Meeting Notes, November 19, 2015

At today's meeting: Loretta, Stephanie, Diane H, Leslie, Dave M, Linda, Joanne T, Tim, Jerry, Mike P, Ward, Jeanne, Susan K, Bill K, Judith, Charlie, Linda N, Betsy, Loretta L, Eunice, Kristina, and me Celeste. 
Today's suggested table topic: Favorite art books (of any ilk!) what are they and why? 
Celeste: I brought in a favorite book from when I first started painting by Charles Sovek. He set this book up with progressive lessons. I also like this book called "Strapless" about John Singer Sargent's Madame X. Finally, I like the Richard Schmid book. I did a recent experimental painting using his underpainting method of monochrome and subtraction.
Linda: I got to study with Tony Ryder. I brought in a pencil sketch that I did when I was studying with him. He taught us about the "envelope" for drawing. I also brought in a painting I did in his workshop. It was my first painting ever! I am also a great fan of this man... Nelson Shanks. 
Betsy: I like history so I have brought in this book about our history. 
Loretta L: I have been taking classes. I understand that Richard Schmid's book is a good book. 
Loretta U: I recently read a book about Renoir... about the painting he did about called "Boating Party". I didn't care for the book at first, but it grew on me and then I liked it! I brought an instructional book by Goerschner. 
Dave: I was introduced to Richard Schmid a long time ago.... that is the only book I have! I was recently in Santa Fe. I brought in a painting I did of Sauvie Island. I did this as plein air and touched it up and changed it some. 
Tim: I brought in a book called Tonal values. I got this book at Goodwill! I also brought a painting I did recently. 
Jerry: My wife and I have recently been morning the loss of a friend. This has made me reflective and as I thought about today's topic I thought about relationships. I wondered why do we paint and why are we even here? I need this group... this relationship... in order to paint! It helps me define who I am and who I am as a painter. I brought in books that reflect some of these ideas. I especially like James Elkin and he examines "pushing the mediocre". You can't teach destruction (you must destroy your own efforts end and rebuild them). I especially love this book by John Cage. All these books have to do with interconnectedness. It is the viewer who completes the circle.You know if you don't move the art out of your home into the world...then it's just a storage problem! (Laughter)! Have faith in yourself and keep painting. (Applause)!
Mike: It is hard for me to resist books. Like for example all the books we've seen so far today... if any of these have been for sale I would've bought them! (Laughter)! I think the books that you own are a mirror. They reflect back to you about who you are. I brought in Ron Ranson's last book that he did with David Taylor. I also am drawn to Edward Seago and Edward Wesson. These are watercolorists, although Edward Seago also painted in oil. I just love staring at the pictures in these books. During my recovery from surgery recently I painted what I am calling holiday cards. 
Ward: I am also a Richard Schmid fan. I'm showing you his newest book, Alla Prima II. I learned from him that the eye sees a great deal differently than the camera. Schmid's paintings are in focus where he wants you to look and the rest of it is out of focus. I think of Richard Schmid as a living treasure. In the very end of the book he actually quotes Popeye! (I am what I am) (Laughter)! I brought in my newest watercolor. This is from a website called Paint my photo. Everything there is available for you to paint copyright free. 
Kristina: I brought in Carlsons landscape book. This is not the easiest book to read. It's rather heady. It's harder to digest than some books, but so worth it if you'll stay with it. I brought in another book that I find difficult to get through. It is a book by an architect. My brother gave me this book. The preface was so compelling, I will read it to you. I brought in a palette knife painting. 
Stephanie: I brought in a book about Bill Park. It is about the painter's model and the painter. It is about their relationship. Fred is a model who Bill Park paints over and over again. He is not pretty, but he has a great deal of depth. I brought in a couple of 8 x 8 paintings. I love the fall colors. 
Leslie: the Carlson book profoundly affected me. As a portrait artist I am drawn to the gesture. In Carlson's book he explains the trees are like people in the landscape. There is the gesture of the tree. He wrote that trees accommodate each other...they make room for each other --I have always remembered that from when I read it. I brought in a painting of a physician friend of mine who is going to be retiring. This portrait will be presented to him at his retirement party as a present. It is a surprise. 
Susan: I brought in a book in honor of the Drawing Club. This is a book that is about drawing  and llustration. I also brought in a painting of my father. I have painted my father several times. I always seem to put him in some sort of unique clothing. My father has recently passed away*. I did this particular painting on a surface that Albert Handell and 3M invented. *(Condolences to you and yours, Susan)
Joanne T: I too like the Schmid book! Did you know that you can rent instructional DVDs from the library? If you go to your library website type in Lilledahl and you might come up with some art instructional DVDs. I did this recently and I did this painting "alongside" Scott Powers from this DVD. 
Diane: I brought in a book by James Gurney. He is responsible for some work that has to do with dinosaurs. If you ignore the dinosaurs, you will glean a lot of other information about lighting and light. (Tim noted that he loves dinosaurs (laughter)! There are some wonderful pages about different types of lighting. I also am honored to be part of this book that has just recently been released. It is called In the Mist. It is about poetry. I am one of the poets in this book. It is hot off the press and available at Broadway books. The name of the poem I will read for you is called "Starting Over". 
Jeanne: Sometimes you have to be ready for what some one is telling you. When I was at the coastal paint out Eric Sandgren told me "you should read Hawthorne". Charles Hawthorne. And then again in August my teacher Mark Andres said "you should read Hawthorne". So, I am reading Hawthorne! (Laughter)! This is a collection of statements that were made by Hawthorne and recorded by his students. Hawthorne says that having the colors right will see you through. I brought in a painting that was my homework and I focused on spots of color. 
Bill: Well first of all want to thank whoever is responsible for this great topic! It is such a rich and diverse discussion. I didn't bring it in... but I would like to tell you about an old book by Andrew Loomis. It is geared towards illustrators but it is fabulous for anyone who is a representational artist. I recently have learned about both Sergeant and Sorolla and I have to say that I really prefer Sorolla, his work is just so exquisite. I brought in a portrait. 
Judith: I just like looking so much at wonderful clear portraits. David Hockney is an example. I have learned recently that cerulean blue and raw umber makes a wonderful shadow color for the face. The thing that I used to do would be to buy an art book and then only read it to a certain point and stop! I have determined that that is too expensive! (Laughter)! 
Charlie: I brought in "drawing on the left side of the brain". In this book the author counsels us all to be kinder to ourselves about our art. I also like reading about the history of art. 
Tom: I am not a fan of how-to books. I brought in a book about English painting. I brought a copy of a painting from this book. 
Eunice: I have not been painting but I have started dreaming about painting. That is a good clue that I will enjoy painting when I get back to it. 

