tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42198421979193086502024-02-23T02:43:32.998-05:00Jean Schwartz, an Artist's JournalExploring how and why I paint and the highs and lows of life as a contemporary artist.Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-9986317070593881442019-05-17T19:35:00.000-04:002019-05-17T19:35:06.346-04:00Maine to North Carolina<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGkOVaP8gvo-SshlSuEjhIZMPn7AqN4qJ-knap_9wjTlsFr3dhhlMJvnx283QJ08VkU7HCLtNgpSOPYyukZ6MApzkdxpbmtQzAuR-6wc5ZMrhNmzSNBSdJ3Axv7s9GMj71voRiDfLIiM/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Morning_24x48_oil+on+linen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGkOVaP8gvo-SshlSuEjhIZMPn7AqN4qJ-knap_9wjTlsFr3dhhlMJvnx283QJ08VkU7HCLtNgpSOPYyukZ6MApzkdxpbmtQzAuR-6wc5ZMrhNmzSNBSdJ3Axv7s9GMj71voRiDfLIiM/s400/Schwartz_Jean_Morning_24x48_oil+on+linen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Morning", 24x48 oil on linen</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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My focus has continued to be on the coast but my last two paintings have depicted scenes from my days on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The month of May always brought warm days and beautiful sunrises that I often enjoyed sitting on the beach with a mug of coffee. The painting above, simply titled "Morning" was painted from memory with some color references taken from old plein air paintings. I wanted to keep the brush moving and keep things loose rather than get caught up in painting intricate, lacey foam patterns, although that can be fun and interesting to do. I wanted to emphasize the movement of the surf and still think I could do more in that direction.<br />
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Next up will be a nocturnal seascape and I have been doing some preliminary sketches. I am thinking it will involve a rocky shoreline and rough surf, so yup, I am heading back to Maine. Then again a quiet North Carolina nocturne.......?<br />
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-70177592880570741782019-03-24T20:23:00.000-04:002019-03-24T20:24:45.040-04:00On the Rocks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg0FUCE1uE4bk42wj1XuytNKf_QGV_uA-V6bW68-gB8YrFtpJZGxmZPpTJbxZlM-cY7shqVDtLHv1t2gkKPT0-N7x9JAJip10numW4SEarsv7LEhzA1quOtrX1ye-RWHyfhpQSkdxCTU/s1600/On+the+Rocks%252C+Late+Afternoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg0FUCE1uE4bk42wj1XuytNKf_QGV_uA-V6bW68-gB8YrFtpJZGxmZPpTJbxZlM-cY7shqVDtLHv1t2gkKPT0-N7x9JAJip10numW4SEarsv7LEhzA1quOtrX1ye-RWHyfhpQSkdxCTU/s400/On+the+Rocks%252C+Late+Afternoon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"On the Rocks" 18x24 oil on panel</td></tr>
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I have been binge painting coastal Maine! I did a number of plein air studies on Casco Bay last August and I was sure that as soon as I arrived home I would start doing some large studio paintings based on my experience and the studies. It didn't happen. I just couldn't work up enthusiasm for them and I thought that was very odd. So I went back to work on my cityscapes. I would often pull out my studies from the summer trip and look at photos I had taken and still NOTHING. Then this January I was suddenly inspired. Perhaps it all had to percolate and my subconscious was continuing to process images? I don't know the answer but whatever enthusiasm I had lacked I have definitely found now!<br />
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This painting was inspired by one of the very few sunny days we had that week. Most of my studies were done from locations out on the rocks so I became quite familiar with them. What I found so enticing about working there was the hypnotic lapping of the tide as it came in and out as well as the cool breezes and enticing smells of seaweed and salt water. Every so often there would be strange ripples moving across the surface of the water which was clear enough to reveal the seals below that were creating the disturbance. Painting this piece took me back to that peaceful, inspiring time.<br />
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I hope to be posting more coastal paintings here and I hope you will continue joining in the journey!<br />
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NEWS:<br />
I was very honored today that "CASCO BAY COTTAGE" (see last post entry) was awarded second place at the annual awards banquet of the WASHINGTON SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE PAINTERS held at the ARTS CLUB OF WASHINGTON DC. I have a great deal of respect for the talent in that organization and I am proud to be a juried member of it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu-sw03vtiZfL-OX4_7yEte9pFkvgseoC_r1KLd8IeqtPITiNUzg7ZNOXTb3V4jLqkjbj0-FGiIa0raksycHnKIMGvKX2XSoVm9LVBl1WkpSphm96FjmLBVF-KHP3uMrenmPZY1ZS4r4/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Casco+Bay+Cottage_30x24_oil+on+linen+panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu-sw03vtiZfL-OX4_7yEte9pFkvgseoC_r1KLd8IeqtPITiNUzg7ZNOXTb3V4jLqkjbj0-FGiIa0raksycHnKIMGvKX2XSoVm9LVBl1WkpSphm96FjmLBVF-KHP3uMrenmPZY1ZS4r4/s400/Schwartz_Jean_Casco+Bay+Cottage_30x24_oil+on+linen+panel.JPG" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<span style="font-size: small;">Casco Bay Cottage" 30x24 oil on linen panel</span></td></tr>
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ON EXHIBIT:<br />
Opening April 6th and running to April 30th, "SPRING MIX" at the PENINSULA GALLERY in Lewes Delaware. This is a group show of floral and garden paintings by the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. You can visit the WSLP website <a href="http://www.wslp.org/">www.wslp.org</a> to see all the wonderful paintings in this show. Below is an image of the painting I submitted which is a corner of the water garden at the Maine Botanical Gardens, part of the Garden of the Five Senses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBw1t4_OWj302NybPtN-t472wYA1i_s7sHaxZwm_4Xj_6lE2CMOwhQuHFUFk-5rLRqTNQHv8NF1rovJYA8XpzcggJ2sicbsej79sRU2mY7JQwGJMtV7cE95Mc8fEu1FxHXOEvhpRx1Kc/s1600/Jean+Schwartz_Pond+Perrenials_15x19+fr._oil+on+panel_%2524900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1200" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBw1t4_OWj302NybPtN-t472wYA1i_s7sHaxZwm_4Xj_6lE2CMOwhQuHFUFk-5rLRqTNQHv8NF1rovJYA8XpzcggJ2sicbsej79sRU2mY7JQwGJMtV7cE95Mc8fEu1FxHXOEvhpRx1Kc/s400/Jean+Schwartz_Pond+Perrenials_15x19+fr._oil+on+panel_%2524900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<span style="font-size: small;">Pond Perennials" 12x16 oil on panel</span></td></tr>
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-51341030773151458992019-03-09T20:24:00.000-05:002019-03-09T20:24:15.438-05:00Remembering Summer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Er1zuYNkfAE-mIul2A7GNKWjk9abci6HlbO9QLjRG-mI9jmQm87Rparz2wGHaRZYvJCcOeYzDqCnqgcyrbIPRGmm7Z2Y_knP6nz-Ks8Hg8ffPgXg3W_SICbhkW38BTnD02NCpNl2lt8/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Casco+Bay+Cottage_oil_24x30_%25243400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Er1zuYNkfAE-mIul2A7GNKWjk9abci6HlbO9QLjRG-mI9jmQm87Rparz2wGHaRZYvJCcOeYzDqCnqgcyrbIPRGmm7Z2Y_knP6nz-Ks8Hg8ffPgXg3W_SICbhkW38BTnD02NCpNl2lt8/s640/Schwartz_Jean_Casco+Bay+Cottage_oil_24x30_%25243400.JPG" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Casco Bay Cottage", 30x24 oil on linen panel</td></tr>
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Like my last post, this painting was developed from sketches and photo references created last August on Casco Bay in Maine. Most of the week was cloudy, foggy and rainy providing some interesting images but when the sun came out it was truly glorious! <br />
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One morning I awoke to golden sunlight and knowing how quickly the weather can change on the Bay I didn't waste any time heading down to the dock before 7:00 AM. to document the sunrise. The cottage depicted here was next door to the one I was staying in and looks directly out over the Bay. However, what struck me on that morning was the light hitting the rocks and dappling the path to the cottage. It was an opportunity to paint a variety of textures as well as the strong contrast of warm and cool colors and light and dark areas.<br />
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The tools I used were the same as in my previous post "The Cove at Anna's". For this one I painted on a linen panel which I had toned with yellow ochre. I used a two inch bristle brush, palette knives and round bristle brushes. If you don't often use the latter I recommend you give them a try.<br />
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UPCOMING EVENTS:<br />
