Happy New Year 2018

December 31, 2017
Black Diamond, Washington

Dear Subscribers and Followers,
THANK YOU for your support and interest in my art during 2017. You motivate and inspire me. Wishing you a wonderful new year - may all your dreams come true.

With warm regards,
Barbara

Some thoughts on 2018

Art Goals for 2018

I'm looking at my end-of-2016 post from last year and I'm not going to repeat how quickly the year went by (but it did!). As always at this time of year, I'm setting art goals but I notice that my life priorities are changing and my art goals are becoming less important each year. As I view art images and posts from artists I admire, I see myself of years past. I feel happy for them and proud of them but they no longer motivate me to paint (well, there are a couple of them that make me want to run to the easel). I love this time of my life. In 2018 I'll be more discerning about my art commitments both in showing my work and in teaching/mentoring.

My ART goals for 2018

1. Work with other artists to further their success
This goal was #6 for 2016 and #4 for 2017 and I am a little surprised to see it as my top priority for 2018. I have been working with a new local art group, Black Diamond Arts Alliance, and have high hopes for their success. Also, I will continue as the Plein Air Washington Artists (PAWA) Critique Group leader for our area. I have also offered to host the newly created Black Diamond Critique Group several times a year. In 2018 I'll try a new form of mentoring: Open Studio Sessions.

2. My online presence
This year I added online opportunities to network, show and sell my work. I have two websites now. My original website is unchanged with archived work going back to my fashion illustration days. My NEW website is primarily for new work but that may change. Both of these websites are maintained by me which means keeping them current is high on my list of priorities.

3. Paint larger to support my galleries and publishers
For the past few years I have been painting smaller for online sales through Daily Paintworks, Etsy, eBay. That has been fun. Then, I signed with a couple print publishers and had to quickly paint new, larger work for them for better reproduction. Soon it will be time to submit new work to them. Now that I have limited my brick-and-mortar galleries to three, these larger paintings will go to galleries. Fulfilling my commitment to rotate work at galleries is a good motivator to paint daily.

4. Author another book?
I added this goal for 2018 with a question mark because it has been high on my list for years but not anymore. This year I contributed art to several books as well as completing a commissioned painting for a book cover. Right now I'm not motivated to write a book about my art but maybe that will change.

And of course, I must add this to my list: ""This, or something better, now manifests for me in totally satisfying and harmonious ways, for the highest good of all concerned."

Sitting down to make this list of 2018 art goals was a bit of a chore this year but I know it is good for me to commit (to myself) in writing. It gives me focus and a plan. Without a plan the days and weeks would fly by and I would have missed an opportunity to grow and improve my art. Thanks to all who have followed my work this year. Let's keep in touch! Wishing you a happy and healthy 2018, Barbara

Artisan Overnight Bread Recipe

Overnight Artisan Bread

INGREDIENTS
3 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 cups lukewarm water
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. yeast

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients by hand until a sticky dough forms. Cover with a cloth and let rest overnight (12-18 hours) at room temperature.

2. Using well floured hands, turn dough out onto a floured surfaced and shape into a disc. Wrap loosely in plastic wrap or a cloth (preferable) and set aside while preheating the oven.

3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place dutch oven (I used a Le Creuset) or pot in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. (use no oil or grease, bread will not stick to pot).

4. Remove pot carefully and place dough inside. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.

5. Remove lid and bake for additional 15 minutes.

6. Let cool on cutting board or rack after baking time is over.

Eat all or part depending on how your painting day went.

3-up calling it quits

I awoke before 5 AM enthused to get back to my easel. Note: If I had left that painting as it was last night instead of painting over a large part of it, I would not have wanted to get out of bed.

Another motivator was a Artisan overnight bread recipe I tried for the first time. Hot bread for breakfast! The danger was, if my painting hadn't gone well today, this loaf would probably be gone by now. But, I'm satisfied with my 3-up and will put them away and look at them again after Christmas.

Overnight Artisan Bread. YUM.

2017-12-15 Peonies, oil, 6x6 inches

2017-12-15 Dahlias, oil, 6x6 inches

2017-12-15 Begonia, oil, 6x6 inches

Today's hour at the easel

Painted for a while and then I had to scrape it off.

Painted for a while longer, then I had to paint over it so I can sleep tonight. Tomorrow is another day, another hour at the easel. I am posting these so you will know that (if this has happened to you) this stuff happens to me too.

