Don't we all love snow days? While snow fell silently outside my studio window, I was actually productive (and warm) inside. I started this as a small pastel sketch for what I thought would be a larger painting, but the colors were so much fun that I just kept going. I have three neon pastels in my collection that have never been used because in most situations they are simply too lurid. Last fall, however, I saw a sky that was so unbelievably saturated with color that those neons actually work! This is a view from Kimballs Fruit Farm in Pepperell, MA--high on a hill with great views in all directions. Almost helps me remember what the world looks like under all this snow!
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Ah, today is the last day to see the Sargent watercolors at the MFA. Lucky as I am to live near enough to one of the best art museums in the world, I have to admit that this time I missed the boat. What with work and holidays and now a devil of a bout with the flu, I'm not going to be able to see these gems in person. Luckily my friend and collaborator Joni Parker-Roach made it in to town twice for this exhibit, and brought back the catalog! I'm not sure that I'll ever love the watercolors as much as Sargent's masterful oils--satin drapery! glowing skin!--but looking at details of these sketches just shows what a master draftsman can do with any medium. I love that the transparency of watercolor allows us to see the painter's sketchy graphite lines, it's like watching his thought process unfold. I also love that Sargent was apparently willing to use whatever he needed to achieve the desired effect--translucent color, opaque gouache, wax, whatever. I love that about Degas, too--a great experimenter. One of my favorite art bloggers and a supremely talented artist in his own right is James Gurney, artist and author of Dinotopia. He manages to write about art EVERY DAY on his blog, and far from running out of things to write about, he just keeps coming up with great stuff to share. Here's a link to his post about the Sargent exhibition, with his typically fantastic observations. http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2014/01/sargent-watercolor-techniques-five.html Almost two weeks ago now, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Winsor School in Boston to co-teach two Upper School art classes on acrylic medium transfers and acetone transfers, with my good friend Sara Macaulay. What fun! Those are lucky kids, with a studio art program like that, and teachers like Sara! I was impressed with their solid foundation in drawing, observation and composition--so necessary for art in all mediums. The students were great, and the time flew by. If anything, I wish they'd had time to slow down a bit. I know that my life out here in the country affords me the great luxury of taking my time with things, and that it's unusual in today's world. I'm used to being able to spend two to three hours with an art class, and half a day at a time in my studio if I like. That's just not true for high school students, I guess. They had one hour to get settled into the studio, watch two technique demos and try it out for themselves, and get cleaned up, then they were off to the next thing. I have to wonder if that's a good way to learn, at top speed? Well, they seem to be thriving, and that's the normal pace of things these days. Anyway, a good time was had by all, and I hope the transfer techniques will be useful to them in the future. And by the way, it was very strange to be introduced as Ms. Wilber. Very odd indeed.
What a wonderful weekend we had at Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, CT October 19-20! The weather was gorgeous, the house and grounds amazing, and the people so friendly! We saw lots of old friends from other shows, and met wonderful shoppers and patrons of the arts. What fun! My grandmother drove down to tour the rose pink gothic revival cottage, which a treat because one of the last residents of the cottage, Sylvia Holt, was Grandma's godmother! Now 91 years young, Grandma remembers luncheons and visits to Roseland in the 1920s, when she was a young girl! I'll be showing and selling my art at the annual Codman House Festival in Lincoln, MA. Run by Historic New England, this is a very popular annual event! I'll be there with fellow artist Joni Parker-Roach; look for our booth with the NOA Gallery banner! For more information and directions: http://www.historicnewengland.org/events-programs/fine-arts-and-crafts-festivals/codman-festival I met some terrific artists this weekend at Frank Federico's workshop in Gloucester, MA (see below). Please take a look at the great work in oil and pastel of Joe Baker:
www.bakerworks.com/art Also, check out the photography of Alice Shafer: www.aliceshafer.com This past weekend I was lucky enough to participate in a workshop with artist extraordinaire Frank Federico, at the North Shore Arts Association in Gloucester, MA. Four days of art instruction, critique, demos and plein air painting--by the end I was tuckered out, but very satisfied! A few of the new paintings on the portfolio page here are the result of the weekend's work. It was a real honor to meet Frank and watch him work. Here are some photos of Frank in action: For more of Frank's work, check out his website: www.frankfederico.com
So many things in life are hard. But today, a few things were easy. Installing an air conditioner in the studio...pretty easy. At least it didn't fall out the window.
NOA Gallery in Groton, Massachusetts is now posting its summer arts courses and camps for 2013. Kids and adults alike should check out the great classes, from drawing, painting, and pastels to weaving and crafts. There will also be workshops for plein air painting, zentangle and lots more. Check it out! www.noagallery.com Welcome! This is my first post on the new website, so please pardon the somewhat barren look of things. It's just temporary, I'm sure I'll fill up the space with odd and interesting posts very soon. Ideas? Comments? Suggestions? Please feel free to post in the comments. One thing though: be nice. Meanness will be removed from the blog.
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Alexia Rosoff Wilber
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