Tag: Another Magpie Nest

“Ignore Everybody” Hugh McLeod, From deb Clarke

Posted on by capeannpainter

Give this video a chance. It has a lot of great advice for the creative person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax_COkpcBQ8

from deb Clarke;

and here is his common sense advice that got it all started
from Ignore Everybody and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh McLeod
 
1. Ignore everybody.

2. The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.

3. Put the hours in.

4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.

5. You are responsible for your own experience.

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.

7. Keep your day job.

8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.

9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.

10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

11. Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.

13. Never compare your inside with somebody else’s outside.

14. Dying young is overrated.

15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.

16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can’t.

18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.

19. Sing in your own voice.

20. The choice of media is irrelevant.

21. Selling out is harder than it looks.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about “Commercial vs. Artistic” is a complete waste of time.

24. Don’t worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.

25. You have to find your own schtick.

26. Write from the heart.

 
and here is his website.  his site already inspires me to revamp my nest a bit.  i like his short concise introduction.
 
 best,
deb.

The Art Collectors, from; deb Clarke

Posted on by capeannpainter
from; deb Clarke
Watched this documentary on PBS last night and decided that if they could fit over 4000 pieces of original art in their New York City apartment, I have plenty of room in mine for my extensive collection.  I have never met collectors like the Vogels.  The Vogels really got to know the artists, the artists’ process, and really supported the artists at critical times in their career. 
There are a few collectors of my work that have more than one of my works, but there are no collectors as intimately familiar with my work as the Vogels.  My paintings have sold one at a time, with very few repeats.  Why?  because most of my sales have been commissioned for the space over the couch, the sideboard, the bed.  The biggest impact this video had on me is that it gave me great courage to continue and helped me to see some of my ‘hidden work’ as valid.  So, I won’t throw it out.  I will look at my art hiccups, see the value and remember that there is more to painting and making art than making pretty pictures. 

“AHHT” It’s what I Do! by deb Clarke

Posted on by capeannpainter
From deb Clarke;
Most of my work these past few weeks has been focused on the view in Cripple Cove.  Today and yesterday I stretched and triple primed this 38×42″ canvas.  I planned to draw on the gessoed surface with a sharpie marker, but I’m having a hard time making that first irreversible mark.  My plan was to base a painting on favorite drawings of looking down on Capt Joe’s docks .  pics of my recent drawings, the ‘white angst’, and source material follow.
Sharpie Sketch
Photo Reference, View from my House
Primed and Ready

Check out more on “Ahht” at:

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Thinking of Cezanne, from Deb Clarke

Posted on by capeannpainter

From, deb Clarke;

Here’s a quick recap of my Memorial Day on East Main.  Here are 2 pics:  one is my reference material looking down on Joey’s docks across to the State Fish Pier with the city and western shore in the far distance, with a bit of green in the sky caused by the Canadian woodfires’ haze. I’ve been thinking alot about Cezanne and how he made plane changes in his paintings.  Cezanne wanted to create a painting with the solidity of a sculpture.  He didn’t rely on a directed light to illuminate objects; instead, he emphasized the form and organization of the picture plane through the direction of his stroke and color changes.  The light  seems to come from ‘within Cezanne’s paintings’.    In my work in progress I’ve paid particular attention to the way planes meet.  My space is getting a bit wonkie, and I am very interested in the spot that is in the very center of my painting.

 
best, 
deb
 
ps:  I will put work up on the wall as often as my time and weather permits!
 
Looking Down on Joey's Dock
Photo from the spot where looking down on joey's dock is being painted from
Deb's Wall of Art on East Main St.

Deb’s “Wall of Art” can be seen if your driving on East Main St. towards Bass Ave, on the right side of the road between Capt. Joe’s Lobsters (Joey’s place) and Zeke’s Restaurant.

Check out more of Deb’s Work by clicking the Link below.

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Moving on “AHHT” Happens, Sometimes

Posted on by capeannpainter

From Deb Clarke;

for a brief moment i thought to throw this painting away. and i begin the sharpie series. documentation of drawings to appear on a new tab “Sharpie Drawings”

http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Beginning Painting 1 by Deb Clarke

Posted on by capeannpainter

 “Painters who are not colorists produce illumination and not painting….color gives the appearance of life.”

