Pictured above is Sergio Roffo painting at the Boston Public Garden on Sunday April 28. Mr. Roffo is a well-known artist member of the Copley Society who joined more than seventy other artist members for the 75th annual Copley Society Paint Out. It was a gorgeous day to watch these pros paint glorious Boston scenes en plein air. A gala is planned for the following Saturday when these still-wet paintings will be auctioned off. For more info, check the Copley Society web page.

Masterpiece Masquerade

The Artist's Studio & Gallery at Patriot Place wants to host a special exhibit in the Fall for 5 local art associations: Foxboro, Franklin, Canton, Taunton, and Norwood. The exhibit would be called "Masterpiece Masquerade" and the idea would be to copy a famous painting or photograph, but to add a twist, making it unique (or funny). The Foxboro Art Assn did this three years ago at the local library and one artist painted a pastel copy of Renoir's "Dance at Bougival" and put the Beatles in the crowd. Another artist painted a Van Gogh "self-portrait" and painted in a lapel pin which said "I Buy Art". Since it was so much fun, the Foxboro members want to do it again, but this time the Gallery at Patriot Place wants to open it up to other local art associations and exhibit it to a larger crowd at Patriot Place this Fall. It would be open to all media, including photography. We plan to hold it the first 2 weekends in October and think it should be judged by a jury comprising a member of each art association (who was not participating in the exhibit). The prize money would be $200 for 1st, $150 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd. Each member would submit only one piece for an entry fee of $10. Delivery is at the gallery at Patriot Place Monday Sep. 30, 2-7 pm. Any questions contact Frank Quinn at fxquinn@yahoo.com or 508 668-7031 

Workshop with Deb Quinn-Munson

The Foxboro Art Association hosted a workshop with Deb Quinn-Munson Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Studio East, Walpole. 

Deb Quinn-Munson begins with an oil underpainting on
Wallis (or UART -- can't remember which) paper

Having attended last year's workshop, I was excited that Deb was invited back to lead a class focusing specifically on techniques for painting water.

Students in rapt attention

Assessing references

Deb had many wonderful tidbits about painting water. She shared this quote by Don Demers, " Study the water until you understand what it looks like, then paint how it feels." I personally love stuff like this!

Deb made two underpaintings, this photo shows watercolor on
watercolor paper. Another was in oil on Wallis paper.

Deb continues to develop her underpainting

Deb shared her 80/20 Guide with us, asking us to consider this ratio when making decisions regarding composition, shape, value, color, line, texture, and rhythm.

Karole Nicholson came up to see the painting in progress and make inquiries

We have so much to think of when making good paintings. Often this is done intuitively, but Deb's insight encourages artists to slow down and consider the options for deliberate choices -- a smart thing to do.

The painting with the introduction of pastel shows lovely sparkle.

Deb, again with the group in rapt attention, shows the two paintings and discusses their  attributes.

One tidbit Deb shared has sat in my head as a good default for making these decisions:
What will make someone walk across a room to see the painting? Of course you should choose the options that would do that!

Pastel painting by Deb Quinn-Munson -- what shimmer! 

Deb offers instruction

As important as composition is, Deb mentioned that composition doesn't get credit for its role in good paintings. No one really says, "Wow! What composition in that painting!"

Workshop attendees give each other guidance 

Diane Scotti with her pastel of waterlilies

Diane Scotti's work in progress

She encouraged us to be deliberate with our marks and to make bold, decisive paintings:
"You only get to hit it once -- maybe twice. That's it."

Workshop in full swing with everyone painting!

The start of my painting - Kim Morin Weineck 

Kathy Hutchinson's work-in-progress
(apologies for the crooked photo)

The day ended all too soon. Perhaps Deb will be invited yet again to instruct another aspect of pastel painting!

Deb Quinn-Munson and I at the end of a great day

Thanks for reading! ~kmw

Our own Ellen Little on Chronicle discussing a new venue!

From Foxboro Art Association artist, Lisa Bloom:

Chronicle on ABC is airing a piece called “Hidden Treasures” which is featuring our own Ellen Little being interviewed for the new Artist’s Alley at Winsmith Mill Marketplace in Norwood. The show is tonight, April 2, at 7:30pm. Please check it out, and if you’re interested in having an exhibit there contact Lisa Bloom at lbloom4@comcast.net for information.

Also, like them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/WINSMITHMILLMARKET

Very exciting stuff! 

New Norwood Gallery on TV

Chronicle on ABC (Channel 5) is airing a piece called “Hidden Treasures” which is featuring our own Ellen Little being interviewed for the new Artist’s Alley at Winsmith Mill Marketplace in Norwood. The show is Tuesday April 2 at 7:30pm. Please check it out. And if you’re interested in exhibiting in the new Norwood gallery contact Lisa Bloom at lbloom4@comcast.net for information.