Margaret Bowland

Yesterday I went to Los Angeles to see Margaret Bowland's work at the Thomas Paul art gallery. The above pastel was not included in her work, but I found it on her website and love it. I will admit, now don't chase me out of town, my initial response when walking into the gallery was "I don't like this and don't want to look at it". Well, when Peter Frank arrived I had no choice but to sit and look at her work for an hour and I have to say that in that hour I found I was really becoming comfortable with the work and finding a lot of things I'd like to imitate. I think at first I was put off by the exposed female genitalia, the strange pairing of women, black, white, though bald (model has a disease) and Latina dwarf. However, when you look at the way they are painted, and look at their faces you can really see an empathy between the artist and her models. The gallery owner told us that this little girl will often take her own poses and ask the artist, what am I, or who am I and the work goes from there. I am inspired by her work and will hope to take something from it to put in my own.

Check out Margaretbowland.com

Portraits

Yesterday my Critical theory class, with Peter Frank, met at the Scape gallery in Corona Del Mar to view the work of artist Ray Turner. Turner has painted portraits of local art collectors - for the most part on 12 x 12" pieces of glass. He then paints squares of various colors on the wall and arranges the portraits on the squares. The gallery contacts their collectors, invites them to attend a photo shoot, but tells them that just because he photographs them, does not mean he will paint them. Ah , how smart - dangling the carrot, instilling the fear of being left out... The guy knows what he is doing. The buyer chooses the background color and the gallery sends a painter to their home to paint the colored square on their wall. The portraits are very interesting. Each one is painted with colors and brush strokes unique to the sitter. He really seems to capture individual personality. There was one portrait that stuck out as not like the others. It was far too warm in tone and felt over worked - not as spontaneous as the others. The jaw line and neck appeared rubbed out. I commented on this and Peter Frank suggested that the subject may have had plastic surgery and this was the artists way of dealing with that. The gallery owner had over heard, came out and wanted to know which painting we were talking of. Sure enough, the woman painted had loved her portrait and claimed this is what she would look like after her "next" surgery. I was impressed that Frank had such a keen eye as to figure out what it was. The portraits were inspiring. I'd love to give something like that a go. Another student pointed out, that by painting on glass he was probably saving time by blowing up the images and putting the glass on top of the photos and painting directly. Hm. One can only say, why didn't I think of that first?

Perspective

I had a surprise this semester. I was offered a position as a TA (teacher's assistant) for an undergraduate course on perspective. I laughed, thinking "I wonder who told the powers that be, that I could use a review in perspective"?

Well, my first class was on Thursday. It went well. It is a large class, in a small room, so much of the time I was just trying to figure out where to stand so I was not in the way. Basically the teacher (Scott Settle) demonstrates on the board and I wander through the tables checking to see that the students are putting their lines in the right places. It was tiring as I did not have a chance to sit down and they really don't take a break - for 3 and a half hours. I will get there early next week and try to fit a chair at the back of the room.

After perspective I hauled my stuff up to the MFA building where I met with Joe for our mentor meeting. I really liked Joe. He is very direct and easy to follow. He has a much grander picture for me that I admit I had. I realise that he is right in saying that in trying to figure out how to communicate content I left my style and personality behind. I now have to bring the two together - my work is starting too look too much like a product of LCAD. I spent today journaling, sketching, searching the web looking at other artist's work, images and finally after many hours of this I came up with a seed of an idea that I really like. Let's see if I feel the same way tomorrow!

I am learning so much about process!

New Website

Hi all and Happy New Year! Well, I had three goals for the break. One was to get a scholarship application ready to go out - it is nearly there, just have to pick up some docs from school and it will be ready to go. Two, is to get one of my thesis paintings repaired and at a state worth showing to my new mentor - Joe Gerges. I am almost there on that one. Will paint at least six hours today and get it there. The third thing was a new website. That is done! It is much easier for me to update and much easier for you and me to remember. Just go to serenapotter.com Please let me know if you see anything I need to fix. One thing I have done is added a section called dailies, where I have put all of the daily paintings from this blog in one spot. They are much easier to view that way.

