Rejection

First rejection is under my belt.  Submitted my work for a juried site, and received a response that "we feel that your work is not ready at this time."  Ouch. . .I requested specific feedback and finally received that today.
1.  Contrast and rendering:  Many of the pieces did not show a wide range of value.  The graphite work did, but not the colored pencil and watercolors. 
2.  Composition:  While the compositions were lovely, all the work felt very academic.  We would like to see you in your work. 
Double Ouch. 

Okay, so now for my rant about this evaluation......it is WATERCOLOR.  I happen to like the soft qualities of watercolor.  Does everything have to scream vivid colors?  and....please, please realize that work is first scanned then downloaded and then uploaded - yes, folks, some color quality is lost in the process. 
Academic quality of work . . . really, really?????   I am at a loss of words for that critque, but then who am I - obviously I have no judge or taste as far as "art composition" goes.  So, with that off of my chest - it is back to the drawing board. . . in every sense of the word. 
But, being one not to be deterred, I am going to now recreate my portfollio and in a month resubmit again.  Most likely the evaluation this time will say "colors are way to vivid and composition is too artificial."  Okay, okay - I know, "sour grapes." 
The plan is to do a study in color . . . going to be working with blue.
Went to Luquillo yesterday and got some great shots of waves, water, and sea.  I think a great place to start with the color "blue."

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It's Over, but it has Only Just Begun!

Collage watercolor painting of Afraican Tulip and Elephant Ears

Well, it was a long week, but an exciting one!!!!  Judi Betts' exercises are extremely challenging and at the end of each day, I was exhausted.  However, I have gained much from the experience and feel that many of the lessons learned can be applied to my own work.  So, what did I learn?????

Technocolor Goat

Lesson 1:  Think outside of the box.  My drive for perfectionism, and realism have definitely created walls around my creativity.  Unfortunately, there are many, many artists that can paint very realistic and beautiful pictures.  The trick is to stay true to myself, yet stand apart from the rest - to acheive that you must think outside of the box and be unique.  My assignment from Judi - do the graphite drawing "Pain and Comfort" and make it more "flamboyant" - give it some "ump"....she gave me 2 months to get that done : )

Lesson 2:  Let your name be known.  I always scribble my name real small in the corner or along some object within my art to make my name "blend" into the picture.  Well, I want people to know my name and associate it with my work.  So from now on, my name goes nice and bold on the art I create. 

Ink and Watercolor 5 minute sketch of Michele

Lesson 3:  Draw, draw, draw - paint, paint, paint.  I am so worried about getting a piece right, or screwing another one up, sometimes I don't do anything at all due to not wanting to waster the paper or the paint.  Hey - it's only paper (yes, expensive paper, but paper never-the-less.)  I bought a really nice Art Journal, and I made myself draw in it.....and now, I find I am doing something in it all the time.  I sketch in it (good sketches and not so good sketches) I journal in it, jot down ideas, scribble colors I want to remember, glued my tickets from El Yunque painting expedition, did a collage on one page - it really has opened me up to creating something....and that is ADDICTIVE.  I want to draw and paint so often that it becomes as natural and easy as breathing . . . you just do it. 

A Page from my Art Journal depicting El Yunque Trip

I worked some more on the Variation of a checker board with the shells.  I ended up really darkening up the surrounding areas....and I am satisfied with the way this has turned out.  In fact it does have an abstract quality to it, and I would tell you in a heartbeat - I am not an abstract artist, but I really am pleased with this piece. 

Finished Abstract Shell with Variation of checker Board

We did another underpainting at El Yunque called Mingling.  Basically, you really wet your paper in random areas leaving 1/3 of the center white.  Then you put color on the page making sure that your paper is tilted, and you let the colors run and mingle together.  Once this has completely dried, you have your underpainting and are ready to put your subject matter on, as you would on a blank piece of paper.  Mingling created beautiful backgrounds for my work in El Yunque. 

Wild Ginger with Mingled Underpainting

Our last day was spent creating another type of underpainting which basically resembled quadrants on the page.  You run one line horizontally across your page (not in the center) and then add 2 or 3 horizontal lines to create uneven blocks.  The next step is applying very light colors in the blocks. . . either red, yellow, blue, green or orange (not purple, brown or grey).  For once - leave no white at all.  After this has dried you sketch in your subject matter.  Then the fun begins.  You paint over the color blocks, only using that color's compliment.  So, if you have a green block, you can only use red on it, if it is an orange block, you use blue on it etc......It absolutely helps to write what the base color is and it's complement along the margins of your paper.  I created two goat drawings using this method.  Both need some more work, and unfortunately, I painted over my goats tail, and still need to correct that....but the end result is pretty interesting. 


