John's BlogSunday, July 28, 2013Changes are in the works
The blog and website are being converted over to WordPress.
I promise, it will be well worth your time to learn what these important people have to say.
Oh, by the way, you're going to love the new website.
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Sunday, May 26, 2013Oil Painters of America National Salon
It's one thing to see pictures of a painting, it's a whole other ball game to see the original. Of course we all know this, but I was hit between the eyes with this reality once again when I walked into Insight Gallery for the 22nd Annual Oil Painters of America National Salon 2013. Wow, what a spectacular show!
Insight Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX did a wonderful job displaying the work. Opening night the place was packed. I have been honored to be a part of several of these national shows but this is the first one I have actually attended. Two things really surprised me, 1) The scale/size of the paintings 2) The quality. The overall quality of the work being produced today is significantly better than that created just ten years ago. It just emphasizes the fact that we must keep working, keep learning, keep improving. Being juried into prominent shows like this cannot, must not be taken for granted, for if they are, we will eventually find ourselves outside looking in.
It was nice to finally meet John Hanna. We were both illustrators in Dallas during the '70's. He was one of Dallas' best. I admired his work then...and now he's an OPA award winner. Also enjoyed meeting so many fellow artists...enjoying paintings first hand of artists I've admired for a long time.
Congratulations to all the winners. It's an amazing achievement to win anything in a show of this caliber.
The Artist's Road
RS Hanna Gallery John Hanna website Jeff Legg Bryce Liston website Southwest Art magazine If you would like to receive my monthly newsletter, please click HERE An Art Renewal Center Associate Living Master To view work and bio, please click HERE Labels: Informative
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Sunday, May 5, 2013Deconstructing the Landscape WorkshopI know, someone has to do it. There I was in Pontotoc, surrounded by a room full of lovely ladies eager to hear what I had to say. Undaunted, I pressed on.
It was my last scheduled workshop of the year and the theme was, "Deconstructing the Landscape". Each participant was asked to bring a painting that they knew had problems. With the paintings displayed, I defined and explained what many of us professional artists consider necessary building blocks for the creation of masterworks: concept, composition, drawing, values, and color. Additionally, we discussed technique and presentation. These principles were applied to each of the student's works. They were asked to reevaluate their paintings based on the teaching and reconstruct a new, improved version with my guidance. The lessons were backed up with demonstrations. First, a monochromatic block-in technique, and later, the full-color version.
The ladies were enthusiastic and eager to apply the principles taught. They were all at their easels, hard at work, even before class officially began.
Now there was one guy in the class, Joe Umphress, but he, like me, wasn't complaining about the surroundings. Participants later defined what they liked best about the workshop...
"Group lectures, demonstrations, and individual instruction. Every aspect, very helpful"
"The friendliness of the group was wonderful. Having an artist like John to learn from is amazing. I liked the mixture of lecture and demo. The individual help was most helpful"
"Very hands on, one-on-one, often, not just once"
"Lecture on the color wheel/color mixing and achieving mood in a painting. Placement of focal point on canvas. How to 'plan' a piece of work better"
"Personal interaction with each of the students"
"The inspiration and confidence you blessed me with by believing in me and encouraging me to 'do this'"
Special thanks to Dot and Jackie Courson for hosting a third "sold out" workshop for me in Mississippi...and to a great group of participants. You all made it enjoyable.
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An Art Renewal Center Associate Living Master
To view art and bio, please click HERE
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Sunday, April 7, 2013Plein Air Southwest Salon 2013What can I say? While attending the opening reception of the Outdoor Painters Society Plein Air Southwest Salon 2013, held at Southwest Gallery in Dallas, I learned one of my paintings was selected "Best of Show". Honored, shocked and delighted are words that come to mind. Honored because of the overall quality of the show, and because of the great respect I have for the judge, George Strickland. Shocked because it's a first for this show and I totally didn't think I had a chance. Delighted because of all the kind words received from others...and of course, the prize money, free magazine ad, and painting sales that resulted. It was a pretty special evening and one that doesn't come around nearly as often as I'd like. Celebrating its seventh year, Plein Air Southwest Salon has become one of the premier events of the Spring. The Outdoor Painters Society sponsors the event to promote an appreciation for the process of painting "en plein air", which is French for "in open air". Most works are completed in a single painting session, painted outdoors on location and are characterized by the bold use of color, design,and freshness of paint application.
