Last call for Pastel Punch! workshop, 3/30~4/1

I'm sounding out the horn to let all of my bloggers know that I have a few spots left for my Pastel Punch! workshop. My workshop is intended for beginner to intermediate pastelists, as well as advanced, (there are a few of you who would prefer me to challenge you farther with your craft).  I love teaching and find a deep satisfaction in personal progress and love to push students to their fullest potential.  Perhaps I have a deep energy for it, but the fact is I LOVE pastels.  So come join me in this journey of artistic creation and learn ways to make your work stand out in a crowd.

More information for registration can be found here:  http://www.brendaboylan.com/Pastels/Workshops.html

Champagne For Everyone!, 20x17"

"Champagne for Everyone!" 20x17" Pastel ©Brenda Boylan

Detail of "Champagne for Everyone!" (click to enlarge)

Last weekend (The Trilogy Event) is still fermenting in my mind as one of the highlights of the winter season and I wanted to post the final image of what I painted.  Of course, I began and "finished" this piece in one hour, but in reality, pieces created in quick draws usually need some final tweaking.  So it spent a little bit of time in the studio and here is the finished piece.  I usually don't share much about my painting method, but this time around I think I'll share with you how I do what I do.  After all, isn't that why people read blogs? For information?  Oh yeah.

I use the sides of my pastel sticks a lot! That way, the pastel makes a wide brush of color as well I have more control applying pressure on the sanded surface, giving me endless ways to make a mark.  I save the edges of the pastels for the expressive mark making and final details.  Because this bar scene has a lot of atmosphere, I wanted to capture that haze of the sunlight streaming in. I scumbled a bright yellow pastel in the window area and followed over with a bright light blue of the same value. Also, I carried out the blue throughout the painting to give it a light filled feeling.  You can see that the source of light throughout the scene is cool, and the interior is very warm with burgundy and mauve.  Because of that, I used complimentary colors to my benefit.  I pushed the background area (shutters, shelves, etc) by applying, with light pressure, a green pastel that was slightly lighter in value.  This "grayed" out the shutters helping them to recede as well as helping push the bolder colors forward. Look closely at the area in the lower left of the detail pic.  You can see the green over the dark burgundy.  This green helped support and pull together the other greens throughout the painting.  

As for the champagne flutes, they are just bits of color....yellow, blue, pink and purple.  The highlights on the champagne flutes make them sparkle.  Notice I didn't finish them off like a picture perfect photo?   That would be a shame because I believe it takes two people to finish a painting:  The artist and the viewer.  That way you get to wonder about the scene and complete the image, helping you to engage.

OK, that's it for my artistic dialogue.  Hope you enjoy this piece.

Surprise Workshop treats!

Sample pastels from the generous Terry Ludwig

This is a newsy post, so stay with me....

In preparation for my next pastel workshop I had contacted Terry Ludwig and asked if he offers sample packs so I could introduce these wonderful pastels to my students. He generously sent me a couple of boxes to share with my students, and I was surprised at the contents.  It was thoughtful of Terry to have hand rolled these samples with little "notes" on them.  They remind me of those Valentine's Day candies. My students will get their pick of these beauties as well as another box of sample pastels to start them off on their artistic journey. There is still room in my 3-day intensive workshop coming March 30, 31, and April 1st.  Registration and information can be found online HERE, and don't hesitate to call me if you need help with hotel recommendations.

I'm still working on my cityscape (my last post) but honestly, I think I want to cut it up into little pieces.  The energy seems to come and go from it, I'm fighting it all the way, and my colors are tending to go flat as well.  So instead of fighting it, I have put it away for now and I will return to it to and hopefully discover new energy and excitement. Oh well.

Trilogy Quick Draw painting in one hour.

Also, this past Saturday evening I participated in a very special event called the Trilogy Winemaker's Dinner and Quick Draw Auction at the Allison Inn & Spa. 18 talented artists were there to make a work of art in 1 hour.  Here I am proudly holding my finished piece titled "Champagne for Everyone" that sold to Portland's own Thomas Kitts.  I think the highest compliment to an artist is when another fine artist purchases his or her work, don't you think?

Which leads me to my last bit of news: I have made plans to attend the first ever Plein Air Conference held in Las Vegas this coming April 12-15th. If you are attending this event, please look me up. I would love to connect with you. Until then, happy painting!

Making room for creativity

A crop of a city scene painting I'm currently working on

There are times when I feel like I could just scream from the frustration of interruptions to creativity.  But in reality, I have too many bowling balls that I'm juggling along with a very busy and productive family life.  This is why I haven't posted in a while.  So many things are happening at one time, and most of them are not artistic endeavors. Bleh!  

