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Happy Autumn, Friends! I've been walking in the foggy mornings with Angel, the wonder dog, and enjoying the moody softness of tree shapes and colors. And if that wasn't enough of a blessing...the sun came out and exploded colors before me! Those flaming scarlets, oranges, and my favorite...the greens transitioning to deep purples! My focus allows me to capture the moments on a deeper level. I write about this experience because it leads me to what I want to share today... how our 'attention' shapes both the artist's creative process and also the experience of the viewer.  These images are from a recent hike at Duncan Creek, Washington. What do you see? .... Now what do you really see? For artists, attention is not a passive observation. It is an active engagement with their surroundings, which enhance the subtlety of life, that often goes unnoticed. When an artist becomes immersed in their surroundings, they develop a heightened awareness to details, textures, color, and emotion, that is often added into their work. These special additions enrich the narrative. This produces art which is a reflection of the artist's vision and viewer's shared experience. Let's consider those of us who view and appreciate art. Our quality of attention also plays an important part in the reception of art! When a viewer focused on a work of art, they are able to connect and interpret the artists intentions through their own experiences. This process gives art meaning. In this noisy world..the depth of our interest is what enriches our life.  Here is my latest painting...HEALING MOMENT.
Take a look at her and focus on an area that interests you. What comes up for you, curiosity, emotion? Is there a story that is emerging that reminds you of something or somebody? It's also ok if purple is your favorite color and you like the unusual background. There is quality in all attention.
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Last year around this time I started noodling the idea of what my life would look like if I had gone to art school, as my family expected. I surprised them all, me included, as I announced my decision to enter nursing. It was a good decision and provided me with many years of rich experiences in the 'healing arts'. I like that term. Still, thoughts of an art career, teased. I eagerly shared in January I had enrolled and started and intensive year art program and am thrilled to announce that I completed my studies... three months early!  "COSMIC CONTEMPLATIONS" 30"x24"x1.5" A deep thinker, she elevates her thoughts for inspirationn. This achievement was not without it's challenges, there were moments of doubt and countless hours of focused practice. Through it all, I found a deeper connection to my art and creative spirit! Comparing who I am as a nurse and artist I see the process in both decisions involved exploration, the decision, commitment and focus plus....a strong belief in myself that working through failure will make me stronger. This period of art immersion exposed fears... and triumphs. And this inspired me.  "BEAUTY & BALANCE IN NATURE" 30"X24"X1.5" There is perfection in nature's balance. Beauty in transparency. My present body of work features oil paintings of women, each radiating expansive spirits and open hearts. These pieces embody archetypes of courage, nurture, resilience, and more. Each woman tells her own story, wrapped in a fantastical mystery that invites the viewer to explore their own emotions and experiences. The colors, textures, and expressions are optimistic and designed to heal and soothe, creating a sanctuary of reflection and empowerment. I paint what i feel and who I am.  "PRISM FOR LIGHT" 30"x24"x1.5" A lover of rain, she eagerly anticipates the rainbow! I am overjoyed to share that I have been offered a solo show, an opportunity to exhibit the culmination of my efforts over the past eight months. This exhibition represents one of my greatest accomplishments, and I can hardly wait to unveil the stories that have unfolded on my canvases. this is not just a personal milestone but a celebration of the community that has supported me throughout this journey. Your encouragement has fueled my passion and perseverance.  "LIGHT AS A FEATHER" 24"x30"x1.5 Outgoing and playful...a powerful balance of confidence. As I continue to build my portfolio, I am reminded of the power of art to connect, inspire, and heal. Stay tuned for details about my exhibition. It starts February 1, 2025 in Portland.  It's that time of the year again!
