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.

17th Street Festival - A blast!

Saturday was cloudy but it didn't rain! It took a bit long for the tents to be set up but the festival went well. It was very well organized, many thanks to the committee members and volunteers.
Sitting around was not much fun, especially with the mosquitoes out in force, but people-watching on 17th Street was a blast. A few friends came to visit and help, and I met some interesting personalities. Maybe I'll join again next year!  

17th Street Festival Update

Well, another friend who is participating in the same art show at the 17th Street Festival has offered to give me a ride and take me home.  Bless her heart.  We'll just help each other unload our stuff and take them to our assigned spots.  Hope we have good weather on Saturday.

17th Street Festival Art Show, September 24, 2011

I was accepted to participate in the art show of the 2011 17th Street Festival Art Show in Washington, DC on Saturday, September 24, from 2 - 6 pm.  This is my first time to join the festival so I am excited and nervous at the same time.  My husband will be away on a fishing trip so I dared to ask a friend to pick me up (and tons of stuff) and help me set up.  She was very kind to agree but she'll have to leave at 3 pm.  I will be on my own after that.  Then there is the problem of getting me and my stuff home.  I plan to take a cab, of course.  Hopefully, some of the art festival people will help me lug my paintings and stuff to the cab.  Oh dear...  What a big worry!  I hope all goes well.

Two more recent paintings

Early light was based on a magazine photo which inspired me to paint it with the subtle colors of a hazy, cold, morning just starting to get lit up by the sun.

Early Light

Flaming Lava was the piece I did during a knife-painting class in Honolulu with Ed Furuike.  I chose the model from one of Ed's magazine photos and bravely started what I have never done before, with his guidance and help.  Then he suggested that I add a white bird to the scene.  When there is a volcanic eruption, Hawaiian legend says the lone white bird is Pele which travels alone and is protective of its domain.  The photo doesn't do justice to the actual colors and the textures in the painting.  I am really pleased!

Flaming Lava

Recent Paintings

Blue Eyeshadow

The Red Boat

Nature's Tapestry (Sold)

The above paintings are three of my recent pieces, all done in oil on canvas.  To see more, here's a link to my website:  http://paintingsbycynthia.com/

Juried Exhibitions

I apply at juried exhibitions periodically just because I always look for opportunities to exhibit.  Most of the time, however, I get rejected.  I have tried to look at my work objectively to see why.

I am aware that juried shows are subjective but I also need to be honest about my work.  Is my art so bad that it gets nixed by curators almost all of the time? Would I change my style to get in at galleries? Should I do shocking work to catch the attention of jurors and curators?  Will doing any of that make me happy?  The simple answer is no.  I like what I do.  I try to improve by taking art workshops periodically but my style is more or less unaffected.  And as much as I'd like to exhibit and sell, I am just not willing to create art which doesn't come from the heart - my heart.    

Painting with a Palette Knife

I just got back from a 4-day stay in Honolulu which included a 3-hour art class with Ed Furuike on oil painting with a palette knife.  I had so much fun in his class, despite the fact that it was my first time to paint exclusively with a palette knife.  I was doubtful I would finish the painting in time but I managed and had fun doing it.  Ed provided the canvas, all the paints, paper palette, etc. and will mail my finished painting to me when it dries completely.  I really enjoyed the class and meeting his students who welcomed me so warmly.  I look forward to putting what I've learned in 3 hours into practice.  We'll see what happens.

I'M BACK!!!

Well, I got my groove back! Two weekends ago, I took an old self-portrait (12" x 12") which I never could finish and reworked it. It came out quite differently - no longer a self-portrait but a more interesting piece. It is more relaxed and free than my usual style. I can't wait for it to dry so I can take a photo and post it.
Last weekend, I painted over an old still-life (9" x 12") and started another painting based on a photo I took in India a few months ago. I put it aside to dry, took another old painting and covered it with grayish-white paint to get it ready for a landscape. Quite a productive weekend, I must say! 

QUIT PAINTING? NO WAY!

In March, I picked up my brushes and painted again after a 6-month rest.  But after working on "The Red Boat", I had to put my painting stuff away because of family visits, a beach vacation, and house guests. 

I'm sort of back to my old routine now but I still have to sit down and paint or draw.  My husband says "my fire has died down".  I would hate to think so.  Perhaps, it is just on "low".  There is just no way I would quit painting.  My studio is getting crowded with art work.  I'm just waiting to sell a few pieces to make space for new ones.    

