Some More Recent Works ~ 

"Blue Heron and Orchids" is a watercolor rendition of a painting of the same name in Acrylics.  The Acrylic one was recently sold during my show at the Environmental Learning Center.  It was created for an upcoming workshop for the Orchid Island Art Club in March.  Two totally different mediums, but a lovely painting nonetheless.

"Blue Heron and Orchids" Watercolor
14"x11" Unframed, 23"x19" Frame by Judy Burgarella

"Blue Heron in the Reeds" was created in a pastel workshop at Orchid Island.  We all painted something different, and this image was snapped by me at the canal in my backyard.  When I put it in the oval mat it looked just perfect!  

"Blue Heron in the Reeds" Watercolor 14"x11" unframed, 20"x16" framed
By Judy Burgarella

Enjoy!

Judy Burgarella

Blogger

Many changes since my last post

AN APRON FOR CASS

Just finished this for my son-in-law's birthday (which will be given to him on Father's Day this Sunday).  He's such a good cook and so handy with tools, so it's perfect for him, and I had such a good time creating it.  Gathered together tools and utensils and just sketched them on with a small flat brush and acrylic raw umber paint.  No planning, just copied the shapes of what I saw.  The fun was in the coloring.  If you look close you'll see all different shades and temperatures of gray in the silver.  I printed out the lettering on my laser, vine-charcoaled the backs, positioned and taped them to the fabric, and just transferred the basic text shapes onto the apron.  For the text paint I used the liquid craft paints (gloss) in a jar--flows easier when painting fine lines.

(c) 2018 Judy Burgarella

(c) 2018 Judy Burgarella

MORE TIME FOR ME ~

Since I am now freed from serving as president of the Sebastian River Art Club, I once again have time for these wonderful creative projects, in addition to having more time to spend with family and friends ... and painting!  However I do miss the challenge of leadership, and seeing the fruits of my labor for the betterment of the Club and its members. 

Since my last posting I have completed many more paintings which when time I will post here.  I have so many ideas on how to spend my time now, my bucket list runneth over!  The wonderful thing about being an artist is that you are never bored.  There actually is not enough time in any day to do all the creative things that pop up in your mind.  And anything can set it off: a picture in a magazine, the sunset, a flower, cute cat, something on TV, an interesting face, and especially images on the internet that excite the creative juices.  I am also looking forward to sharing what I know via the internet, so stay tuned!

I hope you enjoy my blog.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

The Christmas Push!

I had to put the push on painting some really fun small giftings, in order to get them to their destinations on time.  The following two are mini paintings fashioned for use as ornaments for the Sebastian River Art Club's fundraiser for the Food Pantry.  I developed this program last year, got the little canvases and other supplies, nagged the SRAC members to paint, had a "backing and hanger" assemblage party.  We filled up 2 trees with these little beauties, then had an opening reception to launch them ... the result of which we were able to donate $700 to the Food Pantry for the holidays.

This year, since I am busier than a one-armed paperhanger with family obligations, some wonderful hearty hands pitched in and took over the responsibility.  I think the paintings are even better this year, and I can foresee this program going over the top each year and becoming quite famous locally.  These little masterpieces are sold for $10 each, and all proceeds go to the Food Pantry in Sebastian.  What a great way for artists to give back and utilize their talents for the good of others.

"Red Hibiscus" mini Acrylic

"Boat Reflections" mini Acrylic

The next painting was for my daughter Tracy and her hubby Turhan, who live in Chandler Arizona.  They lost two beloved cats this year, and Maggie, their Scottish Fold cat, was also failing.  I happened to come across this lovely box in TJ Max, and got the idea to make her a painting to put in the picture frame area.  She already had full-face paintings of all their five cats from last Christmas, but this one would be profile and more contemplative--with less of an "angry cat"-like look that Maggie always had.  Maggie had a craggy nose, flat ears, and a rather mean disposition, so I tried to capture the softer side of her for them to remember her by after her passing.   I finished it quickly, packed it up and mailed it best fastest way, hoping it would get there before Maggie's passing.  It arrived the day after and so was a bit sad for them.   The painting was only 3"x5", but painted with much tenderness and love.

As Christmas approaches my mind begins to focus on my soon-to-come after-Christmas art obligations, which seem like many right now.  And so I must find time to paint for them, in between working for my daughter's www.CrimsonKeyEstateSales.com company, and babysitting for her and Cass's adorable daughter, Salem, pictured below.

And so visit this blog again soon as I bang out paintings for January, when I will be the featured artist in the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center's "Orange Room" (quite a challenge gathering paintings that go with orange!), and also the Featured Artist in Dale Sorensen Real Estate's office in the Vero Beach Arts District, where my daughter Robin also works as an agent.  Come see my work there during the Gallery Stroll, January 2nd, 5-8 pm.  Then the next month my art studio will be part of the 11-studio "4th Annual Sebastian Art Studio Tour" on February 7th, 10-5:00.  This is my second year participating in this event, although I helped out with publicity on the others.

As I sign off today, all those who see this posting I wish a Merry Christmas, and a new year filled with good health, peace, love, and art.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Plein Air Painting with Friends

Hi folks,

Well, another perfect day in paradise, painting outdoors with friends. Picked up some morning jo at Dunkin, and joined Barb and Lee at Royal Palm Pointe to start the season's plein air painting sessions on Wednesdays. The day was perfect and we each set up our easels under green canvas umbrellas and began constructing our compositions. We enjoyed chatting and watching the children play in the fountains while we painted. Being a much slower painter (and way too chatty) than my colleagues, they were finished and packed up by 12:30 and I remained by myself, "In The Zone," until after 3:00. My buddy Rita came by at 2:00 and convinced me to not go home and get ready for our Art Club Website meeting at 4:00, but to join her for a swim and a glass of wine and leave from there together. How could I resist? Posted is my partially-finished composition which hopefully I will post finished tomorrow. Although right now it's at the really ugly stage, I've learned not to get discouraged because they almost always get better (with some exceptions unfortunately).

Also posted is yesterday's finished painting of "Tuscany," started at the Sebastian River Art Club, and painted from a picture my friend Julianne brought.

Posted too is a picture of my friend Cathy who passed away earlier this year. Her husband Phil called this morning from Texas, and I told him of this lovely photo of her I took while we plein air painted at McKee Gardens in Vero Beach, and sent it to him. That smile is vintage Cathy, in happier, healthier days. She was one of the most pleasant, likeable people I've ever met--never a harsh word or a complaint, always happy and smiling. A terrific artist too.

So at 7:00 Bob and I bid adieu to the sun, sitting on our adarondak chairs with a glass of wine out by the canal's edge, winding up a busy and fruitful day. Bob did a lot of stuff too ... but who cares? (only kidding!)

Judy