Monday, February 23, 1852 from the Journals of Eugene Delacroix,  French Painter

Beginning Painting

The Equipment

a portable easel

for beginners I recommend 3 colors:  cad yellow medium, grumbacher red, cobalt blue and white, a small jar of oil painting medium and some gessoed boards, a few brushes (boar bristle is fine)

if you try painting and want to continue, you will want to invest in more colors, brushes, medium and an easel for outdoor painting

Here is My Paint Box and supplies;

French Easel Draw with supplies

Here’s my french easel set-up for painting:

  a few big brushes, a few rounds, maybe a filbert, a small brayer.

My colors:
cad yellow light
lemon yellow
cad yellow medium
yellow ochre
raw sienna
burnt sienna
grumbacher red (napthol red)
alizarin crimson
pthalo green
winsor blue (pthalo blue)
cobalt blue
ultramarine blue
grumbacher pre-test white, original formula (titanium white)

medium:  1 part stand oil, 1 part damar, 1 part turp

thinner for cleaning brushes

If you need more info on Painting supplies and where you can purchase them, or how to join the Sunday Morning Painting Class (7am Cripple Cove Parking Lot, weather permitting) contact me at: elli01930@yahoo.com

http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

1st Sunday Morning Painting Class

Posted on by capeannpainter

Due to weather conditions the class was held in Deb Clarke’s House. There were three students;  Tom, Liz and myself.

Spot Color Painting was the assignment. Spot color painting is where you pick a color and relate that color to the rest of the painting. Debbie began by giving a spot color demonstration. Tom picked a scene outside one of Deb’s windows, Liz picked a hanging candle lamp and I picked a high shelf with three colored wine glasses and two silver pictures. Deb’s Knowledge of art, painting and color instincts are very inspiriring. The two hours flew by. I can’t wait for next week! Anyone whoever has thought about taking up painting should give it try. Twentyfive dollars is a great deal for the infomation you receive.

Contact Deb at; elli01930@yahoo.com   OR    http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Liz Bish Painting
Deb Critiquing The days results
The Results; Liz's is on the table, Tom's on the bottom left and mine is bottom right

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

My Business Card

Posted on by capeannpainter

My Business Card

from Deb Clarke

I finally have a business card!  scan that code on the lower right with an iphone, blackberry, some droids.  it goes to my google business center listing, has some pics, some hours, contact info, and more…my location on the google map.
i posted about this a few days ago. http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com/
  
 
Deb Clarkes Business Card
 
 
 
Painting\Drawing Class
Starting next sunday 7am. should we meet at Capt Joes or the Cripple Cove parking. bring drawing/painting materials, easel, etc.  outdoor around the cove.  coffee and facilities at my house or zeke’s.  $25.  7-9. Contact me through my website: http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com/
No watercolors.
 
best,
deb.

“Karen” by Deb Clarke

Posted on by capeannpainter

From:  Deb Clarke

“Karen”

This is Karen, the completed work documented in my earlier ‘wip’  in the series “Faces I Remember”.  It is finished.  During the process that brought the work to this point I was continually critiquing the work.  I kept trying to get the eyes above the one third, but my inclination was to keep cutting the ‘shape’ down.  This morning I finally decided to find the center of my canvas.  Wouldn’t you know it?  French painter Pierre Bonnard’s words critiqued the work, he said:  “There should be nothing in the center of a painting.”  Then portrait artist Helen Van Wyck words critiqued the work:  “In a portrait the eyes should be around the one third point.”  then I said:  The Hell you say!  I’m still in training!  This is Karen and this is the way I do it.  I broke the rules, yet it works.  why?  because it is didactic and self referential. so, there.

ps:  this is drawn from memory of a friend from Banana’s.

 

Karen

For Purchasing Info go to:  http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com

GMG= Great Media Gurus!

Posted on by capeannpainter

               From Deb Clarke;

GMG=Great Media Gurus!

Thank you GoodMorningGloucester!
  
One of Paul Frontiero’s posts and the gloucester media gurus found on this site, kept me awake-in-Gloucester last night.
 
Capeannpainter Paul Frontiero recently posted a pic of his work, with an inquiry about how to make the photo less ‘blue’.  I’ve had the same problem and was pleased to read the media ‘gurus’ comments..  I used the white balance suggestion.  click the link to see my efforts, the result of being sleepless in Gloucester.
 
questions, responses, critiques always welcomed either here or at my ‘nest’..           Another Magpie Nest
 
"Faces I Remember" a Work in Progress by Deb Clarke
deb.

What’s on Your Fridge? Challenge

Posted on by capeannpainter

From Debbie Clarke;

“Our refrigerators tell a lot about us. Here’s what I’m willing to share for now. you can be assured there will be more!”

Whats on your Fridge? Challenge from Debbie Clarke.

What does your fridge door say about you?

Send in a Picture or Video of your fridge door like Debbies, and it may be shown here on GMG.

http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

How to Paint a Chair and Thoughts on Painting

Posted on by capeannpainter
“How to Paint a Chair, a Work in Progress and My Thoughts on Painting.”

By Debbie Clarke

“Art is really a battlefield. Only when he no longer knows what he is doing, does the painter do good things.”
Edgar Degas, French Impressionist

Some music that I want for my studio archive: Sade. have always loved her work, and ’soldiers of art’ are ’soldiers of love’, in that if you are called to make art, you will make art for a very demanding mistress. a lover that will have no one between, that will wake you when you want sleep, that will delay you when you have appointments, that will make you not feel ‘well’ when you are not dancing with the muse. and muse seems too nice a word. dancing with a muse is neither romantic nor poetic. it is a hungry ghost in need of a door into this realm of reality. and when she truly decides to dance with, then through you, it is better than an orgasm.
the muse doesn’t dance every day, she is fickle in her love, and never obediant. i spend most of my days in the practice of seeing and drawing, so my hands, eyes, and heart are ready, whenever she decides to come, because that is her nature.

Here’s Debbies Interesting Video on How to Paint a Chair.

She filmed it with camera in one hand and brush in the other.

For more of Debbie Thoughts and Works check out her link below

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Welcome To My Kitchen Studio

Posted on by capeannpainter

“Welcome to My Kitchen Studio”

 Will be an on going Art series by Debbie Clarke.

This is a self portrait from the computer screens point of view.  yup, coffee in one hand, finger on the mouse, and everything hasn’t quite settled into place.

Good Mornin' by Deb Clarke

Goodmornin’, a drawing

Aluminum leaf, sharpie marker, litho crayon on aluminum flashing 5×5″

Copyright debbie clarke
gloucester ma
2010

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

 

Funky Egg Glue Video

Posted on by capeannpainter

I had trouble uploading the Egg  Glue Video to go along with Tuesdays Deb Clarke Post.

It’s A Cool and Funky How To Video.

Here’s Debbie Post;

Gilder’s glue, also known as gelatin ‘slurry’ is used to create verre eglomise mirrors, and can be applied other smooth surfaces to adhere gold or silver leaf. this video is an early attempt to create a how-to video with a very primitive editing program that chopped up my video with some wacky effects. if you would like clarification of the procedure for making the slurry, please let me know. one of by objectives for this year is to make a few more ‘how to’ videos about verre eglomise, egg tempera, drawing, other gilding methods or whatever catches my artistic fancy.

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Debbie Clarke Answers your Questions

Posted on by capeannpainter

A few years ago I was playing around with some video clips made with my $100 kodak camera.  Windows Movie Maker couldn’t produce the video due to resolution/light issues, so I downloaded a trial home movie maker with a pre-loaded, wacky video editor.  The video I produced gives directions for making egg glue, also known as glair, which is a glue that can be used to adhere gold leaf to a panel.  Last week I received some good questions from Scott Songfeather, a self-taught iconographer: 

following are his questions and my response:

“Researching verre eglomise I was pleased to discover the vids of you at work with the technique and your blog.

1. Is the ratio of snow/crushed ice to the egg white critical? How much snow to egg white is good?

answer:  the ratio isn’t critical. I use about 2 tablespoons of snow/crushed ice.
2. Should the egg glue be used immediately, while still cold from the snow/ice?

answer:  the glue sets up to tack pretty quickly and can be used immediately, but it is better to let it sit refrigerated for 24 hours.  the albumen coagulate (chelaga) and other residue should be strained out to create a glue that will flow smoothly onto the surface to be gilded.

3. Is snow/ice necessary, or will water substitute satisfactorily?

answer:  Ralph Mayer in “The Artist’s Handbook” has a recipe using 1-2 tablespoons of water. I have never used this recipe, so I don’t know the results.  If Ralph says it works, it will work.

I paint icons in egg tempera and recently discovered online the Romanian technique of icon painting reversed on glass (verre eglomise/hinterglasmalerie) and plan to try it. Thus these questions.

Thanks, and best wishes,
Scott Songfeather

Scott Songfeather's first Icon painting using Deb Clarkes Method

Deb Clarkes Egg Glue Video http://www.youtube.com/user/pbsage#p/u/5/lXnZAvkuaeU

Scott provides some excellent pics and directions for writing icons under the username Celadonite on wet canvas. follow this link for his info.

If you have a question/comment that you would like to see answered through this blog Go to;

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

So I Lied! Get use to it.

