Plein Aire

When the humidity around here in Baltimore is now sweltering, I feel the need to paint on location. My dog Picaso faithfully sat beside me on this picture so I will take him on some more painting excursions. He's a good boy.

9" x 12" acrylic on canvas $80 to purchase, email jjwoodee@gmail.com
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Green Vase

8" x 6" acrylic on paper $75 to purchase, email jjwoodee@gmail.com

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A youtube Video

I haven't posted for awhile. The last half of May and first half of June I was on a long term teaching assignment - first grade. It was a great learning experience from a teaching perspective, because I not only was grading and recording work but I was able to spend enough time to know the kids and their learning styles. The experiences I've had as a substitute teaching should prepare me well for my art education endeavor. I just got accepted at a local university to take courses in pursuit of an art education certification to my college record.

Anyway the last 3 days, I've been working feverishly completing this video project titled "Hampden - Old and New".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26Wx0wVZy_U

Importance of UV protected glass

My wife and I were in Iowa a few weeks ago visiting family and friends. On our trip, we came across a goodwill store. I love goodwill stores, full of archiac knick-knacks and outdated treasures. While in the store, I found an antique old frame that had an oval opening revealing a prairie scene depicting an wagon and farmhouse. This five dollar discovery I decided would be perfect to frame a picture I have when my Grandmother was 5 years old in 1922.

When we arrived home and I began to take the backing off the piece the full print fell to the ground reveling the ovoid area exposed to the sun. The true color of the print was areas outside the exposure.

This print was not behind UV protected glass. The sun and light, over time will cause colors to fade in paintings, artwork, and prints. You pay a little more for uv protected glass but it's worth it because UV protected glass can filter out 95% of the sun. It is also important to know that original paintings have a layer of varnish and artwork is not directly exposed to the sun or harsh lighting.

Easier said than done

I've been using online forums that include artists of all levels. This piece is an example of improving a piece based on other user feedback. The internet, a tool, and these forums certainly have made it easier for artists to connect and get instant feedback.

It's easy to critique others work. Often, you know how to improve a piece - whether its value, composition, etc but when you tackle your own work it's as if you forget these principles. It's much more difficult to execute good painting than discuss the finer points on making something work. I only realized this after looking at the work of others who comment and make good suggestions, but then when I look at their work I scratch my head sometimes. Not that it's bad work, but it seems to lack the some of the points they would use to critique your work. The same advice we give could probably be used to improve our own experiences, both in art and life.

There are artists that can consistently produce great work in their own unique styles. Good work comes with practice, which artist can never get enough of and the challenge is their is always room to learn. You never get bored as an artist, you just struggle. :)

I came across the great work of fellow artist, Claire Kayser. Her use of bold colors and fresh mark is a treat to the eyes.

Matisse and the Electric car

I've been looking at works by Henri Matisse. I enjoy his use of bold color and shapes within his work that play upon each other in effortless harmony. I wanted to try my own Matisse below. I'm happy with the drawing and not so happy with the painting but I'll continue to work on subject matter that evoke Mattisse's style. It's break from more of the traditional still life I have been painting lately.

If you havent seen the movie 'Who killed the Electric Car' , I strongly encourage it. This website has more information. These cars that were first introduced in California showed amazing promise from an energy conservation, environmental, and convenience stand point. Imagine no more filling up at smelly gasoline stations when you can charge your car at home. Apparently in 2003 GM pulled all these cars claiming there was no customer demand.

Drama in a Bottle

Here's piece I finished recently. I'm exploring dramatic lighting in this piece. Still life can be often seen as stage drama as each object is a cast members that each take on a different personality and drama. I wanted to bring the most attention to the orange and gray bottle.

Check out my auction of Ebay to find other paintigs for sale directly from me.