"Journey" ~ Metals and Mixed Media Abstract ~ Contemporary Daily Paintings by Nancy Standlee

"Journey"
12" x 12" Acrylic Contemporary Abstract
Metallic and Mixed Media Textured on Canvas

I began this in the Tony Saladino workshop on Saturday and I've finished it this week; however, it has the Carol Nelson influence from the previous Denver workshop. I textured the canvas with modeling paste and used various paints with a metallic finish and glazes. I added a touch of gold leaf around the center of interest but it's very difficult to get a good photo of shiny metals. I am really liking working with all of this texture. I'm wondering if anyone else out there likes this abstract look?

Home Depot:
I had a 3:30 cataract eye surgery follow up visit yesterday and then spent the rest of the afternoon in the Home Depot off I-30, Road to 6 Flags. What a bunch of nice folks. Maybe I'm partial because a store south of here employed my grandson! But someone in this store was always showing up to walk me around helping me find "art stuff" that Carol had mentioned or I just thought I might use. When I asked one young man where a trowel was he had to call someone else and I really think it was because of HOW I say trowel instead of WHERE it was. Next question from him was how do you want to use it. In fact that is always the next question from any of the employees and I'd always say "In an art way not in a building supply way. You see I went to Denver for an art workshop with Carol Nelson and I want to try some of the things I learned." By this time of Q and A we'd become friends and nearly shared/exchanged grandchildren, boyfriend, girlfriend photos. I came away with $100 worth of art supplies from the garden shop to the far hinterlands of the store (not really intending to) by walking up and down the aisles and thinking like Carol Nelson??

Canvas by Canvas in the International Artist magazine April/May 2010
Click on the photo to enlarge

Here's the Canvas by Canvas gang in front of the Cowboy Stadium and we're reading the International Artist April/May edition. It has Carol Carter's work on the cover and we are on page 30. Look close. They were having a promo of sending in a photo of artists reading the magazine in front of a local landmark. We were also having a cold blustery day and our hair was all over the place. Note our heart shaped sunglasses. That was my idea but we couldn't find any grown up ones and Maryann and Karen found us some kiddy birthday ones. Thanks Dennis Hevia for taking the photo and click on his name to see his great photography website.

Get your art specialty on the Map:

Robert Burridge alerted friends and artists on Facebook about an opportunity to showcase your art and get your studio "on the map". Go to The Arts Map and add your information and then you can save your favorite pages. Jonathan Talbot is one of the founders. I'm familiar with his collage work and have one of his books. Do it and then let me know so I can see your page.

By the way I found (with a cute young girl's help) and bought the trowel at Home Depot and it is the biggest, sturdiest palette knife in my studio. It was not on Carol's list but I thought it looked intimidating. Can you imagine at your next art workshop walking in and setting up, reaching in and pulling out a 4" trowel and a 4" house brush and asking your neighbors "What time to we start?" Also, I hope I don't embarrass my grandson but I need to go to his store and talk to the manager because I don't want him EVER using that great big saw on the wall to cut anyone MDF board. It's OK for Matt to be nice to little old ladies but "no sawing allowed".

Several have asked how my eye surgery went and both eyes have had the cataract surgery but are still healing and the doctor won't release me for another 3 weeks to have an official eye exam to see if and what kind of glasses I might need. Now I'm wearing a pair of dollar store cheaters when I read. I am seeing better each day and in fact, I'm found SOS written in the dust on my bedroom mirror. I don't know who, what or when wrote that hateful message but now I see it although not seeing well enough to remedy the situation!
Please visit my web site and comment on my blog:

BLOG.............Nancy Standlee Art Blog

WEB SITE ........Nancy Standlee

WEB SITE ........Canvas By Canvas

ARLINGTON TEXAS ~ ARTIST NANCY STANDLEE ~ DAILY PAINTER ~
CONTEMPORARY ~ WATERCOLOR ~ ACRYLIC ~ COLLAGE ~ GOUACHE
ABSTRACT ~ EXPRESSIONIST ~ ART FOR SALE ~ FIGURATIVE ~ MIXED MEDIA

Contact: NancyStandlee@sbcglobal.net

Tony Saladino Workshop ~ From Realism to Abstraction ~ Texas Daily Painter Nancy Standlee

