This one is for the students who say they can't draw.

I have found that a common concern among painting students is their ability to draw. I regularly tell students to keep a sketch book, jot down their ideas when they have them so they will remember and have something to turn to when they're facing a blank canvas. And, more often than not, I see a look of fear at that suggestion. "But I can't draw," they'll say. And, while most of the time, I don't even think that is true, and, while I do think drawing is the foundation of painting and there are real benefits of learning it first, I don't think the ability to draw well is necessary to jot down ideas. 

Now, I can draw well. I studied classical drawing for years. I copied Bargues until I was blue in the face (google Charles Bargue if you don't know what I'm talking about). However. I sketch my painting ideas on sticky notes and in the corners of other sketches. I use scribbles and stick figures. They are ugly as sin. And it doesn't matter--all that matters is that I've captured the idea I want to remember. 

I think the biggest fear students have of drawing ugly drawings is that someone will see them. So I'm sharing mine. 

Here's a Bargue drawing from when I was in school as proof that I at least know which end of the pencil to hold:

And now here are my sketches, followed by the finished paintings they led to:

Now, go out and capture some beautiful ideas in ugly drawings.

But it's so pretty

Sometimes openings are flops. Like when it's unseasonably cold, and raining, and competing with multiple other events, oh, and mothers' day weekend. Okay, so "The Curious Collection" wasn't a complete flop, people came and loved the art, but fewer than we'd hoped. That's, I'm to understand, showbiz. When it's a really wonderfully curated show, though, it breaks your heart a little. Which is why I'm encouraging people to go see it before it wanders off, it's up through the 29th of May! Info here, (but it has Godzilla, which really seems like all the info you'd need.) Monique Rancourt Artisan Gallery is at 289 Moody Street, Waltham. 

Upcoming Opening

Come one, come all! May 7th is the opening for The Curious Collection, an exhibition opening in conjunction with the Watch City Steampunk Festival. In the Lincoln Studios Gallery at 289 Moody St, Waltham, MA, it features some of my work as well as that of painter Sarah Leon and glass artist Stephanie Chubbuck. The show will be up all month, but the opening promises to be a lot of fun.

On-Line Exhibitions

Delighted to announce I have work the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society On-Line International Spring Show and am a finalist in the American Women Artists On-Line Juried Show.

Find Tango Sebbie at AWA and A Boy and His Chicken at NOAPS.

Upcoming Figure Drawing Workshop

I'm excited to announce I'll be teaching a costumed figure drawing workshop at the New England School of Fine Art in Worcester, Massachusetts. It's a one day workshop the 22nd of May. Come one, come all! It should be a lot of fun. For more info and to register, visit the NESFA website.

I've decided it's done

Although I reserve the right to change my mind without notice. Now these guys just need names.

Just keep painting

Some days, you just don't feel like you can paint. You feel like you should pack up shop and become an accountant, or a banker, or something else, anything else. I've been in one of those slumps. And before you mistake this as an attempted fishing for compliments, let me just say: all artists feel this way sometimes. Even the greats, the inarguable geniuses of the group. So I'm hardly immune. I've been here before, I know one gets over it. And the answer is always the same: just keep painting.

So here are a few more interior studies. Bonus of living in a factory converted to artist spaces: interesting architecture. 

And here's what's really on the easel: my new puppets, in progress, nearly finished, just some touch ups and strings needed.

And lest you think for even one crazy moment I've abandoned him: Sebbie, my darling, also in progress.