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.

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.