I'M TEACHING ART CLASSES THIS WINTER

Hi everyone. I'm going to be teaching three art classes starting in January. One in Herndon at ArtSpace and two at the Lorton Art Center. Here are the descriptions. Please contact me if you have any questions at info@vickiblum.com:

At ArtSpace Herndon

Beginning/Intermediate Oil Painting
Thursdays 7pm-10pm
Starting January 22 – March 12, 2009
(no class February 19, 2009)

Learn classical methods of painting. Work will be done from your photos or a still life set-up. This class will focus on how to begin and finish a painting. Starting with toning the canvas and drawing your subject, students move quickly into painting thick alla prima layers of light and shadow colors. This will be followed with refinements to value and color in a series of thick and thin glazes. Come ready to paint your favorite person, place or still life. Recommended for beginning and intermediate painters who want to improve the realistic appearance of their work. $187

Location: ArtSpace Classroom 1 @ 750 Center Street, Herndon VA 20170

To Register: Contact Vicki Blum at 703-618 6070 or email her at mailto:VVidal@mortgagebankers.org. For this class you have to register with me.

Visit Vicki’s website, http://www.vickiblum.com/ and www.mosaya.com/vickiblum.

At Lorton Art Center:

Still Life Painting with Light and Life
Sunday from 1pm-4pm

Class Starts: Jan 18 (9 weeks)

Create color-rich still lifes in oil. This class will focus on how to create a still life painting. Students will learn the importance of creating interesting compositions, how to draw the subject matter with energy and block in light and shadow colors. Students will then refine the work in a series of glazed layers. Observation of hot and cool colors and light and shadow will be stressed to improve the three dimensionality of your work. Recommended for beginning and intermediate painters who want to improve the realistic appearance of their work.
For: Beginners/Intermediate (adults)
Code: MXM106W09 (W-9)
Tuition: $220
Supplies: Supplies list given after registration.
To Register, direct your browser to Lorton Art Foundation: https://tickets.workhousearts.org/public/loader.asp?target=hall.asp?event=454

From Camera to Canvas
Lorton Art Center

Class Starts: Jan 18 (9 weeks)
Beginning and intermediate students will learn the principles of representational oil painting techniques by creating works of art from their own photographs. Starting with picking the right photos and blocking in the drawing, students will then layer thick alla prima paint based on light and shadow patterns. This will be followed by refining the drawing, color, edges and values. Students are free to choose any subject matter for their paintings.
For: Beginners/Intermediate (adults)
Meets: Sun (10am-1pm)
Code: MXM105W09 (W-9)
Tuition: $220
Supplies: Supplies list given after registration.
To Register, direct your browser to Lorton Art Foundation: https://tickets.workhousearts.org/public/loader.asp?target=hall.asp?event=457

Teaching Still Life Class at Herndon ARTSpace

I am fortunate enough to be teaching another still life painting course, this time at the new and fabulous ARTSpace in old town Herndon. The class is designed for beginners and intermediate painters who want to add 3-dimensionality to their work. The class is designed to be instructional but low stress. Bring your oil paints, brushes and creativity and be ready to have some fun!!

I also thought it would be fun to show you some examples from the last class I taught. My demonstration is at the top. The students' works are underneath!!!! Fantastic job Karen and Suzanne!!! All the students really knocked out amazing work. I just wish I had taken photos throughout the course to show you just how great the students painted.

Below is more information about my course. Please contact me if you have any questions. I have also included some of the other offerings at the center in case those are more to your liking.

Still Life Oil Painting with Light & Life - Thursdays 7:00-10pm taught by Vicki Blum, $187 for 7 weeks beginning October 2nd

Location: ArtSpace Classroom 1 @ 750 Center Street, Herndon VA 20170
To register: Contact Vicki Blum at 703-618 6070 or email her at info@vickiblum.com
Visit Vicki’s website, http://www.vickiblum.com/ and www.mosaya.com/vickiblum.
Vicki may also be teaching portrait painting next session based on demand.

