Up and Coming Art

Well, I have not posted for a while because there has been SO many things going on. First off, here are some upcoming events to be aware of…

Artist Showcase at NoHo Performing Arts Center

Artist Reception, Saturday, Nov 13, 2010 ~ The November “Artist Showcase” at NoHo Performing Arts Center will feature “Face to Face“, Rich Brimer’s solo art show of figurative and landscape oil paintings in the main gallery along with musicians Jodi King and Jack Diaz, C3 Dancers and Monkey Butler improv. The evening will be hosted by the talented comedian Shaun Roberts.  It’s FREE!!! NoHo Performing Arts Center ~ 11020 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601

SCIART Open Studio Tour and Holiday Market. Join the Artists in Residence on Saturday, December 4^th, 9 am to 5 pm, as we celebrate this festive time of year and welcome the community into our studios. SCIART is very pleased to have the Holiday Market in our new studios location in downtown Old Town Camarillo. Holiday Market events will include demonstrations, refreshments and strolling singers. Artist in Residence (AIRs) Studios 2222 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, CA 93012

Golden State Treasures ~ A California Art Club Exhibition at the Historic Blinn House

Artists’ Reception: Saturday, December 4, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Includes the opening of “Golden State Treasures” along with the “Magnificent Miniatures” sale

December 4 – April 14, 2010 Featuring biannual exhibitions by Associate Artist members of the California Art Club
Women’s City Club, 160 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
Map and Directions to the Women’s City Club

Teaching

I have also been teaching a few art classes. I had a couple of home school students taking a beginning Drawing class. Also, I had a long running series of evening figure-drawing workshops. Also, in Cabrillo Village, Ventura, I have a book making class that has 4th and 5th grade students. I am working with them to write a biography of one of the significant community members, Juan Gomez. Señior Gomez was foundational in helping to develop and maintain Cabrillo Village since the beginning over 25 years ago. In addition to writing his story, each student is creating a block print to be used as an illustration for the part of the biography that they are writing. Its a thrill to see such excitement and accomplishment with the kids as they collaborate on this project together. I will post some photos soon.

New classes have been added to http://blueskyartcenter.org. Feel free to contact me directly if you are interested in individual or group classes.

Painting

In addition to all of this I have been doing a lot of painting. The painting on the left here is a work-in-progress. I still have a lot of things to work out, but you can see the direction I am going with it. It is from my trip to the Channel Islands in September. This is a tide-pool on San Miguel Island in Cuyler Harbor. The painting on the right is the sketch I did on-site.

This trip brought a wealth of subject matter. I am so glad I did the field sketches that I did, but the next time I go back, I will do them with more intention, knowing how useful they can be for working up studio paintings. These sketches along with the photo references allow for some really dynamic work.

The Watery Cave

The Watery Cave 24" x 24" Oil on Canvas Board $1950

On the third morning of our Channel Islands Plein Air Painting excursion, we attempted to anchor at Santa Rosa island. Captain Jerry said that the winds and swells were not going to allow for a good safe harbor, so after a brief bit of motoring around the island, we were off to Santa Cruz Island. First stop, Painted Cave. Dave Gallup was inspired to do a rendering of Painted Cave which won him California Art Club’s prestigious Gold Medal earlier this year. His painting was also featured in the current issue of American Artist Magazine. Knowing all of this, I was very much looking forward to seeing this wonder. And, a wonder it is! It is the WORLD’s largest sea cave. The Captain turned into the small nook that was hard to see if you were simply cruising past the cliffs of the island. Then we slowed down and the walls were closing in on us. He slowed down further and actually took us into the cave. All aboard were floored by his wonderful management of this vessel in some pretty tight quarters. WOW! it was beautiful. The rock walls were so many colors. We all could see why they called it “painted cave”. He went even further forward until the boat was nearly all under the outer lip of the cave. We paused there before slowly backing away. We all snapped away at the scene with our cameras, but nothing compares with actually being in front of this.

The Watery Cave Study 10" x 10" Oil on Canvas Board $550

Once we left Painted cave, we went into a few more spots where we could see more beautiful spots. Then to Pelican Harbor, where we came to the spot where I did a 10″ study for The Watery Cave (see left). It was a great day, and I decided at that time that I would be working this study into a larger studio painting.

Well, here it is above, The Watery Cave.

