Reception at Solo Show

Here is a shot of the main section in the courtroom with several paintings showing. The lady with the turqoise top and white skirt is my gallery owner, Cheryl Engledow -- owner of the High Country Art & Antique Gallery in downtown Blue Ridge.

There were over 100 people at the reception -- no exact count, but 100 people signed up for winning a painting. I know some that were there and not on the list -- so not real sure of the attendance number other than I know over 100!! Great!

The next shot shows me greeting a previous student, John Cottongim, and his wife. He made the drive up from Marietta, GA for the show. He also let me know he has had some paintings accepted into two different shows that are on view right now in the Atlanta, GA area.

We hired a wonderful young lady, Jennifer, to play the guitar and sing -- and I was complemented several times about how wonderful it was and what a classy reception it made with her there. Thank you Jennifer! I have a picture of her singing.

And a few more photos of people at the reception and, of course, you can see the paintings in the background. And, a shot of my friend Carly Hardy and a young man in the crowd that drew a number -- corresponding to a name on the sign-up list to win a 9x12 plein air painting!

It's The Journey - Solo Show

Just one last post before the reception for my solo show -- It's The Journey! The reception is Saturday, Aug. 1, -- tomorrow -- from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Someone that comes to the reception will win a 9x12 painting. So be there! You might win!

I am uploading one or two photos of the show where we were finishing up the hanging and straightening of the paintings.

Demo in Smyrna Tuesday Night

I should have added this to the previous post -- I will be demonstrating my pastel painting technique tomorrow evening (Tuesday, July 14) for the Smyrna Arts and Business Association (SABA). We will be at the Smyrna Library at 6:30. The demonstration will only last about 45 minutes, so you won't be out too late.

The above painting was a demonstration in my night class -- for the last two classes. Started it one evening, and brought it back to finish for them last Tuesday. This is pastel on Canson paper -- which many people think is too hard to use since it won't hold but a very few layers of pastel. I am also framing this painting to take to my gallery this coming weekend while I demo there!

Come see me demonstrate a painting!

Demo In High Country Gallery in Blue Ridge, GA

Saturday, I will be demonstrating painting in my gallery, High Country Art, in Blue Ridge GA all day -- and my mentor, Elsie Dresch, will be joining me. We decided to do a "duo" demonstration. We will work on our own paintings, not the same one! We should be set up and started painting by about 11:00 a.m. and will probably finish up around 4:30 p.m. Come visit Blue Ridge and come by to see us!

The painting above was the oil demonstration I did last month at the gallery. I finished it here in my studio, tweaking some of the compositional elements -- like defining the shadows, softening the edges in places, changing the color of the silo roof, etc. I think it is working pretty good. I decided to frame it to take to the gallery for this weekend. I usually "kill off" some paintings by working too long instead of leaving it fresh. I tried not to over think this one. The sky is much more "free" than I usually do, but decided I like it even with its unusual colors.

Solo Show in Blue Ridge, GA

Everyone is invited to my upcoming solo show, "It's The Journey," in Blue Ridge, GA. The reception and opening date is Saturday, August 1, 2009 -- but the show will be up for most of August. The premise of the show, "It's The Journey," is about the journey of the feet and the journeys of the mind. These are places I have been, but also journeys of the mind which could be experimental pieces. I chose this name because I am always saying to my students, "it's the journey, not the destination."

The opening reception is from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Hopefully the time will allow those coming from out of town, like the Atlanta area, to attend and not get home too late. You could even plan to have dinner in Blue Ridge before starting back home!

The show is in downtown Blue Ridge, GA, at the Historic Fannin County Courthouse which is now the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association (BRMAA). The old courtroom has been renovated and is now called the Richard Lowe Evans Gallery. They have done a wonderful job of renovating this courthouse into a beautiful gallery space.

I will have many traditional sized paintings in pastel, oil or acrylic. There will be quite a few "tiny" paintings at a very reasonable price so you can buy something! I will also have a drawing for a painting at the opening!!! Be there, you might win!

For directions if you need them, call the BRMAA at 706-632-2144. Dress for the reception is casual -- which is the only way to dress in Blue Ridge! If you need more information, just comment to this post. Hope to see you there!

Two Oil Paintings - Large ones

Here are two paintings I have been working on for the past three days. They are at the stage where they need to sit and let me look at them in a couple of days to see if there is anything glaringly wrong. My motto (if I can actually follow it) is "if it won't make a significant different, then don't do anything."

The tree and barn is oil on gallery wrap canvas and is 36" x 48". The scene is from near Lula, GA. The beach scene is from my trip to Charleston, SC -- and is Sullivans Island near there. This painting is oil on canvas and is 24" x 30". Comments are welcome, especially if you see something glaringly out of whack!

Saturday Painting in Blue Ridge

Just a short note to let you know I will be demonstrating at my gallery in Blue Ridge on Saturday from about 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 P.M. The gallery is High Country Art & Antiques -- which is the best gallery in Blue Ridge. They do a very good job for me!

Come watch me paint during the day! It is so much fun to meet the public and answer questions about my work and my methods. Sometimes I even get to meet people that have bought my work -- or even better, sell some while I am there demonstrating. People really enjoy getting to meet the artist and I believe that I sell more work because we get to become friends.

So . . . come to Blue Ridge --- a wonderful North Georgia town -- much to do and some great stores and scenery!