This Is An Exciting Time

November was a fantastic month! Why? Because I finally was able to see you in person. I had a wonderful Open Studio November 6-7th. This was Morgan Hill’s first Open Studio featuring 40 plus artists from Morgan Hill and Gilroy, CA. It was a great success.

Time Travel  36″ X 36″

Time Travel  36″ X 36″

I am sure you recall when I wrote about completing 120 abstract paintings, starting on November 2019 and ending March 2020. (Source: One Hundred and Twenty Abstracts) The goal for creating these were to become familiar with abstraction. Little did I know that this would be a catalyst for another successful and productive time for me. In January 2021, I decided to take twelve of the best studies from the 120 abstracts and enlarge them to 36” x 36”. The series is called Twelve of Twelve (Source: Evolution Of An Artist Series) All Twelve paintings were produced on Arches oil paper with Cold Wax and oil, plus mixed media.

I am excited to say that I completed the Twelve of Twelve series on September 14th. It is with great satisfaction, that not only did I complete this challenging project, but that they also came out beautifully. They are now being mounted on 1-1/2” cradled panels for my upcoming shows.

 

Open Studio Event

I am having an Open Studio in my home, November 6th and 7th between 10 p.m. to 4 p.m.  You are all invited. The second show will be by invitation only at Cordevalle Country Club, Saturday, December 4th. If you are serious about finding a piece for your home, please let me know if you would like to go to the latter.

As I mentioned, this goal put me in a mode of productivity. I decided to redo my website entirely. With lots of help, I do believe that I now have a website that has fulfilled my dreams. I hope that you find it as amazing as I do. I would love for you to subscribe to my website for future notifications and information.

My next blog will be a notification on how to win a free painting or two, if you subscribe to my website. More will be announced in the next week or two. All subscribers old and new will have a chance to win.

I would love to see you at my Open Studio, I hopefully will have time to do a demo. You will also be able see and purchase many new creations.

Contact me personally on my website, and I will send you physical invitation. Thank you!

 


A Life Of Its Own


I am continuing my Twelve of Twelve series, in which I have chosen 12 studies to enlarge up to 36” x 36”.  There will be many observations that I want to share along the way.

I believe the most important piece of creating art is the emotion and energy.  Can you recreate the original piece of art or study and still retain its essence or soul?  

I have seen artists try to copy the original by tracing, using the grid method, a projector or printer to enlarge a painting.  What happens when you do this?

It is a priority for me to not only keep the integrity of the original piece, but also not to lose its freshness and vitality.  And as I scale up the small studies to a larger format, I have to allow the creation to have a life of its own.

Some of the undertakings I considered prior to increasing the size were:

  1. Keeping the same mediums and substrate; arches oil paper, oil paint and cold wax, mixed media 
  1. Establishing the major shapes and composition, and allowing change if needed to make stronger
  1. Understanding the original and its transparencies, layers and textures; what came first, what is over, what is under, how can I increase the same effect in a larger scale
  1. Using the same tools but larger, that includes stencils, rollers, bowl scrapers, brushes , etc.
  1. And what is the mood and essence that I want to repeat from the original piece?

 As I enlarge the original, I am always focusing on improving the composition.  But, I also had to allow myself to drift off into another direction if called.  I still want to create something new and exciting.  The study is the starting off point, not the destination.

Year of the Ox
6" x 6" Study

The painting above is called “The Year of the Ox” and is the second painting of my “Twelve of Twelve” series.  I hope I captured the energy and celebration of the coming Chinese New Year, “The Year of the Ox”.   We have all had a tough 2020.  “The Year of the Ox”, brings us the opportunity to work hard and deliberate and also to acknowledge the opportunity for resetting our lives to create a more positive future for ourselves and others. 


Vulnerability And The Big Challenge

Delicate Vulnerability 36" x 48", acrylic on museum wrapped canvas
Delicate Vulnerability
36" x 48", acrylic on museum wrapped canvas

“Armed I am with love. Disarmed I am.” 
― Manuel Alegre

Tomorrow I am going to speak about my #paint52 project for Alyson B Stanfield’s Art Biz Incubation group.  I have taken three of her workshops and been so pleased with the outcome and her standard of quality in anything she offers. 

Our topic will be on committing to doing a “big project”.  Doing two big projects in a row #paint52 and now Art20K has pushed me in many ways, just due to its natural progression and momentum.  I don’t want to elaborate for I will be talking about it tomorrow.  But, let’s just say talking in front of a group is pretty "big" for me.

The painting above was also out of my comfort zone.  I did something totally unpredictable and unexpected for me.  It felt very uncomfortable.  I posted it on Facebook and many people enjoyed the painting. I could have left it as is, but I needed to push myself further, even if it was a disaster.  I could risk and perhaps still did ruin the painting. Yet, the only way I learn and grow is to push myself.

Now what does doing big projects, talking to Alyson’s group and my painting has in common.  I guess first of all I am putting myself in a vulnerable situation.  I risk failing.  In the end I have to be all right with it not being perfect, exposing who I am and realizing I am still good enough.  Isn’t that always the bottom line, “Am I good enough”? 

What risk are you afraid to take and why?

*ART20K footage completed 6996 square inches.

*Painting above, Title: “Delicate Vulnerability", measures 36″ x 48″, Acrylic on museum wrapped canvas (no need for framing), Price $4320

*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA.   You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237.  Thank you!