A Painter's Studio Practice
Thinking of Holiday Traditions
Each year we do things that bring us together and remind us of traditions specific to ourselves, community and, family and friends. They remind us of who we are and who has come and gone. It is my hope for this year that each of us enjoy and treasure our time together.
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Painting Windows with a History
Welcome to the studio; painting was fun this week. I remembered who, what, when, where of the windows. Each window represents something to me. They hold images, sounds, smells, feelings for me. I lingered while painting them. The door is special also – in it’s odd little way.
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Redrawing is Necessary
When I started to paint this week, I realized that my drawing had been smudged beyond usefulness. I could not put in the planks of the deck until I knew where the feet of the chairs would go, etc. So the sisters needed to be redrawn more specifically as to place. Redrawing is a necessary part of painting. After painting around and on the subjects, they have become fuzzy and a little pushed around. Creating a clear and concise drawing makes a path to a better painting.
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Painting is Life
Painting is Life (Ted Lasso reference). Painting is my life… It’s good to be back. Here is an update on the painting “Comings and Goings,” oil 24×36, Collection of the artist. Blanchard Family Home on Sullivan’s Island.
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From Behind the Easel
Blanchard Family Home on Sullivan’s Island. This porch has held all my people – while they nursed their sunburns, visited with one another, and told stories – old and new. This view is on the right side of the front door. The dining / party room. I wonder how many times “Happy Birthday” has been sung around that table?
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Springbank Retreat Center
I went straight to Springbank Retreat Center, in Kingstree, South Carolina. My purpose in going was to deliver a gift from Pam. She had left the Center a world class collection of religious icons she had collected from all over the world. She had wanted to deliver them herself, but became too ill.
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Litchfield Painting Workshop 2025
Litchfield Beach always delivers. Ten years ago a dear friend said we ought to paint and have a workshop at…
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When Life Gives Me Lemons, I paint them!
I was lucky that my friend Dawn Reardon grew the most beautiful Meyer lemons this spring. They were absolutely beautiful.…
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Artists and their Friends
Artist make good friends. Lifelong relationships can be developed over the love of art. I have many such friends; I am grateful. One such friend donated to Stormwater, a visual art non-profit, where I have a studio. She had the new Kinsler Creek Observation Deck built with handicapped access. We will honor her in grateful appreciation for this gift on April 20, 10am-3pm at Stormwater Studios with a butterfly release at 11am. A big crowd would thrill her.
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Artists and the Sea
Joaquín Sorolla, one of my favorite artists, painted this in 1904 and simply called it “Mar.”
Artists turn to the sea again and again for inspiration – and it never disappoints. The awesome nature of the sea is spellbinding. It is large and powerful, beautiful and elegant, treacherous and threatening, inviting and sublime. It has the power to harm and sustain. Everyday we depend on it to enrich our lives. All these things have been recorded for us by painters.
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Getting Ready for Spring
Spring is such a beautiful time of year. Full of promise and new life. Also filled with art! Here in Columbia, we will start the season off with “Columbia Open Studios,” presented by 701 CCA. I know many of you are not in my area, but many of you are! Open Studios is such a great way to visit with the artists. When you come to Stormwater Studios you get to visit with 8 at one time – including moi!
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Watching Paint Dry
Sometimes I watch paint dry while waiting to put a final varnish, hooks, and wire before I give it to you for viewing – in its final state. Sometimes, the paint must dry before I can take the next necessary steps to complete the original vision. Then there are the times that a painting must sit and dry while I decide what the next steps are going to be. I have all that going on this week.
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