"Three Pear" Watercolor Sketch

I wanted to take a little break from my “Adirondack Sketchbook” for a moment to share a bit about what I’ve been doing since I returned from my trip.  It seems that my creative spirit has been unleashed and I am painting things… anything… and everything!  It’s exciting and while I’m still not attached to creating a masterpiece at the moment I am getting ready, making plans and practicing.

Since I’m not in a position to take an art class - much as I would like to - I’ve got loads of books on all kinds of painting just waiting to teach me.  So I pulled “Color Mixing The Van Wyk Way:  A Manual For Oil Painters” off  the shelf and have begun from page one.

Now you might wonder why I’m using a “Manual for Oil Painters” while I’m painting in watercolor and the answer is simply because color theory is color theory no matter what medium you choose to use.   Couple that with the fact that I would like to become a proficient oil painter and hence… Color Mixing The Van Wyk Way.

So far I’m still having fun and am painting in a fearless way.  My goal is to learn and having removed the pressure of self-judgment from the equation…well suffice it to say, “I’ve got this book and a little courage.  This is my recipe for masterpiece potential!”

"A Whole Bunch" Watercolor Sketch

]]> http://www.raineydewey.com/?feed=rss2&p=5940 http://www.raineydewey.com/?p=5925 http://www.raineydewey.com/?p=5925#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:10:32 +0000 admin http://www.raineydewey.com/?p=5925

(Click on above images for a better look)

It was Thursday morning and my internal alarm clock could not be ignored.   Couple that with my bladder alarm and suffice it to say I was out of bed with coffee in hand before 7:00 a.m. immediately heading onto porch to check for bear tracks. Bear tracks could be seen just off the deck in front of our cabin. I saw bear [tracks] and that’s as good as seeing a bear for me!

The weather was transitioning with the sun peeking from behind dark and fluffy clouds blowing and changing in front of my eyes. Behind the clouds a Windsor Blue mixed with Cerulean sky could be seen trying to push its way through. Truthfully, the weather made no difference to me being happy just getting away to focus on reawakening my creative spirit.

The beauty of spending a couple of days away from home with a friend who is also an artist is the fact that the painting begins almost from the moment feet hit the floor. We’d split the small faux wood, Formica-topped table 50/50 and would paint without a competitive spirit in residence. We painted until lunchtime and then cleaned up before heading to the Old Forge Art Center where the Adirondacks National Exhibition of Watercolors is on display from August 21 through October 3, 2010.

The show, as usual, was replete with the most exquisitely executed work. Full or half sheets mostly - quite a contrast from my miniature watercolors - leaving me in awe albeit inspired and recharged. Anne and I browsed through the show for several hours and then headed into Old Forge in search of the perfect sweatshirt and whatever else we might not have known we needed.

Old Forge Hardware is a “must stop” filled with hardware supplies, of course, but much much more, i.e., the latest bestsellers, knitting and crocheting supplies, housewares, teapots galore and more. We both picked up a few things we didn’t really need, but wanted and we continued through Old Forge stopping at each shop along the main thoroughfare. A particular favorite for me is Gallery 3040, a new art gallery in Old Forge just opened in late May 2010. The familiar work of my art teacher (Karen Rosasco) was on display and my new favorite local artist, Chad Smith.

With our minds full to overflowing Anne and I headed out of Old Forge to get ready for dinner.

"Sunrise on the Lake" (top) and "Sunrise Water Study" (bottom)

Despite it being a gray and misty day the heavy rain had graciously stopped making a perfect welcome for the few days my friend Anne and I would be spending in the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York.

After making more than a half dozen trips to my car unloading food stuffs, clothing for all weather conditions, reading material and my most important cargo - painting and drawing supplies - I started a pot of coffee brewing while Anne and I each prepared our respective lunches to be enjoyed beach side (rain or shine)!

I don’t live near a significant body of water. With the exception of accumulated rain in ditches and deep puddles I rarely get the chance to spend time near water though I have been known to bathe from time-to-time. So with a mug of hot coffee in-hand I wandered onto the deck to take in the view of Fourth Lake. There are two small islands just off shore and thousands of evergreens covering the “young mountains” that surround the Lake. An indigo sky and rainy mist provided a soothing monochromatic backdrop for eating my lunch lakeside.

After lunch Anne and I decided we’d head out to Inlet - the closest town - and check out the local shops. We were far from alone in this remote Adirondack wilderness as other vacationers with the same agenda had converged there. We strolled and browsed in the local bookstore and what-not shops filled with everything bear-related.

Black bear are known to frequent these parts. The Adirondack Mountain Club website clearly states, “When you camp in the Adirondacks, you’re in black bear country.” Posters warning visitors to refrain from feeding the bears can be seen in nearly every shop. I personally had no intention of sharing my porridge or my PB&J with a hungry bear. Though I secretly would not have minded seeing a bear I would prefer to be safely inside while doing so.