Open Studio with Figure Model - Wednesdays 7:30-10pm Draw, paint, or sculpt with a live figure/portrait model and other artists
$75 + model fee for 5 weeks beginning September 24th
Location: ArtSpace Classroom 1 @ 750 Center Street, Herndon VA 20170
To register: Contact Tricia Ratliff at triciasart@gmail.com

Open Studio - Fridays 7:30-10pm
BeginningOctober 10th 2008$60 for 5 weeks beginning October 3, 2008
Location: ArtSpace Classroom 1 @ 750 Center Street, Herndon VA 20170 To Register: Contact Tricia Ratliff at triciasart@gmail.com

Sculpture Class for ages 18 & up - Tuesdays 6:30pm - 9pm
taught by Guy Zollar
8, 2.5 hour sessions, October 7th - November 25th
$160 for Town Residents, $198 for Non-residents.
Location: ArtSpace Classroom 1 @ 750 Center Street, Herndon VA 20170
To Register: Contact the Herndon Community Center, this class is currently advertised in the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department Fall Booklet

Sold A Painting at Metamorphosis Show

I participated in the Metamorphosis show last weekend at the suggestion of my good friend and talented artist Trish Ratliff. The show was held at the Willow Restuarant in Ballston. I don't know if you know that restuarant, but they have excellent food. During the show, they offered various food samplings to patrons as they viewed local artists' works. I was fortunate enough to sell the above painting. Honestly it was one of my recent favorites that was hanging on my office wall....well until last weekend. I would like to thank my patrons for stopping by and for the recent purchase.

Another Work in Progress

Here is another work in progress. I'm a bit stymied because out of the 300 pictures of Lucy, I did not get one with a complete left hand (and I want that left hand in her lap). I'm going to substitute another hand (maybe my son's) in her place. Lots of work ahead of me, but since this photo I've been working on the chair and background. The painting's larger than the image shown here, but I like how I cropped this and may choose to cut down the final painting. I need inspiration or a huge jolt of focused energy!

65th Waterford Home Tour and Red Barn Exhibit and Art Mart

I have never been involved in this show, but Waterford is a pretty artsy place -- so I understand. Some very fine artists, like Trisha Adams, exhibit at this show. Website: http://www.waterfordfoundation.org/fair/index.html


Here's the scoop:


Red Barn Exhibit, October 3, 4, & 5, 2008
The Red Barn Exhibit is a juried show. Artists are allowed to enter two pieces for consideration for $15. They take 25% commission if works sell. Work can't be larger than 36" x 36"
Submission Deadline is September 1. Delivery date of accepted work is September 26 & 27, 2nd Floor, Red Barn (sorry no address given, but prospectus has directions). Pick up unsold work on October 5 from 5-6pm or October 6, 10 am -12 pm.


The Art Mart
Also part of the Waterford event is the Art Mart. This event is limited to works of $400 or less. No work can be larger than 36 x 36. Work in the Art Mart cannot be duplicated for the Red Barn Exhibit. You can enter as many pieces as you like!!! This show costs $15 for an unlimited number of entries (but the $15 fee is separate from the Red Barn Exhibit). Delivery dates are September 26 & 27. Just show up with your work--no jurying--super cool. Special rules for large volume entries. Pick up unsold work on October 5 from 5-6 pm or October 6, 10 am - 12 pm.


Student Art Exhibit
Finally at the Waterford event there is a Student Art Exhibit. The show is open to Loudoun County residents who are seniors in high school or who have just graduated. The Florence Kiley Fellowship is awarded at this event and the winner gets to exhibit his/her piece at the Red Barn Exhibit. It appears there is only one winner who get exhibited. The winner also gets $2,500--NICE. Delivery of Art: September 26 at the Tin Shop, 15481 Second St. 10 am - 2 pm. Pick up of non-winning entries is September 29, 30 and Oct 1, 10 am - 4pm


Call for full prospectus: (540)882-3018

Studio Space Available in Norther VA

If anyone is looking for studio space, I heard two locations are taking applications.



Columbia Pike Artist Studios in Arlington.

Great Studios and if I had the money I would love to be in this location. Some fine artists have their studios there. Call Nancy Fortwengler, npfpastels@yahoo.com



Artists' Warehouse, Alexandria

Located on Duke Street (I think) 2.5 miles from the Torpedo Factory. 200 sq to 1000 sq feet available with onsite parking!! Contact Liz Boynton (703) 579-4227 or boyntonliz@yahoo.com

Sample Work from Robert Johnson Workshop

In my last blog, I talked about Robert Johnson's three grape rule. I thought I would share a few other Johnson "rules" (okay they might not be rules, but things that stuck with me). I did this pansy painting in his workshop this spring. Rule One is to make sure that every item has a soft and hard edge. Hopefully you can pick this up in the edge quality of the pansy petals and leaves. Rule Two is to not have a sharp back edge. If you notice, the light rug and the dark background melt together. The edge is soft. In the past I used to make this edge hard and the painting overall was much less appealing. Rule Three, the best green for leaves is a mixture of ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow. You would think that would make an electric green, but it makes a fine realistic green. One of the hardest things is to make leaves look real--that simple color combo works. Rule Four, be more precise. I love to start the drawing and painting with only angles. However, if you don't round them at some point to more accurately represent the subject, then it looks off. Rule Five, sketch in a rug detail or two and forget the rest. I highly recommend taking one of his courses if you are a devoted still life painter.

