Sparkles. 10x10

I have to admit to a very shallow desire of wishing that I had a daughter strictly in terms of being able to dress her! I realize that I would probably not get to do so for very long, but don't burst my bubble. While I have been attending soccer or basketball games, and band concerts, some of you have been watching twirls and leaps with sparkles. Wouldn't trade my boys for the world, but in terms of cute outfits girls win hands down! I have to live vicariously through my friends, and by painting as many cute little girls as possible. Best, Lydia

Garden Bounty. 8x10

I planted yellow squash and eggplant this year, the plants are healthy and vibrant with blooms, but no fruit. I read online that its probable that they just aren't pollinating on their own, and that if I used an artist brush that I could transfer the pollen between the male and female blooms, female are the ones that have a tiny fruit at the base of the blossom. I'll let you know if it works out! These were from Jimmy Lowes our local vegetable stand type store. Best, Lydia

figure drawing

Figure drawing Saturday. I took some charcoal along and used newsprint which was refreshing compared to my previous attempts with oil paint. I love to draw people and working with the figure ever challenging. My goal is always to say what I can with as little as possible in terms of line and shadow.

Lydia

fishy. Lydia Host Daily painting 6x6

I painted this fish when I painted the larger one...he is just as dour. Last night I taught my last 'art with a twist' class, and it was so much fun. There was a Lady who turned fifty this year and wasn't all that happy about it. She decided she would do fifty things that she'd always wanted to try this year to cheer her up...my class was one of them! Stay cool, Lydia

chit chat.

I think its fun to paint an almost monochromatic painting every once in a while. Just trying to capture the colors that are reflected from white china and linens. There is a coffee shop in Venice beach called' Coffee and Sympathy', and I have always admired that name. I always think of it when I paint coffee cups, I mean....what more do we want from friends? Best, Lydia

fruity nude

I painted this over an old fruit painting. I find that the more layers of paint that a painting has...the better! Maybe that is why a toned canvas is a good idea, and underpainting always makes things fly. I had fun painting boats on Tuesday, but haven't finished either of the two that I started. Best, Lydia

From the garden. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x10

I just loved how these tomatoes were still half green...what? you can't see that? Oh, its because I didn't capture it! I like the way they look anyway.

I am making an effort to get into a good routine for the summer months, back to some daily 'nap time painting'. I am taking one last class to finish my degree, and so I am not sure how that will effect my dailies, but I will try to keep you abreast of my progress.

Hope its not too hot where you are.

Best,

Lydia

shrimper. Lydia host daily paintings.

I have been wanting to go paint some shrimp boats for months, and now with this horrible oil spill in the Gulf it seems bittersweet to paint them. I love the old style, they are so curvy and swank even though they are sort of humble at the same time. Hope you have a good weekend. Lydia

fishtooth. Lydia host

Mary Elizabeth and I painted this fish together today....and we both kept sighing with pleasure, the joy of painting fish continues! This is a Sheepshead (?) and it has little teeth that look like baby teeth...icky, but a great fish to paint. I am teaching a class tonight and I am bringing the fish as our still life...can't wait to see the reaction, but I know the paintings will be great! Hope you are having good spring weather where you are, it makes things seem so much more positive. Best, Lydia

Class work...

Two views of the same piece. This is probably my favorite from this last Semester, because it combines my desire to work figuratively, in a two and three dimensional way at the same time. I hope to make some more along these lines in my class this summer. I read about an artist that makes really big pieces by covering the leading edge with saran wrap and then adding more the next day...so the uncovered part dries enough to support more weight without sagging. Oh how I love clay! If you have the urge, please try it....I don't think any other medium is as satisfying and dare I say..grounding to work with.:)

Lydia

post show.

It was a very rainy day. My street was unpassable with a regular car...but still people came! And so I had a nice turnout for my reception. Thanks to all who swam out, and don't worry if you didn't make it, my Capstone show in November is where I'll be needing you. This picture was taken at the end of the reception by photographer, Mr. Robert. My dear husband and child were troopers and stayed the whole time, which was a really long time, because I had the time wrong, and so we were an hour early, and stayed an hour longer- thanks wacky Mom! All in all a very pleasant experience. I hope you had a great weekend! Back to painting! Lydia

Last Class. Lydia Host daily painting.