Posted on by capeannpainter
I Promised not to Post another Bathroom related item I but I could’nt pass this one up.
This one is from my Friend and Art Teacher Deb Clarke;
“Hello Paul!  Going to church has taken on a whole different meaning in our house.  I have lived here for almost 2 years, cleaned that seat “Religiously” and only noticed this 2 weeks ago.  Maybe worth a post.”
Best,
Deb.
Thanks Deb!
When I was much younger after a night of Bar hopping around Town, I’ve knelt down in front of a similar Church a few times. I’m sure many readers of GMG have done the same.
I’m sure there will be a few Corn Dog Contest Contenders  praying in front of one Thursday Night.

Debbie Clarkes AHHT! It’s What I Do.

Posted on by capeannpainter

 Debbie Clarke  “AHHT! It’s What I Do”

This is an example of a reverse painted light box.  probably constructed in the 40’s.  This is not called verre eglomise because there is not foil or leaf attached to the glass.  it is simply oil paint applied to the glass.  the closest details painted first.  the second picture is a close-up of the painting showing the deep shadows created  by the paint.  the paint is peeling from the glass due to the constant heating and cooling of the glass.  there are fancy adhesives one could use to reattach the minute flakes of paint.  my instinct is to rub away the dry residue and repaint the whole thing.  then, change the light attachment to a led with a battery switch (non heat emitting).  then gild the frame.
 The subject of this painting exemplifies the rules of ‘courtship’.  These french style scenes were frequent patterns on wall papers of the 19/20th century. The craft (reverse painting) is known as ‘fancy women’s work’.  This is the work ‘refined’ women did to occupy their minds, other examples of fancy women’s work is Memento Mori (hair braided jewelry). 

 This ‘light box’ is available for sale at Bananas.  I’m trying to decide whether or not to buy it and put it to my own use.

AHH! Love is in the Air!

Visit

Another Magpie Nest

For More Debbie Clarke Art Info!

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Behind The Scenes

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Here’s a Photo of  Behind The Scenes at The Video Taping of Debbie Clarke’s Reverse Glass Demo.

That’s Joey Screwing around with the Camera and Deb Clarke Holding the Unfinished demo painting. You may not recognize that guy sitting in the corner talking to Deb without a Mouthful of Food and his Signature Clint Eastwood outfit, But That’s the Infamous Food Contender Ed Collard. Fun Time.

Also Look for Deb Clarke’s weekly Post:  “Ahht It’s what I do”  premiering Tuesday at 10am.

http://www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Ready! Aim! Art?

Posted on by capeannpainter

 

Deb Clarke gave me the “Heads” up on this Info. So I knew it must’ve had something to do with Art.

Is it Art?  Is It Intelligent Design?   What do You think?

Urinal Art

This Just in from designer-daily.com;

“Sometimes your mind wanders in the most unusual places. It happened to me the other day as I was releasing the few extra beers I drank, and found myself concentrating on that little fly in the urinal. Then I thought about how that little insect made life a little better for the cleaning people who probably have less to clean, and for the customers of the place who have had a little more fun while in the restrooms (yes it doesn’t take much for a drunk guy to have fun).

So if you think about it, this simple drawing of a fly improved everybody’s life a little. But how?

  • By staying simple.
    A common advice for webdesigners is: “Don’t make the user think”. In our particular case, the urinal user doesn’t think and just follows his instinct: he pisses on that damn annoying fly that’s teasing him.
  • By understanding the user’s needs.
    In the urinating situation, all the user needs is a little guidance to focus on keeping the place clean, without even thinking about it. If the user instinctively knows what to do, your design is good.
  • By making a clever use of white space.
    Less is more, every designer knows this sentence I guess. If you designed this, many clients would probably have asked you to make the fly bigger or add more flies, which would in both cases be totally useless.” 
  •   From Designer-Daily

Debbie Clarke’s Reverse Glass Demo UPDATE

Posted on by capeannpainter

Debbie Clarke’s Reverse Glass Portrait Update

Work In Progress:

 Reverse Glass Portrait  progress report. Scraped the paint off the Glass to create the shape around the head.

 Foiled and toned backing canvas with burnt sienna (the darkest orange)

Debbie Clarke Verre Eglomise Demonstration Video Links

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/debbie-clarke-verre-eglomise-demonstration-video-part-i/

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/debbie-clarke-verre-eglomise-demonstration-video-part-ii/http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/debbie-clarke-verre-eglomise-demonstration-video-part-iii/

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/debbie-clarke-verre-eglomise-demonstration-video-part-iv/

 

 

Http://www.FrontieroGallery.com