Works in Progress

I started these two paintings as demos and thought it would be fun to show progression from session #1, #2, #3 and maybe #4 (heaven help me). I really don't like to paint on a painting more than 3 sessions (i.e., 9 hours).

This orange I started at the Clifton Art show, but I only got to paint on it about 30 minutes before a huge thunderstorm overtook us and we had to make a mad dash with the participating artists' works to drier territory. In the scramble I completely forgot about my demo. When I returned it was covered in droplets but no damage. The added benefit of oils!! I will try to keep the rug looking more like a wash, but I may change my mind.

The pear and grapes in a bucket I started at the GFFFTA last week, so I wouldn't hover over the students, but fought a nearly white canvas. Breaking my own rules. Never start with a white canvas!!! I think this one will show a bigger progression from the first to second sessions as I was not able to punch up the colors enough in the first go round. Hate the table line, so I plan to change that. You can see that I don't start very detailed, but just block in color. I also plan (or will try!) to follow Robert Johnson's rule on grapes. That is, that you should only paint the heck out of three grapes in each cluster. I haven't really painted the heck out of any of the grapes yet. It will be important to figure out which "clumps" to consider for the 3 grape rule. Clearly there are many clumps in this set up.

Check back in a few weeks.....

Upcoming Virginia Art Shows

I wanted to share some art show information with my art friends:

Art League Solo Show Jurying
The Art League is jurying for its 2010 schedule of solo artist shows. Informational meetings are being held on August 21 at 6:30 pm and on September 19th at 3:00 pm. Call the Art League gallery for more information on the jurying process. 703 683 -1780 http://www.theartleague.org/

Now I know this is for solo shows, but I wonder if we shouldn't request a solo spot specific to POSA members. Let me know if I should inquire. I could talk to the gallery. Also I'm thinking about asking the Gallery if they would consider a "portrait and figure" show this year or next. How many folks could I count on to participate? You have to be a member of the Art League, which is $65 a year. Please give me some feedback as to whether to pursue this!!!

Gallery West 12th Annual Juried Show
February 4-March 2, 2009
The deadline for submission is November 20. Go to http://www.gallery-west.com/ to download the prospectus.

Target Gallery 5x5x5 Show
December 11-January 11, 2009
The exhibit will examine work on a very intimate scale. Entry is open to all artists nationally and internationally working in any media with the strict stipulation that the work must fit within the dimensions of five inches in any direction. The juror is a contemporary curator from CA. Deadline for entries: October 1, 2008. Prospectus available at http://www.torpedofactory.org/ (then click "Target").

Ted Reed show "Presence
September 2008
One of our esteemed POSA members, Ted Reed, is hosting a solo show at the Art League Gallery in September. I'm sure it will be fantastic as he is a great artist. Many of you may remember his portrait "Louder" that was a finalist at one of the past POSA conferences (three years ago, I think????). I'm sure the show will be a feast for the eyes. The Art League is at 105 North Union Street, in Alexandria, VA.

Leesburg's Fall Into the Arts Show

Here is more show news from the Northern VA area. I've never participated in this show, so I have no idea if it is a pain or good for sales or what.


The sixth annual 'FALL INTO THE ARTS' Festival in downtown historic Leesburg invites artists to submit their work. The 2008 Arts Festival will feature art and music entertainment as well as special exhibits on the Town Green and throughout the downtown shops.

Festival Date
Saturday, September 27 from 11AM to 5PM. Live music and entertainment offer a day of fun and art appreciation throughout the historic town of Leesburg.

How to Enter
Artists should complete the entry form and mail with photos/jpgs of up to 3 pieces of your original art, and a $25 fee to: Fall into the Arts, c/o Gallery 222 / Loudoun Academy of the Arts, 222 South King Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Deadline
The deadline for photo submissions is Friday, August 30, 2008, and a panel of jurors will respond to all submissions by Monday, September 8. Artists are responsible for delivering their artwork no later than 9AM on September 27 and for being present during the festival's exhibit which is open from 11AM until 5PM.

