Saturday, February 27, 2021

February 2021 Art Newsletter, Repaint, Reuse, Recyle

Have a painting that just didn't work out?

Don't be so quick to discard it.

Read my latest art newsletter on ways to repaint, reuse, and recycle your canvases and panels.



© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Oil Painters of America 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition

I'm honored that one of my Amsterdam paintings has been accepted into the Oil Painters of America's 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition at the California Center for the Arts at the Escondido Museum April 9th - May 16th.

As you might expect, Amsterdam nightlife is incredibly vibrant, and the combination of historic architecture and modern signage makes for some interesting compositions. This is the Louis Bar, a beautiful patchwork of windows and colors.
 
"Bars & Bikes, Amsterdam" • Oil on Linen • 18" x 24"
 
Reference and painting photos by Saunders Fine Arts.
 
© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Art Review - "Emma Zorn, Lasande" by Anders Zorn

It's our first #MuseumTourTuesday after the big freeze, and as I sit here drinking coffee and reading the morning news with my lovely wife, here is the first painting that comes to mind.

 
In this portrait by Anders Zorn, the artist depicts his wife Emma in the simple act of reading a newspaper. While the scale of the paper dominates the image, we are drawn to the careful rendering of her face concentrating on the news.
 
The real excitement in the painting comes from the loosely painted background with broad strokes of paint and occasional bright dashes of color. The large splash of red on the left, the small dashes of red behind her head, and the spot of complimentary green on her ring create a movement throughout the piece. I have no idea what the dark calligraphic strokes represent in the upper left corner of the painting, but they beautifully balance the dark values of her hair, and the wall behind her back.
 
"Emma Zorn, Läsande" • Anders Zorn • Oil on Canvas • 15.8" x 23.8" • 1887

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Painting Workshop - The Woman's Club of Fort Worth

Texas artist friends, my summer painting workshop at The Woman's Club of Fort Worth is filling fast, so register now to secure your spot.

Click here for more information, and to register:
 
Join me June 2nd - 4th to explore the essential techniques for painting from direct observation and photography. I can teach you to paint any subject, from the most simple to complex, with one approach. I will show you how to simplify your subject and move to finish as rapidly as possible in order to add energy and excitement to your painting.
 
Each day starts with a short lecture and a full demonstration painting, followed by one-on-one instruction with each artist. My class is highly tailored for each participant, and beginners as well as advanced artists are welcome.


© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Painting Workshop - Heartland Art Club, Saint Louis, Missouri

Midwestern artist friends, my spring painting workshop at The Galleries at Heartland Art Club is already more than half full, so register now to secure your spot.

Click here for more information, and to register:

Join me May 20th - 22nd in Saint Louis, Missouri to explore the essential techniques for painting from direct observation and photography.

Learn to paint any subject, from the most simple to complex, with one approach. I will demonstrate the process of simplifying the subject and moving to finish as rapidly as possible in order to add more energy and excitement to your painting.

Each day will begin with a short lecture and full demonstration, followed by one-on-one instruction with students. My class is highly tailored for each participant, and beginners as well as advanced artists are welcome.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Art Review - "The John Biscoe In Pack Ice" by Edward Seago

Wow, it's cold! I'm sure we're not in the Arctic, but this painting by British artist Edward Seago perfectly expresses how I'm feeling about being in Texas this week.

I find the composition in this piece particularly intriguing. The placement of just a small portion of the ship pushed far to the right gives a sense of the isolation the crew must have felt in comparison to the vastness of the frozen seascape.
 
Seago traveled aboard the Royal Research Ship John Biscoe in 1956 as a guest of the Duke of Edinburgh. He painted several scenes of the vessel, one of which went on to hang in the wardroom of the ship.
 
"The John Biscoe In Pack Ice" • Edward Seago • Oil on Canvas • 26" x 36"
 
 
© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Floral Painting - 2021 Lighthouse ArtCenter Plein Air Festival - Tequesta, FL

With temperatures heading into the teens this weekend, I'm dreaming of warmer weather. This painting is heading to Florida for the Lighthouse ArtCenter's 8th annual Plein Air Festival.

Be sure and check out all of the work featured during the festival from March 14-20th.
 
"Pink!" • Oil on canvas • 8" x 8"
 
Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.
 
© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Floral Painting - Booth Western Art Museum - For The Love of Art 2021 Silent Auction

I donated this floral painting to the Booth Western Art Museum's For the Love of Art 2021 silent auction, and it is now available for bidding online through Hindman Auctions at the link below through February 22nd. 

“Flowing Through Flowers” • Oil on Canvas • 6”x8”

 
Art collectors, take a look at all of the art, jewelry and books available for auction, and place a bid to support the Booth museum!
 
© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Art Review - "A Tent In the Rockies" by John Singer Sargent - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA

Today's #MuseumTourTuesday painting is a watercolor by John Singer Sargent from the collection of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Sargent beautifully captures the translucency of the canvas fabric of the tent through the use of color temperature. Notice the warm white of the canvas inside the tent where the sun shines through versus the cool blues on the right side where the multiple layers of canvas reflect the sky color. This is similar to what happens with the petals of a flower, where the warm light enhances the interior, saturating the color of the elements within.
 
"A Tent In the Rockies" • John Singer Sargent • Watercolor on Paper • 38cm x 52cm • 1916
 
© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Saturday, February 6, 2021

Floral Painting Workshop - Booth Western Art Museum's Booth Art Academy, Cartersville, Georgia

Georgia artist friends, my floral painting workshop at the Booth Western Art Museum's Booth Art Academy May 5th - 7th only has six spots left, so register now to secure your spot.

Click here to for more information and to sign up:
The painted floral requires a balance of spontaneity and accuracy, making it a perfect subject to practice for adding energy to all of your paintings. Learn about choosing a subject, composition, values, color temperature, simplification, how to start and when to stop. Each day will include a full demonstration followed by opportunities to create multiple paintings with frequent one-on-one instruction. We will work from both photos and cut flowers in the studio.
 
 
 
© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Floral Painting - "Aflame"

This one was quite a challenge. Getting the color temperature and value changes just right was critical to keeping these roses from feeling too heavy.

I'm very happy with how it turned out.
 
"Aflame" • Oil on linen • 9" x 12" • Available at www.PatrickSaunders.com

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Art Review - "La Dordogne, A Chateau in Normandy, A River in Normandy" by Frits Thaulow

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday features three pieces by Norwegian painter Frits Thaulow.

While Thaulow includes architecture in all three of the images shown here, it is the water that is the true star. Known specifically for his landscape paintings, the artist was a master at depicting flowing rivers.
 
"La Dordogne" • Frits Thaulow • Oil • 1904

The village in the distance is very loosely painted. It's the water that features the most realistic rendering. Its swirling waters keep your attention moving throughout the river.
 
 "A Château in Normandy" • Frits Thaulow • Oil on canvas • 82 cm x 102 cm • 1895
 
Once again, the water is the gateway into the composition with a beautiful juxtaposition between the warm reflections of the chateau and the cooler sky, leading the viewer's eye to the chateau itself.

In addition, notice the beautiful gradation of color in the trees on the left and the subtle handling of the footprints in the snow on the right.
 
"A River in Normandy" • Frits Thaulow • Oil on canvas • 1894

The river is rendered with a realist approach, featuring the bright warm blue sky reflected in the water contrasting with the cooler blue ripples and flowing right into the red reflection of the architecture. The building becomes almost whimsical by comparison with its brick pattern and more saturated color.
 
© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.