Inspirational Sources last Weekend

Shy Frog in Willis

I consider myself a figurative painter....with a focus on the face, however I am inspired by many things.  Last weekend, when I was painting "Bekah in the Garden" I was also taking care of chores around the house.  So, in the process of planting bluebonnets addressing various lawn issues (like weeds galore) I made a new, very shy friend, pictured right.  This little guy almost went unnoticed due to his clever camouflage trick.  I took several up-close and personal photos...so beautiful in his natural habitat I don't think I could create a likeness that could compare with the real thing.  Perhaps something for my future challenges. 

Red Orange Yellow Lantana

The weekend also brought several other inspirations, including the lantana in our yard.  Lantana grow in abundance on our property in Willis, primarily (I think) because they are not the favored delicacy of deer and grow wild.  We have a number of plants that I have fussed over.  They are spectacular when they are in bloom, which is every season but winter and feature multi-clumps of flowers, each with a slightly different hue. The varieties include flowers that are primarily orange, or plants with blue and purple, to rosy pink petals.  I spent some time last weekend 'harvesting' seeds that are formed when the flower cluster dies.  This is a bit of an experiment, so I don't know if the seeds need to become intimately acquainted with the digestive system of a bird to re-produce or not.  However, my sister-in-law in Oklahoma will be the recipient of these seeds and will test out my hypothesis. 

Miniature Donkey

Finally, I had a destination event with the Woodlands Art League to a home in Magnolia, Texas where we had a paint-out featuring horses (miniature and full size) and a donkey.  I got some great reference photos of the animals and an up-close and personal opportunity to see them in 3-dimensions.  One of the many challenges with photography is distortion, and I know there is an art to accurately capturing the proportions of the animal (or person).  I think the trick is not being too close to the subject. 
The miniature donkey is shown right, and one of the mares, below, can be seen resting in the pasture after a full morning of modeling for the group of avid painters.

So, while I may not be generating paintings of some of the amazing subjects in the world, I am certainly thinking about them. 

Bekah in the Garden - New 8 x 10

"Bekah in the Garden"
10" x 8"
Available - $200

I painted this 8 x 10 oil on canvas piece over the weekend and am quite pleased with the outcome.  This is based on a photo I took the weekend before at the Quick Draw event as a part of the Woodlands Art Show.  I used some artistic license to place her in a garden.  Any comments?

New Painting: Sunflower Girl by Beth VanDeventer

"Sunflower Girl"
6 1/4" x 4 1/4"

This miniature painting "Sunflower Girl"  is available for $50, unframed.  I painted this miniature (6 1/2" x 4 1/2") this afternoon, and is still wet!  The painting is based on photos I took of a little girl, maybe 4 years old, and her brother horsing around at an art fair. 

To view postings from my blog, go to: http://bethvart.blogspot.com/

My website: (flash) www.bethv.com
(html): http://www.cfai.co/bethvandeventer/

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Woodlands Quick Sketch and New Gallery Location

My first Quick Draw Client,
Husband to WAL artists Joleen

As a part of the Woodlands Market Street Fine Art show, the Woodlands Art League had a silent auction and special quick-draw event this past Saturday.   I'm posting my first drawing here.  This gentleman was quite a sport by offering to sit for me on this very bright Saturday morning.  He asked that I add a halo and wings to his portrait and even offered to serenade us as we worked with jazz vocals. 

A group of six to eight artists collected about $150 on Saturday completing quick sketches of patrons at the event.  All of these  proceeds went directly to "The Woodlands Art League New Home Fund."  

Unfortunately, The Woodlands Art League lost their exceptional Market Street Gallery space and are in the transition phase as they relocate to a new space, tentatively off of Grogan Mills and Sawdust Road.  The details are still in the formative stage. 

I spent Sunday helping other volunteers move equipment, lighting, easels, chairs, display boards and all sorts of other sundry gallery supplies to a storage space in preparation for relocation to the new gallery space.  If you are interested in donating to this worthy cause, go to the Woodlands Art League where donation gifts are being accepted online.  

Thankfully, the The Woodlands Children's Museum in Panther Creek has offered the organization space for ongoing art groups and meetings until the group is up and running in the new gallery location. 

Got Plans for this Friday 10/19? Join New Texas Artist Beth VanDeventer at the Conroe Art League Reception from 5 to 8 pm

"Anita As Diva"
20 x 16
Oil on Panel
Available

Please come join me, and a number of other award winning artists on Friday 10/19/2012 from 5 - 8 pm at the Conroe Art League (CAL) Gallery located in the Madeley Building at 127 Simonton in Conroe Texas 77301.  The current exhibit features the award winning art from the CAL Fall Judged Show.