My friend Christine asked me this morning; “Rich, what is the significance of this painting?”
I paused at that.
I told her that I had not actually thought of it except that I felt compelled to paint it, but then I said,
“First, it is a painted memory of a wonderful morning I spent learning about myself, simply enjoying the moment…
… secondly it is a watery cave, which is not unlike a watery grave. But not a place of death, but a place of birth for me.  Although I could not see into the cave, I was drawn to its opening. I wanted to enter and explore the possibilities of it. It might be 10 feet deep, or it might be 1,000 feet deep…
dangerous and yet compelling. Being somewhat of a risk taker, I wanted to get on a kayak, enter it and look around, but I first had to paint it, which I did… then anchors away, and before I could get into a kayak, we were off to the next spot… Potato Cove and some extreme kayak plein air painting…

Channel Islands Plein Air

Above you can see the entire catalog of paintings from my trip. I have to say, I have never had quite an experience as I had going with 20 artists aboard “Conception” for an amazing five-day painting excursion. From the first night on board the ship in Santa Barbara Harbor we had wonderful vistas to see and paint and experience. Both David Gallup and Stephen Mirich were on board to share their experience with us. Since both are known for their nocturnal paintings, many of us watched them paint, as well as doing a few of our own. In fact my first painting of the trip was done late at night in Santa Barbara harbor before even departing for the islands. (See The Night Boat)

After getting to bed at 1:30am, I fell sound asleep. I was woken at 4am by the roars of the diesel engines as we floated away to the horizon, but quickly was lulled back to sleep. Man-Oh-Man!!! When I woke up at 6:30 the sun was rising over the water and the colors were pure and gentle. The smooth glass like surface of the ocean allowed for a mirroring of the sky in chunk-like ripples. (See photo) Being due south of Point Conception, the northerly winds are normally whipping past San Miguel island. However, we soon arrived in absolutely unprecedented PERFECT weather. A no-wind with totally warm sunny skies. After some amazing close-up views of some rock formations, we went into San Miguel’s Cuyler Harbor. With “anchors-away”, we were there for the rest of the day and following two nights. Within an hour, we were off  to get started with our first paintings. Some stayed on the boat, and others went ashore to capture vistas, sea loins, the white sandy shoreline.

My first painting at the islands was a sea rock study above. Getting my feet wet with new colors was interesting. The water color is enchanting in the Channel Islands. Nothing like these colors are on the mainland. So, with a tad bit too much phthalo in my water colors caused a brighter than actual colorshift that Dave was quick to point out. In fact this was a reoccurring theme, until I finally took phthalo off of my palate all together. I was out for quite a while now  time to return for lunch. I walked back to the beach and waited for the zodiac to come back to pick us up and return to the Conception.. I left my painting gear on shore, anticipating a shoreline return which didn’t happen. I watched some painting demos and took a nap. zzzzzz. I finally had someone gather my gear from the shore right before dinner time.

It is amazing to be out on the water after such a nice day and have an amazing crew prepare such great food. The meals were SOOO good. I eventually gained about 8 lbs in those 5 days. I came home a bit bloated.

The first evening, our on-board masseuse, Lynn, wanted to test the waters for giving an open air massage on the top deck of the boat. So, there we were, in a fairly calm harbor with the sun down beyond the horizon. The stars of the Milky Way overhead were bright enough to see the silhouette of the nearby hills of San Miguel island. There was a slight breeze on the air when we set up the table. Lynn wanted to use me as her Guinea pig  to see if an outdoor method would work… and, knowing that she had never worked on a ship, there was some getting used to the swells. Deep pressure was going to be an issue, but I told her I could take it — so with that, I stripped down and got on the table which was warm with her full length heated blanket. On the deck below, I could see artists getting ready for doing some night painting. The full moon was beginning to light the sky DIRECTLY behind Prince Island which is situated in the middle of the harbor’s edge. We could not have been in a more perfect location. It was a perfect non-storm situation. With painters below and the stars and moon above, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled as Lynn began to work out the knots in my back. Ahhhhhh! It actually got a little gusty on a few occasions and the temperature dropped a few degrees before we were done, but it was totally worth it all. The hour passed quickly and I got re-dressed  to help tear down the table. By now the wind was going pretty good and she gave up all hope of giving a second massage that night.