"Landscape Data" 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas

On Saturday Barbara Hackney and I headed to Irving for the Tony Saladino one day workshop, From the Real to the Abstract, in the pouring rain. We loaded up and drove home in snow flurries. Is this Texas in the spring or what? Barbara and I attend his critique sessions and signed up for this workshop to sharpen our abstract painting skills. Tony, from New Orleans, began his painting career doing representative work and has transitioned into more abstract work that stands alone, without need of subject matter, explanation or interpretation. The group of twenty students discussed strong compositional elements, the division of space, color and line and painted on several pieces, took some lunch time and had an end of the day critique. What a great way to spend any Saturday much less one when the weather was blustery and it was more fun being inside. Tony prefers Golden paints, heavy duty, and Golden was so kind to give several great door prizes that were awarded at the end of the workshop. You can sign up for their free newsletter on their site or become one of their 1600 fans now on Facebook. I used the Golden paints for this workshop also as I like to use the medium the instructor is using. Mouse over the photo for captions.

Please visit my web site and comment on my blog:

BLOG.............Nancy Standlee Art Blog

WEB SITE ........Nancy Standlee

WEB SITE ........Canvas By Canvas

ARLINGTON TEXAS ~ ARTIST NANCY STANDLEE ~ DAILY PAINTER ~
CONTEMPORARY ~ WATERCOLOR ~ ACRYLIC ~ COLLAGE ~ GOUACHE
ABSTRACT ~ EXPRESSIONIST ~ ART FOR SALE ~ FIGURATIVE ~ MIXED MEDIA

Contact NancyStandlee@sbcglobal.net

"Searching for Paradise" Art Entry and Saladino Class

"Searching for Paradise"
18" x 24" Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas
This figurative work is for sale at the exhibit in the September 11-26, 09, 7th annual art show and sale, Preservation is the Art of the City, Fort Worth, located in the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. Each of the 50 selected artists will have a 36" x 72" space and can place as many works as will fit within this space. (4 pieces max.) The artists can have another 4 pieces, max. 14", in the miniature section and 1 work associated with Fort Worth preservation and not to exceed 30". A portion of the sales to to help fund preservation programming. The turquoise pattern to the left of the figure is a little too dominant so it may get a little tweaking.

Tony Saladino Critique Class July 9
I took the painting above and another I'll post later and below is a slide show of others' work from the class. Mouse over for captions.
One of the perks of attending the critique class is to sit surrounded by Tony's beautiful abstracts and see his newest works. You can view some of his fabulous work at this current show at the B. Deemer Gallery.
Tony talked to us in this class about simplify and combine parts of a painting that is not working and about it being O.K. to be all over the place before we develop a "thrust" and settle in. Similar to me taking so many workshops and I get asked about getting mixed up in techniques. I don't and guess I've been all over the board and probably still am, but if nothing else I learn I don't want to paint like that and that is a good lesson. I would love to learn some of Tony's painting methods.
He says "The painting has to have interest to grab your attention. If it's pleasing to your eye, it will be pleasing to others." One of his comments on Thursday kept focusing on how many paintings we might find in our one painting. He would take a mat and show us and then ask us to think about simplifying some of the areas and combining colors.
We had to laugh when Paula said "I hate to show my work after the simplify discussion. I'm the "Queen of Dull" and I decided to loosen up since Tony's one day workshop." We loved her busy and colorful wheels and clocks painting and especially her abstract. Check out the slide show and see the other interesting paintings from the critique. Yes, we had a good Mexican lunch together at the "Tequila Rain" restaurant. I think that would make a great painting title.

Tony Saladino Abstract Acrylic Class

"Choose Your Dream", 20" x 20", Acrylic with some collage on gallery wrapped canvas, 1 1/2" depth (Click on the image to enlarge)

"A man's reach must exceed his grasp, or else what's a heaven for?" Robert Browning
Tony Saladino began our one day abstract acrylic class with these words to remind us that this is a journey and we should not expect to leave in the afternoon with a finished painting, but concentrate on the process and find our personal expression of marks and color. We had an advantage painting in a beautiful studio and grounds in North Richland Hills. Thanks Karen. I've included some photos at the end in a slide show which show the progression of his demo and he used a landscape photo for the initial reference.
Tony uses Purdy house painting brushes from Lowes in sizes 1", 1 1/2", and the 2" being his favorite and he scumbled his color keeping a fairly dry brush. In fact, he didn't wash his brush until about 20 minutes into his demo. A hint: He kept a blank canvas nearby to scumble leftover brush color before picking up new color. He says it's OK to look childlike in expression as it frees us from trying to please others. He urged us to bring all the areas of the painting together at the same time and not finish one area to completion. As his demo progressed he had many layers of color and areas of very thick paint with some of the layers showing through. He feels it lets your personality come through. He continually stressed to us "It's not about the subject but the division of space."