Nude of the Day, June 1, 2011 at Barebrush Gallery

The above drawing, Despair, was curated as Nude of the Day for June 1, 2011 at Barebrush by Mr. James Patrick Reid, artist and art lecturer.  It was previously chosen as Nude of the Day for July 30, 2010. For the first time, Despair was also selected as one of the five curators' choice for June 2011.

From the write-up about the NOTM for June 2011 (http://barebrush.com/mybarebrush/Previews/NOTM.php), I quote:
About Despair, Mr. Reid thought for a while, composing this thoughts and then said:

"The gesture of the figure is powerfully felt in the foreshortened space she occupies relative to the placement of the dark vertical and the shaded plane of the table. Also, there is a great rhythm connecting the clockwise movement of her arms with the ovoid form of the cushion and her breasts and thighs. This works in two and three dimensions simultaneously. The cloth hanging at the top of it forms the necessary contrast to the clockwise rotation of her upper body and the counter-clockwise thrust of her knees....[some hesitation] The more I look at it, the more I could talk about it."

Needless to say, I am deeply honored.  Thank you, Mr. Reid.

Nude of the Day, May 6, 2011 at Barebrush Gallery

My painting, Self-Reflection, was juried in as Nude of the Day for May 6 at Barebrush Gallery.  The guest curator is Margot Luftig of Salmagundi Club.  Voting for Nude of the Month is ongoing and will close soon.  To vote, here is the link:

http://barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/NOTM2011_05.php

PAINTING AGAIN!

A few days ago, I took my paints and brushes out of hiding after taking a break for about six months.  It feels good to paint again.  What I have created is nice and pleasant but lacks something.  I may work on it some more or put it away and start on a new piece.  I am still waiting for my creative bulb to light up.  When inspiration strikes, it is a feeling like no other. 

FACES AND PLACES

I've just returned from a lovely trip to Manila to visit family for three weeks, and a memorable tour of Kathmandu and India (Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, New Delhi) for almost two weeks, including a 3-day visit with our friend, Aman, in Delhi.  So much culture to appreciate and absorb, not to mention all the shopping I "allowed" myself to do.

The crowded streets were a stage for the daily routine of people, their motor bikes, elephants, camels, cows, dogs, goats, tuk-tuks, bicycles, etc.  It felt like being in the midst of a huge celebration.  But what fascinated me most were the mixture of different faces and colorful costumes around me.  What a treat!

NUDE OF THE DAY, MARCH 19, 2011

The attached painting, Angst, is Nude of the day for March 19, 2011 at Barebrush Gallery.  Guest curator is David Masello, art writer and editor.
This is my 4th painting juried in for their monthly calendar.  You can vote for your favorite nude at the following link:
http://www.barebrush.com/NOTM/Archives/NOTM2011_03.php

Just click opposite the date of your favorite nude and click on "vote".

INSPIRATION

I haven't painted for almost 6 months now (except to spruce up some old paintings in Manila).  My husband says I have lost my "fire" for art.  Not true, I said.  I am just taking a break until "inspiration" talks to me.  It is that fleeting moment when one is inexplicably drawn to create.  I feel it coming!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Today was the last day of the exhibit "My N*de Valentine" at the Rogue Space in Chelsea (526 West 26th Street, 9th Fl, New York, NY 10001).  I hope you had a chance to check it out!

THE CORE OF MY ART

I always hope that my latest painting is an improvement over the last but it doesn't always work that way.  Sometimes, it is a step or two back; sometimes it is a downright failure.  But I always paint what strikes my fancy or tugs at my heart.  And that is the core of my art.

BAREBRUSH GALLERY

Nude in Repose

Despair

Blue Mood

I have been pretty lucky this year at Barebrush Gallery (http://barebrush.com/index.php). For its juried monthly calendar competitions, my watercolor piece Blue Mood was selected for May 4, 2010; my charcoal drawing Despair for July 30, 2010; and another charcoal drawing Nude in Repose for January 28, 2011.

Despair and Blue Mood will be shown at Rogue Space Gallery in Chelsea (526 West 26th Street, 9th Fl, New York, NY 10001) from Feb 10 to 13, 2011.  Opening reception is Feb 10, from 6 - 9 pm.  If you happen to be in NYC then, please check it out!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Well, I wish everyone Happy Holidays!  I hope the New Year brings you good health, good fortune, and good cheer!