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"Spring Mix" A group exhibit by the Washington Society of Landscape Painters at the Peninsula Gallery in Lewes Delaware. April 6th through April 30th.<br />
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March 28th to 30th painting the Gardens at Winterthur in Delaware. I hope to have some interesting work to post from that experience!<br />
<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-21826083675683785922019-03-04T21:00:00.001-05:002019-03-04T21:00:30.451-05:00Love Those Nocturnes!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPBjSDAXwmFX1wAEcjN9DxPAzLid2qi0l40dEqPL7BQIiqvBeVO0FLmt6ulNqEapUvdx1XdIykOOhMZadDoR-rzELdSkdBHwkwoE_Y2m2GatfS7P3-Un9P0RYKcAZO0DIVGZA7ezLi6A/s1600/The+Cove+at+Annas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPBjSDAXwmFX1wAEcjN9DxPAzLid2qi0l40dEqPL7BQIiqvBeVO0FLmt6ulNqEapUvdx1XdIykOOhMZadDoR-rzELdSkdBHwkwoE_Y2m2GatfS7P3-Un9P0RYKcAZO0DIVGZA7ezLi6A/s400/The+Cove+at+Annas.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Cove at Anna's" 18x24 oil on panel</td></tr>
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I never tire of painting or viewing nocturnes. Every time I paint one I try to explore new colors of the night as well as how to apply the paint to give the sense of depth that is found in the night sky. A flat application of paint doesn't cut it for me.<br />
This particular painting was created with three tools. A two inch bristle brush, a round nose palette knife (bulk of the painting) and a #4 round bristle brush. I kept the palette simple and all colors were mixed from indigo blue, cerulean, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, vermilion, naples yellow, ochre and white.<br />
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The inspiration for the painting was the cove at Anna's Waterfront restaurant on Casco Bay in Maine. I had enjoyed a wonderful lobster dinner at the restaurant with friends and when it was time to leave we were greeted with this wonderful, peaceful, full moon night. I eliminated the cars in the parking lot and the flagpole to simplify the image and focus on the quiet roll of the tide, the sources of light in that velvety sky and the reflections on the Bay.<br />
I didn't need a photo reference for this one. It was painted from the heart.<br />
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UPCOMING SHOW<br />
"Spring Mix" at the Peninsula Gallery, Lewes Delaware. April 6th through 29th. This is a Washington Society of Landscape Painters group show with a floral or garden theme.<br />
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See more of my work at www.jeanschwartzpaintings.com <br />
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-49890409823906586762018-10-17T19:08:00.000-04:002018-10-17T19:08:26.357-04:00Second Time Around<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzqEJDQQTCaNFDzAN6KwVw8oD51GeWJGgIv6Gtc-VXKqn1Afp8YmFgHAvibVTv0_yepYqnWKdooQdcBK31DiLboEi2iwB4lu-ZQtMvseX3i0oAP5CvnRfjiDa7lOzz8f6Fn3KL0JsH3c/s1600/Winter+Mist%252C+Chain+Bridge_30x30+oil+on+panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzqEJDQQTCaNFDzAN6KwVw8oD51GeWJGgIv6Gtc-VXKqn1Afp8YmFgHAvibVTv0_yepYqnWKdooQdcBK31DiLboEi2iwB4lu-ZQtMvseX3i0oAP5CvnRfjiDa7lOzz8f6Fn3KL0JsH3c/s400/Winter+Mist%252C+Chain+Bridge_30x30+oil+on+panel.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Winter Mist, Chain Bridge" 30x30 oil on panel</td></tr>
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I created this painting in March when we were experiencing another rainy, misty season but something was not quite right. I ended up putting it away in the storage closet and forgot about it for awhile. I took it out last week while searching for a different painting and found myself lured in with a desire to improve it. Sometimes it is a photo of a painting that tells me what is wrong with it. In this case most of the photos I took were quite bland and I realized the painting was as well. Then one image taken with the studio lights on made the colors much more saturated with an overall rosy cast. I realized that what I wanted was somewhere between what existed and what I saw in that overly saturated photo. So, back to work.<br />
I took my time and worked up some more transparent layers. I added more mist rising from the Potomac and made some adjustments to the bridge. I added more color to the tree masses. Then I propped it up for a couple of days and decided I had finished the painting!<br />
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Sometimes it is the tougher paintings that I end up liking the most. They are a challenge and make me work for it and when I work for it I stretch my abilities more. I also find that my recent paintings draw on my years as an abstract painter particularly when I was working in multiple sheer layers of paint as a color field artist.<br />
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I hope you enjoy this one! <br />
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-69307851147056901472018-09-10T22:47:00.000-04:002018-09-10T22:47:19.403-04:00Just Off the Easel<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxoTcBapzf8SYfcQ3XeF2M8HX9-eZVN9q7fyegmsedFq7mjhdi-M1FtSuagMlqeJNF4oK1uCYcVwkSjV4iGDUhQWi6LwtBhcMeO2G5THeP94r3Lp5sSBIjpoDP3wDstGNCX5INJzxMPk/s1600/DSCN9470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxoTcBapzf8SYfcQ3XeF2M8HX9-eZVN9q7fyegmsedFq7mjhdi-M1FtSuagMlqeJNF4oK1uCYcVwkSjV4iGDUhQWi6LwtBhcMeO2G5THeP94r3Lp5sSBIjpoDP3wDstGNCX5INJzxMPk/s400/DSCN9470.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Blue Canyon, 5th Avenue" 12x12 oil on panel</td></tr>
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As a child I had a love affair with 5th Avenue. I thought it was the grandest place I had ever seen! I still love it and enjoy painting it. This is 5th Avenue down around 34th Street which I came to know well since my first job after college was right there at 34th and 5th. I think what makes NYC unique to paint is the canyon like effect of the extraordinarily tall buildings and the fact that it is built on a grid. There are very few diagonals and virtually all streets are east, west, north and south. Easy to choose the light source.<br />
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Fall is show time! UPCOMING EXHIBITS:<br />
Opening September 21st and running until October 15th:<br />
THE PRINCIPLE GALLERY PRESENTS THE WASHINGTON SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE PAINTERS<br />
Opening reception September 21st from 6:30 until 9:00 PM,I will have two paintings in this show, "Yellow Sky" and "Key Bridge Nocturne". Please go to<a href="http://www.principlegallery.com/">www.principlegallery.com</a> for more information.<br />
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THE SALMAGUNDI CLUB FALL AUCTIONS October 8th to 26th. <a href="http://www.salmagundi.org/">www.salmagundi.org</a><br />
With luck the above painting will be include in the auction.<br />
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AMERICAN PAINTINGS FINE ART SMALL TREASURES 2018 November 17th to January 26th 2019. <a href="http://www.americanpaintingsfineart.com/">www.americanpaintingsfineart.com</a><br />
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-81011052027298759462018-06-28T12:47:00.000-04:002018-06-28T12:47:21.041-04:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsET_-dl6lHZ2AzyQ6Dn-IMt3X-pPGxcyJYKs7nipqPKN_gY5ZZOZLukZ81cEYNSozUzQ-3PY23X16oWv3L-1shNw7Zu_JPrGifEZ1Dw-bqAE0EDXxW9a2Noow2UoiCHhzvgTvwN33fw/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Indigo+Rain_oil+on+panel_30x30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1600" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsET_-dl6lHZ2AzyQ6Dn-IMt3X-pPGxcyJYKs7nipqPKN_gY5ZZOZLukZ81cEYNSozUzQ-3PY23X16oWv3L-1shNw7Zu_JPrGifEZ1Dw-bqAE0EDXxW9a2Noow2UoiCHhzvgTvwN33fw/s400/Schwartz_Jean_Indigo+Rain_oil+on+panel_30x30.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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"Indigo Sky" oil on panel, 30x30</div>
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I have been absent since January as the business of painting and exhibiting those paintings has taken precedence over my online presence. Life has thrown some curves since the beginning of 2018 but the painting goes on if not my posting.<br />
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This is my most recent studio painting and was completed two weeks ago. I am back on the nocturne kick as I just love them! I keep experimenting with night shades and I particularly like the palette in this one. I was strict in using just Indigo, Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre and white. What beautiful colors you can mix with those! A limited palette has the advantage of making it easy to mix up another batch of the same color.<br />
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What is next from the studio? Well, I am thinking another nocturne :-)<br />