Goat on Rectangular Underpainting


It has been an intense week, but so invigorating and exciting.  Planning on going out on the beach on Sunday to do some sketching and drawing.  Until then - adios.

Watercolor Workshop with Judi Betts

Art Seminar with Judi Betts

Day one of the workshop is done, and I am having breakfast prior to leaving for class on day two.  The majority of the morning on the first day was taken up with introductions of Judi and of the participants in the seminar.  However, even then, I took some valuable lessons away with me. 

First, I am so starting my Art Journal.  When did these come into existence and where was I.  Each and every person in the class had an Art Journal, of course, I had to peek into a few.  Everything is in them; notes, pencil sketches, ink renderings, full blown watercolors, a picture, a dab of color.....I just love these. 

Judi told a story of when she was in Japan taking classes.  She was drawing the sky, and her instructor said, "yes, you drew the sky but, now draw the wind in the sky."  Interesting dilemma! 

Judi demonstrates

I have read many, many books on watercoloring, watercolor mixtures, paints etc.  and a resounding theme is to work with a limited palette.  The suggestion from Judi (and again, I have read these in several different books) is to have a palette of 9 colors with a possibility of 11.  So in other words work in "triads" - each triad being made up of one red, one blue and one yellow.  Any additional colors, should be attained from mixing those three colors together. 

The first triad is called the Desert Triad and it is made up of Yellow Ochre, Indian Red and Cerulean Blue this is also known as the "earthy triad".  The second triad is called Transparent Triad and uses Cobalt Blue, Rose Matter, and Aurelian Yellow. The last and final triad is called the Staining Triad and it has Windsor Red, Windsor Blue, and Windsor Yellow.  In addition to these 9 colors, you may also consider adding a Black, Cadimum Orange and Permanent or Brilliant Orange. 

Today, was spent learning the Variation on a Checkerboard underpainting.  In essence you place uneven, slanting vertical and Horizontal lines creating a different size squares on your paper.  Or you can place wavey slanting vertical and horizontal lines.  Once this is done, you must decide whether your painting will be a warm painting (think fire; red, orange, yellow) or cool painting (think water; blues and greens) or grey (made by mixing the colors of your triad.)  Once this is determined, you then begin filling some of the outlying square on your checkerboard, with variations of the colors you have chosen always staying within the range of the traid.  Judi suggested you should aim to never duplicate a color.  As you work the colors onto your paper, you should leave the center of your paper white, and only paint diagonal squares.  You end up with something that looks very "abstract."  You can see the "checkered pattern on my work below.

Remember:  Start Light and Save White (in fact, I think I should have done my underpainting a bit lighter.)

Once this process is completed to your satisfaction, and everything is completely dry, you then paint your main subject right onto this checkerboard pattern.  I decided to paint shells onto my Grey Checkerboard pattern.  My biggest problem with this right now, is that my "subject" is totally blending into my background.  Today, I will try darkening my background to make my shells "pop" out a little more, and then do some detail work on the shells.  Then I have to pick subject matter for the "warm" and "cool" squares I am painting. 



First Stages of Checkerboard Variation Underpainting

 I have really struggled using this technique, I found it difficult to put my subject right on top of something already painted, and I found I would get "lost" within my painting. However, in looking at the "potential" of the picture, I believe this technique is going to bring movement, energy into what would ordinarily be a relatively dull painting.  I am excited to continue exploring this style of painting. 

Cup of Java

Cup of Java

Assignment 3 - your favorite cup.  Naturally, my favorite cup was in the dishwasher, and the only cup available was a glass one....arrrgggghhhh.  So, I made myself a nice pot of coffee and tackled the task of drawing a glass mug filled with coffee sitting on a glass wicker table.  It turned out pretty good, I saw after I was done that my dimensions are off slightly on the top rim of the mug, but again, I can live with it.  I really felt it important to do the entire background this time, to captuer the feel of the glass and wicker table.  One of my weaknesses is backgrounds and composition. 

I love doing these drawing assignment, they are such great practice and really make you "see" whatever it is you are drawing. 

I had to finish this drawing tonight, as my week will be busy with a watercolor painting workshop I am participating in.  A week of intense painting, I figure I will be pretty wiped out by the end of the day.  Class goes from 9:30 until 3:30, and Wednesday we will be painting in the Rain Forrest - El Yunque.  I will be posting about the experience and uploading my finished works. 

Again, your feedback both good and back is welcomed and appreciated. 

