A gem at Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Last February, I went to Kuala Lumpur for the first time.  At the airport, I inquired about the Shangri-la Hotel shuttle.  I didn't know I had to book in advance but the guy from Shangri-la got me a taxi instead.  What luck!  I got Mr. Gobee A/L Ragaven who took me to my hotel for less than what I would have paid for the Hotel limo.  Moreover, he gave me useful bits of information about Kuala Lumpur.  

I booked Gobee for my return trip to the airport and he showed up earlier than agreed.  I told him I wasn't able to try a typical Malaysian breakfast so, because we had plenty of time, he took me to a stall where he buys his breakfast, run by a Malaysian man and his Indonesian wife.  He helped me order Nasi lemak (coconut rice with egg, fish and sambal chili) and some fiery chicken dish.  The lady wrapped the whole thing in banana leaves and paper, then stuffed it in a plastic bag with a plastic spoon - all for a song.

Gobee then drove me to the airport and suggested that, after checking in, I should seat myself in a Malaysian coffee house which are aplenty in the airport, and enjoy my breakfast.  I ordered a cup of coffee and dug in.  My mouth was on fire but the whole thing was delicious!

I should have written about Gobee months ago but I misplaced his card.  I just found it among my papers so here are his contact details, just in case you need a reliable guide in Kuala Lumpur.

Airport Limo (M) SDN BHD
Gobee A/L Ragaven:  016-245-9918  (Limo 2895)   

View from the Hill

Yesterday was a busy day for me. I made orange marmalade, put the finishing touches on my latest painting, and started a new canvas. Below is View from the Hill, oil on canvas, 16" x 20".  A former art teacher used to say I painted like I was on acid. :)

OLPE Exhibit Extended at the Watergate Gallery

The exhibit "Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion" at the Watergate Gallery is being extended until Saturday, October 19, 2013.  The varied interpretation of the theme by 33 local artists (including myself) has drawn quite a bit of interest.  If you haven't seen the show, there are additional receptions scheduled as follows:

Reception:  Thursday, September 26,  6:30-8:30 pm
Reception:  Saturday, October 5, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

PARTY TO END THE EXHIBIT:   Saturday, October 19, 5-8 pm

The OLPE Art Reception

Exhibition: Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion  September 7 – October 5, 2013

The opening reception came and went.  The gallery was crowded and the atmosphere lively.  The show was quite interesting, each piece representing the artist's interpretation of the theme accompanied by a narrative explaining the artwork.  I wrote the following narrative to describe my painting, Grief:

The theme of the exhibition inspired me to revisit my paintings of women in distress.  I have always been drawn to create portraits of suffering women.   It is my way of paying homage to my mother and the women in my family, not only because of their tenacity to face daily challenges, but also for the courage and resolve with which they confront life's adversities.  Grief reflects all these things and more - pain, exhaustion, grief, despair.

 
If you did not make it to the opening, there will be additional receptions at the gallery:

Wednesday, September 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm 
Thursday, September 26, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Saturday, October 5, 6:00 - 8:00 pm  (end of exhibition)
 
Watergate Gallery is located in the lower level (accessible by escalator or stairs) of the Watergate building, next to CVS.
 
Watergate Gallery & Frame Design
2552 Virginia Avenue NW
Washington DC 20037 
tel: 202.338.4488

OLPE Exhibit - A Reminder

Exhibition: Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion

I will be part of a group exhibition at the Watergate Gallery & Frame Design from September 7 - October 5, 2013.  Opening reception is on Saturday, September 7, 5:00 - 8:00 pm.

If you are in the Washington, DC area,  please come and see the show.  Watergate Gallery is located in the lower level (accessible by escalator or stairs) of the Watergate building, next to CVS.
September 7 – October 5, 2013
  
Watergate Gallery & Frame Design
2552 Virginia Avenue NW
Washington DC 20037tel: 202.338.4488

If you can't make it to the opening reception, the following are additional receptions:

Wednesday, September 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm 
Thursday, September 26, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Saturday, October 5, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Stop the Anti-Women Gag Rule!!!

