Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Susan's Pumpkin and a Special People in My Life


Susan's Pumkin
21" x 14"
Watercolor

In keeping with the fall theme, I am sharing a painting that I did last fall that is hanging in my kitchen dining area. I like the cheerful colors and the tonal values of this piece. It was based on a still life from my Monday Drawing Class with Bob Semans. Dear friend Susan, whom I met in the class, bought this pumpkin in Half Moon Bay, a coastal town famous for its pumpkins. Susan is also the owner of the turban squash in the last post. I did the original still life in charcoal, so all the values and highlights were already worked out before I put brush to paper and added my color choices.

Last Monday we learned from Bob Semans that he is featured in International Artist Magazine, along with other award winners in the Portrait Society of America's Annual Conference. I can't wait to buy the magazine, which I will do this evening, on my way to our ballroom dancing lesson.

I am getting my plein air gear ready to take off in the morning for Asilomar. Disappointingly, my roommate Jan has taken ill and won't be going with me. I was so looking forward to getting to be closer friends. I am hunting for a replacement, but will likely room alone. I have some wonderful plein air gear that I bought when heading off for Italy several years ago, but I didn't take it then because it proved to be rather heavy. It's a Sun Eden backpack capable of holding half sheets of watercolor paper, a wonderful easel, a stool and all my goodies. I'm now selective where I use it because it really weights me down. I am having fantasies about strapping it on the rack of my folding bike and riding from Asilomar to the locations -- hum -- might be able to do it. I have occasionally combined my cycling and art passions. Now if I could be as successful as Terri Hill is at it! Terri is in our awesome Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society and I am a big fan of her work.

I must mention fellow blogger Peggy Stermer-Cox who has had her piece, "Groovy Kitty" juried by well-known artist Christopher Schink into the Northwest Watercolor Society "Waterworks 2009" art show. "Topher" is a master colorist and I'm sure he was totally impressed with Peggy's harmonious color scheme featuring tints, shades, and muted tints. I am so proud of Peggy -- this is the second major show featuring a piece of her art this year. Coincidentally, next month Christopher Schink will be jurying awards for the SCVWS Linear Visions, our 42nd annual member show awards.

Finally, I want to thank two blogger friends for recently passing along blog awards: Claire McFeeley and Meghda Chatbar, both wonderful pencil artists. I have posted the blog awards proudly on the sidebar.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm going to nominate you for the "Miss Congeniality" award Mary! Busy lady but you took time to paint this wonderful pumpkin! I hope it's the first of many more.

Anonymous said...

Thank you! I am surprised and touched by you mention of me!

This has been a good year for me, but when I get the decline letters, I tell myself "my time will come!". Your time will too! Especially with the way you work so hard! I've been reading your posts about your drawing class and must say I am a little bit in envy; sounds like a great class!

I second the vote for "Miss Congeniality!" And energy too!

Mary Paquet said...

Sheila and Peggy, thanks so much for your nomination! I so admire the many wonderful artists in this area and my life is enriched by them.

I'm going to keep working at things. I do feel so very fortunate to have a great drawing instructor on a weekly basis. I know it is the single most important class I've taken to improve my art.

I love painting the fruits of nature, something I discovered in the drawing class. Before that, I had no interest in still lifes -- now I'm hooked on them. They are an easy way to do a portrait from life.

Christiane Kingsley said...

Mary,
Congratulations on your two awards! Your pumpkin looks really good and indeed you achieved some great colors. I wish you all the best for your plein air even though you will not have the company of a room mate.

Claire M said...

What a delightful entry into Fall 2009! You're ready for the season to change over!

Oh... I'm so jealous of you heading off to Asilomar. I'd love to join you - maybe next year. I'm headed to San Luis Obispo for 4 nights away... with art supplies in tow. We'll see if I can devote some time to it. Hope to talk with you sometime...

FitFoodieMegha said...

Thanks Mary! You always deserve the award! The pumpkin is very beautiful and detailed. The colors are so smooth. Very well done!

Pencil Sketch: Rajasthani Man playing flute

Mary Paquet said...

Thanks to Christiane, Claire, and Megha for visiting and commenting with such good cheer.

Claire, I would love to have you as a roommate another year. The nice thing with Asilomar Paint Out is the flexibility to stay a single or multiple nights, or even just join the group for the day as some plein air painters will do.