Monet paints wonderful, tiny details.  Some say he paints with an urgency to what he views.  The landscape occupies the top half of the painting and the waterscape the lower half.  This painting does have a human element with women chatting and small figures in the water, but Monet's painting is always more about the water, wind, light, and reflections.  He is a systematic, loose painter, and paints with big brushes and makes the same  strokes with thick paint and covers the entire canvas.  Look at all those horizontal and vertical strokes.  
 
Renoir's version has many more figures which is his preference.  This particular bathing establishment is where gentle folk would go to drink and party the afternoon away.  Renoir captured the softness in the receding landscape and flowey materials of his subjects clothing.  His paint strokes are rounded and plump and he utilizes a variety of strokes.  He has a much more controlled style.
They both were Impressionistic painters using light brush strokes, everyday subject matter, and movement.

 
Which brings me to a contemporary comparison.

I rather enjoy writing about myself and my river hiking artist friend, Sarah, in the same context as Monet and Renoir!  Ha!  Please allow my folly.
​

My (art) life review...It was a cold and cloudy morning.  (Ha!...what a great way to start a newsletter!)
I had been out walking Angel, the wonder dog, when I saw my neighbor friend, Kathy, jogging towards me.  We catch up and share our lives often, on local residential streets.  She asked me about a recent Open Studio & Gallery I had and I eagerly told her about the group that attended the scheduled art talk I gave.  She told me I was courageous.  It's always fun connecting with her.

My mind kept revisiting our conversation.  Was I really courageous?  I know I can be laser focused when I'm interested in something.  Now if you have been reading my newsletters, you know they sometimes contain my vulnerable perspectives.  Warning:  here I go again....

I sat back and experienced a mini (art) life review.  I was in my studio two years earlier and viewed my watercolor paintings with appreciation.  Then I decided firmly to give up this area of expertise... and become a novice painter of acrylic on canvas.  A huge re-direction.

My last watercolor painting.

I just began, and quickly progressed through trial and error.  I knew all the elements of art so it was a matter of re-applying them to a new medium.  These new beginnings were fun and joyful but I couldn't help but compare the new me with my established art groups, and feeling how much of a novice I  was!  Very uncomfortable.
Back in the studio, my joy would return as I focused on landscapes, brush work, blending, and every day I painted.

One day I hiked down to a stream and challenged myself to go from painting a 10"x10" canvas to a 24"x30".  I figured out a different way to sketch that large, and created a real beauty.  Actually, this first large painting was recently purchased by Multnomah County for the downtown Portland's  permanent art collection!
​

This is the painting Multnomah County purchased for their permanent collection.

Goal 4...
I love to paint. 
As an artist I have had opportunities to submit my work and jury into competitions, have articles published about my paintings, and exhibit.  I've created websites, online presence, and have opened my studio and gallery for events.  All of this has been valuable, as I  clarify what is important to me.  I love to paint! 

And so this is where I will be focusing my energy.  The past several months I have been  writing about my art and myself.  Creating a biography and artist statement has allowed me to become very clear what and why I create and...giving me direction.  I choose to  immerse myself in the creative process and contract with professionals to promote, exhibit, and handle sales.

How do I do this?  I have a mentor guiding me through the process and will have more information to share as I begin approaching galleries in January.  It's work... but exciting...as I envision my goal of  more river hikes and happy studio time.

​

  

Moods of the River......Towards the end of 2021 I wanted new artistic challenges and decided to change my medium from watercolors on paper to acrylic paints on canvas.  A novice again, but that 's OK...it's what I needed and wanted.

 All the art supplies were new and I entered into this process with persistence and motivation.  It was during this discovery time I would hike out to Oregon and Washington rivers to relax and enjoy.  I'd take photos of the water and, one interesting painting later... a passion was born!   I took many hikes to many rivers  and have been painting, painting, and painting throughout 2022!  A novice no more.

This entire year I have been working on a body of work, (defined as a cohesive series of artworks which are all linked in style and theme) and  have been  focusing on the 'Moods of the River'.  I've mentioned this before in these newsletters and at my open studios, but today I'm going to share some of my experiences and writings with you.

I've been very consistent with my painting practice and am delighted to say I have finished 23  water works with my intention goal of obtaining Fine Arts gallery representation in this new year.

​

"TOTALLY TRANSPARENT"
20"x24"
Totally Transparent is such a trendy contemporary saying but I chose this title for the beautiful transparency in the water... the pale green down the falls and show of the under  water rocks.
Did I see the delicacy of this while sitting there observing and experiencing?  No.  While there I merged my awareness in the fast moving waters...the smoothness to turmoil.  I love that term since it frequently describes the movements of these waters.

The  turbulence and sunshine both contribute to the color and light you see in these rushing waters.  And... let's not forget that I am the creator of my dreams and can add red rocks whenever I am inclined.

​ALL THE RIVERS RUN
20"X24"
And here I have captured a common and reoccurring attribute of water...its ability  to adapt and adjust.  

