dorothy lorenze | painting

Friday, July 3, 2020

Interdependence Day

Does anybody know what day it is? Perhaps not. Fortunately I have help with my calendar as two of our grandchildren come for weekly playdates. Otherwise we'd have no sense of time... and far less laughter!

But I hear July 4th is coming.

This year Independence Day might feel more like Interdependence Day. We're all in it together... apart. Thankfully, folks around here are generally considerate - maintaining safe distance and wearing masks in public. While we may be cranky about restrictions, I feel pretty fortunate overall.

Artists are generally comfortable with solitude anyway. I love the quiet of my studio, where my mind is somehow settled and invigorated at the same time. There are many ups and downs in painting and it's a good day when the ugly duckling stages are balanced with satisfying moments. But art-making is a little like the tree that falls in the forest - more fully appreciated when it's actually witnessed.

So I love hearing how a piece resonates - the story about a feather painting connecting a young woman with her grandmother or a vintage object bringing a warm nostalgic moment to mind. Which brings me back to "interdependence" on this Independence Day. Most often I'm painting for the challenge of rendering a subject in an interesting and skillful manner, but the icing on the cake is knowing how a piece impacts others. And I thank you all for that perspective.

Here are some recent red, white and blue paintings for this July 4th. I've been on a roll painting beautiful flow-blue china in our new, old house. All were fun and challenging but I think I enjoyed Blue on Blue the best. And I don't even like blue cheese!

If you'd like to learn more about these paintings click on the images for the link to their website page.

heirloom tomato, flow blue china, still life

Baby Red Onions came about because I saw these beauties in the produce section and loved the way the shiny white bulbs, stained with purple-red striations, contrasted with the translucently, water-filled, green sprouts. Fascinating textures to capture. Onions were not on my list that day but we take inspiration when it comes.

The week when there were virtually no eggs anywhere I found a small box of delicate, pale blue eggs. Six local heirloom eggs. They were probably delicious, but of course we never tasted them since they were unrefrigerated for days while being painted. The bowl in this still life is one I've had for awhile. Even though it's actually contemporary, I love it for its Art Deco meets Neoclassicism collaboration. I call the painting Scrambling, in deference to the crazy times we are living in. I'm honored that this painting was purchased as a house warming gift. It's hard enough to buy/sell a house without being in pandemic isolation! How special that my painting was bought to celebrate folks moving closer to family.

pale blue eggs, vintage china bowl, still life

There have been several pandemic painting purchases lately. Here is a happy art collector who treated herself to some art as "home improvement" during isolation (safe, socially-distanced delivery by my daughter).

Another recent sale was made to someone who had seen my work in an art exhibit last fall and eventually found me via the event organizers. He had missed out on buying a painting and couldn't quite forget it. So now he has purchased Rosy Nosegay and commissioned two others. That's dedication - and I'm so appreciative of the interest, and effort!

And lastly, today I heard the good news that, with the acceptance of my painting Chicks and Balances, I was awarded the status of Elected Member of Allied Artists of America. I'm honored but also just happy for the painting's sake because it was a favorite of mine and I'm tickled that it was recognized. I don't know if that sounds weird, but think of it as being proud of your kids' successes.

1920s pottery, ceramic chicks, vintage scale

So, I haven't been to an art show, exhibit, museum, arts organization or casual art talk with artist friends in... months. And it feels pretty weird. We all are missing the sort of routine activities and relationships that are easy to take for granted. Here's hoping the "new normal" will return to the real normal soon. Who would have thought we would still be at home after four months. It's quite unimaginable, and yet, pretty much doable. Meanwhile, I'm still painting. I hope you are enjoying some kind of summer fun!

Thank you for joining me on my art journey and for weighing in with your comments and questions.

Take care. Stay safe. Be kind. Be creative!

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Making time for art - in the land that time forgot

For most of us there is very little that is "normal" about our day to day life this spring, With that in mind, and with Mother's Day coming, I want to shout out to all the Moms and Mom-assistants who are finding creative ways to entertain, inspire and teach their kids. Those who are able to meet daily challenges, spark inquisitiveness... and still manage to maintain sanity. I hope you all enjoy a little rest and a good bit of adulation this Mother's Day. You deserve it!

As an artist, this stay-at-home isolation is kind of normal: time at home = studio time. And while I wouldn't wish the reason for quarantining on anyone, I'm making the most of it. After last year's lengthy distraction of preparing to move, I was ready to be more productive.

Here are some of the pieces I have been working on since February. This is Sweeney Todd's Curtain Call. It's part of a series of vintage barbering tools that I'm enjoying painting. Vintage implements like these, with their delicate craftsmanship, just fascinate me and I was lucky enough to borrow some antique razors and shaving brushes from a friend's extensive collection.

It was difficult to create a composition that highlighted the razors but eventually I hung them inside a wine box and played with the light to capture the character of their handles and the shine of the blades. And since it looked like footlights on a stage, the title seemed obvious. If you are interested in this painting, please take a look on my website for more details.

Another in this series is The Regiment. An assemblage of shaving brushes standing at attention with touches of regimental red and blue just struck me as having an esprit de corps. This painting is 10 x 10" and is also available on my website.

still life, vintage barber brushes, shaving brushes

Next came a composition where one of the group had something of a downfall. Maybe the red background suggests a conflict? This little painting is called Man Down (obviously). It's 6 x 9". All these paintings are done on panels and all are sold framed in classic plein air frames.

The barber tool paintings became a series because, although I was prepared to return them to New York in February... suddenly no one was going anywhere. I've been making good use of my extended time with these beautiful tools of the trade. The paintings below have already found new homes. Left to right they are: Family Resemblance, Blood Money and Vintage Barber Brushes.