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ON EXHIBIT:<br />
AMERICAN PAINTING FINE ART presents "WONDERFUL WASHINGTON DC<br />
An annual celebration of our nations capitol. Paintings will be on exhibit from June 9th to September 22nd 2018. I have three paintings in this exhibit including the one below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxPd6tlB-JGIYi0eFMmmNTl4deaNL6PuGD16VoOLm_vWicTf3v1ICUMz4hTAh05hlcbb2VqwUsD_56qdMECjTubksPk5vFiBT8e04pDtHeLNy_XaeOMLzcMQxdzC1FrWE87tPZ13_l5k/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_March+Rain%252C+6th+Street_24x20_oil+on+panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1322" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxPd6tlB-JGIYi0eFMmmNTl4deaNL6PuGD16VoOLm_vWicTf3v1ICUMz4hTAh05hlcbb2VqwUsD_56qdMECjTubksPk5vFiBT8e04pDtHeLNy_XaeOMLzcMQxdzC1FrWE87tPZ13_l5k/s400/Schwartz_Jean_March+Rain%252C+6th+Street_24x20_oil+on+panel.JPG" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"March Rain" oil on panel. 24x20</td></tr>
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Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-12577380985026001682018-01-04T21:09:00.001-05:002018-01-04T21:09:53.297-05:00Remembering Warmer Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYAOlGk2SUKeujbm1hAI-qvXuHOM3S1geqw7ER7IVd-2BUm-bMe1BYzgpSedydXmASfY8dux8uVt-ltCjOQHn-pu6-xmiGBtPbkIs35jMSShEkQtbsrQXXsixwJU6mUDu-ELtFPwfdL8/s1600/DSCN8737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYAOlGk2SUKeujbm1hAI-qvXuHOM3S1geqw7ER7IVd-2BUm-bMe1BYzgpSedydXmASfY8dux8uVt-ltCjOQHn-pu6-xmiGBtPbkIs35jMSShEkQtbsrQXXsixwJU6mUDu-ELtFPwfdL8/s400/DSCN8737.JPG" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Bishop's Garden", 12x12 oil on panel</td></tr>
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Back in September I spent a week painting at different locations around Washington DC. The weather was perfect! Sunny, warm with a cooling breeze and it was an absolute joy to be outdoors painting on my own with no time restraints. I thought I would like to post some paintings from that week and bring a little warmth to those of us in the deep freeze. Currently the wind is howling outdoors, there is snow on the ground and temperatures are plummeting to the single digits. BRRRR<br />
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The painting above was painted at Washington's National Cathedral from the lawn overlooking the Bishop's Garden on the south side of the cathedral. The late summer garden was dominated by blue flowers with a good deal of gray green foliage to compliment them. I loved the warmth of the building contrasting with the cool of the garden.<br />
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The two paintings below were painted in the gardens of Tudor Place, a mansion surrounded by acres of land in the middle of Georgetown in DC. There were so many wonderful things demanding to be painted that I will have to return in the spring. I chose to work small using my pochade box instead of my French easel as it is easier to move around. As it turned out I planted myself in one spot first looking to my left at the rear of the mansion to paint the ancient boxwoods and then I turned right to paint the late blooming roses and pergola in the rose garden. Turns out it was a smart move as both of these paintings are currently on view at AMERICAN PAINTINGS FINE ART in DC for the annual SMALL TREASURES EXHIBIT. All works must be no larger than 9x12 so these easily qualified. Gardens are a joy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RBSQiALMJx8bn4T5y3cUnZanSMjGIqHKUtFY4U39ogfiaMHA2whcHQKpW87K6TML9wZP3DRx_s84L-s0BJo7qh7BcMEEihAwSk3jke6u5aaqq9Qte3G9Amo1gstoeDzgOSBtyYGuaQE/s1600/Schwartz_Rose+Garden%252C+Tudor+Place_6x8_oc..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RBSQiALMJx8bn4T5y3cUnZanSMjGIqHKUtFY4U39ogfiaMHA2whcHQKpW87K6TML9wZP3DRx_s84L-s0BJo7qh7BcMEEihAwSk3jke6u5aaqq9Qte3G9Amo1gstoeDzgOSBtyYGuaQE/s400/Schwartz_Rose+Garden%252C+Tudor+Place_6x8_oc..JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Rose Garden, Tudor Place", 6x8 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFaXgfjXcjHLFQGRCXEt0J6Z2tTRcdR9d8YDqxR5G-VhtpyBQscrkkp_VDkseI8rqmFjhJmWe46g9Dk-0POEdRtT2BAFQGfssPsd5I24KYqvPOP5TP1ZKg0aln35NtsOOdH-2wQYdtwY/s1600/Schwartz_Boxwoods%252C+Tudor+Place_8x8_oc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFaXgfjXcjHLFQGRCXEt0J6Z2tTRcdR9d8YDqxR5G-VhtpyBQscrkkp_VDkseI8rqmFjhJmWe46g9Dk-0POEdRtT2BAFQGfssPsd5I24KYqvPOP5TP1ZKg0aln35NtsOOdH-2wQYdtwY/s400/Schwartz_Boxwoods%252C+Tudor+Place_8x8_oc.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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"Boxwoods, Tudor Place", 8x8 oil on panel</div>
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-19960286806142500652017-12-30T17:47:00.000-05:002017-12-30T17:47:03.607-05:00The Artist's Process<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINWcX4Yfeb30GT08PpA0Lv_y0r4QUtsAHbfmy_1gKTtMrYPumTop5ndK3sb_F2_efmpivFZ1CuB-380rRhn1MYSJcmkdYCTMajT4JTct5HJTASG1FYXmLHkB_K1qh_M6HbVzGii0H6-k/s1600/Schwarz_Jean_Summer+Evening+Tree+Study+3_12x16_framed+14x18_oil+on+panel_%2524600.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINWcX4Yfeb30GT08PpA0Lv_y0r4QUtsAHbfmy_1gKTtMrYPumTop5ndK3sb_F2_efmpivFZ1CuB-380rRhn1MYSJcmkdYCTMajT4JTct5HJTASG1FYXmLHkB_K1qh_M6HbVzGii0H6-k/s400/Schwarz_Jean_Summer+Evening+Tree+Study+3_12x16_framed+14x18_oil+on+panel_%2524600.jpg.jpg" width="400" />"</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tree Study #3", 12x16 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDO9OOAeCGbfcjFXbIarfcw_vklDP5uH3XKk1cCOyQOFWyJ5S9WPiqaNn8PHQvd8Y0L_WHQbrpPPFZYvdqDAMycIjZmLnioMEEJ9ZhK-_zVo3v5_UqGV-kT5VMAz0NkD16lxEP1HSRm0/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_+Summer+Evening+Tree+Study+2_10x8_framed+12x10_oil+on+panel_%2524375.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1285" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDO9OOAeCGbfcjFXbIarfcw_vklDP5uH3XKk1cCOyQOFWyJ5S9WPiqaNn8PHQvd8Y0L_WHQbrpPPFZYvdqDAMycIjZmLnioMEEJ9ZhK-_zVo3v5_UqGV-kT5VMAz0NkD16lxEP1HSRm0/s400/Schwartz_Jean_+Summer+Evening+Tree+Study+2_10x8_framed+12x10_oil+on+panel_%2524375.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tree Study # 2", 10x8 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0kLfcFT0pyEsASnAaFVpJmhylscyTkn6P2LGzrKaxC_jsisqNDHIod2AxH6TiDmc4tI-CxSeVywmUkdMkfFor0W2oLdFdQvsMu74H1EABx9qXUItNvOFNmJLELejp5kDcfajG_jJ2is/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Summer+Evening+Tree+Study+1_10x8_+framed+12x10_oil+on+panel_%2524375.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1245" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0kLfcFT0pyEsASnAaFVpJmhylscyTkn6P2LGzrKaxC_jsisqNDHIod2AxH6TiDmc4tI-CxSeVywmUkdMkfFor0W2oLdFdQvsMu74H1EABx9qXUItNvOFNmJLELejp5kDcfajG_jJ2is/s400/Schwartz_Jean_Summer+Evening+Tree+Study+1_10x8_+framed+12x10_oil+on+panel_%2524375.jpg.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tree Study # 1", 10x8 oil on panel</td></tr>
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On November 1st an exhibit of plein air paintings by the Washington Society of Landscape Painters opened at the Athenaeum on Prince Street in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Athenaeum curator, Twig Murray's concept for the exhibit was for "sketchy" field studies that might be used to inspire larger, more complex studio paintings or be the finished work in itself. She wanted to show the various methods artists use to create their finished paintings.<br />
The WSLP is well known for plein air painting and it is something the group does together the last Sunday of every month. Some members paint exclusively en plein air while others view their paintings as studies. I fall into the latter group. That is not to say that on occasion I feel that a particular painting created on site is "done" and I frame it up and exhibit it along with my studio work.<br />
The three little paintings shown here were all created from my deck in the summer between the hours of 6:30 and 8:00 PM on different evenings. Each portrays a different view of the woods behind my house being drenched in the same golden light. While they do stand on their own I was most interested in studying the light and interesting ways to create texture and movement when painting the trees. They are studies in positive and negative spaces and the use of both palette knife and brush. They will be helpful references.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I0epkKQ1XNEP61DlyYD9ish8hAoyrZYDgThrfd_dwfgopx1FCD8InnUkcP7TP0N1T3FRvtqhO6s8GcE0jxs2aqxgzDU8mI2mTYyD0EaPiLVhVDF_DlwA6uSd0QfvHdrL5iX9YpoZOPw/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_pencil+and+oil_open+11x18.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I0epkKQ1XNEP61DlyYD9ish8hAoyrZYDgThrfd_dwfgopx1FCD8InnUkcP7TP0N1T3FRvtqhO6s8GcE0jxs2aqxgzDU8mI2mTYyD0EaPiLVhVDF_DlwA6uSd0QfvHdrL5iX9YpoZOPw/s400/Schwartz_Jean_pencil+and+oil_open+11x18.5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Sketchbook </td></tr>
