Scooter Stop, 10x8

"Scooter Stop" 10x8" Oil

Life has been non stop for me so please pardon my lack of posting activity. Honestly, I can't tell you how much busier life has been for me since March, and I don't see it stopping until I get my daughter off to college and all settled in. The distractions are plentiful and too much to list lest I bore you. Just suffice it to say I have been brewing up a lot of pastel dust and oil.  Here is a piece I did today that I am pretty happy with from an outing in the low down area of Union Station (the famous Go By Train station in downtown Portland). There have been many other paintings that I have worked on but not many that I am satisfied with or have completed.

There are many new events I've listed on the right. A Plein Air Showcase at Art Elements Gallery, a 1 day workshop on painting water, and a few plein air events that I will be participating in and jurying are listed. Please take a moment and check these venues out, all worthy of a few blinks.  

Planning out my schedule has been most difficult with the onset of drier painting weather and also the Plein Air Conference had taken up the bulk of my absence. Also, I do have to blame my lack of blog posts on Facebook for it's immediacy of posting. It seems that my blog has taken a back seat as life gets busier and it seems that if I can get snippets in at a fraction of the time. Oh, but I miss the diary of sorts that a blog offers, hoping not to bore anyone at the same time keeping time with my artist career.

I do hope to post a few new pieces here in the next few days, so please drop by and I'd love your feedback.

Confessions of a Plein Air Artist

Oh, my dear drafting stool sits abandoned and waiting patiently for me, the artist, along with it's sturdy and lunky easel companion for another 5 months. Oh dear stool and easel, if only you had the grand opportunity to go out to paint outdoors with me, but you are big, very big and awkward to handle... and you are too heavy to be hauled to a place far away from the studio, so far away that you may feel a bit homesick at times.  Perhaps you may not like the bright sun, or the songbirds, or the occasional bug kissing your painting, or the quiet breeze and the occasional cow paddy accompanied by a potty stop in the shrubs. Oh, dear easel and stool, if you could just go out a few times and feel the joy it brings to so many artists, then you would understand my absence.
 

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The plein air season is finally here and will be marked by the opening statements of Plein Air Magazine Publisher, Eric Rhodes at the Plein Air Convention in Monterey, CA. this coming April 10th. I am looking forward to return again to learn, observe the masters, to make new connections and reconnections and to come home exhausted, yet full of fuel to blast me forward into the season. 

Spring Wear, 10x8, Yosemite, and PAE!

"Spring Wear", 10x8" Oil

The plein air season has begun here in Oregon; that is, whenever we get an occasional dry day. It's even better if there are blue clouds above, if you can imagine that in Portland. There have been a few days when I've gone out with full intentions to paint and then end up leaving with a camera full of images only to paint in the studio for the day. "Spring Wear", above, is one of those painting days.  The inspiring image was taken from a stroll down the trendy boutique blocks of NW 23rd.

I've been busy as usual, happily readying for upcoming trips, painting a few paintings, entering shows, traveling, and composing my Studio Updates newsletter.  Fortunately for me, my husband is home on sabbatical and that has helped tremendously, allowing me to get quality work done with a lot less rush. We took a trip to Yosemite for Spring Break last week with the kids and I had a couple of opportunities to paint the amazing landscape. The weather was cooperative for late March which allowed us to access most of the park. Imagine breathing the fresh air after a rainfall, seeing wild poppies in bloom, hiking amongst the Giant Redwood trees, walking under a solid vertical piece of granite that measures 10 football fields high, and feeling the mist from giant Yosemite Falls upon your skin. Yes, Yosemite was breathtaking! I highly recommend that every artist go there to paint at least once in a lifetime.  Here are two plein air paintings I painted in the park:

Half Dome", 8x10" Oil

(available through artist, $550)

 "Tunnel View", 8x10"  Oil

(available through artist, $550)

One Happy Camper

Upon my return from Yosemite, I was greeted with an acceptance letter to participate in Plein Air Easton!  Can you say "happy artist dance"? Some artists call it the "Ironman" of plein air events because of grueling hot and humid weather conditions, fierce competition amongst top plein air artists, and oooh sooo lavish parties. I can't wait.  To get an idea of what Plein Air Easton! is all about, click the logo below for the calender of events.

"Summer Lake" 10x8" Pastel

Today I went out with a few other artists to paint in a local park called "Summer Lake".  I have to get my act together for the upcoming Plein Air convention, so I went for a test drive with my pastels, which have been practically abandoned since my introduction to oils. I was wildly surprised that I hadn't lost my mojo with what I was able to accomplish in a little more than 1 hour.  I'd say it was a good day. How was yours?

