Daily Painting

A Painting a Day Workshop

Join me at Portsmouth Arts Guild for a painting workshop, Saturday June 23, 9AM-4PM.  I will be demonstrating alla prima painting technique I most often use in my daily painting practice.  We will work painting single objects from multiple points of view.  Leave with the confidence that you can make a painting a day.  I encountered the notion of a painting a day many years ago on Duane Keiser's daily painting blog. Somehow, miraculously, I am inspired rather than intimidated by his virtuosity and I enjoy myself far more beacuase of more frequent painting efforts.  

Marmalade

Colette brought marmalade to painting class yesterday.  thank you Colette! 6"x6", oil on panel (available here without gnat).

Presentation on Morocco- in French!

I'll be giving a casual presentation on my trip to Morocco. June 22, 11 am,  Alliance Francaise Smith St. in Providence for their friday Cafe/Croissant.  With lots of help from my friends at the Alliance me give lecture talking French on Morocco.  This reminds me of how much laughing outloud I did while reading David Sedaris' book Me talk Pretty one Day.  The lecture won't be that funny but will undoubdtedly make you laugh for one reason or another. It wil also include pretty pictures and people who do actually speak French fluently.  The lecture is free and open to the public, a small donation to the Alliance is appriciated.

Now I think I am going to get an audio copy of that particular David Sedaris book.  (I wonder if I can get just the audio of my favorite silly movies like bow finger, what about bob and il mostro?  that could completely change my studio life...)  

Plein Air Painting in France

Elizabeth and I are going to France and you can come too!  We are offering two plein air painting retreats at a restored 14th century chateau in the south west of France.

The Drawing Room

 I had great fun yesterday kicking off another semester of The Drawing Room at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.  We made thumbnails sketches in the Grand Gallery.  It is such a pleasure: to meet new artists, see everyone's work and individual approach, have the honor of encouraging them in their endeavors; to be in a galleryful of people inquisitively examining the paintings and intent on their drawings; and simply to get to spend a couple of hours luxuriating in a few pieces of art.  It never fails to amaze me how a mere minutes puzzling out a piece of artwork with pencil and paper can so drastically change my perception of it and appreciation for it.  (This course is sold out but you can get on the wait list for next semester by filling out the form here.) Above are some of my rough thumbnail demos.

Hive O'Clock! February 21

Come make some sunshine at this month's Hive O'Clock.  Tuesday February 21, 5:30-7PM at Viva Mexico Cantina & Grill, 131 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903.  

"No drawing experience necessary! Trust us, Margaret will guide you through creating expressive paintings using a variety of prompts and inspiring images. Come relax, create, and learn the art of sketching with COLOR!"

$10 ($5 for members!) Chips and salsa, materials, and festive atmosphere included.  End your day with art! 

Sponsored by Rhode Island's Hive Archive, a feminist organization that belives that "art and creativity are essential aspects of the human experience. We support a diverse range of interests, skill levels, and knowledge, and we are committed to making the arts and creative expression accessible to all."

Studies

A demo for still life painting class.  We used short, square, bristle brights  to achieve distinct stroke marks and focused on making deliberate individual marks rather than finessing it with, say, a synthetic or sable filbert.  8"x10", oil on canvas panel.

Tea by the Sea

6"x6" watercolor.  Another hoped for place; more of my ongoing Moroccon thing.  (Do check out our upcoming workshop in Marrakech!)

Imagined Moroccan Interior

Inspired by my aunt LJ's photos from her trip to Marrakech.  Thanks LJ!  You can go with me and fellow teacher Elizabeth Hutchinson to Marrakech next March for Moroccan Sketchbook, a painting retreat at Peacock Pavilions.

Yes Morocco!

 Soulbird was  kind enough to interview me in light of my upcoming painting workshop in Morocco with Elizabeth Hutchinson.    Here is a particularly wise and witty moment:

Q: What are the important traits or skills of a successful artist?

A: Grit, I suppose, as with most things. To continue to inhabit an attitude of playful inquiry despite the cacophony of critical voices in your head. (and the dishes in the sink.) 

Perhaps you can see from this sketch why I describe my style as "impatient".  (watercolor, pencil, sharpie and AD markers.)