Miniatures at Daylesford Abbey Art Show

"Sweet Dreams"

8" x 10" watercolor on paper

©2010 Stacy L. Rowan

Since the Daylesford Abbey Art Show in Paoli, PA continues through this weekend, I thought I would show you a couple of other paintings which I have in the show.

One of the things I love about this show is that they allow you to bring work in several different categories. I entered framed original artwork into both the "Majors" category and the "Miniatures" category. Their definition of miniatures is anything with framed dimensions of 8" x 10" or less. Conversely, the major category includes anything over 8" x 10".

I already shared two of my miniatures with you in my post about the opening reception. The painting "Sweet Dreams" above is another new painting in this category. I completed it during the last week of 2010 and matted and framed it for this show.

The subject matter may look familiar to you. These adorable mini cupcakes were made by my friend and served at my Open Studio. Before anyone arrived I quickly snapped at least a dozen photos. Then I took even more after everyone left the first day. There are definitely more cupcake paintings in my future!

"Hand Picked at Hausman's"

8" x 10" watercolor on paper

©2009 Stacy L. Rowan

This painting of an apple is another miniature I have in the show. Hausman's is one of the vendors at our local farmers' market. When summer turns to fall they offer a wide variety of apples. As the weather cools they also sell hot apple cider which they warm up on this old metal (cast iron perhaps) stove. I can't figure out how they load the hot stove back up to take home. I'll have to ask them sometime.

If you would like to see either of these pieces in person, head over to the Daylesford Abbey. The show closes on Sunday, February 27th at 4pm. It is open daily from 1pm until 4pm today through Sunday.

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Additional Links
Daylesford Abbey Art Show - Paoli, PA
Emmaus Farmers' Market
Hausman's Fruit Farm

Tap Drawings at the Daylesford Abbey Show

I thought I would post some of the art I have on display at the Daylesford Abbey Art Show for those of you who either can't make the show, or who want to see what I am displaying before you make up your mind.

I decided to start by sharing the three drawings from my tap dance series which are in the show.

"Dancing Feet"

8" x 10" graphite on paper

©2010 Stacy L. Rowan

This is the first time I am showing "Dancing Feet" on the blog. The drawing was created from one of my reference photos of the lovely and very talented Germaine Salsberg. I did this drawing as a preliminary piece to a much larger watercolor (which I promise to share here soon).

"Icebreaker"

14" x 18" graphite on paper

©2009 Stacy L. Rowan

My "models" for the other two drawings are both Tap Ties company members - Melody Kline (above) and Amy Smith (below). The Tap Ties ladies have been wonderfully supportive of this series of drawings and paintings and have allowed me to photograph a number of their rehearsals, for which I am forever grateful.

"Keep on Your Toes"

18" x 14" charcoal on paper

©2009 Stacy L. Rowan

Daylesford Abbey Art Show Opening

Persephone's Downfall

8" x 10" watercolor on paper

©2011 Stacy L. Rowan

Available through Feb. 27th at Daylesford Abbey Art Show, Paoli, PA

Yesterday my husband and I went to the opening reception for the Daylesford Abbey Art show.

This is my first time doing this show so I was excited to attend the opening. And I have to say my husband and I were both impressed.

The Ladies Chapter has done a wonderful job. The opening was lovely, complete with live music and an impressive assortment of appetizers and wines.

But of course the most important part any opening is the artwork. This is a large show and features a beautiful collection of artwork in a variety of mediums including sculptures, etchings, pottery, stained glass and jewelry as well as pastels, watercolors, acrylics, oils and mixed media works.

The available works come in a wide range of sizes from miniatures smaller than 8" x 10" to master works upwards of 28" x 22". 

Over 85 artists are taking part in the show and many of them have impressive bios detailing membership in major art societies, publication in respected magazines, receipt of prestigious awards and more. I am honored to be showing work with this talented group.

As icing on a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon I was happy to spot that one of my paintings in the miniature category, "Queen of the Winter Garden", was sporting a jaunty red dot indicating that it is going to a new home.

Queen of the Winter Garden

8" x 10" watercolor on paper

©2008 Stacy L. Rowan

sold

Overall I am more than pleased to be part of this event and will gladly participate again if I am invited back.

If you are interested in more specifics such as the show hours or address, please either check out my "Now Showing" page or follow the link for the Daylesford Abbey given below.

