Not By Words

03 Saturday May 2014

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, paintings, sketching, Uncategorized

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MOMA, Not By Words, Rauschenberg, rebus, The Museum of Modern Art

You may (or may not) have noticed I have not been posting to this blog site as frequently in the past several months as I have in the past. That’s because my painting studio has held me a delighted prisoner. I have been immersed in my “Cities” series of paintings, and in particular I have been working from wonderful reference I gained this past snowy winter to NYC.

One of my favorite museums is MOMA, The Museum of Modern Art, in New York. I find constant inspiration there from the art, but also, now that I have come to work on this gallery series of museum scenes, I can spend hours watching the art lovers move through the space and react to the art.

I go back to the galleries again and again during a single visit, waiting for the right configuration of characters, with interesting poses creating interesting shapes. This woman in front of Robert Rauschenberg’s “Rebus” was fascinating to me, especially with the long black bench in the foreground catching the reflection of light and colors from the painting, as well as her shadow.

For this particular piece I wanted a lot of contrast so that the figures would appear like chess pieces moving in the space. In my black & white check for tone, I can see these figures’ relationships even more clearly.

The title of Rauschenberg’s art “Rebus” is where I got my title for this painting “Not By Words”. A rebus is a picture puzzle, where the names of pictured objects have a literal meaning in a sentence…like “(Picture of an eye) I (picture of a heart) love NY”.

Rauschenberg wanted his collage to be a true picture of the reality of his immediate environment. And isn’t that what many artists want to accomplish, including me? By anchoring the main figure in front of the painting, and having the three other gallery visitors move around her, it focuses even more on her intense contemplation of the painting in the moment.

When I look for these scenarios in art museums, I often wonder what the security guards posted in the galleries think. I come back again and again to the same spot and wait until the other visitors create a scene that attracts my interest. If I don’t find it at that moment, I’ll move to another gallery and come back later. It is not until I get my digital camera back to the studio that I truly know if I have gotten it or not. The variety of possibilities is endless.

Blenheim Palace

26 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, History, Travel

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Blenheim Palace, Cotswolds, Woodstock

As we were leaving the Cotswolds this past summer we decided to take a detour and see Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s childhood home and a magnificent estate outside of Oxford.

Home of the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

He lived here in his youth with his grandmother, and although his cousin inherited the estate, he always said he had fond memories of the palace.

The room in Blenheim where Winston was born.

Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill following his famous victory at the battle of Blenheim in 1704.

The entry foyer to Blenheim Palace.

Just 8 miles from Oxford, in the town of Woodstock, Blenheim is magnificent.

We were able to visit (and photograph!) the State Rooms filled with enchanting treasures from the last 300 years.

One of the most amazing pieces of art for me, was the portrait of the family by John Singer Sergeant. Can you just imagine.

The dining room had magnificent examples trompe l’oeil.

The Long Library was crowned with a huge organ at the end of the room.

And just outside the main building is the chapel.

The parkland design of over 2,000 acres was landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760s, and although not one of the most dramatic I have seen in England, it certainly was tranquil.

It switched between the very formal…

and the rustic natural.

We actually could see the first touches of autumn sneaking in to England on this early September morning.

All in all, a very English day.

Leaving Blenheim. All photos by me.

The Cotswolds and Burford

13 Sunday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in England, Travel

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Burford, Cotswolds, The Lamb

On a rainy English Monday afternoon last summer, we made our way in to Burford.

It is a classic Cotswold town less than an hour from Oxford. The golden buildings with the rolling hills filled with sheep in the background are a dead giveaway…this is tea and scone country.

It was grey and dreary and we had our umbrella up, but it was still crowded with tourists. This is what most visiting Americans want to see…their ideal of what a quaint English town should look like.

The shop windows didn’t disappoint, and can put a smile on your face of the cloudiest days.

knickknacks and sweeties…just what the doctor ordered.

Back to the rainy High Street, it was time to head to the hotel for check in.

We were staying at The Lamb Inn, on Sheep Street. How cute is that?

The Lamb Inn in Burford

The original building was probably associated with the priory back in the early 15th century, perhaps as a Dormy House for visitors in medieval times. Finally it became an inn around the mid 1600s when Burford was a flourishing market town with a strong coaching trade.

The steep stairs, and low head room are a clue to its age. The garden shows off the beautiful stone work.

We have stayed with this group of hotels before…classic character buildings beautifully modernized.

