(I'm still hoping for my Italy trip this year...so I'm sending out Italian Painting Terms for the Quiz questions !!!).

Quiz:  What is the term used to describe a figure in a painting in which the body and legs are twisted so that they're in different planes?

__Contrapposotional.

__Contrapposto.

__Contrapuntal.

__Contrarious.

Views: 2,125....from...USA, Mexico, Brazil, Serbia and Russia.

Art Work:

More art work to enjoy.....

Colette:

                                                           Watercolor and Pen

Kathy:

                                                               Watercolor

Diana:

                                                                      Watercolor
 Thanks for sharing.

Artwork:

Below are three different portraits, using different techniques. I wish I had gotten photos of all the artwork from this assignment....they were wonderful.

The first two Portraits.....Contour drawing is a quick drawing where you look at your subject and not your paper, you never lift your pencil...so there are connecting lines one is not accustom to. The point is to draw what you see, not what you think the subject looks like and to bring in personality.

Byrnie: 
This assignment was to draw yourself with a contour drawing and then paint with two colors only in watercolor with tons of water and be abstract. This painting came out just the way I had envisioned the assignment. It is so wonderful. Thank you, Byrnie, for your years of experience and know how.

Stephanie: 
Again...what a wonderful painting. Thanks.

Diana:
This is from the Complementary Color Challenge of using Blue and Orange. Diana said she wasn't happy with her painting...but I think it has so much personality and the mystery of what is she looking at? I don't think she has done many portraits, but she did so well. Thanks you, Diana. 

Views: ...2027...USA, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy & South Korea.

Art Challenge:

The Intermediate Class decided to paint using a Complemenary Color Scheme of Blue & Orange. We select the challenge during the first day of class and 5 weeks later on the last class we have a gallery showing of their artwork. Some work on it during class while others paint it at home.

Karen:

Stephanie: 

Colette:

Jean:

Bonnie:

Quiz: What is the term derived from the Italian for a sculpture that sticks out slightly from the surface it is carved from, but is not completely detached from it?
Answer: bas-relief.

Views:...1991...USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, and South Korea.

Pick your words wisely:
As an art instructor, I have a statement I always refrain  myself from saying to students. It sounds sort of snobbish and could really discourage others. However, it seem to fit for my last Abstract Workshop....so I said it. Sometimes, I feel like saying it when I see a great student not put that "Emotion or Pre-Thought" into their artwork (but that is my stuff and not always needed to be passed along).  However, it just needed to be said when dealing with Abstract...all that emotion and all. That statement goes...

"There are Artist and there are Painters".  
One isn't especially better than the other...they are different breeds and neither are purebreds. I paint to keep my skills up, but I create for my artists within. 

I realize...the "Artist" stage may come along later in the career...when one decides that there could be more an artist is suppose to do than maybe paint a painting....but I also realize that it isn't necessary to be great at artwork. It is just a stage, a thought, an emotion or a need that some develop along the way. An Artist can change minds, show the climate of the times, be a guide, teach, make viewers see and do....besides being enjoyed and viewed. Some artist excite, shock, enrage, question, please and stimulate with their art. 

May all your art be satisfying for you and all others that view it. Keep art in your life.

Thanks for listening.

Quiz: 
What is the term derived from the Italian for a sculpture that sticks out slightly from the surface it is carved from, but is not completely detached from it?
Views: 1976 ....USA, Russia, Germany & United Kingdom.

Abstract....the "A" Word.

Abstract Art...Non-Representational Class. I taught the 2nd Abstract Workshop yesterday. I, personally, was very excited in presenting it, as this was the one time I felt I could truly present the "emotional artist within concept". Abstract is so reliant on Emotion and Composition...not that all art isn't...but they are the backbone for Abstract.

The class lent itself to times of raw emotion story-telling....which perhaps made for some uncomfortable times.  All in the class were troopers. There were a few students that I felt might have been uncomfortable or not ready for Abstract or for whatever individual reason. I do hope all received the necessary lessons that Abstract Art gives.

There was one project that everyone...I do mean everyone...of the students painted with such actuate results from the lesson given. One student was brought to tears, as I. I would have loved to have photos of each one to show on this blog...but they were so personal, I didn't feel like I should move in on them by asking permission to post their art.

Expression through Art is a wonderful thing...Art is Therapy.

Thank you, Abstract Art Students.

Blog Views: USA, Germany, France, Indonesia, Russia, Italy, Kazakhstan, South Korea....1899 hits.

