Sample from Sherrie McGraw Workshop

I'm extremely late in posting pics from the Sherrie McGraw workshop I took back in April. I have wanted to study with Sherrie for a long time and was very excited to get the chance. The class was in Herndon VA--a rare opportunity that I hope she will consider again.

This picture is a sample of one of my paintings from the class. Very interesting concepts that I learned. I wish I had taken progression pictures because the painting changed a lot--after I thought I had completed my subject. I had to paint the peonies over several times at Sherrie's suggestion for a variety of very good reasons: The subject was too big (not allowing the viewer to travel into the painting), the darks weren't warm enough, the lights didn't define the subject enough, the leaves didn't create a mass, etc. All very good points! Several theories I want to explore are the fact that darks are warm and lights are cool when painting in natural light. I usually paint under hot lights so this is a reversal. That you block in the darks and pretty much leave them that way without much detail. That you make masses out of leaves (maybe you can see that in the midtone area above) with no distinction between them even though visually you can see difference.

Two Paintings Sold At Art at the Mill Show

I sold two paintings at the spring Art At The Mill show in Millwood VA--one of my favorite art venues. Thank you to the patrons who purchased them. I'm always honored to get accepted to the show and it is a special thrill to sell a painting there.

The painting pictured above is "Red Onions on a Blue Box" -- not a terribly original title, but what I find interesting is that folks think they are turnips. So I guess I'm glad about the title. I think part of the reason for the misidentification is that onions rarely appear in the gRocery store in their natual "plucked" state. If I remember correctly these onions were from the Burke Farmers Market near the end of the summer and the stalks had grown extremely thick, like bamboo. They were so beautiful, with the skins completely off. I couldn't resist painting them. The box is one of my favorites and comes from an antique store I stopped by a few years ago on the way home from -- of all things -- the Art at the Mill show. I think that antique store (more of a junk yard) is long gone, but I found a gem of a store in Boyce (i.e., Millwood/Berryville) in the old school house. If you are ever there you should find it, its worth a visit and pretty inexpensive too.

ART JAM

I can't wait until Art Jam. My friend Tricia hosts the best art party. Once or twice a year artists and art lovers from the DC and Northern Virginia (and maybe a few Marylanders) come to her studio for the party. But you know what happens when artists get together? We tend to talk about art 90% of the time. We share ideas on workshops, technique, tools and materials, competitions, how to exhibit, how to sell and how to be represented. At Art Jam last year I even sold a painting, all while having a super time and meeting lots of other artists and buyers. Her studio was mobbed, like a party hosted by Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Ok, I am exaggerating, but the party turns out lots of people. Fun, fun!

Portrait Society VA & DC Holiday Party

Thanks to Petra Gerber for hosting this year's Portrait Society of America VA and DC Holiday Party. The food was superb and the company warm. With so many things to eat we were all stuffed. Petra made her famous German braided bread, beef and potato salad. There were many other things to eat including lots of dessert treats (the pecan brittle was to die for). We nibbled and talked late into the evening. Her Christmas decorations were beautiful and so were her watercolors, which she had throughout her house.

Unfortunately I didn't remember to take photos until the very end of the party, so I didn't get the full group.

It was a great time!

Truffles!!!!

I love art.....even food art! For years, I've wanted to learn how to make chocolate truffles. So, I took a course with a great instructor Meghan Ferry. The course was held at Fran's Bakery Supplies in Fairfax.

You definitely need the right equipment and top quality ingredients, but otherwise it's not hard. It takes two days to make truffles because of the cooling time and the fact that everything is done by hand one (okay sometimes two) at a time. There are definitely techniques to practice to get the truffles looking even better, but I think they look extremely professional on my first try. I definitely took my time finishing the truffles so they look their best! Here's what we made (from left to right):

Amaretto truffles: amaretto flavored ganauche filled chocolate shell, hand dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in crushed sliced almonds.

White chocolate cherry truffles: white chocolate with kirchweisser and dried cherry ganauche in white chocolate shell, hand dipped in white chocolate covered in croquant.

Dark chocolate truffles: hand rolled dark chocolate ganuache, dipped in dark chocolate and covered in chocolate sprinkles.

Grand marnier truffles: hand rolled grand marnier ganuache, doubled dipped in milk chocolate and drizzled with dark choc.

Marshmallow smores lollipops (back): toasted marshmallows, dipped in dark chocolate and covered in graham crackers.

Yummmmmm!!! There is a whole circle of pastry/chocolate artistans who go to the conferences and workshops and study with masters, just like us oil painters. I wonder if they have "cooking jams" like Tricia Ratliff's "artist jam"?!!! This might be a whole new artistic outlet for me. Next to conquer fondant and gumpaste flowers....a truly amazing art form.

My Oil Painting Course Starts January 7, 2010

I will be teaching another oil painting course this winter at ArtSpace. The course begins January 7, 2010. This class will focus on how to begin and finish a painting. Starting with toning the canvas and drawing the subject, students move quickly into laying thick alla prima layers of light and shadow colors. This will be followed with refinements to value, color and drawing in a series of thick paint and thin glazes. Work will be done from your photos or a still life set-up. I also anticipate having a live model for two sessions to explore portraiture. Recommended for beginning and intermediate artists who want to improve the realistic appearance of their work. Adults and teens welcome. Separate model required. Materials list available upon registration.

Dates and Time: January 7 - March 4, 2010

Thursdays 7-10pm

Location: Classes will be held at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA 20170. (703)956-6590

Cost for 8 sessions is $187.

To Register email me at: info@vickiblum.com or contact ArtSpace Herndon at 703/956-6590

Sherrie McGraw Workshop in Northern Virginia - April 2010

Exiting News. I contacted Sherrie McGraw http://www.sherriemcgraw.com/home.html about teaching a portrait and still life workshop (yes! both genres in one workshop) April 26 -29 (or even extended to the 30th) 2010. That is the week immediately following the Portrait Society of America Conference in Reston, VA. The workshop will be held in Northern Virginia, most likely in Herndon, about 3-5 miles away from Reston.

Here is some preliminary information: The class would be limited to 15 students (or less!). As stated above, the workshop may be 4 or 5 days depending on feedback I get from interested artists.

The 4-day workshop would cost $650 and the 5-day class would be $750. There would be a separate model fee.

I'm taking reservations for slots in the class. If interested in taking the course, please post a comment and let me know whether you would prefer a 4- or 5-day workshop. Also please indicate if you are interested in the portrait or still life option or both (i.e., split your time 50/50). The course will be based on feedback I receive.

I already have seven slots reserved!!!