Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thank "bad"ness


A holiday that celebrates thankfulness. It’s kind of an impressive concept:  A day just to focus on things to be thankful for. We thank good-ness all the time, but how about thanking bad-ness, poor execution and failure? Doing work that is almost good enough lets me glimpse the carrot, the reward, to strive for at the end of the day (more likely, the salted, dark chocolate caramel... whatever)

Anyway, at the start of a painting, if you can't see the goals you want to reach and recognize what it takes to get there, it's not likely to happen. It helps to know what's not working, which means engaging in honest, careful self-examination.
This is not easy.

So I'm also thankful for artist friends who will honestly identify areas that need help as well as areas that are just fine! (sign it and frame it already!) We help each other stay on track, which is awesome. Like a workout partner - commitments are made, the practice gets done,  progress ensues! It looks something like this:


It's all about getting down to work.

Robert Genn has all sorts of great advice for painters and he recently quoted the writer Ray Bradbury, "Write a thousand words a day and in three years you'll be a writer." That works for painting too.

c/o Robin Kalinich's More Ink on Facebook
Janet Hulstrand's advice on the practice of writing hit a similar chord (courtesy of Robin Kalinich’s Facebook page "More Ink" a great place for words, wit and wisdom, btw).

This painting/writing relationship is connecting with me lately. Coincidentally I've been painting books. Lots of books. Mostly old books. I love the thought that they have a history of encouraging and enlightening readers.

Meanwhile I spend hours choosing books, finagling perspective and imagining many paintings to come. I just need time... and patience.

Patience! Days of painting that include a healthy dose of patience are the days I'm most thankful for. That's when the best work gets done.
(Eventually. Be patient!)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

"Novel Exploration" 12x16" ©2013 dorothylorenze
"Past Times" 11x14" ©dorothylorenze




Saturday, November 9, 2013

Holiday Show Opening Reception


Dear Friends,

You are cheerfully invited to the Opening Reception of the Holiday Show at Green Art Gallery next weekend.
Saturday, November 16th
3pm to 6pm
Greene Art Gallery
29 Whitfield Street, Guilford CT 06437

Gallery Director, Kathryn Greene, has carefully chosen a selection of unique, fine art for this holiday exhibit, including several of my paintings. So come and shop for your family and friends or shop for yourself! Just come! 

Over the river and through the woods to the quaint Connecticut town of Guilford, join us for a reception ushering in an artistic gift-giving season!

visit my website
 You know what they say...
"Bedeck your walls with art, be jolly. Fa la la la la, la la la la..."
 Or something like that.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Going Greene


Dear Friends,

I am pleased to share with you the news that twelve of my paintings will be exhibited at the fabulous Greene Art Gallery in Guilford, CT beginning November 14th.
Southern Peaches, oil on panel, ©2013 Dorothy Lorenze

If you are not familiar with Greene Art Gallery, well, you really should check it out NOW.

The current show is incredible and it closes Sunday, Nov. 10th. It's a celebration of renowned still life/trompe l'oeil artist, Ken Davies, whose work is collected in major museums.

"Ken Davies, from His Atelier" is a collaboration between Mr. Davies and his students - all amazing, fine artists. Here is a link to the show catalog with beautiful images to go along with the beautiful and bittersweet story about how the exhibit came to be.

As exquisite as these images are, they don't do justice to the paintings themselves which are just breathtaking. Go see them. I dare you to pick a favorite!

Of course, if you go to the Davies show, you should also go back for the opening reception of the Holiday Show, November 16th, 3 to 6 pm. Come eat, drink and be artsy as we ring in the season!

Guilford is a sweet New England town - straight out of "Currier and Ives" - it's worth the trip! At Greene, you'll also see work by many established artists: Daniel P. Buckley, Mireille Duchesne... and now, Dorothy Lorenze!


Novel Exploration, 12x16" oil, ©2013 Dorothy Lorenze

Hope to see you all the Greene Art Gallery's Holiday Show reception on November 16th!