A Fundraising Effort for Tropical Storm Relief in México

Total raised $6,935. USD

The Fundraiser ended at 9PM Central, Sunday Sept 29th.

( This text has been edited to update the fact that the fundraiser has ended) 

I have been using the My Paint Box blog to set up a fundraising campaign to help people affected by the tropical storms that battered the Mexican coasts in mid Sept.
The one-two punch of Manuel's first landfall on Sunday and Tropical Storm Ingrid's lashing of México's east coast on Monday. (Ingrid was a hurricane offshore, but made landfall as a tropical storm.) Manuel became a hurricane before heading back to shore for a second hit on México's upper west coast.

So far, at least 126 deaths in Mexico can be attributed to the storms, not including the 58 people missing from a landslide in La Pintada, located a few hours north of Acapulco. 

If you have not seen the damage from these storms you can see images here:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2013/sep/18/mexico-flooding

or here:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/09/pictures/130919-mexico-hurricane-ingrid-manuel-floods-disaster-weather-science/#/hurricane-manuel-ingrid-mexico-rescuers_71864_600x450.jpg

As you may know, my family and I live in Central México. While were wedged between the two storms and got a lot of rain last week, we were spared the brunt of these storms. As we began see reports from the affected areas we began to think of a way that we could help, beyond just taking a few canned goods down to be donated, we want to try and help in a bigger way. I can't imagine losing everything and or losing friends and family members in a disaster like this. 

I decided to make the small gesture of putting a few of my paintings up for sale at specially reduced prices to raise some money for relief. To take that money and buy necessities and non perishable goods to donate to the Mexican Red Cross. The Red Cross has the best infrastructure for getting donations where they need to be.

Before I could even get some pictures taken, and get them on line, friends began contacting me wanting to help out. This project continued to grow with the more than generous support from friends who wanted to help. 

Each artist set their best "rock bottom" price out of the goodness in their hearts, to encourage the items to sell quickly so we could begin getting the donations into action.

The Fundraiser has ended at 9PM Central, Sunday Sept 29th.

We will be delivering our donation of goods to the Mexican Red Cross on Tuesday.
                               
The following items SOLD in our fundraiser. Thank you to all of the artists who donated their work, and thank you to everyone who purchased or just donated.

 

SOLD

"Hammock, Playa Buena Vista" 14x18"  Oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner.

This painting is of a beach in the state of Guerrero, one of the hardest hit areas by Tropical Storm Manuel. I thought it would be fitting to start with this piece. Our friends live right off this beach and were isolated without power for several days. Luckily, they were spared the severe damage around Acapulco, less than 100

Miles away.

SOLD

"Evening Mist" -14x18" Oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner

This painting is also from the beach in Guerrero. I painted this from a small painting done on the beach looking in toward the mountains. 

SOLD

"Burro and Blue Cart" - 6x8" Oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner

Little white burro and cart under a big mesquite tree. The guy in the yellow shirt is off to load up some wood that he had cut. 

SOLD

"Cutting Rows of Corn" - 8x10" Oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner

Started on the spot and finished in the studio. I just love all of the subtle colors in the drying cornfields each fall. The way the sun shines through the leaves adds a sparkle and the bright green grass and weeds poking through here and there on the ground ad just the right amount of balance to the grays.

SOLD

"Driftless Magic" 11x14" Oil by Kathie Donnellan Wheeler

Kathie has even offered to cover shipping if in the US

This is a beautiful little sunset painting that Kathie was generous to donate. She did a great job capturing the light in this painting. She also just won Best of Show at Between the Bluffs Plein Air in LaCrosse, WI this past weekend. Congratulations Kathie!

See more of her work on her website http://www.kathiewheeler.com/

SOLD

"Catching the Morning Sun" 11x14" oil by Kathie Donnellan Wheeler

Kathie has even offered to cover shipping if in the US

This is an awesome little painting that Kathie donated. And she agreed to offer it at a crazy low price too. Expertly painted, I love this dog.

See more of her work on her web site http://www.kathiewheeler.com/

SOLD

"Church Door" 10x8" oil on linen panel by Peter Kalill.

This great little piece was painted on the spot here in San Miguel. The doors of the Oratorio church with it's pink cantera stone facade. I love the way he focused on the doors as the center of interest in this piece. Great impressionistic gem. 

Thanks Peter!

