Archive for the Watercolors Category

Kilborn Workshop – September 30, 2010

Posted in Art, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , , on September 30, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

 

Workshop Day Four – Thursday

Thursday is always decision day. Each participant must select the painting they want to present at the Friday night Art Show opening at the Kilborn Gallery in Taos. For some this is not an easy decision. During the critique session there are a number of group votes. It’s not surprising that rarely is the choice unanimous.

After class hours Stephen and Holly mat and frame the paintings. For the first time they are using colored frames for this workshop. Always before it’s been a standard silver metal frame. Earlier in the week there was a drawing for colors – brick, blue, hot pink, lime green, orange. Some of the artists painted with frame color in mind while others negotiated trades.

Aspen Lollipops

Bob selected the bright and cheerful “Aspen Lollipops” for his show entry. 

 

Kilborn Workshop – September 29, 2010

Posted in Art, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , , on September 29, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

 

Workshop Day Three – Wednesday

Because yesterday was short on painting time Wednesday was designated as a paint day. For Stephen Paintinganyone needing additional ideas the surrounding scenery offers plenty of inspiration. All one has to do is step out the door and start sketching.

With the additional paint time several of the artists completed more than one painting. Between offering assistance and suggestions Stephen worked on an aspen abstraction.

The lunch break was a pleasant respite from the studio and fueled new energy for the afternoon.

 

Lunch Table - B 

Bob finished the picture he started yesterday “Aspen at Taos Ski Valley”. Nancy thought it got too busy and was not up to his norm which earned her the title of his “worse critique”. She responds that she’s also his best critique and supporter.

 

Autumn at Taos Ski Valley - B

Aspen at Taos Ski Valley 

Kilborn Workshop – September 28, 2010

Posted in Art, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , , on September 28, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

 

Tuesday – Workshop Day Two

Taos Ski Valley - B 

Workshop participants gather at the Kilborn Gallery to carpool up to Taos Ski Valley for the morning sketching session. Conditions were Aspen Leaves - B perfect  with blue skies and slopes streaked in hues of changing aspen. The alpine scenery is quite a contrast to the high desert landscape of Taos and Pilar.

Instead of sketching Bob spent his time taking hundreds of photos, lots of material for future painting ideas and inspiration.

Because of the drive time from ski valley to studio and a late lunch afternoon painting time was limited but everyone got to work on new pieces.

Bob Painting on Tuesday - B

Kilborn Workshop – September 27, 2010

Posted in Art, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , , on September 27, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

 

Monday – Workshop Day One

Pilar Studio with Sign - B

Armed with painting paraphernalia workshop participants head to the Stephen Kilborn Pottery Studio in Pilar. The morning’s sketching Pilar Mesa and Chamisa - B site is along the banks of the nearby Rio Grande River shaded by ancient cottonwoods with thick sturdy trunks and dark twisted limbs. The dense canopy of leaves gleam green with signs of autumn still in the future. The yellow blooms of silvery chamisa adds bright foreground to the landscape of mountain slopes and mesas.

Lunch on the patio brings oohs and aahs of appreciation. Daily LaVerne prepares a delightful LaVerne with Gloves - B repast that’s the envy of friends and spouses when they hear the detailed descriptions each evening. The talented and vivacious chef always adds a dash of fun and frolic. Even the rubber gloves deserve notice.

No afternoon siestas allowed. It’s time to break out the brushes and paints and let the creativity flow. Stephen demonstrates and offers direction and advice as needed.

 Nearing four o’clock everyone begins cleanup. Assistant HollyStephen Demonstrating - B mixes margaritas to accompany the afternoon critique session. The four “newbies” are quickly named the “Taos Four”, what they lack in experience they make up for with energy, humor and eagerness to learn.

Bob got a good start on adobes sheltered by a giant cottonwood. Using his “Bobism” squares takes lots of time, with paintings rarely complete in one session. More tomorrow!

Monday's Painting - B

 

Stephen Kilborn Painting Workshop – Taos, New Mexico

Posted in Art, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , , on September 26, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

 Sunday Meet and Greet

Kilborn Sign - B

Taos painter and potter Stephen Kilborn offers several painting workshops each year. Past “Abstracting the LandscapGallery Fireplace - Be” themes have included Churches of Taos, Old Adobes and Rio Grande Landscapes. The theme for the week of September 27-October 1, 2010 is Aspens and Cottonwoods, in recognition of New Mexico’s  changing fall colors.

The group gathers at the Kilborn Gallery in Taos on Sunday afternoon. Stephen gives a brief personal history of his evolution from Santa Fe furniture maker to potter to painter. It’s especially interesting to hear of his artistic influences  while surrounded by his vibrant paintings.

Stephen Kilborn with Painting - B

The dozen participants introduce themselves and share a few words about their art background. This week’s students come from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington and the local Taos area. Painting experience ranges from “never before” to those who have painted and taught for decades. Half the class are returning for their second, third or fourth Kilborn workshop.

An outline of the week’s schedule – on-site sketching, lunch by wife LaVerne, afternoon painting in Kilborn’s Pilar studio, daily critique accompanied by margaritas – heightens enthusiasm and anticipation for Monday morning.