Today's hour at the easel

Busy day today but I promised myself I would spend one hour at the easel before moving on to other things. Here's what happened in an hour. Not done with this but getting there and feel I accomplished more in 1 hour today than I did yesterday after 6 hours. Getting back in the painting groove at this time of year isn't easy. Try painting 1 hour - take a before and after shot of your work and a before and after note of  your attitude.

Once-a month Open Studio in 2018

Three-hour session on a weekday in my Black Diamond, WA Studio with a mid-session break for muffins and tea while I demo. Hmmm...I'm thinking about it. Email me if you would like a list of tentative dates and cost. Barbara Newton at Comcast dot net

Spinning my wheels

I'm finally getting back to the easel. Warming up with these three little florals in oil.

By noon I had wiped the center image off several times and was pretty frustrated. Cleaned my palette and took the dog for a walk.

Spent the afternoon painting on these again with the focus on the center one. Late in the afternoon I switched to painting the one on the right and am happy with the progress on it. It isn't easy for me to get going again when I haven't painted for awhile. Lots of experimentation and spinning my wheels. For success and peace of mind I will return to the easel again tomorrow morning with an attitude adjustment.

Gouache under pastel

You may remember my October post about painting a scene for a new cookbook. I'm at it again, this time for the cover. I'm painting from the author's reference photo of Kalaloch, Washington but I changed the time of day to sunset.

Photo by Lynn Adams

I love using gouache as an underpainting for pastel because it dries matte and looks like pastel.

The paper is UArt 600 grit.

Lynn's Kalaloch, pastel, 10 x 9 inches

Mock-up for new book about Olympics

Once-a month Open Studio in 2018

Three-hour session on a weekday in my Black Diamond, WA Studio with a mid-session break for muffins and tea while I demo. Hmmm...I'm thinking about it. Email me if you would like a list of tentative dates and cost. Barbara Newton at Comcast dot net

Rethinking teaching...again

My final Private Session for the year was introduction to oil painting with Reneé. After reviewing supplies, we painted together for a few hours. Fun! We worked from my reference photo and painted a high-key and a low key version of the same scene.

Reneé painting in oil for the first time.

My two 80% complete paintings from the session with Reneé.

I'm always trying to find balance in my life and I know I paint best when I feel like painting - which isn't all the time. Recently I have started knitting again and find it the perfect activity for the hours when I have run out of creative energy. And soon, it will be time to garden again  - yay!

In 2016, I taught a 3-day fully-booked workshop for the NWPS. Very fun but more than I want to do again.

In 2017, I taught private sessions geared specifically for each student. I spent weeks before the session thinking about how I could best assist and advise and I was pleased with each day of mentoring but now I'm thinking about the best way I can connect with artists in 2018.

I'm starting to think Open Studio. I've never been to one or held one but I'm envisioning up to 4 students working in my Studio for a few hours on a weekday on their own project, in the medium of their choice. I would circulate each 1/2 hour to help/advise each student. I think this would start out as a one-day-a-month event. The part I like is that other than cleaning my house and making muffins and tea for students, there wouldn't be any preparation because each student would be working on what they brought. 

Hmmm...I'm thinking about it. Email me if you would like to be on my mailing list about this. Barbara Newton at Comcast dot Net. My Studio is in Black Diamond, WA.

Sanding, Flowers 3-up

Remember those small oil paintings I couldn't resist painting over in my November 10th post? What I really should have done is sand them first then paint but I'm sanding now and I actually like the effect.

Here we go again, another 3-up of 6x6 inch panels.

First pass of color: White, Cad Red Light, Alizarin Crimson and Chromium Green Oxide 

A new venue for me

As you know, I'm a big fan of the DailyPaintworks site and have had work there for 6 years. In an effort to expand my online presence, I now have work included in the Daily Art Show. There I am, fourth column from left, nine rows down. See today's painting.

Test Case and New Website

Last Saturday I was a "test case" for a live feed of a Northwest Pastel Society meeting. I gave a presentation on Online Presence for Artists. I just watched the video which, as I understand it, is available only to NWPS members on their Facebook page, NPS Meeting. I am happy to know it appears more coherent than it felt to me at the time. Here are a couple screen shots.

In preparation for this presentation, I have been working on my own online presence and have finally done something with my FASO membership. Take a look. Let me know what you think. The business of art is time consuming but necessary.

Fresh starts

I love this time of year because it is when I look around the studio for stuff that bugs me.

I found eleven canvas panels and gessobords with either bad oil paintings or paintings in progress that I am never going to go back to. I mixed Burnt Sienna and Titanium White and gave each of them an obliteration. Then, I came across a pastel that was never resolved. I took it outside and brushed off the lower half and began again. I'll leave it on the easel and look at it for awhile before I work on it more. I feel better.