SOLD
"Belle Isle Oak Leaves with Snow"- 7x5" Oil by Stephen Magsig
Stephen has offered to cover shipping if in the US.
Another great little gem by Stephen Magsig.
Original painting done with oils on oil primed linen panel.
This landscape painting is a nature study of snow covered Oak leaves against a deep cobalt blue sky on Belle Isle Park in the Detroit river.
The buyer will receive the painting safely packaged and ready to frame or hang as is.
The 2013 painting is 7x5", signed and dated and is self hanging.
To view more of Stephen's work visit his web site: http://postcardsfromdetroit.bigcartel.com 

SOLD
"San Francisco Study"- 4.5x5.5" Oil on panel by Peter Kalill
Peter has offered to cover shipping if in the US.
A little jewel by Peter Kalill. This is a great view of the late day sun on the side of the San Francisco church in San Miguel de Allende. I met Peter 17 years ago in San Miguel and we have been friends ever since. Thanks for the generous donations Peter. These are signed on the front. The pictures were taken before they were signed.

SOLD
"Sunset from a Terrace"- 4.5x5.5" Oil on wood block by Peter Kalill
Peter has offered to cover shipping if in the US.
Another San Miguel de Allende scene by Peter Kalill. This one is of the Templo de La Concepcion in San Miguel or Las Monjas as everyone here calls it. Peter has been visiting México for at least 20 years and was one of the first people to step up and offer to help out. 

SOLD
"El Jardin" - 14x11" Oil on linen panel by Colin Page.
Colin Page has offered this painting of San Miguel de Allende as a donation to the fundraiser. He painted this from life in "El Jardin" the main square in San Miguel.
I love the design in this piece. It has a little bit of everything, the people sitting on the benches, the green tarps on the fruit stands and pieces of several buildings in the back. Some of the same buildings that are in the painting above this one, but from the other side. Thanks Colin for donating this painting. See more of his masterful work on his web site. http://www.colinpagepaintings.com

SOLD
"Nopal and Tree" - 8x10" Oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner.
This painting of a Huizache tree and a nopal cactus was done mostly on location. I worked on it a little more in the studio. I was especially attracted to the back lit thorns on the cactus. The orange on the tree is not the Huizache flower, it is an invasive parasite vine that is growing on the tree. I like the color though.

 SOLD
"Main Square" - 6x8" oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner
This is a little study of the main square in San Miguel. I've decided to put up a few little street scenes that I have available in Galeria Gardner. I don't have many, but it's for a great cause and we are doing really well for less than 24 hrs. on line with this. 

SOLD
"Center of San Miguel, Street Corner" - 10x8" oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner

Here is another street scene of the Center of San Miguel. This is a recent favorite of mine, and a study for a larger piece that I plan on painting soon. It is signed on the front (this picture was from before I signed it.) 

SOLD
"Rose Garden" - 8x10" oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner
I painted this one in Provincetown, MA a few years ago. 

SOLD
"The Richard and Arnold" - 11x14" oil on panel by Frank Gardner
I started this one on the spot in Provincetown, MA a few years ago. I finished it up in the studio. I really love these old wooden Eastern Rig fishing boats in Provincetown, and the Richard and Arnold is one of the last ones.

SOLD

"Star Valley Morning"- 6x6" oil by Kathie Donnellan Wheeler

Kathie has offered to cover shipping if in the US.

Both of Kathie's other paintings that she donated sold very quickly. She has generously offered another for the fundraiser. This one is a great little landscape.

See more of her work on her web site http://www.kathiewheeler.com/

 SOLD
"Guerrero Palms" - 8x10" Oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner
This one was painted on the spot in the state of Guerrero last year. Not far from this area are some of the villages that were hardest hit by Tropical Storm Manuel. This one is signed on the front, but this image was taken before the signature was painted on.

SOLD
"The Center of San Miguel" - 14x18" Oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner
I just got this piece back from a gallery in the US. It is of a grouping of buildings in the center of town. The colors and architecture are typical mix of San Miguel. I'm going to ad this one to the paintings that I am donating since it is such a popular type of scene.

 SOLD
"Orvieto Shadows"- 7x5" Oil by Stephen Magsig
Stephen has offered to cover shipping if in the US.
Another generous donation by a fellow painter and friend, Stephen Magsig.
Original painting done with oils on an oil primed linen panel.
This painting is a view of sunlight and shadows on a building in the ancient city of Orvieto, in southwestern Umbria, Italy.
The buyer will receive the painting safely packaged and ready to frame or hang as is.
The 2012 painting is 7x5", signed and dated and is self hanging.
To view more of Stephen's work visit his web site: http://postcardsfromdetroit.bigcartel.com 

SOLD
"Mexican Woman Selling Flowers" - 10x8" oil on canvas panel by Jerome Greene

This is a colorful little plein air painting by Jerome Greene. I really like how he captures some architectural flavor as San Miguel as well as the vibrant color. Jerome has been a good friend of mine for many years and he is a frequent visitor to San Miguel. He has done a lot of painting here, and this one was painted on the spot during one of his visits.Thank you Jerome!

