Art in Sauk County

The Sauk County Fine Arts Festival will be held this Sunday, February 3rd. This event will bring together some of the finest musicians and artists from Sauk County. This year I have been invited to give a demonstration and lead a discussion on painting, and the area. The discussion will start at 12:30, and is at RAHS. 

The piece above is one, BP Sunflower Farm, is of my favorites from late summer. We had a terrible drought this summer, and these sunflowers suffered because of it. They are normally over head high, but none of these grew past my waist.

Till You Drop

I'm back to my normal routine today after a long weekend in Door County. I was in Fish Creek for a 3 day workshop at the Peninsula School, to a great group. There might be some misconception that during a workshop students are on a breezy and leisurly weekend. For instance I've had people study with me while their partner was fishing or going to the movies, and one might gather that their workshopping counterparts were also enjoying such relaxing activities. After every workshop I am drained physically and mentally, and the students must feel the same way. I am happy to be back to my regular schedule to get some rest.

Workshops are a great opportunity for students to gain new information to inform their painting. In this workshop I wanted to give some specific exercises to drive a concept home, specifically creating a value plan. We did a bunch of value work and moved into color later in the workshop. There was much new information for students to take in, which might cause some to shut down, but this group charged forward and worked with an honest effort up until the last minute of class.
 

It's That Time Again...

... Workshop time! I am excited to head up to the Peninsula School in Door County for a three day workshop, this Friday - Sunday. This subject of the class is painting interiors bathed in natural light, exploring values and simplicity of design is especially cozy this time of year. I have been spending my days painting and my evenings putting together materials for the class, I like to have plenty of learning tools and materials on hand so that the information can stick in the long term. By preparing some video's for my student's, focusing on value and composition, they will be able to return to them over and over. It's the next best thing to having me in their living room! I enjoy teaching and can't wait for the class to begin.

I am also a part of a group show in the Guenzel Gallery, at the Peninsula School. The show is the annual Salon Show, where hundreds of works fill the Gallery from floor to ceiling, in traditional salon style. The opening party is Saturday evening. The School knows how to put on an opening reception, so get ready to party if you are in the area.

"Details. When a boat comes out of the fog, you see first the large simple forms. As it comes closer, you see more. Each detail grows in place and with the same relationship to the other details that it had at first the details do not suddenly leap out at you but appear by gradual transition. Noting is applied. Everyithing grows out of the thing itself. The thing grows and the details are the crescendo of the form. You put the cart before the horse if you put them first" - Kimon Nicolaides.