Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I had the best weekend!




"Mountain Skies"  8 inch X 8 inch oil on canvas panel
I painted this from a photo of our trip to Wyoming.   I need to practice trees some more.

My husband and I drove to Fredericksburg on Sunday, which is about an hour from San Antonio, a nice Sunday drive.  When I was growing up, folks would take Sunday drives, but I don't think anyone does that much anymore.  The daily commute for my family members gives most of them all the driving they want to do every week.  But since I've retired, I don't have to commute any more, so I enjoy driving places with my husband.

Fredericksburg is an old German settlement, with lots of old buildings that have been restored and turned into cute shops and galleries.  I especially wanted to visit the Good Art Company gallery, because Ruth Andre had blogged that she had some paintings accepted there.  I've seen her work online, but was glad to have the chance to see some of them in person.  She paints beautiful horses!

Also in the gallery were paintings by Nancy Medina.   I was delighted to see her beautiful florals in person.   I've never met either artist, but follow both online, so I had this feeling of connection to the art and artists.

We also visited a gallery called Insight Gallery.  It was a thrill to see works by Scot Burdick.  He has written about and has a youtube video on "The Banishment of Beauty", the clash between representational art and abstract art.  I remember watching his video several years ago, so I was excited to see some of his paintings.

Works by Quang Ho and Scot Christensen are being featured by Insight Gallery for the month of October.  Quang's works are vivid and exciting.  However, the highlight of my day was an enormous landscape by Scot Christensen.  (Click on the link and then click on Gallery to see a slide show of some of his paintings.) He paints in wonderful muted colors with beautiful strong brushstrokes.   I could have looked at that painting all day.

I have only become aware of Christensen within the past month, and I wonder how could I not have known?  I feel sort of the same way as when I learn a new word, and then I find out everyone else has been using that word all along.  Girl, he's famous!  I plead ignorance.

The painting was offered at $52,000.  My husband asked me how he could charge so much for his paintings.  My answer was that his talent is that rare.

17 comments:

  1. What an opportunity, Virginia, to spend time with your husband and see some quality works of art. I certainly would have loved to see the ones you described. It's really an "upper," isn't it, to see such works "in the flesh!" Makes all the difference! Your own painting above is lovely. It combines my favorite colors in a beautiful, restful scene. Love the clouds!

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  2. You paint very well,
    thanks for sharing.
    happy week.

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  3. First off, just love your mountain skies painting. Beautiful and wonderful composition full of gorgeous color! What a fun post- loved hearing all about your travels and am also a fan of the same artist friends. Must have been so inspiring to see Ruth, Nancy and the others work in person. I have seen at least one Scott Christensen in Jim Richards gallery and it is beautiful. Just love the learning part and exploring the beautiful paintings done by others also. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Virginia! This is a beautiful painting..I love the powerful sky. I enjoy taking Sunday rides with my husband..we go out East on L.I. and I enjoy it so much! Sometimes, I "drag" him into some museums!...I went into Scot Christensens' website and his work is absolutely amazing! thanks for sharing this with us.

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  5. Wow, Virginia! Wish I could have tagged along with you! Your painting is full of color and excitement...just like your weekend.

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  6. Sounds like a fantastic Sunday!! I love times like that.

    Very nice landscape!

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  7. Un travail magnifique avec ce ciel ma chère... je vous félicite.
    Je me réjouis des bons moments passés en visitant les galeries et les nombreuses toiles... Il est bon d'admirer l'art cela apporte de l'énergie à son propre travail;
    gros bisous

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  8. Oh Virginia I am so glad for your blessed adventures. I love the painting and the trees are so nice.

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  9. I just want to go all these places and see everything!
    I love what you did with this painting . The layers are lovely.

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  10. Gorgeous sky in a beautiful painting Virginia!
    What a fun adventure you had getting to see up close and in person all that wonderful work!

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  11. I love your sky, Virginia! I'm a sucker for turquoise:) I'm learning about artists all the time, and I feel the same way, how did I not know about them? I would love to see a Christensen in person.

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  12. Really beautiful sky Virginia! (oh. . . and we also love the Sunday drive.) :)

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  13. I love this painting, and it's clear color patches and what a great review of Fredrickburg's current artists and shows. They are all some of my favs

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  14. Virginia, so bold and striking, I love this work! Your unique style really shines!! Beuatiful piece!

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  15. I love the sky in this--it is so wonderfully abstract with warms and cools--

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