Wishing you every happiness this Christmas Season

Harley and the Gang....Nice job Ms. Zoe

Harley (the one to the far left) is doing great!!!.  These are his new friends.  He has a big back yard and I hear is is doing well.  It was the highlight of my month............to have helped Harley.  

Ms. Zoe has started a new project.  A portrait of her self......profile.  Not bad.  We are working on a 14+14 size canvas (I love squares), in oil.  So far so good.  Next she will do her brother!!

We Saved A Life!

What a great day!!  It takes a village but we saved Harley's life.  He is now in a foster home, that some day, if all goes well will be a forever home.  My husband was great! he helped me get Harley out of the shelter. Leaving work on a busy day.   My hero!

  I also have to thank Ralph, a sweet man who works with the animals and dedicates his time to finding them good homes.  Thank God for people like him.   My hat is off to people like Ralph who really care for these creatures that bring us continuous, unconditional love.  Thank you Ralph for all you do.........you have taught me what a big impact we can make on a small but significant life........it was a good day...a great day!

I know I usually talk about art......but............................

If any one is looking for a pet.  Harley is in desperate need of a home. He is scheduled to be put down this coming Wed., the 20th at the Spring Street. LB Animal shelter.  I am desperatley trying to find him a forever home or foster home till a home is found.  You know how I love the dachi.  This little guy is playful, he is 2-3 years old has all his shots and has been neutered. If you know anyone who can help please let me know........

Tulip, as in one

Beautiful painting by Erica Eriksdotter 'Fringed Tulip'.  I love the colors!!!!

A doodle a day.....keeps the colors at play

Zoe is working on her complementary color doodle.  The idea is to lay complementary colors from the color wheel next to each other.  You can see how placing complements next to each other makes the colors pop.  It will be a fun piece when done..............very Calderesque.

Goldstar

Goldstar: "Check out this site I found called Goldstar. They have half-price tickets and member reviews of concerts, sports, theater and more.
I'm already a member! https://www.goldstar.com/join?p=F1507293RB"

Little Tols Croc

Little Tol finished a croc.  He was very nervous about doing the monster but once he started laying in those teeth.......he was on his way. There is something about bringing a drawing to life that energizes you into persevering,  I guess you could say that applies to a lot of things in life.  Once you take that step of faith..........its not that scary after all.

Not A Happy Man

Poor Bud had his snip-snip last week and has been wearing a donut for the past week which is actually a lot more comfy than the cone of shame.   This week it comes off much to his relief.

Its My Birthday! and I have been blessed!

With great friends, a wonderful family, a good man and a beautiful life.  God has been good to me and my family and I am thankful.  To all of you in my life........thank you for your love, support and friendship.....you have made my life soooooooooooo much richer.  
 God bless you and yours and enjoy this Labor Day weekend..........we are all blessed!
  

Rose from the Laguna Beach Arts Festival

The Laguna Beach Arts Festival is once a year.  My friend gave me tickets last week and I ran down to check it out.  Lots of terrific art, from oils to watercolors to jewelry. You are not allowed to take photos.  I found that out after taking this photo of Rose.  I love her!

Good Job!!!!

One of my new students just finished his first color wheel.  He did a great job mixing colors and working with a palette knife. His favorite color is blue.  Next we are starting on a complementary doodle.  A kind of an abstract working in complimentary colors.  I think he is ready for oils!

Summer Is Here!!! Look out your window!

'Hummingbird' by Zoe Paoli (10 years old)

Symplicity and Mystery Of the Color Wheel

I love the color wheel and the possibilities it represents with only 3 simple but primary colors plus black and white. One can make up just about any color.  I have a few of my students now working on their own color wheel.  Making up a color wheel is a great exercise to do when learning to paint.  You learn about the primaries, the secondaries and the compliments of each color. You start to recognize the sublties of color and the emotional impact they have on your work. You also learn how to mix....which is fun and takes practice. You learn how to make your colors POP! and that is exciting....that's when a painting ...ssssssssssings.

 I even like the color wheel as a painting onto its self.

