Today's the Day! Maple & Main's Summer Show Opening is from 5-8 PM!

"Summer Memory," 14" x 18" acrylic, $600, copyright Joan Cole

Another of my newest paintings making its debut tonight is "Summer Memory."  If you live in the area or are vacationing nearby, I hope you'll make a trip to Chester to take in the beauty of over 200 new paintings and sculptures by more than 30 Connecticut artists.  The party starts at 5, but the show will be up until September, so if you already have another engagement tonight, I encourage you to put the Gallery on your list of "Must-Do's" this summer.


I began this painting in one of the workshops I took with Jan Blencowe at Maple & Main Gallery in late winter.  I worked on it off and on all spring.  This is how it looked when I first wrote about it in my post of  Sunday, February 27, 2011:  Jan Blencowe's Tonalist Workshop Was Eye-opening and Muscle-building!

"[A Vague] Summer Memory"or Unfinished acrylic painting #2 by Joan Cole

I also took "Summer Memory" to one of the artist critiques offered by the Gallery on the third Monday of each month and received much good advice.  I invite you to join us at the next artist critique on Monday, June 20, from 6-8 at the Gallery.  Jan Blencowe will be doing the critiquing that evening.  There's so much to learn by listening to comments on each piece.  Bring one or two of your paintings and the $5 fee.  I'd love to meet you there.

I am thoroughly enjoying attempting to elicit an emotional response from the viewer in the manner for which the Tonalists were known. Simplified shapes in nature, emphasis on value and atmosphere, softened edges, an appeal to the spirit and emotions of the viewer--these qualities fit right in with a goal I've had for years now:  "No Noodling!"  These  two words of wisdom were shared with me long ago by Pamela Simpson Lussier, a very fine artist and teacher.    I even have a post-it note in my studio to remind me.  Thank you, Pamela and Jan!

Speaking of Pamela Simpson Lussier, I extend an invitation to all of you to attend the upcoming fundraiser on Pam's behalf on Saturday, June 18, at the Scotland Fire Department.  

Upper Messerschmidt's Pond in Winter, a pastel





Upper Messerschmidt's Pond in Winter by Joan Cole
Pastel 9 x 12" $400

I am so excited by my work in pastels. Masterpastellist Claudia Post is sharing so much of her vast knowledge in our Gallery class.  (You may remember that still life of the apple, pear, and lemon?  I'm still working on that and others.)  Landscapes are in my blood; this one brought me great joy and satisfaction.

There is so much to learn about pastels.  Who would have guessed that it is advisable to sharpen one's pastels to get a finer line or point?  (I must say, it is NOT my favorite part of painting with pastels.)  Claudia can sharpen a NuPastel with a single-edge razor blade lickety split!  It takes me SOOOOOOOOOOO much longer, and sometimes I break the stick in the process. 

It is possible to use turpentine to affix initial layers of pastel to the paper.  I used that method with this piece and found it gave me a more painterly feel--more like the feeling of plein air painting in oils.  Anyway, then I was able to build over that layer with additional layers of color.

This afternoon, I picked up the painting from the framer, drove to Maple & Main Gallery of Fine Art, and Claudia hung "Upper Messerschmidt's in Winter" in the classroom on our lower level.  Teacher and student were both tickled.

When you are in the area of Chester, Connecticut, stop by Maple & Main and check out "Upper Messerschmidt's."  It's in VERY good company--among more than 100 diverse works of art by thirty artists from across the fine state of Connecticut.

  

"Winter Snowfall," SOLD at Maple & Main Gallery AND Susan Pecora stopped by!

"Winter Snowfall" by Joan Cole
9" x 12" oil on linen

Last Friday evening was a hopping night at Maple & Main Gallery of Fine Art in Chester!  A great group of folks gathered upstairs and downstairs in the Gallery, enjoying beautiful art, fine conversation, tempting munchables and libations.  It was an opportunity to relax among friends--and to make new ones. 


As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I sold my "Snowdrops" painting at the opening.  But I saved telling you about the sale of "Winter Snowfall" for today.  Of the four paintings that were sold that night, TWO of them were MINE!  Now that is downright INCREDIBLE!
My son wondered who would want to buy a WINTER painting given the weather we've been having.  Well, that is exactly the reason this collector wanted my painting.  She said, "This is a winter I'll always remember!"  She thought that "Winter Snowfall" captured the essence of this winter for her.  Needless to say, I was and AM very happy that this painting "spoke" to her.


Among the folks I got to visit with at the opening was Susan Pecora.  A renowned watercolor artist and teacher, Susan is a star of Public Television in Massachusetts and Connecticut.  She told me that she's been doing lots of demonstrations for Deerfield Village, Tobacco Valley Art Association, the Tolland Art Association and the Providence Art Association, among others.  A few years back, I spent two glorious spring weekends, taking  watercolor workshops with Susan in her studio in Thorndike, Massachusetts.  She has THE BEST sense of humor and is a marvelous teacher.


In a follow-up email this week, she wrote, "I am just enough of a ham to thoroughly enjoy myself. I invite questions while I paint and interact with the audience...in Provincetown someone suggested I put a dog in the painting. I told them to find me a dog and a man brought in a golden retriever. I painted him into the piece then and there."  If you EVER get a chance to take a workshop or watch a demo with Susan, GO FOR IT! 


I also made a new friend--Susan's neighbor Michelle DeMarco, who is an egg tempera artist.  Among other things, Michelle has done, she has illustrated a children's book about a PINK PUMPKIN!  What fun.  I hope to get to see it and read it.


Well, as Daffy Duck said (or was it Woody Woodpecker?):  "That's all, folks!"


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