A painting he brought to show us above.
Tony didn't finish his demo as his ideas will change with future viewings. He feels it's finished when he thinks it's stimulating or stimulates a viewer. If you enjoy a good Argentine tango, search the dance floor as you might find Tony or Karen. In fact Karen's studio doubles as a tango dancing space. During the critique, Tony respected each individuals personal marks and inspired each of us to express those that reside deep within.
He was correct that we should not expect to leave the class with a finished painting as I finished the above painting in my studio and had good starts on two others before the day ended. What a great day of painting on June 10. His next critique class will be July 9.

Mouse over the photo for captions.

Visual Expressions Gallery ~ Saladino Art Critique ~ Art Journal Pages

"Lylas" #3 (Love You Like a Sister) 9" x 12"
These are the 3 paintings I will take to the Visual Expressions Gallery for their student art Show May 15 - May 25.
"The Birds of the Air"
30" x 40"

"Glacial Terrain"
24" x 24"



Art Journal Pages
Click on Image to Enlarge
Art Journal Page 94
I don't know why but I have been extremely interested in all the swine flu news.


Art Journal Page 95
Big personal news I've joined Weight Watchers again. I need social contact to lose. Last time I did great on a diet when my CBC sisters threw in $50 each in the pot and the one that lost the most walked away with $500 and that's all I needed to win. I've enjoyed lots of Snickers and Mexican food since then and now it's time again to get on a program and I'm the one making monthly payments. WW's eTools are the easiest way yet to keep track of food points, add recipes and track activities.
More about the flu and I missed the big Cottonwood Art Festival. And I've found a great new TV program for May "Cook Yourself Thin" on Lifetime. There are recipes at MyLifetime.Com.
Art Journal Page 96
Since Bea Arthur died I've been watching the Golden Girls again and I'm loving those programs. I TiVo the afternoon programs and enjoy them when other choices look a little sparse in the evening. Cindy, Betty, Karen, Barbara and I went to pick up paintings at the PCPC show and our special show at La Cima and we were thrilled to find we'd sold "From His Bounty" (pears) at the PCPC show. You can see how we transport our large paintings. Cindy made us sacks with handles from moving blankets and we stack them upright on a dolly. These are large paintings (approximately 35" x 35") and we can take down a show fast.
Art Journal Page 97
So many errands and all on one banana and this is a no-no for a healthy diet. I weighed in and had lost 4.8 pounds my first week. With those kind of results I'll try for week 2 and this week we add some exercise. I found these "old" empty candy wrappers in a pocket.

A slide show from our last Saladino Art Critique. Later Tony is having a one day abstract class in June. There was a new person in class and sorry I called her "newbie" because I didn't write down her name.

Glory ~ Art Couture Gallery ~ Art Journal Pages ~ CO.

"Glory"
12"x12" abstract on gallery wrapped canvas on a gold gesso base
After the Robert Burridge workshop I wanted to try to paint an abstract with his method and I had about 2 days before I left for a Colorado trip. During the workshop I did two pieces on gessoed paper but to reinforce the techniques I wanted to try it at home. The small work above is my effort and it is in the Art Couture Gallery in Dallas.


This is Bob in the workshop holding his abstract demo that I purchased and it is now in my studio. Thanks Bob and Kate for a great week and I love my painting. They will post some photos from the workshop on their web page soon.

Art Journal page 85
This covers the week from April 6-10 and has an acrylic abstract on the page. Watercolor just didn't have the qualities to do the negative painting used by this technique. Included is two of my favorite "Bobisms" "Love what you do and pass it on" and "It's all been done before, but not by you."