I am delighted to be a part of the Local 14 Art Show & Sale at the WORLD FORESTRY CENTER, in Washington Park. I am bringing some of my Ladies and will also have Pacific Northwest River paintings and framed 12"x12" florals in oil for small spaces. Always a fun show. I'll be there...come visit! Blessings, Patrice Hello Good People and welcome to this sun filled August! I had the pleasure of jurying and awarding an art show this weekend. The artists were very high caliber and accomplished and I soon realized the basic elements of art and technical skill would not be the total focus of my evaluation. Today I want to write about the artist's "secret sauce"...their artistic voice. What is this? It refers to an artist's unique style, perspective, and expression and can be seen in their choice of subject and technique. It reflects the artist's personality and experiences allowing them to convey their ideas and emotions through their painting. When an artist is in tune with their unique qualities...and paints what they love...and how they want to paint it...they are expressing true self, and using their voice. This voice is not fixed and is constantly evolving. So how does one pick up a paint brush for the first time and get to the point of expressing a beautiful or dynamic idea through painting? Here's a good spot to break for a visual treat...one of my newer painting:  Here is my version of the phoenix arising from the ashes... a well lived woman experiencing the ups and downs of life, who emerges stronger and ready for her next delights, and challenges. 24x30x1.5 oil on canvas Let's look at the Old Masters. Many started as apprentices providing them with skills, techniques, and exposure to various styles. They studied anatomy, light, perspective and experimented with different mediums and techniques that allowed them to discover what resonated deep within. Life in their time influenced what and how they painted. They also drew from their personal life experiences, engaged in critical reflection, and welcomed feedback from peers and patrons. Their artistic voice developed as a culmination of skill, observation, personal expression, and engagement with the world. They were dedicated to painting and willing to explore. This sounds familiar to the contemporary artist and addresses the process of development. Let's put it all together.... after your next visual treat:  Objects many times have symbols or special significance that elicit meaning. Combining symbols can aid the artist in storytelling. Moon is feminine and comes out in the evening when owl is active. Owl is symbolic for wisdom and intuition and covers the woman's vision, making her rely on inner information. This is my voice...my way of interpreting parts of my life and visually creating this idea. 24x30x1.5 Oil on canvas How does an artist know if they are utilizing their voice? There comes a switch when you are no longer imitating but rather, creating your own. This is a reflection of one's inner knowing. It's not about adhering to what you feel is expected of you but seeing the potential in an idea and embracing that potential through action. And one' artistic voice is not about perfection...it's about authenticity. So, nearing the end of the awards ceremony this weekend I presented an award to a gentleman for an exceptional rendition of his self portrait. I asked him to talk about his process and the painting, and at the end he said, "I struggled and didn't like it...so I gave up the struggle, took a big brush, and just started painting." That is what a deep personal voice looks like and what honored him with "Best of Show." Hello and welcome to July! I enjoy reading art history and how the artists lived, worked, and produced their art. I share what I think is interesting and today I'm going to uncover a process many artists used, along with the significance of...painting in a series. The masters typically chose subjects for their paintings based on personal interests, patron preferences, religious and historical significance, and market demand. I mentioned in an earlier newsletter, the incredibly wealthy Medici family patronized many artists of the Renaissance period where the Roman Catholic church sponsored artists in the Baroque period. And the artists lived very well. Those artists who painted their inspirations might choose to work in a series. I found a couple well known artists and their subject matter. Let's take a look:  Recognize Van Gogh's sunflowers? He painted them for five years!!! Yep, I'd call that a series. He used a favorite vase but would also pick a bunch and lay them on his table to paint. He would go out into a field and paint sunflowers there. I looked at many of his paintings and was struck by the differing colors, structures, values, and... actually, everything. More on why, soon.  And of course, Monet's waterlilies! The pond is located in his garden in Giverny. This gave him unlimited access to paint... approximately 250 oil paintings of waterlilies, which was his focus during the last 30 years of his life! That is definitely a series...and what a series, too! So, there are several reasons artists choose to work in a series. To EXPLORE and EXPERIMENT. This could be a theme, subject or depth of a concept. I think a deeper understanding of all three eventually develop over an extended time of practice. To DEVELOP and GROW. Working in a series can help artists build upon and refine their ideas over a series of works. To TELL THEIR STORY. When you have multiple pieces of work, the pieces can convey a message and create a layered narrative that can engage viewers on a deeper level.. For COHESION . Working in a series that is interconnected can help artists develop a consistent body of work that demonstrates a style, theme, or concept. And for EXHIBITION. Creating a series allows artists to present a body of cohesive work for exhibition. Last month I introduced two of my new paintings to you. I have not been eager to share on social media or in the galleries yet. Many of you have been with me for years and I want you to view them first. Please feel free to email me your thoughts and comments. [email protected]  "HER CAREFREE LIGHTNESS OF BEING" 30x24x1.5 with gallery wrap. Oil on canvas  "SHE CHERISHES THE TRANQUIL WATERS" 30x24x1.5 with gallery wrap, oil on canvas I'll continue on my series and post two more paintings next month.
