Peony Study

It's been quite some time since I've posted on this blog! But I've decided to give "blogger" a whirl again. Much has happened - if you don't follow me on Facebook or on my website, I'll give you the highlights. First is that I just opened my own gallery in Buckingham, PA. It's a great place and the grand opening was a lovely success; great turnout and quite a number of paintings sold. And I'm still teaching and offering some workshops this summer. I had a bit of burnout from getting ready for the show, but it was easily cured by a week to myself to regroup. Now I'm back in the studio. Today I decided to work on a study of a peony - they are in bloom right now and since their glory is short lived, I need to work on them over the next week or so, or wait until next year. They are my all time favourite flower. Title: Peony Study Medium: Oil on Linen Size: 8" x 7" Price: $350 (painting is framed)

Join me here on the blog over the next few months as I prepare a new series of paintings to be unveiled at my show and sale this October in my Buckingham studio. During these months, I'll take you through the entire process of how I work; from the inspiration and stories about the images down to preparing the materials, varnishing and framing. The Inspiration and Vision: For about a month, I've been thinking about a new series of paintings. Inspiration for new work introduces itself in unusual ways sometimes. I was on the second floor of my studio, turned around and for some reason (Ok, it was the “muse”) the sight of the 2 tall french windows against the dim light of the studio just grabbed me and I realized I just had to paint it. But one interior scene alone does not make a body of work. Walking around the farm, there were other images that really grabbed me: the new apples hanging low on the tree with this gorgeous, abstract of chiarscuro (light against dark), and then one morning as I was walking the dog, the main barn was in this soft, etherial light, everything was again quite abstracted. Ok, I thought, now we are getting somewhere. I find myself in center city Philadelphia a couple of times a month for a meeting at the Philadelphia Sketch Club or to get together with friends for lunch. The large city fountains, sparkling with light and movement contrasted against the strong architectural elements that comprise many of the buildings in my home town. These are the things that make up my day to day world, collectively they tell the story of my life. So with the idea in my head I can begin the work. First, though is the preparation of materials which takes some time, a little insight into the crafting of a painting. The painting above: Title: Sunset on the Beach Size: 14 x 18 Medium: Oil on Canvas

Take a Deep Breath . . .

Title: Billowing Over The Hill
Size and Medium: 12 x 18 / Oil on Panel / Italian made silver frame
Available at Artists Gallery

Thank you, Thank you to everyone who came to the opening reception of "Inside Out" at Artists' Gallery, the turnout was great, everyone had a great time and art sold. All is good with the world. A lot is coming up over the next month or so, and I've been receiving a lot of e-mails and phone calls about the current and upcoming events. So here you go! Also, to make life easier for everyone, I've updated my website so that you will know which gallery any given painting is at.

Artists Gallery: "Inside Out" the show runs through Sunday April 01. Gallery hours; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm or by appointment. 18 West Bridge Street, Lambertville, Nj 08530

Then . . .I take whatever is remaining from the show at Artists Gallery, it travels down to Philadelphia along with more new (and larger) paintings to the Philadelphia Sketch Club for my One Woman Show " North by Nor'east".

Philadelphia Sketch Club : North by Nor'east: A One woman Exhibition. Show dates, Friday, April 06 through Sunday April 29th. Gallery hours, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm. Artists' Recpetion is on Sunday, April 15th from 2 to 4 pm. 235 S. Camac Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Chapman Gallery : Spring Exhibition of Gallery Artists. Featuring the work of over 25 regional artists most specializing in the Bucks County Landscape. I will be offering my version of the Bucks County landscape . . . with a "big sky". hours: Tuesday through thursdays from 10 am to 5 pm / Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays from 12 Noon to 5 pm. Artists Reception for this show is on Saturday, April 14th from 6 to 9 pm. Chapman Gallery, 46 East State Street, Doylestown PA 18901

Timmons Gallery : this is a new gallery for me and I will begin exhibiting with them on Friday, March 31. The gallery is simply gorgeous and features the work of both regional and nationally recognized artists. A must see. I will also be having a one woman show with them in July. Stay tuned for more on that! Gallery hours, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm or call for an appointment. Timmons Gallery, 3795 Route 202, Doylestown, PA 18902.

