An article about my work in O & S (Poets and Artists)

O & S is a magazine featuring artists and poets, beautifully designed by Didi Menendez, I'm very pleased to say that I'm in the latest issue, right next to an article on Mario Robinson whose work I admire very much. In fact, O & S is full of good art and poetry, and the exceptional design alone is a visual treat. You can now view the publication online here, and soon you will be able to buy it at selected newsstands and bookstores.

I'll be giving a Workshop in March

Here's the info:

PAINTING PEOPLE FROM PHOTOGRAPHS
Wayne Art Center, Wayne PA
www.wayneart.org

Co-instructors: Alexandra Tyng and Nancy Bea Miller
Saturday, March 13, 2010
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a lunch break

$100 members/ $125 non-members

Although slavish copying from photos is discouraged by most well-known portrait and figurative artists working today, many of these same artists use photographic references in the process of creating exceptional work. Through power-point presentation we will look at many examples of art painted from life and at least partially from photos. We will compare and evaluate a variety of reference photographs and discuss the pros and cons of different kinds of lighting. We will also have time for hands-on experimentation as we practice taking our own photographic reference shots. Participants are encouraged to bring a digital camera with cable attachment or card-reader, and a laptop computer.

Lunch is not provided so please bring your own lunch and snacks.

Judge and Jury

Photo by David Lee

The Parkland Art League, a large and active organization in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, asked me and Nancy Bea Miller to jury and judge their Annual Juried Show at the Allentown Art Museum last Thursday. It took more than an hour to drive there, which made me realize the long commute a couple of my students have who live out in that area and belong to this art league.

Since Nancy Bea and I have slightly different styles and different taste in art, we wondered on the trip up to Allentown whether our difference would make the selection process more difficult--but it actually went smoothly, though it took a lot of thought. There were so many good paintings! Going through this experience makes one appreciate what jurors go through, and how tough it is to decide.

Here I am with Nancy Bea on the steps of the museum.

A Semester of Color

Ellen in cool light
Ellen in warm light

For the past three years I've been teaching a class in portrait painting at the Wayne Art Center. This class has been rewarding in so many ways. When I was in my twenties I never imagined that I would like teaching, and I couldn't understand how my parents, both architects, could enjoy it so much. But my attitude gradually changed. I began to take on private students, then a friend asked me to take over his portrait class, and the rest is history.

I have a wonderful group of students (some of whom are professional artists) who ask such great questions. Last spring I noticed they were asking a lot about color, so I decided to devote a few classes to painting with a limited palette. The few classes turned into a whole semester of painting with six colors--two reds, two yellows and two blues, plus white--and it has been a real learning experience for me as well, since I normally paint with lots of colors on my palette.

Our last exercise was to paint the same model twice, once in warm light and once in cool light. My friend Ellen Cooper, a portrait painter, posed for us. I was able to do very quick oil sketches of her in each light. At the end of the class we all compared our paintings in warm and cool light, and the results were exciting.

Star-Studded Cast

James Toogood and I standing in front of our paintings.
Outside/Inside, oil, 42" x 50"

The Philadelphia Sketch Club is celebrating its 150th year with an exhibit of paintings by past and present members. As one of the present members, I was invited to be in the show, and I have to say it really knocked my socks off to see my painting hanging in the same room with an N.C. Wyeth, a Thomas Eakins, a Rockwell Kent, a Daniel Garber, a Thomas Moran. . . the list goes on and on. A humbling and awe-inspiring experience!

You might notice something about these illustrious past members: they are all male. That's because the Sketch Club just started admitting female members very recently. think I'm one of four women artists in the exhibition.

The show comes down tomorrow, and I'll be sad to see all those amazing works go back to their permanent homes.

Beaver Farm Opening at Rosenfeld Gallery, Philadelphia

Garth Herrick in Fedora delivering calendars, Lynne Campbell on right.
Carla Tudor and Eliza Drake Auth trying the delicious food
Ani and Guy Alma, who live at Beaver Farm and run the program there, with Nancy Bea Miller
Giovanni Casadei and Marianne Mitchell talking
Here I am with my paintings.
I'm still coming down from the euphoria and excitement of a packed gallery, enthusiastic crowd, and brisk sales--an unusual sight these days. Tuesday evening was the culmination of our Plein Air Day at Beaver Farm event. Nancy Bea Miller organized the painting events and the one-day group show at the Rosenfeld Gallery in Philadelphia. At least 25% of the sales went directly to benefit the Camphill Special Schools, and some artists donated the entire purchase price of their work to the school. The energy in the gallery was palpable, all the more so because the space was packed to the gills. I wish I had better photos to show of the crowd. There was a man with a TV camera who hold to hold the camera high to get through the crowd.

As we packed up the remaining work the following morning, the gallery owner Richard Rosenfeld was answering calls from more people interested in buying art! In all, over 50% of the work was sold and more is expected to sell. Not bad for a recession! Some of the best artwork is still available, so check out the online gallery if you are interested in seeing it. Garth Herrick and I made calendars which will be available for purchase. They contain lots of images of the work, and of artists hanging out together and painting at Beaver Farm. Information on how to purchase the calendars will be posted on the school website.

Beaver Farm Paintings: Exhibition and Benefit

PLEIN AIR AT BEAVER FARM EXHIBIT

Please join us for a reception and sale featuring art created en plein air inspired by the landscape of Beaver Farm, home of Camphill Special School's Transition Program for young adults with special needs.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

The Rosenfeld Gallery
113 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

www.therosenfeldgallery.com
215-922-1376