Plein Air Southwest Salon's are juried competitions. Participants selected for the show are carefully chosen by a jury panel. Award winners for this year's show were selected by George Strickland. His works are regularly featured in the most distinguished invitational shows, and he has earned numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including Gold and Silver Medals and Artists' Choice awards. He is a Signature Member and past president of the Plein Air Painters of America, a member of the Northwest Rendezvous, and the California Art Club. Artist's signatures were covered before judging began, and from what I hear, Mr. Strickland took his job very seriously, studying each painting thoroughly...just the way it should be done. As artists, we put a lot of effort into our works, it's nice to have a judge that does the same. So, a big thanks to George Strickland. "Left Behind" actually began as a larger painting but was cut down to improve the composition. Painted in one six-hour session, on-site, few refinements were needed back in the studio. Originally titled "Beside a Fallen Giant", the new title popped into my mind while laying in bed two nights before the show...better expressing the story I felt while creating the piece. Special thanks to Southwest Gallery for hosting the show, and to all the sponsors for supporting this event. ...and here are the other award winners:
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Wednesday, March 27, 2013Deconstructing the Landscape WorkshopI just returned from teaching a three-day oil painting workshop in Carthage, MO. The "Deconstructing the Landscape" workshop was successful because each of the participants were enthusiastic and willing to move out of their comfort zones.
Class members were encouraged to bring a landscape painting that they were struggling with and felt could be improved. Daily lectures and demonstrations dealt with selecting a concept for the painting, choosing the appropriate proportioned canvas...and organizing the subject matter elements on the canvas so that the concept was clearly communicated. We also addressed the importance of drawing, primarily focusing our attention on accurate representation of objects in perspective. We established and proved that the value structure of a painting determines and sets the mood...and finally, lessons in color helped each participant simplify (while also expanding) their knowledge and use of color. Each lecture was backed up with examples or a demonstration. Class members then applied lessons learned in the creation of a totally new work, or a revision of their original. Some comments from workshop participants: "The workshop was exceptional. It was rich in content and it seems the information will be life changing in my art journey. It's sparked a new excitement in me." "You share your knowledge generously and with kindness. That puts your students at ease." "This was the best workshop...life changing on how to approach my next painting. Honest and constructive critiques. Very easy to understand - excellent teacher." "Thanks, John, I appreciate how well prepared and well thought out your presentation was. Stressing the basics was not only a good workshop, but taking a painting, which I found to be a failure, and making an improvement, taught me a great deal. Thanks." Special recognition and thanks go to Cherry Babcock, of Cherry's Custom Framing and Art Gallery, for organizing the workshop...and to Precious Moments for hosting it. Thank you. 
...and thank you to The Carthage Press for their front page report of the event.
If you would like to see what these workshops participants are talking about, here's your chance.
3-5 May - "Deconstructing the Landscape"
The Art School at Sandy Springs, Atlanta, GA
dthomas555@aol.com
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An Art Renewal Center Associate Living Master
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Sunday, February 3, 2013Greenhouse Gallery Anniversary Show
8 February - 1 March 2013
"31st Anniversary Celebration"
Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art
6496 N. New Braunfels Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78209
Mark Smith: mark@greenhousegallery.com
I'm pleased to announce my participation in the 31st Anniversary Celebration of the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art. I've submitted four paintings for this year's show. When it comes to listing favorite places to paint, two that would be right up there near the top are the country of Italy and the state of Vermont. Both locations are featured in my display. I invite you take a serious look at these and consider how beautiful they'd look if purchased for that special spot in your home.
Cruising Lake Como aboard a ferry, the sun shining, the temperature perfect...well, it was pretty difficult to stop taking pictures long enough in order to eat lunch. So, after gobbling down some trout, potatoes, pasta, carrots, bread and water, I was back on deck capturing as much of this incredible coastline as possible. Of all the European countries I've visited, Italy is my favorite (haven't been to France). What an amazingly beautiful place. The architecture, stonework and sculpture...well, it's just perfect. They are designers and craftsmen extraordinaire. Cruising along the coast of Lake Como, with its spectacular backdrop, has presented me with subject matter for many years to come. Italian Coast is just the beginning..
If you want a great place to stay, I strongly recommend "Inn Victoria" in Chester, VT. Located right on Main Street, this little Inn is surrounded by magnificent old churches and houses. After a hearty breakfast of raspberries with whipped cream, waffles, bacon, apples with Vermont Maple Syrup, orange juice and Yorkshire Black Tea, I was wired for a day of painting. Traveling the back roads, I found this very interesting House in the Woods, a structure nestled deep among trees. In need of significant repairs, I took the liberty to spruce it up a bit while still retaining its unique character.
My wife and I have visited Italy twice. On our first trip to Southern Italy, and after two weeks of intense sightseeing...many hours on a tour bus... we were ready to get home. The day before leaving was spent in Montecatini. I walked at least seven miles, up and down Montecatini Alto and a good bit in Montecatini Terma. I thought the five hour bus trip to Rome to catch our flight would probably be a great time to just sleep...not so. The inspiration for On the Way to Rome was found on that drive. Cloud formations that day were spectacular and in constant flux over the mountains. The picture of them remains with me to this day.
Fog and light rain were the order of the day for West Dover, VT. Located just north of Wilmington, West Dover is a beautiful little spot nestled at the base of the Green Mountain National Forest. You wouldn't know it on this particular day, but the beautiful Green Mountains are right there. Do you see them? They're right there, just through the fog. It did not make much sense to do a lot of sightseeing in this kind of weather, but it was a perfect day to paint as the light remained pretty constant. While standing in front of the Deerhill Inn, a light drizzle complicating things, I completed two small color studies. These were the impetus for New England Morning.
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Sunday, December 9, 2012Miniature paintings for ChristmasMiniature paintings are often called "small jewels". The appeal of them is that compressed into a very small area is the same emotion as found in a larger work. Small paintings also tend to be more loosely, and therefore, more expressively painted. Importantly, they are affordable to just about every budget, and they are still one-of-a-kind creations able to be placed in a greater variety of places in your home.  I am pleased to announce my participation in the 22nd Annual Holiday Miniatures Show, held at the Abend Gallery in Denver, Colorado. I suggest, for all of the above reasons, that you consider one of these beautifully framed pieces as a memorable, lasting gift for you and your family. (Click on the images to enlarge)
The small country church to me is a symbol of all that made America great. It was the focal point of a community, a continual reminder of our daily dependence upon God...and what's really important...love of God and of our neighbor. It represents stability, humility, faith, hope, charity, love, giving, sharing, peace...all things we all need a lot more of.
What's around the next bend? That's a question often filled with a sense of anticipation...and it really doesn't matter where that next bend is. However, in Estes Park, CO, almost every bend in the mountains reveals a new vista, a new experience, a new "Wow" moment. It was one such moment when I came upon this scene and marveled at how beautifully God had carpeted this mountain with trees. I was with my artist friend, Jeff Legg, and at a such moments as these we would burst into song..."The hills are alive with the sound of music"...and on down the road we'd travel until around the next bend we would once again sing forth, rejoicing over the magnificence of it all.
Colorado is a magnificently beautiful state. Cecy Turner and I spent a day painting at the MacGregor Ranch. This is my painting from that extraordinary experience. If you're from the flat lands, as I am, seeing mountains is awe inspiring. This view of Twin Owls was one of those moments. Painting at high altitude and in bright sunlight can be a challenge. I did not fully realize the extent of the challenge until I brought my paintings home and viewed them in the studio. It was then I realized they were all too dark. So, as with the others, I also had to lighten this one somewhat in order to make it appear more natural.
