Art By Burgarella: 2016

Sunday, September 18, 2016

"Rusty"

Just finished "Rusty," tonight. Client sent me several photos of him and I could tell he is a wonderful family dog. So that helps build my inspiration to paint him, especially since I haven't even met him in person. I'm happy with the way it came out, although as of a couple of hours ago he still looked pretty rough.

When uploading Rusty from my computer, I noticed there were several recent paintings that I hadn't posted, and below is one of my mother, from a black-and-white photo that was taken before I was born. Wasn't she beautiful with all that red hair? Mom, Dad, and all 5 of us kids all had red hair. What a sight when we were all together. Unfortunately we never even got a photo of us all together, and sadly there's only two of us left. I have hopes to have the time to do individual portraits of everyone at this same age of life. How interesting that would be.

Painting deceased relatives is almost impossible for me as it is too emotional. So I thought that since I was to paint a portrait of my mom from a photo taken before I was born, and her looking nothing like I remembered her, that I would not get emotional. Well, that was wrong. Curiously, I felt a certain sadness to never have known this young beautiful woman, who was probably fun to be with, and interesting to talk to in her youth. Millie, as an older woman, was a good conversationalist, she was funny, and she was a really good and decent person--who did not boast about it. At her wake, friends and strangers told of her good deeds and her kindness, and brought us stories of her that I treasure. This painting, and about 60 other portrait paintings are currently on display at the Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach, coming down on October 4th, 2016.UPDATE: Date the show comes down has been changed to October 13th!

Of note: Hands ... I hate to paint them. Everyone I know hates to paint them. These took me forever, and I repainted, reshaped, recolored, etc. and was so glad when they were done. Very proud I am of these lovely hands which rocked me to sleep and wiped the tears from my eyes. I just had to get them right. Aren't they lovely and interesting?

This mural, painted for a client in Micco, is 15' x 4-1/2' and is a fabulous depiction of the flora and fauna that is found along the St. Sebastian River. Just happens that right around the day I was to paint these beautiful spoonbills I saw a small flock of them at a pond near my home and had my camera ready when they flew away, so got some great shots to use in the mural. To see more of this mural visit my mural progress blog at www.stsebastianriverpainting.blogspot.com

This simple 11"x14" painting was a demo at the Sebastian River Art Club. Several of my students painted it too, and they all came out great! I have more work to do on it. I happened to see a wonderful background on another painting in a magazine that has inspired me to make a similar background of nice grasses.

Another unfinished painting, which I did quickly to see if I could demo it. This was much easier than I thought, and I had always admired other artist's rendition of zebras whenever I came across them at fairs or galleries. So I did a much bigger one as my demo the next day, but that one is not as far along, but it's so beautiful that I have already picked out a frame for it.

"Flower Vase by a Window" Watercolor by Judy Burgarella

This lovely little watercolor was created in a class that I took from Bob Virelli in Hobby Lobby in Palm Bay, Florida. He's a wonderful and entertaining teacher and has a nice healthy following. However, we all painted the same thing, and also since it is in a classroom I cannot do anything with it, but either give it away or donate it. It is not my copyright either. But it was fun to paint and these exercises keep me from getting rusty with watercolor.

David Leffel is an artist I have admired and emulated for years. A teacher at the Art Students League in New York for years, he now resides in New Mexico where he continues doing what he did in New York. Another of my dreams is to paint all the artists that I admire on a palette like this. These are really fun to do, as you have the paint right there and only have to drag it over to paint the subject. This painting can also be seen at the Indian River Courthouse along with about 60 others through October 4th, 2016.

"Robin" Oil on Stretched Canvas (c)by Judy Burgarella

"Robin" is my daughter, who moved near us here in Florida in 2013 with her husband and 1-year-old daughter, Salem, whom I am crazy about. This painting is not finished and I don't know when in the heck I'll ever get to it, but I must sometime in this life. Robin posed for pictures which I painted from, but I only needed to get it looking "OK," not great, as it would only be seen from afar. She was supposed to sit for me while I painted her portrait in front of an audience at the Vero Beach Musem of Art, for only about 1-1/2 hours worth. Unfortunately the night of the event Salem was running a high fever and she could not come. I had planned to paint rough in the portrait which would surely be at a very ugly stage, and then at the end I would unveil the "finished" portrait so that they could see how beautiful it would eventually become. Best laid plans as they say. So I asked my buddy Rita Ziegler to sit instead and it was still good. She's sitting in my studio now in such an ugly stage though, I'd better pretty her up some day for Rita so she won't be mad.

This painting can also be seen at the Indian River Courthouse along with about 60 others through October 4th, 2016.

This little beauty was painted at the Vero Beach Yacht Club, and was part of a show that night for their members. The sales have always been great, but this time nobody was buying. Bummer. but at least I had a great day painting outdoors with friends. What could be better? ... I know what could be better .... to sell the darned thing!!

This, and many other of my paintings, are being used to stage houses for Robin, who sells real estate for the Dale Sorensen Company in Vero Beach. It really helps to beautify residences, especially if the owner does not have a flair for decorating. We spiff the homes up with my art, curtains, silk flowers and plants, baskets, bedspreads, rugs, pottery, etc. The owners can't believe the transformation. And, although they don't get much viewing, I am happy that my paintings are out of the house and have a purpose, even if it is only temporary.

Another little sailboat painting done the same day, so I won't repeat myself.

This quick little painting was a demo at the Sebastian River Art Club. Quick and easy, with big brushes. Typical tropical painting that everybody likes.

I painted this one twice, a little different the second time, but they are both sold. It's a lovely painting with an interesting format, the size of which will fit nicely on a tall, narrow wall. It looked lovely in my house for a short while before it sold. I must paint another one for myself, as I am redecorating my bedroom to be "beachy."

This lovely little painting was a palette knife demo at the Sebastian River Art Club. Most of my students wanted to try it and some found it a bit difficult handling a palette knife. The knife needs to be just the right size for the canvas, and it can be tricky--but fast!

"Sculpture at the Vero Beach Museum of Art"

As a member of the Faculty at the Vero Beach Museum of Art (I teach acrylic portraiture), I was asked to paint this picture, along with other faculty members, in a style all my own. So here is the boring painting, looking just like the photo. I just couldn't come up with anything different. Others did, and theirs were more interesting I thought. They displayed all their teachers' work on a big wall for all to see. So now I'm stuck with it. Anybody want it?

Well, the time has flown and I've blown the evening posting this blog. I hope someone sees it. But blogging is cathartic, and I myself like to read some of the old stuff I've posted, especially if the painting is already gone. So it's almost midnight and time to call it a day, and a nice day it always is when I've finished a painting. An artist's life is the best. Now what shall I do next???

Hope you enjoy checking out my blog, and maybe get inspired to paint!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Monday, June 20, 2016

Just A Little Update

A Forgotten Photograph

This little gem of a painting is from a photograph I took in Sebastian, FL, off one of the docks. I remember being with my friend, Dorothy Starbuck--who herself is one of the finest Florida landscape artists--and the beautiful white pelicans were all around us. I just rediscovered the photo as one I had added to a blog years ago, and put it on my list to paint. And so on my class June 2nd I used it for my quick demo. It's not finished yet, a bit more tweaking and glazing in the faint green ripples above them, and it's done.

"Two White Pelicans" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

Next is a photo of my last demo at the Sebastian River Art Club. This nude was inspired by one seen in a magazine. I loved the pose, and it had just enough information to enjoy painting it. I bumped up the values and changed the cloth considerably, and had a wonderful time painting it in acrylics.

"Nude with White Cloth" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

The large painting I am working on is close to being done. Just have to make my corrections and then continue painting around the sides of its gallery-wrapped edges. I'll be glad to get this monstrosity out of my living room. Below is half the 12'x5' painting.

"St. Sebastian River" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

Well, that's all for now. I hope my work inspires you to be creative ... or take a class with me in Sebastian, Florida! (Or at the Vero Beach Museum of Art)

Judy Burgarella
Blogger
Sebastian, Florida

Monday, May 30, 2016

Finally . . . An Unfinished Painting Finished!

Finally ... at least one painting finished!

"David Leffel, Portrait King" from his self-portrait, oil on wood palette

This little beauty was started as a demo at the Sebastian River Art Club (Sebastian, FL), and was about 1/3 finished. I glue-gun globs around the perimeter at first, then put acrylic colors over the globs, then squeeze small amounts of oil paint on top in my normal color palette order, and create my portrait there in oil on raw wood. Trouble is, the oils have to be used up before they skin over and get sticky, or it will be difficult to use them for the portrait. So it was a week before I began playing with it again, and now finally it's done except for painting the black around the outside edges and putting a hanger on the back. This is a young David Leffel, who now is about 85 years old, and is considered one of the finest portrait artists (great still lifes too!) in the United States. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, he studied and taught at the Art Students League in NYC for 25 years before moving in 1992 to Taos, NM. I have studied his style for some time, which has made a strong impression on my own painting style. To read more about David Leffel, visit http://davidleffel.com/david-a-leffel-biography/ and see other works of his simply by Googling his name.