Sold into marriage at 12, Sahar Gul lived in a house of horrors. Her in-laws chained her in the basement, beat her with red hot iron pipes, starved her and pulled out all her fingernails when she refused to prostitute herself for them.

Her attackers’ sentence was reduced to a meager one year, and now they’re free again! Worse still, the Lower House of Afghan Parliament just passed a bill that would ban aggressors’ family members from testifying in court. This would prevent countless children and women from ever getting justice.

The Upper House has beaten back anti-women legislation before and high-level officials say the Avaaz community could tip the balance and help stop the bill before it goes to a vote. But to do that, we need to act fast. Click the link below to sign this urgent petition now -- when we reach 1 million signers we’ll launch a massive local media campaign targeting key senators until the bill is dumped.

 

Here is the link:  https://secure.avaaz.org/en/justice_for_afghan_women_loc/?fVikCab

Exhibition: Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion

I will be part of a group exhibition at the Watergate Gallery & Frame Design from September 7 - October 5, 2013.  If you are in the Washington, DC area,  come and see the show.  Below are the details.

Watergate Gallery is located in the lower level (accessible by escalator or stairs) of the Watergate building, next to CVS.

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL EXHAUSTION

September 7 – October 5, 2013
 
Watergate Gallery & Frame Design
2552 Virginia Avenue NW
Washington DC 20037
 
tel: 202.338.4488

Opening reception:  Saturday, September 7, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Additional receptions:
Wednesday, September 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Thursday, September 26, 6:30 - 8:30 pm 
Saturday, October 5, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Artwork

I was checking out my website a few days ago when I realized that viewers may have been missing the page "Artwork".  This page has a drop-down menu which leads you to the different types of genre I do (portrait, still-life, nude, landscape, etc.).  However, if you place your cursor on Artwork (next to Home), and click on it, you will get the intro to my art and a slideshow of about 30 paintings in my portfolio.  Try it!

 

Women's Review of Books July/August issue

My painting, Voices of Hope, is featured in the July/August issue of Women's Review of Books. It was used to illustrate the review of "Mapping Arab Women's Movements".  What a thrill to see it on the cover!  

Here is the link to the review:
http://www.wcwonline.org/Women-s-Review-of-Books/womens-review-of-books

Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion

I have been invited to submit my work in a special exhibition called "Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion" from August 27 - October 4, 2013.  I started painting a veiled lady with a sorrowful face but wasn't happy with it. I went on vacation and upon return, I scrapped it.

One day, I was looking at old photographs and saw one of my late mother's on her 81st birthday. Something clicked.  I decided to paint her, silver hair and all. The portrait is almost done.  Although the exhibition theme inspired me to paint her, I decided to keep it and submit another piece for the exhibition.  Back to work.

No more errors!

Guess what!  My art website is now up and running, thanks to webbrewers.com!  No more errors (hopefully).  Check it out.

http://paintingsbycynthia.com

To the Hotshots

Dedicated to the 19 members of the elite group of firefighters, Hotshots, who were killed in the Yarnell, Arizona wildfire. This is to remind us how unpredictable and deadly wildfires can be.

 Wildfire by Cynthia Angeles, Oil on Canvas, 21" x 31"

Website Move

I have been having problems with my (free) website host (000webhost.com) for almost two weeks now.  Perhaps, it is time to graduate to paid hosting.  I apologize in advance if you are not able to visit my website for a few days but it will soon be up, many thanks to webbrewers.com.

Nelson Mandela and His Family

This is not a proper venue to voice out my opinions about public figures but I will make an exception for Nelson Mandela.  He is my ideal of a good leader and a good person.  The many times my husband had traveled to Pretoria and Johannesburg on business, he always hoped he'd get a chance to meet the great Madiba.  I, too, during my few visits there, dreamed I would see him by accident.

