Workshop in Traverse City, MI

Have just returned from teaching my workshop in Traverse city, Michigan. Sounds crazy holding a workshop in North MI in late Nov, but the weather really wasn't too bad. It was held at the Crooked tree art center in town and I met some wonderful and talented artists, at the event.

The night before I gave a talk about my art, it's process, my influences and more. I think in the end I rambled on for almost an hour, which is pretty impressive. Who knew I had so much to say about flowers and fruit? Of course when you get into my career history and influences I can pad this thing out!

 Lake Michigan, looking cold

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 One of my workshop arrangements, I see a painting of this in my future.

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 A few of classes color exercises, great fun and good colors.

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My demo piece, I'll post a better photo of it soon.

I'm always really bad at remembering to take photos at these things, so I've only a few photos to share at the moment. Who knows, I may be fortunate enough to find some from students who attended? If I do, I will try to add them.

Thanks to all involved, couldn't have done it without you, ( you know who you are): Also thanks to all the students who attended, you we're a great and talented group!

Altering an original arrangement

Find this one at #Chasen_Galleries, Richmond VA. For more info. (804) 204-1048. Some of the artists who attended my workshop in Nashville earlier this year might recognize this arrangement ?

Plums with Cantaloupe over blue

24X36                       Acrylic on canvas

 I decided to make a lot of little alterations to the original still life arrangement. There were a lot of colors in the tablecloth pattern, so I unified it, but tried to keep it's original flavor. I placed a new color in the vase/jug, to tie it with the tablecloth. I also added some oranges on the table to add some color variety. Finally I placed chairs and a little floor in the background, to increase the interest of the setting.

 Original source

The Santa Fe Paint Out Festival

Later this week I'm visiting again the beautiful town of Santa Fe for its 'Paint Out' festival. It all begins on the evening of the 14th (Friday), when my gallery (Ventana Fine Art) will be holding a group show and the opening night.

 

Then on the Saturday (15th Oct) the town holds it's 'Paint Out' festival. Many of the galleries throughout the town encourage their artists to paint in or around the gallery. It's a huge event and a great opportunity to meet artists and see them at work.

  If you're in the area this weekend it's a must for art lovers and the curious, and I'd love to see you at the gallery and show you what I'm working on.

Call the gallery for more info. 1-800-746-8815 ‪#‎Santa_fe‬ ‪#‎Ventana_fine_art‬
Check out more of the pieces featured, -http://ventanafineart.com/angus/

More info. about the festival can also be found here - http://visitcanyonroad.com/paintout_current.html

workshop in MI

Just a had a couple of places cancel for my November workshop... So here's a chance to book them up or get your name on the wait list!! No plans to book any others in the near future, so this might be the one for you? Contact Crooked Tree Art Center for more information, tel. 231-9419488

Creative travels to New Zealand & Australia!

Not long back from a wonderful family holiday to New Zealand & the SW of Australia. We saw and experienced many wonderful things!... Perhaps we'll have some Maori or Aboriginal inspired Still lifes in the future? ;-)

Chrysanthemums, against blue

Love the reaction of the blue drape with the Chrysanthemums in this painting. I worked from that point allowing the other elements and colors within the painting to be sympathetic to the original focus.

Chrysanthemums, japanese eggplant & tangerines

24 X 18                         Acrylic on panel

Watermelon in widescreen

This aspect always reminds me of a widescreen or cinescope 70mm movie, aspect. I think just like those movie makers, I too enjoy designing within the narrow height and wide expanse of width!

Watermelon segment & fruit on blue cloth

18 X36                                Acrylic on panel

Hawaiian vision

This paintings was painted after my first trip to #Hawaii. The arrangement was developed from a flower arrangement on a cafe table, the fruit is classic Hawaiian. Currently hanging in New Masters Gallery, #Carmel CA‬. For more info (831) 625-1511)

The Hawaiian arrangement

48X28                 Acrylic on wood

Peruvian lilies

A recently completed painting. I love these color combinations and used some of the same elements and material prints in an early painting this year.

Peruvian lilies Pineapple and Plums
36X24           Acrylic on canvas

Forthcoming workshop!

Just a few spaces left for my November workshop... No plans to book any others in the near future, so this might be the one for you? Contact Crooked Tree Art Center for more information, tel. 231-9419488
Some links for more info.
http://www.anguspaintings.com/workshop.php
and
https://apm.activecommunities.com/crookedtreearts/Activity_Search/still-life-painting-confidence-in-color-design/451

Tulips and Papaya, a well travelled painting

Just finished this painting, it was started about 6 weeks ago, then shipped to Santa Fe, so I could paint outside the gallery for a couple of days (during my show). I got it a long way along in New Mexico, but shipped it home to my studio to make final adjustments and unification.

Tulips & Papaya on blue cloth

24X33                  Acrylic on panel

A common aspect of location or plein air painting for me is that I work as quickly and consistently as possible. One product of this is that I'll attempt to be as versatile as possible with one brush (minimizing my Acrylic clean up). This in-turn can produce very regulated brush work; I try to use this aspect to my advantage, creating some textural rhythm of strokes and mark making.

 A detail

Another detail showing some brush work on the table cloth

 An in progress shot from Santa fe

 

Santa Fe - Two Man Art Show

I've just returned from my two man show on Canyon Road in Santa Fe with Ventana Fine Art. It's my third year sharing in a show with the supremely talented Frank Balaam, a great friend & artist. The gallery as ever is hung beautifully, it's filled with such talented and knowledgeable staff, it's always a joy to see them all again.