After looking at more than my fair share of “Made in China” mementos trying to be passed off as authentic Adirondack keepsakes we checked into the local pizzeria ordering their vegetarian delight covered in mozzarella and some cold beverages - delicious! Having eaten our fill we headed back to our temporary lakefront home to paint the evening away.

It was nice to be disconnected from television and Internet temporarily. I’d decided before leaving that I would use this trip as a time to focus on sketching. Sketching and flexing my artistic muscles without the pressure of producing a finished piece. Ultimately that decision has set me free in a way. Free to try anything…and why not… nothing ventured, nothing gained. And after all that’s what sketching is for - to practice seeing and translating what is seen onto paper.

We painted into the night in silence much of the time. It was easy there to let go of your worries and breathe in then breathe out releasing pent up tension and just being in harmony with you’re your creativity.

August 25th, Eagle Bay, Watercolor Sketch "A Light Mist"

Wednesday morning was overcast and gray. My friend, Anne, and I were scheduled to meet early and head North on I-87 toward Glens Falls, New York. Our first stop - as we headed toward the Adirondacks - would be at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls where the Andrew Wyeth exhibit is on display until September 5, 2010. Since our room would not be ready until early afternoon what better way to “kill time?” The Wyeth exhibit was awe-inspiring and included more than thirty works in watercolor, pencil and egg tempera.

I’d never visited The Hyde, which is a real shame being an easy hour and a half hour drive from my home. The Hyde was the residence of Louis and Charlotte Hyde whose wealth was accumulated as owners of Finch Pruyn & Company, Inc., a paper mill located a short distance from the mansion. The Hyde’s collection includes works of Botticelli, El Greco, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Rubens plus modern masters Cézanne, Degas, Picasso, Renoir, Seurat, and van Gogh as well as a significant group of works by American artists including Eakins, Hassam, Homer, Peto, and Ryder. After Louis Hyde’s death in 1934 Mrs. Hyde continued acquiring artwork and became responsible for more than two-thirds of the overall collection. Impressive and a real bonus to the Wyeth exhibit.

The works of Wyeth on display were diverse from loose and spontaneous watercolors (”The Road to Friendship”) to the more tight and controlled egg tempera (”Her Room” and “Cooling Shed“). And then there were those few pencil drawings - my favorite - (”Christina’s Head” and “James Loper”) seeming to have been executed with precision coupled with a relaxed ease.

I examined each piece with deep concentration and observation wanting to imprint the details of these master works in my mind for retrieval later. Nothing can replace seeing the original work. Nothing can replace that kind of visual education. What a treat to be near a well-known painting like “Master bedroom” seen over and over again in print but proving so much more captivating in real life. I was a smitten Wyeth groupie seeing the “artistic rock star” for the first time.

With my mind full to overflowing Anne and I headed north again on I-87 exiting in Warrensburg in order to pick up Route 28, which would take us all the way to our destination, Eagle Bay. Winding along Route 28 with its rising and falling mile after mile generously revealing panoramic views around every bend was a treat in spite of the “slap, slap, slap” of my windshield wipers cleaning away the steady rain.

Small and large lakes with misty views and evergreens reaching for the sky made it difficult to watch the road at times. We drove through only a few small towns where weary and wet vacationers were browsing with beach time out of the question on this wet and rainy afternoon.

Our early afternoon arrival was timed perfectly with “check-in” and the rain had kindly stopped by then. Let me clarify that check-in simply means driving by the office and unloading into an unlocked, lakefront efficiency. Anne and I both agreed that we’d only forgotten to pack “the kitchen sink.”

Fourth Lake, Oil - This oil painting is of the beach just to the right of our cabin.

I’ll be heading off to Old Forge in the Adirondacks on Wednesday with my friend Anne.  It promises to be an art-filled couple of days since we’ll be stopping at the Hyde in Glens Falls on our way north to take in the Andrew Wyeth exhibit.  From what I understand the Wyeth exhibit includes pencil, watercolor and egg tempera works - right up my alley!  On Thursday we’ll be heading off to the Art Center - Old Forge to take in the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors show that just opened on August 21st. 

I’m truly hoping for inspiration and a jump start to what has been an artistic dryspell lately.  I think what would be best for me is to focus on sketching, both pencil and watercolor sketching, without so much focus on finished work.  The hope is this approach will release some spontaniety and freedom to loosen up and get the creative juices flowing.  Sounds like a good plan to me…

I’ll post again on Sunday.  Till then… get out your crayons and color like you’re a kid again!

