Day 27 - "Pussy Willow's in Tenmoku Tea Bowl"

 "Pussy Willow's in Tenmoku Tea Bowl"

6x8 Oil $200 double frame

Renee Brennan

Day 27 of 30 Paintings in 30 Day's Challenge.

Had to skip a couple day's of posting but was actually 

working on this piece...so can I count it as Day's 25 & 26?

Ahhh who's counting anyway?

About this set up -  I have had these bunch of pussy willows for 

quite awhile wanting to paint them.  Interesting that they don't really

die, and keep shedding the little bud shells.

The Tenmoku Tea Bowl I had painted one like it before in

Abbey Ryan's workshop.  She get's them from her pottery friend

Jury Smith who has a nice online shop called Bottle & Bowl.

They are really beautiful pieces of art!

On the Easel

2 weeks ago I had the opportunity to take yet another workshop with Abbey Ryan at the 

John F. Peto Studio Museum in Island Heights, NJ.  

It is a lovely restored home/studio of the artist who was known for Tromp l'oeil (to fool the eye). 

 Peto's props where all over the home as well as a gallery upstairs which had an amazing Tromp l' oeil exhibit including 3 pieces of Abbey's.  One of the props that caught my eye was a ceramic beer bottle just like the one I had brought from home, so I knew I had to use it.  

Thank you Vintage Stew for selling me that bottle!

The small unfinished painting in the middle is from the workshop.  Abbey helped me get the correct colors of the pear and there were supposed to be some figs on the right...those got scrubbed out.  SO  it was used as a study for a larger painting when returning home.  I used the same props from the workshop except added an old green book, and yes that is the same pear.   

 

This is my alomost finished 12x16 version.  I think it needs a little tweeking on the symetry of the bottle and not sure what else yet, so going to let it sit a few more day's...  Thoughts and comments are welcome.

This finished painting is available framed $300 please contact Renee Brennan

Video from Abbey Ryan Workshop

10x8 oil by Renee Brennan

Last Fall while participating in a workshop at Artists of Yardley (AOY) 

 Artist Abbey Ryan, had her cousin Colin put together

a very nice video highlighting her workshop.

This was my setup and painting, so much fun going alla prima!

Abbey Ryan Workshop at AOY

Painting again at the Artist's of Yardley (AOY) farmhouse in Pennsylvania 

 10 of us had the pleasure of painting with Abbey Ryan for 2 day's.  Each morning we watched her create a demo painting.  It's amazing watching them come to life right before our eyes. Then we set up our own still lifes wherever we chose in any of the rooms.  2 ladies were even in the kitchen!  

Above is my attempt at a garlic clove and asparagus....not so easy to do, and after painstakinly painting them,  Abbey say's "you painted 2 out of the 3 most difficult vegetables to paint! " 

Thanks Abbey :)

Wonderful Workshop

This is a photo taken from the Workshop of Abbey Ryan.  It was situated in the Pennsylvania countryside at the Artist's of Yardley.  AoY is a great place to take classes, workshops, kids camps and  see local artists work.

The photo below is of Abbey giving a very informative demo.  We were asking her all kinds of questions and she graciously answered while painting.   Alla prima is the practice she chooses which means to paint wet on wet and complete in one sitting.  

  

After lunch the class set up about 5 different still lifes throughout the room near the windows.  I shared one with 2 other gals it was  a piece of pottery, 2 cherries and a pear.  I had never painted those fruits before so it was fun trying something new.

Abbey took the time to sit down with each of us and study the view we were painting...then gave us her expertise advice on how to correct or enhance something on our paintings.  I learned quite a bit, but still have far to go. 

 Abbey's workshop was enjoyable and she is a gifted young lady who is also very inspiring.  If you have  a chance to see more of her work or take a workshop, I highly recommend it!!!

p.s. she paints and sells her beautiful small works nearly every day...amazing!!

6X8 Oil on panel

Here is my study of the setup....I have been playing with it today but still need to adjust the background and shadows need to be darker....reflections are driving me crazy!!   time to take a break :)