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Related Links
Now Showing
Daylesford Abbey, Paoli, PA

Paintbox Art Club Opening Reception

As mentioned in my previous post, last Sunday my husband and I attended the opening reception for the Paintbox Art Club exhibit at the Nazareth Center for the Arts. The show features a collection of works from artists like me who are members of the club.

Paintings from Paintbox show

artists are (l to r) Stacy Rowan, Sandra Hamlin, and Will Daskal

The Nazareth Center for the Arts (NCA) is a fairly new venue. It opened in December 2009. The center is located on Belvidere Street in Nazareth, PA. (Music or guitar lovers out there might be familiar with Nazareth as the home of Martin guitars.)

The NCA is run by the Nazareth Cultural and Arts Commission. Their mission is to enhance the lives of citizens of the community by making art, music and theater a daily experience through exhibits, live performances, and educational programs.

The Paintbox Art Club is a local art group which has been sharing art with the community for over 40 years. The club meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month except in January, July and August. Meetings consist of a short business meeting followed by a demonstration by a guest artist. Meetings are held at the NCA. Paintbox is a friendly and welcoming group that is open to new members. Annual dues are a very reasonable $15.

I was quite impressed with the presentation of the Paintbox show. The center did a nice job hanging the artwork and advertising the event. The venue provides an accessible space for the public to appreciate the work of local artists.

I wish the Nazareth Cultural and Arts Commission much success with the center and thank them for their support of the local art community.

Paintbox Art Club Exhibit - Nazareth Center for the Arts

A Tranquil Spring Day - Burnside Plantation

11" x 14" watercolor on paper

©2006 Stacy L. Rowan

I belong to the Paintbox Art Club. This Sunday we have a show opening at the Nazareth Center for the Arts in Nazareth, PA from 2pm to 4pm. I will be showing the painting above.

The show runs through February 25th. Show hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until 2pm, the first Saturday of the month from 1pm until 4pm and by appointment, call (610) 759-8590.

Looking at art is a great cure for cabin fever. Why don't you stop by if you are in the neighborhood?

Winter Tulips

tulip sketch

watercolors in Moleskine sketchbook

©2011 Stacy L. Rowan

We've had a lot of snow and ice and cold weather this winter. If you've been reading this blog for a while then you know that I am not a fan of any of these things.

With the forecast of more winter weather bearing down on us, I was feeling rather restless for Spring. During my weekly grocery store vist, I happened upon a special on tulips. Purchasing them was an easy decision.

They made a good subject for a warm-up sketch the next day in my studio.

If winter doesn't let up soon I may need to take advantage of more specials like this.

Straight Talk - Tap Dance Series Charcoal Drawing

Straight Talk

18" x 14" charcoal on paper

©2010 Stacy L. Rowan

Available through William Ris Gallery

Straight Talk is the second charcoal drawing in my tap dance series. It may look familiar since I showed the start to it here.

Although this drawing shows a simpler step with only one foot in motion, the movement is still what attracted me to the reference.

I love that the foot on the right is a balance of movement and sharper, almost still areas. The best tap dances also have a balance of movement and stillness. A perfectly placed pause gives the steps a chance to breathe and will feel as loud as a stamp when it follows an intricate series of steps. A little well placed silence will help a piece shine much like the way the sharp highlight of the toe tap provides contrast to the movement of the dark shoe in this drawing.

I completed the drawing last year. It is currently being shown at the William Ris Gallery in Stone Harbor, NJ along with several other works in this series. Please contact them through the link above or the one in the right column if you are interested in purchasing this piece.

Don't Be a Loser

sketch of empty pretzel bag* - Day 173

graphite on paper

©2010 Stacy L. Rowan

I was driving home from an appointment the other day and I passed a sign on the side of the road. This sign looked similar to a speed limit sign, but instead of showing the speed limit it had a message on it.

The message said "Only Losers Litter".

Really. It did.

Only Losers Litter. Are you kidding me?

This is not a handmade sign. It is a metal sign attached to a metal pole. The pole is sunk into the ground. It looks like something a road crew would put up. Which means someone paid to have the sign made and installed.

Someone paid for the sign and the best deterrent they could come up with to discourage people from littering was name calling. Really? As if people who litter will be stopped by that.

I only wish I had thought to pull over and take a picture.

*The subject matter for this sketch was properly disposed of after the sketch was completed. It was not hung over the top edge of the above mentioned sign. Although that would have been funny. Good thing for them that I'm not a loser.

Sketching on a Snow Day

So last Friday was supposed to be my first monthly sketching excursion, which totally explains why my kids had their first snow day of the school year. Rather than be deterred, I decided to do my sketching at home.

