Progress Pic - Chinese Earth Dragon
Here is the beginning of my next Dragon. Chinese Earth Dragon!
Here is the beginning of my next Dragon. Chinese Earth Dragon!
"Ode to Robin" - Gouache on paper - 15" x 11"
Yesterday I was really fighting with two paintings I was working on. For the life of me I could not get anything to work. Today I awoke fresh minded and decided to take the advice of past instructors who would say "If you mess up keep going...you can't mess it up more and you just might save it." Another common phrase was "If you make a mistake, make it look on purpose." It's amazing how sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take a step forward. I revisited the bird painting I was working on and when I finished I wanted to dedicate it to someone who has inspired me at different times. (Though she may not even know it)
Thanks for the inspiration Robin Pedrero! (go check her website out, she's really awesome)
Ode to Robin (c) 2012 Shoshanna Bauer All Rights Reserved
Imagine my surprise when Google alerts sent me this link in my email one day! I was thrilled to see that a Temple in New Jersy was honoring their Cantor and had given her one of my prints! I hope she reads this one day and contacts me!
Temple Beth El, of Northern Valley, hosted a special musical fundraising event called "10-20-60 Anniversary Cabaret Night" on Nov. 19.
The evening marked the celebration of the 10-year anniversary for Cantor Rica Timman, 20 years for Jim Rensink, the temple's musical director, and the 60-year anniversary of Temple Beth El.
Performers included Timman and two of her close cantorial colleagues, Cantors Kathy Barr, and Leslie Friedlander, as well as temple Music Director Rensink, who is also a world-renowned baritone singer, pianist, conductor and composer.
Also performing were trumpeter James Ross of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; concert guitarist Scott Kuney now appearing in "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", vibraphonist Bill Ware, a consummate jazz artist, performer, and composer, and violinist Dana Hall, Temple Beth El music committee chairperson.
Throughout the evening, host Marci Weinstein, daughter of the first president of the Temple, informed the audience of the temple's early history and how it has grown over the decades.
The honorees received gifts of artwork from the congregation. Timman received a work of art by Shoshanna Bauer displaying "Miriam's Song" in silkscreen, and Rensink received a work of art by Tom James displaying the musical chart of "Old Man River."
The muse did not show up today, but I did. I attempted not one but two paintings tonight and I just wasn't feeling either one of them. I took the "better" one downstairs to show my husband and asked him what he thought. I could tell he wasn't being completely honest with me when he nodded and said "cool.". He fessed up and I told him I didn't like it either.
He suggested not posting them but since this Challenge isn't about painting 50 GOOD paintings in 50 days I am going to post at least one of them. I'm a horrible judge of my own work anyway. Sometimes the paintings I like least are the ones people connect to. If I had any idea how this worked I'd be pretty rich by now.
Blogging about recovering from Artist's Block while in the midst of it is ironic. I can't help but remember Julia Cameron's book the Artists Way, where she says recovery is not linear. Sometimes for every step forward we take two steps back.
At least I showed up. Hopefully the muse will be back tomorrow.
"Fire Sorcerer" - Acrylic paint on 25mm Reaper Miniature sculpted by Bob Ridolifi
When I finish this little dude (who is about 2 inches tall) he will look as if he is engulfed in flames. He is part Fire Elemental after all.
"Chinese Water Dragon" - Watercolor and Gouache on Paper - 15" x 11"
The Chinese New Year of 2012 is the Dragon (element water)! I painted this guy with larger brushes and used some dry brush techniques to achieve the wispiness of his beard. I'll admit I fought with him a few times and I'm still not sure I tamed him. I finally decided to leave well enough alone before I mess up the painting all together.
I love Asian mythology and culture and will humbly admit I am far from mastering this ancient subject in painting. I hope you enjoy anyway.
Chinese Water Dragon (c) 2012 Shoshanna Bauer All Rights Reserved.
"Medley" - Watercolor and Gouache on paper - "15 x 11"
I decided to go the opposite way with this next piece from my last one (Rainbow Trout) because I felt my last painting was a little overly fussy. I got some feedback from another professional watercolorist who reminded me of many tricks of the trade I already knew but had forgotten to use. He said "Use a big brush and bigger paper if you can. Bigger paper was out because I've already ripped up my supply into 1/4 sheets so that I can be sure to have enough to complete my challenge.
Another thing he reminded me of was to use a watercolor board. He reccomended masonite but I already had a board I had made in college out of a piece of pine covered in shellac. The waterproof board holds in the moisture of the paper better and helps it dry more evenly. Once I remembered these techniques I went back to an old subject (or non-subject) of mine..the abstract.
It's actually difficult to make good Abstract - Non-Objective art. Usually when I make non-objective paintings I am explorting color relationships and form.I'm hoping as I get more and more in touch with my creativity again I will make more vivid paintings along this vein.
Medley (c) 2012 Shoshanna Bauer All Rights Reserved.
For purchasing info and to see more of my work, visit shoshannabauer.com.
