need to stop by his website and check it out. Kevin has many, many, many accomplishments and it is a real pleasure to work with Kevin and his wife Wanda. Kevin has many publications, has won numerous awards including the Salon International--Best of Show. We--ok---I'm absolutely estatic that this is happening and that we will be able to watch this Master at work and enjoy his creativity in person. Quite a feat for this little Arts Center and for our little group!

We have some dates to confirm and a few more details to work out, but things are moving along. If you like to become a sponsor of the event, PLEASE don't hesitate to contact me. Needless to say this will be an expensive little endeavor! If you'd like to attend the lecture or demo, send me an email me and we'll get your name on the list. We've been drowning in calls already and this is almost a year and half away!!

It's been a surprising day....we'll see how the rest of it turns out. I have no idea how far away this news has traveled. I've been surprised by the number of contacts and locations already!!

In a few days, I'll be putting up the finished Beatles painting I did. How you'll enjoy that one. And don't forget the Essex Studios will be participating in the Fine Arts Fund Weekend Sampler. We'll be doing the art walk on Feb 8 and Feb 9th. I'll be painting, so stop on down and watch me work!

That's the update for now--thanks for stopping by!
Linda

Happy New Year!!

2007 is now gone by--we walk into 2008 with hope!

Happy New Year and may you be healthy, prosperous and have fun in the new year!

2008 will be a busy year--That I know will be true. I'll post a little longer blog here in a few days--when some things get settled. There's some exciting news to be shared so be sure to check back.

In the meantime, remember this:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup !
And surely I'll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine? ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there's a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o' thine !
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS