Study #2- Purple Sunset

(Top painting is the finished palate knife study.  The bottom painting is a partially completed brush study of the same sunset over Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake)

My first painting of this image was done using a palate knife only; very challenging.

This is my second attempt at this image but I used a brush.  I think I like it better than the palatte knife painting but I was surprised at how even though I didn't have as much control over the fine details of the palatte knife painting, I did like the texture created by the knife.  It was like spreading butter on toast.

My landscape painting teacher, Diane Turner, helped me figure our how to do the rays around the sun.  After I painted the rays she had me use my pinky finger to smudge the paint to make it look diffised.  I LOVE how it turned out.

BDAC Advanced Oil Class-Landscape Painting

January 13th was my first class with Diane Turner this winter. I took a class from her last year and loved it! One of her teachers was the Utah artist LeConte Stewart; famous for his impressionistic landscapes.  

Four years now I have been taking hundreds of photographs of the sunset over antelope Island that I can see from my house. I have been wanting to paint this for a very long time. I took several photographs with me to class and chose one to work on. She encouraged me to try a new technique by using a palette knife to paint with instead of a brush.  I must admit it was very difficult at first. I almost gave up and quit. But I decided to carry-on.  I'm glad I did. In fact, I might try it again. 

During the second class I decided to do the same painting but with a brush and see how it would compare.  I am not finished with it yet but you can see a picture of it as it looks right now (The painting on the top is the one done with a palette knife and the painting on the bottom is the one done with a paintbrush).  I'll keep you posted on the progress of the second painting.

Art Classes Resume

Today was the second day of my winter session. Here you can see a photograph of DeAnn and her daughter Faith. DeAnn is working on a landscape scene and her daughter is working on a watercolor of a flower. They both did a great job.  

I love teaching!

Springville Museum Selection Results

I found out on Thursday that I did not make the cut for the juried spiritual and religious art show this year. I submitted my "Hope of Israel" painting with Mary and baby Jesus and I submitted "Vessel of the Lord" painting seen below. This was a little discouraging. But, art is subjective.  What one person loves another person might not like very much.  It's really an interesting, and even perplexing thing. 

In the past, I have been commissioned to do a piece for hundreds of dollars and that same piece has been accepted in a juried show and at another time was not excepted in a different show. Go figure.

Being rejected is not my favorite part of sharing my art.  I have attempted to submit things to this museum four times and was successful getting into a show once.  It is probably the most prestigious art museum in Utah so I should expect it to attract the very best talent and there is lots of competition.  So I guess it's okay if I don't get in every time.

That's my report. I'll have to think about whether not I want to continue making the effort to submit something to a museum that is so far away from my home. It takes an investment of time and energy to do that.

Zions Art Show in SLC

This Thursday I attended the annual art show downtown with some of my art friends.  We really enjoyed the paintings and sculptures and the delicious food!  The live music was amazing; string quartet, jazz band, acoustic guitar, etc.  it was night to remember! 

Sculpture by my mother, Mary Adams

My mom just finished this sculpture of the boy Jesus and is having it sent to me from Texas so it can be cast into a white resin sculpture.  She's going to submit it to the LDS International Art Show. Wish her luck getting accepted into the show!

Christmas Painting-"Vessel of the Lord "

My sister-in-law recently took a photo of herself pregnant with her last baby. It was wonderful! It inspired me to do this painting.

I call it "Vessel of the Lord" because I wanted to focus on Mary's contribution to the mission of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Were it not for her willingness to accept the call to serve in this capacity, the world will be without a Savior.  She was willing to mother him and that included all of the regular challenges of parenthood but it also included watching him suffer as he fulfilled his mission; as he died on the cross.  At times that must've been very painful. But also what a great joy and privilege.  When I look at the painting it causes me to consider if I am willing to be an instrument in God's hands. To make this world a better place in some small way.  What would it be like if we all have that desire? Lots of little efforts would cumulate to be something rather significant and powerful, I believe.