Today was the last class for my beginning Oil painting class, and we met at the Battleship Pavillion, so that they could have a little Plein Aire' experience...it was great! (extremely windy...but great). Above are some shots of this great group, with their first ever lanscape from life! Joan E. Whitespunner-Dixon also joined us, which was inspiring and fun for everyone. I have had such a wonderful time teaching this class, and it is totally because of the fabulous people that I have gotten to know. It is good to paint with a group, it gives some perspective on your own work, and when it's a good mix of people, as this group is, everyone sort of bounces off of each other in the best of ways. Thanks 301 !

Lydia

Lou Blue. Lydia Host daily painting

Yesterday I painted a flower in a jar and had to wipe it down and start over three times. I painted this one on a skinny board that has the hanger already embedded in the back, I really like the skinny format for the flower in a jar paintings, maybe because it forces me to fill up the space. I wrote a big paper last week on Camille Claudel, who was a female sculptor that worked with Rodin, and was quite fantastic. She was a pioneer for women in the arts just by pursuing her craft at a time when women were not even allowed to attend art school. I read one of her biographies titled ' A Life' by Odile Ayral-Clause, it is a very moving story and an interesting read, if you are looking for some summer reading! Google her name under images and check out her beautiful work. Lydia

show

Here is an edited version of the Mission statement of the Church where my art is displayed this month; The Artists Space at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer serves as an arts ministry to the congregation and to the community. The arts for both Artist and viewer are connected with spirituality and the religious in three ways. First their power in connecting and creating meaning takes people out of the ordinary into a sacred time and space where they can experience the world and themselves differently. Next, the power and beauty of art can open doors to the joys and wonders created by God. Thirdly, creating and viewing art induces the same brain wave patterns as prayer, and thus can be a seen as a wordless form of prayer. Our intent is to provide works of a pleasing aesthetic and beauty where the congregation gathers, in an effort to reach out to the community.

Isn't that a nice way to look at art? The title of this post is a link to their website, where you can find directions and other details about this church. It is located on the corner of Cody and Hitt roads....turn on Cody off of Airport and go about a mile..on right is Hitt road. 2-4pm Sunday.

Thanks.

Lydia

Portrait com.

I am not finished with this little guy yet...but I really like him so far! Can I maintain the looseness and yet still refine? Tomorrow will tell. There is a local Episcopal Church that has an art gallery; they enjoy having local artists display work and I was asked last minute for May, and because I like their philosophy, and I have enough work, I said yes. They are throwing a little reception for me this coming Sunday (16th) with wine and cheese, from 2-4pm. I hope if you live near by you will come! More details to come this week. Lydia

whew!

I feel funny writing on this blog...it's been so long. I have been busy finishing up my classes this semester, which really took a lot focus and energy for me this time. I wanted to share this piece with you. I had to give a presentation in my Art history class that related to one of the artists that we have studied, as well as to our individual studies and careers. The artists that we have been learning about are Feminine artists who make art that challenges the patriarchal society that we live in, and is sometimes, well most times, not 'pretty'! I really responded to many of these artists, such as Marina Abromovitz, Ann Hamilton, Cindy Shermam,but style wise I felt that Kiki Smith could really work for me, so I chose her. So I stewed over how I would interpret her. In my ceramics class we were assigned the task of interpreting a 'famous' 2D work in clay. Well I think I overheard someone planning to do the 'Birth of Venus' , because I am not sure how I came up with it and another girl in ceramics made a shell that was inspired from same. I didn't go back and look at the painting.....its so famous, surely I know what it looks like in my mind..I just started making Venus and her shell...and .....what else? Well I thought she probably had admirers so as I was making one...her head just wouldn't work...and it became a fish head...SO Kiki Smith...ah Ha! My Venus was just refusing to be young and pretty, which worked to my advantage after all, because this is 'the Winter of Venus'....not so young and pretty anymore, and doesn't really care! her admirer that is part fish also has a fishy tail. Venus was plucked from the sea in Botticelli's painting by Zephyr and some other goddess, in my version...maybe they are going back. It definitely has something to do with beauty and aging...of that I am pretty sure. Wow...Long post! Thank you for sticking it out. Lydia

Battleship Marsh 2. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

I had time to paint two on Monday, this one was lots looser than the first...for me this is bordering on abstract. (smile).