Above is a painting by Joe. I really look forward to working with him. His work is quite different from mine and I hope I can learn more from him about physiology - painting the figure in such a way that it tells the story through posture, expression and so forth. His work is realistic but not "pretty". I like that too. His web site is joegerges.com

I am no longer officially working with John Brosio. It is a good thing to get input from different sources. I do feel he has helped me immensely in my initial progress and I hope to connect back with him later in this MFA journey. His work is at Johnbrosio.com

School starts tomorrow. I am just hoping I can make it down the mountain! The wind and rain are torrential today and are expected all week.

October

" Kitchen Talk"

"Abstract"

" Study of Madame Gautreau by Sargent"

This has been a very busy month, but enlightening as well. I feel like my brain is doubling in size. It is crackling with thoughts on Greenberg, Schapiro, Krauss, Benjamine, and others - their thoughts on modernism, what it means to be modern, grids, flatness of picture planes, and so forth. It gives me insight into my own work and why I make the decisions that I do.

I am very busy working on my thesis project -which you will not see for some time. But above are three paintings completed this month. The first - is one I start at the end of summer. I deliberated over how realistic to paint the cupboards and window, but decided I liked them as simple shapes, leaving the two mirrored figures at the center of focus. This painting will be posted on my website - for more information.

The second painting "Abstract" was an assignment given by my mentor John Brosio. It is something I had not really done before and I really enjoyed it. Painting abstract is very freeing. This painting is approximately 8 x 10", oil on canvas and will sell for $200.00 Shipping $5.00

The third painting is a study of Madame Gautreau - copied from John Singer Sargent. I chose this subject because I love how Sargent is able to communicate so much with such seemingly conservative brush strokes - wet into wet - painted all in one sitting. If he was not happy with the outcome, he scraped off all the paint and started over. It could be a long day for the model! It is the exact proportions of the original 12 1/2 x 16 1/8" and is oil on canvas. In another month I can put a varnish on it which will really gloss up the darks and push them back. This too is for sale $300.00. Shipping is $5

Back to School!

I am now officially an MFA student at Laguna College of Art and Design and am taking a figure painting course from Joseph Todorovich - excellent artist. We are experimenting with different palettes to get the most realistic flesh tones. The Top two are using a limited pallet. The bottom one is a full palette. Each pose is a five hour pose. I am really enjoying revisiting the figure and honing my skills.

All of my course work is available for sale. Contact me if interested.

Little Corona Beach

Yesterday my little girl turned eleven so we spent the day at Little Corona Beach. It was lovely. Afterward dinner at Ruby's Diner. Hey, they have a pretty good selection of vegetarian dishes - easy to make vegan.

Title: Little Corona Beach
Medium: Oil on panel - with a little sand
Size: 8 x 10"
Price: $300.00
Shipping: $10

Summer Time

I noticed these two girls when I was at the Smiley Library in Redlands last week - and had to sneak a few photos. I love books. I grew up in libraries- my mother being a librarian. No summer is complete without uninterrupted reading and trips to the cool and quiet library.

Title: Summer Library Time
Size: 8 x 10"
Medium: Oil on panel
Price: $300.00
Shipping: $10.00

The Eyes Have It

hat a crazy summer and we are only half way through July. I have been accepted to the MFA program at Laguna College of Art and Design. I start in September and am so excited. They are one of a handful of schools in the country that really focus on traditional methods and will guide on technique rather than just what outlandish message you have to give. Their faculty are all amazing artists, who are exhibiting in major cities around the country. So, I have been very busy filling out scholarship applications!

We have accepted an offer on our house and will be moving to a larger place - to accommodate teen age girl needs and bigger studio needs. We have been dealing with car issues - I hate car issues. Each of my girls have scholarships to Arrowbear music camp this summer so have had fun making music and friends.

This is a fun portrait of MaCall.

