Back at it...

I've been in a funk and haven't done much lately--caught up in proofreading a mystery novel, planning my move, and spending time with my family--but finally forced the issue and feel great that I am back in the swing of things. It's always a relief to feel so good when I stop and then start painting again--rediscovering that sense of passion and satisfaction with my current abilities and the progress I've made.

This is a copy I have started working on. It is a painting of Elizabeth of Throckmorton by Nicolas de Largilliere. What I have so far is not too close to the original... I am not worried about that yet. I wanted to get down a layer of paint first, then as I paint successive layers will correct the shapes slightly to get a better likeness.

I didn't photograph the first stages (a charcoal drawing and then a wash of local colors). This stage uses a lot of paint, pushing the paint into the canvas and leaving tiny peaks when lifting up the brush. I scraped the peaks off after the paint dried, and completed a second layer yesterday (I'll post a photo later--I forgot to take one). This first layer could actually be a good deal more simplified than I have it. I'll increase the amount of detail and the value range with each successive layer of paint.

Moving on...

I have accepted a spot at The Atelier in Minneapolis! I have yet to hear back from Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia (they are sending out a decision letter on the 16th) but am not waiting for a reply--The Atelier's program seems like a perfect fit for me.

The school is one of the oldest classical realist painting schools in the U.S. It has a long tradition and a great reputation for creating excellent painters and teachers. Dave Larsson--one of my teachers at the Colorado Academy of Art--is a graduate of the program and a big part of why I think this will be a good fit. He is one of the most dedicated, accessible, knowledgeable teachers I have ever had.

So at some point in August, Jeff and I will be packing up out car and heading out (presuming our car still drives at that point--it is somewhat tired). I've been told by everyone I know how cold it is--but that Minneapolis is also artsy and a bit more sophisticated than Denver, that the parks system is great and the summers beautiful. I'd love to hear more if anyone has good tips about neighborhoods, favorite local coffee shops, etc. I've never been in that region so have no idea what to expect--pretty exciting!

Listening to Amy and Arantxa

I've long had this blog and often had intentions of updating it regularly with both images of my work and writing about my artistic process. Unfortunately, the finished work I produced during the first year of work at here in school was slow in completion, and the writing followed suit. I've been admonished by two creative friends for the lack of attention to my blog--and am listening to their advice. The updates should be coming at least weekly, and hopefully more!

These two friends also know my financial situation and independently suggested putting a Pay Pal button on the blog, to sell my student work and look for sponsors or donations to help me continue my art education. I'll do that over the next few days and add a page of works for sale.

But first--I am leaving Colorado and the Colorado Academy of Art, and have applied to other schools. CAA has been going through some rough administrative changes (to put it politely) and I felt forced to withdraw from the program to find a more stable, serious program elsewhere that will fit my abilities and needs. This was a tough situation and certainly not an easy decision, but I am learning early on to look out for myself as a professional artist. Perhaps I am lucky to be learning these lessons now--I will most certainly encounter difficult situations like this throughout my career.

I have been accepted at The Atelier in Minneapolis, one of the oldest schools for classical realist painting in the U.S. (formed in the early 1970s). I am very excited about their program! I am not so excited about the cold--but I have heard great things about both the program and the city that more than make up for it. I am also interviewing tomorrow (by phone) with Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia and considering Grand Central Academy in NY. I should have more direction over the next few days. Perhaps the problems with CAA are a blessing in disguise...