The Lamb was no exception.

The decor was stunning.

And the art throughout the inn and our room was charming and whimsical.

Finally the sun came out, and it was time to make another pass through town.

The pubs were open for business.

Each pub was draped with flowers. The flowers and gardens almost make all the rain and grey skies worth it. There was a profusion of signs trying to attract business.

Down a side street was the local church and school. It all was very serene.

We finally decided on dinner in the pub at our own hotel, The Lamb. I felt too guilty to order lamb from the menu with this little soul looking down on me. I think it is a fish night.

The pub at The Lamb. All photos by me.

Cows in the moonlight

04 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in Travel, Uncategorized

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Cotswolds, cows, Hare & Hounds

As we relaxed in our room at the Hare & Hounds (see last week’s post for all the details on this spectacular British country inn) in the Cotswolds last summer it was wonderful to watch the scene change through our window. We looked out of the front of hotel over a small field where cows moved back and forth. As the day disappeared, the moon came up, and it finally got dark as the cows disappeared…and a lone owl could be heard in the night.

Hare and Hounds

28 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by pat in England, Travel, Uncategorized

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Cotswolds, Hare & Hounds, Tetbury

When we come to the Cotswolds, we often stay in Broadway at The Broadway Hotel. This past year we stayed near Tetbury, and found a sister hotel of The Broadway — The Hare and Hounds. We’ve always been pleased with this small chain, and the H&H didn’t disappoint.

It’s quite large, and has an adjoining wing that housed our room, and the Jack Hare pub.

These Cotswold properties have a reputation for taking classic historic properties with character and doing the interiors with a contemporary flair based on a local theme…

…here, obviously, hares and hounds.

The pub and bar and the more formal dining room were delightfully filled with the creatures. Plus we had one of the best breakfasts of the trip for me…salmon and scrambled eggs, lots of tea, toast and fruit)

One of my favorite things about these inns is the display of original art and prints throughout the hotel…from the restaurants to the hallways to the rooms and baths.

Even the older prints look modern in this setting.

A few of my absolute favorites in this inn were in our room…

The hares on the walls were wonderful and full of character.

Even in the bathroom there was a fanciful piece of art…

You have to love a place that loves art and color so much.

The perfect place to stay before our garden tour of Highgrove.

Tetbury, The Cotswolds

22 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by pat in Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Cotswolds, Tetbury

Last summer we decided to try a new area in the Cotswolds, and because we were gong to visit Highgrove Gardens, Prince Charles’ home, we decided to stay near Tetbury. It did not disappoint.

It was not quite as quaint and perfect as the village of Broadway, where we usually stay in the Cotswolds. But it had a real charm all its own.

The main streets were filled with all sorts of shops, and it is known for its antiques.

It was interesting. Very classic in style, and obviously an upscale market. The shops were varied and seemed to cater to a country set.

There were also flowers everywhere…

…for sale or just to make you feel good.

A beautiful town with lots of character and…

…full of surprises. I could walk from window to window and be impressed with the varied displays.

A perfect morning in town strolling and window shopping before retiring to our Country Inn.

Floating

13 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, paintings, sketching, Uncategorized

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art studio, cut outs, Henri Matisse, oil painting, Paris, Polynesia, The Centre Pompidou

And finally, Floating. I have always loved Henry Matisse’s cut outs that the artist did in the last years of his life. When I saw these two Polynesia works at The Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the three figures sitting in front of them literally being drawn into the floating images…I was there.

Sometimes one the most difficult parts of a painting is deciding what to paint.

I often take many, many photographs and tape them to my studio wall, hoping that something will jump out at me.

This is after hours of playing with the images. Re-cropping. Adding or subtracting and re-adding figures. Deciding which color palette fits the mood of the scene. Shadows. Light and dark.

Then, finally, once it is sketched on the canvas, deciding on the ground color that will set the tone for future layers of paint.

And it is always at this middle stage of the painting that I wonder if it was really the right decision.

I recently was reading an art tutorial blog and the artist mentioned this middle period of horror when you think all the hours you have put in are for naught! I thought it was just me that had to force myself to work through this phase. Obviously it is a common issue.

But finally I come out on the other side, and I am happy. It’s when I breathe that final light into the canvas that the image lets itself be born.

