Art Mash 6 and Anniversary Celebrations!

Gary / oil gray toned on canvas panel / 18x14

Gary, with bushels of gray and white hair, was our very poised and professional model in open studio this beautiful Sunday afternoon. He never waivered from his pose and resumed the exact same position after each break. Even so, when we started out, I once again had a bad case of the jitters. Taking a few deep breaths and plunging ahead, I found I could not fit his right hand on my canvas. From past experience, I knew that wiping off and trying again would likely leave him without a foot or with his head cut off, so I decided to press on. I am always amazed by the amount of color that my eyes see at these life sessions - I wish I could always paint from life. But, alas,as that is not possible, I can only hope that lessons learned here will translate into my studio paintings.

Its been a busy month as my husband and I decided to celebrate our anniversary for a full 4 weeks! Last week I had a chance to dress up as we went to the Nightingale Concert Hall to listen to the Reno Chamber Orchestra play an all Beethoven program. The music was powerful, majestic and quite emotional.  I was absolutely swept away by Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C major, Op. 56.  This piece was an impassioned conversation between the violin, cello and piano and was completely unforgettable. We are so very lucky that Reno has this level of classical music.

Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio on violin, Ditri Atapine on cello, James Winn at piano and Theodore Kuchar conducting

Our next stop was to the Shriner's Circus at the Reno Events Center. It is a delightful, small town circus that benefits Shiner's Children's Hospitals.  It was apparent that all the animals in the eclectic menagerie trained by this red headed lady loved her immeasurably and equally apparent that she loved them. The entire circus was thoroughly enjoyable and the blue cotton candy the best I have ever had!!

On Wednesday, we are off to the east coast for a true vacation. We are headed to Washington DC and hope to see the cherry trees in bloom, explore the Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art and see as many iconic monuments as we can! See you when we get back!

Art Mash 4

Kim / oil on linen panel / 14 x 18

Open studio life sketch done yesterday at the NV Museum of Art studio. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

A Singers Life and a Pathetic Oil Attempt

Jakki Ford / Conte pastel on tan toned paper / 14x11

 Jakki is a local entertainer who has the voice of an angel and played some of her own CDs as background music while we drew her. She wore a large yellow feathered piece in her hair and was a very elegant and personable lady.

Amber / 18x14 / oil on gray toned linen panel

Last Sunday was Art Mash at the NV Museum of Art. Amber was the lovely model. She wore a navy blue gold spangled outfit and was seated on a lime green settee among a profusion of brilliant colored pillows and throws. I did my best but could not capture her beauty or the relaxation of her pose. I do feel I was successful with the foreshortening of the figure so all was not lost. She was a most lovely model but I am still finding life painting to be so nerve wracking. I look forward to the day when I succeed in conquering these jitters!