Now that Mandela is lying close to death in a hospital bed, his family is feuding about his grave site and monies.  The great leader who, after 26 years of imprisonment, took control of the country, tried everything to reconcile the black majority and the Afrikaners who imposed apartheid.

"Evidently grace and dignity are not inherited," an editorial in the Citizen, a local paper, wrote.     

Here it is again - No Apologies: A Slideshow of My Art

The above video is a virtual gallery of my work.  Why the title No Apologies?  My styles and themes are so varied that most people say my art portfolio looks like a group exhibition.  Usually, galleries show artists with a common theme and a consistent style.  I prefer to paint what I feel and sometimes challenge myself to try a genre I haven't done in the past.  The common threads that bind my art are the vivid colors and a "need to convey a mood or tell a story".      

How I clean my paint brushes and palette knives (update)

An artist should know how to treat paint brushes and palette knives with care.  From a class I took with Ed Furuike in Honolulu, I learned how to paint with a palette knife and how to clean it.  I first wipe off the excess paint in a newspaper or an old phonebook page, then clean it with a baby wipe sheet.  Works like magic!

When I'm finished painting with my brushes, I dip them in turpenoid (water for acrylic users) and blot them on newspaper or cheap paper towels.  You can also clean them with baby wipes.  Once I'm done, I clean each brush with Lava soap, rinse it clean, then rub it on Octagon soap to soften the bristles.  I rinse the brushes thoroughly and let them dry upright in an empty container.

It sounds like a lot of work but taking care of your brushes and palette knives will assure a longer life.

Miami condo update

I finally found another condo for our vacation in South Beach.  It was a pleasant flat but the complex was too big and too crowded.  The parking was too far to walk with luggage and all.  Anyway, this may be our last visit there.  We had mostly stormy weather and only 1 1/2 days of sunshine during our 11-day stay. 

WHAT A SCAM!!!

We've just been scammed by a guy who phished a Florida realtor's email. We had already transfered funds to a Barclays account in Surrey, England of a Viktor Stoian before we found out from the real property manager that it was a scam. There were other victims.  So, beware!!!  Now, I've got to find another condo for our upcoming vacation.

Another new painting!

Tempest, Oil on Canvas, 15" x 19"

This canvas was covered with excess light blue paint from another piece for months. Sometime late last year, I started a plain seascape which looked terribly boring so I put it aside. In March this year, I used my palette knife to add more waves to the water and it started to look interesting but not quite done. Then, just a few days ago, I added a couple of rocks and more movement in the water with different shades of greens and blues. There is hardly a dividing line between sky and sea.

 

Two New Paintings

I started the Swamp last year but put it aside for a long time.  I worked on it again on and off this year and just did the finishing touches yesterday.  I think it is done.

 

 The Swamp, Oil on Canvas, 30" x 40" 

I had been thinking of doing a portrait of an old couple for quite a long time.  I saw a couple in their late 70's (I think) on the bus but was too embarrassed to take a photo.  So, I searched the web and found an image I based Afternoon Stroll  on.  I started this in March and just finished it yesterday.

 

 Afternoon Stroll, Oil on Canvas, 20" x 16"

Family Visit and Painting

We had a wonderful visit from my family the week of April 15 - a lot of eating, drinking, and endless chatting.  I thought my husband would get overwhelmed but he was a real trooper - bless his heart!

My painting was put on hold but I made a lot of progress with the three pieces I was working on the week before.  It takes me a while to decide when to stop working on a painting.  A former art teacher said, "One of the most difficult things for an artist is to know when to stop working on a painting."  One piece is near completion - it is a landscape on a 30" x 40" gallery canvas.  I am quite pleased with the colors I've used and I've already signed it (?) but it needs a few more finishing touches.  I will post a photo when it is ready.