I was recognized for two portraits: "Anita as Diva", featuring my portrayal of the Woodlands Art League member and teacher Anita Marshall, and Mollie Dunn.  Each of these ladies served as models for the Monday Portrait Painting Group from the Woodlands Art League on Robinson Road. 

For more information about the Conroe Art League or The Woodlands Art League click on the name.  Both of these organizations are participants in the Lone Star Art Guild.

Mollie In Blue
24" x 18"
Oil on Canvas
Available

I encourage you to follow my blog "Introducing Beth VanDeventer Artwork" at http://bethvart.blogspot.com.  Enter your email address and you will receive updates on my postings directly to your email.

To view more of my artwork, go to websites at:  http://www.bethv.com (a flash site) and http://www.cfai.co/bethvandeventer/ (an html site). 




I am an emerging portrait artist and seeking commission work.  Go to the "Contact" and "Commission Price List" pages on my website to contact me.

"Madam M" --Sergant Would Roll Over In His Grave

Yesterday I completed the portait seen to the right in about 4 or 5 hours....given life thrown in.  I decided to call it "Madam M" as I have not gotten permission from my dear friend (who I hope will still remain a dear friend) especially after she sees this!  This is a re-try of a much larger painting (16 x 20) I  worked on over the summer.   This piece is  9 x 12 oil primed linen.

I may need to rethink this goal creating a daily portrait painting, given my tendency to add detail.  Sometimes a masterpiece created in the late hours may not translate to award winning art the next morning.  However, I think I did nice job on my "Madam M".

Here's an artistic note on the tricky aspect of glasses.  Madam M wears glasses, and her portait would not be complete without them.  However, I am challenged to gracefully and accurately introduce the man-made articles into the portrait as artfully as I would like to.  In previous classes I've taken, teachers have suggested students paint everything but the glasses, and leave the glasses for the last minute.  Any thoughts here by other artists? 

Please note, for those of you who are not John Singer Sergent fans, Sergent was rather infamously known for his daring (at the time) portrait of Madam X.  In my wildest dreams my work may ever be compared with Sergent....however, I thought given that my friend might not like to be identified, I choose a reference that maybe only other portrait artists may appreciate.  My apologies to Mr. Sergent. 

Interested in having your portrait created?  Contact me at my website http://www.bethv.com and click on "Contact" .  Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for Christmas and the New Year, and I'm fired up to paint!

"Two Views of Jana" and "The Brown Thrasher" Juried into TVAA Citation Show

The Brown Thrasher
16 x 20
$625

I received word today that two of my submissions were accepted into the Texas Visual Arts Association 2012 Citation Show scheduled for November 6 - December 14, 2012. The two accepted pieces are "The Brown Thrasher" and "Two Views of Jana". 

This show will be held at Pfamily Arts located at 4017 Preston Road in Plano, Texas.  A reception and awards ceremony is scheduled for Saturday November 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. 

Maureen Brouilette and Joel Sampson served as jurors for this show. 

"Two Views of Jana"
16 x 20
$625

"Two Views of Jana" received a second place award in the DeSoto Art League Show this Spring 2012. 

Summary: Liberace's Workshop at the Woodlands

Day 1 Demo by R. Liberace

Robert Liberace's 5 Day Painting Alla Prima Workshop was fantastic and almost more exhausting than I can describe...hence a multi-day rest with the blog.  I wanted to show samples of his demos.  This first painting was painted on day 1 of the workshop to provide an overview of his basic approach focusing on shadows first present on the model, followed by painting in the details that were directly illuminated by the light. 


He also painted facial features (the eye and nose) as well as the hand, as shown below. Liberace is extremely knowledgeable about the anatomy of the human body and was able to name and describe the features as he painted them. 

Hands Demonstration

For example, the eye and the nose shown below are both uniquely those of the model Gloria.  While all eyes have the distinct parts identified, they vary, sometimes quite dramatically from person to person. 

