Cats! Cats! and more Cats!

Tracy & Turhan's five little furballs

Finished the last of Tracy's cats last night.  Started the first cat in acrylic as a demo on Thursday, but had scant time to work on it.  Didn't revisit the project until Sunday, when I finished all 5.  Those exercizes in "Challenge" speed paintings are really helping me to paint fast, especially in acrylic.  Although the push was on, this was a fun project, and hopefully they will get to my daughter's on time.  Her and her husband have 5 beautiful cats whom they love dearly, so the below portraits of them should please them both.  Just wish I could be there to see them open the portraits.  The red background will go perfectly with their red checkered kitchen.

With the holidays approaching and lots of people coming, there will be no painting (except tomorrow at my classroom in Vero).  Have a portrait commission and triptyk in the planning stages.  Five major events to work on too: 1)  Dorothy Starbuck's workshop I've organized for January 5-6; 2) Vero Beach Mural Reception and Launch party January 12th (I'm one of three artists who worked on it for a year); 3) The Sebastian River Art Club's 75th Anniversary Reception, I am Chairing; 4) The Sebastian Art Studio Tour, which I am participating in an handling publicity; 5) Stepping Stone Quilter's Show in the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center to be installed January 2nd.  So many wonderful events happening back-to-back, how lucky to be living here, and working with so many swell artsy people!

What a Challenge!

Today at the Sebastian River Art Club, was Peni Baker's "Three-Hour Challenge Painting" day.  There was about 20 of us painting feverishly trying to finish a painting in three hours.  Well, actually, we were doing more talking and eating than painting ... but most of us did finish--or close to finish--our paintings.  We are finding that it is a great exercise in getting the job done.  And many wonderful and diverse paintings went out the door today.  Oh, and we had turkey soup, potato soup, grapes, melba toast and tomato relish, cheesespread and delicisou crackers, mini cupcakes, home made cheesecake, fresh coffee, candy, grapes and pizza.  Lots of people streamed in and out, and a good time was had by all.  Below is my painting.  It is a copy of an old Flemish painting, "Boy with a Hat" by Michael Sweerts, 17th Century.  I was so taken with his face I just had to paint him.  Since it's long been in "Public Domain" it's ok.  It's quite exciting to see a face looking back at you after just three hours.

Acrylic adaptation of "Boy in a Hat"
17th Century painting by Flemish Painter Michael Sweerts

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Some new paintings, and some starts

Haven't seriously picked up the brush in some time, but dabbled with a few things.  The Artists Guild Gallery is sponsoring a fundraiser for "Our Father's Table" wherein all Member Artists were asked to paint some small ornament-sized paintings for the Christmas tree, and all proceeds will go towards that charity.  They are in desperate need for food staples or the holidays.  One of our members, Annette Geckle, and her husband Bob volunteer to serve and cook there, and they have said the shelves are sparce.  And so it's the season to share our good fortune.  In this way, we can use our talents for the good this Christmas.  Please do stop in and take a peek, and if nothig strikes your fancy, you can always drop a couple of dollars into the donation jar near the tree.

My contribution to "Our Father's Table" fundraiser is the below small paintings.  Had a lot of fun creating them, and very pleased with the way they came out.  If they don't sell, they will definitely be gifts.

I have also contributed my Santa painting, which was created last year for the Sebastian Library's Christmas Window.  The kids really loved this painting.

One project I finally did finish is a commissioned painting of corgy dogs.  After a bit of tweaking, the customer was ultimately happy with the painting (below).

Well, that's all for now.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

July 17th - Abstract Painting at the Sebastian River Art Club

Today, inspired by a lecture on Abstract Painting at the Sebastian River Art Club, I completed--well almost completed--this fun and fast painting.  I was a-slapping the paint on like it was on fire!  Didn't really know what I was doing, but just kept going, hoping it would turn out ok.  It's got lots of room for improvement, but I'm pretty happy with the technique.