For a change of pace, and maybe more timely in subject, this painting is a composite of photos taken in Aix en Provence a few years ago. The impact of the light on the pillars and a child all alone created a moving scenario but I hadn't yet been motivated to paint it. The time just seems right for this one and I call it Grace in Isolation. I hope you agree.

interior genre, church interior, light in church, original oil painting

During this difficult time when we are not only trying to stay safe, but, stay cheerful (!) it's been wonderful to see the creative ways folks are supporting one another - at a distance. I guess it says something about us all being in this together. Everyone's life has changed. We've followed rules, made masks, supported health care professionals, donated to communities in greater need and tipped grocery store cashiers. All the while being thankful for the privilege of having a home to shelter in comfortably and the loving support of friends and family. Gratitude and kindness - we need all we can get... and give.

I hope you and your loved ones are well and able to appreciate the goodness around you even on the most challenging days. As always, thank you following along on my art journey and for all the kind words of support on Facebook, Instagram and my blog/newsletter. I'll be back soon with more paintings to share. Hopefully we will see one another out and about very soon.

Take care. Stay safe. Be kind. Be creative!

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Painter, teacher, mentor...and author!

I try to be upbeat and art-focused in this newsletter and I hadn't planned to write about the state of emergency and dread that we are experiencing now, but it's impossible to ignore. And that's OK because we need to be both vigilant to protect one another and grateful for the beauty, love and generosity in our world. On the subject of beauty, I think of the beauty of kind, generous acts and, as always, art.

I have been painting of course, and hope you are also finding something creatively beautiful to enjoy. The art of baking?! A dangerously delicious, creative endeavor. Actually, the art of cooking is especially creative lately: combining staples to limit grocery store visits. (Working from home since my graphic design days, I tended to head out in the afternoon for one red pepper... or a latte, if I'm honest.) Oh, and I made a few masks for protected social distancing.

For a more painterly approach to art appreciation, I am pleased to wholeheartedly recommend an utterly enjoyable and enlightening resource: The Art of Still Life, by my friend, teacher, mentor and all around go-to art guru, Todd M. Casey. It's a beautifully written and comprehensive book that will be of equal interest to artists and art lovers.

This book is filled with everything you need to know about creating - or appreciating - still life painting. Concepts of light, color, composition and so much more are explained, described and illustrated with images and charts making it easy to understand. Here, the drama of color falling into shadow on a form, an important concept, is clearly described. And there are so many others.

But there is nothing dry about it. As Todd explains, "This book expresses both the scientific and expressive aspects of still life painting [and]... encourages you to heighten your senses and to use that heightened awareness when painting." It's inspirational as well as instructional.

In fact it was Todd's painting Bottles with a Book and Letters below that initially inspired me to reach out to him for instruction. The concepts in his book are those typically taught in a classical atelier - from color and value studies to cast drawing and rendering three dimensional volume in a two dimensional painting. Whether you have studied in an atelier program or not, this book is invaluable resource.

For me, the page below is a perfect example of instruction coupled with inspiration. An elegant, rich and subtle painting by Hovsep Pushman (which I had never before seen) illustrates an example of soft chroma along with a chart of oh-so-subtle color shifts flanking a row of neutral values. Just look at all the variations between neutral and chroma and how effectively Pushman employs his subtle palette!

High quality images including historic masterworks and brilliant works by contemporary masters of painting are found throughout. My favorite juxtaposition of old and new is a trompe l'oeil by William Hartnet on the left and Tony Curanaj's contemporary version of trompe l'oeil. This historic genre of "fool the eye" paintings was made popular by Dutch painters in the 1600s and still holds appeal.

Many pertinent subjects are explored in The Art of Still Life including modeling form, perspective, foreshortening, organizing your studio - even understanding information on a paint tube! The chapter "Light, Illumination and Shadow" alone covers -

The Science of Light
The Terminology of Light and Shadow
Surface Reflection and Body Reflection
Light on Glass
Light on a Translucent Object
Light on Hair, Fabric and Wool
Lighting Your Studio
Thinking of Light Spatially

Don't know what it means to think spatially about light? No problem, it's explained and illustrated:

And below Todd shows how light is reflected differently on a matte, glossy or mirrored surface. Knowing this information adds to your conceptual knowledge making it easier to see and understand these differences in any composition.

Although the book uses the genre of still life to illustrate concepts and methods of painting, all can be applied to any painting and there are examples of interiors (one by John Singer Sargent!) and gorgeous florals as well. Roses on the left is by Abbot Handerson Thayer (late 1800s) and on the right is Paul Seaton's Old Roses, White Souvenir de la Malmaison and Glamis Castle (2008).

You don't have to take my word about the value of this book, Eric Rhoads, artist and publisher of Fine Art Connoisseur, agrees. His glowing review says, "It is one of the finest examples of a painting instruction book I've experienced in my collection of over 500 art books."

In terms of a book review and recommendation, I guess I could have started and ended with that accolade... but you would have missed the pictures. And I would have missed revisiting it all too.

I will close with a personal accomplishment of which I am enormously proud: a few of my paintings are published in this book! Two are of basic sphere exercises that were utterly satisfying to paint. One is an image of my painting of cherry tomatoes with my palette adjacent. It's in the section discussing palettes. And my Dutch Apple Still Life painting is in the "Color Science and Art Chapter." Color me honored.

And a final personal note to report that our extended family is well and currently healthy. I truly hope this newsletter finds you well and healthy too. We have all been touched by tragedy on some level and are looking forward to a time of more mundane concerns. (Where should we go out to dinner tonight, my dear?) Meanwhile, as we manage emotions in this trying time, please be good to yourself. It's not easy to avoid worrying, so enjoy life's beauty wherever you find it.
Peace.

Once again, thanks for joining me on my art journey.

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