Counting Raindrops

Driving Home in the Rain in progress
12 x 16" oil on linen
©2010 Katherine Kean

I'm developing this painting from a photo I took looking out the car window as I was driving home. The image wasn't shot during this past rainy season, but from a few years ago and has been sitting in my image file all the while waiting for it's time. I am fascinated with the way the drops from a fine drizzle sparkle on the windshield and the effect I feel it brings to an otherwise ordinary view.

I've painted as much as possible of the background before adding the drops, pretty much everything except the foreground drops which I've just started defining, starting with the larger ones. At first I found the definition of the drops a little startling, having as they do so much more focus then the rest of the scene, but I've adjusted to how it looks and having decided it is correct I'll go on to complete this treatment for the many, many remaining drops on the windshield. What's holding me back? I need to get some more tiny brushes. The ones I have are all worn out. Hopefully this week I'll get a chance to get to the art supply store.

Volcano Art Exhibition

I learned about this exhibition from the Volcanism blog, it's called Volcano: Turner to Warhol featuring five centuries of volcano art, obviously including Turner and Warhol, among others, as well as a selection of work from Icelandic artists. If I were in the UK I'd definitely go see it.

Below is an excerpt from a corner installation by James P. Graham, called Iddu, which means Him in Sicialian dialect, created over a five year period upon the Stromboli volcano:



A review of the exhibition from the Gaurdian.

I just found and started following the Volcanism Blog last week and it has quickly become my place to go to for all things volcano.

Summer!

Santa Monica Pier work in progress

12 x 16" oil on linen ☺2010 Katherine Kean

I count celebrating the Fourth of July as my final signal that summer is indeed here. I had made goals to have certain things complete for summer, so that I could relax and enjoy it and this included finishing essential repairs and upgrades on my house. This weekend was hectic. The painters seemed as intent as I to finish and did so late on Saturday. In fact they were still working on the details when I left for the evening. Finish they did and I spent much of Sunday moving things around to be ready in time to watch fireworks from the deck, although we did end up walking down the block for a better view - the trees are just too high these days to see over, which is fine with me!

By later that night, early on the fifth actually, it became apparent that everything had been just too much for Bear. Perhaps a combination of feeling like he was responsible for guarding the house from the painters all week, together with the fireworks - a big display and all the accompanying booming happening within 6 blocks of the house, all made him over anxious. When he wouldn't settle down, continuing to cry and bark periodically long after the fireworks were over, a late night trip to the emergency vet was necessary. There they checked him over and then gave him a sedative which calmed him down for the next twelve hours. He got the rest he needed - and so did I, and now he's back to his normal, sunny self.

Another Kind of Painting Project

I've been semi imprisoned in my house this week, sealed in by plastic tarping and masking tape. The painters are here and the outside appearance of my house is changing as I write. Here are a couple of pictures that give you a glimpse of the changes so far.





The grapevines have filled in a lot since taking the before picture about two months ago so some of the painting of the railings may have to wait until fall. The painters have been doing a great job of painting around trees and flowers, going so far as to wrap up one of the floxglove flowers next to the house to keep it from being splattered.




I did manage to find my way out on Saturday evening and went to the opening at TAG, featuring Carol Kleinman, Darlyn Susan Yee, and Betty Sheinbaum. It was an unexpectedly eventful evening as the power went out - not just for the gallery, but for the whole neighboring area of Santa Monica. It didn't stop people from coming and and looking at the artwork. A recent, small drawing of mine, Coastal Pines, was sold too, I'm happy to say, and to lovely people - what could be better?

Welcoming Summer with another Stormy Beach

Another Stormy Beach work in progress24 x 30" oil on linen © 2010 Katherine Kean

Above is a new underpainting of another stormy beach you can see the drawing for this painting here. This one's from Hawaii; the Big Island, and you can see the lava shelf formation that justs into the ocean on the left. I wonder if it's due to crashing on the hardened lava that makes the waves particularly loud, or if it's because the lava formations - which can be up to 50 feet in depth, trap and echo the sound. Whatever causes it, the effect is dramatic and thrilling.

I've just sent out my summer newsletter this week. If you'd like to stay up to date by receiving the newsletter by email click here to subscribe .

One Weekend: Two Exhibits

Lava Haze 10 x 10" oil on linen
© 2010 Katherine Kean

The small painting above is showing some progress, just needing some final layers of glaze, as do some others in the studio. Meanwhile I feel like I've been everywhere this weekend. Saturday I found myself in Orange County to see the "Best" exhibit from Jeffrey Crussell Fine Art, including the work of 40 or so artists hung in an Eichler home. It was interesting seeing artwork in an environment that is closer to the way they might actually be displayed in a personal collection. Sunday I went to the "Studio Visions" exhibit at Linda Jacobson's Center for Art and Spirit in Venice, featuring paintings of the Venice Art Forum group. Also an alternative space, the intimate exhibit of paintings by eight artsists hung in a converted garage behind a private home. Roslyn from the Art, Tiles, and Mosaics Blog was there and took pictures that are now posted on her blog, so have a look.

West Adams Art in Historic Places Tour

The historically interesting West Adams area of Los Angeles has Craftsman style bungalows, Victorian houses, cottages, and mansions. The West Adams Heritage Association tour on Saturday included 12 diverse locations. As if the architecture alone is not enough of a treat for the eye, each one featured contemporary artwork by local artists. In some cases the homes are owned by the artists represented. In others, the work of a few different artists were collected together. I've included some photos below. The photos are a bit random. Since I'm still nailing down what colors to paint my house I had a tendency to wander off photographing odd bits of trim and sections of homes where all the colors intersected, while missing more obvious photo opportunities. A list of all the artists whose work was displayed on the tour, along with samples of their work, can be found at the WAHA website.







Later on in the afternoon I had the pleasure to meet up with Dianne Poinski while she was in town. I've known Dianne through her blog for the past year of so, and it was a pleasure to meet her in person.