More May Days

Well, hello again,

quick note: still room in my Tuesday night class at the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art......starts this Tuesday, (may 22, 5:30pm-8:30pm).  So, hurry! (info at museum website, listed on right side margin. 


Posted above is another painting from the 4th annual Gadsden festival, held several weeks ago.  One day we were invited to paint in the historic home district there, and I decided to wander off the main area a bit, finding this beautiful craftsman style home, circa (approx) 1924. It took a bit longer than usual to render all the architectural twists and turns, so I had to remind myself that the primary goal was not to create an illustration, but rather, a painting; showing evidence of light and color particular to the existing conditions.
It seems to be a pattern here that neighborhood residents will come by to watch, and end up sharing interesting stories about the particular house and the people that lived there through the years.  Even old secrets and gossip....makes things come to life a bit more.
I post below, some additional scenes painted at the Gadsden festival.

Because of camera difficulties and scheduling I was unable to take photos of my paintings from the Callaway Gardens festival; so am disappointed about that, as I would've liked to share them with you. It was a wonderful festival, and I hope to return next year.
As usual, I'd love to hear your comments or any questions about my work or classes. Thanks for checking in on my blog!
John

May Days

Hello there!

I'm finally getting up to date a bit on news.  Above is a plein air painting from the Gadsden  festival, just a few weeks back.  This was one from the beautiful historic home district.
Both the Gadsden festival and Calloway Gardens festivals were very enjoyable and successful for me, but they sure flew by quickly.  The next plein air festival is in Cashiers, NC, in mid July.   Meanwhile, in the next few days and weeks, I'll plan bring you some thoughts about plein air painting and some recap on these just concluded festivals.

Also, in the meantime, for local painters.....don't forget my Monday oil painting class , at Art School/Sandy Springs starts May 14th! Hope you can join us.  Please contact the Art School website, referenced on the right column for details and registration info...

AND.......!

....something new......evening oil painting class at Marietta Cobb Museum of Art.....!...(5:30pm - 8:30pm Tuesday nights)......Begins....May 22nd !!...Please refer to the museum website referenced on the right column for information and registration; and feel free to email me if any questions regarding the class............johnbguernsey@bellsouth.net

Back soon
John

"April Showers"

....back from plein air festivals; review and commentary forthcoming....stay tuned..

April in Paris*

.....figured i'd keep titling my blogs this month with some well known songs with  'April' in them. There are many, it seems. Good thing I didn't try this in February; no one  writes songs about February, at least that I know of. Maybe they do in South America. 

Anyway, not many lyrics more beautiful than this...

"April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom

Holiday tables under the trees...."

o.k, better make this blog official with some art talk......

camera still not functioning....so here's another older plein air painting......this one showing  the old red pullman car which was recently hauled away from the Marietta  square area.  Anything red, it seems, cries out to be painted.  

forthcoming....breathtaking adventure stories from upcoming plein air festivals...

also.....another pitch for my painting class.....6 week session starts May 14th at Art School in Sandy Springs......join us!
And.....don't forget....Marietta Plein Air Class starts April 14th....I think a few spots still open.....but hurry....(see: marietta cobb musuem of art website)

John

* music: vladimir dukelsky (americanized: vernon duke)

  lyrics: e.y. (yip) harburg

I'll remember April*

.."I'll remember April and be glad"....that's how the song goes, and i hope it's a good month for you 

not much news at the moment....my camera is being difficult, so i can't post anything current here, so thought I'd put up a little study painted a few months ago for a commission I was working on.  ...has a bit of that Russian Impressionism thing going on....or so I think...
John

*music/lyrics: Gene De Paul/Don Raye

Spring can really hang you up the most *

I mentioned last time the anticipation of plein air season; when spring is bursting out, demanding to be painted, and when the various paint-outs and festivals appear on the calendar. When T.S. Elliot wrote, 'April is the cruelest month...' , I'm sure he wasn't thinking about the overlapping schedules and date conflicts of plein air events, but he may well have, as far as I'm concerned. Back to back festivals, traveling, teaching in between: it's just a lot to plan for and there's so many unknowns (weather, supply issues, travel plans, lodging and meal arrangements, let alone just hoping to paint well, and hoping to sell some paintings....and all the time hoping also to relax and enjoy the time spent outdoors and mingling with other artists.   Some years ago, the U.S. Secretary of Defense said, in regards to military actions.....you have your 'known unknowns' and then you have your 'unknown unknowns'.  Sounds a bit awkward, but makes sense; even for  everyday things in life, including Plein Air festivals.  In the upcoming weeks I'll plan to share some plein air festival stories with you., the good, the bad, and the....unknown.

We had a great still life workshop last weekend, and thanks to all who attended.  My Monday class is already underway and is quite a talented group, and my next Saturday plein air class begins April 14th, so I hope you'll consider joining in on this always fun and worthwhile class. 

Another item....!  For those local plein air painters.....the buzz is growing for the 1st annual Marietta Plein Air Festival , (march 31-April 1, with pre-reception on March 30). It's sponsored by the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, and is open to all artists.  Not only will they be allowing painting all around the historic areas of the city, but in addition , many private estates will be opening their properties up for the artists to paint.  Please see the museum website  (listed on the sidebar) for event registration, and feel free to contact them with any questions.  Yours truly, along with the excellent local artist, Nikki Davidson, will be co-judging this event.  Should be a great time.  

I visited the Booth Western Art museum (in nearby Cartersville) yesterday, with a few artist friends. We caught the traveling exhibit of the Plein Air Painters of America, (paintings of the national parks). I was familiar with most of the artists' work, but it's always best to see the works in person; magazine photos or website images just can't capture the subtle effects of color mixing and texture you can see in person.  About 100 paintings in all, it appeared that about half were studio works implicitly painted from plein air studies.  All in all, it was very inspirational, and it's always nice to see a museum featuring truly skillful and beautiful artwork. Especially in the same week where I read about a 'work of art' being delivered to the Los Angeles County Art Museum,  the 'artwork' being a 230 ton boulder, under which will be built a series of trenches for the public to be able to observe......the underside of a boulder (!?)  I understand the name of the work is 'Levitating Mass'. 

Best wishes!

*1955/Lyrics Fran Landesman/Music Tommy Wolf

Late February 2012

Looks like a short cold spell here before Spring arrives, and plein air season begins! Can't wait. Thanks to those who dropped by the Arthouse Gallery last night for the demo and the reception for CURE charity. It was a great time.  There's a bunch of art events right around the corner and I'll plan to update you on that shortly, so stay tuned. In the meantime, for those painters interested...here's a repeat announcement on my upcoming classes/workshops.
art school in sandy springs....starts 3/5 (a few openings left...hurry!)
artloft workshop....march 9,10  (should be a great time)
plein air class/cobb museum....starts 4/15
evening studio class/marietta cobb....starts in May...check out their website....more details forthcoming....
Reference the webistes listed on the sidebar for more details.

The paintings posted  here, (including the Piedmont park/autumn scene), as well as the lead pictures from the last two blog postings are all new paintings, and are now available at the Arthouse Gallery....so drop in and check 'em out. Say hello to Debi and Francine!
Thanks for checking in !