Art Journal page 86
Trying to unpack and pack and taking care of business but wanting to paint gives you a left-right brain duel, going to the Tony Saladino critique and on to the Art Couture Gallery, and then the LLS Gala (see a previous post), then lots of weather and driving through rain, sunshine and snow and making it to Raton NM on the way to Breckenridge, CO. Some quick sketches of roadside signs and one in particular, FREE 72 oz. steak if eaten in one hour near Amarillo at the Big Texan.
Art Journal page 87
Trying another map as Danny Gregory suggests and I'm reading The Creative License, and going to about 9700 elevation from about 650 in Arlington, whew! It's usually not a pretty site for a few days while I'm trying to breathe and walk at the same time. Drew the coffee cup I purchased at the Brown Burro Cafe in Fairplay where there were foot long icicles hanging from the roof. Going from a low at night of about 50's to the 20's, brrrrr.


Art Journal page 88
Ski season officially closed this day and enters into mud season, tried the art walk in Breckenridge and most galleries were closed. I painted my face green because it was hard to walk all bundled up and I hadn't adjusted to the altitude yet. Leadville's Western Hardware Antique Mall is always a must see. Seems like a lot of people like to decorate with roosters and chickens as in Zichittella's Italian in Leadville. Later I'll make a slide show of some of the photos along the trip. At first I thought I had the wrong camera setting as several were in black and white and then realized it was cloudy, snowy and there wasn't any color.

Tony Saladino Critique Group ~ Art Collaboration ~ Art Journal Pages

16" x 20" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas with some collage elements

16" x 20" Acrylic on paper mounted on gallery wrapped canvas

Critique Group
These are the 2 paintings I took to a newly formed critique group hosted by Tony Saladino at his studio. He has a "whole house" for his wonderful studio and yes, it is full with paintings, computers, and framing supplies. Four members from the art collaboration group, Canvas by Canvas, were there (Betty, Barbara, Karen and Nancy).
Tony works in acrylics and he prepares his own supports and paints in a representative and abstract method. We loved going from room to room and seeing the works in progress and the finished pieces waiting to be shipped.
The Group
Tony wants to limit the group to about 10 members. We arrived at 9:00 for a get acquainted coffee and he explained the process. Each artist may bring up to 3 paintings any size for presentation and the artist is free to listen or participate in the discussion. A timer is set so each person gets equal time. Our paintings were placed in a separate room so each presentation would be a surprise to the rest of the group. These artists are serious about their work and are on different and various levels in their art journey, but we all have a desire to improve. One thing I learned and am going to try is work larger and simplify.
Encouraging words from Tony "Every painting has a buyer. Find a gallery. There will be a buyer. The closer you get to being you, the better your work will be." On the advantage of painting a still life "It's an easy way to paint from life and it doesn't "twitch or itch".
In the Group with a blog or web site, check out these:
Lesley Talty
Robert Standlee (I was so surprised as we have the same last name and no relation. The name is not found spelled this way very often.)
Karen Frances
We have a good group and the art talk continued at a local Mexican food restaurant, Miguelito's, and was joined by tango talk as Karen F and Tony both tango. Maybe later we can do a tango photo shoot!!
Art Journal Page 64
More soup, this time potato and Fish City Grill trip and a great western dvd, Appaloosa, about friendship. I've been practicing some watercolor moves and reading before the soon to be, Mel Stabin workshop. This will be my third Mel workshop and the last one was in San Miguel. I did some really bad plein air paintings there and no excuses this time inside, but every where you looked there was so much beauty to distract in San Miguel. Yes, I watched Barak Hussein Obama being sworn in and the inauguration. We wish him well and will watch with interest the current propaganda of Igor Panarin. At the end of the article is a map of how he thinks the U.S. will be divided.

Art Journal Page 65
Thursday was the critique and it wasn't that brutal with a thumbs up or down. I had to add a note about Lost being on Wednesday night. It is a story with many twists and turns and a review before the season started. Friday was a hair trim with Terry at Salon Purple and he has a church across the street, Sanctuary. Terry has a MySpace also. I used a gift certificate next door at Mamma Mia's Italian Restaurant for a great lasagna lunch. Then since it was 80 and sunny I decided on a drive to model home look. Maybe I'll mount the acrylic painting to a canvas before the day is over.
I got an email yesterday about LeapFish, the fastest search engine on the planet with the funny grayed out area "It's ok, you're not cheating on Google...."

I have posted a slide show of photos from Tony's critique group and Terry's photo is at the end. Enjoy.