Peonies, Windowsill Series #5

Posted on | March 14, 2013 | No Comments

“Peonies, Windowsill Series #5″

The fifth painting in the Windowsill Series, “Peonies” is an acrylic painting on a 12″ x 12″  gallery-wrapped linen canvas.

I like to feature flowers in my still life paintings. The peonies add life and beautiful, intense color to this painting.  The sparkle of the crystal vase repeats the sparkle of the water of the Campbell River that is visible through the window.

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Mary’s Angel, Windowsill Series #4

Posted on | January 6, 2013 | No Comments

“Mary’s Angel, Windowsill Series #3″

This little angel is very special to me. It was a gift for my mother, from a very thoughtful nephew, during her first and last hospital stay. This little angel was the only cheerful element in the hospital room  where my mother lost her battle with cancer – flowers were not allowed in her room. Each of my siblings and I have one of these little angels as a special reminder of the angel who is now watching over us from above. Mum’s angel is in the caring hands of our Dad.

Naturally, I had to feature my little angel in a still life painting.  Including my angel in the Windowsill Series so that it had a background of living, majestic trees and heavenly blue skies visible through the window provided the contrast I wanted between my inanimate still life objects and the living scene beyond.  The stained glass candle holder and candle, plus the little onyx turtle were the perfect complement for the dove in the angels hands.  The sunlight streaming in through the window created amazing reflections as the light passed through the stained glass candle holder, and also created beautiful golden light and strong shadows throughout the painting, bringing “Mary’s Angel” to life.

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Apples, Windowsill Series #2

Posted on | October 26, 2012 | No Comments

“Apples, Windowsill Series #2″

“Apples, Windowsill Series #2″ is a small acrylic painting on canvas. I like painting apples almost as much as I like eating them. These apples were so beautiful with such luscious, intense red colour that I had to paint them.

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Prints, art cards, t-shirts, ipad and iphone covers, mousepads and more featuring Brenda’s original acrylic and watercolour paintings, photographs and digital art are available at http://www.cafepress.com/artandsouldesigns.

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Painting outside “Honey & Garlic, Windowsill Series”

Posted on | March 1, 2012 | No Comments

Painting outside is one of my favourite things to do when camping.  Although it does present a minor problem of the paints drying a bit too quickly, the fresh air, sunshine and friendly chats with passersby make painting outside a very enjoyable experience.  When travelling with our 5th wheel, I always bring along my painting supplies for acrylics and watercolours.

Painting at Campsite

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I usually work in watercolours when camping, but for “Honey & Garlic, Windowsill Series #3″ I chose to paint with acrylics.  I used a 10″ x 10″ linen gallery-wrapped canvas to begin the sketch for the painting.  Normally, I would use objects from the camper to set up a still life, but for this painting I used photographic references of a still life I had set up in my studio at home.

Sketch, Honey & Garlic, Windowsill Series

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The image below shows the block-in stage of my painting process.  I have begun to paint the reflections of the pottery honey pot and garlic pot in the window, as well as, the interior windowsill.  Pottery is a favourite subject of mine, and I have spent many happy hours searching antique and thrift stores for interesting pottery to add to my still life collection.

Block-in Stage, Honey & Garlic, Windowsill Series

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The image below is the finished painting, “Honey & Garlic, Windowsill Series #3″.  Notice how I chose cool, neutral colours for most of the painting, saving the warmest and most intense colours for the focal area.  I was happy with the final results.

“Honey & Garlic, Windowsill Series # 3″

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Alla Prima, Everything I Know About Painting – A Review

Posted on | December 28, 2011 | No Comments

A comfy chair and my favourite art book.

BRENDA’S BOOK REVIEW

“ ALLA PRIMA EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT PAINTING”

Alla Prima - Everything I Know About Painting, by Richard Schmid, is one of the top books recommended by artists in workshops that I have attended in the last several years. After purchasing the book and reading it several times, I understand why it is so highly recommended.

Richard Schmid is an acknowledged master who writes with humility, humour and grace. He teaches the foundations of painting –

• sound drawing skills

• good composition

• seeing and painting the correct values and colours

• painting edges

One thing I learned from his book (or should I say relearned) is that one of the most valuable skills an artist can master is squinting to simplify what you see. Squinting at your subject reduces the detail to patterns and simple shapes that you can manage.  Schmid states that you need to look to see colour, but squint to see and compare values.