Now, it's time to get back into the studio!

Through the treetops

Mackerel or Salmon skies are beautiful, if not a bit of a challenge to paint. Balancing the high chroma light against the clouds is a little tricky becasue if you get too much intensity in the light areas, it looks cartoonish, not enough reflected light in the grey under clouds, it goes flat. Always, a balancing act, but soooo much fun when you get in the grove.

Title: Through the Treetops
Medium: Oil on Panel
Size: 12 x 14

Slated for the March show at Artists gallery . . .

Sunrise in Maine

A couple of years ago, I was deeply inspired by a sunrise in Maine and created a painting from a reference photo. I've revisited that scene again. The sensation of that morning, the deep peaceful silence contrasting with the brilliance of the light was magical to me, and still is.

This is one of the paintings that will be featured in March at the Artists' Gallery during my exhibtion "Inside Out".

Title: Sunrise in Maine
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 8 x 10

I've got the "blues" . . . the deep blue of summer skies and dramatic clouds is really capturing my interest the past couple of days. I had a great time painting this one, I really wanted to get a strong feeling of energy and movement in the sky, This is one of the paintings that will to into the March Show at Artists Gallery.

Naming these is always a problem for me, so for right now, it will simply be untitled, unless someone can come up with a good name!

30 days and counting . . .

30 days and counting until Alla and I hang our show "Inside Out" at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. Looking over everything, I'm in good shape, but of course I will "fuss" with a few works and there's all of the remaining administrivia to get done - like send out the invitations and press releases, plan the menu and music for the reception, etc.

In the meantime, the inventory I have left after the winter sale continues to sell, so I'm also working to keep the walls filled at both Artists' Gallery and Chapmen Gallery in Doylestown. Nice problem to have . . . .

Today I worked on this painting - please note it's not finished, I still need to complete the foreground and do some additional work in the sky itself. I have not posted in a while so I thought I better get something up here before you all forgot about me.

This painting, along with a couple of others I've not yet finished, will be going into Artists' Gallery this month and can seen in the gallery this Friday.

Phew!

Title: Billowing Clouds in Cape Cod
Size & Medium: 8 x 9, Oil on Panel
Price:

Ouch, too early for a blog move?

Several of you contacted me about the moving of my blog, and I have to say thanks, because I was unaware of the impact! It's the RSS feed - I have my web designer looking into how to put an RSS feed on the new blog. So in the meantime, I'll post on both. If you want to see the few posts I did put up on the "Other Blog", you can click HERE.

This painting is a variation on a theme.

Cumulus clouds can be imposing harbingers of a storm, or delightful things which tell us of a beautiful day. Oddly diametrical, perhaps that is why I love them so much (they are so Yin and Yang . . .)

So this begs the question, is this a storm coming or going? For me, it's a storm leaving. Though not evident due to my ongoing camera issues, there is a lot of light, nearly transparent blue on the right side of this painting, bringing the feeling of cool, refreshing air after a storm has cleared out the summer humidity and heat.

I enjoyed creating "Passing Storm" so much that I wanted to revisit the idea and theme again.

I have this work set aside for the upcoming show "Inside / Out" which opens on March 09th at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville.

It's as yet Untitled (but will soon get a name), 18 x 18 oil on panel.

MY BLOG IS MOVING

Happy New Year and Thank you everyone who follows this blog! I recently purchased computer software that allows me to update my own website and update things in "real time" not "web-designer time"! Even better is that the new software allows me to put the blog on my website - that just makes tooo much sense and it's so much easier for me.

