Thursday, June 28, 2007

Did you say Zhee - Klay?

Yes, I did. Otherwise spelled as giclée, this new term in the art market is so confusing to understand as well as to pronounce unless you have knowledge of French. It is a French word meaning "to spurt". Giclées are a type of reproduction that is taking the art world by storm and replacing the production of lithography and serigraphy. To learn more about the process and product go to my web site: www.traillworks.com/glyceeprints.htm. (I know giclée is spelled incorrectly and will change it as soon as I learn how.)

I have been producing giclées for about a year in the form of open edition note cards as well as full size paper and canvas reproductions. I am now working with a printer to free up my time to paint more. This is another vehicle in which to market my work as an emerging artist and I hope that it makes the work more attainable for more people.

NEW RELEASE -


Town & Country
(inspired by San Gimignano, Italy)

Limited Edition Giclée (1/100)
36
3/4" x 17 1/8"
Printed on Museum Grade Unstretched Canvas
Signed & Numbered
Certificate of Authenticity Included


$479

To ORDER: email orders@traillworks.com

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

New Jersey's Newton - Changed Again!

New Jersey's Newton, Oil on Stretched Linen, 17" x 30", © 2007

After posting the progress of this painting twice, I've made several changes to liven up the painting and colors. See if you can determine what is different since my previous post of the painting. I now feel it is finished and plan to contact the developer in Newton who suggested I paint this scene. The paint is drying on my palette - must get back to the studio.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

White's Pond in Kittatinny, 5" x 7", Watercolor Sketchbook Study

There's nothing quite like painting or drawing en plein air (outdoors). You might be most familiar with the Impressionists who made it their vocation to paint the outdoors out of doors. I am mostly a studio painter, working from still life and photo reference, but I love to paint outside when I have the opportunity. Monday morning I taught a private class in the Kittatinny Valley State Park in Andover, NJ. The above study is of White's Pond, just off Route 206 north of Andover Borough. It's a beautiful pond filled with waterlilies; the same waterlilies depicted in my "Enlightened Tiles" painted last August.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

New Jersey's Newton

New Jersey's Newton, Oil on Stretched Linen, 17" x 30", © 2007

This is the result of really pushing the painting over the last few days since my previous post. I might be finished, but I need some time to let the painting sit and reflect on it with a fresh eye. Even seeing it in the digital form, I might want to change something. I'll let you know if this is finished when I know. Onto an opening reception for a Newton photographer, Sean Holzli.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Newton on Spec


In-Progress Oil of Newton, NJ, 17" x 30", Oil on Stretched Linen

Doing spec work is pretty common for an emerging artist. I met with the developer of a new upscale residential building in Newton, called Aberlour, back in February to try to work out an arrangement with my art as closing gifts. Unfortunately he had already made a purchase, but was interested in my work and suggested I paint something to hang in the building that he might buy or sell to the new owners. This is the state of the painting now; it's not quite where I want it yet. I must get into my studio before the paint dries on the palette, so return to my blog next week to see changes in the painting.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Business at a Funeral?

Grandma Fran, Oil on Canvas, 16" x 20", 2004
b. 1917? - d. 2007

I had the unfortunate experience last week of going through a family funeral; my husband's grandmother passed away from melanoma at the end of a very full life of 88 or 89 years. Grandma Fran as everyone knew her was a remarkable person; she was a person you would not quickly forget. She certainly had her faults but I was fortunate enough to know her for six years. I never had an adult relationship with my grandparents since they all died when I was in high school.

About three years ago, just before my wedding, I was at my in-laws house with the family and Fran had just purchased her dress for the wedding. This was her first wedding of her three grandchildren and she was thrilled. So, she tried on this stunning black dress and it was stunning. Fran was a very stylish and life-loving person; the dress was a further characterization of her life philosophy. I was so moved by her that I decided to paint a portrait of her.

One afternoon I spent over at Fran's apartment doing a photo shoot in the dress, and then I developed the pictures and determined which I would use for the painting. Once the portrait was finished it was included in my first solo show at the Rockingham Coffee Lounge in Boonton, NJ in 2005. Fran attended the opening and was just aghast -- she was amazed.

Three years later, the painting had been sitting in my studio. After Fran passed away, my sister-in-law asked that we display it at my in-laws' home during shivah as a way to remember her. She died very quickly and was not at all herself in the physical form the last two days of her life. Well, little did I know the kind of reaction I would get. Guests sitting shivah were absolutely amazed -- so much so that one person asked if I would paint her mother-in-law. I said absolutely and passed on my card. (I've yet to hear from this person).

So, this painting, as well as a couple of other works that happened to be in the home, became the topic of conversation. It was at first awkward and I didn't feel that my works and what I do should be the center of attention at Grandma Fran's funeral. However, as the weekend wore on, more people were more interested and I let into my instincts and started somewhat selling myself. As an emerging artist, as a small business owner, I hear that you always are working, you are always selling. I guess there's truth to that, but shouldn't there be a time and a place? I guess reflecting on it now; I wasn't pushing anything, they were for the most part asking me and initiating conversation about my work. So, maybe it's not so bad -- it certainly lightened the mood and that painting of Fran really helped us all remember her vivacity and not so much her death.

Here's to Grandma Fran!