Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Back from The Workshop

I set out for my workshop journey Thursday morning. As I mapped out my trip I realized (with the help of a friend) that I would be going right past Antique Archeology of the American Pickers TV show. That was a little disappointing. The place is really small and none of the show personalities were there. But Abigale seen on the left with me was very nice and I got to see a few of the items picked on the show. I tried to sell by brother-in-laws match box cars, Tonka trucks and a Johnny West Action figure. They offered $35 for Johnny West but had no interest in the rest. 

The workshop started on Friday and the piece we would be painting was very intimidating. Paul uses a technique that forces you to really see what is there instead of relying on what you know (or think you know). You do a lot of masking and an unbelievable number of washes. At times I think everyone there was thinking; "Can't I just paint it darker and avoid some of these washes?" But the results speak for themselves. 

I was also fortunate enough to be able to stay with a friend of the Jacksons. She was the most gracious host I could ever have asked for. This was more like visiting with a long lost friend than staying with someone I never met. Both Paul and Marla are so kind and attentive to everyone at the workshop. I think everyone there was pushed to work hard on their painting but nurtured and encouraged all along the way. 

If you ever have the opportunity or desire to learn watercolor. I can not say enough good things about Paul's workshop. There is no doubt that it is challenging but very, very rewarding. Paul and Marla travel the United States and do occasional international painting trips too. If you are one of my Wisconsin friends, they will be doing a workshop in Door county this year. (Kaylene has already told me to get selling so I can pay for another workshop) If you would like to learn more about Paul's workshops visit: Paul Jackson's website

Monday, February 14, 2011

Woo Hoo!!! I'm In

A while back I entered the Watercolor Missouri National Exhibition sponsored by the Missouri Watercolor Society. A juried show at The Winston Churchill Museum. Only 80 paintings were accepted and my painting "Grandma's Lamp" was among them!! I can't tell you how excited I am. I know I have a lot to learn and now my goal is to prove I deserve the honor by producing more work that meets this type of standard. I have to thank Paul Jackson once again for his continued encouragement and his urging me to enter. I also appreciate him preparing me in case I didn't get a painting in.
This has been an incredible week for me artistically. Now I can't wait for the workshop and more painting time!! 

An Overwhelming Weekend

I am doing my best to try to keep something coming on this blog. It has been viewed over 900 times. I am pretty happy with that.

This past weekend was quite overwhelming. I delivered the original of my painting "Believe" to Dan Brandenburg. He is a huge Packer fan and has been very supportive of my work. I am happy for him to be the new owner. But I also delivered a number of prints of the painting. It is a great feeling to get this kind of reaction over a painting. I knew with the Packer win it would get some attention. But I added the bible verse because I wanted it to mean more than just a picture of a Packer.

This weekend I also found inspiration in some other places. Kaylene was helping her Dad and they came across some old toys. Some of which I used to have too! They brought back some great memories. I am thinking some sort of toys of my past still life would be fun. I think their is a lot of potential.

As I talked about often, I am attending a Paul Jackson Watercolor workshop this coming weekend. The workshop will focus on painting glass and reflections and shiny stuff. I was up at my Dad's place and looking for cool glass stuff that I could paint when I get back. I found some but I will be on the look out for cool glass pieces yet. But while I was on my hunt I came across a box with my Dad's fishing reels. I am thinking old fishing reels and lures could offer a lot of different options and be a lot of fun.

So needless to say I am anxious for the workshop and then putting it all to work. I am also excited to just hang out and have some beers with Paul and Marla.

I hope you all have a great week.

Lance

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Time to Buckle Down

This week has had a lot of ups for me personally. Painting successes for me don't seem to come one after another. What I mean by that is, when I have a painting that I feel good about and others seem to like, the next painting isn't always better. In fact I think the painting after a really successful one could be the toughest one yet.

Right now I have two things on my mind painting related. What do I start on next? And my workshop with Paul Jackson. I have a list of paintings I would like to do. I will be going back and looking at the list and deciding where to go next.

My painting "Believe" has been a great experience. I have never felt so honored by the number of comments and people who want one of them It is really a neat feeling. But when I reflect on that painting, and a couple of others I have done recently, I also recognize a couple of things I need to work on. I love to create my own scenes. Building from visions in my head as opposed to looking at a reference photo and recreating or putting my own little spin on it. But when I create from complete scratch, I am missing with reflections, shadow placement or giving animals and objects and natural and interesting look.

One of my next goals is to really see and understand how shadows, reflections, contrast and texture are impacted by the light sources. How do I really envision that accurately that and convey it. I am looking forward to gaining some understanding of this at the Paul Jackson workshop. The tough part is taking what you learn in a demo and applying it to paintings of things that are nothing like the demo.

