I agreed to partake in the demo to overcome my fear of painting and speaking in front of a crowd. I was extremely nervous at first, however the anxiety eventually diminished as the demo progressed. Overall, the experience was very rewarding and enriching for me as well the viewers.
For the demo I did a painting based on this color sketch of 'Doghouse and Picket Fence'. I came across this quirky battered and lopsided doghouse during a brief sojourn in Ojai, CA.
At the demo, adding final touches to the painting.....without looking at the canvas ;-)
(photo taken by Bill Moore)
This weekend I also attended an inspiring art reception held at the Mendenhall Sobieski Gallery for two artists I admire and revere, Van Arno and Keewon Hong.
(check out their incredible current works by clicking on their links to right).
Painting by Keewon Hong
Painting by Van Arno
19 comments:
Jennifer, you demonstrator you, how admirably brave.
Jennifer... it's good to hear that demo went well and had a good experience. Bravo!
Thanks Ron,
Popping the ‘demo’ cherry was not as scary as I anticipated ;-)
Thank you Kee...
By the way, congrats on your show at the Mendenhall!
Hi Jennifer. Good job on the demo painting! You pulled it off quite nicely. You got some really nice greens going on there.
How about a workshop next? It would give me a good excuse to come down to sunny Calif.
Great that you did it and the result is very good. One question, Jennifer, why do you wear gloves? Are you allergic to the solvents? Nevertheless the photo of you standing in front of your easyl is funny. Looks like someone startled you.
Jennifer. That's a very cool piece... the wonky dog house rocks. Is the one in the photo with you the same piece or is it the original? Also wonder about the gloves too... don't they drive you cRaZy? (they always make my hands sweaty).
Thanks Robin,
The painting shown is actually the color sketch I used as reference for the demo piece.
I eventually would like to do plein air workshops, possibly in Ojai. Not sure yet, but definitely a possibility :-)
Hi Stefan,
I am allergic to solvents, so I wear the latex gloves to keep my hands from getting irritated. Besides, solvents are toxic, so why take chances.
I agree, the photo is quite comical. I thought Bill had already taken the picture as I looked up and clicked the button when I least expected it. Sly devil...
Michael, the wonky dog house on the post is the original.
The gloves, yes they do drive me crazy at times.
I find that rubbing a little talcum powder on my hands keeps them from getting too sweaty.
Hi Jennifer... Great piece here.. and the dog house has character - grit, and escapes the cutesie Hallmark stigma. I remember you explaining to the workshoppers how the color temperature on the trunk of the big tree changes depending on the height. I think that was lost on the majority.. but I learned the lesson. You did an admirable job - Admiral damn it! An encore?? Anyone living in the L.A. area would benefit greatly from a private lesson with Jennifer. My PA work has benefitted because of it and now people don't have to lie as much when they admire my landscapes...
Hi Jennifer.. could I ask one more question. Where did you get a PA box like the one in your photo... I'm investigating into getting a clamshell one like that. Oh yeah... and do you really paint with a white shirt? (two questions then I guess : )
Bill, thank you for the generous plaudits and the positive feedback regarding the lessons.
Maybe an encore might be in order...
Hi Michael...
The plein air box I am using is called an 'Easyl'.
When I ordered mine a few years ago, it came with a tripod as well.
Copy and paste this url. It is the web site for this product (they also sell other PA products and supplies):
http://www.artworkessentials.com
And no, I usually don't paint with a white shirt. I just wanted to look purty for my demo ;-)
Hi Jennifer.
I remember doing a portrait demo in front of my old art college teachers plus a class of 60 students one time.
Once the painting started the butterflies started to dissapear and I even found that extra pressure forces total concentration.
Painting from a color sketch is a great idea!
Can't wait to see more work.
Cheers.... Andrew
Great demo piece. LOVE that green! That Arno painting is quite disturbing. :-( Well painted though.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for sharing your portrait demo experience. Albeit having a larger and more discriminating crowd for your demo, you seemed to have handled it quite well.
Even though I was told I looked composed and relaxed, I was a nervous wreck inside!! Maybe it's just a matter of conducting more of them so it eventually becomes effortless. (...hopefully)
More work on the way.....
Jennifer
Thanks Ousley! I had fun painting this little sketch.
My apologies if the content of Van's painting alarmed you somewhat...
I agree though, the guy can paint (his drawings are pretty phenomenal too!)
Jennifer, this post is timely for me as I'm about to be doing my first ever demo for an art group.
I'm going to do something glass because I'm comfortable with it, but your idea here of painting from a sketch would work for the future.
I know that it won't be as scary once I get through the first one.
Congratulations!
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