Sunday, September 30, 2012

From the Studio: Photo of the Week, plus update.

 
 
Studio Supplies and more! Sept 25, 2012.
 
------------------------------
 
Two weeks ago,
I finally, finally, treated myself
to a 'Regular' Membership of the
American Society of Marine Artists.
(You can see my welcome letter and
Spring/Summer 2012 catalogs in the
upper right hand corner!) 
 
It's proper step forward for me in  
preparation for big leaps to come!!
 
Other news ...
 
My supplies in the studio had run so low
that it halted all progress in the studio!
About a week and half ago
I placed an order with Dick Blick
for some much needed studio supplies.

Now that all the supplies
have been replenished
it's now a matter of
getting back into the studio
and finding
that special groove, again!!
 
I will carry on with my blue phase,
and start some new pieces, as well, 
which I am all very excited about.

.
.
.

The two Binoculars which I recently shipped to
the Sylvan Gallery in Wiscasset, Maine,
got there safe and sound, and are on display!

Binoculars #163/2012 - View from Avery Point
The USCG, Return Home from European Voyage.
10" x 60". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.
 

Binoculars #171/2012 - View from Eastern Point - Sunfish Pals
8" x 48". Oil mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.
 
 For all inquiries 
please contact the
 
Thank you.
 
---------------------------------------
 
More updates to come
please stay tuned!!
 
Big Cheers, ~ Polly ~ 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Back in the Studio ....

 
 
In more ways than one! 
 
At this very moment,
the for first time in my artistic career
all of my work that was 'out' in galleries
is currently back 'in' the studio. 
 
Though that will change
in the next couple of days,
because two Binoculars paintings
are on their way to the 
in Wiscasset, Maine.
 
In other news ...
 
The owner/director of the 
(which has been my 'staple' gallery
for the past 4 1/2 years),
has decided to close for a while
and re-open/relocate
to Providence RI,
at some point in the future;
leaving me without any
'local' representation
and in an odd state of Limbo,
which is rather perplexing to me.

 
Mind you,
I am not complaining
by any stretch,
the timing of it isn't all bad because
the tourist season is starting to wind down  
along with art sales.
 
As I mentioned in a number of posts ago,
I've been wanting to build an inventory
of work for long, long, while
 
And this is my opportunity
to get back into the studio
and stay focused, 
and paint, paint, paint!
 
.
.
.
.
 
So, what's back in the studio!?!
 
Well, take a look down below.
 
 ----------------------------
 
 
 Binoculars #132/2010. View from Avery Point - Lone Day Sailor.
8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.
 
 
 

Binoculars #134/2010. View from Ender's Island - Afternoon Cruising.
8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.



 
 Binoculars #134/2010. View from East Beach, Watch Hill - Last Light.
8" x 50". (6 panel) Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.
 
 
 
Binoculars #145/2011. View from Avery Point - Sunset Cruise.
10" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.
 
 
 
Binoculars #162/2012. View from Avery Point - Evening Cruise.
8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.



 


 Binoculars #165/2010. View from Avery Point - Just Cruising.
8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.



 

Binoculars #166/2012. View from Avery Point - Summer Fun!
10" x 60". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.



 

Binoculars #167/2012. View from Eastern Point - Before the Storm.
7" x 60". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.
 
 
 
Binoculars #168/2012. View from Eastern Point - Bound for Fisher's Island.
8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.
 
 
 
Landscape/Plein-air: Barn Island Summer Fog.
8" x 48". Oil on mdo board. Floating frame. Copyright.
 
 
-------------------------------
 
If you are interested in purchasing
or learning more,
about any of the above paintings
please feel free to email me
with your inquiries.
 
Thank you!
 
As always,
stay tuned for more!!
 
Cheers, ~ Polly ~ 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Shipping Artwork: Paintings.

 
 
One of the greatest challenges for artists
is safely shipping artwork which is also cost effective. 
 
------------------
 
The selected Artwork.
 
 
Two paintings on panel with their frames.
 
 
The needed tools ...
 
 
1. A T-Square or decent straight edge.
2. A fresh Sharpie Marker - blue or black.
3. A measuring tape.
4. A mat knife with fresh blades.
(Please be careful when you're using the knife)    
 
 
 
The needed material(s) ...

 
1. 1 sheet of 1" 4' x 8' insulation foam.
Which can be purchased
at Lowes for $16-$21. 
 

