The Bluegrass Painter

A Busy Week

The Queen Bee and I had a busy weekend dropping off art at various places for some upcoming exhibits.  "Over the Edge" was dropped at The Gallery at The Garrett County Arts Council in Oakland for the seasonal art change out.  We had a nice visit with Sue and Alan Arnson at The Loft Shop,  while dropping a piece that they are helping us to deliver for jurying in the GCAC's juried event.  Then, it was off to the Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA, where we made it within minutes of the drop-off deadline for the upcoming Westmoreland Art Nationals.     This week, I'm looking forward to visiting a company down on the river to discuss a commission.  

Below is the piece we dropped at the Garrett County Arts Council. 

"Over the Edge"
Original Watercolor On Canvas
40"x30"
 ©copyright 2011 Robert Yonke 

Westmoreland Art Nationals

I was pleased to learn last week that "Foamy Falls" was accepted into the Westmoreland Art Nationals exhibition at Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA.  The exhibition runs from Saturday June 2 to Thursday June 14, 2012.  

"Foamy Falls"
original watercolor on canvas with mixed media
36"x24"
©copyright 2011 Robert Yonke 

Annual Bluegrass Concert Celebrates St. Joseph House of Hospitality

 The 14th Annual Bluegrass Concert for Catholic Charities’ St. Joseph House of Hospitality will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27, at Synod Hall, 125 N. Craig Street in Pittsburgh. 

The concert kicks off a year of festivities commemorating  St. Joseph's 75th anniversary of outreach to the homeless. Founded in 1937 by Father Charles Owen Rice at a time when  one third of Pittsburgh's employable were unemployed, St. Josephs'  provided meals, rooms, and other necessities. At one time, both men's and women's shelters were also operating.

Today, St. Joseph's is located on Bedford Avenue in Pittsburgh's Hill District in the former Roselia Foundling and Maternity Hospital where  59 men ages 50 or older receive a room, three meals a day and supportive services.  In addition to celebrating the 75th anniversary, administrator Paul Dvorchak enters his 25th year
with St. Joseph's. He and his son, Paul Jr. will once again be performing  at the bluegrass concert with the group, Fern Hollow Boys.

"The concert has become a family affair as my son and I have played in every one," Dvorchak said.  "My wife and daughter are integral to helping plan and carry off the event that is just plain fun for all involved, the musicians who donate their time, and the audience who enjoy the music."   

In addition to Fern Hollow Boys, Mac Martin & the Dixie Travelers, Allegheny Drifters, Midnight Drive and Mon River Ramblers will also perform. Tickets are priced at $20.00 and festival seating is available.

For more information about St. Joseph’s or to purchase tickets, call 412-471-0666 ext. 227, or pdvorc@ccpgh.org.

First day of trout and I missed it!

Well, the best laid plans..... I had planned on getting out for Pennsylvania's trout opener Saturday with my two best fishing buddies but was waylayed by one of these guys possibly breaking his foot playing basketball (won't know for sure 'till Monday). Still spent the time with my buddies, just didn't go fishing.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity off the river to do a little watercolor to mark the day.  Almost as good as being there...but not quite. 

"The Drift"| Original Watercolor| image size approximately 9"x12"| ©copyright 2012 Robert Yonke 

  

The Road To a Successful Painting

In my workshops, I emphasize a set of key guidelines that I believe make the road to a successful painting easier. The guidelines are as follows:

1. Design always trumps technique.
2. Too much color can be dangerous - keep it simple.
3. Don't get caught up in too much detail.
4. Mix up your edges.
5. Paint shapes not things.
6. Don't be afraid to change the direction of your painting.
7. Develop your own style.
8. Look at what other artists are doing.
9. Never throw a painting away.
10. Do something related to your art everyday.
11. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Look for upcoming posts where I will dive into each of these guidelines.

 

 

Back to the Board

I had a nice time in Florida visiting friends and working with some very talented artists while there.  Now that I'm back into my routine here,  I'm working at adding to my inventory of river and working boat themes.  I  call this "The Excursion", based on the excursion steamboat The Homer Smith that plied the Ohio during the first half of the last century.  

"The Excursion", watercolor on paper, 10"x15",  © copyright 2012 Robert Yonke 

As a young boy, I remember my father taking me to watch steamboat races in downtown Pittsburgh. What I saw, reflected below in "The Steamboat Race",  was the last of an era with competing work boats either retired or soon to be out of service. They were exciting to watch as they raced up the Monongahela belching smoke.   

"The Steamboat Race", original watercolor on paper, 15"x22", © copyright 2012 Robert Yonke 

Watercolor on Canvas Workshop at The Art Club of Sun City

Last week I had the pleasure of conducting a Watercolor on Canvas Workshop to The Art Club in Sun City Center in Sun City, Florida. The group of painters was motivated, experienced and talented. Most everyone in the group was exhibiting and selling their work in some media and previously worked in watercolor.

The "on-canvas" aspect of the workshop seemed to be the draw. Everyone was able to do one or more pieces in our single day though all would need final touches "at home" mostly because of drying time. The experience level moved things right along.

This Sun City Art Club is a well-organized group. Evidence is their professional approach to both the demo and workshop.  The art room is adjacent to their gallery and is about as good a facility for a workshop as could be imagined. 

Thanks to Anne Walker for setting this up and providing shelter. Thanks to Marsha Lucidi and husband Rich for their hospitality.  Thanks to Bonnie Mullen for providing the photos posted here.  

 

Thank you Carol Lois Haywood and "Boat Art" Blog

I received a nice boost last week when Carol Lois Haywood posted some of my river boat art on her Boat Art Blog.   We share the interest of working boats from our respective regions of the country.  Carol is a prolific painter, sharing her transparent watercolor, with good use of color and control.  Her boats are nicely drawn with a solid design and her work is very consistent.  Her readers chose "Low Country" as a favorite out of three of my working boat series.  

 

 

The Art Club in Sun City

Thank you to the Art Club in Sun City Center, who invited me to present at their monthly meeting this past Monday.  I demoed putting watercolor to canvas, and will be following up with the group next week for a one day workshop.   The presentation was held in the Rollins Theatre at Sun City  which was well-equipped space for the demo.  The group was interested in my process and asked a lot of good questions.  

I was impressed at the scope of this ambitious art club. They are very active with a calendar full of trips and workshop opportunities and the membership seems to have a nice range of experience.   I asked for a volunteer to work in front of the group to assist me and Roberta  was drafted by the group to participate. It turns out she is a teacher at their art center and small world...she is from Slippery Rock.  She was very capable and handled the spotlight well, so thank you Roberta!

Here are some photos taken by friend Merrily Clark after the event wrapped up. 

"Postcard" from New Smyrna

The Queen Bee and I are enjoying ourselves down here in New Smyrna Beach.  While I understand the weather hasn't been all that bad up north, we're still happy to be here in the sunshine with our friends.   I've managed to work up some paintings along the way.  This first one is "Dunes".