Made room for painting today and this has made me feel better and more complete.  I put on some tango music and that really made me wiggle into the creative mode again.  Here is a cropped portion of what I'm working on, and it's been a fight all the way.  Work and re-work. It's a city scene inspired from a trip into the rose city, Portland. The buildings want to curve and bend, the sky wishes to be yellow and the cars keep moving.  I love it all!  I think the tango music is making it's influence.

Watching artists paint as inpiration

Work in progress at the easel

Still life set up.

Last Friday night, I had the opportunity to watch a Master oil painter create a painting before a crowd of artists, admirers, and workshop attendees here in Portland. This was a rare opportunity, giving many a view into the inner sanctum of the artist's mind and method. There is nothing more telling than watching a piece come together from the blank canvas to the final finishing touches. As it was, we were not allowed to photograph or record the event, but I did get a few sneaks in (shown above). I'd dare to say that much was learned, and I liken it to a live performance, but in the visual sense of all things given.  I'm not going to uncover the artist's identity, and will let you figure that out on your own. If you ever have the chance to watch a painting come alive from start to finish, I highly recommend it because you will learn much and build upon your bank of visual knowledge.

And now I must segue into a little shameless self promotion...

I will be participating in a repeat performance at the Allison Inn & Spa's Trilogy Winemaker's dinner and Quick Draw event held on March 3rd. Eighteen professional artists will create, from start to finish, a piece of artwork before your eyes within the span of one hour and then placed for auction in support of the Newberg Chamber of Commerce. Prior the auction, everyone will be treated to a culinary journey paired with some of Oregon's finest wines. Ahh, my favorite, fine wine and art...mmm, mmm.  How can it get any better than that?
Here's a quick visual treat of last year's event.



More info is listed in the sidebar to the right---> (Trilogy Quick Draw)

I can't wait for this event again as it was quite the workout to paint in this type of setting with the time constraint. The artistic energy was high, the wine delicious, and the food superb!

Scholls Homestead, 9x12

"Scholls Homestead" 9x12" Oil ©Brenda Boylan

A few weeks back I took an alla prima oil painting workshop from Thomas Jefferson Kitts so I could broaden my medium choices.   Thomas is an awesome instructor with a depth of knowledge beyond any instructor I've had.   So, now I have to go out and practice, right?  Mix a little sunshine with free time and you get a great day of plein air painting!  Well...maybe.  This was my first time out painting this year as well as with oils in the field.  It was a very chilly, windy day so I took a small warming break in the car, only to return to a fallen easel!  Aack!  I continue to feel a bit clumbsy with the oils, but with anything, it will have to take some time.  Above is my first attempt in the field with oils of a small homestead in Scholls, OR off of Hwy 210.

So, yes, I'm checkin' oils out and hoping my pastels don't get too jealous of my little affair with oils.

Here is one of my studies from Thomas' class:

Floral Study with Oils, 16x12" Oil

Goal writing + Plein Air Magazine Interview

"West Vineyard View" 11x14", Pastel  ©Brenda Boylan

For those of you who read my blog may or may not know that each year I make it a point to write my goals down in the beginning of each year.  I've been doing this since 2000 and I can honestly say that it is the best way to create your life and actually make it happen. Goal writing can be personal and very uncomfortable the very first time writing them down.  Sometimes my direction changes a bit along the way, but for the most part it is consistent with my ultimate goals as an artist.  This year started out pretty good because one of my goals (#2  Get published in a magazine) is about to happen!  Give me the chills or call it good karma, writing goals down on a piece of paper really works.  What happens is the act of writing them down and the subconscious work hand in had to move you towards that goal.  I never write lofty goals down, only the attainable ones make the list.  No more than five to six goals per year and each goal outlined with the small steps to make it happen.  Somehow, it happens more than not and by golly this one did!

So the good news is Plein Air Magazine has found my work worthy of notice (including this piece above) and I'm thrilled to be included in such a magazine.  Look for the April/May Issue on the newsstands this coming March about my pastel painting process and more.  Oh, and I must mention my friend Thomas J. Kitts, whom I paint with here in Portland, is taking the stage too with Plein Air Magazine.

Date secured for Pastel Punch! workshop in Portland

Time to get another Pastel Punch workshop scheduled for those of you who want to learn about pastel or wishing how to push your pastel work to another level.  I've secured a location and date to be held March 30~April 1st, 2012 at Sowa Studios in St. Johns, Portland.  This beautiful artist's studio has great natural lighting and mood, plenty of room to paint, and a small cafe' in the building for a cup of Joe.  I will be teaching my method of painting and there will be plenty of reference material for you to practice with, stretching your confidence and encouraging you on.  I will also be diving into the mystery and method of framing pastels, (provided the majority of students wish) and wrapping up with an encouraging critique.  We work fast and cover a lot of material in this workshop.  There is room for only 10 students in this class with a minimum of 6 to start.  For more details, click here.