Ravensdale Walk before

Ravensdale Walk revisited, in progress

Artists in Pastel

Yesterday I came across a very nice site that posted my work in early 2010. I am happy to be included and just updated my info there. If you are a pastel artist, you may want to check it out. Beautiful work by many, many pastel artists - I think you'll see your favorites there. Artists in Pastel

My previous post was about two pieces I will have in the Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared Exhibition. Here is a link where you can see all the oils and acrylics in the show.

6" Squared

Years ago I had pastel paintings in the Randy Higbee 6" Squared Exhibition and Sale in Costa Mesa, CA. Then, I got busy selling my small work online and forgot about it. But, this year I'll be back. I'm happy to post that the two pieces I entered have been accepted. The show runs December 2, 2017 to January 14, 2018.

Monday's Child, acrylic, 6x6 inches

Blue Bowl, oil, 6x6 inches

Another breakthrough

Another acrylic breakthrough...well, every acrylic painting that survives in my studio is a breakthrough because I am so at odds with that medium. This was the best experience yet. No water, just medium mixed with the paint. The process was actually enjoyable and I'm pleased with the result. And, I finally got back to the three small oils that have been on my easel for weeks. One of the three survived.

Monday's Child, Acrylic, 6x6 inches.  2017

Blue Bowl, oil, 6x6 inches. 2017

Paradise Altered

My last post was about a painting I created for a specific venue - a new cookbook. In that post I mentioned a previous cookbook by the same author. Today the author let me know that she is doing a little revision work on the first book and do I have any paintings of Mount Rainier. Well, yes I do - I have painted Mount Rainier once. The painting titled "April in Paradise" has been hanging at my sister's home for years (I guess I gave it to her). For those who aren't familiar with Washington, Paradise is a visitor site near Mount Rainier and it was April when we visited. Below is the image I am submitting for the book Beauty and Bounty, Mount Rainier by Lynn Adams.

Paradise 2017, pastel 8x8 inches

What luck that it is the square format that she needs. Ha! It wasn't. But since I have a high resolution image of the painting and PhotoShop Elements it has become what is needed. Below is what the original painting that hangs on my sister's wall, looks like.

April in Paradise 2008, pastel, 16 x 11 inches

I cropped a little off the top, pulled the sides out a fraction and distorted the lower half (foreshortened it) to a square format. I hold the copyright so I can do this. This is one way to recycle your old paintings that hang on your family walls. 

Log Cabin Resort

"Log Cabin Resort," 2017 pastel, 8x8 inches

BACKSTORY

A couple weeks ago I received an email from Lynn Adams, author of Beauty and Bounty, Mount Rainier. She is working on a new cookbook focusing on Olympic National Park and Olympic Coastal Cuisine. She saw my work online and wondered if I had any paintings of the area. Nope. But the project caught my attention (my first child was born in Forks, Washington) so I was happy to try a painting from one of her photos.

Reference photo by Lynn Adams

I knew the format of the upcoming book would be square so I selected a square portion of a landscape shot. You have to look closely but the cabins are in the square.

Lynn Adams and my painting for her next book, Beauty and Bounty, A Celebration of Olympic National Park and Olympic Coastal Cuisine. 

Ms Adams spent many summers at her grandmother's farm on Whidbey Island crabbing, picking berries and shelling peas. Trips to Washington's National Parks were always included in the summer fun. 'We stayed in the rustic cabins at Sol Duc Hot Springs took in the views from Hurricane Ridge and hiked through the mossy Hot Rain Forest.'

The author is an enthusiastic home cook who studied at the Bon Vivant School of Cooking in Seattle. She resides in Sammamish, Washington with her husband and two children. The book is a road trip through the National Park via paintings by local artists that capture the beauty and essence of our national treasure. Along the way you will find recipes of the rich bounty from farms, orchards and waters of the Northwest. Publication date is early 2018, available on Amazon and at gift stores throughout Puget Sound.

Thanks for including my work, Lynn!

The progression of Practical Matters

Practical Matters, oil 18x18

THE BACKSTORY

Wisdom for us

Suddenly summer is over, the garden is heading toward completion and I can spend more time in the studio painting, blogging and teaching. 

Gouache on UArt 600, underpainting for a pastel commission.

I have been teaching private sessions in my studio. Each session is tailored specifically to the artist I am mentoring that day but for a couple weeks after we meet, I continue to think about them and to send them links and bits of information that I think they will benefit from.