The San Sebastin Street Festival

Calle San Sebastin

First, an explanation of what the San Sebastin Street Festival is.  Each "town" in Puerto Rico has it's own Patron Saint.  San Juan has San Sebastin, and so for 4 days, San Juan, locals and tourists, celebrate the Patron Saint with lots and lots of partying.  The bars open their doors and sell drinks which you can drink out on the street, there is one food vendor after another selling local food, bands are playing on each corner, parades with people in elaborate costumes go through the streets at night, and there are lots of Artisians selling their art.  It is the Mardi Gras of Puerto Rico.  Additionally, this festival brings to a close the Christmas and holiday celebrations - yes, I know we celebrate the holidays for a lllooonnnnggg time, from Thanksgiving until January 16th to be exact.  And like clock work, all the lights and decorations came down this weekend.  Puerto Rico is falling back into some normal routine again. . .

One of the Buildings housing the Artisians

My interest was no so much in the drinking and partying, but in the artisians.  Our orginial plan was to get into town on Friday afternoon, and out no later than 5:00, as that is when the craziness really goes into full swing.  Unfortunately, everyone in Puerto Rico had the same idea, and we could not get into town.  My girlfriend Valerie scouted out the traffic and parking situation.  She called around 12:30 and said it was madness and mayhem.  Plan B . . . .

We got up at 6:00 AM on Saturday, and headed out the door by 7:30.  Fortunately, Old San Juan was quiet, and we were waiting at the door of Cafe Cultura when they opened for breakfast and coffee.  On our way to the Cafe, I stopped to figure out the best walking path to Calle San Sebastin, and immediately, one of the street bums, saw an opportunity to make money.  He approached, and said he worked for the "Tourism company" and was on his way to work - yeah right.  With dirt two inches thick under your fingernails, and smelling like a brewery I don't think so.  For about 30 seconds we stood there and listened to his "helpful" advice, and then I said, "I have to go to the bathroom", and we walked away.  The next words out of his mouth were going to be, "Can you give me some money for all the great advice I just gave you."  NOT. 

One of the Vans with people sleeping in it

After breakfast, we walked up to Calle San Sebastin.  As with everything in Puerto Rico, the vendors were late, and many of them were still sleeping in their vans, not set up.  Carlos and I took a stroll along the city walls and through a few of the parks.  By 10:00 everything was in full swing. . . .and yes, beer and Pina Coladas were already flowing freely (It must be 5:00 PM somewhere - right?) 

Children in Costum dancing

The art was Fantastic.  Each artist creates poster art commemorating the Street Festival.  I was torn between several but finally decided on one depicting the big parades with people in colorful costumes.  Absolutely lovely.  In addition to that, I also snagged a wonderful necklace made out of coconut - it looks like the most exotic polished wood - just love it!!!  Some prices were great - bought a pair of stainless steel earrings for 5.00 and some prices were outrageous....there was a man selling small 3 king figures for 800.00 (needless to say I passed that one up.) 

Food Vendors and More Artisians

The street festival is spread over a large area throughout Old San Juan.  We wandered around, checking out the sites, the art....had lunch of bacalitos and local beer, sitting in the park listening to salsa.  As we were sitting there I saw the traffic begin to pour into Old San Juan.  I thought it was going to take a minimum of an hour to get through traffic to make the 10 minute commute back home to Isla Verde.  By the time we got to the car, and drove out of the parking garage, the traffic had vanished, and we made the trip home lickety-split, and got home around 3:30 PM - just in time for a nap. 

The day was capped off with the Puerto Rico Symphonica - the highlight of the concert was a classical guitarist.  I was amazed to see how few people attended the symphony - especially given how cheap the tickets are.  I guess people are more interested in listening to salsa and drinking on the streets of San Sebastin than listening to classical music.  I must say the concert was my favorite so far. 

All around, a perfect day and evening in Old San Juan.

A Day at the Beach

The Beach at Isla Verde

Spent the day yesterday laying around on the beach.  Puerto Rico has been celebrating "Three King's Day" which means no work, and lots of partying.  Everything here was closed Thursday, Friday, and Monday.  In all actuality, "Three King's Day" is bigger here than Christmas, although both are celebrated.

Our Lifeguard - GUS

I packed up the cooler, a book, and the dog and off to the beach we went.  It was an absolutely fabulous day - temperature at around 75 degrees.  Perfect for getting some sun, and jumping into the water.  There were some people on the beach, all tourists. 

