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Welcome Back!
Last month’s newsletter featured my upcoming classes at Jerry’s Artarama annual Art of the Carolinas Event in Raleigh, North Carolina. Four days of back-to-back, three hour workshops teaching my newest Loosen Up techniques. My classroom was packed with enthusiastic painters, the event was well organized and Kate and I finished up the remaining hours with a lively art marketing class. Thankfully, we were busy.
Then, immediately on to Ocean Springs, Mississippi for a weeklong workshop that was sold out over a year ago. This art community is a proud, hard working and spirited group of artists, helping to keep their city alive in spite of the unfathomable hit from Hurricane Katrina five years ago, as well as the recent impact of the BP oil rig explosion that spewed oil and tar over their fishing and tourist community. I love this place: the food, the history, the culture, the endurance of the populace has emotionally affected me. I’m scheduled to return next year around this same time.
We arrived a day early so we could see as much as we could in a day, which included their must-see Frank Gehry designed Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art. Again, their story is unbelieveable. Months before completion, Katrina (and an offshore floating casino) leveled it. The Ohr-O’Keefe was rebuilt and opened the week before we arrived - visiting was a thrilling, emotional experience to say the least. Given the opportunity, you must visit the Gulf Coast. I feel proud to be an American. Product Spotlight - Another Great Combo for the Holidays!
Robert Burridge's 3 Studio Charts plus the Creative Painter poster Workshops in the Spotlight
Get your New Year Started! Palm Springs, California - Just a few spaces left! Sedona, Arizona - Amazing location to paint! Omaha, Nebraska - The early bird deadline is February 1, 2011! Great Trips! - International Workshops
Paint with Bob in the Bahamas
Come with Bob to San Miguel De Allende!
We will be housed in a lovely hotel with heated pool and tropical shrubbery, close to the art institute and a few blocks from the cathedral and town square. Breakfasts will be in the hotel and dinners at various restaurants in the area. We’re on our own for lunches.
San Miguel is lots of fun becasue there are always gallery openings, a cultural event, concert or play, and some outstanding restaurants. The weather, at this time of year, is perfect. Painting in Tuscany!
Villa Fattoria Bacio, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Between Sienna, Florence and San Gimignano sits the beautiful Villa Fattoria Bacio. The villa is the perfect blend of old world ‘rustica’ and catered comfort, surrounded on all sides by spectacular views of the meandering hills of Tuscany.
Seven nights lodging at the villa, nightly genuine Tuscan meals and fine wine are included. The five day workshop will take place Monday through Friday. We did this trip to Tuscany in 2009 - went to Florence for a few days before the workshop started - I highly recommend going to Florence at least once! Check out our Italy Trip photo album on Facebook. Click HERE for the public link: Contact Sedona Art Center (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809 Product Review
I introduce Fabriano paper to my workshop painters because it works better than all the other papers. I realize most of you paint on Arches because, quite frankly, it is in most art stores. Painters assume it must be good. For me, Fabriano is better because, even after taking a beating from my brush technique, the paper remains flat, yet stays flexible. Other papers, under my abuse, will snap apart, crack when flexed and roll up when wet. Fabriano 140 lb and 300 lb remains flat.
Fabriano watercolor paper is mouldmade (with two deckled edges) from100% chlorine-free cotton, is acid-free and is available in a variety of surfaces. My paper of choice is Fabriano Artistico Extra White CP, single sheets. Fabriano is conveniently available from major art suppliers’ catalogues, or click HERE for the store locator on the Savoir-Faire website. Studio Tip for Loosening Up!
Stand, stay loose and don’t hurt your back! In my studio I have made leg extenders from lengths of PVC pipe, found in hardware stores. This way, I can stand while I paint, hold my brush at arm’s length, while not stooping over my painting. The cool thing is I can even elevate the one end by putting the leg extenders on the far legs - so I have a slanted table. Try it! I have more tips for loosening up! Check out my Loosen Up Studio Workbook for even more techniques to keep you and your paintings loose, relaxed and creative!
Ask Kate about Art Marketing
Jane from Sacramento, CA asks: What is the best way to frame a painting on a canvas? Dear Jane, Thanks for writing. Bob and I prefer a simple, elegant “floater-style frame.” For contemporary artwork they are the current choice in popular galleries. The simple, clean design of this type of frame really presents today’s art without drawing attention to itself.
Did you know that Matisse actually hated the rococo frames of his time because the ornateness caste a shadow on his artwork? If you ever feel that your choice of frame overpowers your artwork, dial it back! Special tip: To update a body of work for your next solo show, reframe everything in the same type of frame. This will automatically give your show a cohesive image!
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The Color Wheel - Again
The past three weeks I’ve been on the road teaching painting workshops using my Goof Proof Color Wheel. Everytime I introduce my color combo concepts, the reaction remains the same. Excitement and enthusiasm for something new. Monthly, I have written about the various color combos that work. (To access the past monthly articles, go to the ArtsyFartsy Newsletter Article Archives). I invite you to review the painting samples below and try them.
Here are some of my recent paintings using just a few of the color combos.
For my Color Comparison Paint Chart of Golden, Lascaux or Nova Colors, click HERE. We Want to Hear From You!
Keep those Studio Tips and your questions coming! If we use yours in an ArtsyFartsy Newsletter, we will send you a Burridge Permission Mug.
JanettMarie from Indiana asks: When Bob produces his Circus Birds and uses the acrylic paint from his plastic cover wrap stuff palette, I know he uses the glazing medium to attach the pieces of paint to the painting... is it possible to do the same with the oil paint left on the palette? Dear JanettMarie,
Thanks JanettMarie, For your question on adhesives, you get a Permission Mug! Another Product Review
Yes, I also paint oils. I love olis and their history. Oils smell great, they feel sexy and I’m elated knowing I’m in the presence of an ancient art form. I am also aware of the health risks using oils. Thanks to new technology, I feel confident using products from Gamblin. Robert Gamblin and his Gamblin Artist Colors and Oil Painting Mediums are safer, more permanent and trusted by more oil painters. He’s done the research. For indepth reading about his full product line (and health-conscious products), check out his website (www.gamblincolors.com) or look in the Cheap Joe’s 2010 catalog, pages 45 and 52.
A few more personal notes... In between oil painting days, I don’t thoroughly clean my brushes. Instead they sit overnight in vegetable oil (yes, the kind you buy in the supermarket). The next day I wipe my brushes clean and they are ready to go. No turps in my studio. My only medium is Gamblin Galkyd. It speeds up the drying time. Recomended Book
This month’s recommended reading surprised me. I downloaded Keith Richard’s autobiography “Life” on my iPad after watching his interview on the TV show, Sunday Morning. I enjoy pirates... Johnny Depp’s character in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies was influenced by and developed from the Rolling Stones guitar player and writer Keith Richards. And he IS a real character in real life. So, I was interested to read about his life. What impressed me about this notorious stoner and hard-working artist is his focus on his craft and how he got to be a living legend, now living comfortably, in all places, Connecticut. I am impressed how he got where he is today - his intelligence, perseverance and survival in the rapidly exploding rock scene of the early 60s. I’m not especially a rock affectionado, but this guy is great. It’s a good read.
I’m not Charlie Watts, but hey practicing and playing the drums in my studio every morning motivates me to paint more creatively and more importantly... looser! Music of the Month - The Rolling Stones, of course!
Sticky Fingers
Some Girls Inspiration - Creative Block Busters!
Can’t get any ideas for your next painting? You want to paint something, but can’t get started? Try something from my “Block Buster” list: You get the idea - bust those creative blocks! Turn left and keep on going...
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