If you are a beginning artist, I feel this is the one book you should have in your reference library. Actually, I feel every artist, at any level, would benefit from having Alla Prima  in their collection of art books. Schmid shares some of his struggles and failures, as well as his successes, so the beginning artist realizes that even master painters can have a bad painting day. His book is filled with helpful tips, insights and encouragement for all artists.

Alla Prima is more expensive than most art books I have collected, but I personally consider it to be one of the most important reference books in my library, and worth every penny. It’s a book you can read over and over and gain fresh insights each time you read it. It definitely gets the Brenda stamp of approval. Did you guess that I love this book?   You will find his fabulous artwork at www.richard schmidt.com.

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“Making It” Case Studies of Successful Canadian Visual Artists

Posted on | July 29, 2011 | No Comments

Brenda Calhoun

I just got a new book today by Chris Tyrell, a British Columbia author and teacher who writes about professional development for visual artists.  His latest book is called Making It! Case Studies of Successful Canadian Visual Artists.  I’ve only read the first two chapters so far, but already this book promises to be as interesting and  information packed as his earlier book, Artist’s Survival Skills - How to Make a Living as a Canadian Visual Artist.

Finding an art marketing book written by Tyrell specifically for the Canadian artist was a real treat.   And now to have a book featuring successful Canadian artists and the paths they followed to reach their goals is an inspiration for all Canadian artists.  I found chapter two especially interesting.  It featured a textile artist living in Newfoundland who makes her living marketing her work on Etsy.  Like her, I live on an island with limited opportunities for marketing my work, so I can personally relate to her situation.

Tyrell writes an excellent art marketing blog at http://visualartmarketing.blogspot.com.  Although the articles are written with the Canadian artist in mind, especially those living in British Columbia, much of the information would be relevant for any artist regardless of where they live.  Tyrell  also writes a regular feature article in the Opus Newsletter, www.opusframing.com, a framing and artist supply business in British Columbia.   I have been a huge fan of these articles for ages, so I was a very happy when Tyrell published his books.  I got my copy from Opus as soon as it came out.

For all my Canadian friends, who is your favourite author who writes with the Canadian artist in mind?  For my American friends, I like lots of American authors too.  Have you read Alla Prima - Everything I Know About Painting by Richard Schmid?  It’s awesome….my favourite in my library of art books.

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Prints, art cards, t-shirts, ipad and iphone covers, mousepads and more featuring Brenda’s original acrylic and watercolour paintings, photographs and digital art are available at Art and Soul Designs.

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Windowsill Series #1, Honey & Apples

Posted on | June 7, 2011 | No Comments

“Windowsill Series #1, Honey & Apples”, acrylic on linen, 11″ x 14″

“Windowsill Series #1, Honey & Apples” is my newest acrylic painting.  It is the first in a series of windowsill paintings I have planned.  I find painting in a series a great way to keep the ideas flowing for the next painting.  As I am in the process of completing one painting, ideas and plans for the next painting in the series keeps me inspired and motivated.

This still life setup on my sunny windowsill gave me the opportunity to play with the reflections on the window, on the pottery honey pot and on the windowsill.   The strong light made the apples glow and throw reflections everywhere.

I chose to keep the colours of the background and the pottery neutral so the red apples could steal the show.  I’m happy with the finished painting. 

What are your thoughts on still life painting?   What inspires you when you are setting up a still life to paint?  I look forward to reading your comments. 

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Glass Clown Series #3

Posted on | May 2, 2011 | No Comments

“Glass Clown Series #3″

This is my third painting in the “Glass Clown Series”. It is a 14″x11″ acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped linen.   This set of glass clowns were perfect to feature as a set of bookends.  Appropriate, I thought, since I love books as much as I love painting.

It was a beautiful sunny day when I set up the still life in my studio, and I was getting some lovely strong highlights and shadows.  This gave me the idea of setting up the still life as a contrast of light against dark.  So I selected a darker book to place next to the clown in the sunlight, and a lighter book to place next to the clown in shadow.   I felt it created a very effective and interesting still live setup, and I’m happy with the way the painting turned out.

A painting friend made a comment that he could see my quirky sense of humour coming out in my paintings with my selection of objects I choose for my still lifes.  He’s right – I am always on the lookout for quirky and unusual objects to feature in my still life paintings.

Actually, I chose the glass clowns because they reminded me of a beloved cousin who has passed.  She loved and collected clowns, so of course, when I am browsing antique shops or thrift stores searching for still life subjects, I always think of her when I come across a clown.  These beautiful glass clowns combined my love of painting glass with her love of clowns, so I had no choice but to bring them home and paint them.

