French Lessons - Part 2

IMG_3057

Class started on Friday. I was glad to have had two days to acclimate to the time change and get to know the neighborhood. Class started off at a fast pace and only grew faster.

IMG_3069

We began with finalizing the drawing that was pounced on our panels previously. Jean discussed the "Chromatic Link", a secret and ancient method of unifying all of the elements that will be painted within the canvas.  Actually its just toning the canvas.  No secrets. Then we added layers of glazes to create the look of limestone, the material in which the entire niche is constructed. After Jean demonstrated the technique, we laid in the foundation for the ornament above the niche and moved to the background color for the urn.  The marble panels at the bottom would come later, taught by Pierre. Then a discussion of how light affects shadows and how forms dictate their shape.

IMG_3067

Jeannie!

My buddy Jeannie from Long Island decided to make the trip last minute, and thank goodness, it wouldn't have been the same with out her.  Tre Drole! Lots of wine, baguettes, croissants, and many other French delicacies were shared. The class was full of students from around the world; Taiwan, France, Israel, US, (and California :)) a true "UN of painting!"

IMG_3600

Wine at lunch!

Lunch was on our own and many people either brought food or went out and grabbed some to bring back.  One day, Maddie's husband Frank bought sandwiches for everyone! There was always goodies to be had that people would bring to share, croissants, chocolates, and treats. Great conversations around the lunch table.

2013-03-08_14-35-07_569

Dinner at "Cafe Aux Crepes" with some students

2013-03-05_14-06-52_714

Gates at Chateau

The third day we were guided by Pierre and Jean Luc on a tour of the Palace of Versailles which included the Chateau, the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Queen's Hamlet. I believe the word is gobsmacked.  I literally couldn't believe what I was seeing. Beautiful gilding, marbles, trompe loeil... And surprisingly, a lot of the marbles were painted!  Even the King had a budget! Every last inch of the place was decorated.  We were treated to an unconventional tour where our "guides" pointed out details of the decorations that would not normally be on the tour.  You can read some of what we learned on Pierre Finkelstein's blog.

IMG_3103

On our way to the Chateau

IMG_3108

Pierre and Mikey, aka, the Crazy Frenchman and "le Stupide Américain"

IMG_3130

IMG_3242

The famous Hall of Mirrors

IMG_3227

The War Room

IMG_3234

Amazing Trompe L'oeil (look closely at the gilded moldings.  Where the figure crosses the molding, the area is flat and has been painted and gilded to create the 3D effect.)

IMG_3315

More beautiful marbles, marquetry, gilding, and murals.

IMG_3274

The king's bedroom

IMG_3290

Marie Antoinette's bedchamber

IMG_3350

Some examples of faux marbre:

IMG_3335

IMG_3437

IMG_3448

IMG_3483

Moving on to the Grand Trianon...

IMG_3462

IMG_3434

Grand Trianon

IMG_3455

Rebecca, myself, and Jeannie

IMG_3442

IMG_3485

Beautiful painted armoire holding china in the Petit Trianon

IMG_3516

Marie Antoinette's bedroom in the Petit Trianon

IMG_3495

IMG_3500

IMG_3523

Even the queen has to go sometimes!

IMG_3519

View from the queen's bedroom at the Petit Trianon

IMG_3521

Queen's dressing room.  The wall panels raise and lower for privacy.

IMG_3555

IMG_3548

The group

IMG_3573

Petit Trianon exterior

IMG_3561

Interior of the Belvedere.  Look at those grottescas and ceiling!!

IMG_3569

Belvedere and Grotto

IMG_3578

Some of the sheep that reside on the grounds at Versailles.

I could go on and on!  Check out more images in my gallery on my facebook page

Up next, "French Lessons - Part 3: Mike's Adventures on the Bike"

French Lessons - Part 1

2013-03-05_14-18-40_206

I have been back for a week and already I feel it was a dream that I was in France. I had the opportunity to take a class with world renowned decorative arts professionals Pierre Finkelstein and Jean Luc Sable at Ecole Sable in Versailles, France.  Yes, I said Versailles.  <sigh>.  And it was amazing.  Mike came with me, he wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to travel to one of the cycling meccas of the world, even if it was in March.  We flew out of Dulles outside of Washington DC on the 4th of March replete with our necessities: painting materials, guidebooks, and Mike's bike in a box.  Yep.  Mike brought his bike.  Does that surprise you? Me neither.

2013-03-04_16-56-47_391

Day One:

We flew into Charles De Gaulle Airport and took the RER across town to our little place I rented in Versaille.  It was an ordeal to say the least.  We didn't realize that we had to steel our jet lagged ears against singing and accordion playing gypsies, traipse up and down stairs trying to change trains, hoist our gear up into the train and race against the closing doors that will NOT reopen...not to mention the 1/4 mile hike from the train station to our place once we arrived at Versailles.  All with our luggage.  And Mike's bike box. But we made it 13 hours after we left Dulles at 6pm the night before.

2013-03-05_09-24-45_842

2013-03-05_13-55-24_897

2013-03-05_19-05-43_836

We had two days before class started so that we could explore the town of Versailles and Paris.  The day we arrived (after we recovered from our train ride) we had a bite to eat at a restaurant a block from our place and then walked around the town of Versailles and were in awe of the magnitude of opulence that is the 'Chateau'. We had dinner that evening in Versailles at Chez Lazare, where they spoke English! Tres Bien!