 Tedd: (added from email) Couldn't make it today...but highly recommend Mitch Albala's Landscape book. 
Announcements: 
December 4 Anton Pavlenko and Thomas Kitts at Brian Marki: (Scott Gellatly and Aimee Erickson there until Dec)
http://www.brianmarki.com
The big 500 show will come up on December 12. Stephanie tells us that from her understanding the big 500 is like the art version of "the running with the bulls" (laughter)! The art is all priced at $40 each and everyone enjoys finding art to buy.
http://www.peoplesartofportland.com
Linda: I have discovered an interesting resource called color in your life:
In mid-January Susan Kuznitskywill do a pastel demonstration at OSA. She will also start conducting classes there. 
Jerry Dickason tells us that on December 10 his studios will be part of some open studios. The invitation is photographed and on the front of the blog. As the time draws nearer will remind you!
Jeanne Chamberlain has decided to join in the Southeast Art Walk that will be occurring in March. 
Two great impressionist's exhibits:
(We are still determining dates for field trips). 
Mary Hill (Thursday Drawing Club Participant) Watercolors and drawings reception: New Seasons Mountain Park Dec 3 6pm-7:30pm
Next week there will be no meeting at O'Connor's! Enjoy your Thanksgiving! We will resume on the following Thursday. The suggested topic is to be announced.

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