 
2. Large sheets of cardboard.
Which can be purchased or gotten for free
at a moving and storage facility.
 
 
 
 
3. Shrink Wrap.
 
 
 
 
4. At least 2 rolls of
2 1/2" Stotch Heavy Duty Packing Tape
and roll of regular Stotch tape.
 
--------------
 
 
 
 
First wrap the artwork in shrink wrap,
making sure any and all varnishes are fully dry.
 
The Shrink Wrap creates a barrier
 to keep the artwork clean and dust free.
 
 

 
As you can see
the 1" foam holds up well underneath
my weight of 145lbs.
 
 

 
If, you're planning on shipping
2 paintings at once,
start by creating a sandwich
using the largest painting.
 
If, you're planning on shipping
2 canvases at once,
then I would recommend
placing a third piece of foam
between the two canvases,
face to face.


 
Then create the side walls.
 
 
 
 
Place the largest painting facing up
then place a carboard spacer on top
then place the second painting
face to face.
 



(The above technique works best
with paintings which are on panel.)

 
 
 
Find the half way mark on the artwork
 so, the paintings are evenly spaced
so, fillers can be easily made. 
 
 

 
Fill the voids with foam.
 

 
Making sure everything is snug and in place.
 

 
Once all the foam pieces are cut and fitted
it's time to tape all the edges and corners thoroughly.
 
 

 
At this point, the foam box is now waterproof because
all the seams are covered with at least 2 layers of tape.
 
And remember to make sure you mark
which side you want your receiver
to open your package easily and safely.
 
 

 
Then, the last step,
is the carboard skin,
which is made in the same 
fashion as the foam box. 
 
The cardboard acts
as a clean presentation and
also protects the foam 
should any damage(s) occur
during shipping. 
 
After the last step
 it's time to ship your artwork!
 
The overall weight for
this package is roughly 33lbs.
 
Stay tuned for more!!
 
Cheers, ~ Polly ~ 
 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Artistic Wisdom of John Singer Sargent


John Singer Sargent. Nonchaloir (Repose), 1911.
Oil on Canvas 25 1/8" x 30" (64 x 76 cm)
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
(Image and info Source: Artcyclopedia)
 
--------------------------------------------------
 

Cultivate an ever continuous power of observation. Wherever you are, be always ready to make slight notes of postures, groups and incidents. Store up in the mind ... a continuous stream of observations from which to make selections later. Above all things get abroad, see the sunlight and everything that is to be seen.
 
~ John Singer Sargent.


Friday, September 14, 2012

Plein-air efforts of the day.

Plein-air / The Flower Garden.
8 1/2" x 8 1/2". Oil on Birch. 2012. 

-------------------

The light on
the Flower Garden,
also my 'pet project',
has been catching
my eye recently.

So, naturally
I grabbed my paints,
set-up and got to it!

Stay tuned for more
painting adventures!

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

Sunday, September 2, 2012

From the Studio: Photo of the Week, plus update.

 
 
Photo of the Week: Sketch Book Kitty - Sept 2, 2012.
 
-------------------------
 
Shadow,
aka 'She-Sho'
much like her namesake
is always close-by, 
no matter where
or what I'm doing,
she's Shadow!
 
Good thing I don't need to use the
sketch book at the moment.
 
--------
 
Production at the easel 
has been slow, but steady
and the paint supply
is getting a bit low
so, an order will be made
later this week.
 
Right now, in the studio
there are 2 Binocular paintings
being packaged up for shipment 
also for later this week bound 
for the Sylvan Gallery.
up in Maine.
 
 
 
I'm using a very simple and cost effective
technique for shipping the paintings.
 
Normally I use 
which is cleaner when cutting
and is a bit harder for impact,
and since time is of the essence,
I'm using a slightly different foam.
 
The paintings
are wrapped in shrink wrap,
stacked face to face with
a cardboard spacer,
then sheathed with the foam
held together with yards
of heavy duty packing tape, 
and
then a heavy duty cardboard skin
is made for extra measure along with
more yards of heavy duty packing tape.
 
This packing technique takes a while to do
but, it's super compact, very light weight
and overall very effective
for shipping larger paintings.
 
And speaking of which
I need to get into the studio
and
finish packing the paintings!
 
Stay tuned!
 
Cheers, ~ Polly ~