Studio Tour (Critique Meeting) -

 This month's critique meeting was at fellow-member, Michelle Waldele-Dick's wonderful studio!

 Michelle specializes in narrative still life paintings.

 Many are whimsical or tell very interesting stories.

 There are paintings in every corner!

 (and mantel and floor space.....

 ....and wall and dresser top and.....)

 But not only are there paintings on every side, but so many fabulous objects that she uses as reference and inspiration.

 Shelves full them!

 Shelves and shelves - 

 - and shelves full!

 Plus tableaus and vignettes on all sides...

It's a magical, artsy, wonderful space.

(And do check out Michelle's work. She's a beautiful painter!)

Succulent Saturday - Art and Ocean Air...

Tonight we went to see my POBL-friend, Michelle's open in a spiffy new gallery. :-)

It's a lovely place - full of paintings, sculpture, jewelry and furniture-art-pieces -

(Here is my favorite! Look at this cool stained glass inset in this beautiful wood table...)

Afterwards, since we were only a few blocks away, we drove down to Marina Beach Park, about an hour before sunset....

There was a lone parasailer zipping along in the brisk wind...

The clouds were also moving along briskly....

...the smell of the ocean....

It was a lovely evening.....

Gallery Friday -

 Tonight, my critique group got to attend fellow-member, the lovely Michelle's, open to her gallery show.

 She had an impressive collection of paintings - big and small.

 This large one was "The Cabinet of Curiousities" (my personal favorite. Wish I had an extra $1000).

She had a wonderful variety of subject matter - from architectural landscapes from her month-long stint in Europe last year -

-to drawings of sculpture from the same trip,

to portraits, and still lifes - from her quirky collection of antique-objects-of-great-character.

(The wine-and-cheese table was decorated with some of these fabulous finds).

Here's the bulk of our POBL group - loved the show, and reveled in the after-show Thai food next door together. Critique groups are not just great - they are vital for artistic growth. And sanity. Thanks gals.

Art Opening -

Tonight, I attended an opening for fellow POBL member, Michelle Waldele-Dick's first solo art show! (You can follow along on her painting ventures on her blog here).

A number of other POBL members were able to attend. Much lively art discussion abounded.

There were many lovely pieces, but this one is of the road in front of the cabin where we spend our annual fall retreats. Loved it, and have made it mine...

(Here's the POBLites who were able to attend this happy occasion).

Followed by a most delicious dinner at the Thai restaurant next door. What a terrific evening. Big congratulations Michelle.

Aquisition!

I actually got to leave the studio briefly yesterday (and see the sky and feel the air!)... I took over a stack of sketches for Michelle to peruse with a fresh eye. Does anyone else get as completely non-objective about one's own work after staring and working at it non-stop for hours on end? Anyhow, I find it helps to occasionally come up for a breather and get another perspective, just to keep me on track.

Michelle gave her usual astute input on things anatomical and as we finished up our brief session, walked me to her car to retrieve the above beautiful painting from her trunk. I fell in love with this piece of hers months ago when she brought it to one of our critique group meetings and finally worked up to actually purchasing it from her. I am so very pleased! It is gorgeous, and much richer than my glare-y photo indicates. (There really is no substitute for seeing actual brush strokes on canvas, or washes on paper. ) Michelle's painting has evolved so much in the last few years, it is an inspiration to see, and motivating to attempt to apply to one's own work ethic.

There is nothing like a good critique group. Or "real", in-person art. Thanks again Michelle for both!

Quote for the day:

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high

and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."

Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1474-1564,

Italian Renaissance Painter and Sculptor