I taught an Abstract...Geometric Workshop. It is the first of a 3 part series. This one was aimed at taking that first step into abstraction using a formula. We painted the same composition, but each student/artist choose their own colors.

Martha

Liz

Karen

Joni

I had time to fill in my large solid shapes with smaller shapes and have the background color show through. 

These make me think of Matisse's cut paper art. 

Quote: "You can't use up Creativity. The more you use, the more you have". Maya Angelow


Quiz:
What is the technique called where painting is applied in a thick, textured way, with the marks made by the brush or palette knife remaining visible, such as in the work of Vincent van Gogh? (Yea...Karen, for the correct answer).
Answer: Impasto.  

Artwork: Some more beautiful artwork by my artist/students. Thank you.
Karen:
                  Look at that depth !!!!...(watercolor).

Bonnie:
             Great.     

Quiz:

 What is the technique called where painting is applied in a thick, textured way, with the marks made by the brush or palette knife remaining visible, such as in the work of Vincent van Gogh?

Views: 1,785....from USA, Germany & Indonesia.


My "Teacherly Ways"

I'm known by my student/artists as someone who repeats her self over and over....saying...more darks, more colors, more loose etc. Not that I mean they have to change their style or artistic emotion...I just want them to achieve what they want when they want it and to... 

                 BE DARING AND HAVE FAITH 

...and Colette, one of my student/artist, sent this to me to post. She stated: "My attempt to be bolder with color on this pear".
Now, this is what I have been saying !!!  Thank you for sharing.

Colette:

Blog Views: Total views equal 1,748. This week so far, there has been views from the USA and Ukraine.

Hi...I know it has been awhile since I have posted. It seems I have lots going on and all has been taking time.

 Teaching is one of my activities that takes some of my time. Someday's, it seems to be a double edged sword...with lots of rich desserts served on the side. I really love to teach. Teaching is like Art...Art doesn't treat each day equally and neither does teaching. I give my all and I can still feel like I just didn't reach everyone. I go home discouraged with myself, feeling I let my students down...the sword action strikes again...but then, I think it over, pull up my teaching boot straps, tweak my lesson plan and go forth with new gusto. 
 I receive lots of information, motivation, encouragement, and enlightenment from my students... that is the rich desserts I receive from teaching. 

The new term started last week...new students, new horizons and new knowledge...hopefully for my students and  myself. 

All you teachers out there....Go Forth....Good Luck...Have a Passion...
All you artists out there........Go Forth....Have a Passion.....Have Faith in Yourself...Good Luck..

I will try to post more often. I did receive some great art photos from students, and somehow I lost them...hopefully they will resend their artwork to me so I can post them...you will enjoy.

Blog Views: US, Russia and Ukraine....#1654 views.

Palette Knife Painting Workshop:
I just taught a Palette Knife Painting Workshop with some very talented artist/students....producing great paintings....some are below.  It was a fun day. Thanks.

Karen:

Liz:

Deb:

Patt:

Margaret:

Blog Views: US, Thailand, Ukraine, Canada, Chile, Egypt & India...1611.

School is about to it's end for this term...with Finals Week being next next.  My students are getting their portfolios assembled and with hope, they are on track with their final drawing. Then I'll have a few weeks off. I'm hoping to get a few paintings tucked in, taxes finished up, start on winter clean up (even though we still have snow on the ground) and all the fun stuff no one wants to do, but has to...it all just keeps one from  the studio. If this is true for you...hang in there  and you and I both will just set aside some time for us.

Blog Views: US, Russia, United Kingdom, Spain & Malaysia.

Quiz: Question: When does copyright of a painting you've created start?
Answer: When it's in a tangible form.

Quotes:
I have a favorite watercolor painter and have introduced him to my students.  His name is  
Joseph Zbukvic....he lives in Australia and here are a few of his interesting quotes. Look him up online to see his beautiful paintings. 

"Never say die, until it's dry".
"indicate, don't state".
"The "bead": The enzyme of watercolour pushes the color down the page as a bead of pigment. Join or blend anything while it is wet. You can avoid mud by always having one colour that dominates & plenty of water". Joseph Zbukvic.

Book Review:
The Artist's Muse...unlock the door to your creativity....by Betsy Dillard Stroud.

I forgot to include this review when I spoke about Artist Block. 
This book is wonderful. It is a book and card kit. It has a nice book and 3 sets of cards (you can see them on the left hand side of the open book photo). The cards are labeled: Circles of Growth, Windows of Opportunity and Doors of Awareness. The idea is to choose one card from each (or just one or two cards) and create from them.
Example:
Circles of Growth.............."Do a painting using only Cadmium Orange and a tube neutral".
Windows of Opportunity..."Do a painting using 100 brushstrokes only".
Doors of Awareness...."Paint a creative self-portrait by describing aspects of yourself in symbols. Use at least 3 things that are characteristic of you".
Have fun and may those artist blocks disappear.

Quiz:
When does copyright of a painting you've created start?

Artist Block:
Artist block is a real thing....what to paint, how to paint it, what media to use and where to find the time....etc. I've been lucky, Artist Block hasn't happen to me in regards to what to create....ideas come to me fast and furious all day long (or all night long...I'm a nighttime creator). One thing leads to another idea and then another and then another.....! Executing it is a different matter.....I don't always have the ability to do what I want. My answer to that is...(not to take away from the famous label brand's saying)...just do it. Do it several times with those triggered ideas adding to the last idea. Now, you are asking, what if the first idea isn't there for you?...no photo, no actual life scenery, no triggered thought comes to you or starts the process?  Start simple...take 5 different colored papers...cut, tear, burn, crumple etc...glue in an artful composition. Move them around...make them 3D or glue flat down on the paper. Try again...this time use those triggered ideas the first composition formed in your head. Try again. Maybe next time...use 5 paints or take a photo and cut it up, rearrange, add paint or color paper. Let loose, have fun and don't worry to much about the ending results (I bet those results will surprise and please you). Now, you are asking...how to find the time or the motivation. It's hard...but what are you waiting for? Give yourself the gift of the time to sit down and create...push yourself to be motivated. Are you depressed because you are not motivated...well, you are depressed because you are not motivated. You will feel better if you just do it...get in there and do something....start small....work toward big.

I can only give you my thoughts and ramblings...it's different for each and every one of us.

DON'T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE...DO IT...MAKE TIME...GO FOR IT...LOVE YOURSELF....FORGET THE DISHES TODAY....DON'T FEEL GUILTY...DON'T EXPLAIN...YOU'LL FEEL BETTER AND REBORN IF YOU JUST GO IN AND DO SOMETHING... 

Good Luck....let me know how it is going for you.

Blog Views: 
US, Ukraine, China, Germany & United Kingdom....1,513.

Quote:

The

"earth"

without

"art"

is just

"eh".

Challenge: I gave each student/artist one sheet of gold & silver Josh paper and a Chinese New Year Money Envelop. I said go for it.

Colette: 

This is Colette's  art. 

Liz:
....and this is Liz's artwork.

Joni:
...and here is mine.

Blog Views: US, Poland, Australia and South Korea.

Artwork: Two artist students...Liz and Colette... have offered their paintings for you to enjoy. 

Colette: 

Liz:

I offered each of my Intermediate artist/students to see if they could incorporate two objects into their artwork...a gold and silver Josh paper and a  Chinese New Year Money Envelop. This one is Liz's mix-media.

Hello....

I know it has been a long time since I posted. Winter has brought me a lot to do....besides, I haven't had any inspiration from others and their art to post or write about. As much as I enjoy having this blog in my life, I may need to consider closing it and this chapter in my life....food for thought. Let me know and help me out...e-mail me your art and statements...leave comments...help me to keep this afloat. 

Blog Viewer's: US, India, Poland, Ukraine and Romania....1,411 views to date. 

Quote: "I have no particular talent. I am merely inquisitive."                     
                                                                Albert Einstein.

I like this quote, but not how it starts out negative...but for those of you that think you have to be an "artists" to participate or enjoy this blog, the 2nd sentence of this quote can say it all.

Have a great day !!!

                !  HAPPY  NEW  YEAR  !


Hi...Hope you are having a great day and that this year will be full of great expectations. 

Are you a resolution maker? I tend to be....I write them down, post the list on my board and look at that list for 365 days.  Not all that many get scratched off. I have regulars...paint more, write more, exercise more, etc etc etc. (I never really know what constitutes MORE).  I'm thinking of throwing in a few new ones this year.

"If you never try, you will never know what you can accomplish." (unknown).

I've been on holiday vacation from school and a few other things in life (but not from shoveling snow). I haven't posted regularly, but that should improve once classes start up again next week.

Merry Christmas

Afrikaans - "Geseënde Kersfees en ‘n Voorspoedige Nuwe Jaar."

Arabic - "I'd Miilad Said Oua Sana Saida"

Argentine - "Felices Pasquas Y felices ano Nuevo"

Armenian - "Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand"

Basque - Eguberri on

Bohemian - "Vesele Vanoce"

Breton - "Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat"

Bulgarian - "Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo"

Chinese - [Mandarin] - "Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan"

Chinese - [Catonese] - "Saint Dan Fai Lok"

Cornish - "Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth"

Croatian - "Sretan Bozic i Nova Godina" (Merry Christmas & Happy New Year)

Czech - "Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok"

Danish - "Glædelig Jul"

Dutch - "Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar"

Inupiaq Eskimo (Kotzebue area in NW Alaska)- Quvianagli Anaiyyuniqpaliqsi suli Nakuuluni Ukiutqiutiqsi-
(Merry Christmas) (and) (Happy New Year)

English - "Merry Christmas"

Estonian - "Haid joule ja head uut aastat"

Farsi - "Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad"

Filipino-"Maligayang Pasko"

Happy New Year in Filipino.."Manigong Bagong Taon"

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Filipino- "Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon"

Finnish - "Hyvaa joulua"

French - "Joyeux Noël"

German - "Froehliche Weihnachten"

Greek - "Kala Christouyenna"

Hawaiian - "Mele Kalikimaka"

Hebrew - "Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova"

Hindi - "Shub Naya Baras"

Hungarian - "Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket"

Icelandic - "Gledileg Jol"

Indonesian - "Selamat Hari Natal"

Iraqi - "Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah"

Irish - "Nollaig Shona Dhuit"

Italian - "Buone Feste Natalizie"

Japanese -" Shinnen omedeto, kurisumasu omedeto. The first part is translated "Happy New Year.
Kurisumasu omedeto means Merry Christmas.
Japanese people generally add the expression gozaimasu to indicate soemm humility.

Korean - "Sung Tan Chuk Ha"

Latvian - "Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu"

Lithuanian - "Linksmu Kaledu"

Navajo - "Merry Keshmish"

Norwegian - "God Jul"

Pennsylvania German - "En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr"

Polish - "Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia"

Portuguese - "Feliz Natal" "Boas Festas"(Good Holidays.)

Rumanian - "Sarbatori Fericite"

Russian - "Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva s Novim Godom"

Serbian - "Hristos se rodi"

Slovakian - "Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce"

Samoan - "La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou"

Scots Gaelic - "Nollaig chridheil huibh"

Serb-Croatian - "Sretam Bozic. Vesela Nova Godina"

Slovak - "Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok"

Slovene - "Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto"

Spanish - "Feliz Navidad"

Swedish - "God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År"

Tahitian -Merry Chrismas :" Ia orana te Noera"and Happy new year is "Ia orana i te mata iti api"

Thai - "Sawadee Pee Mai"

Turkish - "Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun"

Ukrainian - "Z Rizdvom Khrystovym !" - "Merry Christmas"" Z Novym Rokom !" - "Happy New Year"

"Z Rizdvom Khrystovym i Novym Rokom !" - both greetings together.

Vietnamese - "Chuc Mung Giang Sinh"

Welsh - "Nadolig Llawen"

Yugoslavian - "Cestitamo Bozic"

Special Thanks to contributors to this page: Triin N and Annalene Groenewald.


Happy Holidays........Joni

Quiz: What is the difference between Titanium White and Zinc White?
Answer: Zinc White is more transparent than Titanium White. There are a few other differences between the two. These white paints are used in acrylic and oil painting. Watercolor has a Chinese White, but generally the white paper is reserved for the whites in watercolor painting.

Titanium White: 
( Also known as Permanent White). It is the most common, can be more chalky, can be used as a primer and pigment, has a strong covering power as it is more opaque making it great for highlights. It is relatively "cool" and dries faster than Zinc White.
Flake White: 
(Also known as Lead White or Silver White...can be harmful is swallowed). This is the oldest of the whites. It is very opaque and relatively "warm".  It is made from white lead and is suitable for building up an impasto (a technique of applying paint thickly). It is comparatively quick-drying, durable and flexible. It speeds up the drying  time of other pigments.
Zinc White: It has a pure, cold-white appearance that is most transparent, fairly intense, but subject to cracking when dry. Great for magnificent tints and glazing. It dries slowly. It is relatively "cool".
Superba White: This is an improved form of Titanium White made with artist quality oil that is non-yellowing. Very opaque and "cool".


Karen, sent this site to read comments on this subject by different artist. The site is a fun one to keep in your favorites....It is called Wet Canvas....
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=577921.


Happy Painting.

 Quiz: What is the difference between Titanium White and Zinc White?   
  
I opened the curtains today to see about 9" of snow...to think there wasn't much of any on Saturday. Two nights ago the low was 11*. I brushed the snow off the satellite  dish, with my long pole with the toilet cleaner brush on the end) so I could turn on the computer and get Internet....Hi.  



Winter Challenge: Paint the snow, if you have any at your home, or paint using these photos as your guideline. Remember snow has lots of colors...purple, blue, peach, gray etc, not just gray and white. Spray on some colors too. Go out and give winter Plein Air Painting a try (or from a nice warm photo). When cold weather Plein Air Painting...try adding some Gin to your paints so they don't freeze...(a little for yourself, if you are into it).  So, take a try at painting snow.         

                                In Memory:

         Newtown, Connecticut.

and my hometown:
      Portland, Oregon.

Quote: "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."....George Bernard Shaw...Irish Playwright

Viewer Contribution: 

Liz Hubbard:

Liz is one of my Intermediate student/artist. I'm always amazed how involved she is with her world and community. She keeps busy with her family's large sheep ranch, fleece, painting etc etc etc...! (click her web site at right)

Below is a painting...mix media...she started during our last class of the term. I was afraid I would not get to see it finished...but here it is. How wonderful !!!  She did so well and I'm so happy to see it.  I felt she was on to something.

Liz's statement:   

"In our intermediate painting class with Joni we often tease her about trying to turn us to the dark side, or trying to bring out our inner dark.  That is because her most often heard advice is “more darks.” 

In this piece I have taken  tissue paper colored with pencil, tore pieces and glued them to a canvas board to collage a sheep cameo.  To finish I added detail with a charcoal pencil.  I did the finish work at home and I kept hearing Joni say, “more darks.”  I added more darks, several times, and after calling the piece finished I think perhaps it still might need “more darks.”

It was an interesting study; working in just shading, starting with the lightly shaded scraps of paper and working to the darker.  The idea came from a book called Painting Shapes and Edges."

In response to her statement :... "I can (always) say more "darks"...but she doesn't  have to add any if she doesn't feel it needs more. The head pops out forward, there is a light source, the eyes talk to me...I want to reach out and touch.

Thanks for the inspiration."

Thank you.

Blog Views: This week, so far, the countries looking at Art Tidbits are from: USA, Romania, Germany & Austria.  International viewers...please write your comments or email your artwork....we would all enjoy hearing from you.

Personal Note: I am back taking classes for myself. Distance Education and online classes are a wonderful thing.  I have been a teacher now much longer than I have been a student....so going back to having lessons, assignments and tests is new for me after all these years. I'm finding it exciting and a little daunting. School takes a lot of time....now there is less time for 
creating art.  :( 

This month, I'm without students or classes to teach...being the holiday vacation between terms. I do feel the loss of time spent, the inspiration, the comradeship, the friendliness. There's also the different frame of mind...not gathering supplies or samples for class...and the regrouping on my time management. Which has brought me to write about "Balance".

Balance: Balance is my hardest word to deal with in life. In a perfect world, one would be able to have enough time to do everything with as much time needed for each project or task. Sign me up!!! When working alone in one's own studio, one must balance their time and usually that balance goes by the way of "things that need to be done" route....not the "my studio time comes first" route. If left up to my own devices, I would be in my studio 24/7....but when I return back to the main part of my home and see the dirty dishes, needed vacuuming and worse of all...it's 9pm and I forgot the cats are still outside....I know "Balance" isn't in-balance. Art making can be a lonely world...we artist tend to work alone in our creating spaces and therefore, we don't get outside feed back, we fight for time to do our art and inspiration can become stalled. The less we create, the harder it is to get back into it.

My "Balance" solution is....I divide my day by hours. Sure, some days the balance goes heavy for one thing over another...like some days or weeks maybe 90% goes to one task (like house cleaning because company will be here soon) but tomorrow, maybe more 60% house chores/whatever and 40% will be studio time. Where I get in trouble is when I let the needed tasks get the majority of my time and studio time gets less and less or no time at all.

So try to tame the Balance Devil...try graphing out your day on paper....give each task/project it's own time slot. Stick with it. You'll feel better that you gave at least a little to a lot.

How do you Balance Your Time Management?  Write or comment letting me know your Balance Solution....I'm interested.

Student Art:

Jean:

Jean, a student in my Intermediate Class, has been pushing herself to draw her subjects and to paint belong the local color. The local color of this duck is yellow, but she is learning that many colors can be used to get the depth, contrast and pop!!

Thanks !!!

Quote: "If Not Now...When?" (unknown).


Student Art:

Byrnie:
Brynie has another great painting for Show and Tell.  This was done by observing the actual 
artichoke .

Thanks !