in "other" artistic news -

Painting is sort of on the back burner this week because choral practice is taking precedence. So, if hectic holiday preparations are stressing you out, come enjoy some serene classical music to celebrate the season this weekend.  I promise, you will feel comfort and joy!

Saturday December 7 at 8pm

Valhalla Methodist Church

Sunday December 8 at 4 pm

Trinity Episcopal Church, Ossining

One of my favorites from this concert was written in 1502. Imagine that! The elegantly simple, chant-like Ave Maria, Gratia Plena by Josquin Deprez, ends with this sweet request of Mary: "memento mei" (remember me). Here's a link to Tallis Scholars singing this beautiful piece. They have 27,000+ views. Maybe Taghkanic Chorale will do as well. Our Music Director Steven Fox manages to get a pretty angelic sound from us mere mortals!

To reserve tickets call 914.737.6707 or email me before Friday and they will be held for payment at the door.

And, just so you know I'm not slacking off in my other fine art arena...

here is a small study of more books which will soon be a larger, more refined 16" x 12"  oil painting. I'm excited about the old peeling spine on the lower books and about adding patterned fabric to this one! Such fun!

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

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!

 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.