St. Sebastian River Mural

Now, to get back to a mural I am working on for a client who lives along the Sebastian River. Here is a snippet from it, it's about 80% finished. Some work to be done on the forebanks, then final tweaking of all and finishing the outside edges--which is a project in itself.

Detail of St. Sebastian River Painting, Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

It is such a thrill to see bright pink birds in a cerulean blue sky flying overhead like this. They are seasonal visitors, and I was so happy to have a photo published some months back in the Press Journal as "Picture of the Day" of a spoonbill fishing with an egret on a sandy bar in my canal out back. I feel so fortunate to be living in an area of the world where I can see this beauty almost whenever I want to. One can get complacent down here after a while, but I try not to take it for granted and continue to marvel at the exotic plants and animals coming into view as soon as I pull out of my driveway. Pure paradise, and a feast for the eyes.

Judy Burgarella

Artist/Blogger

in Sebastian, Florida

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Just A Quick Update . . .

Wow, where to begin ...
Lots to catch up on and way too little time to do it but here's some highlights:

Painting Sold!
Did a quick acrylic painting, "Grouper" on a large gallery-wrapped canvas for Gallery 14's annual show "Our Beautiful Waters," (Dec. 1-Dec. 30) and it found a good home by the end of the show. He's a handsome guy and I had fun painting all those dots. An abstract water background I think compliments the tedious-looking detail, which wasn't really tedious to me as all painting is fun!

"Grouper" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

Some of the photos relating to the below will be posted at a later date when time, as I am scurrying to finish up chores for Easter, i.e., gathering candy and trinkets from the Easter Bunny for granddaughter Salem (4-1/2), baking my famous carrot-pineapple cake, cleaning up and preparing for a nice dinner tomorrow with people we love. Now on to the postings . . . (and come back next week or so for more great pictures of paint on canvas (and some on paper)!

Administration Building

January I brought another Indian painting and forgot to pick up my old one, and so there are two Indians of mine on display there, changeover date for new work has not been decided.

Demonstrations at the Sebastian River Art Club

Did 4 demonstrations pre-class instruction at the Club in oils, acrylics and watercolor, pictures of which I will post later, sorry.

Sebastian Art Studio Tour

My home was one of 10 stops, 16 artists, of this event February 13th, 10-5:00. Hundred of people showed up, and art was everywhere in my home--my art and my collections. I really enjoyed telling people of my great art finds, mostly found on Ebay, yard sales and flea markets. Met lots of new people, saw lots of old friends, and people enjoyed refreshments and video demonstrations. Wished I could have visited the rest of the artists myself. Weather was great and all had a good time.

Courthouse Exhibition
Jan 8-April 7 - Part of the Sebastian River Art Club's show. I received 2nd place from this one for "Young Medicine Crow."

"Young Medicine Crow" 11"x14" oil by Judy Burgarella

January - Art on the Island

Boy did I have fun with this one! It is called "Laundry Day Wine Bar" and when sitting upright one can enjoy a glass of wine while sitting or standing at the ironing board, gazing at the artwork. Four wine glasses got with it, each one painted different with clotheslines. Got lots of accolades from it, but no sale or prize. But I look forward to showing it at another venue some time.

Vero Beach Museum of Art
February - Last minute request for Faculty at the Vero Beach Museum of Art to do their rendition of this sculpture on their grounds. I was not in a creative mood, so just painted what I saw. Not very interesting and purely representational.

Chairish the Children
February 19th at the Vero Beach Country Club, to benefit the Hibiscus Children's Center, a great charity doing great work for needy children. Happy to say my chair sold.

"Chair Planter" with bromilead by Judy Burgarella

Vero Beach Yacht Club
Just a nice sunny day painting at the Yacht Club "en plein air" with Friends for the Cultural Council.

Portrait Painting Demonstration
at the Vero Beach Museum of Art
March 3, 7-8:30 for the Vero Beach Art Club in the Auditorium. Everything went wrong. My daughter, Robin, was supposed to be the model, but Salem came down with a 104.2 fever so I had to grab my friend Rita Ziegler to fill in. I was battling a terrible cold also. But once upon the stage my automatic pilot took over and I thoroughly enjoyed painting and telling people how much fun it is to paint portraits ... because it is! Once those eyes look back at you from the canvas, there's nothing like it. A tree can't do that, a boat can't do that, and certainly a vase can't. Anyway, below is the painting I did ahead of time of Robin, planning to whip it out last minute to let them know what the end result would be, as I only had an hour and a half to demo. Such a short period of time puts the painting at the very ugliest stage. But I will finish Rita's at a later date, when "season" is over and I can come up for air. PS-this portrait still is not finished.