I don’t stop working on a painting as readily as I once used to. If I come back the next morning and some area just doesn’t seem quite right, I work with it. And sometimes it might get worse before it gets better. It takes immense concentration, patience (not my strongest virtue) and focus.

But experience has taught me it is worth the frustration. Finally, one morning, I come back in to the studio and just breathe a deep sigh of satisfaction and relief. The painting is finally alive. And finished.

All photos and images by me.

Spring Morning: The Met

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, paintings, sketching, Uncategorized

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Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, oil painting

The second in a series of gallery paintings I worked on this winter is a 30 x 24″ oil called Spring Morning. In many ways it was the most complicated of the three. Dealing with architectural elements is always a challenge for me, and this scene was no exception. But the lobby of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is magnificent, and worth the effort.

I try to work out problem areas early, before I put paint to canvas. Sometimes the drawing is one of the most difficult phases, especially in these with multiple perspectives and an overhead viewpoint.

Notice in the upper left hand corner where I realized in time that my floor tiles were out of line.

I didn’t notice an issue with the center podium under the flowers until later in the process.

The proportion and scale were slightly off. Still easily fixable at this point. One of the hardest lessons to learn is to look carefully, then look again. A lot of time I find a tea break and coming back with a fresh eye helps to see issues.

Often I photograph the work in progress (therefore all these lovely progression photos). When I put the image up on my computer screen I often spot something that I might not notice staring constantly at the actual canvas. Rather like a fresh pair of eyes on a new point of view.

Sometimes I look at a black & white version of it on the computer to check my contrast and shadows. It all helps.

And finally comes my favorite part…adding detail and breathing life in to the work. I work on mood and shadows, depth and atmosphere. On this piece I actually ran a glaze with a golden hue over the canvas to soften and unite the many parts near the final phase. Each day it progressed in the rich layers of transparent color and small detailed highlights.

Until, as in this case, the soft light streaming through the doors adds a glow to the entire scene.

All photos and images by me.

The Women

01 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, paintings, sketching

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Getty Museum, Henri Moore, Los Angeles, The Seated Woman

For several months now, I have been busy in my studio, painting three new works that focus on the art museum experience.

I am intrigued by how people re-act to their surroundings, and how art museums, generally speaking, bring a wonderful sense of calm and reflection to the visitor.

The Women came from a visit to the Getty Museum on a gloriously sunny day in Los Angeles. One of my favorite viewpoints to paint is looking down from above, and after many intriguing photographs from the balcony/courtyard area of the museum, I found my subject. The progression came easily once I decided on the details.

I wanted a monochromatic calm to permeate the scene.

The branches are meant to entangle and include the two women strolling, Henry Moore’s statue The Seated Woman, and myself as the viewer.

I wanted just enough color to weave the scene together and engage the viewer. The green shirt draws the eye upward to include all the participants in the tableau.

The balance was complete. The two women bound in a strolling conversation, the Seated Woman, and myself were equally included in the scene.

Walmer Castle, Deal

21 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by pat in England, Gardens, History, Travel, Uncategorized

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Walmer Castle

While the boys in Ramsgate were out to sea racing their hearts out this past summer, a friend and I drove down the coast just south of Deal in Kent. I thought it was the perfect place to recall on these last days of winter.

Dramatic skies, but perfect touring weather. Photo by me.

It was a short drive from Ramsgate, and after a short stroll on the pebble beach…

The beach across the road from Walmer Castle. Photo by me.

… we found the castle. It was a bit of a strange tour.

The actual castle was built during the reign of Henry the VIII. But the interiors had all been renovated to suit a more modern Duke of Wellington who entertained Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother when he held the post of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports for 23 years.

The centuries old castle. Photo by me.

We found it rather dark and gloomy and quickly retreated to the more inviting gardens.

Walmer Gardens. Photo by me.

The artichokes attracted a constant flotilla of bees. Photo by me.

The kitchen garden as we see it now, dates back to 1725, although it is likely that fruit and vegetables have been grown there for at least three hundred years when it was a garrison.

The kitchen garden was a favorite. Photo by me

Onions all lined up in a row. Photo by me.

It was the perfect day to explore a garden.

Runner beans in the garden. Photo by me.

accentBritain

~ a romance with art and all things British

Not By Words

Blenheim Palace

The Cotswolds and Burford

Cows in the moonlight

Hare and Hounds

Tetbury, The Cotswolds

Floating

Spring Morning: The Met

The Women

Walmer Castle, Deal