One Finished, One Started

I finished the painting above yesterday, though I still don't have a name for it. Suggestions, anyone? It seems the subject has come out looking a little upset, and she's kind-of squashed between those black stripes on either end of the canvas, so I have had little ideas of what she might be apprehensive about, but am interested in what others see in this one. You will notice if you look closely that, relatively speaking, I have left the fabric in the background unfinished. I decided I don't leave things as-is enough, and felt the fabric was fairly-well defined and added a contrast to the flesh.

On to the next one. This is a quick scrub-in I did last night for my painting, "Jake." All that is on this canvas right now is ivory black+OMS in the background and a couple other spots, burnt umber+OMS scrubbed into the flesh areas, and then black+titanium white (to make it look cooler, or more 'blue') +OMS for the jeans. I really look forward to working on this one again, and hope to get it finished-up in a jiffy!

P.S. My painting "Sloth" is practically finished. Just a couple details and a signature and I will be all set. I'd post an update, but I don't have a picture from my good camera.

Sloth - Getting So Close!

I'm working really hard to get this finished up! I have yet to work on the lower section of red on the sofa, the legs, or the floor. After I get to that stuff, I think it will just be a little tweaking here and there across the composition.

This pic is cropped from the larger image, so some of the detail is lost.

I've been adding highlights by scumbling. I start by mixing up a very light color, in this case titanium white mixed with ultramarine blue, pthalo turquoise, and ivory black. Obviously, the mixture is almost completely white. I dab a small amount onto the canvas in the areas to be lightened. Then, I take a clean, old bristle brush that is in pretty bad shape and I would not otherwise use for painting, and I use it to scrub the paint thinly over the surface.

As paint builds up on the brush, I wipe it off on a rag and then begin scrubbing again. This helps create a nice glow as the underneath layers are visible through lighter top layer. In the above images, already scumbled areas include the forehead, brow bones, and upper cheek. The nose, chin, and lower cheek are waiting to be done.

Sunday Life Painting - Week 1

I get two more Sundays to work on this one. I am happy with this so far, except for the lower hand. Didn't have time to refine it and get it the right shape and size before the session was over. This is all on a little 10" x 8" panel.

Sloth - Additions and Adjustments II

I have a much better image of this area today. Of course, keep in mind that much of the canvas in this area has still not been painted other than the very first under layer. The bottle, pills, remote, and hand are nearly finished, though. I will add some of the cool blue/turquoise color the pills especially and work some more on the details of the buttons. Oh, and I changed the shadows from last time. Still not sure they are right where they need to be.

I was hoping to go ahead and get this painting done this week, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. Maybe I need to accept the idea that I could be working on this for the rest of my life!

Sloth - Additions and Adjustments

Unfortunately I don't have a better image of this that shows the red of the bottle, etc., but I have added a prescription bottle with pills, and moved the location of the remote. Can anyone guess where the bottle is from? However, I think my shadows might be going slightly in the wrong direction. I am looking into it.

Kansas City, KS Arts Blog

I've started yet another blog! This one highlights the arts in KC, KS. I am posting any info that comes to me about the arts in KCK, and will also highlight local arts groups and individual artists.

Check it out: http://kcksarts.blogspot.com/

Please subscribe by entering your email in the box in the upper right-hand corner. Don't worry, it won't send your email address to me!

Also, don't forget about the KCKSARTS Yahoo! Group!

Painting Updates

Here's a closeup of Sloth's face. Today I worked on the lower hand and started sketching in the remote control. I do, in fact, have an old VCR remote at the studio that I am using for a reference.


I've been working on this one at home, but feel the forward leg went too orange. Back to work I go!

Legislative Alert from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

HOUSE PASSES ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE; ARTS FUNDING INTACT

ACTION ALERT: CONTACT SENATORS

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, January 28, passed the economic stimulus legislation – H.R.1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – with provisions intact allocating $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. All Republican House members, joined by 11 Democrats, voted against the measure.

TAKE ACTION: The Senate expects to vote on its version of the stimulus legislation the week of February 2. If you have not yet done so, please contact your senators urging their support to retain the $50 million allocation for the National Endowment for the Arts when the economic stimulus legislation takes final shape by including the provision passed by the House, with 40% of the NEA funds going to state arts agencies and the remainder distributed in direct grants to fund arts projects that preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector.