SOLD
"The She's-A-Belle" - 8x10" oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner
This one was painted on the spot in Cortez, FL. Cortez is a really neat fishing town. It was fun painting there, but very hot.

SOLD
"Rock Harbor" - 11x14" oil on panel by Frank Gardner
This is another painting of Cape Cod. I paint up there every year, and show at a gallery in Orleans, MA. on the Cape.

SOLD

"Afternoon Light in Atotonilco" - 18x14" Oil on linen panel by Frank Gardner 

 "A Sunlit Wall"- 7x5" Oil by Stephen Magsig
Stephen has offered to cover shipping if in the US.
Donated by Stephen Magsig a friend and wonderful oil painter from Detroit. I love these little gems. 
He describes the painting:
Painted with oils on an oil primed linen panel. The buyer will receive the painting safely packaged and ready to frame or hang as is.
This landscape painting is a view looking up at a sunlit wall against a deep azure sky. I really liked the rich colors and strong contrast in this view.
Painting #22 in the series of Italian paintings from our recent trip to central Italy
The 2012 painting is 7x5", signed and dated and is self hanging
To view more of Stephen's work visit his web site: http://postcardsfromdetroit.bigcartel.com




The Fundraiser ended at 9PM Central, Sunday Sept 29th.

Thank You all so much!

2 Day 6x6 Workshop in CA this June

I'm going to be teaching a very cool 2 day class in Costa Mesa, CA this June.
It will be all about painting the 6x6" size, working from photo reference.
The venue for my class will be at the Randy Higbee Gallery.

It is part of a big weekend of art, classes, demos and lectures and I'm excited to have been asked to be a part of it.
You can check out all of the other top notch events on The Fine Art Collaborative web site.

It's going to be a great weekend. Hope to see you there.

March 12-16 workshop in Mexico

I just had a pair of cancelations for my painting workshop here in San Miguel de Allende.
So now I have a few spots in this class again. I can offer a last minute discount of $250. off the price for painters who sign up with the lodging. It's an awesome historic home just a block and a half from the main square. Fantastic rooftop views and Spanish colonial interior courtyard.
This is for all levels of oil painters. Small group size. There are 9 signed up right now and the max is 12.
Read more about it in my original post about the class.



Rooftop view



One of the places we'll paint for the day and be treated to an authentic Mexican Meal.

Fundraiser for Volunteer Fire and Rescue in San Miguel de Allende

"Bomberos" 5x7 Frank Gardner ©2012 SOLD
$475. Framed and 100% is donation for the volunteer Fire Dept.

I painted this as a donation to a fundraiser at my gallery. We are raising money for the Fire and Rescue of San Miguel de Allende.
This piece is still available and I will pay shipping to the US.

Our fundraiser was last night and despite the rain, lots of people came out to show their support. There was a sock monkey tree, with a whole clan of handmade sock monkeys by our friend Ruth. There was a sculpture donated by a local artist Terra Mezwa. And the featured event was our "Hearts on Fire" project where we ask 20 local artists and other people to decorate a heart shaped nicho that I provided. We had a great assortment of nichos, many with Valentine or Fireman themes. The ones that are left will be on display at the gallery until they are all sold and 100% of the proceeds are for the Bomberos ( Fire Dept.) Our whole family was there helping out and the old International Fire Truck in this painting was parked out front. Sold lots of Valentine's cookies, brownies and meringues too.

Here are a few pics of the nichos. Maybe I can post more. We decided to go with "suggested donations" instead of a silent auction because of the rainy weather etc.. some are still available. We will be purchasing things from the "wish list" of the firemen and hope to deliver the donations next week some time. We are over $2,000. Dollars now and still have some work to do to grow our total by the end of this week.

We are also taking donations via Paypal from out of town friends.


Entrance wall of the gallery with the sock monkey tree and some of the nichos




One of the favorite pieces of the night. Nicho by Alfredo, co-owner of Camino Silvestre, the awesome store across the street and my favorite store in San Miguel.




"Mariachi Loco Quiere Bailar" nicho by Ruth Rauh. Pull the string and he dances.




"My Heart's on Fire" one of my nichos




One of our friends that braved the rain in the afternoon to come show support. Well, braved is not the best word. He and his brother enjoyed playing in the rain on the fire truck and putting on all the gear. They actually geared up with boots pants, coats and helmets.



Nicho by Lee Carter, owner of Colors, a great store up the street from our gallery.