Title: The Eyes Have It
Size: 11 x 14"
Medium: Oil on panel
Price: $600.00
Shipping:$ 20.00

Bracken Fern Manor

Yesterday I did some painting at Bracken Fern Manor - an interesting place in a little canyon near Lake Arrowhead. It was built by Chicago gangster Bugsy Segal in the 1920's - as a private club complete with gambling, booze, brothel and secret tunnels. It was active till some time after WWII and has fascinating gangster history - forced take overs etc.

So, here it is today as a quiet inn.

Title: Bracken Fern Manor
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 12 x 14"
Price: $600

Angel Study

This is a study for a painting I have had in my head for sometime now. I will be painting this on a much larger scale.

Angel Study
8 x 10"
NFS yet - if interested please e-mail me at serena@zittaw.com

Crystal Cove on Memorial Day

We spent a lovely Memorial Day at Crystal Cove Beach with family. Currently on display at the Riverside Community Art Association Gallery.

Title: Crystal Cove
Medium: Oil on Panel
Size: 5 x 7"
SOLD
Plein Air - complete with a few grains of sand!

Another day at Heaps Peak

I spent another lovely morning painting at Heaps Peak Arboretum - here in the San Bernardino Mountains. Within a mile loop of pathway is such a variety of terrain and plant life - also other life. On my way back up the path, pulling my red wagon behind me, I encountered a beautiful snake making his way across. I did a little research and learned that he is a California Mountain King snake. What brilliant colours he had.

Today I painted a path through some mountain lilac in bloom.

Title: Heap's Path SOLD
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 14 x 18"
Price: $700
Shipping: $40

Pacific Dogwood

I enjoyed a lovely morning painting at Heap's Peak Arboretum - here in the San Bernardino Mountains. The dogwood trees are so beautiful right now. After painting I went for a nice hike - admired some springs, the mountain lilacs, lots of lizards and some really big squirrels! I ate my lunch under a tree and contemplated life. This painting is currently on display at the Riverside Community Art Association Gallery.

Pacific Dogwood
Size: 14 x 18"
Medium: oil on panel
Plein Air
Price: $700.00
Shipping: $40.00

Jeni Cat

This little painting is a commission - a tribute for a good friend now gone - Jeni's cat that is.

Medium: oil on panel
Size: 8 x 10"

Morning Light on Pansies

As I make my fruit smoothie first thing in the morning I stand at the kitchen window and look out at the pansies in my planting beds. I love how happy they look as the morning light skims across them. Pansies are definitely one annual that is well worth the money spent - coming up the next year in profusion.

Title: Morning Light on Pansies
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 11 x 14"
Price: $600.00
Shipping: $20.00

Thinking Ahead or Looking Behind?

Okay, this is way out of season, but sometimes you just have to paint what strikes you.

Title: Gingerbread House
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 12 x 9 "
Price: $300.00
Shipping: $10.00

Celebrating Spring

This is the painting followed the warm up. It feels very spring to me...

Title: Celebrating Spring
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 8 x 10"
Price: $300.00
Shipping: $10.00

Lamb

Felt the need to paint sheep today. This was my little warm up.

Title: Lamb
Size: 5 x 7 "
Medium: oil on canvas panel
Size: $100.00
Shipping: $2.00

White Water Tree

Saturday I drove with friend's Wilma and Helga to the White Water Nature Preserve, where the PAAR artists were painting for the day. We found a good spot, got all set up for a few hours of painting. I decided to start with a warm up. Not five minutes in the wind burst through the canyon sending brushes, pallets, canvas and paper towels flying everywhere. I had yellow ochre and sap green on my lap, hands and paint box. Determined to stick it out, I managed to get this little painting done. At which point we decided to eat our lunch (in a more sheltered spot) and seek less windy locations. Not to happen that day. The wind continued to bring in a storm and we gave up. I hope to go back late this week. It is a fun location.

Title: White Water Tree
Medium: oil on canvas panel
Size: 5 x 7"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $2.00