This last hike I brought my breakfast of hot coffee and goat cheese stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon, to eat while I sat on the boulders and studied the water.  Yes, an odd breakfast but I wanted to try my son's recipe, and it was portable.  I watched the flow around obstacles and became enchanted by the swirling designs water makes leaving the flow, only to course correct and eventually blend back into the current.  Enjoying my dates I realized, here was a teacher...reminding me not to take myself so seriously and be more at ease with life, and course correct as needed.

The river somehow  accesses an openness to wonder and thinking for me.  This inspires me to paint what I see and capture how I felt.

 And now I've shared three moods of the river with you.  Perhaps you can sense the joy in my process.  There will be more to share, stay tuned.
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
12 pitted Medjool dates
3oz goat cheese
6 strips of bacon

1.  Preheat oven to 375 and line baking sheet with parchment
2.  Fill dates with 1-2 tsp goat cheese
3.  Cut bacon in half and roll  around stuffed date 1 1/2 times and stick a toothpick in the middle to hold it together
4.  Bake for 10 minutes then flip dates onto their sides and bake another 10 minutes...or until bacon is crisp... but not too crispy.
 
I've included the recipe as this might make a tasty appetizer during your holidays.

I enjoy a good parody.....which is a comical imitation of another's work.
The Greeks started all this back in the day when a song or poem imitated the style and flow of the original song or poem.  The Greek word 'par' means beside and 'ody' refers to ode or song.  Over centuries, this method of absurd imitation would affect literature, music, film, and art.

Here are examples of some famous parodies in  Literature:
The Hunger Pains:  A Parody (Hunger Games)
Bored of the Rings (Lord of the Rings)
Fifty Shades of Earl Grey (Fifty Shades of Grey)

Music:
Anyone remember Weird Al Yankovic?  Ha!  He made his career making fun of popular music back in the 80's! Here are a few of his parodies:
Eat It (Beat It)
Like a Surgeon (Like a Virgin)

Steve Martin also did a parody on the King Tut exhibit that traveled around named:  King Tut.  I'm dating myself as I remember that one too.

Film:
Young Frankenstein (Frankenstein)
Austin Powers (James Bond series)  
Robin Hood:  Men in Tights (Robin Hood:  Prince of Thieves)

Art:
And now we come to my personal favorites.  I have a few to show you.  They are creative and whacky, sometimes making a statement of the times, drawing attention to a social need, and I'm sure just creative fun.

​

DaVinci's "Mona Lisa" with a newer contemporary look

Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and parody just in time for Halloween!

​Today I'm going to show you how I organize my thoughts, and eventually obtain what I envision onto the canvas.  Plus this is a great time to announce this year's  Portland Open Studio where you can tour artist studios and observe their process.  Let's begin.

Sometimes I have  naturally occurring common experiences which develops into unique new thoughts and a desire.  This happened to me this month and I'm eager to Show & Tell it all!

I woke early and joined my friend for a photo hike up in Washington, specifically a portion of the Lewis River which has beautiful areas of river, climbable rock/boulders, and beautiful river falls.  I believe all the planets aligned that morning... minimal traffic, golden sunshine emerging, the perfect temperature with blue skies, AND... no one else there!
Before I go on I want to show you how lovely.

​I'm a Capricorn, so the goat in me had no trouble climbing rocky areas to find the perfect places to capture landscapes or close up water photos.   I admit that half of the time was spent sitting quietly...listening to water music, birds, and my deep sighs. 

Back in the studio I am studying each photo for potential composition, interest, and my "joy-painting" factor.  As I study, I realize the river has a personality!  It becomes a live entity to me now and displays lazy, languid pools or busy flowing waters with purpose.  I see transitional flows, trickles, rushes and deep drops of fury throwing it's spray into exclamation with a natural carefree release, to calm.

It occurs to me.... I want to paint more than what I see.  I want to capture the river's mood's and personality in my paintings!   And I want to paint how I felt!   Yes, that feeling.   Most mornings I lie in bed thinking about a project I'll start or one already on the easel, and that enthusiasm washes over me, demanding I  start my day in the studio.  I listen and go.

​I recently attended my critique group, a safe place where I bring in a painting and give other artistic eyes permission to evaluate my composition, values, and completion.  Half of the group attended a three day workshop and brought in work, but it’s the discussions that are still are on my mind that lead me into the story of this newsletter.
 
Workshops are popular with all artists…. writers, painters, or performers… as they teach technique and offer growth opportunities.  It was explained that the instructor directed  participants through intense and rapid sequences of mark making, changes in pigment, using non-dominant hand and timed sketches.  Each day began with this exercise then focused on completing a specified goal of either floral, abstract, or figure.
 
I listened as each participating artist felt pushed beyond their authenticity.  They described exhaustion, frustrations, and confusion as one said, “I finally just needed to paint what was right for me” and another added, “It was interesting but I needed to see and paint beauty.”  The third participant actively enjoyed the chaos and brought to the group multiple pieces she had completed after the workshop.
 