Reach your senators by phone through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121, or by email at http://www3.capwiz.com/mygov/dbq/officials/

• Public funding for the arts is a sound investment in states and communities facing tough economic conditions.
• The arts generate jobs, tax revenues and consumer spending.
• NEA funds to state arts agencies will enable state support for the arts to continue where a depressed economy has resulted in revenue shortfalls.

In the days leading up to the House floor debate on the bill, the arts funding had been singled out by critics of the legislation as an example of needless spending. When the measure came to the House floor on Wednesday, Rep. David Obey (D-WI), chair of the Appropriations Committee and floor manager for the bill, asserted that such claims caused the debate to become “incredibly trivialized.” In defense of the spending decisions made in the bill, he pointed out that the “arts funding in this bill is a tiny fraction of this entire bill . . . about 6 cents out of every $1,000 contained in this legislation.”

He then aimed his remarks at the economic purposes of the legislation and the economic significance of the arts sector: “People ask, What does funding for the arts have to do with jobs? It is very simple. People in the arts field are losing their jobs just like anybody else. . . . You have local arts agencies, you have local orchestras, local symphonies and local arts groups of all kinds who are shutting down, laying people off, and in a number of instances going bankrupt. This is a small, tiny effort to keep some of those people employed over the next two years. I make no apology for it. We have an obligation to salvage as many jobs as we can regardless of the fields in which people work.”

Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), chair of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and sponsor of the arts funding in the stimulus package, joined Obey in defending the NEA funds. He cited the arts community as a tremendous cultural resource that “also serves to create jobs in local communities all across our nation.”

Dicks went on to say that the arts sector of the economy “has been inordinately impacted by the severe economic downturn we have been experiencing in this past year . . . and the result has been disastrous for many of our nation's arts agencies and programs. . . . The amount in this bill is intended to provide small grants to try to restore some of the jobs which have been lost in the arts communities over the past year. In addition to retaining jobs, these funds will support programs which provide entertainment and richness in the lives of our communities at a time when they are badly needed. In the context of this large economic stimulus legislation, I believe this is a prudent investment, and that it will contribute measurably to restoring the fiscal health of our nation.”

Speaking in opposition to the bill, Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA) included the arts funding in a list of “special interest groups' pet projects” that “represent an increase in government spending, not job creation.” Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), also speaking against the legislation, cited the NEA funding with others as “some of the most egregious examples of programs within the massive spending bill.”

Democrats voting against the stimulus package were Reps. Allen Boyd (D-FL), Bobby Bright (D-AL), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), Parker Griffith (D-AL), Paul Kanjorski (D-PA), Frank Kratovil (D-MD), Walt Minnick (D-ID), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Heath Shuler (D-NC), and Gene Taylor (D-MS), including four freshman members of the House, three of whom replaced Republican officeholders.

Untitled Figure Progress, Yet Another Knife Paintig

Yesterday was a productive day for me! I got back to work on this figure, and decided I want to finish it within the next few days. The perimeter of the area I finished up starts at the top of her closer shoulder, goes down her back and around her tush to her lower wrist, across the wrist and along the arm, and then includes that entire shadow area from shoulder to shoulder. I still have the face, legs, and hands to work on, then on to the background.

I also did this quick knife painting for fun. Just playing around with some more muted colors this time.

Sloth Face Update

OK, this is with more work done on the face! Trying to get that cool lighting that would come from a TV.

Sloth Progress, Life Sketch, Knife Painting

Started working on the face today, and am going to be back at it tomorrow. It looks kind-of funny in this in-between stage, but I have high hopes for where it ends up.

This is my sketch from Sunday's life painting class. I want to work on it more from memory, but I don't think I'll have the time. Also can't seem to get a picture without glare. After I collect a couple more images from the others in the group, I will post them here for all to see. There's really great work happening there!

Finally, here's another knife painting. I'm still having fun painting these, even though I am not sure how successful I think they are.