Proper Pansies, 6x6

"Proper Pansies" 6x6" Oil

Over the course of several weeks I've painted a lot, but shamefully I haven't blogged about it at all. Zilch, nada, nuthin'. It seems that there is so much to do and so little time. Too bad we can't buy more time somehow like it was a commodity, but then it wouldn't be so prized.  What would you do with it?

"Proper Pansies" was painted last week at Studio 30 during the "still life" session. Officially by my own calling, I'd categorize this time at Studio 30 as a time of good friends and conversation much like a tea party, but with paint. The small black teacup with the pansy decoration and gold gilded inner lining was from my Grandma's collection. It just glows in real life and so I tried to capture that luster with some Cadmium Red Med, Indian Yellow and a tiny touch of a green mixture.  The toughest part of this still life was trying to capture that inner glow of the light streaming through the yellow china cup. I think I got it...well, kind of.  Anyway, the yellow china cup I picked up at the Goodwill, a great place to find interesting things to paint.

One of the time consuming things I did during my blogging absence was listing with DailyPaintWorks.com. Also called DPW, it was developed by blogger Carol Marine and is quick and easy to list and simple to use. The art is varied, categorized and priced with either a set price or at auction. I have signed up to DPW to find a venue to release the hoards of art that I have in the studio that I must rotate. There are some really nice pieces starting just at a low $50 each. So, do stop by often as I post new work weekly. Link to the right---->

Here are a few listings with links to each auction....

Dune Path 6x6, Pastel

Dinghies at Rest, 6x6: Pastel

Cusp of the Day, 8x10" Oil

Fanno Creek Wetlands, 16x12" Oil

Glass Implements, 9x12" Pastel

Mosier Aspens, 12x9" Pastel

Artist Self Doubt and Expectations

It's funny, the other day my artist friend cheered me on as a "famous artist" because I have been listed on the roster of artists at the Plein Air Convention. I don't know if this is what deems one famous, but I'll take it as a wonderful compliment with both arms wide open. Could this mean this is my "15 minutes of fame?"  I certainly don't feel any deserved than any other artist. Perhaps I am feeling a sprinkling of self doubt, or perhaps my work should receive every recognition possible with every pastel stroke or dab of oil on my canvas to justify myself being "famous". Does being an artist mean we are born to endure these feelings of self doubt or higher expectations? I think to some degree yes, but I also believe that this is what moves us to work harder and be better artists. I am happy to report that I live amongst very talented artists in my own community who I feel are pretty famous in their own right, and hopefully "In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes" ~Andy Warhol.  There is so much yet to be painted, to discover, to endure to be famous. Yet I'll take the compliment any way I can. Thanks to those who have believed in me, hopefully it will pay off in the end. I just saw this quote on success and want to share it with you. 

Success

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Plein Air Convention is coming up this April! Last year was so memorable and inspiring to be among so many fun loving, happy artists who were all part of one big family. I want to feel that way again if only for a few days. Come join me in this awesome event, you will not forget it.

Last year, during the Plein Air Convention all 700 artists went out to paint at 

Red Rocks, Nevada...in the gusty wind and rain. Call me nuts but I was so happy to be there

with so many artists. This year we go to Monterey, CA!

Fanno Creek Wetland, 16x12

"Fanno Creek Wetland" 16x12" Oil on canvas panel

This piece is available HERE

Today was just gorgeous outside.  After being covered with overcast skies and a few sun breaks here and there, we finally got a full day of sunshine and warmer temps.  I actually think I got some color on my face, and no, I'm not talking about the surprise splotch of oil paint on my face either. This piece was  plein air painted just off of a long stretch of water called Fanno Creek that runs the span of two cities;  Beaverton and Tigard, Oregon. Amazing, the amount of pedestrians walking their dogs, strolling their babies, or jogging along don't even notice a painter, while just a few will stop to chat and ask about my work. Do they have art hanging in their own homes that they take notice? Anyway, this one is available in DailyPaintWorks  by auction. Starting bid is pretty low, so if you are interested, just click here.

Crossline, 12x12

"Crosslines" 12x12" Pastel  ©Brenda Boylan

I live in a suburb just outside of Portland, OR. called Beaverton. The city of Beaverton has never had a centralized hub, and so for the past 4+ years, community volunteers have been working hard on revitalizing it's "downtown". Actually, there really is no true downtown as it's had it's share of quick growth and misplaced strip malls. Ah, but I did find this little spot that was bathed in sun and has more or less a vibe of the buildings in the core area of the city. I stumbled upon this 60's style building last fall with my pochade box all ready to paint, but the wind was a bit brisk so I decided it would have to wait. Here is my studio piece of that location as taken from photo.