My Dad was a Ford man...well, at least in the 1950's he was. Only later did he own Chevy's. He liked cars and he took good care of them. I probably got my love for cars from him, and I've never outgrown it. I'm not any good at working on them but I love to drive them and I've always admired their styling. The '57 Ford was quite a departure from my Dad's '56, and I anxiously anticipated each autumn when the manufacturers would release their new models. Back then the cars had character, so much so, one could distinguish the make from a considerable distance. I kept a notebook recording how many of each model I saw. When traveling, my brother, sister, and I often occupied ourselves by being the first to name an oncoming car. The cars back then were built like tanks, none of this plastic stuff. I remember the amazing gas wars of the day. Just down the street from our house, gas was selling for 17.9 cents per gallon. It was quite a different time. So, when I found this old, rusting '57 Ford in Clarksville, TX, it was sort of sad to see it deteriorating and yet, at the same time, it was exhilarating as it brought back many wonderful memories.
Whenever I paint in plein air, I look for quiet places away from distractions. Farmersville is a small community north of where I live. I set up my easel by the side of the road, as I was captivated by the composition of the landscape and the subtle colors before me. Well into the painting, I heard voices approaching which broke the absolute stillness of the moment. Looking around, a father with his son rode up on their bicycles and stopped to see what I was doing. They had already ridden 25 miles but I still had the nerve to ask them if they would ride up and down the road for me a few times while I shot photos of them. Never know, I thought, when I might be able to use them in a painting.
It's in the country, away from the hustle and bustle, that I seem to flourish and to think most clearly. It's there in the fresh air, strolling through the fields that there is peace and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for nature's beauty. The changing color of the leaves, the veils of atmosphere, the faint sounds of mooing cattle in the distant pasture, and the sound of wind blowing through the grasses, all merge to imprint on my soul a lasting memory. I ask you to consider adding one of these beautiful works to your already lovely homes.
To purchase, please contact Abend Gallery Fine Arts, LLC
303-355-0950 or 800-288-3726
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Sunday, November 11, 2012Painting in the Tallgrass Prairie
Sorry folks, there is no new blog for 18 November. I am having computer issues. Hopefully those problems will be resolved by Sunday, 25 November. The subject of the next blog will be, "Realism".
Thank you for your understanding and patience. At certain times of the year, the prairie of tough big bluestem grass appears as an endless sea of fully alive dancers gliding across the floor in wave after wave of beautifully orchestrated graceful motion, driven on by the music of the wind. I've painted in the Flint Hills several times. I've set up the easel in the middle of a dirt road and painted in absolute solitude all day. I've stood on a hilltop while being trashed by the wind, all the while trying to keep the easel and painting from being tossed to the ground. Once while painting in this wilderness with only the sound of bugs, birds, and wind, I was thrilled and shaken when, out of nowhere, two low flying military jets streaked by and out of sight in a flash leaving in their wake the unmistakable sonic boom.
In a wonderful April 2007 National Geographic article, titled "Tallgrass Prairie Preserve", author Verlyn Klinkenborg writes..."When you climb to the highest hill and stand into the wind that's trying to pry your ears apart, what do you see? Open sky, open land, unending horizon, and the limitless and lonesome prairie. But the word that also springs to mind may be "nothing"...a glorious nothing, but nothing nonetheless".
The Flint Hills and Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, encompassing millions of acres, is home of the last great swath of tallgrass prairie in the United States. It is very difficult to paint well. American Legacy Gallery in Kansas City, Mo is hosting "Painters of the Prairie" through the month of November. The featured artist is Robert Sudlow. My work is exhibited along with the works of Kim Casebeer, Mark Flickinger, Hugh Green and Phil Starke. I hope you'll stop by. Links:
"Just how the prairie speaks to you depends on who you are. Some will find it full of nothing or full, at best, of cattle fodder and copious views"...Verlyn Klinkenborg
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Purchased your 2013 calendar yet? Here's your chance.