Battleship Marsh. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6xx6

Joan and I met at the Battleship marsh today instead of her studio, for a bit of Plein Air painting. I had never been to this pavilion, and it was so nice, sort of back and hidden in the trees, it has two stories with cool spiral staircases, and there are birds flitting and singing all around. Our friend Laura Worsham who is a wonderful photographer, stopped by to scope it out for future excursions. All around an entirely pleasant experience.

Lydia

Purple Iris. Lydia Host daily painting a day 4x12

Well I am on a flowers in jars jag again...its really such a fun subject that I find new and exciting each time. Hope you have a great weekend. Best. Lydia

Yellow Iris. Lydia Host daily painting a day 4x12

I taught painting classes last night and this morning and really had such a great time in both. Its funny how putting actions into words and then words into action is such a hit or miss process. It seems that we only hear things when we are ready to hear them, when it makes sense internally. I really get a lot of gratification from teaching, which both surprises and delights me. Helping students problem solve, and witnessing their 'ah ha' moments, and seeing the progress....its awesome! Really. And then this afternoon I had a nap from Finn and a choice: clean house/ exercise/ paint, I painted and listened to good music = nice day. Doesn't good music just improve any activity? Lydia

60's style pears. Lydia Host daily painting a day 11x14

I like the way this one came out sort of looking like a painting that I imagine seeing in my parents kitchen ....in the 60's. My brother-in- law is a masterful wood worker, and he gave us this rough hewn wooden oblong bowl several years ago. I have been wanting to paint it, and these pears just seemed to pile up so fabulously in it that I could resist no longer! I hope the sun is shining where ever you are right now...it feels so good. best to you. Lydia

two minute gesture in oil. Lydia Host daily

Today I took one of my two minute gesture drawings and decided to paint it in oil. I am not sure how happy I am with it, but it was a fun excercise! Man, it is so beautiful in my city this week, everything is blooming and bright springy green, I really want to get out and paint, although some of it is almost too pretty if that makes sense...like how a vibrant orange sunset is soul stirring, but a tacky painting! Best, Lydia

After Homer. Lydia Host daily 8x10

Joan E. Whitespunner- Dixon's tulips above...aren't they as fabulous as I promised? We are thinking about having a show together sometime soon. I love her work, and her.

Today I painted a 'copy' of Winslow Homers Girl with elephant 1877. I changed the color of the dress and a few other things, Homer's masterful work is in watercolor and this is oil paint, I just love his work and it was really fun and a learning experience for me to bounce off of this piece.

Spring has sprung...and isn't it grand?

best,

Lydia

Good girlie Karma. Lydia Host painting

These girls were so fun to paint, I loved this family's energy, and I smiled the whole way through. Many times I feel like I struggle to keep a looseness when painting a large painting with multiple people, from a photograph. I question whether or not I even want to paint portraits by commission sometimes, because most importantly I want to paint good paintings, and often with portraits that falls by the wayside, or at least my style does. With this one, I really had a vision of where I was going, and I pretty much got there, I stayed true to myself. I feel like it is a painting that happens to be a portrait as well, and that makes me happy.

Happy Easter to you! Lydia

Girl with the golden hoop. Lydia Host daily 8x10

I used a picture of a friends daugther for my inspiration...I just thought it was such a 'girl with a pearl earring' pose! I just had to paint it...it doesn't look like her, but thats okay. I think that before you marry someone you should draw a picture of them...it forces you to slow down and really see people...and almost everyone on close inspection is quite beautiful. Details that distingquish one human from another, are really not that great, but its those tiny details that we fall in love with in each other (well aside from the internal which is what we really fall in love with). lydia