PAINTING STUDIO CHAOS MAKES WAY FOR CREATIVITY, STORAGE AND STYLE

A fresh start - setting up my new painting studio.

As many of you know I had been working from my Long Island City apartment. It was a darling little studio (little being the operative word). It was two steps from my bed and it was taking over! I would literally step out of bed and into the studio. To economize my space I raised the bed and pushed my flat files under it. The down side was that since I used my bed as a surface I would have to clear it off before climbing in at night.  The work was too close. The space was too confining. So, I moved.

I am happy to say that I have taken my art full time. With the move comes an extra room that is my new studio.  Now, I actually have room to work, a closet to store supplies and a door that I can close.

Can't wait to show you the big reveal!

SPOT-ON ART WORLD PARODY

Comedian Amy Poehler channels Edith Head (American movie costume designer) in a spot-on art world parody in her latest Old Navy commercials. Here are the outtakes.

PREPARE TO BE AMAZED.....

Jenny Andersen:

Offerings

Rachel Feferman Gallery

June 28, 2014 - September 28, 2014

Blue Mountain Ritual Cup, 2012, wood fired stoneware by Jenny Andersen. Photo credit: Steve Sauer

Nothing could have prepared me for Jenny Andersen's "Offerings" exhibit at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum.

Jenny Andersen's haunting, sublime figures evoke a sense of mystery. Referencing Greek and Italian art, she blends the figure and the natural world. Graceful and psychologically complex animals emerge from the human form. Jenny plays between the internal and external worlds. Her surfaces are seductive and each sculpture possesses a peaceful quality as if wrapped in a dream. They wait patiently for you to approach to reveal their story. 

Go see for yourself!


htpp://www.biartmuseum.org/exhibitions/jenny-anderson-offerings/ 

Summer on Bainbridge Island!

Can't think of a more beautiful place to spend summer than Bainbridge Island, it’s just a short ferry ride from Seattle. The ferry coming into Winslow - heaven!

On the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry coming into Winslow

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

                         A Scattering of Hearts for Valentine's Day!

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with New York City.  I find it both captivating and frustrating.  But New Yorker’s never disappoint.  

The other day I was walking along West 60^th Street going to the Time Warner Building for my afternoon cup of joe when I stumbled upon these hearts made from ice (something there is no shortage in NYC at the moment).  Many people stopped to take photos and to be amazed.  So, Happy Valentine’s my dear friends – may you find wonder and enjoyment today on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year! 

SNOW DAY - CELEBRATING THE BEAUTY OF SNOW

Blizzard Hercules hit the East Coast last night and today with howling winds and bitter cold. 

I have to admit that I love snow, at least while it is falling and covering everything in a blanket of white.  It muffles the traffic and transforms the city into a beautiful and romantic wonderland.

To celebrate the first snow storm of 2014, here are snow inspired paintings, from Peter Brueghel to Camille Pissarro. Do you have a favorite?  

As 2014 unfolds, follow along. Join my mailing list for the latest artwork, projects and special promotions (enter your email in the space to the right of this column). Cheers!

"The Hunters in the Snow", Peter Brueghel the Elder, 1565 Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

"Winter Cardinals" Andrée Ruellan (1905-2006)

        "Road to Versailles at Louveciennes" (Snow Effect) Camille Pissarro,1869

"Night Snow at Kamara", Utagawa Hiroshige, 1833

HAPPY NEW YEAR to YOU

Hello and Happy New Year!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

2013 has been rich with creativity and community, it has been an enjoyable and rewarding year. I want to thank you all for reading my studio blog. 2014 will be even better.

Thank you for your support.  Wishing you the best in the coming year!

Cheers,
Barbara

National Association of Women Artists ... Empowering Women Artists Since 1889

I AM THRILLED to tell you about the induction ceremony to the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA). A few months ago I submitted my paintings to be juried and soon received a letter congratulating me on becoming a member to NAWA. Last Thursday was the new members induction ceremony held at The Rubin Museum of Art in Chelsea in New York City.

The ceremony was inspiring. It was the Emmy's.  It was the Academy Awards.  I want to thank the Academy....

Well, OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I felt recognized and accomplished, a professional standing among other successful women artists. 

 

WILD FLOWERS IN FIELD, 12"x 9", oil on canvas

 As each artist name was called, two of her works were displayed on a large screen. She approached the stage to receive a certificate and was encouraged to say something about her work or herself.  Gasps! No one expected that we would have to say something about ourselves - ugh - artists talking about their art to a crowd of strangers. Run for the hills! 
 

LONE TREE, 24" x 24", oil/mixed media on canvas

But by the end of the day we felt a part of each others successes.  It was inspiring to hear every one's story, to get a glimpse of individual journeys. Strength, encouragement, joy and beauty was exchanged. 