Abstract Seascape on gallery-wrapped canvas, using acrylic paints and plastic grocery bags

 First I troweled acrylic paint in blues, blacks and white on the canvas using a palette knife.  Then very quickly I started ripping plastic bags and sticking them on "willy-nilly" to the wet paint, scrunching them as I went, trying to cover the whole canvas, including the sides.  After covering the sides I began slapping paint on top of the plastic bags, being more careful to create the storm cloud shapes, the water, and the glistening horizon, all the while painting very fast to keep up with the fast-drying acrylic paint.  I struggled a bit with the frayed edges of plastic, and began cutting the excess wherever it appeared.  Next time I will make the plastic gather in such a way that the water has horizontal waves, like the sky.  It was a lot of fun, and completed in less than an hour and a half.  I plan to take this to the next level. 

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Creating A Rainbarrel

Saturday July 12th I spent part of the day with my bud Rita Ziegler and we helped "budding" artists (who ad actually never painted anything before) paint their designs on rain barrels in the Indian River Mall for a recycling organization.  We didn't know what to expect, but we had a good time and helped a very nice lady, Dianne, complete a nice-looking rainbarrel using the most rudamentary equipment.  We three collaborated on ideas and painted away for a couple of hours.  Below is our masterpiece.


Rainbarrel painted using acrylics



Rita Ziegler (left) and me (Judy Burgarella) with the finished rainbarrel

Giving Birth to a Cowboy!



"Texas Cowboy" 11"x14" Acrylic, UNFINISHED 

 "Texas Cowboy," in progress, started today in the Sebastian River Art Club's "Three-Hour Challenge" painting program.  We try to do a painting, start to finish, in thee hours.  Some take less, some take more.  I started this one just before noon, painted till 3:00, and I'd say have about another hour or so to finish.  It's my first serious portrait in acrylic, and I'm pretty happy with it, although it had a bit of a rough start.  Can't wait to work on it again, but for now I'm off to another non-painting event! 
PS - The Sebastian River Art Club will be having a show in the Art Center in September for these 3-hour paintings, with many unframed and reasonably priced.  More news to come!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

FIRE!




"FIRE!" acrylic, 9"x12" gallery wrapped

  Just finished this painting of "FIRE!," inspired by a photo of a fire I saw in a book, and by the upcoming Vero Beach Library exhibit, "Heat's On" which will be on display there for the next three months, installation is tomorrow (Tuesday July 9th).  I really needed a push to paint, and this one just fell into place.  It's only a 9" x12", acrylic, but was so much fun to paint.  It's a gallery-wrap, in that I've painted the scene all around the sides.  I've run out of time, but I plan to buy a "floater" frame for it, which is a frame that gives the impression that the painting is "floating" inside the frame, sometimes with the sides of the painting partially showing.  My juices are flowing now, so maybe I'll finish a commission that's way overdue.  Enjoy.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

New painting of a Horse

Yesterday at the Sebastian River Art Club Peni Baker challenged members to a three-hour paint-in.  It was quite a challenge, and although we all chatted up a storm most of us managed to do a complete painting in three hours ... and below is mine.  I had given a quick (1/2-hour) demo on Tuesday of painting that same horse in acrylic, very rough.  But this one is in oil, and I'm quite happy with the looseness of it.  With a little tweaking (not too much) it will be good enough for the gallery.

Three-hour paint-in challenge at the Sebastian River Art Cub

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

June 10th--Sunset at the Wabasso Bridge

I guess I should have named this blog "Beautiful Sebastian," as that seems to be the way it's going.  Had dinner down on the Wabasso bridge in Sebastian with Bob, and following are some great pics of the sunet and other things.

Below is a pastel painting I did years ago for Bob of his father fishing, which was taken from an old photo.  His father died at age 52 so I never met him, but his spirit was certainly with us today when I snapped a picture of his son in almost the same position, fishing ... déjà vu!


Pastel painting of Joe Burgarella, Bob's dad, fishing

 

Bob fishing

 So we spent a very enjoyable couple of hours at the Wabasso Bridge park overlooking the beautiful Indian River Lagoon, and I had a great time hunting for things to capture with my camera.  One more of Bob ... it's good to see him happily fishing after triple-bypass surgery just eight weeks ago.

Theis next photo is of Pat Mills and "Billie."  Bob started talking to her and seems she is a native Floridian of several generations from Wabasso--a rarity!  She had lots of stories and we both enjoyed listening.  Billie was a doll, but not too social.

This is another one I must paint, this shot is perfect!

