Meeting Notes, May 19, 2016

At today's meeting Loretta, Thomas, Susan, Kathy, Diane, Tim, Carrie, Jeanie, Linda, Bill, Stephanie, Annie, Vicki, John, Dan Johnson (new), Mike, Charlie, Tedd, Eunice, Laurel and me Celeste.

Today's suggested table topic:  Artist "secrets"--- do you know something that an artist shared with  you ..possibly something that isn't widely known (a "secret") or do you have a secret of your own to share?

Comments are provided randomly and anonymously:

I think the biggest secret is to keep on going despite times of feeling frustrated. Discipline and hard work that is a secret! I did have a teacher who had a materials list that included a color that we didn't use in the workshop.  I asked why aren't we using this in the workshop and she replied well I just thought you might like to have a very pure red. (Napthanol Scarlet). I used it in a recent painting.

I discovered a series of YouTube videos by a man who had served time in prison for selling fake paintings. One of the things that he said in one of the videos was "let the beast loose" (throw the paint around). This man uses wall paint and he also showed how he could repair a brush that was frayed by wrapping it in a wet paper towel. He used KY jelly on acrylics as a glaze! (Laughter)! He said that the best green for trees is actually the color of an olive. He has lots of videos..they are so interesting.
https://youtu.be/u544-8L9pTc

If you were going to have a show and your paintings have been inside for a long time you should take them outside into the sunlight for awhile... because this will brighten the paintings!

If you are submitting a painting to a juror use a little yellow in an unexpected place.

We want the easy way. The bad news is that there is no easy way you have to discover everything for yourself! One of my favorite things that is written in a sketchbook is:  "Wet into wet, soft edges, don't overdo the darks and dry-brush".

Acouple of years a very accomplished artist told me that predominately yellow paintings are next to impossible to sell!

I do not use a mahl stick--  I use one hand to brace against the easel and I steady my other hand against the stationary hand.

John Singer Sargent said "paint into not up to".

A famous artist told us not to use white! Don't lighten with pure white. He used grays as a foil--to enhance the bright colors that he painted onto the canvas.

Magritte said: "Art is a mystery without which the world would not exist". How important our work is! Don't forget that! 

I love Gamblin solvent free gel.

I saw a famous artist paint a painting of a portrait. It was fascinating because he actually started with the eye and worked out from there.

I agree with someone here who said that all secrets are secrets until you discover them! I'm studying color saturation and the effect it has on skin.

I have no secrets but I do have skeletons laughter!

I think that it is like a recipe. Some artists will give you a lot of information but they will leave out one ingredient.

I learned that denatured alcohol cleans your palette better than anything.

I don't think that there are any secrets. 

I have a secret to tell you come closer ....shhhhhhh....here it is.....there are no secrets (laughter)!

Maybe in the 15th and 16th century there were secrets, legitimate secrets-- you know about materials and such, but not today. Nowadays you can find out everything. These days we may have too much information. One thing that I think is great advice is what Renoir said: Paint like a locomotive". (Meaning give it your all and power through). If you really do feel that your instructor has left out a missing ingredient.. I think that you should ask them specifically to make sure that you got everything that you want from them. 

Whenever I hear the word secret (as it pertains to art) I feel that someone is trying to sell me something.

My secret is a proportional divider.

Other Notes:

Celeste: I painted with Cathleen Rehfeld's Tuesday class. We did studies. I also brought in a painting of a still life I did at studio one-eleven.

Tedd: I brought in a watercolor from my archives. 

Mike: I am showing a watercolor that I did recently during a Michael Reardon workshop. This was the last painting I did. I did it from an image on my iPad. It turned out to be my favorite painting that I did in the workshop.

Dan: (new) (welcome Dan)! This is my first time here. I have come at the invitation of John. I have become interested in the German expressionism. I am showing you some paintings I did on my iPad.

John: I took a trip to Australia recently. I am showing a painting that I acquired there. This was done by women painters (collectively). I majored in architectural landscape. I am painting now and finding time to experiment.

Vicki: This painting is a field of Crimson Clover that I painted plein air last week.

Bill: This painting is one that I did from a photo of a woman in a yoga pose on a beach in Hawaii. Also I am showing a painting I did of an Iris in full bloom.

Annie: I did a lot of work this week in my class, but they are not dry so I did not bring them. Next time!

Kathy: I brought this painting of a sunny field.

Stephanie: I painted in the Clover fields and adjusted the color when I got home. I also brought a green landscape painting.

Susan: I have been here in Oregon for 25 years. I studied with Richard Schmid. I am a teacher now myself. I love teaching so much!  I am showing two still lifes I did side-by-side with my student.

Linda: I am showing two watercolor portraits in my sketchbook.

Laurel: I am showing a camera obscura that belonged to my Dad. It touches upon the topic we have today because a long time ago these optical devices were considered very secret.

Jeanie: I didn't bring anything today. I am working on things! 

Tim: I brought in three paintings, two miniatures and one large painting from Mirror Lake.

Diane: I painted this pear onto a black gesso ground.

Thomas: I am back from painting at the Forgotten Coast plein air event in Florida. I am showing two paintings from the event. One is a quick draw.. the first painting I did in the event. It was interesting to paint there because not only is the water and the sky colorful but there is plenty of color also bouncing around everywhere. I am also showing another Florida painting that I especially like. 

(Editors note: Thomas sold nearly all of his paintings in the Florida plein air event (applause)!)

Announcements: 

There is a portrait exhibit at Concordia College Library.:
http://www.cu-portland.edu/academics/libraries

Studio One-Eleven has room for participants on Saturday 1 to 4 with a life model (clothed)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1695576667380902/

Here is a link to the story about Jonny Luczycki painting at a Trump rally in Outdoor Painter:
http://www.cu-portland.edu/academics/libraries

Thomas is going to do a podcast with Eric Rhoads. More information to come.

Mitch Baird June 4 and 5 Workshop:
http://mitchbaird.com/category/workshops/

Painting workshops:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/408762309299376/

That's it for today. Thank you everyone for coming and sharing your ideas and paintings. Next meeting Thursday May 26. Suggested table topic: "Handling transitions" (how to effectively paint from one shape/color to another on a subject!) What do you know about transitions? Let's discuss!















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