13 Problems

nick-6_assignmentsI jumped at the chance to take a 13 week painting workshop with Boston’s one and only George Nick this winter and am now halfway through the program.

Nick, who turns 90 next year, spent many years teaching painting at Mass Art and taught my painting teachers. He studied with Edwin Dickinson. It was time to spend some time with the legend and curmudgeon. The title of the course is 13 Problems for Realist Painting and we’re mid-way through the classes.

George is very clear; we are doing assignments  (not paintings) with criteria that he describes as impossible.  He specifies format, colors, genre, etc and all work is painted from direct observation. One goal of each assignment is to make a convincingly solid object out of paint on a 2 dimensional plane – when using 2 or 4 colors – no more than 6 values – and no brushes, only a knife. It’s squint, simplify and find the right color-tone even when it’s the “wrong” color.

A humbling, challenging experience . . . but I like the boots.

Holiday Art Fairs and StoveFactory Open Studios


Beacon Hill Holiday Fine Art and Craft Sale: November 19 & 20, 10am – 5pm at Hill House Firehouse on Mt Vernon St off Charles St. Beacon Hill MA

wintercraftflyer2016: December 1 & 2,  9am – 5pm, Winter Arts & Crafts Fair, MIT

Charlestown Open Studios: December 3 & 4, at StoveFactory Studios, 523 Medford St. Charlestown MA. 11am  – 5pm

A Busy Upcoming Week

creativewkshpDara Pannebaker and the AGC (Artist’s Group of Charlestown) sponsored by Spaulding Partners Continuing Care and in collaboration with the Charlestown Coalition, developed a terrific community centered Creative Workshop program for people at risk and in recovery. The paintings produced by our new artists will be exhibited at the StoveFactory Gallery in Charlestown. Last night Channel 5 arrived with a video camera and reporter while we were hanging the paintings – you’ll be able to catch the interviews on TV on Tuesday, September 27th.  I was strictly in the background. Get all the details about the Creative Workshop Exhibition hours and silent auction.

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I’ve been meaning to spend more time painting downtown, and on Sunday I’ll have that opportunity in the canyons of Downtown Crossing. I’ll be on Avenue de Lafayette with a  Taste of Downtown Crossing from noon until 4. Hope you can drop by. The food should be spectacular! and the forecast is sunny and cool. Great day an urban stroll. More info and tickets here

 

 

 

Bennington Green at the 17th Annual Frances Roddy Competition

benningtongreenBennington Green has been selected for Concord Art’s 17th Annual Frances Roddy Competition. I’m delighted! The show runs from September 15 – October 20, with the opening reception from 6-8 on Thursday, the 15th. Learn more about Concord Art.