It was a lesson in grace watching this castnetter throw out his weighted net, but came up with no mullet to fish with.  It's not easy, the timing must be perfect.

This snowy egret seemed to be posing for me, with his beautiful plumage glowing in the soft amber sunset. I must paint him some day (along with the thousand other paintings I want to do.  I think I'll need another turn.



This little guy kept jumping all over the rocks, following me as I strolled by the water's edge with my camera.  Such fun to watch him -- another "poser."

The following photographs are the progression of a very beautiful sunset, a mostly everyday view from the Wabasso Causeway, and especially beautiful as you drive over the tallest bridge overlooking the lagoon. 

 



Barely visible is a blue heron whose silhouette is just above the rocks

 


Also barely visible is the heron in flight in the middle of the sunset

 A-h-h-h, Sebastian.  You really should move here.  It truly is a paradise--and we're so glad we found it.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Lots to see today, Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

I guess since this is "Art by Burgarella" I should be putting some of my art up when I post, so I'll start by what's first in the alphabet on my hard drive.  "Afghan Girl" was a little 5"x5" painting I did for the Artists Guild Gallery's "Cinco de Mayo" show a couple of years ago, where all paintings were $55 and were 5"x5".  Of course this famous face was taken from a photo in National Geographic, and the painting eventually made it's way to be known by the actual photographer, which was a thrill and ironic coincidence for me.


"Afghan Girl" Sharbat Gula in 1984, from National Geographic June 1985 cover by Steve McCurry



Sharbat Gula, 2011

Every painting has a story.  This is Sharbat Gula today, 27 years later, you can see what the ravages of time has done to her, coupled with an extremely hard life in Afghanistan which is the plight--and worse--for most Afghan women.  Actually, she is still a beautiful woman, but you could tell those eyes have seen things we in America can't even imagine.  Glad to be a woman in 2012 in America.

Now to the more pleasant news at hand.  Today was a day to remember, as I finally saw the spoonbill that the neighbors have all seen at the water's edge in our beautiful canal.  Unfortunately though, I ran into the house, grabbed my camera, brought it outside and the lens got condensation because of going from cold air to the hot muggy outside air.  But this fellow was really a beautiful pink--actually anything that pink must be a girl.  Anyway, she took off and the pink underbelly and underwings were stunning, such a thrill watching a big bird like that, pink as she was, flying right by me down the canal.  The picture below is awful and does not show the beautiful pink color

After weeding all morning before the sun got hot, Bob and I drove to get mulch, and on our way home we saw "Woody" the resident woodstork on Schumann Drive.  The owner of the house, Jim, came out and we chatted for a while, him telling me all about the birds who come to his house, sit on his bench under the living room window peering in waiting for him to come out.  What a sight.  Everyone stretches their neck going by that house.  There are so many doodads, animal statues and chochki things out front under a huge oak, I believe these big birds think they belong there among the litter of critters.  But Jim pointed out that Woody had broken his leg clean in half with the bone sticking out the top--you could see it.  Happened 2 weeks ago--gator he thinks--and Jim has been feeding the poor guy since then--baloney which is his favorite food.  No agency will take him as long as he can fly, and he can.  He's stolen my heart, and you can see why below.  I willl bring food next time I drive by.  Wish I could take him home and make him better.  You can see his foot is facing backwards, poor thing.  Such a cute little guy.  (Little--he's about 3' high!)



"Woody"--notice his broken leg

 The hibiscus I planted down by the edge of the dock is paying us back with a spectacular display of red hibiscus.  So far this plant is carefree, and does not show signs of neglect--yet!  Just another little "jewel" to admire today.

Hibiscus

Below is not tonight's sunset, but it was beautiful, along with the full moon that was rising on the opposite side of the sky.  But below is a typical sunset over the Indian River Lagoon that I took from a friend's house some time ago.  I just may paint this sunset as a sunrise into the Vero Beach mural, which is almost finished http://www.verobeachmural.blogspot.com/ - take a look.



Typical sunset over the Indian River Lagoon, Sebasitan

  Well, that's all for today, dont' know when I'll get to it again but hope you enjoyed the pretty pics.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Happy Memorial Day

The Memorial Day posting is further down below, but I didn't want to override it because of its tribute to our soldiers, which I believe needs to linger a little longer.