Morning Crocus, 8x8

Morning Crocus, 8x8" Pastel  ©Brenda Boylan

Spring is pretty much here in the Great Northwest even though it's not official until March 21. Just yesterday, I saw some crocus peeking up from our garden and thought, "YEAH, plein air season is almost here!" Spring means it's time for the Plein Air Convention which has been designed to inspire all those artists to go outdoors. It is also the highlight of my year. This time around I have been honored to mentor as a field artist.  That means I will be out in the field painting with 700 other plein air artists, demonstrating my technique and visiting with curious onlookers. Now the question is, should I bring oil or my ever faithful pastels?

The piece above was from deep within the vault, created some eleven years ago or so when I first began painting with pastels in earnest. Sorry it is a bit blurry, but I don't have a good photo of it and has since been purchase by a collector. Whenever I see crocus, it is a reminder that spring is just...around... the...corner!

Uncertainty, 16x12

"Uncertainty, 16x12" Pastel  ©Brenda Boylan

The road less travelled, in this case, is what this painting is all about. I often write about my family farm and my childhood memories that surround it. Directly behind the our farm house and property there is an old log road that leads to the top. When my Dad was a young boy, he'd hike up the hill and set up camp on the top, above all of Creswell. Then once he had hiked my sister and I up there when we were grade school aged, feeling above all the earth when we reached the summit. At the top there was a fresh cold spring that we could drink from that made us feel connected to the earth. Late last summer, my Dad at age 75, my husband, and two kids hiked up the mountain again. It had been years since I climbed it and, as for my Dad, he was so much more in shape than all of us! At the very top we ended up scrambling through some blackberry brambles and perhaps some poison oak, Oregon blueberry, ivy, and thick brush. The ground was not to be seen, only the tall trees above and the sky peeking through the fir and ash trees overhead. We came upon a dirt road and started downhill to the other side of the mountain, passing through private property.  As dusk was upon us we approached this road (above) and thankfully my Dad knew exactly where we were, but it would be around 3 miles on the country road to the farm house by foot. It was getting late and the sun was setting, so we cut through a pioneer cemetery and another neighbor's yard littered with horse poo, back onto our property. With no real path to follow we just faced downhill by my Dad's memory and found our way back.  "Uncertainty" is a road less traveled.

Old logging road

On the way up

View from the top overlooking the farm

Pastel workshop Recap

 "Ferdinand", 12x9" Pastel

This past weekend I taught my Pastel Punch! workshop at Sequoia Gallery to a wonderful group of artists. They all worked very hard and so I'm going to share a bit of what we worked on and some of the finer points that I taught.  

Values are distinct when color is absent.

First and foremost I encourage every artist, whether they are a beginner or advanced, to study on an ongoing basis the importance of values. This is probably the hardest point to drive home to artists and often the one thing that we all struggle with the most. Here is my value demonstration of what I titled "Ferdinand." In this lesson, we used just ten pastels of varying values to create depth and volume. When I returned home after the day's work, I checked my work by photographing him in black and white mode to see if I read the values correctly and it looks like I might need more practice too.

Another project we worked on was a 4-value, single hue underpainting using Turpeniod. Turpenoid offers flexibility with the dissolved pigment, but it takes a long time to dry.  It's great when out plein air painting as the heat of the day evaporates it quickly enough.

"Glass Implements" 9x12" Pastel

One of my favorite exercises is having the students create a quick 20 minute study. I use a timer and count down the minutes to add pressure to create. It is my intention to get the students to loosen up and simplify their work.  No room for details in this exercise. Then we stretched a bit further and painted a 10 minute study.  Everybody gets a kick out of the energy that is evident in the work. If I had thought of it, I'd have put on a blood pumping marching tune by John Philip Sousa. Here's my 10 minute attempt (from a photo that I had painted alla prima in oils.)

"Teacups, 10 minute Study" 9x12" Pastel

Because pastel can be handled in so many ways, whether it be blended, crosshatched, stippled or patterned, an artist can have such versatility and a lot of fun.  Here are a few of my students' works with their choice of mark making. 

A delightful stack of cups by artist Ann.

...and a very precious robin's nest by artist Marianne

And finally, here is the wall of most of the students' work.  It was a fun workshop and when I woke up the next morning after the workshop, I expected to go back for more.  There will be more workshops as I have just signed a contract to teach "Pastels Inside & Out" at The Oregon Society of Artists in September,  and I also will be teaching "Pastel Punch!" at the Emerald Art Center in March of 2014. (Details will be up soon.)