First Impressions

"Sitting Still", 10x8" o/c

Today I joined up with a number of painting friends to paint a live model, but today was different than any other. I stepped out of my comfort zone and brought my brand new pochade box with brand new oils, instead of the ol' familiar box-O-rocks pastels. I think I did OK with all the uncomfortable, bumbling around with paint brushes and solvent. Gosh it was frustrating at first, but let me share what I learned today about painting with oils (reminder, this is coming from a dusty fingered artist's perception)

1. Always wear old clothing or an apron because no matter how careful you are, oil paint is like a magnet and somehow finds it's way with you.

2. Mixing oils takes a millennium, compared to the spontaneous pick and peck of pastels. Ok, I admit, I got a little help from an experienced oily friend with a few colors, but once I got the brain thinking 'color wheel' I began to enjoy the process.

3. This is NOT finger painting! I found myself wanting to smear, wipe, or blend directly with my fingers. No tactile relationships allowed here.

4. Being patient. No room for espresso pastels while learning to paint with oil. I discovered that it will probably take a lifetime to understand the complexities of oil painting. A very humbling feeling.

5. Remembering the child within. Once I decided that today was NOT a day to make a nice painting and impress my peers, but rather a day of discovering oil, then I was able to move forward faster. After all, it's supposed to be fun. But wait! Did I write the word "faster"? Yup, It's not espresso, but relaxing and having fun made for better learnig AND a nice first impression of oil painting.

Here I am, feeling clumbsy, with my brand new never seen the light of day pochade box!

Thanks Celeste Bergin for the photo!

Updated 1/14/12

Trusting myself with oil

"Unwavering Stream", 24x36" o/c  ©Brenda Boylan

Over the past year, I have had many discussions and thoughts about rediscovering painting with oils as a means of discovery and possibly expanding my work.  When I was a very young artist, I had impromptu lessons in oil painting from my neighbor Robert Guise, who at the time was 76 years old and grumpy as grit.  He believed in me and showed me the artist's life.  I  continued to play and practiced with the medium up until I was in college and into my young adulthood.  But when I found pastel, back in 1994, I was so hooked that I packed the oily stuff away and never looked back.  A big part of this decision to switch was because I had started a family and the thought of oil medium and turpentine spilling or getting into young hands was not a picture I wanted in my family album.  Pastel is spontaneous, forgiving, and if you have to stop quickly for some reason, (like a baby waking from a nap) you can just wash your hands and go!  No turps and solvents, oils drying, ruining brushes before I can find time to clean them, to stop me from my family duties.  So pastel it was!

A lot of time has passed and I'm ready to explore oil again as a complement to my pastel work, but I admit, I am doing this with a ton of apprehension.  I'm trusting myself that failure and growth are part of the journey, willing to explore and learn as I enter back into the world of oils.  So, please, join me in my journey as I grow into the medium.  And to all you lovers of pastel, I'm not abandoning my joy of the dusty medium, just complimenting it.  Happy new year!

Above:  A large piece I did in waaaay back in 1988.  Woah!

The "Gift" & Gabrielle's Dress, 12x9

"Gabrielle's Dress" 12x9" Pastel on sanded paper, ©Brenda Boylan

The "Gift".
No, I'm not talking about giving art for Christmas, although it's a great idea, given the season. What I'm talkin' about here is the source of creativity.  Let me explain.  I remember as a child my mother telling me I had a "gift" and that it was pretty darned special if you had it and it doesn't come to everyone.  She told me I had to nurture my gift, regardless of her sanity, (she was mentally ill) and to practice it, play with it, use it.  I took these words and always felt that it was something to treasure, guard, and feed. But more and more we as a society are losing on art.  We see it all the time.  The schools eliminate art programs, be it music, dance, photography, choir or art and so our young never get exposure to it's beauty, leading to lack of appreciation. What will it be like if our nation didn't appreciate art?  SCARY thought? Yeah.

This brings me back to the "gift".  Let me go back a couple of weeks here and tell you about a gift that I received that truly made my season.

