February 20, 2013

Well, it's been a wee bit over a year since my last post. Imagine that!

Imagine also, all the the good, challenging and sad things that can happen to any family. Many have happened to mine over the past two years. We all experience ups and downs, so it's not unusual, but sometimes you have to shrink your world a bit and focus on family. So, I did.

BUT, I have kept painting and will catch you up. A few months ago I started taking a class with the very talented artist, Kelly Carmody and have been working on some exercises to fill the holes in my art education and improve my work. Here's the first plaster cast painting I completed in Kelly's class. The value of this exercise, (artists, please excuse the pun), is to understand the planes of the face and how light travels across the forms.

Good news! My small portrait painting (in my previous post), Pensive, Portrait of Jenny won second place in oils at the fall Reading Art Association exhibit and was later juried into and then sold at Concord Art Association. I heard she's found a good home, so I'm very happy about that.

See you all soon!

Portrait of Jenny, 6" x 8"

I'm back!
Here's a recent portrait sketch I did of a delightful young girl, in a pensive pose. The lighting was natural, which means what we happened to have that day—overhead daylight flourescent and sunlight through windows. Despite the challenge, it was a pleasure to paint Jenny and I hope to paint her again in the near future.

Settling In and Open House

I hope to be at the Holiday Open House on Friday, December 9th, 6-8pm. 
If you can, pop in and see the art and say hello to the artists who will definitely be there!
 
I've been working on some larger paintings lately, while getting things moved into my new studio. What a challenging process it is, to get all set up, but I cannot complain! It's awesome and inspiring to have this space to paint in, with kind, talented, and hardworking artists as neighbors.

Happy Holidays, everyone. Wishing you a joyful season.

The Artists' Muse Reception

Hi All,

I'm excited to announce that very recently (like a week ago) I started sharing a studio with artist Brent Rotsko, in Amesbury, MA. So, of course we're working hard to be ready for this Friday's Reception. Amesbury's 15th Annual Open Studio Tour takes place this Saturday and Sunday.

The Artists' Muse

9 Water Street

Amesbury, MA

Reception

Friday, November 4

6-9 pm

Amesbury's 15th Annual Open Studio Tour

Saturday, November 5

10 am-4pm

Sunday, November 6

12 noon-4pm
www.amesburystudiotour.com

For awhile now, I've known that my blog title arrives garbled in emails. I'm testing this new, simplified template and hope this fixes the problem. I have a new website, too and would love to hear what you think: www.pamperras.com

If you're in Amesbury, please stop by and say hello!
Cheers!

Silent Pines of Grace

Tuesday was overcast, but beautiful in New Hampshire. Leaves are just beginning to change color. I could hear the pattering of raindrops, but didn't feel them; the trees sheltered me. Once the rain stopped, it was so quiet. Pine needles carpeted the path. I enjoyed a mini-vacation in Grace's neighborhood.

Paint Out Speed Painting!

Here is my painting from that gloriously beautiful day, at The Wakefield Paint Out by the Lake. Having organized the event, I spent more time working on it than at my easel for about a month, so it was such a treat to be out there painting, FINALLY!

Whether you're an artist or art lover, if you're in the area in 2012, please consider joining us! The Farmers Market, where it's held, is one of the best around, The Wakefield Paint Out is great fun, and it's a pleasure to meet other artists and art lovers. We're going to be working on The Paint Out way in advance next year, so you'll receive ample notice. 

Thanks again to: The Savings Bank, Sponsor; Wendy Dennis, Wakefield Farmers Market Manager and The Crew; Kendall Inglese, Executive Director, Wakefield Chamber of Commmerce, artist Robin Thornhill, Lynnfield Art Guild, Merchants of Wakefield who participated in the Art Walk; Lady with a Pen, Sanborn Day Adult Day Care, Greenwood Wine & Spirits, Ristorante Molise, Tootsie's Coffee Corner, ZuZu's Cafe & Catering, The UPS Store, Kelli Stromski, Maura Racamato, Cathy Wensley, The Center for Performing Arts, and All the Paint Out Artists!

Wakefield Plein Air Paint Out!

It was a gorgeous, perfect day for plein air painting in the Paint Out by the Lake at Wakefield Farmers Market this past Saturday. It looked festive as can be, with red balloons floating above artists' easels. As the organizer and greeter of artists, I got off to a late start, but had a great time anyway—speed painting! This photo, courtesy of Kendall Inglese, shows the artists exhibiting their finished paintings at the Wet Paint Exhibit and Sale.

This year the Paint Out is donating 20% of proceeds to The Wakefield Center for Performing Arts, a new and state-of-the-art theater that has already wowed local audiences with jazz concerts, theater performances and lectures. It's always a challenge asking people for money to support causes. This one's worthy. Soon enough their reputation will precede them and enthusiastic support will come from loyal customers and businesses who want to be a part of a great thing.

Now that this event is done, I'll be painting more! (Yay!) See you soon.