The next morning was all planned out. A trip up a big sand dune, then up a trail above the cliffs and past Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s memorial marker, to the ranger station. Total trip: 1 hour. The plan was to get to the Caliche forest. What-in-the-heck-is-that? you might ask. I did! Its a small forest of petrified tree stumps. Dave says that he has wanted to paint them for his Channel Island painting series, so he was compelled to go. I, on the other-hand, had gotten thoroughly wiped out just making it to the ranger station. (I must get lighter painting gear for trips like this… I’m thinking Open Box M) So, after the interesting lecture on the reintroduction of foxes on the island, a foxy looking ranger (she actually looks like a fox), I went back down the mountain and found a nice place of solitude to have the rest of my lunch. There are some caves along the shore that do not look like much from the outside, but once inside the open up to these large cavernous size. My entire house could fit in one of them. The entrance was only 3 foot by 3 foot and the water got deeper as I entered. I finally was up to my armpits… alone in the darkness waiting for my eyes to adjust. They did adjust after a couple minutes and the colors inside were very unnatural. Colored by minerals and growths of moss and “stuff” they were a multicolor wonder. I finally pulled out my flashlight and explored a bit more by looking around. The salt water was a bit stagnant, and I had seen enough. So, with that I went out and gathered my painting gear and set up near some tidepools to do another painting. (See below) I stayed out until the sun was low, and it was a good day. Getting back to the boat, I had such a great feeling of wonder.  We were all in another world. What would be our next point of amazement?

Dinner. That was amazing – the gals that were making our meals had put this wonderful rub of fresh garlic, diced sun-dried tomatoes and herbs on about 7 or 8 huge tri-tip roasts. They were being slow-grilled on a BBQ that came out of no-where… actually from the side of the main deck center console, but I never expected it. To go along with these tasty steaks were the BEST dang potatoes au gratin I have ever had in my life. That, along with grilled asparagus we were all set.  Another beautiful sunset and the evening was underway. Dave’s brother Steve got out his guitar and we had a big-o-sing-along.

More to follow…

My El Matador Morning

The View Through — 8″x10″ Oil on Birch Board

The Ventura County chapter of the California Art Club hosted their monthly paint-out at El Matador State Beach this morning. I know… its LA County, but whateveh! I think I was the first one there at 9am, but soon there were about 15 of along the beach and up and down the cliff-side. When I arrived at the beach, there was already one occupant… a yoga instructor shooting a series of videos doing her poses. She continued as I set up. Once we both got into our own rhythms, we were able to focus on our own tasks, but it was nice to have someone on the beach with me.

After the painting was finished, I hauled my gear back up the cliffside and had lunch with several other artists. As a special bonus, Sharon Kaiser was available to critique people’s paintings during the lunch hour. It is always good to get feedback from other esteemed artists. Thanks all for a great morning. I needed that. Below are a couple more views…

Central Coastal Colors

So, I had a very nice week to paint in and around San Luis Obispo with a few artists from the California Art Club. The weather was nice, but scattered showers caused the fair weather artists to stay indoors. I did a total of 5 plein air studies and a still life. I stayed with Mom for the week. When I called her a few weeks ago to see if she was going to be around during this week, she asked me if I could come up there because she had a one week vacation scheduled. Perfect timing. I love it when that happens… synchronicity. So, I got some painting in, did some chores around the house for her, and visited with family. All in all, it was a very wonderfully relaxing week for me. I pushed off a lot of business until this coming week, so I will be working full-bore to catch up, but it was def worth it.

So, what I got here now, is the still life I did for my sister. She has been asking to paint her a “flower painting” for many years. Well, I don’t do flowers, but her birthday is next week, and outdoor painting was rainy, so… I did this for her. I added a cup and saucer that was painted by great-grandma Dee around 1900. Click HERE for a large close-up of the tea cup.

I think I might be on to something new for me. Still life paintings from heirlooms. I brought home some trinkets from around Mom’s house that I will be painting in the weeks and months ahead. I have not done many still lifes. This intrigues me. So, since I did a lot of duck hunting with my Dad growing up, I have some things that will do nicely as a memento to this; A set of duck calls, shot gun shells, his favorite hunting hat which still has some tail feathers from a drake mallard, and a wooden duck decoy. I also from my mom, I have an old candy dish from her grandmother, a small metal metal bank in the shape of an elephant and some old marbles. Then there is an old deep-sea fishing reel, some old fishing lures and a fillet knife. Some great raw-material for summer studies in the studio.