Creating my art is a solo experience so interacting and listening to art maker’s stories tends to grow my awareness and allows me to think bigger perspectives.  Each artist develops a specifically clear expression of oneself.  It is also well known that unspecified times after workshops such as this one, can inspire an artistic question leading to thoughts and experimental action.  I’ll be interested to hear and watch for this at future critique groups.

​I myself, have sought out instruction in basic techniques, starting with oil painting.  I was 24 years old!  Yikes!  Want to see how I’ve grown through patience, perseverance, and good teachers?  OK…this might be fun to show some early work.  I enjoyed working with oils as a beginner because if I didn’t like something I could scrape it off and start over.  Eventually the solvents needed to clean brushes bothered me and I started to focus more on drawing.  A year at Marylhurst in various drawing classes helped me ‘to see’ better as an artist.  To look and observe, to see beyond the obvious.

I had not yet embraced the importance of Values but enjoyed moving pigments and water around in shapes.

 Much better value and more focus on shapes, values, and a limited palette. Slightly abstracted and softly bold.

​Watercolors were introduced to me at the ripe old age of 33.  I started keeping files of my paintings so you can see the changes.  I’m delighted to tell you that my best teachers during this phase were:  my mistakes.  Lots of them.  There were no YouTube channels to watch…just good old fashioned art books so I bought, studied, tried to replicate the exercises and had enough good experiences to continue.  Years later I would meet an instructor who would turn into a dear painting, sushi, mentor, and support friend… as I grew myself.  We started  the critique group and continue to learn.

​About 10 years ago I signed up for a 4 day  mentorship intensive with a well known Californian artist.  I arrived with my intention and supplies and he took my watercolors away and told me to paint with acrylics.  I didn’t know anything about acrylics.  So… I did.  I felt exhausted, frustrated and confused but worked with what I did know…values (darks, mid tones, and lights).  One artist working in collage had fashion magazines so I borrowed one and painted faceless models, with attitudes.  I keep these in my studio as a reminder of how courageous I am.
 

​Today I am painting in acrylics and transitioning to large canvases.  I hike in Oregon’s gorgeous nature and many times experience a place with such positivity I am inclined to paint it.  My landscapes make me smile with good feelings, remembering the joy and timelessness of my painting process.  I enjoy sharing my monthly newsletter stories.  Perhaps you would find nature’s calm makes you smile too.

Live your life courageously!
Make sure to check out all my new Small Space acrylic paintings and larger canvases too.
Blessings,
​Patrice

It's been a busy year so far as I plan, paint, and prepare for a popular artist’s group exhibition.  Every April we bring in our new work from the prior winter…in this case, the previous two covid years! A lot of creating took place during that time.
 
The last couple of days I’ve been constructing the grids where the 25 participating artists will hang their work for the show and sale.  I have been involved in this artistic collective for several years, but the Lake Area Artists have been showing and selling art for 42 years in the same location in Lake Oswego!  Every year our efforts and talent brings in many returning collectors, new businesses choosing fine art to enhance their spaces, and recently, an increase in millennials making their first purchases.  Of course, we artists appreciate support from our community.
 
Wednesday we set up the room with grids, tables, and assure an easy flow through the gallery.  I am in charge of this part of our show.  Thursday we all  experience a controlled frenzy as artists bring in and set up their work in their designated spaces.  Two full days just getting everything ready.  And Friday 10am we opened our doors and invited those waiting to enter…. the beginning of our long awaited weekend.
 
I stay there during the entire weekend to help when needed, wander and appreciate all my friend’s new art and techniques, but mainly stay close to my work and talk to those interested in how I spend my life’s energy… creating. 

​Last evening, Friday, during the Artist’s Reception a couple stopped to view my Small Space Collection of acrylic landscape paintings.  I approached and introduced myself and the gentleman asked me to tell them about my painting process.  From all the marketing tools I have studied I know I should have specific answers available…but my brain and soul does not work like that.  Instead I asked them specifically what they were interested in knowing.  He asked,  “Tell us about your painting  frustrations and how you resolve those conflicts in your mind and on your canvas”.  I felt like fresh air was gently blown into the room at that moment.  Authenticity and vulnerability co-mingled inside me …and my heart opened.  I discussed my process and told them I had much knowledge, more guts than brains, and had already experienced the fear of mistakes many times over.  This powerful recipe allowed me to fail at my objective, step back and take time to evaluate, plan, and integrate a different approach, then evaluate and alter again.  I was not a perfect painter.  I valued patience, learning, and unexpected outcomes.

That was one of many discussions I had with collectors, art appreciators, and those  coming in to look at fine art  (and sip complimentary wine) as their mental health break.
 
So, my friends, my story is out.  I’m a confidant painter…and I have moments (or days) of doubt and perplexity.  Many times I just go out for a walk and air myself out.  My paintings always looks manageable (and better) when I look at them with fresh eyes the next day.
 
Hmmm… this reminds me of….Life.