They finally have accepted.... ....the new guy

It seems the girls have finally accepted....Mr. Bud or the Bud-ster as I have been known to call him.  Ms. Lili was not happy AT ALL the first few weeks but now she has come to the conclusion..........Buddy is here to stay....ugh...why?  Sally has an on going love/hate relationship with 'Little Man II'.  Deep down I think she is worried he is here to replace her.  As for Bud himself......he is very happy in his new diggs especially when there are so many great toys!!!! 

A Good Start! Not Bad!

One of my new students is learning to draw and recognize the full range of values (lights to darks) in a still-life.  Her first black and white charcoals she did well.  We started with a still-life of a lemon and then moved onto 2 overlapping peaches, both working in charcoal. This is her first oil painting of a grapefruit.  We kept it to a limited palette of yellow, white and black (however we did not have black so we used brown).  At first she worked on a couple of charcoal drawings of the grapefruit to understand the play of light (values).  Rachele's use of charcoal is good, she has a light touch and listens well.  This week for homework, she will finish her first still-life of a grapefruit in oil on canvas board.  I can't wait to see it!

Which color???????

Buddy wants you to choose!?

Dr. S continues

  Dr. S continues to work on his tea cup still-life.  It is coming out very nicely. He is working from both photos and an actual set up.  He is exact at getting the details just right.  I had him keep his palette to just 4 colors.  Black, white, ochre and blue.  Keeping the palette simple you can focus on creating a range of values. A piece like this takes time to create a mood.  You want to feel the light and experience the time of day.

 On a different note.  Buddy is truly a gift, welcoming all the students with complete and absolute Joy!

Starry Night by Zoe

Ok ....this has to be my favorite piece thus far by Ms. Zoe (hmmm...not sure about that).  As I mentioned earlier we took a trip to see a Van Gogh show in Palos Verdes.....or rather a show 'Just Like Van Gogh'.  They were not actual Van Gogh paintings but pieces done after Van Gogh's masterpieces.  Zoe decided to do her own version of 'Starry Night'.  Today she completed that version.  Her use of color and texture is fabulous, as is her grasp of mixing colors with confidence.

 I love her focus and concentration

as she goes about mixing and working.

  I am very proud of her.

Zoe....you did another masterpiece!

          I have a new student whose enthusiasm and eagerness to learn is a pleasure.  He wants to learn how to paint animals, plants,  still-lifes and portraits.   Last week we worked on a tiger. Not bad for a beginner! I can't wait to see how he presents the subtleties of color, light and texture in a painting.                        

A new Addition 2 to..........3

Well...... where have I been the last 2 weeks you may ask???????...Well, It seems we now have a new addition to the herd.  Two weeks ago my neighbor brought me a found dachshund....poor thing had been wondering around Ocean Blvd.  After 2 weeks of trying to find the owner  (and what effort that took!) and with no calls, the little guy has become part of the family.  My husband has really taken to the little fellow and he to him.  Last night they took a long walk down to the ocean...........both to return invigorated (which was great! since the girls tend to hang with me).  The other furries were not happy at first but now they seem to have adapted to his......well....very happy personality.  My husband and I keep going back and forth on names. Its down to Bud (Buddy) or Sam.   I like Bud..............he just seems like a buddy.

Summer Is Here!

Get out your watercolors!!!!.  Summer has arrived!

Faux Van Gogh's at Palos Verdes Art Center

This past Friday Zoe and I went to a wonderful art exhibit called "About Van Gogh" at the Palos Verdes Art Center in Rancho Palos Verdes. A small venue that made it perfect for a budding art student.  Out of the norm, this show is a collection of oil paintings done by unknown artists after famous Van Gogh paintings such as 'The Starry Night'. and a few Van Gogh self portraits, along with some other pieces I have long forgotten.
  You can really appreciate Van Gogh's brush work and his use of lines, dots and swirls. They also had a demo on how he did his 'Sunflower' pieces.
  Inspired.  Zoe has now started her own version of 'Starry Night' in oil on canvas.