A couple weeks ago I drove through Duanesburg (New York) and noticed a building - the Countryside Food Mart that’s been standing in the center of town since I don’t know when - was being razed. I knew it was destined to be torn down at some point. The local scuttlebutt attributed it to some kind of soil contamination issues. Though it didn’t come as a real surprise, I was still shocked and saddened by watching its gradual disappearance. I took several photos as I sat at the traffic light one morning and emailed them to my sons, Jonathan and Michael.  Duanesburg is their “Hometown” and Michael’s first job was at the Countryside. We were all sad.

Then again yesterday as I drove through Esperance I noticed Eastman’s Cheesehouse was being demolished. Truthfully, Eastman’s has been closed for many years. Eastman’s too was local landmark left empty, abandoned and deteriorating. Both now gone but for the memories inside each of us.

I know by now, at 54, that life is all about change - external and internal. I suppose if everything stayed as it is we wouldn’t learn, grow and become better people. Change helps us to experience life. A reordering of things can push us in directions we would otherwise avoid. These new directions might lead us to grand opportunities or make us feel uncomfortable and unsteady. That’s the beauty and challenge of change. The uncertainty of it all is part of the adventure.

We can change our hair, clothing or residence - all are things I’ve done recently or are are trying to do currently - but the most important changes are those that happen inside us.   I’m always trying to change something.  Trying to be a better person, connect to God and find the meaning in my own life.

In many ways I’m like the Countryside and Eastman’s.  I’ve been around a long time and have sometimes been left empty, abandoned and deteriorating.  The important thing is to look forward and not dwell in looking backward.    Now that the Countryside and Eastman’s are gone I will wait to see what’s built in their place without judgment or preconceived expectation only open to something new.

Changes…life is all about changes. There’s no fighting it and no way to stop all the changes.  Truth is I don’t think were meant to stop the changes but are meant to embrace, raze and rebuild repeating the process as needed.

I think Peter Noone was reaching out to me (not)! Anyway...he rocks!

I remember getting our first stereo.   It was an RCA Victor console type with a dark wood cabinet - a real luxury in our lives.   It played 33 1/3’s, 45’s, 7/8’s and we used it plenty!   All that music diversity was just priming the pump for the music I would add to my list of favorites over the years.

But it’s the music of the 1960’s that transports me directly back to my teen years.  Oh how my sister and I loved the Beatles, Elvis, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Monkees, Herman’s Hermits and more.

In those days we didn’t have much cash so attending a concert was out of the question most of the time.  Even investing in a record album took weeks and weeks of allowance saving something I was never very good at.  The majority of my collection included 45’s.  Luckily my sister squirreled away her allowance and I was the beneficiary of listening to her purchases more often than not.

When we did buy an album or a 45 the drill was to play and replay into infinity while driving our mother nuts in the process. Although driving our mother nuts wasn’t our ultimate goal that was the net effect hearing “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” a thousand times had on my poor mother.  My sister and I owned at least one Herman’s Hermits album and just last March we went to see them at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, New York.

So it was a great surprise when I discovered they’d be performing at our local fair in a venue where I could get a little closer to the one only Peter Noone who is still “cute” after all these years.  I’m not sure “cute” is the right adjective for a man of 62 but he still is.

I emailed Bethy immediately, “Wanna go?!”

“I’m there,” she responded.

Last Saturday night was the night and we were sitting a mere 20 feet or so from the stage.  The tent was filled with an older crowd mostly.   Bethy and I were, of course, two of younger looking attendees and we were singing, swaying and clapping like star struck teenagers.

That’s when it dawned on me that I might indeed be a Peter Noone Groupie.  Two concerts in one year, swaying, clapping and smitten.  But before I declare myself a groupie a little research is in order to see just what the actual responsibilities of a groupie are.

After a little Internet searching I discovered that a groupie is a “person who seeks emotional and sexual intimacy with a musician or other celebrity.”  Well that’s out!

And a groupie is “an enthusiastic young fan (especially a young woman who follows rock groups around).”  Define the word “young” please.

And a groupie is “someone who sleeps or screws the band. By the band I mean a famous rockstar.”  Well…. No!

Mirriam-Webster’s definition is one that I can live with:

Main Entry: group·ie
Pronunciation: \ˈgrü-pē\
Function: noun
Date: 1966

1 : a fan of a rock group who usually follows the group around on concert tours
2 : an admirer of a celebrity who attends as many of his or her public appearances as possible

Even though Mirriam-Webster’s definition is acceptable, for the sake of clarity I would like to amend my status to that of “Groupie Lite.”  I define “Groupie Lite” as an older woman who is a fan, will travel within a 50-mile radius to enjoy a concert, home by 11:30 p.m. latest and no putting out is involved.   Groupie Lite - I can live with that.