So, If you've been reading or following this, all you need to do is click on the link below to see the "new and improved" blog:

Materese's New Blog

I finished the painting below and it's on the new blog, also there are some new entries and paintings you might like to read. The website has my about full collection of work, class schedules, etc., etc., etc. .

All my Best,
Materese

How to "Build a Painting" (A work in Progress)

People ask "how do you do that"? Today, I decided to share a bit about how I construct a painting.

I've been working on prepared panel recently in lieu of linen. Neither one is better than the other, but I can achieve certain optical effects on panel more easily than on linen - most especially the illusion of transparent layers of light, which is important for me in my landscape work.

I began this by laying in a very, very light pencil drawing. Almost no detail, I concentrate on the composition, perspective, as well as the size and placement of all the major value planes. Value planes? Yes, that's how I begin, I don't even really think about "a cloud goes here, a tree goes there" I'm really considering how the values (light and dark) and their shapes are going to play against each other and I'm always asking "is this too big or small next to the other value plane".

I usually also tone my canvas, for landscape I do a wash of Transparent Red Iron Oxide and then let it dry before I begin. But I was eager to begin this painting, and went straight into the white surface. I began with the sky and how the light was flowing from the mid region of the right side of the panel. The entire plane of the sky (not including the clouds) was laid in, blended (oh there was a lot of blending with this sky!) and then the clouds were laid in. Afterwards I worked on the tree line and began the grassy field. As you can see, everything at this point is "uber-soft" and very very hazy, and that's just how I want it for right now. It's impossible to make a hard edge soft when you go back into a dry painting, but quite easy to make a soft line hard.

Anyway, that's how it all begins, more to come . . .

A Gift of Gratitude

Ok, Ok, I knew I said in my last post that I'd put up the image of a new small still life! As hard as I try posting on the blog, sometimes it eludes my best intentions. The primary reason this happens is not because I'm lazy, but yes, I've been busy - which is a good thing! LOL! Painting, teaching, hanging shows, meeting with potential collectors, serving on the Board of Directors at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, life is full - and it's great. I am still amazed each day how well things have gone for me, especially during the past year.

So, all this leads me to my Gift of Gratitude.

I am incredibly fortunate to be able to walk into my studio every day and explore on canvas what I experience in nature, and then, share it with others. Eschewing the normal "Existential Artists' Angst" I'm in search of the powerful beauty, joy and promise that nature provides.

In teaching, I'm very lucky to have some incredible students who are courageous enough to push their limits, listen to my (sometimes legnthy . . .) lectures and put a part of themselves on canvas.

All this being said, I simply want to express my gratitude for being able to do what I love and having the opportunity to share it with others. My most sincere Thanks to every collector, student, friend and family member who has supported, encouraged and celebrated with me along the way.

This has been a banner year; creating and selling more paintings in the past 12 months than the last 2 years combined. As a way of saying Thank You , my current collection of work is being offered, through January 08, 2012 at prices from nearly 7 years ago when I began this career.

The image above, "Bamboo and Sake" is one of the paintings that I'm offering at the 2004 price. The full collection and more information is on my website

I'll be popping in and out of the blog for the next month, but my primary focus is going to be on getting ready for the next 2 shows, one in March (at Artists Gallery) and one in April at the Philadelphia Sketch Club.

A change of pace

I needed a change of pace for a bit from land and sky work. My roots are in classic still life painting, and every now and then I just need to dive back into that pool. Simple subjects, pears, but when you really dig into them you begin to see all of these beautiful nuances of colour you realize how real beauty is in the most simple things. I've begun a another that I'll post tomorrow.

This is being offered directly from me, unframed. If you're interested in purchasing it, please contact me via e-mail.

Title: Content
Size: 5 x 8
Medium: Oil on Panel
Price: $150

As The Night Begins

A variation on the theme of moonlight on water.

This painting is being offered through Artists' Gallery, now through December 04th.

