The Artistic Wisdom of Ludwig van Beethoven

Polly Seip. Winter Sunsets - On the way Home #12.

6"x6". Oil on mdo board. 2011. Copyright.

Available at the Cate Charles Gallery.

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"Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine."

~ Ludwig van Beethoven.

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I discovered this beautiful slice of artistic wisdom while listening to this. Enjoy!

From the Studio: Photo of the Week.

'Roughing It'. Feb, 24 2012. - Me plein-air painting.

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In a previous blog post,

I mentioned I'd been become 

a little rusty at plein-air painting.

For the past few years I'd given myself

a number of reasons and excuses 

to believe in why I couldn't go plein-air painting.

Though in my heart of hearts

I knew none of them to be true.  

None of them held any ground any longer.

For my love for plein-air painting

had never tarnished.

Like a coveted dream it was always there.  

Determined to bring back

the shine I once had,

I've promised myself

to plein-air paint

as much as possible.

I believe in a good balance.

A good balance of

studio and plein-air painting,

working hand in hand,

each brush stroke helping the next

to become more refined and more skilled.

These are the efforts to become

a better painter all around.

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

Sunlight, Shadows, and Snow. (plein-air)

Sunlight, Shadows, and Snow - plein-air.

8 1/2" x 8 1/2". Oil on Birch. 2012. Copyright.

Please contact me for pricing and shipping options.

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   This morning's greetings were unlike 

yesterday's gray and cold muckiness,

instead the sky was brilliant blue 

full of fluffy white clouds

being ushered across the sky 

with help of high winds,

creating wonderful blue shadows

on the bright and glowing snow!

Out in the yard,

it was me against the wind.

The wind attempted to knock

the painting off the easel a number of times.

The wind pushed clouds infront of the Sun.

The wind also attempted to push the

brush around as if, it wanted to paint.

Nearing the end of this plein-air session,

my hands and fingers were starting

to lose the battle against the wind,

so, I happily retreated to 

a warm studio to make

a few final touches.

Outside, the wind is still howling.  

And, the painting is safe and sound in the studio.

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

Woods and Snow. (plein-air)

Woods and Snow. (plein-air).

8 1/2" x 8 1/2". Oil on Birch. 2012. Copyright.

Please contact me for pricing and shipping options.

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We woke up this morning to a surprise snowfall,

which was rather wet and heavy, and melting away before your eyes.

My immediate thought was to get out there and paint it before it disappears! 

So, in keeping with my attempt to brush off the rust on my plein-air skills

I gathered my gear together and ventured into the yard. 

 Me in action.

And, now it is time to warm up with a nice cup of hot tea!!

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

The Artistic Wisdom of Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas. Two Ballet Dancers. Pastel. 1879. Shelburne Museum, VT. 

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Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.

~ Edgar Degas  (1834 – 1917)

At the Cate Charles Gallery ...

Cate Charles Gallery.

147. Water Street.

Stonington, CT. 06378.

860.245.5213.

In the window

Winter Sunsets - On the Way Home #12.

6" x 6". oil on mdo. 2011. Copyright.

*Please note: This piece is no longer available.*

Binoculars #139 - View from East Beach, Watch Hill, RI.

8" x 48" Oil on mdo board. 2011. Floating frame. Copyright.

(Notice the article)

Binoculars #162 - View from Avery Point (Out for a Sail)

8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.

 Winter Sunsets - On the way Home.

6" x 6". Oil on mdo board. 2011. Copyright.

(Top:#6 Middle: #5 Bottom: #4)

Binoculars #145 - View from Avery Point. (Afternoon Cruise)

10" x 48". Oil on mdo board. 2011. Floating frame. Copyright.

Binoculars #141 - View from Avery Point. (A good catch)

8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. 2011. Floating frame. Copyright.

In the window

 Binoculars #163 - View from Avery Point. (USCG - European Voyage)

10" x 60". Oil on mdo board. 2012. Floating frame. Copyright.

In the window

*Please note: This piece is no longer available.*

Binoculars #137 - View from Avery Point. (Out for a Sail)

8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. 2011-12. Floating frame. Copyright.

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If, interested, please contact the Gallery for

availability of pieces, pricing, and shipping options.

Thank you.

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

From Studio to Gallery - Binoculars #163.