A recent post by artist Nicholas Wilton caught my eye. It pertains to all of us. I am sharing it here.

"Sometimes being an artist can feel hard, while other times it can feel inspiring and joyful. In trying to keep things more the latter, I try to keep the following five points in mind. All of them are available at anytime and there is no cost involved. I believe they all contribute significantly to building buoyancy, productivity and joy in one’s art practice.

1 Show Yourself

Show yourself. Let people see what you have made. Show your enthusiasm generated by your art. In return you will receive additional energy and illuminating feedback that will help sustain your momentum from those around you.

2 Be Generous

Be useful and helpful to other artists. Do not be concerned with being secretive about your art. No one can make work like yours if you are being authentic.

3 Stay Connected

Your success, energetically, financially and even spiritually is directly connected to those that support and follow your artistic journey. Never lose connection with those that express interest and resonate with what you are doing. Cherish them.

4 Be Discerning

It takes a tremendous amount of life energy and optimism to sustain your creativity. Do not spill any of it on people or situations that you already know are not in alignment with your art or you. Conserve all your energy for situations and people who support what you are doing.

5 Remain Exceptional

Your artwork is a visual expression of your authenticity. To have the courage to listen and show what is within you to the outside world is rare and tremendously brave. Making your art makes you feel more alive but also has the same effect on others. This is why people will desire and, even sometimes, buy your Art. Your art, if it is authentic reminds them of their aliveness. Your art is your gift to the world and you are the only one who will ever be able to create it. It is simply an opportunity of a lifetime.

Keeping these 5 points in mind will help keep your art and you steadily on course. In the end it might not be about arriving at any particular place with your work but more importantly how it felt as you journeyed towards it."  - Nicholas Wilton

Now, just as I was typing this and getting ready to post it, I received more wisdom, this time from artist Marla Baggetta. I have included a few excerpts below. By the way, both of these artists give permission to share just as I encourage you to pass my blog post on.

"Working as an artist means all of the following and not in this order:

• Knowing that I am amongst a very, very, very… small and fortunate few that have ever or will ever walk this earth that get to express their manifest existence in paint or in any other way for any length of time much less my whole life. 

• That I have an obligation to those who came before me that were also thus fortunate and those ahead of me to do it well and not to waste it and to share, share, share.

• Inspiration comes from the work. Inspiration does not come out of ones butt.

• If I stay in the same place for a while that’s good. If I stay in the same place too long, I won’t be able to move. 

• Painting to sell paintings is fine. Painting to move hearts is better. Sometimes that heart is my own.

• Thinking about painting is overrated. One only has to look to art criticism to remember this. Painting is not overrated. Better to paint than to think about it. 

• At the end of the day, the thing is to make better paintings. That means work and study and dedication. It doesn’t come any other way. 

• Inspiration is not ours, it comes to us. We simply need to be ready for it. 

- Marla Baggetta

Closet becomes office

As you may know from my posts on this blog, I have been in the process of bonding with this new Studio for more than two years. Much of it was about if I wanted my office in my Studio. When we moved to this new house, I insisted I wanted my office upstairs - far away from the area where I make art. And, I loved my sunroom office but I found I didn't really like my studio. It helped when I painted one wall of the studio a raspberry color (realized today it is pretty much the color of my BFF glassybaby that is part of my last oil painting).

Anyway, my office eventually made it's way back into my Studio then yesterday I had the brilliant idea of turning my art storage (+ furnace and tankless water heater) closet into my office for real. That meant painting walls. Very cozy in this 8x10 ft. space with my flat files and old iMac and new iMac but I love it.

Looking out into the Studio from the office, the Studio is a disaster now because I threw everything out of this room into that one. Note the desktop image on my computer - it is the scene when standing in the Studio looking out. Makes me feel less claustrophobic.

Best Friends Forever on the wall

Best Friends Forever, 2017, oil 16 x 20 inches

Since my last post on September 8th about this painting, I've loosened it, tightened it, loosened it. I have to declare it done simply because I am tired of working on it. I will put it in a frame and hang it on my studio wall to ponder while it dries. Sometimes, before varnishing a painting, I see something I must change.

BFF in Progress

Last week I took photos for new oil paintings. This is one of them and includes my Glassybaby BFF. 

This was the painting after a couple hours, 16x20 inches on Gessobord.

Today, when I began to paint again, I started with the color of the Glassybaby referring to my oil color charts. The sunlight in the reference photo is warmer than my studio lights so Alizarin Crimson + French Ultramarine + white with the addition of Cad Red Light works.

This is how "Best Friends Forever" looks after today's painting session.