Quick Oil Figures at ARTichokes

QUICK OIL FIGURES
Ages: 18 – 100

Thursdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

CLASS DATES: FEB 5, FEB 12, FEB 19 and FEB 26

This figure class will do a variety of oil sketches, one per day! A live, clothed model will pose each day giving students a chance to learn proportion and shading of the human form. Students will have lots of practice capturing gesture and expression and learning how to recreate the pose with oil paint and brushes on their own paper.

Improve your artistic eye with helpful tips from one of Kansas City's best figure artists, Lacey Lewis.

All art supplies are provided by ARTichokes & this cost is included in the enrollment fee.

Instructor: Lacey Lewis
Minimum students per session: 8
Maximum students per session: 12
Cost for 4 classes: $185.00, plus tax

ARTichokes
913.322.9481
10557 Mission Road,
Leawood, KS 66206
info@artichokeskc.com

Sign of the Times

Last week I received an email from someone at the Kansas Arts Commission.

Dear Lacey,

It has been a pleasure to review your Mid-Career Fellowship application in recent weeks. As you know this program was created to honor artists for their achievements, to nurture artists living in Kansas through nominal financial support, and to develop a sense of pride regarding the arts in Kansas. As I’m sure you are also aware, the state of Kansas is caught in the same economic turmoil rippling across the country. In turn, the Kansas Arts Commission has been directly affected with a mid-year budget cut leaving us unable to fund the fellowship for which you have applied.

Despite this unfortunate turn of events, the Kansas Arts Commission has unanimously agreed to move forward with the Fellowship and Emerging Artist honors. We believe it is critical to honor you because your work is an indelible part of Kansas’ creative culture stimulus package, which is needed perhaps now more than ever!

The guidelines for this program stipulate that artists may receive the honor twice in any given category over the course of your career. Due to the fact that funding is not available this year, I realize you may wish to withdraw your application. That is a difficult choice to make, particularly in light of the enormous effort you have put into your application thus far. Please consider your options and let me know as soon as possible whether or not you wish to continue in the current review process. I must hear from you no later than Tuesday, January 20th, in order to move forward with the program in a timely fashion.

Thank you again for sharing your work. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours very truly,

Name Removed

Everyday, I see more ways that we are affected by our struggling economy; Friends and family are laid-off or the businesses they work for are behind on payroll, our 401K's dwindle, etc. With all that is happening, I am glad that the KAC decided not to nix the fellowship program for the year. My response was as follows:

Dear Name Removed,

I *do not* wish to withdraw my application! I agree wholeheartedly with the KAC's decision to move forward with the honors even without funding. Money is not the priority, (obviously, or else we wouldn't be artists!) and especially during these tough times do we need to be encouraged.

Thank you so much for contacting me about this, and cheers to everyone at the KAC for continuing with this program in the face of budget-cuts.

Regards,
Lacey

I spoke with this person on the phone, as it seemed my email was lost in cyberspace, and so was able to ask how artists in general were responding. Happily, I learned that very few artists withdrew their applications! I'm glad to hear that even without funding, we are sending a message to all that these programs are important to us as artists. I hope that during these difficult economic times, programs like this do not disappear. There must be some way for us all to come together as a community to support each other in our endeavors.

"Sloth" Progress and Another Knife Painting

I don't have a very good progress picture of "Sloth" to share. I bought a new little point-and-shoot camera so that I wouldn't have to lug my big-old Nikon around with me every day, but that's meant in low-light that it's hard to get a clear accurate pic. The photo above is with the flash, the one below is without the flash but very grainy and colorless.

Hopefully you can see how I've worked on the shirt, and the arms up to the wrists. Unfortunately, neither of the images really shows what's happening in the forward arm. The arm isn't so blotchy, and the colors have this range of hues including a blue-ish reflected light from the shirt. Perhaps I'll be in with my Nikon soon to get a better pic of this.

And, I did another little 5x5 knife painting. Still not where I want to be, but still learning. I plan to continue to do a couple of these every now and then, and will even attempt a slightly larger one soon.

Knife Paintings

Last night I did these two 5x5 knife paintings. I want to get better with the knife, and it's also nice to do something fun and quick. This I can do in a couple hours; my figures generally take weeks. My first attempt, above, looks great from across the room, but up close is a bit choppier than I'd like. I'm thinking if it's still wet enough, I might try and work on the surface texture a bit more.