The latest addition to the Binoculars Series,

Binoculars #163. (USCG Cutter)

is now available at the

Sylvan Gallery

 Binoculars #163. View from Avery Point / USCG Cutter Returns from European Voyage.
10" x 60". Oil on mdo board. 2012. Floating Frame. (wax finish). Copyright.

Binoculars #163 - Detail.

Binoculars #163 - Signature Detail.

If interested, please contact the gallery for pricing and shipping options.

Thank you.

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If, you are curious to know of Binoculars #163's story, you may click here.

Thank you and Cheers, ~ Polly ~

From Studio to Gallery.

Pieces are now available at the

Cate Charles Gallery.

147. Water Street.

Stonington, CT. 06378.

860.245.5213.

 Binoculars #137 - View from Avery Point. (Out for a Sail)

8" x 48". oil mdo board. 2011-12. © Copyright.

Binoculars #141 - View from Avery Point. (A good catch.)

8" x 48". oil mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

 Binoculars #150 - View from Eastern Point. (Twilight Cruise) 

8" x 60". oil mdo board. 2011. © Copyright.

Binoculars #162 - View from Avery Point. (Out for a Sail)

8" x 48". oil mdo board. 2012. © Copyright.

If interested, please contact the gallery

for pricing and shipping options.

Thank you.

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Before paintings leave the studio for the gallery

they begin the last process of documenting and presentation.

Paintings are signed, dated, titled, dry, varnished, and

recieve a thorough inspection before they head off to the woodshop

for framing where they'll wait for their custom fit to be made.

Hand selected poplar is milled into a contemporary

floating framestock of my design, in the studio's woodshop.

The frames undergo the same treatment as the paintings.

They are fitted, mitered, joined, glued, sanded, waxed,

and recieve a final seal of approval before paintings are set

into their frames where they will be showcased to the World! 

Each painting is then photographed multiple times
for the closest possible match to the actual piece.

The images are then photoshopped for id-ing and
a little extra fine tuning on the matching if needed.

The last and final step, delivery to the Gallery.

For all the World to see.

The Artistic Wisdom of Paul Cezanne.

Paul Cezanne. Mont Sainte-Victoire. Oil on canvas. 65 x 81 cm. 1904-06. 
(Image source and info: Wikipedia.)

All my life I have worked to be able to earn my living, but I thought that one could do good painting without attracting attention to one's private life. Certainly, an artist wishes to raise himself intellectually as much as possible, but the man must remain obscure. The pleasure must be found in the work.

~ Paul Cezanne.
 

Last Light at Mohegan Park.

Last Light at Mohegan Park.

10" x 10". oil on mdo board. 2012.

© Copyright.

If interested, please contact me
for price and delivery options.

......

Had the wonderful

opportunity yesterday

to go plein-air painting

with fellow and veteran 

plein-air artist, Gray Park.

We ventured off to Mohegan Park,

not too far from my studio.

This was Gray's first time to the park

and it was my first time painting at the park.

There were a number of good spots to

choose from and with the winter Sun

quickly descending in the sky

spots had to be chosen.

The day was bright and sunny

slightly warm in the sun,

but with a winter chill in the air. 

The wonderful thing about

plein-air painting is that

it gives you the opportunity

to stay focused on the 'now'.

You're completely connected

to the moment in front of you

as it ever changes and evolves,

something which seems

to be difficult to

attain in these modern times. 

The plein-air, the 'now', bug is back!

Gray keeping his cold fingers moving

by making quick work of the fading light.

At the end of day,

when your painting gear is packed away

and all you can think about is heading home

and having a nice cup of hot tea,

the only thing that really matters

whether you're happy or not

with your new piece,

is gaining brush mileage!

Out for a Sail ...

Binoculars #137. View from Avery Point.
'Out for a Sail' (Just cruising)

8" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2011-12. © Copyright. 

Binoculars #137 - Detail.

.....

Nice warm winds, calm waters, and sunny,

the perfect summer day to be

'Out for a Sail'

Far out on the horizon,

sails slowly, sometimes quickly,

make their way along to the rhythm

of the warm sea breezes

carrying the sound of laughter

and crying seagulls,

over the waves gently

lapping at the shore.

.....

 Binoculars #162. View from Avery Point.
'Out for a Sail.' (Out fishing)

8" x 48". oil on mdo board. 2012. © Copyright.

 

 Binoculars #162 - Detail.

Binoculars #162 - Detail.

Gallery Location to be Announced!