Painting in Quietude

It’s been pretty quiet around here this week. Most people are probably out of town to see their families for Easter and Passover. My better half is away on a fishing trip. So, I took advantage of the respite to paint, working on three paintings alternately. While one was drying, I worked on another. My work table is a mess but it is a studio, after all. I only clear up when expecting guests. Bliss!

No Apologies - a slideshow of my art

I just created the above video.  Why No Apologies?  My styles and themes are so varied that people say my art portfolio looks like a group exhibition.  Most galleries show artists with a common theme and a consistent style.  I prefer to paint what I feel and sometimes challenge myself to try a genre I haven't done in the past.  The common threads that bind my art are the vivid colors and a "need to convey a mood or tell a story".      

My dentist's office - Part II

The rest of the paintings in my dentist’s clinic are as follows:

The Old Oak (Oil on Canvas, 17″ x 21″ including frame)

Bambusa (Oil on Canvas, 36″ x 18″, unframed)

 

 

Bambusa II (Oil on Canvas, 36″ x 18″, unframed)

 

My dentist's office

I sat in my dentist’s waiting room yesterday and was surrounded by my own paintings. More than a year ago, I made arrangements for some of my paintings to be hung in his clinic but I still get surprised with each visit.

The Brook is the biggest attention-drawer, according to the office. No wonder, it is a 30″ x 40″ canvas with lovely autumn colors.

Benguerra Coast is the second most popular piece among the lot. It is a 16″ x 20″ oil painting (including frame).

Here's how to follow

To follow this blog (http://artbycangeles.blogspot.com/), click on the blue button on the right (Join this site), and follow through your gmail, twitter, or yahoo account.  Thanks!

I'm back!

I just got back from a 5-week vacation to Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and England.  My husband and I enjoyed the food in various restaurants in Eastwood Mall, Quezon City and at my sister's home, and I loved sampling the local cuisine at the hawker stalls in Lorong Perak, Kuala Lumpur.  Much as I love food and wine, I won't be featuring them in my art anytime soon.  I need to finish the canvasses I started before I left.

Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring

Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring

This is my favorite among Vermeer's paintings.  In my art class in 1996, when Vermeer's works were visiting at the National Art Gallery in Washington, DC, my art teacher asked us to copy it.  Armed with just a small magazine print of the painting, I started working on a 16" x 20" canvas.  Below is what came out:

My version of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring

You will see the difference outright but it was not a bad attempt considering that I had only been painting for two years then.

STOP THE CARNAGE!

Voices of Hope, Oil on Canvas, 21" x 21"

 

I painted "Voices of Hope" to express my solidarity with the protesting women of the Middle East whose voices against the carnage in their homelands are muffled by politics and guns.

Flaming Lava reposted

In August 2011, I took a three-hour art class with Ed Furuike in Honolulu (http://www.furuikeart.com/web/) on oil painting with a palette knife.  Ed is a Hawaiian professional artist who really enjoys teaching.  I was delighted to be in his class and marveled at what one could do on a canvas with a palette knife.  I completed “Flaming Lava” below which he mailed to me.  I couldn’t believe I did it with a palette knife.

I chose the model from one of Ed’s magazine photos and bravely started what I had never done before, with his guidance and help.  Then he suggested that I add a white bird to the scene (barely discernible in the upper middle part of the frame).  When there is a volcanic eruption, Hawaiian legend says the lone white bird is Pele which travels alone and is protective of its domain.

Flaming Lava, Oil on Canvas, 14" x 18"

I still don't feel comfortable with palette knife painting but I have finished an abstract piece I called "Tsunami" done mostly with a palette knife (see below) and recently started a seascape with a combination of brush and palette knife.  I will post an image when I finish it.

Tsunami, oil on wood, 13" x 14"

Copying images - theft or compliment?