Can you see how your personality comes out in the choices you make when setting up a still life?  Where do you find subject matter for your still lifes, and do you find yourself choosing object that remind you of a particular person or event?  I look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions.

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Prints, art cards, t-shirts, ipad and iphone covers, mousepads and more featuring Brenda’s original acrylic and watercolour paintings, photographs and digital art are available at Art and Soul Designs.

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Acrylic Painting “Glass Clown Series #2″

Posted on | March 29, 2011 | 4 Comments

“Glass Clown Series #2″, acrylic on linen, 20″x16″

This is the newest acrylic painting in my glass clown series, titled “Glass Clown Series #2″.

It is painted on a 20″ x 16″ gallery-wrapped linen canvas.  I like painting on linen because it has a finer texture than regular cotton canvas that I like.   The linen is a middle value brown colour which helps me to determine my values when I am beginning my painting.  Research indicates that linen is a stronger fiber than cotton, so the painting should survive longer.

I really enjoy the challenge of painting glass.  I loved the way the yellow, pink and blue colours of the balloons showed through the glass clowns  and onto the floral fabric in this still life setup.

In this painting, as in the first painting in the series, I used a glaze of Stevenson’s Iridescent Pearl on the balloons to give them the glow that these balloons had when placed in the light.  It also gave me an opportunity to just play with a new tube of iridescent paint.

Yes, I could have chosen a simpler subject to paint.  It would have made my life so much easier if I had, but then, what fun would that be.  Some would say that painting itself is enough of a challenge.  Trust me, there are many painting days when I am in total agreement with that statement.  But, painting the effects of light on glass is something I love to do and I look forward to the next challenge.

What challenges you in your paintings?  Is it the subject you choose, the composition, the colour scheme or palette,  or the value pattern?  I look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions.

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Four Common Reasons People Buy Art

Posted on | March 17, 2011 | No Comments

“Ginger Jar & Mandarin Orange”, acrylic/canvas, 16″x20″, SOLD

There are as many reasons to purchase art as there are people.  Everyone views art differently, and everyone is attracted to a particular piece of artwork for their own personal reasons.  Generally, I have found there are four common reasons why people make the decision to purchase artwork.

1.  As an investment.  Some people purchase art strictly as an investment in the hope that it will increase in value over time.  Actually, this is the reason some art collectors build huge collections of art by emerging artists – in the hopes that the value will increase over time.  This art collection could be an important part of their investment portfolio.

2.  Because it complements their home or office decor.  Many people purchase art that matches the colour and style of their home decor.  At nearly every art fair that I participate in, someone comes along who is looking for a painting to match a particular colour in their sofa, or  a particular paint colour on their walls.  Some even bring paint and fabric samples with them.

I always advise them to choose a painting that they love .  If a painting is framed in a style and colour that works with the room, almost any painting should be suitable.  And since an artwork would be part of their decor for many years, it should be something they truly appreciate.

3.  As a gift for someone else.   Often at art fairs art lovers will purchase art as a gift for someone else.  This is especially true as the Christmas season draws near.  But, art is a very personal thing.  Everyone has different tastes, especially when it comes to art, so buying art as a gift for someone else can be risky.  A piece of art that you think is great, the gift recipient may not like at all. This would put them in the position of having to disappoint you by asking to exchange the gift (thereby seeming to be unappreciative of the gift), or having to display a piece of art in their home that they just don’t appreciate in the same way you do.

I would suggest that you try to get their opinion on the artist’s work if you are considering purchasing a piece of art as a gift for a loved one or friend.  If they appreciate the work done by the artist chances are they will love your generous gift.

4.  Lastly, and by far the best reason to purchase art, is that the buyer really loves the piece.  They feel an emotional connection.  Something about a particular painting touches them,  possibly reminding  them of a pleasant memory.  Or, they may just love the expressive brushwork or the lively colours in the painting.  Regardless of the reason for the emotional connection,  this is always the best reason to buy a piece of artwork (in my humble opinion) – because you love it.

What motivates you to purchase a piece of art?  Do you purchase it because you love it, or do you purchase it for another reason?  I am interested in hearing your comments.

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Buy Prints, Art Cards and More Featuring Brenda’s Artwork

Prints, art cards, t-shirts, ipad and iphone covers, mousepads and more featuring Brenda’s original acrylic and watercolour paintings, photographs and digital art are available at Art and Soul Designs.

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