Part of my inspiration is getting out into nature and experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells I genuinely hope your summer looks bright, sounds delightful, and smells like sunshine feels! The Unexpected Value of DevelopmentHello Everyone! It's June 3rd already and we are starting to transition from Spring to Summer. I love these seasonal changes and also have interesting tranformations occuring in my studio. I started an intensive one year art program in January with the intention of experiencing a full range of artistic techniques that would broaden my current painting practice. It's been quite the journey and I'd like to share some of the classic to contemporary art instruction through my study work. Ready? Here we go...  Drawing...drawing... and drawing with pencil charcoal, pastel, and paints  Painting...classical techniques with still life, limited palette and multiple layers of oil paint. Oh how I loved this section of practice work! My choice of subjects. Pure play!  Mixed media....contemporary painting utilizing paper, collage, acrylic, spray paint, oil pastel and inks! What I thought would be a joyous experimental playtime... stressed me. I actually whined and cried to my husband Bill, that I wasn't a real artist because I just couldn't appreciate this type of painting! Yes...I experienced the good, bad, and the ugly. And then, something interesting occurred. Part of the curriculum focused on Artistic Voice, which is... who I am, artistically, and how I want to say it through my work. I learned about archetypes and the characteristics they portray and could see myself strongly in three of them. But not until I spent time studying and acknowledging my temperament, did it make sense why I preferred classical over mixed media art making. Who I am affects how I lay down paint and which materials I gravitate towards. Some artists approach their work with passion and multiple layers of mixed media and will bring it all together in the end with minimal finish work, and it looks unique and masterful. That's not me.. I am a conscientious painter and enjoy deliberate well placed brushstrokes. I put my paint on my palette the same way every time. I love working with light, rendering form, and am drawn to traditional processes. So that is why I freaked out, laying down multiple differing media and creating a hot mess. I was relieved to know this was not the best process for me. I have loved my past watercolor competitions and most recent acrylic river and waterfall hiking series. What I know about my artistic self, is now leading me down a very different path of exploring and painting the feminine power and strength through symbols, archetypes, and nature. All my art is blending together. I have been painting my Women of Worth for a couple of months now and have enjoyed keeping them to myself in their tender development. Would you like to see them?  "Enjoying Her Secret Inner Beauty" 30x24x1.5 Oil on canvas  "Blossoming Hope"
30x24x1.5 Oil on canvas Hello again! It's been a wonderfully busy past month for me and I have some interesting information and images to share with you. We're going back into the Baroque period today. There is a painting method called 'chiaroscuro' which is a technique that emphasizes the contrast between light and dark... to create a sense of drama, depth, and emotion, in artworks. The subject matter of that time was also contrasted and intense...life, death, heaven, hell, spirituality and materialism. Caravaggio was one of the leading Italian artist of the time. He mastered the chiaroscuro method and is well known. I am not fond of his work. He was a belligerent man who painted religious violent depictions of torture, and murder. Not my cup of tea. The only painting of his I appreciate is...'The Narcissist'. Google it...quite lovely. And a perfect example of his mastery of the technique I am going to be discussing. My favorite Baroque artist is a woman...Artemisia Gentileschi. In an era where woman were not accepted or acknowledged as artists... she was the first to be accepted into the Florence Academy of Art! Her paintings are moving and beautiful and she painted in the chiaroscuro method.  Darks and lights help to create the drama and emotional interest in this painting. Want to see how Artemisia did it?  I mixed a black and purple oil paint. It went onto the canvas thick and dark and when I subtracted the light shapes of my image, it left a purple staining color. I can adjust this to any color I want for a blue, red, turquoise, etc, under painting. I can even remove all of the paint with thinner to get down to the white of the canvas. The more I remove at this phase, the brighter the colors will be when I start adding paint. The masters would lift less amounts of paint to get a moodier feel.  And here I am starting to add color....Transparent color. I work from the top back with cooler tones and work my way down, and to the front, with warmer colors. This gives the depth. And next comes the magic...  Opaque paints! I add them being careful not to cover up the yummy transparent color and darks that are so important with this contrast method. The focal area are the light bright colors mid and upper right of the hydrangea. Once I had those in I picked up bigger brushes and got loose...allowing my intuition to play. I added a light background... which is not representational of the Baroque painters....but I'm not living back in that time, and I can add my own flair into the painting. Take a look at Artemisia's painting above...it's dramatic, moody, and questioning with a limited palette of color. Light, dark, color, and subject positioning. Now take a look at this up and coming contemporary artist... Cameron's painting... contrast, with a fresh and uplifting feel and loads of color! Ha! My take on Baroque methodology..... influenced then, and painted now. I am already halfway through the classical art portion of this curriculum. I have learned, and enjoyed, so much! One of my best decisions!