Here's my second attempt of the evening. I'm much more pleased with this one. Both of these paintings are much improved over my first two attempts at knife painting that I did in Richard Bowman's class. I'm really glad I took that class!

It'd be fun to try and paint a figure with the knife. Anyway, off to pick up some more 5x5 canvases...

Sunday Figure Painting

Here's my start of a figure painting from today's session. The model is wonderfully pale, and I hope to get her skin to glow when I add color next week. I didn't include the entire figure, but she was in a very difficult pose and it was *gorgeous!* I know how slowly I work, though, and knew it would be difficult for me to get any kind of a finish in only two sessions if I included the whole figure. If I get permission from the others, I'll include their paintings and drawings of this model next week.

Figure Sketch - Thursday Class Day 2

Here's the sketch from class with some color added. I didn't get to put in a lot of detail, and was unable to include her tattoos in the short amount of time that I had, but I got some decent color info in here. Something like this would work really well as a point of departure for a finished painting, since it gives you hue and light distribution information along with the drawing.

Weekly Studio Update

Gosh, do you remember this one? Do you remember when I started it? I don't. Every time I pick it up, I take it in a different direction than I had planned. For example, until now I wasn't going to include any black in the composition. When I got back to work on it, though, it seemed like a good idea and I like it! In the near future I should do a post about black; I am often asked what I use for black, and of course there is the long passed-down notion that one should not use black paint. More on that another time.

I've gotten a little bit of work done on "Sloth" in the studio. I am working on her shirt now, and you can see how the section between her shoulders is further along than the rest. So much of this painting is going to go way down in value! Anyway, I feel like I am tackling the more difficult part by doing the fabrics first.

Finally, here's a sketch I did from life last weekend. I'm not used to throwing the charcoal around like that. I much prefer to draw as you do with a pencil, but that takes so much time! I might try to finish this from a photo I took. This coming weekend I will start a figure painting from life.

I actually do have more that I want to post about, but time is short and I need to head out to my Thursday figure painting class at ARTichokes. Soon I'll be back with more work, and some other thoughts.

Figure Painting Class - Day 1

Just thought I'd drop in and share about today's figure painting class at ARTichokes! We have a nice small class, which I like because I can spend more time with each student and spend more time on the demo I create while everyone is working. Today we just worked on a monochromatic wash-in using burnt umber, mineral spirits, and a kneaded eraser. We toned the whole canvas, drew with the paint, and erased lights with the kneaded eraser.

Everyone in the class did a great job and came up with something that will be a good base for color. (This one is mine.) Next class, we will use the same model in the same pose and add color on top of this underpainting. I will teach a simplified variation of the color strings I mentioned in some previous post to help us get flesh tones on the canvas quickly. It's only a 2 hour class, so it's best to keep it simple!

Sloth - Fabric

The few times I have been able to get into the studio lately, I have been working on the pants. They are really more complex than I thought they would be, and I've learned that even at this large scale I still need to get out my smallest round brushes to describe some of the edges and creases. Also, the lighting in this is very complicated and will take some very careful observation and color mixing to make work. Right now the pants seem a bit blue, but hopefully by the time I am done it will more appear that they are lit by a blue-toned light. It wouldn't seem that way right now since the flesh tones aren't very much influenced by that kind of light yet.

I did start a drawing last Sunday from a live model, but I'm not quite ready to post it. I spent most of my time just measuring, and at the end quickly tried to toss in some shading. I look forward to working on it again this weekend! It was a really nice class with Louis Copt and Anthony Benton Gude joining in to work from the model.

Speaking of classes, my figure painting class at ARTichokes in Leawood starts up this Thursday 10am-12pm! There's still time for you to sign-up or just come by Thursday morning ready to get to work.

Weekly Studio Update

With the holidays and my birthday, it has of course been a less productive week. Last weekend I had to skip out early on my weekly painting class, but came back this week and got as far as above. There is not a real likeness, but I might be able to work on it some more in the near future.