I google myself rarely but did several days ago and was surprised to find my painting Grief (below) in a few sites.  I had the same experience a couple of years ago and wrote on the blog of the author, asking why my permission was not asked before posting the image.  The image had been taken out.  This time, I posed the same question to the blogger, got a huge apology and my image was taken out.  He studiously looked for my name to give me credit and that was much appreciated.

I have a website and a blog so my paintings are "out there" and can be  used.  I have no watermark to protect it because I don't like watermarks - it ruins the image, I think.  In this day and age of the internet, images can be easily copied and used, copyright notwithstanding.    

"Grief" has been used quite a few times in people's blogs to reflect their feelings about a personal or public tragedy and I am flattered.  I am proud of this piece, as well as my other paintings of "suffering women".  But I would appreciate it very much if those wishing to use any of my images to ask my permission first and not to attribute their postings to me.

 

"Grief" by Cynthia Angeles

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

I wish everyone good health, good cheer, and better circumstances in your endeavors.  I might as well wish myself the same things.  A few thoughts about my art came to mind:

Where is my art going?  Is it going anywhere?  Does it matter?  Of course, it does to any artist.  Will I carry on painting?  Of course, I will.  I just hope that my website will help my art gain exposure and that it will eventually translate into sales so that I can paint some more!

GRIEF

Grief, Oil on Linen, 31" x 25" 

I can best express my feelings about the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut through my painting above, Grief. 

Christmas is almost here!

I still get excited about the holidays despite a sad but funny episode in my childhood.  I was about 5 or 6 years old when I hung an old stocking by my bedpost on Christmas Eve, only to find it empty on Christmas Day.  I wondered why Santa passed me by so I asked my mother why.  She then asked me with a straight face:  Did you wash your stocking before hanging it?  Maybe that is why Santa didn't leave you anything.  From then on until I figured out who Santa really was, I made sure my Christmas stocking was clean and fresh.

Thanksgiving gets me started on the holiday mood and I start thinking of getting the wreath out, putting some Christmas decorations together (but not a tree), and fixing up the place.  I also planned on sending Christmas cards but I ran out of time this year so I have sent e-cards instead (sorry!)

Since Thanksgiving week, I have worked on four (yes, four!) canvasses.  Because of holiday preparations and parties, I have put them aside.  Hopefully, I will get to finish them early next year.  I wish everyone one of the following:

    a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
    Happy Hanukkah,
    Happy Kwanzaa, or simply
    Happy Holidays

Computer Woes Saga

I work on my computer all the time to update my websites and my blogs. Having found myself riddled with freezing problems since April this year, I had to rely heavily on my iPad (quite useful but with limited functions) for email and internet. My desktop was a Dell Inspiron 560s which was just 2 years old when the freezing happened. Because my warranty had expired, I had to purchase additional warranty from Dell for them to resolve the problem. I was also persuaded to purchase Norton 360 for protection. After spending close to $300, I worked with the Dell technology staff for days, resetting my desktop to factory settings, etc. but to no avail. In the end, they refunded what I spent and recommended that I take my desktop to a local computer repair expert.

And so I did. In July 2012, I took my desktop to Arlington Virginia Computer Repair. Alex was quite helpful and personable. My desktop went through their diagnostic process. It was determined that my desktop had a failed hard drive. This included a brand new hard drive, Windows, drivers, updates and basic software (including free anti-virus) installation, tune-up and testing. The intermittent freezing did not stop, however, even after the installation of a new video card, a cooling fan, and BIOS update. One day, the monitor just went blank so I bought a new monitor, hoping that it was causing the problem. Well, the new monitor also froze, and after a few seconds, went blank.
      
I then decided to get a new desktop and use my recently bought monitor. When I got everything set up, I started restoring my files which didn't work well. I tried to access Mozilla and Facebook but couldn't so I contacted HP support, worried and furious because of what I had gone through. Luckily, the technician, after running some tests, asked what modem I was using. She determined that it was my old modem (a Westell Versalink 327W) which was causing the problem. She contacted Verizon for me. After a few tests, the tech rep decided to send me a new modem (free of charge!). Once I got the new modem set up, my computer started working and I haven't had any problems for 3 full days now (fingers crossed!).