Spring is coming because my daffodils and hellebores are all blooming in the front yard. This is a time for me to start preparing for my art exhibits and sales. I have 7 new oil paintings I'm going to introduce at the April exhibit, along with my Panther Creek waterfalls, which I have not yet shown. (No lesson work... I work on my original paintings when my lessons work is done.) More information will be coming your way next month. Enjoy the beauty everywhere. Life is a living art scene...allow yourself to be immersed in it. Blessings, Patrice www.patricecameronfineart.com [email protected] SALEM ON THE EDGE GALLERY 156 Liberty St NE Salem 97301 CURRENTS GALLERY 532 NE 3rd St McMinnville 97128
A month has gone by, finding me focused on art lessons and that delightful feeling that anything can, and will happen. Many of you who have been following my art, know that I will explore mediums while developing my own technique and voice. A dream opportunity presented itself to me in the form of art school, and it did not take me long to gather supplies and put on my novice hat. Part of my life learning curriculum. I've committed this year to formal online training through the Milan Art Institute! So let's move on because I have some interesting lessons to show you  This subtraction and glazing technique was used by the old masters from the Renaissnce through the Baroque period.  Using tools to remove wet oil paint then when dry adding transparent paint followed by opaque paints to finish.  Btw... the school chooses subject matter to learn from, but I think he's sorta fun. For the next three months I'll be focusing on drawing and oil painting. Here's a charcoal portrait...to be followed by my first portrait in oil.   Oil painting is different than the acrylic painting. Oil paints have linseed oil as a binder in the pigment so it takes at least a day to dry, between layers. I did not complete this portrait in one day...there were half a dozen sessions, and layers painted, to achieve the finished portrait. You may notice that paint has been laid down in brush strokes, not blended. I like that look! Acrylic paint is synthetic and although I love how it dries quickly, oil paints have a dreamy quality to applying and moving around. I have one more painting progression to show you..... This was fun. I used a graphite pencil to draw my subject on the canvas. Then I added some yummy thinning medium to my paints and applied to the canvas. While it was still wet I subtracted the areas of white or light areas, and let dry.  With light areas I can now paint in my dark values and the horse starts emerging. After this dries I can complete the painting with some warm and cool whites, leaving lots of color to show through.
So, that is a very good start to the year, don't you think!? Every morning I wake up thinking about what I'll be learning in the studio. And yes, I still have a life I attend to, but I am fortunate to have Bill as my best critique person, and supporter! I look forward to sharing more with you next month Feel free to email me comments. Blessings, Patrice The world is busy. We all are busy. I don't need to give examples as I'm pretty sure everyone acknowledges the fast pace and technology driven nature of the world. One activity though, reliably soothes the spirit of those seeking calm and peace...yes, hiking in nature. For me, hiking near water augments my experience in nature. I am a water woman and am naturally drawn there.  Had breakfast on the Salmon river while sitting on a boulder and watching the sun coming up. As you walk into nature you are entering an environment that encourages self reflection and deeper thoughts. When I'm not distracted with life, ideas and insights flow. When hiking near the rivers I am filled with the sights, sounds, and smells encountered on these journeys which ignite my imagination and stimulate creativity! The changing landscapes, vibrant colors of flora, and diverse wildlife all serve as inspiration for artists, writers, and musicians.
 A fun hike with Bill and Angel, our wonder dog, around Lost Lake. Other photos of the Metolius River hike this Fall. Hiking, and immersing oneself in the beauty of nature, we tap into a wellspring of creativity, gain valuable insights into our lives, and develop appreciation for the world around us. We can rejuvenate our souls, find inspiration in the simplest of things, and discover a renewed sense of purpose and wonder. So as the year ends and 2024 insists on new goals and health reforms, consider lacing up and hiking in all this incredible nature, that surrounds us! Your experiences will be unforgettable and you'll find yourself returning time, and time again. I do!  PANTHER CREEK FALLS 36"x48" Available It's been 6 months since I hiked up to these falls in Washington. Since that time I have painted six large paintings and eight 12x12 paintings! This has been challenging yet filled with artistic growth and understanding, with appreciation for these powerfully surrendering waterways.  Here are my 12x12's which are framed and now showing at the "SALEM on the EDGE" gallery in Salem now until December 24th. They are $350 each and you can contact Melanie at 1(503) 884-0635 in the gallery, if you are interested in purchasing. THANK YOU