It was a love fest, the mother load.  It just doesn't get better than that.

Membership into this organization for professional women artists was founded in 1889 by five innovative women, Anita C. Ashley, Adele Fracis Bedell, Elizabeth S. Cheever, Edith Mitchel Prellwitz and Grace Fitz-Randolph.  Early annual exhibitions included the notable Rosa Bonheur, Mary Cassatt, Suzanne Valadon and Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. As the organization grew, Louis Nevelson, Judy Chicago, Janet Fish, Marisol, Audrey Flack and Faith Ringgold and many other illustrious artists have been added to the roster of supporters.

NAWA has a permanent collection at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University, New Jersey and offers educational opportunities to its members and the general public. 

Drawing is about Seeing

I love to draw. Drawing is about seeing, making marks, erasing, making more marks and seeing some more ..... I love the process!

Drawing in Pencil of Tree Branch by Barbara J Hart 28"x20"

Drawing is a discipline used to gather information. It's my way of converting an idea into a simple line, a way of making marks on paper. When I draw, the subject takes on a life of it’s own, and  it brings an awareness of the value of every day objects.

Close up of Tree Branch- pencil on paper by Barbara J Hart-28"x20"

"Learning to draw is really a matter of learning to see - to see correctly - and that means a good deal more than merely looking with the eye" - Kimon Nicolaides, The Natural Way to Draw. 

Work in process -tree drawing - pencil on paper by Barbara J Hart - 28" x20"

Here's my latest drawing on the easel and the second drawing in my tree and branch series.

WILD FLOWERS IN FIELD

Landscape Painting - Wild Flowers in Field - Barbara J Hart - 12" x 9" - oil on canvas

Close up of Wild Flowers in  Field - Barbara J Hart

Longing for open spaces, broad horizons and colorful wild flowers.  For now I am content to be in my studio and to paint the serene vistas from my photographs.

A CORNER OF THE STUDIO

Here's a corner of my studio with my paints and brushes and artwork from artists friends.  

The album is Sam and Dave's Greatest Hits. Why is it hanging on the wall you ask?  Because it is warped and because it is one of my favorite records (ahem, or should I say vinyl) and I couldn't throw it away. So, there it hangs together with two assemblages. The one on the left is created by Susan Olds, called Resumes and Revisions.  The piece on the right is done by my dear friend Carol Fiedler-Kawaguchi. It is a shrine to the things I love - my sweet Golden Retriever Sandy, painting, boats and color.....

A corner of my studio with my paints & brushes & a few favorite works by artist friends 

TA-DA -- FINALLY - DIGITIAL PRINTS ARE AVAILABLE!

Boat Painting-Two Boats-Barbara J Hart-Acrylic, copper plate on board-24"x36"

Dear Friends, 

After many months of computer problems, I am pleased to announce that a few of my paintings are now available on Fine Art America

More images will be added so check back often!  

Enjoy!
Barbara

 

My Love of Clouds

I've always been inspired by clouds. On hot summer days my sister and I would pass the time looking up - to see how many animals and shapes we could find in those big clouds gliding above us. 

I've taken so many photos of clouds ... but never attempted a painting. Until now.  In this small painting I wanted to try to paint something monumental (the sky) on a small surface (10" x 8" canvas). It was a real challenge....

Landscape Painting-Clouds-Barbara J Hart-Oil on canvas-10" x 8"

Winter Light - A Portrait of Tree Branches. First Drawing of 2013 by Barbara J. Hart

Happy New Year – Here is the first drawing of 2013!

WINTER LIGHT, Barbara J. Hart, Pencil/pen on board, 8.5" x 13"

I love tress in winter, stark and beautiful without attire.  Here is Winter Light a portrait of long branches without memory of leaves dancing on a cold breeze and anticipating the return of fresh green finery. 

What's on the Easel?

"Lone Tree" by Barbara J. Hart, 24" x 24"

oil/collage on canvas

Here’s the painting on my easel this week.  A walk through a Pennsylvania meadow inspired this painting/collage.  I love to study trees, don’t you?  I’m inspired by how they exist in the landscape.  The power in the form of a tree with branches reaching out in various directions encloses you and at the same time is open.  I’m investigating landscape and how it implies a distant space and at the same time restricting the tree to a square or rectangle.  In my attempt to observe trees I also investigate painting as a process and my relationship to the landscape.    

RELAX ALONG SIDE A NYC WATER TOWER

Pillow made from my painting of NYC water tower

I recently found an on-line source for designing and printing fabric.  I thought it would be a fun to see what one of my paintings looked like as a pillow. What do you think?