Now, I have to see if I can sell my video card, motherboard, CPU, cooling fan, etc. to recoup some of my expenses.

Thoughts on Veterans' Day

I thought of all the veterans who served the United States in various wars and have been mostly forgotten or ignored by society. Thanks to all of you! I hope we will be able to give back what is (over)due you one way or the other.

Gen. Petraeus may have succumbed to human weakness but it is not for us to judge him. He served his country and its people well and he deserves respect for that.  And for that, we should be grateful.

Blue Mood and Indecision

 

Blue Mood, which had been selected as Nude of the Day for May 4, 2010 and October 7, 2012 at Barebrush Gallery, was again selected as Nude of the Day for November 11, 2012. You can vote for your favorite nude of the month and curator’s choice at the following link:

http://barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/NOTM2012_11.php?calendar_nbr=0

Indecision, which had been juried in as Best-of-the-Rest at Barebrush Gallery for March 29, 2012 and for May 27, 2012, was chosen for November 30, 2012. To vote, here is the link:

http://barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/BOTR2012_11.php?calendar_nbr=2

Having been selected three times by different jurors, both will be “retired” from the calendar competition at Barebrush Gallery.

Hurricane Sandy

The Washington area is bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.  It started raining last night but the weather forecast predicts very strong winds and several inches of rain.  Hopefully, there will be minimal property damage and the power stays on.

I wish I could neutralize a cold, rainy day like this by creating some colorful art on canvas but I have a terrible cold and a sore throat to boot.  I don't feel like doing much except watch the trees sway with the wind.  Oh well.... 

Blue Mood - Vote for Nude of the Month

Blue Mood, which was chosen as Nude of the Day for May 4, 2010 at Barebrush Gallery wa selected as Nude of the Day for Oct 7.  Voting ends soon so please vote for your favorite nude of the month and curator’s choice at the following link:

http://barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/NOTM2012_10.php?calendar_nbr=0

Buy Now!

Good news! My website has a Buy Now option for my artwork through PayPal. Check it out!

Art By Cynthia Angeles

Early Light

Oil on Canvas, 17" H x 21" W

Bokid Collection

I have to share this with you. My niece, Pamela, and her family sell a beautiful collection of hand-woven fabrics and rugs made of natural fibers from the Philippines.  In addition, she creates beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry.  Check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bokid-Collection/276698695772244

The Bokid collection is available at Le Decor Francais, 1006 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021.

http://www.bokidcollection.com
http://www.ledecorfrancais.com

Artist Talk

I recently attended an artist talk in a local gallery.  Three artists spoke about their processes, inspiration, significance of their work, etc.  It was quite interesting to hear what each had to say.  I left asking myself what I would say if asked to give an art talk.

I have given brief speeches during a couple of solo exhibitions before.  The direct questions from the audience helped me explain why I painted a certain piece or what stories lie behind some paintings.  Most of the time, though, it is difficult to articulate why I painted this or that.  Inspiration seldom visits and can be elusive.  Committing something to canvas is hard work.  For me, talking about it is even harder.

October is Filipino American Heritage Month

I am participating in the Brown Strokes on White Canvas (BSWC) exhibit at the Philippine National Multicultural Center from Oct 1 - 31, 2012.

7500 Livingston Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20744 

Tel: 301-567-2280

Opening Reception: Sunday, Oct 7, 2012, 4pm - 7pm.
Please join us at the reception or see the exhibit at your convenience. 

No More Art Festivals For Me!

I have participated in three art festivals so far.  Each time, I had my own booth or table.  Although I have sold in those occasions, it was a lot of hard work.  The preparation had to be well-planned since I don't drive and had to rely on my husband or friends to drop me and my "wares" off.  I tried to pack the minimum paintings (and easels) so I didn't have to struggle carrying them from point A to point B and back.