2013-03-05_19-06-06_344

Day Two:

The next day we went into Paris and followed "Rick Steve's Historic Paris Walk" which started us at Notre Dame then around to the Latin Quarter.  We deviated and took a side trip to the Pantheon and then returned to Saint Chapelle and the Concierge (which was closed.)

Notre Dame: I remember learning about these "flying buttresses" in art history class.

IMG_2829

IMG_2821

IMG_2840

Medieval Paris

Saint Severin

IMG_2843

Pantheon:

IMG_2872

IMG_2886

Saint Chapelle:

IMG_2933

IMG_2948

Concierge

IMG_2961

Le Metro

Day Three:

IMG_2978

IMG_2981

The third day we went back to Paris and headed straight for the Place de la Concord and walked up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomph.  Mikey was in his element.  It was really cool seeing all of these landmarks up close and in person.Pont Alexandre III

IMG_2984

IMG_2994

IMG_2990

Here Mike is standing in the gutter on the Champs Elysees. Next time you watch the final stage of the tour, keep an eye on when they ride this stretch.  Since its the smoothest part of the street cyclists fight to get a part of the gutter which is only about 16-18 inches wide. And they go about 30 mph.  We then walked over to the Eiffel Tower and then back to the Musee de Arts Decoratif.

IMG_3006

Up next: Class starts and Mikey goes on his own "Tour de France"

To be continued!

Art Underfoot

Good Morning!I just wanted to share with you some exciting news...Royal Design Studio, the maker of incredibly cool stencils, featured my floorcloth that I created for my studio!! Melanie has an awesome blog that is viewed by tons of people so I am very honored to have my work showcased along many many other super talented decorative artists. A big thank you to Melanie Royals and Regina Garay for the feature.  I am sooo excited!!

Click here to view the feature!

Image

Also, you can vote for my floorcloth that has been entered in a contest held by Royal Design Studios, I could win a shopping spree!  Maybe a stencil for your next project...?

Royal Design Studio Stencil Contest

Thanks everybody!!

365 sketches

Finally getting up and moving after nursing a throbbing head all day.  I swore that I wasn't going to stay out past 10pm last night and what do I do but stay out till 1 am. I think today should be officially designated "Hangover Day". Luckily I didn't have anything to do today and indulged in a rare activity for myself- doing nothing. I did watch "It Might Get Loud" which was really good. I recommend it. Anyway, I just finished dinner and was perusing my usual websites, one being the Faux Forum. A member, Marge Cameron, posted about something that I've recently been wanting to do. More sketches. She has committed to doing 365 sketches this year. One a day.  Now Im not sure if I could follow that regimen but I've been wanting to get back to my sketching because although I paint every day I don't draw every day. Does that make sense? I loved to draw in my sketchbook growing up.  I did it when I was bored, inspired, whatever.  I was never that good at drawing out of my head. I was always better at observational drawing.

It started this past week when I was bored and decided to dig into a box of radio parts I borrowed from my dad when I was struck with inspiration when Lori was here. I took out a radio tube, sat it on my desk and drew it. It took me about 1 and 1/2 hours to complete it, the layout being the hardest.  I felt really rusty but once I got going it was so much fun. I'm not sure about where this is going but I think for now Ill settle in to doing a pencil drawing of each item and then go from there.

IMG_2403

(the angle makes the tube look lopsided, but its not.)

The next sketch I started was this Acanthus Leaf in one of my Dover books.  I really suck at leaves and frilly things so I figured I would try to tackle it freehand, no tracing or tools like compasses or rulers.  This one has taken two tries and I've worked on it in several short sittings because I get frustrated.  So perhaps instead of doing a sketch per day, Ill resolve to sketch each day and see where that goes. I've also looked at other artists' blogs where they do a painting a day. This one I especially like: Postcards From Detroit. Now that is commitment.

IMG_2405

I may not get any sketching in tonight, still a little woosy from the previous night but maybe tomorrow.

Thanks Marge for the push! Marge Cameron's Blog

Happy New Year!

Update: 1-13-13

2013-01-03_18-56-50_228

2013-01-07_20-28-39_200

2013-01-07_20-29-46_902

2013-01-12_21-28-23_301

Happy New Year!

I am so thankful for all that has happened to me this past year, the biggest of which is renting my very own studio. (Its mine! All MINE!!) I can leave messes, crank the music, spray paint inside and even drive my car in it. With this space come a ton of ideas that weren't possible before. I hope to offer classes in the new year, maybe teach some faux stuff or even drawing classes.  I may offer a class on perspective drawing too.  Is there something painted related that you would like to learn from me?

I also think I may offer open studio nights where other artists can come and work on things where they would need extra space.  And perhaps even a gallery of new art, or a shop sale of repurposed items. Who knows?! Maybe I need to sit down and plan all this out.

My ideas are running over the brim for 2013. I also want dedicate some time to focus on creating art for arts sake. What moves me.  I am so happy to be in the position I am and couldn't have arrived here without the support of my family, friends, peers, mentors, and clients.

THANK YOU!!

IMG_2008

ps...I may be going to France in March to take a class with two masters of decorative painting. stay tuned!