Since the name of this blog is "Art By Burgarella," I feel obliged to add some of my art (trying to sound humble).  FYI, this is Panel #1 of 6 Panels, which is a collaborative effort I am embroiled in with two other really good artists--Dawn Mill (friend and Artists Guild Gallery partner), and Christine Thomas (friend and former Artists Guild Gallery partner).  See http://www.verobeachmural.blogspot.com/ for pics of the other four panels by them.  These two are mine, and I had a ball all year creating this on behalf of the Vero Beach Art Club for the City of VB.  We're almost done.  We work Mondays and Fridays, so we'll be at it tomorrow all day, then shoot over to the Artists Guild for the Opening Reception and Gallery Stroll on 14th Avenue.  These small pics don't do the mural justice, you have to see the real thing.

Panel #1 is of Downtown Vero Beach, abbreviated and edited of course.

Panel #2 is western Vero, pine scrub, hardwood forest, cypress swamp, with all the flora and fauna that resides there.  We will have a legend in a binder for all to identify and learn about the habitats of this fabulous area.



Below is my older posting regarding Memorial Day, so read on if you haven't already.


Remembering those who served, and being grateful for what they gave for people they don't even know, some of whom even object to their service.  We thank them for the freedom purchased for us with their sacrifice and devotion to duty.

So today Bob and I will do our meager little part and go to the beautiful ceremony the City of Sebastian always puts on for Memorial Day down by our beloved Indian River Lagoon.  Waking up this morning, this is what we saw out back  in our little piece of paradise.  We thought the flag waving would keep the birds away, but evidently not--at least not the ibis.  Enjoy your day, but remember what this day is about.

Well, it's 3:00 pm and we've come back from the ceremony and what a ceremony it was.  Since Bob's a WWII buff he was especially excited over the new memorial about the 4 chaplains that sacrificed their lives so that others may be saved.  There are only 3 survivors of that ship that went down that day, and one of them was right there to light the "eternal flame" by the memorial!  Bob was thrilled to meet this grand old soldier.  Many were wiping their eyes, including me.  What a country, what a town.  Thousands turned out for this day, we were so proud to be Americans, and Sebastian residents.  Below are pics.  Enjoy.

Crowds showed up to pay tribute to our troups

One of the three remaining soldiers who were survivors of the "Chaplains' Ship"



Chaplains' Memorial - beautifully conceived and completed



Piper who played "Amazing Grace"

Since I am Scottish, I'm nuts about the pipes, so included this pic of a very Scottish-looking piper.

Check back in a few days to see some great pics of things around our piece of paradise.

Judy Burgarella

Blogger

May 19th - more photos and a painting

Yesterday I worked on the mural from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, and had a great time playing with the acrylics.  I'm really beginning to see the attributes of this medium. Below is the cute little doggie I painted smack dab on the bottom of Panel #1.  Soon this panel and Panel #2 will be installed in the Community Center for all to see.  Launch will be in the fall, and it will surely be a shindig!


"Scooter" painted into the Vero Beach Mural May 18th

 Most of May 18th I was busy with the mural, came home and crashed.  May 19th, Saturday, did a little garage saling and finally found an old cookie press--only $3!  Mine broke years ago and I've missed it ever since.  Other "treasures" found their way into my van also, including my favorite style potato peeler which mysteriously disappeared when our girls came to "take care of us" when Bob had his triple bypass.  As I was driving my camera was making me constantaly stop, make u-turns, park askew, and drive slow.  Too many interesting and/or beautiful images for me to just drive by.  Below are a few of them.  The turtle is one of three I saw at different times today--amazing. 


Pretty little Florda house across from Archie Smith's Fish House in Sebastian, Florida



Blue Heron on the Indian River





Blue heron flying away when I came too close with the camera





Cow with cattle egret at Kashi Yoga compound on Roseland Road

 


Historic Archie Smith's Fishhouse on the Indian River




Gopher Turtle inbetween hissing at me.  This fella was at least 12" long 

When I got home I knocked myself out for a while weeding and moving plants around, I finished off the day with a little kareoke at Sandy's with friends from the Sebastian River Art Club, where I sung a duo badly with Kathleen Richter. 

Any of you artists out there feel free to use any of my blog photos as painting subjects.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger