Happy Artful Holidays!

It's been a wonderfully creative year - not the least of which is because we've had two sweet grand children enter our lives this fall - can't get enough of them. Welcoming a baby is the perfect pause in our somewhat chaotic lives. They are perfect reminders that all's right with the world.

But... all that snuggling takes time, so I will not have a Christmas card painting for the first time in several years. I'm thinking it might be a New Year's painting! Stay tuned.

I am very pleased to note that although it's been a busy year with non-art needs and distractions, there have been some wonderfully rewarding opportunities on the art front.

Noteworthy ©2017 Dorothy Lorenze

This fall my trompe l'oeil painting Noteworthy was juried into Oil Painters of America's Eastern Regional exhibit. It's my first acceptance to a show by this national organization. The exhibit is at McBride Gallery in Annapolis, a lovely gallery in a beautifully historic and artsy town. Happily, the show has been extended into January.

Earlier this fall two paintings were juried into Borderland State Park's Ames Mansion, in North Easton, MA. I enjoyed discovering this gorgeous historic venue and getting to know artist, feminist and inventor, Blanche Ames. Such a fascinating woman! She and her husband, Oakes, also happen to be grandparents of actor George Plimpton. A portrait of Oakes Ames in the dining room looks, eerily, just like grandson George. (But I digress.)

My next new art adventure will be to participate in Art Show: Bedford which has been ongoing since 1973. And it was the first art show I ever visited when we moved  to the area in the 70s. I'm very pleased to be invited. The exhibit runs from January 25 to February 3 at St. Matthews Parish House in Bedford, NY. It's always a popular event and all proceeds benefit local charities - so it's good works for good works!

Santa's Chocolate Shadow © 2017 Dorothy Lorenze

Since I haven't got a new Christmas painting to share, here are two of my favorites from past years  (which some new readers haven't yet seen). Santa's Chocolate Shadow was painted last fall and it has recently found a new home.

Christmas 1945 is an ongoing favorite of mine because it features vintage ornaments from my parent's childhood trees.

So this is what I enjoy about still life - the opportunity to explore light, color and reflection while spending time with vintage, nostalgic subjects that draw me into another time and place. Sort of a painterly, mini Downton Abbey adventure.

Christmas 1945 ©2013 Dorothy Lorenze

I do have several new paintings in the works - almost finished - and I plan to write about my painting process after the holidays, so please keep an eye out for that.

In the meantime, thank you all for your kind comments and support throughout 2018. You helped to make a busy year even more rewarding. I hope you are enjoying time with family and friends in the coming days, reminiscing about all the goodness in your life. I look forward to entering 2019 with renewed creative energy and sincere wishes for joy and peace in this crazy world.

When it's hard to feel thankful

At this time of giving thanks I want to take a moment to thank the art lovers who feed the energy and creativity of artists with your support and kind comments. Whether you have purchased artwork, visited an exhibit or shared your feelings on social media please know that you play an important role in our continued creative effort. Sure, we're artists and we're gonna make art, but knowing our work strikes a chord is truly validating and keeps us going. And as I've said before, the world could use more beauty.

We are in California for Thanksgiving this year where the raging fires are all too real. Smoke permeates the air for hundreds of miles and there is a heaviness in both the air and in our hearts as we experience this devastating tragedy. It feels kind of trivial to focus on gratitude for the good things in my life at such a time, but I think - I hope - that appreciation is what gets us through such difficulties. I haven't quite decided how to help the victims of the fire but in appreciation of the generous support that I experience as an artist, I know that I will.

So, again, thank you for inspiring me! 

As far as my artwork goes, a selection of my paintings will be hanging at Who's Cooking in Croton Falls for one more week. Below are a few of the paintings on exhibit through November 26 (closed on Sundays).

Five Little Onions Sitting on a Bench ©2018 Dorothy Lorenze

At the Opera © 2017 Dorothy Lorenze

Come In. Peace ©2018 Dorothy Lorenze

And just for fun - ho, ho, ho - a vintage Santa figure and his chocolate shadow. 

Santa's Chocolate Shadow ©2017 Dorothy Lorenze

I will also have a few paintings at the annual Mark Twain Library benefit art show in Redding, CT from November 30 - December 9th. It's a short run, but worth a visit. The show is well-curated and well-displayed, the library itself is lovely and the folks involved are some of the most appreciative art patrons around. You might even find a unique work of art for special gift giving!

Meanwhile, the next few days will be focused on meal planning and preparing for guests. As with making art, the work of preparation is important to a successful outcome, but the spirit of what's behind the effort is what brings the work to life. So, whatever your Thanksgiving dinner plans may be, I hope you are also grateful for the goodness in your life and appreciative of all those whose small gestures of kindness feed your soul. Because gratitude is a happiness multiplier!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, and special thanks for joining me on my art-filled journey.

Trick or Treat, celebrating challenges

It's that spooky time of year where we enjoy putting on costumes and playing different roles...just a little. It's probably all about the candy, but maybe it's also about adding excitement to the ordinary.

It's all about balance: boring and brilliant, comforting and challenging, familiar and fantasy. We all have our own definition of what constitutes a challenge as well as what qualifies as basic contentment. (I'm thinking about painting here!)

Painting - we hope - brings restorative zen moments, but it also causes frustration and consternation. When we have trouble getting started its the frustration that looms large! Really, the most satisfying paintings will frustrate and restore. Ya gotta eat the vegetables before you can enjoy dessert.

Recently our painting group was discussing what holds us back, the challenges of getting started and how to establish productive routines. Of course it's different for everyone - we all have other commitments: work, family, etc. Fear of frustration and failure is probably the biggest deterent, until we remember that time spent painting can be the wonderful dessert of life.

What's really cool is when painting becomes your vegetables, your sustenance. That's when you know you're hooked. And of course for me, it's often literally... vegetables.

Heirloom and Hubbard ©2018 Dorothy Lorenze, 6x8"

We're coming into the busy holiday season with all its added responsibilities as well as moments of wonder. My advice is to take it all in, relax and enjoy the cookies... but eat your vegetables to keep you going. It may be harder to find the time, but it's always good for you.

If you're an art enthusiast rather than an art maker, this is a great time to exercise your creativity by finding unique gifts at holiday craft shows and art exhibits. Discovering the perfect piece for someone's life and personality is an exciting adventure. Ridgefield Guild of Artists and  Putnam Arts Council both offer holiday gift fantasy worlds in November and December where you can find unique artistic offerings.

Closer to home, my paintings will be at Who's Cooking in Croton Falls through November 26th, including the veggies, Heirloom and Hubbard, above.

The added bonus about stopping by Who's Cooking is being tempted to treat yourself to a great lunch, bring home a gourmet meal for your family or plan a catered holiday event with Russell, whose culinary taste is exquisite. No stress and delicious - the best way to eat your vegetables and enjoy dessert!

Below are some of my paintings on exhibit there. Except the interior with the red chair (second from right) which, I'm thrilled to say, is going to a new home!

There are still lifes, interiors and holiday paintings, as well as some sweet little florals on display.

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Vintage Sleigh Bells (l) and Santa's Chocolate Shadow (that one cracks me up!)

This month I also delivered a painting to the Oil Painters of America's Eastern Regional show in Annapolis, MD. It was my first acceptance into a show by this prestigious organization and I'm thrilled to be included. The exhibit is at the McBride Gallery right on Main St. and the folks there couldn't have been nicer. The show runs through November 28th, so if you happen to be in the area... or need a road trip to a sweet historic town, stop by. I know you will enjoy it!

McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD site of OPA's Eastern Regional Exhibit

I hope you have a Happy Halloween with lots of little, smiling faces delighting in the festivities!

WELCOME to all the new readers of my newsletter! If you'd like to look back on earlier posts you can go here to search for subjects, or just browse.

My warmest thanks to all for joining me on my artistic journey!