The setting up could be fun and challenging as well.  Some experienced vendors bring their own folding tables and chairs to take best advantage of their space.

One other thing: people would easily buy jewelry or pottery but paintings (or even prints) are a hard sell.  The most difficult part for me was sitting alone, fighting to keep the bugs off me (they love me!), waiting for prospective customers to approach and buy.

Sure, it is always nice to people-watch but you can only do so much of that.  It gets boring after a while.  I think I will give the art festival a miss next year.  

I can't draw like a child!

I just finished writing a short book for children. Although the main character is a little boy, it is based on snapshots of my childhood in the Philippines. It needs to be illustrated but no matter how much I try, I can't seem to draw like a child.  The drawings I produced were not appealing at all.  Hmmmm.

Art in Bookhill Bistro, Georgetown DC

A friend and fellow artist, Elba Molina, and I hung our paintings at Bookhill Bistro in upper Georgetown (1639 Wisconsin Avenue NW) yesterday afternoon.  Mori, the owner, was kind enough to give us a free rein to hang our art on his nice walls.  To DC residents, please drop by (the bistro is open every day except Mondays) to sample the good food and wine he offers and to see our art.  The patio is lovely, especially at this time of year.

http://www.bookhillbistrodc.com/

17th Street Art Festival - Washington, DC

The 2012 17th Street Art Festival will be held on Saturday, September 22nd, from 12 - 6 pm on 17th Street, between P Street and Riggs Place NW.  I will have a booth there so please come, browse, and people-watch.  It should be fun (weather permitting)!  I plan to show some of my art and my sister's one-of-a-kind jewelry.  Mark your calendars!

OPTION TO BUY!!

I was advised by an art consultant to put up a "Buy Now" button in my website to give readers the option to buy a painting, print, or note cards.  Since I do want to sell my paintings, I am considering adding a "shop" to my website.  Will let you know when it is set up.  In the meantime, please check out my website and let me know if you have any suggestions:

http://paintingsbycynthia.com

IT'S BEEN A WHILE!

I've been blogging exclusively in my own art website (paintingsbycynthia.com) but, I guess, my reach is wider in blogger.com, so I'll do both.

I have not been painting much these days because of various reasons.  I've been busy with personal commitments and also wanted to reduce my inventory of paintings before creating some more.  The last two canvasses I painted were Tsunami (my latest attempt to do an abstract piece) and Voices of Hope (a tribute to the women in the Middle East).

I usually paint what I feel.  Although I want to sell my art, it matters not whether what I have created is "saleable" or not.  What really matters is that I have committed to canvas or paper what has inspired me in the first place.
 

How I clean my paint brushes and palette knives

An artist should know how to treat paint brushes and palette knives with care.  From the class of Ed Furuike in Honolulu, I learned how to paint with a palette knife and how to clean it. I first wipe off the excess paint in a newspaper or an old phonebook page, then clean it with a baby wipe sheet.  Works like magic!

When I'm finished painting with my brushes, I dip them in turpenoid and blot them on newspaper or paper towels.  Then, I clean each brush with Lava soap and rinse it clean, then rub it on Octagon soap to soften the bristles.  Rinse thoroughly and let the brushes dry upright in an empty container.  Taking care of your brushes and palette knives will assure a longer life.

New Art Website

I have transferred most of my posts to my new WordPress website (http://paintingsbycynthia.com).  Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Dune Shadows Update

I mentioned Dune Shadows in my post of 12/27/11.  It is now hanging on the wall of our friend's home in Oswestry, UK.  It looked very much at home there, I must say, and complemented the rest of her decor. 

MY NEW ART WEBSITE

Just to let you know that my art website http://paintingsbycynthia.com is up and running.  Matt Howell of Webbrewers.com converted my Office Live Small Business Website into a WordPress site and I'm really pleased with it.  Do check it out! 