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Also included in the exhibit is a glass case holding sketchbooks by four members and mine is one of them. Shown here is how I prepare for a studio painting by doing a pencil sketch on one side and then a color study on the other. I can then prop the sketchbook up and use these studies as my reference. I find it more helpful and interesting than working from a photo as I have already edited the information before me.<br />
There is one more week to view the exhibit: THE ARTIST'S PROCESS at THE ATHENAEUM GALLERY 201 Prince Street, Alexandria VA. Closing date is Sunday, January 7th at 3:00 PM.Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-27307347207149462082017-12-21T20:14:00.001-05:002017-12-21T20:14:19.726-05:00Something Had to Give!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquVH9lBRaKiFzG3SRjq5yxxIw_2omUQ95xZvDtCuniRhwJbMx1FS2X4UL6s5_5nUR4ofXlqrV9abW4YCgXH4te0bGp-H6XxHpeMKR07jLIqakLGxSUKWzze4JVs0uoXhuT1bAK9smlPE/s1600/Silver+Morning_+60x48+oil+on+linen_commissioned+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1261" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquVH9lBRaKiFzG3SRjq5yxxIw_2omUQ95xZvDtCuniRhwJbMx1FS2X4UL6s5_5nUR4ofXlqrV9abW4YCgXH4te0bGp-H6XxHpeMKR07jLIqakLGxSUKWzze4JVs0uoXhuT1bAK9smlPE/s400/Silver+Morning_+60x48+oil+on+linen_commissioned+painting.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Silver Morning" 60x48 oil on line Commissioned Painting</td></tr>
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I haven't posted in months! This has not been for lack of something to say or due to a lull in production. Quite the contrary. This fall I went into over drive with preparations for five shows, a large commissioned painting, a week long plein air event and all the rest of the stuff of life that all of us have to deal with. Like many artists I do my own framing, packing and publicity. Something had to go if I was going to honor my deadlines and that something was my blog and social media. Even that small change took some of the pressure off. The good news is the commission was a success and the paintings arrived on time to the shows, the bad news is nobody heard about it. Hmmmm.<br />
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So, I will at least document some of the work and events in this post and some upcoming ones. The painting posted here is the one commissioned by a couple from North Carolina who already own two of my paintings. I was thrilled with the request particularly since the subject was my beloved Outer Banks. All they asked was that the palette be muted greens, bright grays and white and that the size be 60x 48. I did four 8x10 studies and let them choose the one to work from. I gave them the study along with the painting.<br />
The last two studies are currently on view in the 109th Thumb Box exhibit at the Salmagundi Club, 47 5th Avenue, NYC!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMTgQWCL7dM0sBUt_yoLF3WB1bn0pVR7Dr78WaSGjj1p-AWR0iEKPDax34rdFjuigPtrLqaF5Ai2Me2n3Pg6fNQ0BouoCskODAHGg4mYY9QeITXh8hHGzNZeP6FWZqf-9pd-4ZCPmvag/s1600/Schwartz_Silver+Day+Study_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1287" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMTgQWCL7dM0sBUt_yoLF3WB1bn0pVR7Dr78WaSGjj1p-AWR0iEKPDax34rdFjuigPtrLqaF5Ai2Me2n3Pg6fNQ0BouoCskODAHGg4mYY9QeITXh8hHGzNZeP6FWZqf-9pd-4ZCPmvag/s320/Schwartz_Silver+Day+Study_2.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Silver Morning" study 8x10 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizaauwLd4TjwMyQFqjiVCRSLCFebdNcw_vt4CEhkOAutn48p_ZEZQGaLXyLsstKfJham5Nkw_kVlTtg9d98iY0TOehbYZZV6yhJ8ovDI2qb_qa_w0bSi_zmFhqCpH5a7e6b-nMw9B-E4/s1600/Schwartz_Silver+Day+Study_4+gray+sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1272" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizaauwLd4TjwMyQFqjiVCRSLCFebdNcw_vt4CEhkOAutn48p_ZEZQGaLXyLsstKfJham5Nkw_kVlTtg9d98iY0TOehbYZZV6yhJ8ovDI2qb_qa_w0bSi_zmFhqCpH5a7e6b-nMw9B-E4/s320/Schwartz_Silver+Day+Study_4+gray+sand.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Low Cloud" study 8x10 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q6hsa0l1VjdqgHG_Ga8EgzKxJD0I3MOrWc3h68an5NukQis1i5U_9_vxmWlU3wREWd2WxZk_ioOtM7dccQyqjFanSuC5vfs9DBdKP9od2y8M4dYw4J7XXsucIBPdzcoOzrN4Gjm2UjU/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Aftermath_10x8_oil_%2524500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1277" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q6hsa0l1VjdqgHG_Ga8EgzKxJD0I3MOrWc3h68an5NukQis1i5U_9_vxmWlU3wREWd2WxZk_ioOtM7dccQyqjFanSuC5vfs9DBdKP9od2y8M4dYw4J7XXsucIBPdzcoOzrN4Gjm2UjU/s320/Schwartz_Jean_Aftermath_10x8_oil_%2524500.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Aftermath" study 8x10 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwtGOFPkrY8OXSXx5a3hodzAFsUT5-p5MM1jArgGVcRFA3FtMMX_jeK4m0N0zysVYTufGTG7U9mjt-A-m0uKOD2F5HgMf8uVIpFnXQmXYd7AnMXlzSa_6jOS2IMTR3kEkhCnicetDe54/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Edge+of+the+Storm_10x8_oil_%2524500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1269" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwtGOFPkrY8OXSXx5a3hodzAFsUT5-p5MM1jArgGVcRFA3FtMMX_jeK4m0N0zysVYTufGTG7U9mjt-A-m0uKOD2F5HgMf8uVIpFnXQmXYd7AnMXlzSa_6jOS2IMTR3kEkhCnicetDe54/s320/Schwartz_Jean_Edge+of+the+Storm_10x8_oil_%2524500.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Edge of the Storm" study 8x10 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-81521191561309851132017-08-21T11:55:00.000-04:002017-08-21T11:55:38.826-04:00Another Nocturne<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvcVx7_kvQexUa1XE1HLq1lSiqoCNd5xau4OSZwETY-_iJJJWgYv72QMmtewx9Ee_K77Ux7uhznMFDgs9f3WBlddwWP0W82BJAFBTJrO3dD30oZbOvE7A0NJmwY_cSf3ar4iQDnq5Tyg/s1600/DSCN8644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1585" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvcVx7_kvQexUa1XE1HLq1lSiqoCNd5xau4OSZwETY-_iJJJWgYv72QMmtewx9Ee_K77Ux7uhznMFDgs9f3WBlddwWP0W82BJAFBTJrO3dD30oZbOvE7A0NJmwY_cSf3ar4iQDnq5Tyg/s400/DSCN8644.JPG" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Key Bridge Nocturne, 32,5x32.5 oil on panel</td></tr>
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Summer is entirely too enticing to spend indoors so I have been silent here on my blog preferring to squeeze every moment from this wonderful season, We have had a wet summer which has enhanced the lush greenery of this region and when combined with the notorious Washington heat it has helped create some wonderful atmospheres. One such night is what inspired this painting.<br />
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The air was moist and heavy and the colors from the city lights reflected back up through that atmosphere. There was a shimmer and sense of movement in the sky. I painted this on a panel larger than I usually use and it was a great opportunity to use a variety of tools. There was a lot of brushing, rolling, scraping and dragging. I let accidents lead me along instead of correcting them and they helped create an interesting surface. Sometimes it is best not to stick slavishly to the original plan. If I see something good I go with it. I think that if the painting is exciting for me to paint then perhaps that will translate into the image. I was enjoying this one so much that I was in danger of overworking it. I put it out of sight for a week, took it out and corrected a couple of things and declared it finished!<br />
I hope you enjoy it!Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-79292587169347508552017-07-17T19:46:00.000-04:002017-07-17T19:46:25.820-04:00Back to the City<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG6PPb-Wzeoy2rhyKGDh37cb16x_dPbqH8aDV6jda8ZBVmVvfmZQcWsbr5yB8HdDJMJFJ-GfV2-I3hRnnTier_U0KBGpOG35xt9VOFtwGT_GGkXN_n3rnFNtBIz__0CZcu_0WS7wU_2g/s1600/DSCN9672_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1569" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG6PPb-Wzeoy2rhyKGDh37cb16x_dPbqH8aDV6jda8ZBVmVvfmZQcWsbr5yB8HdDJMJFJ-GfV2-I3hRnnTier_U0KBGpOG35xt9VOFtwGT_GGkXN_n3rnFNtBIz__0CZcu_0WS7wU_2g/s400/DSCN9672_edited-1.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Summer Rain, Pennsylvania Avenue" 30x30 oil on panel</td></tr>
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I have enjoyed painting and sketching outdoors again and have some good studies to put to use but I am feeling compelled to return to the studio and paint the city.<br />
I am working larger for now and I find the square format helps create some strong compositions. My favorite panels are not available larger than 20x24 and no squares larger than 12x12 but Ampersand will cut any size Gessoboard I request! I have been adapting to the different surface and I find I like it very much when I give it more tooth by applying additional layers of gesso both with a roller and with a brush. Good to know it is such a strong, archival substrate, the only drawback is the weight. I will most likely not go larger than 36x36.<br />