Some of the students work over the course of the workshop.

If you are interested in having me teach a pastel workshop in your area, contact me and let's discuss the possibilities.

Old Chalks + Pastel Punch workshop this weekend

Old "Chalks" 

The Farmhouse as seen from the new house.

A few weeks ago, I visited my Dad on the family farm. As a kid, my Dad worked the property like every family member did in the bean fields, milking cows early in the morning, walking to school in the snow... up hill no doubt. When he graduated from college, he left the farm for the city life in California. When he and my stepmom retired, they moved back up to the farm and built a new home on the property. Luckily, they left the original farm house intact.  Last time I visited, my husband, kids and I went over to the "Farm house" with Dad and we got to dig through some of his old boxes that he keeps in a corner of the farmhouse. He spoke of his childhood as we pulled each item out as if it were just yesterday. We found his Scouting badges, an old film camera and film canisters, a fishing rod and cricket cage, my Grandmother's Christening dress and baby shoes, Indian arrowheads, and more. In one of the boxes I found a small wooden birch box with a latch on it and took a peek inside. "Oh, those are just some 'ol chalks" says my Dad. "Yeah, but I'd like to know if you plan on using them?"  So here they are, and they are mine!

Sampling on Wallis paper

I played around with them today and found that the pigment is intense, with little binder. They are soft and blend well.  An unusual aspect of these is that they are very lightweight as if I am holding a dry sponge. There was no label as to the manufacturer, so it's my guess that they were just "chalks" for a school art project.  Looks like they saw little use with a few broken ones.  I think I will put these dusty sticks to some good use. If not, I guess my kids will find them in a box stored in a dusty corner someday.

Also, I'd like to mention that my Pastel Punch! workshop is this weekend, Feb 8-10th. I am so excited to get back to teaching and love sharing my passion with pastels. There are still a few spots left so if you are in the area and want to know how to make an impact with this super cool medium, give it a try. I might even let you play with my newfound pastels from the farm.  :)

Workshop info HERE
Register by calling Sequoia Gallery at 503-693-0401

A bit of SSP (aka Shameless Self Promotion)

"NW 23rd at Johnson" 8x10, Oil

Last year, the Plein Air Convention was first launched and was widely attended by plein air artists from across the globe. When I first heard of it, I longed to go but reasoned it was not worth the expense. As the date drew closer, I became more convinced that I must go and gathered my gear and set out with some like minded artists. I'm forever grateful that I did because of the inspiration and friends I made there is still strong and growing.  I am honored and excited to be included as a Demonstrating Field Artist for this years event and lineup.  Imagine learning and painting alongside artists Kathleen Dunphy, Ken Auster, Scott Christiansen, Kim Lordier,  Ned Mueller, Camille Przewodek, and so many other talented artists too many to list? I strongly encourage you to attend if you can figure out how to make it a reality. The event will be held April 10~14th in the beautiful California coastal town of Monterey.

Above is a plein air painting (unfinished) from last fall and I'm not sure if I had ever posted it before. Looking at it now, it reminds me of the warm, dry weather we had and the fun I had with the other artists as we painted and chatted along. There were several pedestrians around, curious about art being created on the spot. Not a common sight for the general public to see, but if you are ever do catch us about, do stop by and say "Hi."

Workshop Schedule , Feb 8-10 and Sept 20-22

"Cafe' Seating" 13x8.5" Pastel

I'm excited to be offering two pastel workshops this year and have listed them below. For those "out of town'ers" who would rather not drive the distance each day, I would gladly recommend a few hotels during your workshop experience. Just let me know if you need help.

Pastel Punch!

(a few spots left)

Learn the secrets of this intensely expressive and colorful medium in an artistic environment. This 3 day workshop will be held in the beautiful Sequia Gallery & Studios in downtown Hillsboro.  Designed for all artistic levels who want to learn what it takes to make knock-out pastel paintings.  Drawing skills are recommended and you will have photo references as well as still lifes sets (your choice) for each lesson. Students can expect to work a variety of exercises stressing the unique qualities of pastel while concentrating on composition, value, and color theory, as well as pastel safety and framing. Students will stretch their creativity with the given exercizes and are not expected to complete a finished work in class. 

Workshop Dates: 2/8/2013 - 2/10/2013 (REGISTRATION ENDS SOON!)

Class #31

Class Limited to 10 students only

$300.00 

Sequoia Gallery

136 SE 3rd

Hillsboro Oregon 97123

United States

http://www.sequoiagallerystudios.org/

Call Sequoia to register at (503) 693-0401

Download Supply List HERE

Registration through Sequoia Gallery

Pastel Inside & Out

This workshop will be for those beginning to advanced students who desire an intensive pastel experience both in the studio and en plein air. The first two days will be in the studio working on important key points of pastel with given exercises stressing composition, mark making, values, and color theory plus a whole lot more. On the final day, weather permitting, we will venture outdoors (TBD) to put into practice what you have learned in the studio. Brenda will teach you how to be effective in the field, simplifing pastel supplies, what to look for in the scene, and other factors the plein air experience brings. Brenda has participated in several competitive plein air festivals on the west coast and has been selected to be a Demonstrating Field Artist at the Plein Air Convention in Monterey, CA in April, 2013.

Workshop Dates: 9/20/2013 - 9/22/2013

Class limited to 12 students

$300.00

Oregon Society of Artists

2185 SW Park Place

Portland Oregon 97205

United States

http://www.oregonsocietyofartists.com/

For more information call Brenda at (503)702-2403

Download Registration Form HERE

Download Supply List HERE

Pastel Punch!

Now in the planning stages, The Emerald Valley Art Center will be hosting this 3-day workshop in March of 2014. Also, If you would like to have me teach in your area I am currently looking for sponsors. Please contact me if you would like to make this a reality.

She's Not Perfect (nude), 16x12

"She's Not Perfect" 16 x 12" Pastel

"She's Not Perfect" (cropped)

A few years back, I think it was fall of 2011, I went out with a few artists to a shoreline on the Columbia River Gorge that is best known for it's nudity (Rooster Rock). No, I did not paint in the nude, but I'm sure some other artist has done it before. We went out with a model to paint her in the open view of the Gorge. It was beautiful out, but not warm enough to have our model pose in the water as was our intention. Regardless, this is one of two I painted in a 3 hour period, this one being the more colorful of the two. It was one of those modeling sessions that everything was just flowing...including the time. Swept up in the experience, I forgot to pick up my kids from school and we were an hour out of town!  It was one of those "pedal to the metal" days, but so much fun. "She's Not Perfect" is just that, proportions are off, but I still love this piece and will probably study it's colors for some time. I used an orange under-painting and modified it with neutralized colors. Hope you enjoy her.

Approaching Fog, Winter's Neutral Command, Pastel Punch Workshop

"Approaching Fog" 16x12" Pastel

This past week I gave a pastel demonstration at Sequoia Gallery to a group of 15 students on my pastel painting process. The focus of this particular demo was the use of a dry under-painting. Most of my works are started with a wet underpainting of pastel and turpenoid, or pastel and alcohol. Both have their benefits and disadvantages. However, with the dry method, you can use a pastel to block in the under laying colors and then brush it out to with a paper towel to completely cover the paper surface. This is great because the paper is dry and you can immediately begin working your idea out with waiting for the surface to dry. The disadvantage of this method is that the pastel dust gets EVERYWHERE! Anyway, this painting is from a photo source from which which I had painted plein air last summer. The sun was rising and the low lying fog was glimmering in the early rays of light, casting a soft rose light upon all that was in it's ray.  

This demo was a teaser for my upcoming Pastel Punch Workshop this coming February 8~10th at Sequoia Gallery. For details on the workshop, visit my website HERE.  Class size is limited to 10 students, so register soon to avoid wait listing.

"Winter's Neutral Command" 8x10" Oil

Gratefully, it has been unusually sunny for the past 5 days here which has caused the temps to be pretty c c c c o l d.  It was hard not to notice the cooler colors and provocative long shadows of winter. Being the fair weathered plein air artist that I am, I had to try just this once to paint out in the frosty weather to to see what I thought of it. With winter painting you can expect to wear layers and layers of clothing. Standing in a spot with direct sunlight can be a problem for your eyes and palette, but it sure makes for a warmer experience. By the end of the painting session, the temps had risen to a near 31 degrees and so I was comfortable removing my woolen caps. The water had a beautiful thin layer of ice and for the first time I was able to witness the unusual sight of a goose "walking on water".
This is one of two plein air studies I worked on and honestly, I'm not sure if I am truly satisfied with it. Even though the sun was out, I think these winter colors are dull and boring...unlike my first impression of the day. I suppose I love color more than anything in a work of art. Perhaps I should try this cold weather painting a few more times to get a true evaluation of the colors of winter before giving it such a harsh criticism. Either that, or stay indoors with a space heater and a cup of tea and honey.