Winter, 2004

Daniel Smith Spring Sale Catalog, Inksmith section features my "Last Light" techniques, painting decisions, pigment choices and Ghost Ranch! Check it out! I think they did a super job.

If you don't get your Daniel Smith catalog by mail, just call them up and order it (800-426-6740) OR

Go online. Click www.danielsmith.com, scroll down to the Spring Catalog & select to view graphically. Click the pages to page 17, 18, 19 and 20 - and read or print! The colors are a bit garish online - but it works. To really see the colors of the mixes, the catalog is best.

Here's the direct route, which works on my computer and might work on yours, too. You can click on each page to enlarge and read.

http://www.danielsmith.net/catalog/supplemental/default.asp?set=8

• Daniel Smith article for Inksmith - featuring some of my pigment mixes...
• Quote of the Month
• Jan's Demo, Design in Snow & Fog
• News with Jan at the Ranchito
• On the Horizon - Workshops, etc.

Quote of the Month

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." Scott Adams

 

Scott Adams (born June 8, 1957) is the creator of the Dilbert comic strip, as well as the author of several business commentaries, social satires, and experimental philosophy books. Adams received his Bachelor's degree in Economics from Hartwick College in 1979. He also studied economics and management for his MBA from UC Berkeley. He worked closely with telecom engineers at Crocker National Bank in San Francisco between 1979 and 1986, and at Pacific Bell between 1986 and June 1995, and draws on their personalities for those of his Dilbert characters. He is also the CEO of Scott Adams Foods, Inc., makers of the Dilberito, and a co-owner of Stacey's Café.

Demo: Design in Snow & Fog

The Studies in my Sketchbook. I do them for every painting - to develop my design in VALUES. Color comes later.

• The top study, or value/composition sketch was kind of exploratory and looked a lot like the original photo except that I decided I would continue the snow onto the left foreground.
• In the middle study I was more analytical - decided the elk had to be the focus and "knot" from which everything else flowed - even in the fog.
• Suddenly I saw it - a cross diagonal design, with the light on one axis, the dark on the other. I was reminded of pictures I'd seen of J.M.W.Turner's sketches. I looked through one of my books.. Turner was a master at drama by design and contrast as his pencil sketch below illustrates.. Wow. Please understand that my humble snow scene does not strive to express itself as "an aspect of terrible splendour", described by a Turner arft critic.

I found this photo and decided it'd make a good demo, which I did also for my class. Creating fog is a lot like doing clouds - and snow is always fun. But first, I did some studies.

Okay - time to put in the foggy soft background trees. I re-dampen the upper half of the painting with my soft Isabey wash brush taking care to go slow and barely touch the surface so I don't lift off what is underneath. While the surface is wet, I daub in some lavender C.Blue & RMG drier paint and watch. If the paint I add is too wet, I'll see a blossom. If it is too dry, I'll see hard edges. I use a rigger to suggest the tree in the background with the same lavender paint.

Winter classes. January, 2004 has been cold and too too dry. Amidst the enduring drought we've heard about the excess moisture in other parts of the country and just wished for some. Finally, some snow - a couple inclues - which feels kind of like cool lotion on dry skin! It is beautiful. I had to postpone classes for a week to allow my Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Taos students to stay home instead of trudging forth on icy roads. But finally we began - by painting snow and fog, learning all the techniques and colors and feelings that create the illusion. I am most grateful for two full classes each week and the opportunity it gives me to create the lessons, write about it and pursue this joy I have with watercolor.

Winter Workshop. Last month we had our Winter workshop - and produced some wonderful work! Nine great and enthusiastic students who ranged from beginning to advanced levels tackled the illusive light of farolitos glowing in the night. Some of the best work was produced by those who grumbled the most - and you know who you are!

In the Studio

• During the holidays and cold, quiet January, several of us continue to paint on Thursday evenings and other times in the studio. Carol ventured out and into some of the images she has in her mind, allowing herself the freedom to explore. I feel so lucky to host such creativity in my studio!
• You can see more of Carol's work on her website, caroltaschek.com or email her here. ctaschek.com

"Untitled", by Carol Taschek

• My son, Jonathan Owens continues his exploration of pastels - in mostly flowers and skies. Here is a sneak preview of his most recent work.