Title: As The Night Begins
Size: 6 x 11
Medium: Oil on Panel

SOLD

Quietude

The fascination with the sky, it's movement, light and abstraction continues. Many of my students don't believe me when I advise them that one of the best ways to get a realist painting is to approach it abstractly - when we can do that, (it's not that easy) we let go of our "symbol system" and preconceived notions about what we think something looks like and are able to get closer to the real truth of the thing. If we are lucky and get into that state of mind, there's also the strong chance that we can "double dip" into the experience and pull out the emotional qualities of the subject we are studying.

This painting is being offered through Artists' Gallery, now through December 04

Title: Quietude
Size: 9 x 9
Medium: Oil on Panel
SOLD

Agg, lousy photo of this painting - I really need to get a new camera. I was going to re-photograph it today but it sold in the gallery this weekend! Thank you!

Sunrise at National Elk Refuge, Wyoming

Just outside of Jackson Hole Wyoming is the National Elk Refuge. When you are leaving Jackson Hole to get to the airport, you pass the National Elk Refuge.

As we were driving to the airport very, very early to catch our flight back to Philadelphia, we witnesses a most incredible sunrise. We stopped the car, breathed in the amazing light and mist of the morning and reluctantly, got back in the car to catch our flight. I will never forget the magical, nearly sacred feeling of that morning.

This painting is being offered through Artists' Gallery, now through December 04

Title: Sunrise at National Elk Refuge, Wyoming
Size: 10 x 16
Medium: Oil on Panel

SOLD

Approaching Rain and Cobalt Blue

Martha's Vineyard has always been a special place for me. One of the most striking things is as that the weather changes, it is so immediate, so "in your face", especially when you are on the beach.

I was going though some old reference photographs I had vividly remembered one day when the weather changed on a dime, the deep blue of the sky was being overpowered by oncoming rainclouds. This painting is about that immediate, nearly overpowering feeling that I experienced as the clouds came in over the bay.

This painting will be offered through Artists' Gallery now through December 04th.

Title: Approaching Rain and Cobalt Blue
Size: 18 x 18
Medium: Oil on Linen

Galaxy 2011 / NOVA Art Show and Sale

The Galaxy 2011 / NOVA Art show and sale is something I've participated in for 4 years now. An invitational show, 70 regional artists are brought together for 4 days at the Bucks County Courthouse for the event.

It's for a great cause - NOVA (Network of Victims Assistance) an organization dedicated to helping those who are victims of violent crimes including physical and sexual abuse. 40% of the proceeds of the sales of these paintings goes to NOVA to run their programs as they charge nothing to the individuals they help. It is one of the few non-profits that I will either donate or sell my work for - they run a great organization and hold a well juried, top notch show.

So if you are in the area this weekend, the show opens Thursday, November 03 and runs through Sunday, November 06, you may want to swing by and see some really great work by local artists and artisans.

Title: End of the Day
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 22 x 28

Blowing Through Town

As season's shift, high winds herald the changing of the guard. A storm blew through yesterday giving us an incredible show of light and wind for the past 12 hours. Luckily, I can capture some of this from my studio. I was also able to capture some beautiful skies this morning just after sunrise, I'll be working on those paintings over the weekend.

Title: Blowing Through Town
Size: 6 x 9, oil on panel

SOLD

Warm Night

Title: Warm Night
Size: 9 x 9
Medium: Oil on Panel

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please click here for more information

There is something magical about a warm summer night by the sea, the kind where you know the heat won't fade much with the passing sun. A light breeze comes in off the ocean, the brine in the air becomes more pungent. Wrapped in warmth and colour, these are priceless gifts.

SOLD

View from My Studio

Title: Late Autumn View from my Studio
Size: 6 x 9, Oil on Panel
Unframed

SOLD

The second floor of my barn has these incredible French windows that look out over a field, I'm quite lucky to be able to see and study the beautiful skies and changing seasons, while in the comfort of my studio. Very lucky indeed!