Nose Demonstration

Eye Demonstration

Thursday Public Painting Demo of Fred Husler by Rob Liberace at the Woodlands Art League

 On Thursday evening, Liberace gave a public demonstration at the
Woodlands Art League.  This demo was well attended and offered the audience an opportunity to meet and greet the artist. Fred Husler, also an artist with the league, posed for this painting in a sailor's outfit.   Liberace graciously gave his completed artwork to The Woodlands Art League to be auctioned off.  Unfortunately The Woodlands Art League will be losing the Market Street Gallery space during the month of October, and is anxiously seeking an alternative space.  The income from the sale of this artwork will hopefully aid in supporting the league in it's next venue.

The images above reflect the work in it's beginning, middle and completed stages.  Below is detail from the completed piece. If you are interested in bidding on the artwork, contact the gallery by phone at 281-419-1980  or email Kim Abatti at president@woodlandsartleague.org. 

 

Sample of my work from the Liberace Workshop

"Howie"
20" x 16"

I'm taking a big brave step into the world and showing you the piece I created today as part of Robert Liberace's Workshop Painting A La Prima.  This is "Howie" created during the late morning and afternoon session. 

If you are interested in learning to paint by this technique, take a look at Robert Liberace's painting video on YouTube.  
LIberace also sells instructional DVD's  that clearly describe this methodology as well as information on drawing and figure painting. 

This model, also an artist, was fabulous at maintaining this pose. Painted under cool lights, notice the warmth in the shadows.  I diligently worked on adding 'tiles' of color to seemingly sculpt the form out of the canvas.  This is a fairly good likeness, and painted on 20" x 16" 'YES' cotton canvas. 

One of my goals is to paint well from life, and this was great fun to work on. 

Give me some feedback! 

Beth VanDeventer

Robert Liberace WOWs the Woodlands this week

Dave Malin in costume as
painted by Robert Liberace

This week, I have had the extraordinary opportunity of attending the Robert Liberace workshop "Color Figure and Portrait Painting Alla Prima" at The Woodlands Art League Gallery, in The Woodlands, Texas.   Today was day two of his five day marathon workshop, during which he painted the costumed figure.  Dave Malin, a fellow artist and member of the Woodlands Art League, donned 17th century garb and served as the subject of the morning demonstration.   Liberace showed amazing speed in carefully creating an under painting in the grisaille method followed by masterfully laying down color to complete the portrait shown right in less than two hours.

Detail from Liberace's Painting

Liberace added color systematically in the non-shadow and shadow sections of the face by adding subtle color changes visible on the model while still staying within the desired value range he had originally established.  His technique also included using the back end of the brush to lightly scrape out paint and gently add texture to the surface of the painting.

I do not feel that I am overstating that I was truly awed by his artistry.  I took the photo on the left with my i-phone. I don't think it captures the true beauty of the work as seen by the naked eye.

Jessica by Susan Hotard

My final contribution to this blog will be to post the artwork of my colleague, fellow artist and teacher Susan Hotard.  Susan created this wonderful gem of our afternoon model Jessica.

I am so very honored to participate in this workshop, and offer my sincere thanks to The Woodlands Art League for bringing in artists of this incredible calibre to benefit our community.

Happy Painting Everyone.  If you aren't inspired by this artwork, you can't be moved.

Beth VanDeventer
BethV Website 1
Beth V Website 2



To follow this blog, click on the blue bar "Join this site" located in the right column of this blog.  Also consider book marking this blog page. 

My first Blog- Welcome to Website

Rhode Island Red Rooster By Beth VanDeventer
8 x 10
Available

Through this venue I hope to introduce you to my artwork and share with you why I am inspired to paint a given subject.  I plan to intersperse this commentary with information relevant to other artists and art collectors, including information about contemporary and historic artists, art activities of interest, and feature some of my friends who inspire and encourage me to continue on with the task of painting. 

I hope to be recognized as a viable DAILY PAINTER of TEXAS which requires me to demonstrate I am capable of creating a completed (albeit small) painting each day. 

My paintings can be viewed at my website, bethv.com, or at my page with The Contemporary Fine Artists International Website, associated with the Artists of Texas. 

I am currently a member in a number of art organizations.  You will note that many of these are Texas based, with the exception of the Denver Student Art League, which is my Colorado art connection.   

• DeSoto Art League
• Artists 'Round Texas
• Denver Student Art League
• Texas Visual Arts Association
• Woodlands Art League
• Portrait Society of America
• Oil Painters of America
• Associated Creative Artists
• Conroe Art League
• Artists of Texas

We'll see how this process works, and if I am capable of finding followers.  At the least I hope to document the progress of my artwork. 

Happy Painting, and be as good as you can..... Beth V