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ON THE EASEL....I am working on a 32.5x32.5 painting titled "Key Bridge Nocturne". So far so good but it still has a little way to go. I am still experimenting so we shall see.......<br />
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ON EXHIBIT.....I have four paintings on view at the Delaplaine Center in Frederick MD (well three, because one sold) and you can see some photos of that show in my last post.<br />
ON THE HORIZON....The Washington Society of Landscape Painters will have a plein air exhibit at the Athenaeum in Old Town Alexandria, VA and it will open November 1st and extend until December 31st. I will be the coordinator for that exhibit.<br />
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HAPPY PAINTING EVERYONE!<br />
<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-78218492050062403992017-06-26T20:44:00.001-04:002017-06-26T20:44:28.389-04:00The WSLP at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This beautiful exhibit of 87 paintings by the members of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters opened at the Delaplaine Center for the Visual Arts in Frederick MD last Saturday. I am proud to be a member of this society which has been in existence for over 100 years. Membership is limited to only 40 members and we exhibit as a group at least once a year. We meet monthly for plein air painting excursions and several times a year for meetings and critiques. I find the work of my colleagues an inspiration!<br />
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I am the Exhibitions Chair Person for the group so I have been busy with this show, painting and getting ready for our next exhibit which is scheduled to open in November at the Athenaeum in Old Town Alexandria, VA. That too will be a spectacular setting for a show! If you live anywhere near Frederick please try to stop by this impressive arts center and see our show. It runs until July 30th and there will be an artist's reception this Saturday, July 1st from 3:00 to 5:00. <br />
<a href="http://www.delaplaine.org/">www.delaplaine.org</a> <br />
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I have four paintings in this show and two of them are among the paintings in the photos. I wonder if you can tell which two are mine :-)<br />
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<span id="goog_596768973"></span><span id="goog_596768974"></span>Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-3494010407784576662017-05-30T20:41:00.000-04:002017-05-30T20:44:35.117-04:00Getting Out of the Studio<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufiD_1njy69iLFE8zVtzyzgYllzeeFbjAd4Tul89EVG03XDSj3bFVETn5YrsYRBlWLISrn3nEoLaROoBM9cjsd_6sJ_Xz2RUJfM7lQKCGk4NxB9IQra55Wiyp1lGmnhcvi-KAPC6byH8/s1600/May+2017+photo+of+Jean+painting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufiD_1njy69iLFE8zVtzyzgYllzeeFbjAd4Tul89EVG03XDSj3bFVETn5YrsYRBlWLISrn3nEoLaROoBM9cjsd_6sJ_Xz2RUJfM7lQKCGk4NxB9IQra55Wiyp1lGmnhcvi-KAPC6byH8/s400/May+2017+photo+of+Jean+painting.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting the Perennial Garden at Bon Air Rose Garden in Arlington</td></tr>
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Finally my favorite time of the year! I adore spring and all it's glory, particularly flowers. Along with wanting to get my hands in the dirt and plant new things is the desire to be out painting all that color and light. We have been having so much rain (pouring as I write) that I haven't been out and about as much as I would have liked. However, last Friday the sun blessed us from time to time on a mostly cloudy day and I was able to join friends from the Washington Society of Landscape Painters at the Bon Air Rose Garden in Arlington Virginia. The roses were extraordinary but the textures and intense colors of the perennial garden lured all five of us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcV74vGyDI8zzt1Xt8fXD86md9KAm3gC6kSllUkT8li296q13tJJRZQOwQl7Gr9PAFtG14SyZMoik0IsAs1PPTnU9n-MLtjVaHihgJHTUC62Hdtcle6M9w9B9injCGeQJktnqUDALluVw/s1600/Larkspur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcV74vGyDI8zzt1Xt8fXD86md9KAm3gC6kSllUkT8li296q13tJJRZQOwQl7Gr9PAFtG14SyZMoik0IsAs1PPTnU9n-MLtjVaHihgJHTUC62Hdtcle6M9w9B9injCGeQJktnqUDALluVw/s400/Larkspur.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Larkspur" 8x8 oil on panel</td></tr>
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This is the little study I did of the bed I was facing. The actual color of the larkspur is somewhere between the color in the photo and the color in my painting. I had left my cobalt blue at home and I think that would have been the right blue to mix with alizarin or pyrole red or cad red to get just the right color. Instead I relied on ultra blue with a little cerulean and alizarin. I used a palette knife for most of the painting but also a loaded brush here and there. The panel was toned with a wash of salmon pink and you can see some of it shining through in the trees, among the flowers and along the walk. I thought it a good choice for both a cloudy or sunny day painting. <br />
I would love to do a large, studio version of this one. Perhaps 30x30?Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-67647560790970083842017-05-03T16:57:00.000-04:002017-05-03T16:57:32.793-04:00"Summer Grazing"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvzJy8jVu8zKpPQM0PeI-2GfoKt-Gg9zYvq81EIOouIwwaJsK_cRSVx2d_Ar-evlu0omgN8TjT5iG7ilf1EACLE__fCI-MUU-ektGuiB8clAz9h66SImXrF2u0jykjmXLzK6UcsxRTmo/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Summer+Grazing_24x30_oil+%25242400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvzJy8jVu8zKpPQM0PeI-2GfoKt-Gg9zYvq81EIOouIwwaJsK_cRSVx2d_Ar-evlu0omgN8TjT5iG7ilf1EACLE__fCI-MUU-ektGuiB8clAz9h66SImXrF2u0jykjmXLzK6UcsxRTmo/s400/Schwartz_Jean_Summer+Grazing_24x30_oil+%25242400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Summer Grazing" 24x30 oil on linen</td></tr>
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Just a quick post of a painting I did in June of 2015 of a vista of rolling Virginia hills looking towards the Blue Ridge Mountains. My mare Gypsy was hospitalized at the Marion DuPont Equine Medical Center in Leesburg and this is the view that helped ease the stress of that time. This week we were back there again for another hospital stay and once again I fell in love with that landscape!<br />
This stay there were mostly large, dark ominous clouds scudding over the fields threatening storms. The day we came home was brilliant and sunlit with a sky filled with white fluffy clouds just floating along. Thank God for places like this!<br />
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-50129706658283543152017-04-20T18:19:00.003-04:002017-04-20T18:19:59.586-04:00Cloud Play<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgF9jcI8Y9H3asd0MNysSJgdHPrvgO4hJeLcna5gvL1JqSm8EjLkEhYnFvELhzH2oLWNQLbuVxNB71ymLaU2oUxOz_HgojO3UYNN7vrUP3doVUov-ZLIBmTW1e2CtjDWtCKj9HMWZqbk/s1600/DSCN8456_edited-3+Use+this+for+Salmagundi+Landscape+Show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgF9jcI8Y9H3asd0MNysSJgdHPrvgO4hJeLcna5gvL1JqSm8EjLkEhYnFvELhzH2oLWNQLbuVxNB71ymLaU2oUxOz_HgojO3UYNN7vrUP3doVUov-ZLIBmTW1e2CtjDWtCKj9HMWZqbk/s400/DSCN8456_edited-3+Use+this+for+Salmagundi+Landscape+Show.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cloud Play" 16x20 oil on linen panel</td></tr>
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Many artists have locations that they like to paint again and again. This is one of mine. Actually I have painted over twenty 6x8 studies, some plein air and others in the studio from memory. This is a scene I see everyday and as it is on high ground and fairly open it is easy to watch the changing sky and how those changes affect the color and light on the fields. This studio painting was developed from the plein air painting shown below. <br />