My son was invited to a classmates' birthday party and as the date was upon us, I was hurried to come up with some sort of a gift for my son to give, and quickly.  Being that it was the height of shopping fever, traffic was thick, and time was short before we had to be at the party, we had to improvise on gift giving.  Call it procrastination or desperation, I had to figure something out.  Knowing that this young lady was interested in making art, I dug through some old'er' art supplies and came up with something she'd hopefully like.  Now these 'older' gifts just said "used" all over them, even though they were still in great condition and completely usable, but kids can tell by the plastic packaging if they've previously been opened up. So, I thought to myself, I'll drop a pastel lesson in the mix to make the supplies have meaning.  Done.  Shopping is done.  So I wrapped my lesson note with the supplies of pastel paper, some student grade pastels, a little frame, and an old pastel magazine and called it good.  Well, let me tell you the gift gave back and bit pretty hard!

That night, I received a call from the birthday girl, and in tears, she explained that this was the best gift she ever had.  I'm happy beyond belief that she really appreciated the gift too. I'm not trying to toot my horn here and slobber that I'm a great gift giver.... No, not even!  What I'm saying here is that kids need art. They are starving for art and time to create, time for individual expression, and time to just make something out of nothing.  This made my heart just plump full of joy! What a gift!

Now, go and make your mark!

Old Friends, 12x12

"Old Friends" 12x12" Pastel on sanded paper  ©Brenda Boylan

This past week has been pretty crazy preparing for the holidays with my family as well as me not feeling so well, so I'm posting a painting I did some time ago.  It was painted in late July of 2010, at the farm house of my artist friend Donna.  There was so much to paint on her property, I'd love to sometime spend a week there painting it all!

Recently, I was asked how often I get to paint while also having to raise a family.  Well in all honesty, it's pretty hard to juggle. I compare it to juggling bowling balls, or spinning plates like a circus clown, and at times it really feels like I am.  I fit my artistic time in like a neat little puzzle piece or a spoke in a wheel.  It just has to be a part of my life, just like food or sleep.  Although I sometimes feel deprived of sleep from staying up late or waking up early for those beautiful sunrises, the same goes for my art making.  This week is one of those!  Nearly two weeks have gone by and I'm finally getting my energy and time back. I have a clean studio and a new large panel on the easel, I've got a good two hour stretch ahead of me so I'm running into the studio right now!  What keeps you from creating?

Red Head

"Red Head", 12x9" Pastel on sanded paper

Even though I never embraced it as a focus in my art, I've always loved drawing people. As a kid I'd use family members as my models, as long as they were in agreement to sit long enough for me to draw them. I remember as a child being reluctantly dragged to church services only to be entertained when the preacher would give his sermon at the podium. There he would stand long enough for me to draw him because, well, I was bored. In my corporate days as a designer, long meetings meant sketching time too, and sometimes it was only the back of someone's head. I love it when I can be the "spy" and make something of my time. Here is a model from a couple of weeks ago, a red head. I'm not entirely happy with it but heck, I do like her saucy red dress.

Collector's Art Event success!

James McGrew, Eric Bowman, Brenda Boylan(me) & Thomas Jefferson Kitts

(photo by Harold Hutchinson)

Over the past few weeks I have been working with a small group of three well established artists to host a show different than any other. With the local collector in mind, we gathered our lists of nearby patrons to a private showing of a mix of recent works, including many paintings unveiled for the first time, as our thanks for their patronage. Because none of us have local gallery representation in the area, we thought it would be a little fun to hold a party for those collectors in the area whom we know and to reward them with an art inspired evening of conversation, wine, music, and well, some new work! Our show was a success and many new friends were made over the course of the evening. Many thanks to James McGrew for the concept and providing the office space for the show. It was such a pleasure to work with each of these incredible artists, each bringing their ideas and help to make the show a success. Please visit their websites to see their incredible artwork.

James McGrew

Eric Bowman

Thomas Jefferson Kitts

Brenda Boylan (me)

Beyond the Curve, 10x8

Beyond the Curve, 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan

Yesterday I spent the entire day clearing out my studio and making "new" of it again. I'm not sure who lit the match under my seat, but I got into it seriously. It all began last week with a few paintings that I washed off because they no longer represented my current work and there was nothing I could do to save them. So wash them off I did...and then the whole box of paintings had to be evaluated as well as the box behind the box that had to be sorted out and mat boards tossed and so on. I wiped down surfaces (pastel dust) and rearranged my art collection on my shelf as well as put my older iMac on the shelf to view images to paint from. Gratefully I was able to get through it all in one day and put all the necessary things back into their places. I now have a newfound creative energy in my studio. Let it flow baby!

My special place to work.

Drafting board with small set of studio pastels, empty easel, iMac and hepa filter on the lower shelf, mounted boards and art collection on upper shelf.