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l'Artista Blog

August 28, 2008
by Bonnie Porter
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Monday Montage. Tuscan Jazz.
Definition of jazz:

a. A style of music, native to America, characterized by a strong but flexible rhythmic understructure with solo and ensemble improvisations on basic tunes and chord patterns and, more recently, a highly sophisticated harmonic idiom.

You’d think I was listening to jazz while I painted this sunflower! Actually, I often listen to opera (NPR Saturday afternoons) when I paint. But it was one of those rare occasions on a weekday when I was home alone, painting in silence. Not even enjoying an audio book, or a classical CD in the background! So I guess I was
thinking like jazz!
Vivid, strong patterns emerged and I went with the flow.

In the past I’ve painted sunflowers in different styles. In the style of VanGogh. Of Renoir. Of Monet. This one simply captures my mood of the moment. My own personal painting style. And I’m thinking that that’s what Jesus would have me do—not try to emulate what He did, but allow Him to guide me “through this barren land.” I want to keep on walking in His ways and exploring the styles of painting He created me to pursue!

August 25, 2008
by Bonnie Porter
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MONDAY MONTAGE. 40th Wedding Anniversary.
Painting roses and painting glass are two very challenging subject matters. But the lovely yellow roses Dan gave me for our 40th wedding celebration this week inspired me to give it a go!

First I experimented with color swatches and painted several yellow pears—deciding between Aureolin Yellow and Cadmium hues. Discovered that Ultramarine Blue mixed w/cad yellow was the best dark green for rose leaves. And either Rose Madder or Permanent Rose would be great for the edges of the petals.

So here’s the set-up on my cafe table, then the work in progress, and finally the almost-finished bouquet. [can one of my computer consultants pls. show me—again—how to rearrange the photo layout?!]

Now I’m trying to decide where/how to add my message to Dan: “Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be.” Suggestions?


August 10, 2008
by Bonnie Porter
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MONDAY MONTAGE. Tastes of Summer. I’m still without upload capabilities for my most recent photos and frustrated because images on blogs can function as more than entertainment or enhancements—they can complement and serve the content. I’m eager to learn more about graphic design after reading “David Carson Rules,” a blog article by Joel Pelsue.

Unfinished Projects was my theme last week. If you know me, you probably guessed which project I chose to work on. Answer: BOTH. Side by side, using the same color palette, I finished the “old” one AND the small “new” one! Not sure when I’ll be able to post them.

Let me share a recipe I’m planning to try this week: Sunshine Tomato Dressing! Don’t you just love the name! Reminds me of a Paul Cezanne quote, “Long live the sun which gives us such color.” Wonder if he was standing in a vegetable and flower garden when he penned that in his sketchbook. . . .

I’ll need to half the recipe because my hubby’s garden is not (yet) that robust! It’ll be yummy poured over Spring Greens and Feta. With basil from our garden, too. I started searching for new tomato recipes because the peak of our harvest is on the horizon. Found this one in a Susan Branch book. I’ve always loved her watercolor illustrations. Gave my daughter-in-law Juliane SB’s Vineyard cookbook some years ago. Recently copied some recipes out of it for myself.

Sunshine Tomato Dressing! Put all ingred. in a glass bowl or jar, cover tightly and set it in the sun for 4-5 hrs. Keep in the fridge but serve at room temp. 8 vine-ripened garden tomatoes, roughly chopped; 3 cloves garlic put through press; 3 shallots chopped; 1C. fruity olive oil; 1/4C. balsamic vinegar; 2 Tbsp. parsley, chopped; 1 tsp. sugar; pepper & salt.
[recipe in THE SUMMER BOOK, Susan Branch’s “From the Heart of the Home” series]

How many shades of red summer vegetables can you think of? A trip to the Farmer’s Market can be a visual delight! Just picturing them in my mind inspires me to experiment with my reds–Cadmium, Alizarin Crimson, Permanent Rose and Winsor Red.

August 4, 2008
by Bonnie Porter
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MONDAY MONTAGE. Unfinished Projects! Eager to start a new painting, I flipped through a pile of pristine white watercolor paper and tablets. A surprise was lurking at the bottom of the box. Not mold (thankfully). Not sketch paper (which sometimes migrates from one file drawer to another).

I found several pages with light sketches of terra cotta pots in a garden setting and a vase of flowers in a country house setting. Guess I never got around to it . . . . And so there I was, torn between starting something “new” or taking up where I had left off with the “old.”

Which do you think I did! I’ll let you know next week. [note: I’m currently unable to upload or scan images into my iPhoto Gallery and will have to use Trish’s until Brian can “operate” on my messed up files.]

July 27, 2008
by Bonnie Porter
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MONDAY MONTAGE: WARM-UPS. With any project we endeavor, we can benefit greatly from making an effort to get off to a good start. I’m finding that an appropriate kick-start seems to help me generate better work.

No matter what kind of painting project I’m starting, I like to paint a piece of fresh fruit first. Like a musician or an athlete, artists also do warm-up exercises.

Sketching and/or painting seasonal fruits offers me endless variations on a theme. Painting a single pear, for example, before I move over to my easel, is a great way to experiment with elements of design and color techniques. Later it can be recycled as a thank-you card—IF it turned out good! Otherwise I’ll turn it over and try another piece of fruit on the back!

This week it’s Southern Peaches. I can smell them sitting in the blue pottery bowl in front of me. Small rectangles of 140 lb. paper torn and ready. Paint box open, jam jar filled with water, and brushes in hand. Golden yellows and rosy pigments combine to create a peachy keen glow.

In the process of painting a peach or an apple, I usually get inspiration for my current project. Just by experimenting with a new color triad, or practicing contour drawing, my creative juices start flowing. The enthusiasm generated by this initial process seems to energize me for tackling the larger project at hand.

And once the mental wheels are turning, I’m able to concentrate on the more complicated elements of a larger painting. What helps you think and work more creatively? What resources do you draw on to get a fresh point of view . . . ? What kind of warm-up exercises help you get going . . . ?

July 20, 2008
by Bonnie Porter
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MONDAY MONTAGE: Why blog?
I’ve been journaling since the 6th grade. And making scrapbooks and paper crafts since I was six years old.

This web-journal will be an extension of that tradition.

I want it to be topic focused, just like my personal journals. Instead of keeping a daily diary, for many years now I’ve been in the habit of numbering the pages in my fabric covered blank books. Then, as the days of my life unfold, I add notations, tape in clippings, make sketches, etc. These are organized by topics and themes related to the current issues and activities going on in my life. Each journal covers approx. 6-12 mos. Information retrieval is easier this way. But in all honesty I rarely refer to my “back issues” because I’m so involved in the present and planning projects for the future!

I envision my blog as a coffee bar squeezed into my tiny studio. A way to enlarge this room of my own, in a place where I can stimulate an exchange of ideas, projects and experiences. And toss my questions and concerns to friends, like P & N, who are listening. Listening with their mugs in one hand and making notes to share with me with their other hand.

Initially, I’ll publish a post just once a week. So please consider visiting me at least once a week! Voila! Welcome to MONDAY MONTAGE!