Rag Reduction Painting

In the last couple of hours of the Sebastian River Art Club's show in Riverview Park I decided to start a painting ... silly me.  But I must follow my "muse" whever it calls me, otherwise it may not come back again soon after.  So I slopped some alizarin crimson and sap green all over the unprimed canvas with a palette knife putting globs here and there at random.  Then I took a big brsh and squished it all over the canvas, allowing the colors to be somewhat separate in spots.

Then I looked for a rag, and found I had none in my bag, and I was stuck.  So I took a paper towel and some Q-tips I had packed and went to it, wiping the highlights away, leaving the shadowed areas intact.  Looked pretty bad at first, but within about a half hour it started looking like a face.  I lightly glazed alizarin on the cheeks, prussian blue on the iris, orange at the bottom of the eyeball for the glow under the sparkle at the top.  It was such fun to begin to see that face looking out at me--that's the part I love.  I think she's beautiful, and can't wait to frame her, although I looked and looked today and could't find a 9"x12" frame.  Not a common size.  I will be demonstrating this technique tomorrow at the Sebastian River Art Club during my class.  Enjoy.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Christmas House - Grand Harbor

December 6-7-8 myself and three friends and Artists Guild Gallery colleagues were part of a home decorating Christmas project in Grand Harbor, Vero Beach Florida.  It was a fun, interesting and challenging collaborative project that culminated in many people getting inspired and delighted by our handiwork in decorating with tinsel and lights and foo-foo stuff, and gracing the walls and easels with our beautiful paintings.

Ours was the Billiard Room, and under the 3 large low-hanging lights we positioned a long table and graced it with small framed works on decorative table easels.  Lights were everywhere, we had a seating area and a welcome table, and things moved along nicely.

The home was beautiful and mansion-like, with a spectacular view of the Indian River Lagoon.  Some of the participants were: House of Charm, Minakshe De, Ray McLendon, Bob Barbour, members of Gallery 14, and several other local decorators.  Each room was decorated with a Christmas theme, and it really set the mood for the season.

Poster from the Christmas House

Ad copy for the Christmas House brochure

Well, my Guest Artist spot for the Artists Guild Gallery closed in November, and I am now a free agent.  What to do now?  Lots of options and ideas, however must get past the holiday season first ... and enjoy our first Christmas with our 2-year-old granddaughter--what fun!

In the meantime, a sampling of my work can be seen at the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center, 1245 Main Street, on Sebastian's City Hall complex.  I will be involved in several shows around the County, and will post soon about those.  One painting (don't know which one yet) will be on view as part of the Sebastian River Art Club's Public Art Program, ongoing in Compass Therapeutic on 14th Avenue in the Arts District in Vero Beach.  A private showing of works in my studio is scheduled for late winter, date to be determined.  Watch for my painting of "Green Umbrellas" on a flag within the Arts District on SR60, coming soon.  Happy holidays to all, and blessing to everyone reading this ... thanks for stopping by.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger