Off the Easel: An Alaskan Artist’s Blog

artic-rose-flyer

Click on the above image and/or link to view and print this flyer. The link is a higher resolution pdf file.

Paint is flying around here as I get ready for my First Friday show in Anchorage. Please share the above flyer with anyone who you think might be interested. Since homeschooling is taking up more of my time these days, this will be my last solo exhibit for a little while (I will continue to paint, but at a more leisurely pace). My new Tali’s Pocket Prints are adorable and affordable. They will make wonderful Christmas presents. My new “When We were Young” original painting series is well under way, and you’ll have the opportunity of seeing (and purchasing, is you are so inclined) the first fruits of this new endeavor. Some of my larger works that you’ve seen before will also be on display as well as signed prints. If you haven’t attended the First Friday exhibits in Anchorage, this is a great opportunity to view some wonderful original art. I’ll be there to answer questions and might even attempt a “live” painting. If you can’t attend, the paintings will be up for most of the month. As always, feel free to contact me if there a particular subject you’d like to see painted, would like to pre-order prints, have questions, or just want to say hi. Hope to see you there!

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I will be guiding an informal portrait workshop, Thursday 11 a.m. at Sophia’s Café. The workshop is free of charge and artist of all levels are welcome. Membership to the Arts Alliance is free of charge, but donations will be welcome. It should be a lot of fun, so please come if you can. Sophia’s Kafe Neo, located at 7331 E.Palmer Wasilla Hw.

 

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A prickly rose and a sabra;  what do these have in common?

• Tough as nails
• Hard to get close to
• Beautiful and sweet
• Unpretentious

These were my thoughts as I was finishing up this painting. Sarah Palin had just been chosen as the McCain’s running mate. I couldn’t help but think of how much she seems like these arctic beauties. I was quite skeptical of her when she first became governor, but after only a few days in office, I knew she was a woman of a like mind! A prickly rose, not too unlike a sabra. Being both Jewish born, and an artist, I certainly have my share of liberal friends whom I respect. But I am unabashedly showing my support to this woman who has brought a breath of fresh air and a pure sunshine to our government! This painting is dedicated to her.

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Looking back at the Nomad

I am displaying three paintings at the Art Pavilion in an invitational Valley Arts Alliance show in the Alaska State Fairgrounds. Many of you have seen these, but as some of you haven’t, and are visiting the fair, I thought I would give you information on them. The exhibit is inside the Alaska Craftsmen Home (number 437 on this map), with the Salmon on Parade display as well as a wine tasting. I’ll be there tomorrow from about 11a.m. to 4p.m. painting, so feel free to stop by, say hello, or ask questions. The show will be up for the entire two weeks the fair is open.

You can find my original post on the Nomad by clicking here. You can see what other artists had to say about it as well as my preliminary sketch and under-painting by clicking on this forum thread.

My son pointed out to me that the Nomad has had its share of travel in this area. It has never hung anywhere for longer than a couple of months-not an easy arrangement as the painting weigh’s a ton with its heavy solid wood frame. Every time I have to take it down, its “family” is sad to see it go. Yet, like the original Nomad, the painting never travel’s too far from home, a few miles here or there. The Nomad (as well as my other paintings displayed) are being discounted for the two weeks while the Alaska State Fair is in progress. It’s a great time to buy this large, beautifully framed original. $2,000 It will need a large wall for its home. I am set up to do the transaction online so contact me if you are interested. If you are out of state, shipping will be an additional $300 (sorry, large heavy piece).

The other paintings displayed are “Passion” $600 plus shipping if applicable, (sold)

and “Study of Kalencia” $800 plus shipping if applicable.

If you live in the Anchorage, Wasilla, or Palmer area, I can deliver the paintings directly to your home when the show is over for no extra charge. The prices will go back to their original prices when the fair is over Sept. 1. I only do this once a year in celebration of my original non-commission sale during the fair!

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I’m starting to get paintings ready for my show in November. The theme of the show will be “When We were Young” Here’s the first painting I’m be working on for the show.

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After a nice camping trip to Seward–I’m ready to paint again! I made more changes to this poor little painting but I promise to leave it alone now and move on–especially since it has finally stopped raining and is finally warm enough to call summer.

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Yes, it IS still raining, and I’m STILL not finished with this one–but getting closer! I lost the warm light, but the sun didn’t try very hard today. Keep checking, I’ll get it right one of these days!

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I’m still painting between visiting with my family from Israel, chasing my stir-crazy boys, tending to the wet garden and pregnant rabbits. It’s been such a cold summer. The constant rain is getting to all of us. As I was working on this painting-looking out my front window, the sun would occasional peak through the cloud cover, letting me know it was desperately trying to reach me-a lesson certainly worth noting. The painting is 6 inches tall by 8.5 inches wide, oil on Museum Grade Wallis Archival Sanded Paper. I’ll be doing some touch ups on it tomorrow while it’s lighter out, then let it dry for the weekend.

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Have you even had one of these beasties? Not fun! But they are great in fresh pico de gallo! Red objects are not only hard to photograph, but paint as well. The shape of this pepper was also challenging. I’ll probably do a few studies so in preparation for a larger still live of all the veggies that I love in pico. I always love it when I can paint from life :)  This is another ATC/ACEO, 2.5 inches tall by 3.5 inches wide, original oil on Ampersand Stampbord. It’ll need several days to dry and then I’ll make some minor corrections and take a better photo. If you are interested in buying this one before I post on eBay, be sure to contact me!

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Here’s what I’ve been working on all week. It was supposed to get done in a day, lol! I will do some tiny finishing touches on it once it drys a bit. I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow, it’s way late and I’m still one painting behind. This one is 8.75 inches wide by 6 inches tall, an original oil on Archival Wallis Museum Grade Sanded Paper.

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