Today I finally got back to work on "Sloth." I've added another layer to the legs, but they still aren't close to where I want them hue and value-wise, and also darkened the shadow behind the figure. It will be a slow week for this painting, too, since the holidays really aren't yet over!

I've done a couple more little sketches in my sketch book, and will hopefully do more on the days I am not able to make it into the studio. If I don't post again in 2008... cheers and have a great New Year!

Studio Sketch

Today I went into the studio, did a bunch of cleaning, and then got set up to get to work on "Sloth." But, I just wasn't feeling it. I only had an hour and a half left to work at that point, and I didn't have a particular plan of attack. So, I opened up my folding table and put a varnish layer on "Woe and Joy." With even less time left, I debated between finding some other task that needed doing or heading home early to sneak in a nap. I decided to get out my new mini-sketch book that was in my purse and do this quick rendering of my studio. When you click on the image to view it full size, it will be the same size as in real life.

You can see my varnished painting drying on the table all the way at the right. Against the wall behind it are a desk and a blank canvas leaning against the wall. Then you see "Sloth" and my painting cart with the faux walls and chair set up from the weekend's class. Now in the left-hand corner is my canvas/painting storage thing, and then a couple of carpet-covered panels to use as model-stands. I didn't draw what was on the other side of the fence on the left because I ran out of time. Tomorrow I will have more time and will come up with a plan for the painting tonight so I am ready to go in the morning.

January Class at ARTichokes

This could be the perfect gift for the artist or aspiring artist in your life, or for yourself! Contact ARTichokes to sign up.

Painting From Life
Thursdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
CLASS DATES: JAN 8, JAN 15, JAN 22 and JAN 29

Discover the tricks of the trade when it comes to painting from life (a live model)! While, to many, the human form is a difficult object to tackle, Lacey will help to calm all your uncertainties. In the first class, students will focus on composing the figure from a live model and building value. During the second class, students will learn how to prepare a flesh toned palette, in order to quickly block in the figure. For the final two classes, the model will stay in the same pose in order for the students to achieve finer details.

All levels of experience are welcome.

All art supplies are provided by ARTichokes & this cost is included in the enrollment fee.

Instructor: Lacey Lewis

Cost for 4 classes: $185.00, plus tax

Paintings Update

I got the canvas covered on "Sloth!" Of course, I was in a rush to get it done before I had to stop, so the values (on the knees especially) are off and up close it's a bit sloppy, but the base coat is down and I am happy about that. With the holidays this week, I will have limited time in the studio but plan to make the best of it.
Mid-week my apprentice and I also had the model for this painting come in so we could work, but the light was quickly fading so we only really got another hour in. The next day I did something I really never do: I worked on it with no reference at all, just my memory. Considering that I never do that I think it came out pretty well! I really didn't touch the hands and feet because I don't remember those details, and the legs aren't as solid as I'd like, but this has turned out to be a pretty good little study. The face is a real challenge because it is so small, so it's not a very good likeness. The picture above at full size is about the same size as the painting in real life, 12" x 6". That makes the head less than 1.25".

Today I am off to my weekly figure painting class and then will be at the studio all day tomorrow. I'll update on my progress in a couple days.

Progresses

Today I was back in the studio working on "Sloth." Another day and I should have the whole thing blocked in. I forgot to take a picture, but I acquired some awesome new studio furniture last Friday from some kind souls at a school that was getting rid of said furniture. They came just in time as one of the pieces works great as a painting cart while standing.

Saturday, I continued working on the above painting from life during the weekly figure painting class I've been holding in my studio. Unfortunately, I'm a slow, slow painter, but it looks like I might get the model to come back again this week.

Finally, I thought I'd repost this painting since the color on the previous picture of it was way off. It's still not the best piece ever, but it was fun and I look forward to breaking out the knives again some time soon.

Kansas City, KS Arts

There is a growing arts community in Kansas City, KS, though I admittedly have a hard time putting my finger on just what and where it is! I'm one of those people that due to family commitments and my busy schedule am not generally able to get out to lots of real-life in-person meetings. However, I am somewhat tech-savvy and have therefore created a Yahoo group to connect and unite artists and those involved with or interested in the arts in Kansas City, KS.