So when the latest movie in the Twilight series - Twilight Eclipse - was released on June 30, 2010, I wondered what all the hoopla was about.  Curiosity lead me to my Netflix queue where I added both Twilight and The Twilight Saga:  New Moon. The first arrived last week and as I watched it I was HOOKED! Not only hooked but I fell in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison). Wouldn’t we all love a vampire who is so in love with us and so protective while using such restraint in not drinking our blood. What a groovy hunk (I’m dating myself I know).

After dropping Twilight into the mail I promptly moved New Moon to the top of my queue.   It arrived Thursday and my plan was to watch the it last night (Friday).  Before settling in with the movie I decided to walk the dog and then lingered outside in the garage for a while to reorganize and do some general clean up.

The sun had long been set by the time I was near ready to go inside.  That’s when heard it…  this strange sound… a snorting type sound. The kind you might hear coming from the nostrils of a large, angry bull or bear or VAMPIRE!

Our overhead mercury vapor light hasn’t been working these last couple of weeks and since we live in the country with no neighbors nearby and with the current phase of the moon a waning crescent at only 9% full it was black as pitch outside.

I stopped in the doorway of the garage to listen.  Again and again I heard this loud snort coming from the end of our driveway a mere 50 feet or so away.  In the blackness and unable to see any great distance, my childhood fear of the dark began to resurface.  Couple that with my recent foray into vampires, well it was time to make a run for the back door.  Who knew a 54-year old grandmother could move so fast?!

Once I was safely inside I relished in the fact that I’d dodged the fate of becoming one of them… on the other hand I should have lingered … Edward Cullen can bite my neck anytime.

Watercolor Sketch, "Iris" on Cason Cold Press

trying something new.  I admit to having been “stuck” lately.  When it comes to my art I’ve been using the same tried and true paper, paint and brushes.  Playing it safe with familiar supplies is a fine approach and can increase the percentage of artistic successes. 

The thing is I’ve become bored and frustrated with the same-ole-same.  Frustrated with watercolor and its limitations.  Then one day a couple of weeks ago as I was doing a watercolor sketch in my Aquabee Super Deluxe sketchbook when I realized the paper was slicker than the Arches Cold Press I’ve been using for years and I liked it!

The slick surface wasn’t absorbing the paint as I am accustomed to with a surprising result - the ability to move the paint around on surface of the paper.  I was pleased with the results.  That’s when a light bulb went off - why not try different papers, different paints and different brushes while letting go of the outcome?

I remember trying slick - hot press - watercolor paper in the past and wasn’t overjoyed with the result.   The thing is my play-it-safe artistic attitude has netted me a lack of enthusiasm.   What’s more, this inclination to stay with the safe and known has robbed me of the potential for wonderful artistic adventures.

So I’m pushing forward and trying something new.  This watercolor sketch was painted on a Cason cold press paper, which seems to have the same properties as the hot press papers I’ve used in the past (as I recall).  It’s slick surface prevents the paint from becoming completely absorbed into the fiber of the paper.  After all these years I’m liking that. 

Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff carries a sample pack of watercolor paper that includes paper 9 sheets (15″ x 22″) 1 sheet of each:  Arches 140CP, Arches 140BWCP, Waterford 140CP, W & N 140CP, Lanaquarelle 140CP, Kilimanjaro 140CP, Kilimanjaro Natural 140CP, Artistico 140CP, Artistico Extra White 140CP.  I’m going to order it and stray a while into the unknown!  

Why not?  Let’s face it … Producing something bad is better than producing nothing at all!

In the Pink!

Oh right… I wanted to let you know - joyfully - that Penny is on the mend.    Amazing really.   I thought she was dying.  Hypothyroidism - it was discovered - coupled with arthritis and a little aging thrown in for good measure.  Penny is 12 years 9 months and in dog years that’s 89 1/4 years!  I hope I’m doing so well when I’m 89 1/4 years old after the medications kick in, of course.

I’m going to admit here that I had come up with a completely different diagnosis.  After a half hour of Internet researching I thought for sure Penny had Wobbler’s Syndrome.  Serious stuff.  Armed with just enough information to make myself truly dangerous I began to question my veterinarian’s diagnosis.  After all how does 4 years of college and an additional 4 years of veterinary medicine compare with a half hour of Internet searching?!  I mean really!

To Dr. Rummel’s credit the transformation has been astonishing.  Within a couple weeks of beginning her medication Penny is a new Beagle.  She’s still experiencing some weakness in her hind legs, but she’s sniffing, begging and all around back to her old self for the most part.  She’s particularly loving that chunk of cheese each morning oblivious to the little thyroid pill tucked inside.

How lucky am I to get a second chance to show Penny how much she means to me.  So spoiling has commenced and a little brown-eyed begging machine is in residence!