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There are several exhibits looming in the near future and I think I will submit "Cloud Play" for one of them. This season is so beautiful that I would like to attempt another landscape from this property but next time perhaps the lower field and maybe a spring storm will be on the way. Time for a little drama!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgUfkEO9G5eQ9V2epWNVw8X9aOVCGu4efDqQECvsecmoOMnwRScawLraZ4m1q1Iit2GxyFKkROJoxzLvNphZMxkH074-YRYkmRXf5wndTOyJ-2Wxz5OvLMI9_S8w-KbEQWcs9xTqvgXA/s1600/Plein+Air+Study+for+Cloud+Play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgUfkEO9G5eQ9V2epWNVw8X9aOVCGu4efDqQECvsecmoOMnwRScawLraZ4m1q1Iit2GxyFKkROJoxzLvNphZMxkH074-YRYkmRXf5wndTOyJ-2Wxz5OvLMI9_S8w-KbEQWcs9xTqvgXA/s400/Plein+Air+Study+for+Cloud+Play.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plein Air study, 6x8 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-4111467192755684912017-04-17T14:03:00.000-04:002017-04-17T14:03:06.385-04:00Quick Studies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2ZuBt6FVNmuvnKq6nqlBtu2vioHTAEnWuILpWGUPK5669eGQQV2uSSaixn6DHu3Aw6Q8_UUwI_HTRFGmhCuO_uaKKeZPpWHULGzsVBpU9eOqxwtEuvHdB7TCWeF7yFnYul62hBgT_7c/s1600/FROM+THE+KITCHEN+WINDOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2ZuBt6FVNmuvnKq6nqlBtu2vioHTAEnWuILpWGUPK5669eGQQV2uSSaixn6DHu3Aw6Q8_UUwI_HTRFGmhCuO_uaKKeZPpWHULGzsVBpU9eOqxwtEuvHdB7TCWeF7yFnYul62hBgT_7c/s400/FROM+THE+KITCHEN+WINDOW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"From the Kitchen Window" 6x8 oil on panel</td></tr>
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I have a couple of paintings in progress in the studio as I have three exhibition deadlines to meet and I am finding it hard to stay focused when all is coming to life outside my windows. Last week, after painting in the studio most of the day, I was struck by how beautiful the early evening light was. I was standing in the kitchen considering what to cook for dinner when I changed tack and decided I absolutely had to paint that light! I am so happy that I keep my pochade box loaded and ready for such moments. I had exactly the right panels tucked in the cover of the box and the one I chose had been toned with a wash of cadmium orange. Perfect! So I spent a happy hour painting this tiny study, "From the Kitchen Window".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUkvgZwtfYBW6ML5eQv3jD3O9F9KZuSPqCQvq0ysbnfD83LalZLEPPymL9eUpDZ7vN8MWGYQcJXVCBTCGUwZKlR4p9_NhXdcAihyL-jX_WmHMzwTgNqMarisFC-Q2asryDIZlvPLqvGw/s1600/DSCN8419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUkvgZwtfYBW6ML5eQv3jD3O9F9KZuSPqCQvq0ysbnfD83LalZLEPPymL9eUpDZ7vN8MWGYQcJXVCBTCGUwZKlR4p9_NhXdcAihyL-jX_WmHMzwTgNqMarisFC-Q2asryDIZlvPLqvGw/s400/DSCN8419.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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My process for studio work</div>
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Studies like "From the Kitchen Window" have become an important part of how I work. Some, like that little painting, can stand alone and might find their way to a small works exhibit but mostly I like to keep them as references for larger studio works. I also work from drawn sketches in my various sketchbooks, most starting off from quick "thumbnail drawings" and then developing from there. The above image shows how I created "Blues Alley" which I posted a short while back. I like to carry a 4x6 inch sketchbook with me and just a ball point pen. That way I am ready for whatever scene might entice me. If it is something I feel I want to paint later in the studio I size it up on graph paper (scaled to the size canvas I want to paint) and then do a color study (in oil) in the sketchbook I keep for that purpose. Those three things are my references for the painting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOKpvl0MHJaOw03QUGlJ2B3E2C_UbAs6lYQl5k4P9lICB_lRDDz0vyIkDNNyXEO_0tNbFcIc8vrNzooV0laIY4zy4KAyanhl4TwK05dHd8DoLhXrcDbNZ5fx1Cii5Ie0jugPnfWuBgBU/s1600/DSCN8420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOKpvl0MHJaOw03QUGlJ2B3E2C_UbAs6lYQl5k4P9lICB_lRDDz0vyIkDNNyXEO_0tNbFcIc8vrNzooV0laIY4zy4KAyanhl4TwK05dHd8DoLhXrcDbNZ5fx1Cii5Ie0jugPnfWuBgBU/s400/DSCN8420.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take a trip to the hardware store!</td></tr>
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In my last post I mentioned some new tools. Here are some of the fun things I found at my local hardware store and that I am finding useful, particularly for larger paintings. Good edges, both sharp and blurred can be created with some of these!<br />
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Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-43362694138274628352017-03-24T21:02:00.002-04:002017-03-24T21:02:26.754-04:00New Tools, New Approach<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJlmvtW1DpePLU2lIkIBPdPx3I5Q3WF7dYI1-Vv_P_-BPCy_rUV60YgNPoS2fBMnFVmkzuR2vTO26cp81xj9C1Kj4JsIlZ5Ws-ntKteOpDy9nVHwdR5YYHgBw9poY6iKPDcYwoJovwgU/s1600/DSCN8408_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJlmvtW1DpePLU2lIkIBPdPx3I5Q3WF7dYI1-Vv_P_-BPCy_rUV60YgNPoS2fBMnFVmkzuR2vTO26cp81xj9C1Kj4JsIlZ5Ws-ntKteOpDy9nVHwdR5YYHgBw9poY6iKPDcYwoJovwgU/s400/DSCN8408_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yellow Sky" oil on panel, 32.5 x 32.5</td></tr>
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I began my art career (more years ago than I care to remember) as an abstract painter. I worked large. In those days a panel the size of the one above would have been considered a small work by me. Working on paintings as large as 5x8 feet was physical and liberating. I enjoyed experimenting with the application of paint by using different tools besides brushes. Lately I have felt the itch to revisit that approach to painting but this time I wanted to apply it to a representational image and this time not so large.<br />
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Off I went to the hardware store and selected tools that I thought would help me create an interesting surface. I selected a 3" wide, flexible edging blade (love it!), another edging tool which is a one inch wide wooden roller, and a 6" wide plastic paint smoother. I also unnearthed an old rubber brayer I used years ago. <br />
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Next I did a color study in my sketchbook of a view I am very familiar with, it is the view of DC seen from the point off Daingerfield Island on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. I paint from that location often and working from memory I didn't get hung up on detail. I used a limited palette of Paynes Gray, Alizarin Crimson, Vermilion, Yellow ochre, Naples Yellow and Titanium White. I propped the study up next to my panel and got to work.<br />
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Ampersand gesso board can be slippery to work on so I like to heavily gesso the panel again myself. I used both my wide gesso brush and a paint roller leaving behind the texture created by both. Then I pulled out my large brushes (2" and 3"), all my palette knives as well as the above mentioned tools and started layering on paint working dark to light. The water was painted almost entirely with the new 3" edging blade and palette knives. The sky was worked from the top down first with the same 3" blade, then the brayer and the 3" brush. As the sky descends towards the horizon line the paint is applied heavier with palette knives and bristle brushes.<br />
I had a wonderful time! More to come....<br />
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-84813631560551359852017-03-09T16:44:00.002-05:002017-03-09T16:44:38.356-05:00Warming Up<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DI3BYQTdy8OVeKxHefPF9nSKdUONTyCj3FUpkbMTt6CbZS4uEoim1FjhT2lpAtVb1gk17wGeZEBH5YuXXm0TOZKrNoYlrtl5qJh5K3Z_peYifJQ5HT5C4BiG7AclXsLjJthdvlepTS8/s1600/DSCN8358_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DI3BYQTdy8OVeKxHefPF9nSKdUONTyCj3FUpkbMTt6CbZS4uEoim1FjhT2lpAtVb1gk17wGeZEBH5YuXXm0TOZKrNoYlrtl5qJh5K3Z_peYifJQ5HT5C4BiG7AclXsLjJthdvlepTS8/s400/DSCN8358_edited-1.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Blues Alley" 20x16 oil on panel</td></tr>
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Like many of you on the East Coast of the US I have been enjoying the warm, early spring weather and that has been reflected in my choice of palette for recent paintings. This painting outside Blues Alley, a popular jazz club in Georgetown in an alley of the same name, was originally planned as a moody nocturne. However, I was inspired by the weather and chose instead to paint early morning light, sort of a "morning after" narration of the scene.<br />
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In fact the original, on site sketch was created in morning light last May. It was a quick ballpoint sketch in the 4x6" sketchbook I like to carry with me. I didn't think of it again until last fall when I did a color study for it using the morning light from my sketch and then decided to shelve the painting until I could view the scene at night as I thought a nocturne would create a more fitting mood for the scene. Then flipping through my sketchbook looking for inspiration late in February I decided to go with what I had and add some atmosphere to the strong contrast of light and dark of the morning light. I am pleased with the outcome but I still want to do a moody Blues Alley at night!<br />