"Cloud Light", by Jonathan Owens. To contact Jonathan by email, click here.

The Parrots are growing up!

Sage, my incorrigible African Grey baby parrot is turning 1 year old this month! So..this is the month for beginning to talk. I've patiently explained it all to Sage, but he prefers to practice with other sounds like the microwave's intermittent beeps and all the critter voices he hears - conure chirps, blue-headed pionus chortles and the varied voices from the Audubon clock.

And his favorite, the telephone! He seems to enjoy that one most, especially when I leave the room and hastily run back to attempt an answer.

Carol and I recently took the birds on a weekend getaway - to the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge. Winkie, Carol's gentle blue-headed pionus parrot loved watching the sky and became an expert raptor ID bird with a high pitched alarm call for emphasis. Sage, as expected, found exploring the car much more interesting including a favorite perch on the steering wheel. This was discouraged.

Color & Pigment Intensive

at Ranchito San Pedro

March 20 &21, plus optional Mar. 22

We'll welcome Spring with Color! Join Jan to learn about watercolor pigments and color relationships in your choice of subject matter - floral, landscape, figurative. Plus - some special pigments that are sure to enhance your paintings. We'll certainly deal with some of the pigment mixes I wrote about in the Daniel Smith article.

$250/person plus tax.
Includes 2 nights cabin accommodations at Ranchito San Pedro, all instruction, continental breakfasts, some materials and open use of Jan's teaching studio and library. Each cabin accommodates 3 people comfortably. $50 deposit insures your place on a first come basis. Two days of workshop, only (no accommodations) = $175 plus tax.

Note: Optional additional full day in the studio with extra night, Monday, January 26 for $75.00 ($35 with no accommodation) plus tax. Jan will meet you in the studio, help get you started and will include a late afternoon critique/consultation.

Click here to see the cabin accommdations.

Maximum number of students = 10; Minimum 5. Three already enrolled....

Workshops in Flagstaff, Arizona - 2 weekends in April

1 Light, Shade, Shadow and Reflected Light - Understanding and Painting It

2 Color, Color Relationships and Pigments in Watercolor Understainding and Using it

Coconino Community College, Flagstaff, Arizona

Click here for more information. Call Eva Jones at Coconino Community College to register at. 928-526-7644..

We'll understand all the basics about Light, Shade, Shadow and Reflected Light and then how to use our information for more dramatic, light filled and stronger paintings. The workshops begin with an informal session Friday evening, 6 - 8:30 p.m. with introductions and syllabus review. Saturday 9 - 4; Sunday 9 - 2. I will demonstrate both days and work one on one with participants. Positive critique each day.

Understanding Color and Color Relationships begins with the color wheel! We'll learn how to use it to produce paintings with better color harmony and choices. The workshop will include watercolor pigments, which are varied and often confusing. The workshop will definitely also include information I wrote about in my Daniel Smith article. The workshop begins with an informal session Friday evening, 6 - 8:30 p.m.with introductions and syllabus review. Saturday 9 - 4, Sunday 9 - 2. I will demonstrate both days and work one on one with participants.

Note. I'll be back in Flagstaff to teach a weekend workshop in July - Painting the Landscape in Watercolor - offered two weekends in July. See my website for more information.

Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Abiquiu, New Mexico

Join Jan & Carol in this very popular week long workshop and watercolor adventure at Ghost Ranch, beloved first home of Georgia O'Keeffe in New Mexico. This high desert land of piñon, sage and multicolored cliffs with sky above blue and crystal clear remains much as it was in the 30's, when Georgia O'Keeffe first explored the landscape. We'll discover the trail she walked each morning to the dry waterfall and we'll listen each night to the chorus of coyotes serenading the ranch. Prepare to immerse yourself into watercolor and the magic that is Ghost Ranch. Minimum number of participants 6; Maximum 14. Your space is reserved with a deposit of $200. 2003 Fall session sold out by April - so register early to reserve your spot

$995 plus tax, includes 6 days of watercolor instruction, 7 nights in a double occupancy rustic cabin on the mesa, all your meals at the ranch plus a tour of O'Keeffe's Abiquiu home, if possible.

• For more information and pictures, click here
• To hear what students say about their Ghost Ranch Workshop experiences, click