Portrait of Robin, oil by Judy Burgarella

EcoFest at the Environmental Learning Center
March 6th, 11-4 spent a lovely sunny day painting with Christine Thomas and Ann Emery at the ELC, by the Jackson-Riding house. This painting will be on display during their Poetry Night on April 10th or 11th I believe, if I finish it in time.

Cause for Paws
Donated a custom portrait of a pet for a fundraiser for the Human Society. I have not heard from them as yet who the winner was and how much was bid on it. But a here's a sample of my pet portraits.

"Snowball" 5"x5" gallery-wrapped Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

"Rudy" 11" x 14" Pastel by Judy Burgarella

Well, that's all for now folks. I'll post more when time. Happy Easter to all, and here's my rendition of what Easter is about:

Best to you all this Easter.
Regards,
Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Holidays over - PHEW!

Tree's down, decorations packed away, and house back in order. Was a wonderful time this year, filled with friends, parties, and celebrating the holidays this year once again with a piece of family - daughter Robin, Son-in-law Cass, and now 4-year-old Salem--who made our Christmas truly magical. But now back to the business of art:

Half-way through the season, over a dozen shows are now behind me, with about nine more to go. Next few shows are:

Jan 8 to April 7 - Indian River Courthouse Exhibition. Putting in "Young Medicine Crow," an oil painting I did years ago:

"Young Medicine Crow" Oil

Jan 20 for 3 months - Vero Beach Library, theme "The Great Outdoors." I'll be putting in an oldie but a goodie, watercolor "At the Beach" below:

"At the Beach" Watercolor

Next will be for Art By The Sea, an oil on wood palette which is just off the easel waiting to dry:

"Magnolia" Oil on wood palette

"Magnolia" started out as an acrylic demo at the Sebastian River Art Club, from a picture in an art magazine, which was in the very early stages. So looking over my collection of unfinished paintings this one caught my eye as being one I could finish in time, and one that had promise. However, I decided to change everything so it would be original, and dug out a photo of a flower from my own magnolia tree, went out my studio door and picked some leaves off the tree, then took my satin Christmas tablecloth and made a draping for the background. It was a joy to do, albeit quite a puzzle being that the three elements in the painting were painted from different individual references with different lighting.

Unfinished paintings are like itches that need scratching. Irritating until it's over with. And so this one will be kind of small for such a nice show, but perhaps its size and the price tag will get it sold. Must sell my babies else they take over my house.

Two more shows have me stressed out with deadlines looming and no paintings in sight: 1) "Art on the Island," February 12th, a 3D show which I have a fantastic idea for if I can ever get it started. "Chairish the Children," a charity show at the Vero Beach Country Club, which I have to paint a chair for--in a very artsy way. I've had the bottom of 4 legs painted for 3 months. Need to get crackin' on that one.

Coming up also is the Vero Beach Museum of Art Faculty Show, in which I will be displaying my painting of the famous Fort Pierce artist A. E. Backus (below). Since I am a portrait instructor at the Museum, I thought this would be an appropriate one to display, also since it represents another local museum.

A. E. Backus - Oil

Backus was displayed at the A. E. Backus Gallery show in October-November, and after the show there were two collectors who were interested. And so it will be on display in the Museum however it is sold to a collector of Backus/Highwaymen works.

But the big one is the Sebastian Art Studio Tour February 13th. Had a meeting about it just tonight (as I post this it was last night Jan 5th). It's the biggest show for me this season, as all my art will be on display throughout the house. There will be videos playing of me painting, breakfast food in the morning, then hors d'ouvres and wine in the afternoon, a raffle, special offers including many of my demo and exercise paintings for sale, unframed in bins, at "move out" prices. It's a wonderful, hectic day filled with seeing old friends, chatting over artworks, and making new contacts.

If you would like to see my complete schedule as of today, simply visit my previous blog entry. And if you are a local artist you may want to look into taking advantage of some of the shows listed therein. Also, if you would like to learn how to paint yourself, contact me (Sebastian Florida) at 772-581-8281 and I will tell you about where I will be teaching or demoing. Also available for 2-hour Art Parties - You bring the wine and nibblies and supply the venue, and I do all the rest - paints, canvas, palettes, brushes, images, and even the table covers! Minimum 6 people, $35 includes everything, and everyone goes home with a finished painting.

So it's a very busy art-life for me, and thank goodness Bob doesn't complain that I'm either in the studio, at a meeting or at a show. And ... he cooks!

Hope you enjoyed this blog.
Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Art By Burgarella

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