I know the temperatures are hotter in Dallas, TX than Houston, TX.....but where else are people experiencing 97 to 103 degree temps? Along with the humidity, it feels like 100.....this is the time of the year when one jumps from one Air Conditioned place to the next. Stepping outside is like going into a sauna!! And everyday is a "bad hair" day. Arghhhhh!
I'm nearly completed with this painting which was commissioned by a co-worker. It is a portrait of her grand-daughter, Rachel. What a beautiful baby girl she is! I wanted to paint this commission because of the child's pose and the backlighting.
Reporter interviewing Me for Watercolor Art Society
Hi all you bloggers and artists!
Yesterday our Watercolor Art Society was given the opportunity to paint live on Houston's Fox TV Morning News Show, at the Jewish Community Center in the city. We were situated in the Mystical Gardent to get "inspiration" for plein air painting. Despite the early time of arrival (6:00AM), the hot temperature and the brutal humidity, we pulled it off. I've never painted en plein air, so my painting looks like the work of an inexperienced pre-schooler. Nevertheless, it was fun and I enjoyed painting with the other ladies.
If you want to watch the 45 second clip, here is the link (copy & paste on the internet):
Silver screen legend, Mae West, will never be forgotten because Salvador Dali dedicated one of the rooms in his Museum (near Barcelona, Spain) to this 1920s star. I took this picture at the Salvador Dali Museum last year, when I visited there. Dali created a "living room" based on her facial features. In the picture inserted here, her lips were made into a chair. West's eyes were actual cityscape pictures hanging on the wall. The nose was created to look like a fireplace. Not pictured was her hair, too.
Artists get inspiration from anyplace and anywhere, even in someone's face!
Last week, a few of us were interviewed by a KUHF Radio station reporter. The interviewees included the Watercolor Art Society-Houston (WAS-H) President Jerrie Gast, member: Keiko Yasuoka, and myself. Our reporter was Meghan. What a thrill it is to have publicity about our current WAS-H Exhibition talked about on the radio! The Exhibition is the American Watercolor Society Traveling Show......and it is beautiful! The paintings were created by the "best of the best" watercolorists in America. Only 6 venues in America will be able to display these paintings and most of them are museums. WAS-H is honored to have this prestigious Exhibition in our gallery.
Come by the gallery if you can. The paintings will be in our Houston gallery until August 15. Website: www.watercolorhouston.org for more information.
Last week I was in Connecticut for a ceremony celebrating my friend's first step into the St. Benedictine order of nuns. Her name is now Sister Judith. The area where the Abbey of Regina Laudis is located is in Bethlehem, CT.....and all I have to say is "Wow!"....that area of the United States is beautiful. I also spent a little time wandering around Southbury, Woodbury, and Watertown, Connecticut. I was told that I had just missed the heat wave, but while I was there, it was a nice 85 degree high and a low of 65 degrees. And, YES, I met the "Cheese Nun" for which a PBS documentary file was made of her. Mother Noella is her name and she is an incredible lady.
Last month, in June, I Chaired a Fundraising Event hosted by the Watercolor Art Society-Houston (WAS-H) for the organization's Ourtreach Program at Texas Children's Cancer Center and for WAS-H's Exhibition of the AWS Traveling Show. The evening was themed, "I Like New York in June, How About You?" and included a wonderful buffet of delicacies from New York and wine, of course. As an added plus, we had a singer named Jordan Derouen (pictured with me) to entertain guests with the Sinatra styled "New York, New York" and another New York hit, "Lullaby on Broadway". Patrons and guests purchased original artwork on Ampersand Claybords which were painted by members of WAS-H.
The event was a success and we were able to raise more funds than I thought possible.
Coming up! I helped to hang the AWS Traveling Exhibition in the WAS-H Gallery. It looks fabulous. I thought I had already seen the best watercolor art in America, but I was wrong. This exhibit has truly talented artist's work.
Because I work full time, exercise to try to stay fit, have precious grandbabies and wonderful family/friends, not to mention volunteerism......I'm increasingly having difficulty finding the time to paint.
If you have the time, please answer the following questions:
1. When do YOU paint: Everyday? Weekends? Late night? Morning?
2. What time of day do you paint?
3. Do you turn off your home, studio, cell phones while painting?
4. Do you lock the doors and not allow visitors?
5. Do you work on one piece at a time or several pieces?
As the middle of May approaches rapidly, I am planning some of my summer activities and art events.
Art Events in June: I'm Chairing a Fundraising Event in Houston, TX benefitting the WAS-H Outreach Program - Texas Children's Cancer Center & New York's American Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibition (in which Houston, TX is one of the destinations on the tour). Friday, June 13, 2008, 6:00pm -8:00pm
In July, I'm planning a trip to the state of Connecticut. In particular, I will be visiting the city of Hartford and traveling along the scenic route to Bethlehem, Connecticut for a ceremony at one of the Abbey's located there. I'll have my camera ready for taking reference photos of the countryside and the Covered Bridges.
Also in July, my daughter & I are doing research on our family heritage for a book she is writing. She and I are planning another trip to the small French towns in Louisiana to soak up some of the history. So far, we have been welcomed with open arms and a warm hearts.
At the beginning of July, I will have a visitor from Paris, France for several days. I met this young lady when I was sitting in a restaurant, last year, in Paris. She & I have communicated via email and phone since then; and, now have a long distance friendship.
Currently, I am having my second "signing" at a Catholic Gift & Bookstore. Copies of the image of my painting "At the Foot of the Cross" are selling nicely there. (image inset shown above).
Looking ahead, I'm also traveling to Boston and Hyannisport in the beginning of October---hope to see the leaves changing color along with visiting the Boston Harbor, Boston Common, see a couple of the Heritage Museums and visit the Boston Museum of Fina Arts again.
All the best to you!
Artist, Keep those Brushes Wet.