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Below are the little 4x6 inch sketch from last May and the color study from the fall. I like working from these better than from a photo because they represent what was important to me in the scene, sort of a short hand of everything that was there. Incidentally, I originally added the overhead wires in the painting but felt that they did not add to it and were just literal elements so I painted them out to strengthen the composition.<br />
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<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-65961378908402786842017-01-04T20:59:00.002-05:002017-01-04T20:59:38.633-05:00Black and White<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_jkNX-JVs_mKjjnnH9jHJV8Z1pZUwaO-WvObBJ2WiikQVe3AAGQGTYWTS16emBadDbsntI51bKEhOWHuworQ1Q2U2_mS_UL67T9VQpHxcM3qJ7BKtb93iJfAiWZBeOINe7JU-vsF3fQ/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Rain%252C+Lexington+Avenue_oil_16x12_%2524800.jpg_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_jkNX-JVs_mKjjnnH9jHJV8Z1pZUwaO-WvObBJ2WiikQVe3AAGQGTYWTS16emBadDbsntI51bKEhOWHuworQ1Q2U2_mS_UL67T9VQpHxcM3qJ7BKtb93iJfAiWZBeOINe7JU-vsF3fQ/s400/Schwartz_Jean_Rain%252C+Lexington+Avenue_oil_16x12_%2524800.jpg_edited-1.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Rain, Lexington Avenue" 16x12 oil on panel</td></tr>
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New York City is a great inspiration for black and white paintings. I really enjoy doing these as it is relaxing to concentrate on the values and forms just using a tube of titanium white and ivory black. Over the years I have experimented with different blacks and have also mixed my own chromatic blacks to good effect. However this time I wanted simplicity (just out of the tube) and the warmer tone of the ivory black. For this painting I toned the panel first with a midtone mix of the titanium and ivory and then just dug in when it was dry.<br />
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Needless to say this was not painted on site. What I like to do when I have the itch to paint NYC and can't be there is go to Google maps street view. That way I can walk up any avenue to whatever view I desire. This view up Lexington was from downtown, I think I was at about 36th street. I wanted to go far enough down to get a good image of the Chrysler building which is why I chose Lexington Avenue. I think the Chrysler is one of the best buildings in New York. Of course the weather was my invention. The view on Google maps was of a bright, sunny day. Once I have a general feel for the placement of the buildings I just take some characteristics of them and then invent. I have been painting rainy day street scenes for a long time so I can just create that on my own. The idea is for the scene to look right to a New Yorker but on close view they would tell you that building isn't there or that one doesn't really look like that. They would, however recognize the Chrysler which even though it is shrouded in mist was the reason for the painting.<br />
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Here is the sketch I made before starting the painting. I did this from sitting at the computer on the Google street view I described above. It is the next best thing to being there! I will be entering the painting in the 2017 Black and White Exhibit at the Salmagundi Club on 5th Avenue in NYC. I wonder what the New Yorkers will think of it.....Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-14614557218107968132016-11-29T12:55:00.000-05:002016-11-29T12:55:02.226-05:00THE BIGGEST LITTLE SHOW IN NEW YORK!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmJbQKzoRL7d2iRuo3x2DuZDdTStQui25pKpJtwJ-T3w7of36-cB17xtAf-v1LKia6-1oodGCLhga3P6MX5Ou7oTzKVuGGTYQ-c4wwJu_rtKRg0XSEg8igECR643ot5BR7IDjwX8p2tk/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Morning+at+Libby%2527s+Cove_oil_9x12_%2524675.jpg..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmJbQKzoRL7d2iRuo3x2DuZDdTStQui25pKpJtwJ-T3w7of36-cB17xtAf-v1LKia6-1oodGCLhga3P6MX5Ou7oTzKVuGGTYQ-c4wwJu_rtKRg0XSEg8igECR643ot5BR7IDjwX8p2tk/s400/Schwartz_Jean_Morning+at+Libby%2527s+Cove_oil_9x12_%2524675.jpg..jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Morning at Libby's Cove" 9x12 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXaymOhiGUwDkJFU5wfUO1VRPSQrDWUm8ALBBb8x_eXqH1B8fUepTpa-J9IwvjXSUaXnRPy6pbjghWf6DCuOhjrO3CItSXLyyIT59patPjDgzniNeNP1m2fTAmoW-ijWWv9kUBdM-EOg/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_Fog+Lifting+at+the+Cove_oil_9x12_%2524675.jpg..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXaymOhiGUwDkJFU5wfUO1VRPSQrDWUm8ALBBb8x_eXqH1B8fUepTpa-J9IwvjXSUaXnRPy6pbjghWf6DCuOhjrO3CItSXLyyIT59patPjDgzniNeNP1m2fTAmoW-ijWWv9kUBdM-EOg/s400/Schwartz_Jean_Fog+Lifting+at+the+Cove_oil_9x12_%2524675.jpg..jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fog Lifting at Libby's Cove" 9x12 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYZr9VaQaq2hPVz_TnqiQvduuUPsVmZc6RLrDn6-2Iqglxlu6YDpTnUiDZktyou7ekROb1XUyGyFSGIgfKoTVsH1XoNiXQ0DSk4ritNroglHPP9DRV_k9HFLweTXTdrt8-omC0JMHK3U/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_North+East+Wind%252C+Outer+Banks_6x8_oil_%2524375.jpg..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYZr9VaQaq2hPVz_TnqiQvduuUPsVmZc6RLrDn6-2Iqglxlu6YDpTnUiDZktyou7ekROb1XUyGyFSGIgfKoTVsH1XoNiXQ0DSk4ritNroglHPP9DRV_k9HFLweTXTdrt8-omC0JMHK3U/s400/Schwartz_Jean_North+East+Wind%252C+Outer+Banks_6x8_oil_%2524375.jpg..jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Northeast Wind" 6x8 oil on panel</td></tr>
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The Annual Thumb Box Exhibit continues at the Salmagundi Club for the 108th year! This is a REALLY BIG little show :-) Both the Main Gallery and the Lower Gallery at the Club are filled with hundreds of small paintings no larger than 9x12 inches (image size). The show opened on Monday, November 21st and it will run until January 1st 2017. The public is invited to a reception on Thursday, December 8th from 6:00 to 9:00PM.<br />
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I am happy to say that the first painting above, "Morning at Libby's Cove" has received a "Certificate of Merit"! I am really honored to have this painting singled out considering the number of really good paintings hanging on those walls! I am particularly pleased because these paintings were truly labors of love. <br />
The first two paintings (the Libby's Cove paintings) were painted from memory. Like many of you I have "go to places" in my mind that I can image during times of stress to remind me of better days. This cove in York Maine is one such place as is the beach in front of the beach house we owned for 20 years on the Outer Banks of NC.<br />
The cove was my summer playground as a child. We spent our summers in a bare bones, one room cabin (camp as Mainers say) atop a hill overlooking this cove for the first 15 years of my life. This is where I first learned to oil paint and I could sit on the porch and paint the cove right from the cabin. Later in life the same would be true on the Outer Banks. The house was much larger but the porch also afforded an unobstructed view of the ocean. <br />
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My 15 year old dog, Lucky, was dying when I painted the upper two paintings. I would not leave him alone during the beautiful fall weather so instead of plein air painting outdoors I painted in the studio from the images in my head while he slept next to me. I worked quickly with the palette knife and let the love of place come through as best I could. I will always think of him when I see these paintings and only I will know how much love is in them.Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-58992976558458001892016-11-01T20:01:00.001-04:002016-11-01T20:01:42.911-04:00The 88th Grand National Exhibit!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWY008Zm6VOVdqVhUf_yKVad_n7HGBWa7RT3TDClnz3J3V4L7u3yA4Sdsn4mN40xIYrSbBYPPA3U8hgEJ6gOxKTSNlcq5RMZ24YYKEXeRGpTt7AiafGY4d8NzoPP7JoVTBPHlkSXaLrmU/s1600/Schwartz_Jean_02_Jesse+Waiting.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWY008Zm6VOVdqVhUf_yKVad_n7HGBWa7RT3TDClnz3J3V4L7u3yA4Sdsn4mN40xIYrSbBYPPA3U8hgEJ6gOxKTSNlcq5RMZ24YYKEXeRGpTt7AiafGY4d8NzoPP7JoVTBPHlkSXaLrmU/s400/Schwartz_Jean_02_Jesse+Waiting.jpg.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Jesse Waiting" 20x16 oil on panel</td></tr>
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I think a trip to NYC might be in order as my painting "Jesse,Waiting" has been selected for the 88th Grand National Exhibit sponsored by the American Artists Professional League! The exhibit will open this Sunday, November 6th at the Salmagundi Club at 47 5th Avenue, NYC and will be on view until November 18th. A reception will be held on Sunday, November 13th from 12:00 until 5:00. <br />
