Orange on Linen Napkin

I have been offering "Work Alongside" sessions at Upstairs Studio. It's a way for me to offer some instruction while also working on my own painting. I did this little painting last Saturday, as I worked alongside a student. We had a great day and both felt good about our results.

Good news about the reposts of better photos, it did not generate repeat emails to subscribers. However, if you want to see the improvements, you can do so here and here. Thanks for putting up with my fussing!

Orange on Linen Napkin

6 x 8

oil on linen panel

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Two Mangoes

Here is a painting I began as a demonstration piece during Upstairs Studio's January First Friday opening. I enjoy doing public demonstrations because little kids come along and ask very good questions. That way the adults in the vicinity have a chance to learn something!

A note to subscribers: You may receive some old posts again. I am changing the photos on some recent posts, now that I am taking better photos with my new camera. When I change the photos, the whole post may be sent out again. I apologize for the re-send, if that happens. At least you will get to see the better images.

Two Mangoes

8 x 10

oil on linen panel
SOLD

For more information, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Demontration from First Friday: Elemental

I'm calling this painting Elemental. I painted it at Upstairs Studio on June 3, First Friday. It was an open studio night, so visitors could come into my workspace and observe. I amazed myself by completing the painting in about 8 hours, while also taking time out to talk to visitors about what I was doing.

I wanted to do something with harmonious, subdued color. The stones seemed ideal subjects for such a project. The background I used was an old watercolor landscape of mine, turned upside down. The sky colors of that old piece were just what I wanted in this new one. I considered leaving the curved shape of the paper, but the landscape qualities of the background persuaded me to give the piece a horizon instead.


As you can see from the progress photos, I eventually eliminated one element (a tiny leaf). I felt, in the end, that it did not contribute much to the overall feel of the piece.


Here is my starting step. You can still faintly see the grid I painted first, to help organize the composition. Then I sketched in the main shapes, and finally drew them in with soft charcoal.

News Flash: I am the featured artist in Alaska Home Magazine's summer issue. It will be on news stands in a few days, and when the online version is published, I will send out the link to all my friends and fans. You will find the article on pages 68 and 69.


10" x 8" oil on linen panel

To purchase, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Squash Study, and a class update

When I teach a class, as I did this past weekend, I grab a little panel and demonstrate the various steps of building a painting. I never know whether my demonstration will come to anything, because I am really focused on teaching, and that's where I spend most of my time. Sometimes I like my little panel, so I sign it.

I bought this squash in January and set it out as a potential model in every one of my classes, but no one chose it. It kept just fine in the refrigerator, and I grew fond of it. After I immortalized it in paint, I took it home, chopped it up, and made soup!

I have finished my series of oil painting classes. However, my students are collecting names of people who would be interested in taking classes in the autumn. When enough people have signed on, we will set some dates and get to work on more paintings. To get on the list, and to have a say as to class dates and times, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com.

To see photos and read about my most recent class, go to this post on the Upstairs Studio Blog.

6" x 8" oil on linen panel

To purchase, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Link to an interview, update on classes

Artist Wendy Gingell is doing a series of interviews of Upstairs Studio artists. You can read her interview of me here.

Wendy is a wonderful ceramic artist. She makes the most amazing and unusual things! I recommend a visit to her site.

Even better, come see her work at the next First Friday (5pm - 9pm this coming Friday) at Upstairs Studio, 406 G St, in Anchorage.

I have just finished a long term project, and will post progress photos some time in the next week. Also, there is still room in my May 14/15 Still Life in Oil class. Please email me at info@carollambertarts.com if you are interested.

Some photos from a recent class:

Here I am demonstrating color mixing technique. Color management is a big part of the curriculum. Below are photos of student work. You can see that each completed a color study before going on to the final painting.

Erin's work.

Kevin's work.

Everyone learns a lot and has fun! This upcoming class will be my last until the autumn.

Four Inch Brush, another First Friday Demo

Many thanks to photographer Paul Younger, who came to the Upstairs Studio First Friday opening and took this shot of me with my painting, my glass palette, and my set up.

The subject is another old tool I have had for a while, just waiting for the right moment to paint it. Because I try to work quickly on demo paintings, a simple object is best, but I added the cloth to liven up the color. Besides, brushes and color go together!

You can see my mixtures of pink and pale yellow paint, to match the fabric, on the palette. My green and violet mixtures are also there, but outside the photo.

The first sketch, getting the composition in place. You can still see my initial grid. The panel is 8 x 10.

The block-in is about done here.

First color pass, looking like a painting now. I had fun incising the individual bristles with the pointy end of my brush.

I continued to work on Saturday, and this is what it looks like now. It is not necessarily finished. I will let it dry for a few days and look it over for needed refinements. Then the "official photo" will go to the website.

This process is what I teach in my weekend workshops. There is still space in March, April, and May. Please contact me if you are interested in signing up.
info@carollambertarts.com