More Apologies!

I am sorry it is taking time to get my art website (www.paintingsbycynthia.com) published.  It is being reconstructed by webbrewers.com.  I have seen it, worked on it, and it really looks cool!  I will let you know as soon as it is ready.  Thanks again for your patience. 

Do I Want to Exhibit?

Of course, every artist wants to exhibit his/her artwork.  But I am no longer that keen about getting to exhibit in galleries.  A male artist I met didn't seem to care much about it so I asked how he sells his paintings and he said nonchalantly, "Just word of mouth."  True, not many artists actually sell during an exhibition but I was touched by his attitude.  He was more animated talking about what paints he uses than where or if he sells his work.  A true artist, I thought.

MY APOLOGIES!

My website http://paintingsbycynthia.com is under construction so it won't be available for several days.  I moved it out of Microsoft Office Live Small Business (MS OLSB) because they are converting to Office 365 in May 2012, and will start charging $6 a month.

I will let you know as soon as my website is done.

WELCOME 2012!!!

Happy New Year everyone! My painting "The Winding Road" placed first in Best-of-the-Rest for December 2011 at Barebrush Gallery; "Trapped" took third place in December's Favorite Nude of the Month!  Not a bad way to start the New Year!

Dune Shadows

Dune Shadows

A former house guest who lives in the UK has expressed interest in purchasing this painting.  It is a minimalist piece, featuring the undulating curves of the dunes in the Skeleton Coast of Namibia, almost touching the endless sky.  Looking at it takes me back to that moment years ago when I was standing on one of the dunes, feeling lost and small among the grandeur of nature.

I don't know where to start!

Autumn Magic II

Autumn Magic II took 1st place, People's Choice, for Best-of-the-Rest, November 2011 at Barebrush Gallery.

The Winding Road

Another painting, The Winding Road, was curated for December 1, Best-of-the-Rest, December 2011.  Here is what Barebrush founder Ilene Skeen said about it:

"There are many portraits in December, but the Best-of-the-Rest begins the month with an appropriate “big picture” of the human condition. The Winding Road is an oil painting by Cynthia Angeles of Washington, DC. Although the road appears straight in the image, the trees are overwhelming and the human tiny. The future, implied by possible twists and turns beyond the horizon, is unknown. Undaunted, people keep going. That’s what we do, and sometimes we have a great time doing it. There may be regrets, but also no turning back and few do-overs. Ms. Skeen added, “To me, this painting represents the indomitable human spirit, and in particular, the spirit of Barebrush Artists.”

And, finally, my nude painting below, Trapped, was chosen as Nude of the Day for December 25, 2011 (nothing to do with Christmas).

Trapped

My studio, my gallery

I have fixed up my studio to showcase most of my paintings on the walls.  The space is limited but I managed to tidy it up such that it looks less cluttered now.  I can now easily invite anyone interested in seeing my art to come in and look around without falling over canvases and boxes.  

BAREBRUSH GALLERY BEST OF THE REST

Barebrush Gallery has a new exhibit – Best of the Rest (non-nude art). My artwork above, Autumn Magic II, was chosen for Nov 3. There is voting (again) for People’s Choice and if you feel like it, please click on the link below, make your choice and click on vote. Thanks!
http://www.barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/BOTR2011_11.php?calendar_nbr=2

A Matter of Choice

At the 17th Street Festival, a gentleman looked at my work and asked why I had such a range of styles.  I told him I enjoyed trying different things.  He seemed displeased and left.  Days after, I thought about that brief encounter and deemed it unfair.  He hadn't seen my portfolio.  I had only several pieces on the table which was a tiny fraction of my body of work.

I also realized that most galleries expect a single theme and style from each artist.  Much as I would like to get the attention of galleries, I would be bored doing just faces or trees or stripes.  I'd like to challenge myself and do something different every once in a while.  Nothing shocking, mind you.  I guess, it all boils down to one's personal choice.