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This has become my favorite national exhibit as it includes paintings, drawings and sculpture by artists from around the country. The work is always high quality and I love that drawings are included as they so rarely are. The drawings selected in prior years have been very good but this year there are some really extraordinary pieces to see! I don't envy the awards committee as selecting winners in all categories will be a challenge. This is my 6th year participating and I am thankful the jurors have once again chosen one of my paintings, particularly this one.<br />
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This is a painting of my eldest granddaughter painted a couple of years ago. I rarely do figurative work as it is difficult to find sitters but Jesse was a willing model and a good one! I painted her in a wistful mood with my mother's silver sitting on the window sill. Actually the sitting was shared with three other artist friends of mine and we all contributed props and clothing. We used the main salon at a local private school as it provided a variety of views and antiques as well as a terrace. We all did photo shoots of Jesse and created CD's of our photos which we shared with one another. I had the advantage of being able to have Jesse available to me here at home when I needed live reference for the painting :-) I hope you like this one!Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-17146753424704380992016-09-27T14:41:00.000-04:002016-09-27T14:41:15.356-04:00Pennsylvania Avenue at Freedom Plaza<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3VStDQYeyvJT01gjWwvAgtxzkC0-9pZsraCp-Nsi3CiXQiBgKN8a9I19qPnPF42UB4GeZGDXTfHmzp_qeor-WVIM-pzOsWXmf4C-io7ubafhZ-dhwHT-CDBNXQa21m-mp48nvBEzFF8/s1600/PA.+Ave.+at+Freedom+Plaza%252C+24x30+oil+on+linen+panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3VStDQYeyvJT01gjWwvAgtxzkC0-9pZsraCp-Nsi3CiXQiBgKN8a9I19qPnPF42UB4GeZGDXTfHmzp_qeor-WVIM-pzOsWXmf4C-io7ubafhZ-dhwHT-CDBNXQa21m-mp48nvBEzFF8/s400/PA.+Ave.+at+Freedom+Plaza%252C+24x30+oil+on+linen+panel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pennsylvania Avenue at Freedom Plaza, 24x30 oil on linen panel</td></tr>
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This summer was a challenge. Family events prevented me from spending the amount of time in the studio that I would have liked. I made up for that by doing small, plein air studies from my home and some of them were posted to this site. <br />
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I had started this painting in June with the intention of completing it quickly as it was flowing along nicely. I wanted to work wet into wet when creating the sky and the wet pavement. I was able to get the sky in at once and a good start on the rest when work ground to a halt. By the time I got back to it there was no choice but to work wet on dry and this time it might have worked in my favor. <br />
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Painting wet roads for me means keeping it loose. To get back into it I just started applying paint with a palette knife and then dragging it around with a credit card, rolling through it with an interesting inch wide wooden roller I found at the hardware store and leaving marks or pulling it around with a squeegee. I ran a brush through the paint to create the marks made by the cars or the flow of water. It was a lot of fun! <br />
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The most fun, however, was adding the lights! That is why most of my cityscapes are evening or night scenes. I LOVE, the reflections and refractions. It is interesting when I study the roads during and after a rain that the reflections don't always show up where you think they will. There are so many fascinating dimensions!<br />
I hope you enjoy viewing this one as much as I enjoyed painting it.Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-37558335534079018882016-08-25T22:53:00.000-04:002016-08-25T22:53:54.173-04:00Chasing the Light<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YmxB8djYaShMMpGmZtw3gA3nDrFi-GGwLRHmiTK4LIjxLXY_Z-2j0h2XeHx7h8eYCtyqXnUdDAUDjEc4W_kqaGbrIzOBOKoH8VWBqhTtzLU-MCaldqt1NTaWUvIeTlNv27QvD1fK4UU/s1600/illuminated+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YmxB8djYaShMMpGmZtw3gA3nDrFi-GGwLRHmiTK4LIjxLXY_Z-2j0h2XeHx7h8eYCtyqXnUdDAUDjEc4W_kqaGbrIzOBOKoH8VWBqhTtzLU-MCaldqt1NTaWUvIeTlNv27QvD1fK4UU/s400/illuminated+trees.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Illuminated Trees"8x10 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf1TG4-YQ_DsiAu8gsWj8h_HRKHQeagoARKu2yBfzbbT_B-_l074XsRrrcsPj1ft0D9-7XHCr2UiekL1OSKIv9J_GiOM68lw918hpqU-7juU4aawum5sL20PLHxsh5OiiBZDRiBXxhLQ/s1600/August+painting+from+the+deck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf1TG4-YQ_DsiAu8gsWj8h_HRKHQeagoARKu2yBfzbbT_B-_l074XsRrrcsPj1ft0D9-7XHCr2UiekL1OSKIv9J_GiOM68lw918hpqU-7juU4aawum5sL20PLHxsh5OiiBZDRiBXxhLQ/s400/August+painting+from+the+deck.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My vantage point. </td></tr>
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Chasing the light is a common phrase heard from plein air painters. It is a challenge! All summer I have been admiring the evening sunlight as it hits those trees at the edge of the woods behind my house. I kept promising myself I would paint it but the intense heat wave we have been experiencing this month kept me from doing so. Finally, the night before last we had a cool, breezy break in the weather and I didn't hesitate.<br />
I started painting around 6:15 and finished at 7:30. I took the bottom photo before adding some warm tones to the dark tree trunk on the far right. I wanted to be sure to get the photo while the light was still strong on the trees.<br />
These little studies are great lessons in seeing and getting down the important stuff. The small format is perfect for this. I have been keeping my pochade box set up right inside the door so I can get out and paint at a moments notice. There is quite a bit to see in my own little world just off the deck.<br />
<br />Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219842197919308650.post-90025079995811031682016-07-23T19:54:00.000-04:002016-07-23T19:54:25.250-04:00A Summer Change of Pace<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqKWnWWRPiPjn55f09h7Pnpo2RqwmvHDL_OOHhKYNorCMJac3qQmvULNpzjxmsv7hpLp3XAVkIFRffOCIsJf3eYgbGoEGh0mQvMK45dzKBjHQ2_zRu78vJUcgyrt-mGjsfLRHe6Zm-IY/s1600/DSCN7745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqKWnWWRPiPjn55f09h7Pnpo2RqwmvHDL_OOHhKYNorCMJac3qQmvULNpzjxmsv7hpLp3XAVkIFRffOCIsJf3eYgbGoEGh0mQvMK45dzKBjHQ2_zRu78vJUcgyrt-mGjsfLRHe6Zm-IY/s400/DSCN7745.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Summer Tapestry" 6x12 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO_EZoAXJRNUR4nKOAdVsrXODP9lcLywMdlejlfB54HW4qnDRMZcodau_jGrMEEoRkhjM5yGsU1Ie8pLABVJ5Aay1kZYpu_RJcW77llI7AgbE1dnmUWmulxVrU91XSIJ0pZ-16sePImo/s1600/DSCN7750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO_EZoAXJRNUR4nKOAdVsrXODP9lcLywMdlejlfB54HW4qnDRMZcodau_jGrMEEoRkhjM5yGsU1Ie8pLABVJ5Aay1kZYpu_RJcW77llI7AgbE1dnmUWmulxVrU91XSIJ0pZ-16sePImo/s400/DSCN7750.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Summer Flowers. Evening" 6x12 oil on panel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4T7Y4_-Vn7R9xjOkVLukVGNhYwIS-8pM3YNIa-dxZ-Na1jk3LmaiiOfzwGc4SVBPunCjakIVdeJxHSH0v2m88W1RSwASq6czSrArSEEnhLSmPXGOSOSGp_qHbg_2BlbelsfDXHrXbkA/s1600/DSCN7741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4T7Y4_-Vn7R9xjOkVLukVGNhYwIS-8pM3YNIa-dxZ-Na1jk3LmaiiOfzwGc4SVBPunCjakIVdeJxHSH0v2m88W1RSwASq6czSrArSEEnhLSmPXGOSOSGp_qHbg_2BlbelsfDXHrXbkA/s400/DSCN7741.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hydrangeas in the Afternoon" 6x12 oil on panel</td></tr>
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I have often said that it is unusual that I hardly ever paint gardens. It is unusual because I am a graduate of the Landscape Design Program at George Washington University in DC and ran my own design business for years. I used to call it painting with plants.<br />
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Lately I have been doing a lot of planting and beginning to redesign my garden which will become a larger undertaking in the upcoming year. Landscape design is a lot like painting in that I am thinking of composition, color and texture. In the summer months I have 6 huge planters on my deck and I mix perennials with annuals and herbs. They are my color laboratory.<br />
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While sitting outdoors enjoying a comfortable evening a couple of weeks ago I felt compelled to set up my plein air easel and paint some of the flowers. The first two paintings are of the flowers in two of the planters on my deck. The third is a little study of the front garden and my enormous Annabelle Hydrangeas. <br />
Enjoy!Jean Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463079740247665394noreply@blogger.com0