I just started it up last Friday, and already we have almost three dozen members, as many messages, and several files, databases, and even a poll! There are opportunities listed for getting involved with non-profits, business workshops for artists, and several meetings and gatherings. There's a lot more happening here than I realized!

You need not be an artist, be directly involved in the arts, or live or work in KCK in order to join the group. You need only to be interested in what's happening. Check it out and sign up!

• KCKSARTS Yahoo! Group
  

Sloth - The Early Stages

I just started the largest-scale painting I have ever attempted. This canvas is 4ft high by 6ft wide. For the first time ever, I have used a large gesso brush to apply oil paint. (Anyone know a great way to get paint out of such a large brush, by the way?) It was crazy; there was paint everywhere! Psst: There's no paint on the figure yet, if that wasn't obvious.

This is where the canvas stood yesterday before I left the studio, with my composition lines and cartoon sketched in charcoal. When I arrived this morning, I made a couple changes to Woe and Joy (wait, did I say that was finished?) spent an hour cleaning my palette and then got started with the big ol' brushes. I also had a chat with Steve Curtis of S2 Studios, which is in the Kansan building as well, and we have some ideas brewing. More on that later tonight or tomorrow.

The other day I also felt like taking a picture of my desk. For some reason it just made me happy. All the way to the left you can see a teeny painting that was started from life last Saturday. The figure is maybe 9 or 10 inches high. Not an intriguing composition, but I will work on it again this Saturday and hopefully wind up with a good figure study. Just trying out a few ideas with it.

Tomorrow yet more changes with be made at the studio. I am finally getting some curtains put up, and I am also getting some way cool flat files. Then, in the evening, feel free to stop by the open studios from 5-8pm. I'm in the Pressroom Studios at 750 Armstrong in KC, KS. Hope to see you there!

Woe and Joy

"Woe and Joy"

Oil on Canvas 40" x 30"

Woe and joy indeed! I am so happy this painting is finally finished. In a couple weeks when it is dry enough, I will varnish it so that the deeper shadows in the hair and flesh tones really blend well with the background.

The name for the painting came from the title of a blog post by the above model when she announced her baby had been born. Originally, I had a more dramatic title and theme for this painting, (face paint was involved, I'll just say that) but after the image and message became more subtle I started trying to think of a new title. As soon as I read the posted announcement on her blog, I knew I had my name! Of course, she is a writer, so what better source for such things?

I finished this painting off today during a seven hour session in my studio. It was awesome. I am not sure I have had a day that long at the studio yet! Not only did I complete this one, but I got started on my next big project and tidied up a bit, too. Good times.

Bowman Class

Today I attended Richard Bowman's landscape painting class at ARTichokes, and it was everything I'd hoped for! (That's Richard above with his cloud demo.) Actually, I am not sure I had a particular idea of what I wanted the class to be like, but I knew I wanted it to be different than anything I usually do. It was!

We all started off watching and listening as Bowman explained and demonstrated how he mixes his palette and his thought process behind it. The picture above is my palette mixed up in a similar manner to the way he did his. Certainly different than any way I've worked before!

After that, Richard started a demo of a cloud on his own canvas before we sat down to our own work. I took this picture in the beginning stage of my own cloud. I felt like I was trying to paint with my left hand (I'm right handed) when using the palette knife, which is all we used the whole class. I also used many paper towels wiping off my knife and numerous times got paint on my hands. Don't worry, I didn't panic. At least not on the outside.

The above 'Cloud/Blob' thing is the result of my first go with the knife. I think this may have taken about an hour, and even though it is ultra-blob-like and not so much cloudy, I'm happy with the result because it was so much outside the box for me. Sometime towards the end I started to figure out how to use the knife. It was difficult for me to figure out how to spread the paint without laying down too much paint nor scraping through to the canvas.

Here's my attempt at a sunset done during the 2nd half of the class. I started off at the top intending to do the whole sky in a higher key with lower chroma, but then as I got lower in the painting I got darker and brighter. Now I wish I would've kept it lighter at the bottom or darker at the top, but oh well. I can always grab another canvas and give it another go, right?

Richard Bowman is an energetic teacher, very helpful and has a great sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about knife landscape painting and it was a welcome break from my usual grind.