for your continued support of me and my work this year. I am entering my painting season and will have many more works to show you in the new year. Visit my website to view my work now. http://www.patricecameronfineart.com I hope you are enjoying my newsletters. Please feel free to send them to other Art lovers you know. That would be awesome! I am very involved while painting and there is alot of good juju that is brushed onto each canvas. I like to think this positive energy is present and adds the joy into the room. This is true for me in my home. Have a blessed holiday season. Patrice So what's the difference between Oil and Acrylic paintings? I've been asked this often and it sounds like a good teaching moment. But ahhh... my title indicates I have a preference, and I do; having worked with both popular mediums. The big difference between the two is drying time. Oil paints can take weeks to dry thoroughly where acrylics dry quickly... sometimes too quickly. I'm fond of a glazing medium I add to the paint which allows me to blend and work with extra time. Since oil paints have linseed oil in them they produce a glossy finish and acrylics are more of a matte. Glossy varnishes help to obtain a rich finish when both paintings are done. The reason I chose to stop oil painting was because of the toxicity and clean up. I had to make sure I painted in a well ventilated area and needed turpentine to clean brushes. Watercolor, and now acrylic paints, are water based so clean up with soap and water. Oil paintings have been around for hundreds of years. The German chemist, Otto Rohm, synthesized a water based polymer emulsion in 1901. Eventually acrylic paints were developed commercially in the 1940's and became quite popular due to drying times, water solubility, and characteristics that mimicked both oil and watercolor. This flexibility provided artists with unlimited possibilites for expression.  Anyone recognize this American artist? Of course...ANDY WARHOL. He was one of the first in the Pop Art movement to embrace acrylic paint. He explored relationships between artistic expression, advertising, and the celebrity culture...hence, Marilyn, here.  DAVID HOCKNEY, an influential British artist, also recognized the potential of acrylic paints, utilizing it's versatility to capture Vibrancy  GERHARD RICHTER, a German acrylic painter, is well known for his freedom to explore various techniques from realism to abstract with amazing textures and effects.  And finally, PATRICE CAMERON, a contemporary painter of PNW rivers and waterfalls. (I just had to do this) Art is always evolving. Artists experiment and create. Acrylic paint is a diverse medium available to enable inspired expression. Keep your eyes on contemporary artists as fresh new works make their way into the art scene.  A big Thank You to those who attended the Local 14 Exhibit & Sale at The World Forestry Center earlier this month. It was my pleasure to meet some of you.
NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 24 These framed 12x12 waterfall paintings will be part of the artist's group show sale at Salem on the Edge gallery featuring Small Works. It's been an amazing Spring thru Fall exhibition schedule for me. I look around my gallery and studio... and where the walls were once filled with artwork...now are kinda bare. No worries though, Winter is my focused painting time and I'll be in the studio daily. And yes, using my Acrylic paints! I'll be posting new paintings in each upcoming newsletter, or you can pop onto my website! Have a turkey-iffic Thanksgiving! Blessings, Patrice Artificial Intelligence has been around for years and we've been using it in forms of Google searches and Netflix recommendations. About 10 years ago, art creating AI emerged and were able to process images, recognize color, texture, and text. They edited existing images or generated new ones. Last year they created original images from language prompts, to generate unique art, influenced by previous art movements. I found one that is abstracted with Expressionism.  How do they do that? Keep in mind, I'm a curious artist, interested in AI and artistic outcomes. Here's what I understand... It's a machine that learns mathematical algorithms. It is trained using an incredibe vast amount of computer image data. Humans collect and input the data or written instruction, but the power of creation comes from the process of the machine. How's that for taking a complex topic and defining it 'simply? And yes, I'm glad you asked... there are pros and cons using AI in art. It's definitely faster to type in specific prompts and have an image create within minutes. And there are many more variations that can spark inspiration and ideas in an artist. I like that collaborative function. But, since the machine is creating from an algorithm...there is a lack of 'soul' created. AI can't express themselves. For artists, we are pretty big on authorship of our work and the ability to have it copyrighted. AI has been denied copyright by the government and there is controversy as far as who created the painting... the data input personnel or the AI. Sounds messy and glad I don't have to worry about that. There are AI specifically for writers, movie industry, musicians, illustrators, architects, and the various artists and many phone Apps and all this makes AI available for everyone's use.  SWIRLING WATERS 24X36 Here is a recent painting I completed. Thought I would use specific prompts to see what AI would generate. This is what I put in: Diagonal ,rapid river movement, light blue, swirling water, white water, foreground boulders  I think it turned out quite nice. As most of you know....I hike the PNW rivers and immerse myself in the experience by listening to the surroundings and water, feeling the warmth of the sun and resultant peace and contentment. This is all part of my story when I paint. All those appreciations and emotions are brushed onto my canvas. The intensity of my hues altered to reflect the well being I still feel, in the studio. That's the secret sauce of fine art, my friends....emotion, depth, and meaning. There is so much more on AI and art. Will write more in another newslette Some of my river paintings can be viewed at:
SALEM on the EDGE Gallery 156 Liberty St. NE Salem, 97301 www.patricecameronfineart.com [email protected] Have a wonderful Autumn, Blessings, Patrice |
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