Here is the interesting part. . . local Puerto Ricans don't go swimming in the winter, even though it is 75 - 80 degrees.  Yes, I know, it is odd.  So, whenever you see someone in the ocean swimming in December, January, February etc.... you know they are tourists. 


Our little Spot on the Beach


Big happenings this week in San Juan.  Beginning on Thursday and running through Sunday is the big "San Sebastin" Artisan Festival.  I am sooooo going.  It should be interesting, as during this festival all the bars open their doors and actually vend drinks on the street.  Again, lots of partying, but even more interesting will be to see all the Crafters and Artists.  I will be taking lots of pictures and will tell you all about it.  Then on Saturday night it is off to the Symphony.  Stay tuned -

Gus digging for gold, drugs, human remains?????

Dear Diary - Assignment 2

Dear Diary

The second assignment for Draw, Doodle Sketch was to draw a piece of crumpled up paper.  This was tedious, and I really got lost in all of the little nooks and crannies of the paper.  In looking at it, it almost looks abstract, but I like it and am satisfied with my accomplishment. 

I thought I would make it more interesting by including text, which also proved to be a challenge, but did help to keep my place with regard to sketching.  Was thinking of making the entire background dark, but wanted to give it a day, and see if I still feel the same way about it tomorrow.  Obviously, once I black in the background, there is no going back.  What do you think - leave it white, or make it black? 

A Day In Old San Juan

Started off the day having breakfast at my most favorite Cafe in Old San Juan "Cafe Cultura."  It is a fantastic place right off the plaza. 



Inside Cafe Cultura


My hubby and I are trying to get a better feel for Old San Juan, so we basically just started wandering around the streets.  Up one street and down another. 


Apartments in Old San Juan



Currently My Back Yard

Currently we live in Isla Verde directly on the beach. 

 

However, Old San Juan offers such a sense of culture, ambience.  We started discussing the logic in renting out next place in the heart of Old San Juan.  Naturally, it would have to be in an apartment.  My greatest concerns with making that move is the traffic, the traffic, the traffic.  Second runner up would be parking, and lots of tourist partying their butts off. 



The City Walls Encircling Old San Juan

 I talked to several people who work in OSJ, and the scoop is that none of them live in town.  The reason given was traffic, traffic and more traffic, followed by no parking and lots of drunk tourists. 
Living on the beach is wonderful, and the commute into Old San Juan is less than 10 minutes.  So for now, unless an apartment in OSJ with cheap rent, and with parking comes along, the decision is to stay in Isle Verde or perhaps move into the Condado area and just visit Old San Juan when the urge hits.

On a bright note, I visited several Art Galleries on Calle Fortaleza in OSJ.  Two of them were way on the Modern and Abstract art side, Galeria Botello and Galeria Exado, where my work won't fit into at all.  However, the last one I visited, Galeria W. Labiosa the owner (Wilfred Labiosa) is interested in seeing my work, and perhaps (if he likes my stuff) selling my watercolors there!!!!  I am very excited.  Next week will be dedicated to painting some small Puerto Rico watercolors, and taking them by.




Feliz Navidad from Old San Juan







"Pain and Comfort" - First Assignment Drawing Shoes

Okay - so how hard can it be to draw a tennis shoe, I thought to myself as I started sketching out my running shoe.  That was before I realized the entire surface of the shoe is mesh!!!  It took forever to get the texture to my liking.  In order to have a more complete composition, I decided to put my slipper in the drawing too.  As soon as I kick off my running shoes, I slip my feet into my soft fuzzy slippers.  Again, in thinking of adding them to the picture, I realized that it couldn't be that difficult to include them.  They are cream colored, fuzzy with no embellishments....Wrong again.  The texture of both the slipper and the tennis shoe were very challenging, but I am satisfied with my little creation.  I think the perspective of the slipper is off slightly, but at this point I can live with it.  Comments are welcome . . .

A New Year, A New Start

2011 is here, and with it new hopes, goals and inspiration. I have been working hard on my painting, and am committed to taking my art to the next level.

The first step was creating this blog - The Painting Palette. A new adventure for me - blogging. . . I am hoping to share my accomplishments, failures, and lessons learned in my journey of discovering my creative inner self. Additionally, I am hoping to blog about my adventures in living in Puerto Rico, and a little about the art community here.

I have signed up for Draw, Sketch, Doodle Weekly Drawing Challenge - first assignment is to draw a shoe. As I work on these challenges, and my other artistic endeavors, I will post them here. I hope that everyone will feel free to give me feedback - both positive and negative. Critique is necessary for growth and growth is necessary for improvement. And for me - it is all about discovery, growth and improvement.

Paint on -