Andrew Wyeth Dies

I just read that Andrew Wyeth died. I went with my father to see Andrew Wyeth's Helga paintings at the National Gallery in 1987. As I look back that experience was formative. The quiet mood and visible dedicated work ethic apparent in the images has always stirred me. When I started art school in the fall of '86, realism wasn't hot. MICA always put an emphasis on the "foundation." At the time I think that it was thought that it was important for artists to follow a period of development such as masters of Modernism. Picasso developed strong observational working skills before developing his mature styles. The photographers complained that they we required to take life drawing. I loved then and love still the "foundation". I came to base my work on what what was called fundamental.

My Name in Lights

Here is a pic of my name on the reader board in front of the Hult Center.

Upcoming Classes

I have a few classes starting next week.

At Amazon Community Center:

Drawing Dynamics Ages 16 & up
Mondays 6-7:30
Are you a 'wannabe' artist but afraid of the blank page? Here is your chance to become a confident artist. This class will help train your eyes and hand to work together. You will look at line and mark making, tone, gesture & object drawing, space, drawing portraits, and more. The real thing!

Explore Your Inner Art Ages 16 & up
Tuesdays 6-8
Through simple exercises, this class will help you will explore your unconscious, opening up your ability to create. Beginners and experienced artists can use this technical knowledge of image making to help strengthen and push their work as far as it can go. Have fun creating and discovering in a relaxed and nurturing environment.

At Maude Kerns Art Center:

Drawing in Color
Wednesdays, start day postponed, 6:00pm-8:00pm
John Holdway
Class ID #1553

Beat those winter blues and discover what color can do for your drawings! With the help and guidance of instructor John Holdway, you will learn the importance of color in your artwork. Experimenting with both charcoal and pastels, you will review techniques to make colors “pop” as well as methods to control color and tone in your drawings. Whether a beginning or experienced artist, this class is a wonderful opportunity to have some fun, learn new skills, and bring a burst of color to your art. 8 Sessions.

Skill Builder in Drawing & Painting
Thursdays, Start Day Postponed, 6:00pm-8:30pm
John Holdway
Class ID #1552

Take advantage of this unique classroom setting to build your skills in drawing and painting. Open to community members and Northwest Christian University students, this class offers a more academic approach to drawing and painting. Each week, you will complete exercises to help develop your drawing techniques and explore the art of watercolor painting. You will review concepts of composition, line, color, and perspective, and benefit from both in-class demonstrations and individual instruction. A great way to develop and strengthen your skills in two fundamental art forms! 8 Sessions.

Jacobs Postcard

I just got my stack of postcards for the show.

Count Down to Jacobs

I just got finished dropping off my paintings at the Jacobs Gallery for my upcoming show Consuming Vison.

Jacobs Gallery Office
Hult Center for Performing Arts
One Eugene Center
Eugene, OR 97401

The opening reception is this Friday January 9,2009 and starts at 5:30 and goes until around 9:30. I and the other artists will be giving an artist inside talk from 3:30-4:30. I hope to see you there.

Here you can see a large four foot square painting that I finished just a week ago. It is called Three Oranges. Besides being the largest piece in the show it has a little different point of view than the other pieces. This one is a view from above looking down. There is not a backdrop just the surface the oranges are sitting on. Most of the other paintings have a horizontal line separating the two which is a strong compositional element that I use often.