Work in Progress - Triangular Tomatoes

Here is the latest "unfinished" painting I'm working on. I had to take a break, why I'm not sure. But sometimes I just have to do that. Painters block tends to happen when I'm almost done, which is not good since I've put about 12 hours into this already. Also I can't seem to find a frame I like for this painting from JFM Enterprises, my favorite frame store (sometimes you have to plan ahead so everything is ready for the shows) . This is a big painting 36 x 36 so I don't want a huge frame. JFM is out of the floater frame I want and has been for months. Anyway, I thought I would show some progressions. Given the almost finished state, the changes will be less noticable, but what the heck. I will be adding the leaves, which are just blocked in. Also will refine the cloth and tomatoes to give more depth. Still a bit blocky for my tastes.

Another reason for putting this one aside is the fact that I got inspired by a photo of elephants my friend took while on safari in Africa. I swear her photos are National Geographic quality. Amazing and again inspiring. I will share progression photos in the next few days of the elephants. At this point I just have the drawing that I completed in the car on the way to my mother's house over the holidays. Stay tuned.

New Painting Exhibited for First Time

Here is another painting that I finished right before the private exhibit. The art exhibit got so busy that I didn't even get a chance to get it out of my car on the first day of the exhibit. The other problem was I had ordered frames specific for the show but they didn't arrive in time. I have a stockpile of frames, so it wasn't a problem except for this one, which is an odd size. I debated whether to show it at all because it was unframed, but I decided to on the last day of the exhibit. I got a really good response despite not having a frame. This was an actual bouquet of flowers I bought from LynnVale Flower Farm over the summer. I thought the flowers were so beautiful I just had to paint them. Of course the flowers have such a short life span that I started live and then finished from a photo. I also added a few wild flowers from my field (the buttercups, daisies). I plan to do more of these 12 x 12 paintings on board. They are so happy and colorful, they make me smile and wish for spring.

Private Exhibit

I haven't had a chance to write since the private sale in early December. What a great event that was and Tricia's house looked beautiful. Many thanks to her. What a great place to have an art show. She installed a hanging system when her and Walter built their house so you can move paintings of different sizes around without making holes in the wall. Brilliant! I sold four paintings. I'm so happy that they have found new homes. Thanks to my patrons!! I wish I had taken pictures of the event, but honestly there was not a minute of down time, so my best layed plans did not occur. Here are a few of the new painting I exhibited for the first time. The photos are not that good of the paintings. Too much glare on the left side of "Figs" and slightly off kilter. I will have to retake the photographs at some point.

I'm a FINALIST in the Blossom II Competition

I got a call today stating that I was a finalist in the Blossom II Competition, sponsored by the Susan Kathleen Black Foundation. I'm thrilled. I normally don't enter large national competitions because I think the odds are against you. The painting they selected was "Carnations," shown here. So this means that I will be featured at the Naples Museum of Art and the show will travel around the south and southwest hitting Museums in Arizona, Louisiana and Texas. As if that wasn't enough, there will be a catalog created of the exhibit. I also have a chance to win various prizes. With all the great talent that enters, I won't get my hopes up. I feel like a winner already. It's an honor to be selected as one of the finalists out of 2,300 entries!

Private Exhibit and Sale - Dec 4 & 5, 2010 11am-5pm

I'm excited to announce a Private Exhibit of my artwork with two amazing artists and friends, Tricia Ratliff and Trisha Adams. The event is being held at a private home in Herndon. We will be showing our latest works and a few favorites.

Please come to the Exhibit and Open House. We will have heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages. The event is free and feel free to bring friends.

1000 Tyler Street, Herndon, VA 20170.

Finished Parrot Tulips

I finally finished the parrot tulip painting I started some time ago and several interim albeit unfinished paintings later. I went back and forth as to whether to continue with the warm centers and cool exteriors of the tulips or revert back to my old ways (see earlier progression photos below). Well honestly I'm not sure what I have here--a bit of both, but I'm very happy with how the tulips came out despite not having obviously warm centers. But cools and warms are all relative, which is definitely true here. The violet streaks of what is really white, while not a warm violet, was the trick to make this look right. I have to say I usually love painting delpht pottery, but this was a bear and I painted over the pot several times. I got great advise from my mentor and artist Kurt Schwartz to make the highlights very pale yellow. That was the ticket. A fresh (and experienced) eye is always a treat.

Fall Oil Painting Class Starts September 30, 2010

I'm teaching a Still Life Oil Painting course at ArtSpace Herndon

750 Center Street, Herndon

8 Classes Starting Sept 30 - November 18, 2010

Classes held Thursdays from 7-10 pm

To Register contact Vicki Blum at info@vickiblum.com or contact Robin Carroll at ArtSpace: 703/956-6590

Learn classical methods of painting. Students will paint from a still life set up or from their own photos. Students will begin by drawings the subject matter using large strokes to block in light and shadow areas. This will be followed with a general blocking in of colors using the same light and shadow principles. Students will then refine their paintings by adding detail paying attention to relative value, color temperature, color accuracy and proportions. Adults and teens welcome. Recommended for beginning to intermediate painters who want to improve the realistic appearance of their work.

Cost $187.