 Get a jump on 2013 with this beautiful 12"x12" calendar. Printed on heavyweight, glossy paper, it will be a pleasant addition to any home or office. While containing 12 reproductions of my paintings, you will find the calendar a source of inspiration as it contains verses from Holy Scripture. $23.00 each - Three or more: $19.00 each. Price includes shipping/handling and state tax where applicable. Your 2013 calendar may be ordered HERE. Mention "calendar" and I will contact you.
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I was recently interviewed by John Hulsey for "The Artist's Road".
HERE is the link
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Sunday, October 21, 2012Monterey's Amazing PeninsulaIt was 40 years ago that I left California to begin a new life in Texas. I had just been discharged from the Air Force, had been married for only seven months, and was about to see if I could make it as a freelance illustrator in Dallas. My wife was already there, so the non-stop drive from Los Angeles, in my little Datsun, didn't seem like a big deal. I remember arriving in California. It was June 1968. An exciting, wonderful adventure was about to unfold. I had just graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. A few days earlier, gold bars had been attached to my ROTC uniform and I was to report for duty at SAMSO, the Space and Missile Systems Organization, in El Segundo. I was fortunate to get this assignment. Information Officer was the title and the responsibilities covered public and internal information...and community relations. Being an athlete and a wanna-be illustrator, California was the place for me. Attending Art Center College at night and competing with some of the best cyclists in the United States was a dream come true.
Even though Air Force duties were structured, California represented freedom, sunny beaches, pretty girls, neat cars, carefree living, fun, and excitement. The Beach Boys seemed to express best the emotions I felt about the state. California was the place to be in the 60's...and I had made it. When I arrived it was sunny, it was beautiful, and I saw palm trees lining the streets. Now, 40 years later, my wife and I returned. While making the drive down the coast on Highway 1 to our destination in Monterey, many of the same emotions and memories of 40 years ago swept over me. It was so good to be back. It was sunny, it was beautiful and palm trees still lined the streets.
Now I was returning, not as an athlete, nor a wanna-be illustrator, but as a seasoned fine artist hoping to capture the "essence" of what makes California, California. Our destination was the Jabberwock Inn in Monterey...a seven-room B&B up on a hill overlooking Monterey Bay. By the way, I seriously recommend staying at this Inn when you're visiting Monterey.
Our base remained the same for all nine days. That's the way I like it. It takes time to really get the feeling of an area, and I'm not sure I did. Only time will tell as paintings are created from the trip.
We took the famous 17-mile Monterey Peninsula drive which included, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Pebble Beach... all awesomely beautiful. Another day was spent at the Point Lobos State Reserve, a magnificent area that at times can even be eerie in its wildness, displaying a sense of other worldliness. We visited many Carmel art galleries. The place was packed with people the day we visited, and we had to park many blocks away from the town's core. Beautiful work in many of the galleries, but far and away my favorite gallery was the Dawson Cole. co-owned and designed by internationally renowned sculptor, Richard MacDonald, the gallery is a testament to his exquisite taste and genius.
Other points of interest, and wonderful painting opportunities, were found in the Carmel Valley, the Fisherman's Wharf area of Monterey...and in the variety of street scenes and architecture found throughout the peninsula.
Finally, when in Monterey, be sure to take in the Monterey Bay Aquarium...$35 bucks a head but worth it.
And now, it's back to the studio, hopefully to create some inspired works.
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Upcoming Workshops
22-24 March 2013 - Carthage, MO
26-28 April 2013 - Oil Painting Workshop ($395.00) - "Deconstructing the Landscape" - Dot Courson Workshops, Pontotoc, MS - artist@dotcourson.com - www.dotcourson.com/workshops
3-5 May 2013 - Oil Painting Workshop ($425.00) - "Deconstructing the Landscape" - The Art School in Sandy Springs, Atlanta, GA - dthomas555@aol.com - www.theartschoolinsandysprings.com
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