Will shoot more pics of the other nichos and posts some more in a day or two. Some of these are still available, so contact me if interested.



"Amore Eterno" nicho by our daughter Erin ( age 8)



Was real busy, so did not get many shots of when it was hopping in there.

"20 Representational Painters to be Inspired by in 2012" My personal list of paint that inspires me.

To welcome in the New Year I've put together my personal list of 20 painters to watch in 2012.

I am not an art critic and don't pretend to be up on everything that's going on out there in the art world. These are painters that inspire me personally. Painters that I will be following in 2012 in my quest to become a better painter. They inspire me to push myself artistically and experiment with new things. I chose them from a huge list of favorites as painters who have developed a personal style.

I'm inspired by so many painters that my list was very hard to narrow down to just 20. I had to leave out many others or maybe I just forgot to include some. This is just my personal list. I in no way mean to slight anyone else or give the illusion that these painters deserve more than the rest. I'd like to add students in the Academies in Russia. to the list of inspiration. Holy Guacamole!


"To Watch" lists are often about the up an coming "new" thing. However, I believe that representational painters evolve into their own style over time, as they become more fluent with the language of paint. So my list is made up of painters from all levels of their artistic careers, not really "newbies". I chose them for a variety of reasons. I can't go into everything I like about each of these, but I'll try and add a sentence or two about each one. Please visit their personal web sites to check out more of their work.

The images below are © of the artist and the rights are theirs. I just borrowed for this post. I hope none of them mind.

I hope you enjoy MY list of 20 Representational Painters to be Inspired by in 2012.
Listed in no particular order.



1- Susan Lyon.
Sue is amazing. Her drawing is impeccable. I was totally blown away be her little figure sketches on velum that she did this year. She has some downloadable instructional videos on her web site and you can check out a link to promo for video here.
Inspiration: draw well, keep experimenting.



Susan Lyon, Figure in charcoal.



Susan Lyon, figure sketch on velum.






2- Ignat Ignatov.
I love Ignat's work. He is also one of the happiest upbeat guys I know. I love his portraits, but watching him paint one is the best treat. He starts with a loose sketch of light and shadow and pulls the likeness out bit by bit. His paint handling and color inspire me. Inspiration: Paint better portraits.



Ignat Ignatov 2 hr demo



Ignat Ignatov, portrait of Alexey Steele






3- Paul Oxborough.
Paul is just a kick ass painter. I love his seemingly effortless brushwork. Reminds me of Sargent, but with a twist that I really enjoy. There are a bunch of great images on the Eleanor Ettinger Gallery web site. Check out the night scenes. Inspiration: Paint better.



Paul Oxborough, "First One Up" 34x44"



Paul Oxborough, "Dinner by Lamplight" 5x7"



Paul Oxborough, "Sailors" 36x48"





4-Eric Merrell.
Eric has a great eye for color, it really blows me away. He has developed a totally unique style. You really need to see his stuff in person to get the full impact of his brushwork. Not sure how he does it. He has kind of a light handed, very textural, short stroke that enhances his style. Inspiration: Get a better eye for color.



Eric Merrell



Eric Merrell
"Weight of the World" (Temple Crag and Third Lake, Sierra Nevadas) 30" x 40"



Eric Merrell






5-Vadim Zanginian.
I love the controlled chaos of Vadim's work. I'm into the way the images just seem to appear and fade back into nothing. It's something that I have been trying to incorporate into my work, so when I came across his paintings I was instantly drawn to that aspect of his stuff. Inspiration: Loosen up.



Vadim Zanginian, "Duet with Teacher" 24x24"



Vadim Zanginian, "Last Rose" 14x11"





6-Rose Frantzen.
Such a great painter. I'm really drawn to her designs and subject. I've seen some step by steps on line and I think that is the reason she made my list. She starts with what seems like a chaotic mess and pulls the image from that. You may see a pattern in my choices for that approach. Inspiration: Push myself to be a better painter.


Rose Frantzen, "Mrs. Krogman"



Rose Frantzen






7- David Gluck.
I've just recently come across David's work. The painting below, "The Trapper" won an award in the ACOPAL open competition this year. The I saw this still life on his web site. Dang! love the mad skills as well as the color harmony and the choice of objects. He and his wife Kate Stone, ( who is also amazing, so there is an extra fav thrown in there ), have a cool blog: Painting Stuff to Look Like Stuff. Check it out. Their combined sense of humor guaranteed David's spot on my list. Inspiration: Master my skills in order to become a better painter.