It's been a great week and I sure have enjoyed and appreciated all of the attention that "Believe" has gotten from family and friends. Thank you all very much. Stay tuned and I will post my workshop results.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Believe

Two Blog post in one day!! I am a little overwhelmed right now from the comments my painting has gotten from Facebook friends. But I guess I hit a cord with all Packer fans right now. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. As a Packer fan I know how excited I am about the Super Bowl.

I have had a number of people ask me about prints or buying the original. I love the idea of it but have big time fears. The last time I had prints made it took me almost 2 years to break even. I have a huge fear that everyone is excited today, the day before the Super Bowl. Tomorrow it fads and I have a big investment and no buyers. For me the fun was seeing if I could paint something like this. Last year I wanted to take one of my pictures of Prince Fielder and paint it but I was afraid to try. Honestly I think our snowstorm was my friend. It gave me the time to paint continuously. I loved it and I think that being able to devote that kind of time in one stretched help my flow.

I sure I am flattered by the number of compliments I have gotten. Comments and compliments mean a lot more than people realize. I have so much to learn so when my progress is recognized it motivates me to keeping working. Thank you all.

Lance

Super Bowl

As I have been working on my painting of Aaron Rodgers, I have also been reading stories and more so watching all of the Super Bowl hype around all of the players. There is something I want people to know about my painting; why I chose Aaron Rodgers; and my general thoughts on celebrities.

I wanted to do a painting of a Packer. I have followed the Packers through the days of Scott Hunter and John Hadl; dog gone it we deserve to enjoy these occasional great teams after those years. But even before I learned more about Aaron, I was impressed at his composure during the whole Brett Favre thing. I want to be very clear, he is not my idol. But I am impressed by his skill and respect him for the way he has handled himself.

I believe everyone has special gifts from God. It's up to each of us to use those gifts to their fullest and multiply what God has given them (The Parable of the Bags of Gold). For some people using those gifts thrusts them into the spotlight. But it is how they conduct themselves and use that spotlight that makes a difference.

I don't seek out autographs normally. I did when I was a kid hanging out at Goodland Field watching the Appleton Foxes play. But that was a long time ago. But I have met a few famous people who I felt honored to meet and I did get their autographs. I met Bob Hope when I was hired to photograph him during the Greater Milwaukee Open. He was an incredibly nice man. I was given a ride from the airport to my hotel in Phoenix by Brewer hitting coach Dale Svuem. It was like talking to an old friend about baseball and life. And of course I have talked a number of times about how gracious Paul Jackson, one of the most amazing artists you'll ever see, has been.

These men and many others (including Aaron Rodgers) have used their gifts to their fullest and I admire that. But what has impressed me most is their ability to know, that in the big picture of things, they are no different than anyone else, regardless of how many people try to tell them differently.

Why did I feel the need to "blog" about this? I am not a starstruck fan who is running out to snap up Aaron Rodgers items. For me it is a painting that celebrates a snapshot in Packer history and also honors what Aaron Rodgers seems to be about, more than Aaron Rodgers the man.

One final thought. Does anyone actually read this?

Lance

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Snow Day!

Yesterday was a Snow Day for most of Southeastern Wisconsin.I spent my day painting; with the exception of the time I spent blowing snow. I mentioned in my previous post the was going to work on an Aaron Rodgers painting. It is well under way now. When I finish I will post it. I may post the progress paintings along with it.

Today I am looking forward and hoping the we have been dealt all the winter we will need to deal with for a while. 2 weeks from now I head down to MO for a Paul Jackson workshop. I am hoping the weather cooperates.
I may need to look at making some adjustments to my blog. So far I'm not really sure it's being read or looked at. If you are reading it I sure hope you are able to stay warm today.

Lance

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Feeling Inspired- Go Pack Go!

As an artist you can find inspiration in all different places. I have looked at tree trunks that have inspired me to paint birds. I often have to stop and look at reflections and the way the light bends and changes an image as seen on a shiny surface.
But today I am inspired by the Green Bay Packers. I have been thinking about it for a long time and honestly have been trying to fight off the urge to paint a Packer picture. But what to heck. I started it. I am working on a painting of Aaron Rodgers. I had a hard time deciding who to paint once I decided to do it. But it came down to the fact that I like the way he has conducted business the last 3 years.
He pretty much let everyone else do the talking about the controversy and he just went to work. He let his actions do his talking, learned from his mistakes and learned to play within himself.
So as all of Wisconsin (with the exception of a few anti-social radicals) is cheering for a Super Bowl win, I am celebrating the Packer season in my way.