Artist of the Day – Taos Quick Draw Artists

Posted in Art, Art Show, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , , on September 25, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

10th Annual Quick Draw and Art Auction

Taos Center for the Arts – September 25, 2010

Quick Draw Today - B 

Paint Brushes - B Couldn’t pick just one from the dozens of Taos artists taking part in the 10th Annual Quick Draw and Art Auction so we salute all the participants and their creativity. Paint brushes, tubes of paint and  sculpting tools stand at the ready as the noon hour approaches. Local artists in a wide range of media begin work on creations that must be finished on site by 3pm. Patrons and browsers wander among the easels and work tables chatting, asking questions or just standing back to watch the process as each work takes shape.

Leigh Gusterson Cropped - B At 2:50pm we hear the announcer, “Artists, you have ten minutes to finish your work.” As each piece is completed, signed, and framed they are taken to the finish line. The public can view, appraise and sign up for a bidding paddle. The auction starts at 4pm, action lively and sometimes quite competitive. Proceeds benefit the Taos Center for the Arts which provides facilities, programming and education in the visual, performing and media arts.

Doug Scott - B In the morning we viewed the shows comprising the Taos Fall Arts Festival. Quick Draw offered an opportunity to see many of the artists in action whose works we’d admired in the shows.. An ever changing gathering watches as horses charge across Doug Scott’s canvas. Ed Sandoval’s personality and painting quickly draws a bevy of art enthusiasts as he captures a Northern New Mexico fall scene. Pat Woodall intensely adds vibrant colors to his Ranchos church. We stop to watch Leigh Gusterson whose art we frequently admire.Pat Woodall - B

In addition to painters, sculptors, potters and jewelry makers work in stone, glass, wood and silver. Live music and an appreciative audience add to the festive atmosphere on a perfect autumn afternoon in Taos.

Stone Sculptor - B

Ed Sandoval 2 - B

*New* – September 16, 2010

Posted in Art, Watercolors with tags , , on September 16, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

Las Trampas Village Church

Las Trampas 9-16-10 - For Blog

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Bob’s latest visit to Las Trampas combines two of his favorite subjects, adobe churches and New Mexican villages. In" “Las Trampas Village Church” he’s placed San Jose de Gracia de Las Trampas in a playful village setting. The matted 11×15” watercolor will fit in a 16×20” frame.

For more information on the church see “*New* – September 9, 2010”.

See additional village paintings on the “New Mexico Villages“ page

*New* – September 9, 2010

Posted in Art, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , on September 10, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

San Jose de Gracia de Las Trampas

Las Trampas 9-9-2010 - for Blog

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In a style similar to his latest paintings of El Santuario de Chimayo Bob just completed a rendition of the charming adobe church in Las Trampas. The watercolor and ink work measures 8×10” and will be matted to fit an 11×14” frame.

The Spanish colonial village of Las Trampas, which dates to 1751,   is located in a high valley of New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains along the High Road to Taos (NM76 between Santa Fe and Taos). San Jose de Gracia de Las Trampas was completed in 1760 and still serves as an active parish church. Distinctive features include the wooden belfries and the second-story exterior balcony. Considered one of the best preserved examples of Spanish Colonial Mission architecture in New Mexico the church was fully restored in the 1960s.

*Event* – Greenwood Village Arts Festival

Posted in Art, Art Show, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , on September 10, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

 

4th Annual Arts Festival

Greenwood Village, Colorado – Sept. 10-12, 2010

Art Tents - for Blog

Paintings, photography and pottery, bird houses to woodcarvings the 4th Annual Greenwood Village Arts Festival showcases the creations of local artists. Cherry Hills Marketplace, 5910 S. University Blvd., hosts the event sponsored by the Curtis Arts and Humanities Center. The festival runs Friday, Sept. 10 noon – 6pm, Saturday the 11th 10am-6pm, Sunday the 12th 10am-4pm.

We were especially impressed by the work of three of the artists when we visited the festival Friday afternoon. Watercolors by Bruce White (http://brucewhiteartist.com) capture colorful landscapes. A street scene of Telluride, Colorado was a personal favorite. In addition to dozens of original paintings White sells reasonably priced glyce prints.

The woodcarvings of Lee Thormahelm caught Bob’s eye and interest. Not only are Thormahelm’s carvings detailed and well executed but he completes each piece with excellent painting, finishes and presentation. Several works featuring trout and one of a hummingbird and Colorado blue columbine were particularly noteworthy.

Yelena Sidorova - B

We immediately recognized the unique work of Yelena Sidorova (http://www.sidorovart.com). Bob took a workshop taught by Yelena a few years ago. Classically trained in Russia she uses silk as her canvas. The resulting creations are rich in color and texture. Subject matter ranges from art deco to cityscapes, flowers to figurative. Bob previously purchased two Prague street scenes and will return to the festival tomorrow for a third.

*New* – September 8, 2010

Posted in Art, Paintings, Watercolors with tags , , on September 8, 2010 by Nancy Yackel

Taos Courtyard II

Taos Courtyard II - Taos Courtyard II for Blog

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Bob’s latest completion is a revisit to the colorful Taos Courtyard in front of the Kilborn Gallery and La Lana Wools in Taos, New Mexico.