David Gluck



David Gluck, "The Trapper"





8- Scott Burdick.
OK, Scott is on my list of usual suspects. He has inspired me for years. For this list it is his brushwork and unusual color combos that get me inspired. I've chosen two details of larger paintings below to show what I mean. Scott and Sue are two of the nicest most generous people I know. Inspiration: Don't be afraid to make bold color choices. Want brushwork? Then make some.



Scott Burdick, "Tent with a View" 11x14"



Scott Burdick, detail



Scott Burdick, "Colors of Africa" detail





9- Colin Page.
Colin has a unique style, but the way he can pick any subject and make it sing is one of the things I admire about his work. I'll be watching his progress in 2012 because I know some of the things he is working on. Our work and thoughts on painting and things we are trying to experiment with are very similar right now. I enjoy getting together to paint with Colin or discussing our work in emails. Inspiration: Anything is paintable.


Colin Page



Colin Page



Colin Page





10- Randall Sexton.
I'm really attracted to Randy's brushwork in his plain air landscapes. When I saw his still lives on his web site it showed me a totally different side of his work. Again, I've selected a painter for his combination of realism with loose paint for paint's sake brushwork.
Check out the size of the still life too... 60x48" !
Inspiration: Mix of abstract/ loose paint and realism, just become a better painter.


Randall Sexton, "Delta Chevy" 12x16"



Randall Sexton, "Hootenanny" 60x48"





11- Tibor Nagy.
Brushwork. Love it. Check out the two demos I linked to below his work.
Inspiration: Brushwork!


Tibor Nagy, "The Last Winter Day"



Tibor Nagy, "An Ancient Luck"


video demo

another video demo





12- William Wray.
His color and paint handling is killer. He can pick any old subject and make it rock. I don't know how he gets these color combinations. Inspires me to try and bring some of that into my own work somehow. Inspiration: Paint anything, don't be afraid of color.



William Wray, "Banister" 20x20"



William Wray, "Backdoor" 24x24"



William Wray, "Square D" 24x24"





13-Marc Hanson.
Marc is another favorite of mine. Great skills, but also they way he can take a simple subject like one tree and make it worthy of a piece of art. Reminds me to simplify. Inspiration: Paint more on the spot and simplify.



Marc Hanson, "Hex River Valley" 30x40"



Marc Hanson, Sunset on the Hills" 9x12"



Marc Hanson, "Corner Light" 8x10





14- Logan Hagege.
If there is one guy I know who has his own style it's Logan. He has really been doing some nice stuff lately, so I know he has some good surprises for 2012. Just take a look at the huge canvas he is stretching up. Inspires me to keep it real and to go big. Inspiration: Keep it real, be true to yourself. Go big.



Logan Hagege, "Unveiling the Clouds" 80x52"



Logan Hagege, "The Sun and the Clouds" oil/linen 40x40



Logan Hagege, big ass canvas, sweet studio space.





15- Aaron Westerburg.
More mad skills. I think the reason I chose him for this list is his color palette and subject choices. Love the self portrait. Unique design, great color, brushwork. He has it all. And who can't love the painting of his dog Stella? Inspiration: Color, Design, Brushwork.



Aaron Westerburg



Aaron Westerburg, "Stella" 10x6"



Aaron Westerburg, Large Version "Transition in Rose" 36x18





16- Ken DeWaard.
Love his plein air work. He has great designs. He really tackles some big stuff on the spot and does not mess around. My inspiration: Go big, keep clean simple designs.



Ken DeWaard, "Port Clyde" 6x8"



Ken DeWaard



Ken DeWaard




17- Tom Balderas.
Crazy brushwork and color. Tom just puts down the important stuff and leaves it. Inspiration: Put it down and leave it alone.



Tom Balderas, "Figure in Red on a Dock"



Tom Balderas




18- Stank Kordic.
I really like the direction of her work. She has a style all her own. Realism mixed with a bit of abstraction. She really seems to be going all out lately, so keep an eye on her in 2012. Look for the video of her talking about her work. Sorry I can't put all the links myself. I have faith in you to be able to find info on your own. Inspiration: Explore my feelings and the "why" behind my work more.



Stank Kordic


Stanka Kordic




19- Quang Ho.
Quang is just a great painter. Love his work and the poetry of the paint handling. Hard to pick just a few examples of his work. Inspiration: find the "poetry" of what I'm painting and don't get caught up in detail.



Quang Ho, "In the Kitchen" 20x20"



Quang Ho, "Dark Slumber" 12x12




20- Dan Beck. Just love Dan's paint handling. Lost and found edges. Inspiration: I need to soften some of my edges even more this year.



Dan Beck, "Lemon and Grapes" 8x10"



Dan Beck, "Zeke" 14x11"