One of Frank Balaams beautiful paintings

Franks work is meticulously detailed and impasto, and is impressive to be seen in person. Though each of our styles and aesthetics are singularly unique, and our processes are very different from each other; our passion for strong color wins through and we hangs beautifully together.

We got the cover of Santa Fean Now magazine, as well as featuring in a number of other publications.

Frank lives in Arizona, and I California, but we both came originally from Britain. We enjoy coming together for this show in Santa Fe, to share art stories and reminisce about 'old blighty' (Britain).

 Enjoying the publicity generated from the show

Painting outside the gallery    (a work in progress)

 

Below are a few shots of part of the show

Sunflowers!

A new painting of mine has just arrived in #Basalt, CO, with ‪#‎Ann_Korologos_Gallery, as part of their spring group show.  For more information, visit the gallery at 211 Midland Avenue in Basalt, or call 970.927.9668

Sunflowers pears and papaya with fish drape

30X30                     Acrylic on canvas

Spring exhibition in Colorado

The gallery that represents my work shared these photos with me yesterday, some lovely paintings from their spring group show,  called “Springing Forth".

Below are just a few of the paintings featured....

Embracing the Sun on Purple 

24X18                Acrylic on panel

Tulips Bathed in Light  

16X20                    Acrylic

Old Trunks and Branches  

24X36                        Acrylic

 I'm getting to hang with some really great artists. Show runs through till June 9th. Stop by the gallery or get on the phone and grab a bit of spring?

For more information, please visit the gallery at 211 Midland Avenue in Basalt, call 970.927.9668 or inquire at art@korologosgallery.com.  Or check out the online catalog here - http://korologosgallery.com/springing-forth/

Painting workshop in Nashville

Last week I spent most of the week in Nashville, TN teaching a workshop. It was my first time to that part of the country,  so I was looking forward to exploring Tennessee.
 
I teach about one workshop a year, focusing the rest of my efforts on paintings and shows. I really enjoy to teach, but boy, is it exhausting but so much fun meeting so many other talented artists and learning their stories and art! The focus is very different; teaching and sharing methods, compared to a very insular journey of self expression. To this I feel my balance is right in keeping the teaching opportunities to a minimum; to that end they often fill quickly, and this session was at maximum capacity.

The night before the workshop we held a demonstration evening. I always enjoy that process, many artists I know hate to paint in front of an audience, but for me I seem to enjoy the attention? :-)

The demonstration lasted about 2 hours and I think it went well despite some confusion, on which way the light was hitting my subject. At times I painted the shadow falling to the right, while on other objects, the light hit from another direction!  Sometimes the talent of talking and painting simultaneously, shuts down a few of my cognitive abilities. In truth it probably made for good comedy, ultimately I fixed the light source problem and and I think the demo painting turned out well.

the final demo night painting

The following three days were spent working with each student, teaching methods that I employ when tackling painting subjects; as well as getting to know their styles, strengths & weaknesses. I think they all did great!   During the workshop we also had time for some little exercises which everyone seemed to enjoy.

Thanks to Warehouse 521, in Nashville TN, for hosting a great event !

the class

Another workshop is scheduled in November in Michigan, and I look forward to that, you can find out a little more here,
http://www.anguspaintings.com/workshop.php  
and book a place at this site
https://apm.activecommunities.com/crookedtreearts/Activity_Search/still-life-painting-confidence-in-color-design/451
or tel. 231-9419488.

 studying our color tests

 demo'ing again

 some of the class (all working harder than me)

Something to do in Nashville?

If you're in Nashville, this Wednesday night (April 6th), why not stop by Warehouse 521 (521 Heather Place, Nashville, Tennessee 37204 tel 615-337-2570) and see a painting demonstration? Should be a fun evening!  http://www.warehouse521.com/demonstrations-and-lectures/angus-wilson-painting-demonstration

A tall sprawling mess of complexity

Loved painting the tall sprawling mess of this Chrysanthemum flower arrangement. It gave the whole painting so much energy, and set the tone for much of the overall design and brush work. Using this tall thin aspect of canvas (or panel), makes for such interesting still life arrangements and designs.

 Tall Chrysanthemums Watermelon & Pears
36X18             Acrylic on panel

Workshop in the fall

In a few short weeks I'll be teaching a workshop in Nashville. Looking forward to meeting all the students and exploring a part of the country I've never been to before!  The class has been full for a long time, so I recently agreed to hold a second workshop later in the year, This will be up in the mid-west in Michigan. Scheduled for November 11th-13th, the 3 day workshop will be held at Crooked Tree Art Center, 322 Sixth St,  Traverse City, Michigan. Contact the Crooked Tree Art Center to have your name added to the list. Visit this web link www.crookedtree.org, for more information on this workshop, or tel. 231-941-9488.

Hopefully see you there? The classes are a lot of fun;-  I try to get lots of simple and fun ideas across, teaching techniques to loosen up and break free from conventional styles and old habits. Encouraging simple methods to create stronger compositions, and push student's color development and understanding. During the workshops, I will teach many aspects to painting, with a particular focus on color, simplifying composition, and the importance and power of dynamic ‘under painting’.

A smattering of photos from a few other workshops...