Every time I walk out my front door I pass my hydrangea bush and admire the dried blossoms. But I hadn't managed to find the time to commit the image to paper. I used my canceled sketching date as an opportunity to rectify that situation.

hydrangea in the snow

watercolor and sepia ink

©2011 Stacy L. Rowan

The addition of the snow caps to the blossoms was just too much to resist. The window by my desk looks out over the hydrangea bush, so I parked myself in my nice, warm office with my sketchbook. Using my sepia brush pen, little Cotman travel palette and a water brush I created the above sketch. I was pleased with the result even if I didn't leave the house.

Seeking Recommendations

banana sketch (Day 140)

sepia ink in Moleskine cahier pocket sketch book

©2010 Stacy L. Rowan

I was lucky enough to receive as a Christmas gift a gift card for the local art supply store. (Okay, so maybe it wasn't all luck since I asked for it, but I was lucky that someone actually followed through on my request!)

I need to replenish some of my standard supplies, but I should also have enough money to pick up some new materials to experiment with. I am looking for recommendations from my fellow artists to help me choose between all the options.

There are two things in particular that I want your opinions on.

1) Paper for Charcoal Drawings -  I currently use Rives BFK paper for my charcoals, but I'd like to try another paper. In particular I'm looking for a paper that allows me to easily achieve subtle value changes. I'd also like a paper which is easy to tone since I typically start my charcoal pieces by laying down a consistent mid-value tone.

What papers do you like working on when you use charcoals or pastels?

2) Watercolor Sketchbook - I have been doing more sketching with watercolors lately. Last year I finished up a small Canson book and now I am about half-way through my Moleskine watercolor book. I actually like the Moleskine paper and will probably buy another of these, but I would also like to try a new watercolor sketchbook.

What is your favorite sketchbook for using watercolors or other liquid mediums?

Now I am pretty sure that every artist has one or two things they can't live without. For instance, I find that I repeatedly turn to the Faber-Castell Pitt pen with sepia ink and a brush tip for sketching. And I love my Winsor & Newton Sceptre Gold round brushes for painting.

If you feel strongly about any of your materials and want to share the love, I'm listening. After all, there is always Christmas next year once this gift card is done.

Thanks for your input! I can't wait to go shopping!
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For the record, I am not in any way being compensated by the companies above or by Dick Blick (the links I provided). This is just the stuff I regularly use.

Sketching Plans

sketch of planter at my mother-in-laws

sepia ink on paper

©2010 Stacy Rowan

This is one of my sketches from last year's daily sketching project.

I really enjoyed having a regular sketching practice. And I love looking back on all the sketches I produced now that the pressure to find a new subject every day is gone. I want to take some of what I liked in that project and incorporate it into my art life this year.

When I decided on last year's sketching project, I envisioned heading out every day and finding something interesting to sketch. Reality quickly set in and I realized that it wasn't feasible for me to go out sketching every day, especially if I wanted to have any time to paint originals.

My commitment to sketch every day, combined with my inability to go out sketching every day, meant I ended up sketching at home. As it got harder to find interesting subjects at home I pushed the sketching off later and later - often sketching right before going to bed. Not the best recipe for inspired sketching. And it explains why I ended the project after six months.

It didn't take me too long to miss the sketching though. So this year I've decided to make it a point to get out of the house for some sketching sessions. Not every day. I know that's not possible. Instead I will target once a month. I am scheduling this Friday morning as my first day out. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year

watercolor sketch in Moleskine watercolor book

approx. 8" x 5"

©2010 Stacy L. Rowan

Happy New Year everyone!

Like many other people at this time of year, I have been reviewing my accomplishments from 2010 and working on setting my goals for 2011.  Last year was a good year for me, and I hope to continue to build on my successes this year.

Although there were many things that I did well, I realized during my annual review that I have fallen behind on sharing new work here. So in my goals I have committed to catching up.

I also realized that I only shared my daily sketches through Day 125, even though I continued the project through Day 181. I probably won't post all of the remaining daily sketches from last year's project, but I will promise to show you some of my favorites.

I also might have a new blog feature or two up my sleeve... but you will have to wait for more news on that.

I'm looking forward to another great year of creating and sharing art. I hope you will join me here.

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I painted the watercolor sketch above two days after Christmas. This Santa was a gift from my husband probably 5 or 6 years ago. He is still one of my favorite decorations. I was inspired to be a little looser in my sketching after viewing some of Ronell's magnificient sketches. I love the freshness and feeling of energy she achieves.