Awards
Several pieces of art will be selected from the photos submitted for a special display at Gallery 222, of which three will be judged and awarded three individual prizes: The Mayor's Award of Merit, Best of Show and The Town of Leesburg's Purchase Award. Artwork selected for the Purchase Award will become part of the Town of Leesburg's Permanent Collection, value not to exceed $1000. To be eligible for the "Purchase Award," artists must be Loudoun residents or their work must depict a Loudoun scene. THE ENTRY FORM and CONDITIONS OF EXHIBIT are contained at the website: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0018ojBmPc4aAlefRE81_QD9YnPdGyOtEkZN7wrv-niid-AvSlPirMSnEtUZP-aR5Tx-Ku6F8iDfydbv7kQULTtOBEcin5C3JIXDMgN5aTa8kKQYyaEOi868JmaJQkCmB9u The 'Fall Into the Arts' festival is hosted by The Town of Leesburg, Leesburg Crossroads and the Loudoun Academy of the Arts/Gallery 222. For more information, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0018ojBmPc4aAlefRE81_QD9YnPdGyOtEkZN7wrv-niid-AvSlPirMSnEtUZP-aR5Tx-Ku6F8iDfydbv7kQULTtOBEcin5C3JIXDMgN5aTa8kKQYyaEOi868JmaJQkCmB9u or contact Jim Sisley at http://us.mc513.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jsisley@verizon.net

Jeremy Lipking Article and Website

I was reading International Artist Magazine and saw the article on Jeremy Lipking and thought his work was particularly beautiful. I thought I'd share a few of his paintings.

Website for Art Shows

I just found a pretty nice website for Virginia Art Shows: http://festivalnet.com/state/virginia/va.html.

Now granted, you have to shift through lots of crafts shows, but the website also features fine arts shows worth noting, well I think so. I would love to hear from artists familiar with these shows. Let me know if they are high quality shows (and not festivals, not that there is anything wrong with that, just lots of equipment and restrictions I personally can't deal with). All of these are supposed juried shows.

Roanoke City Art Show
http://www.theartscouncil.org/CAS_2008_prospectus.pdf

Arlington Virginia, several shows at the Ellipse Art Center
http://www.arlingtonarts.org/ellipseartscenter.htm

Virginia Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition (jurying is over, but maybe notable for next year)
http://www.virginiawatercolorsociety.org/Exhibitions.htm

Let me know of other shows in VA that are worth noting.

I'm Teaching A Still Life Painting Course

I'm teaching the following Art Course this Summer at

the Great Falls School of Art. There is still time to register!!!

Still Life Painting in Oil

Create color-rich still lifes in oil. This class will focus on how to begin and finish a still life painting. Starting with setting up an interesting composition and blocking in the drawing, students move quickly into laying thick alla prima layers of light and shadow colors. This will be followed with refinements to the drawing and colors in a series of thick and thin (glazed) layers. Observation of hot and cool colors and light and shadow will be stressed to improve the three dimensionality of your work. Recommended for beginning and intermediate painters who want to improve the realistic appearance of their work.
$180 + $25 materials fee 7:00pm-10:00pm, Thursdays, 6 weeks, July 17-August 14, September 4

GREAT FALLS SCHOOL OF ART and GFFFTA
1144 Walker Road, Suite G
Great Falls, Virginia 22066

Call me for more information (703) 618-6070 info@vickiblum.com; www.vickiblum.com

Art At the Mill

One of my favorite art competitions in Virginia!

Lucky for me I also sold the painting shown above at the Spring Show!!!

A great selling venue that I recommend to all artists.

Fall 2008 show dates: October 4 - 19, 2008
Hours: Sunday-Friday, 12-5pmSaturday, 10-6pm
Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students free
Location: The Burwell Morgan Mill is located about 2 miles off Route 50 west in the village of Millwood, Clarke County, Virginia. The physical address is 15 Tannery Lane. For more information & directions, please call 540-955-2600.CALL FOR ENTRIES LINKENTRY FORM LINKRETURN POSTCARD LINKCall for Entries for the fall show will be mailed to artists during the first week of July. Call for entry package may be downloadedfrom the website after they are mailed. SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE AUGUST 8. Art check-in will be September 12 and 13.

http://www.clarkehistory.org/newsletters/CallForEntry-Brochure.pdf

Herndon Paint Out

This looks really fun. Who's up for it??

Paint Herndon, Plein Air Art Exhibit and Competition

Supported by Coldwell Banker Residential

http://www.artspaceherndon.com/Friday August 29th - Monday Sept 1st (Labor Day)- Awards Night begins at 6:00pm Monday Sept 1st 2008- Location: ArtSpace Gallery 750 Center Street, Herndon VA 20170- Artist registration now open / Applications due August 1st - For added festivities, visit the Herndon Jazz and Wine festival next door- Stop by during the day on Monday to see the winners! To volunteer or get more information - e-mail: PaintHerndon@gmail.com