"About Face"

"About Face", opens August 18th at Commonwheel Artists Co-op,  and is filled with a whimsical and amusing series of portraits celebrating views we all know by heart, but rarely see. Representing all ages and walks of life, "About Face" presents 100 small portraits of the back of people's heads. The portraits feature local residents and artists, including Kris and Liese Chavez, Phil Lear, Deb Komitor and many more. Even if you don't know the people personally, they are bound to remind you of someone!

I hope that you'll join me for this fun evening. 
Come and hear about my journey in painting this series.

When: Friday, August 18 2017, 5-8pm

Where: 102 Cañon Avenue
Manitou Springs, CO 80829

For More Info Call: 719-685-1008

Joining me are potters Arlene Woods 

and Nancy Morse with face-related pottery.

Show Ends September 11, 2017

The Traveling Chickens

Something fun was organized and circulating on the internet. Two hens and one rooster (sometimes 2) were visiting artists around the world. I should mention that the chickens are ceramic. To participate, an artist just had to sign up on a waiting list and wait her turn for the chickens to arrive. Each artist's job was to paint them and report a little about their stay. I signed up two years ago, and, at long last, the chickens finally knocked on my door. I knew that I wanted to paint them on top of my whale, and I did just that. But as I painted, I realized that I would have to explain why chickens were riding a whale on a river in Colorado. It took me a little time to concoct that story, but here it is!

Señor Azule, Ms. Chick, Mama Chick and her brood were feeling winter’s chill and decided that a trip to Cancun would be just the thing to warm their cold feet and beaks.  One day, as they were taking a dip in the Gulf of Mexico, they made the acquaintance of Margarita the Whale.  Margarita was making her daily round trip swim from Cuba (she worked out each day to maintain her girlish figure).  As they shared stories of their travels, Margarita mentioned that she often swam from the Gulf of Mexico and up the Rio Grande to visit the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  “A river from Colorado to the Gulf!” exclaimed Señor Azul. The chickens, having never seen the Rocky Mountains, all agreed that they would love to travel there someday. Margarita, being as adventurous as the chickens themselves, offered to take them on the trip that morning. So the chickens hopped on her back and away they went!

As she swam, Margarita explained that the Rio Grande is formed by the joining of several streams in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, just east of the Continental Divide. From there, it flows through the San Luis Valley, then south into the Middle Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico, passing through the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos.  The river then continues south through the desert cities of Albuquerque, and Las Cruces to El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. The Rio Grande ends in a small, sandy delta at the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, the river forms part of the Mexico-United States border.  Its total length is almost 2000 miles.  Needless to say, the chicks often grew restless and Mama Chicken would swim alongside Margarita to allow the chicks to burn off some energy.

Once they reached Colorado and The Rockies, Ms. Chick was astounded by the red rock formations and the height of the mountains.  Margarita explained that, hundreds of years ago, the mountains were once entirely covered by oceans. She described many of the fossils that had been found proving this and also told them that dinosaurs had once roamed there as well. She even stopped to show them many of the dinosaur tracks imbedded in the rocks.

Slowly but surely, the little troupe felt the winter cold seeping back into their bones and they wanted to return to the warm sunny beaches of Cancun. While the trip into the Rockies had taken quite awhile (Margarita had been swimming upstream) the return trip went quickly since they simply shot the white water rapids back. Lying on the beach later that day, they all toasted their adventure with a pitcher of margaritas (their friend’s namesake) and agreed that perhaps they should venture below the equator someday.

Holiday Open House

I'm having a terrific time preparing more work for you to enjoy at the upcoming Holiday Show at The Second Floor Studios and am looking forward to visiting with everyone!  I'm also privy to the new work that my fellow artists are planning to show, and you are in for a real treat!  This week, I'm working on small pieces that will fit anyone's budget.  Here's a 5 x 5 inch titled "Day Dreamer."

Daydreamer   5x5" oil

Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6, 2015, 11am to 6pm.

The Second Floor Studios, 2418 W. Colorado Avenue

Above the Michael Garmin Gallery.  Entrance faces Bancroft Park. Just follow the signs!

Putting on the Dots

Putting on the Dots     6x6 inch oil

 

Whenever I play with patterns, this little guy shows up front and center. This time I think he's imagining how he would look in orange polkadots.

Jersey Girl

Jersey Girl   6x6inch oil

 

It's hard to say which is warmer, the golden afternoon sun or the soft brown eyes of this lovely Jersey girl!

The Coral Queen

The Coral Queen     6x6 inch oil

Starting bid is $40

This summer, I had the opportunity to paint in some beautiful gardens in the Old North End of Colorado Springs.  It was a sunny and hot afternoon, and this coral rose reflected the heat of the day.

Berries and Cream

Berries and Cream                6x6" oil

Berries and cream come to mind when I see red, luscious strawberries like these. You can almost smell their intoxicating fragrance!  What would summer be without them? Starting bid is $45.

Bumble Cafe

"Bumble Cafe"                        3x4 inch oil   (Image slightly larger than the actual painting)

  

One of the great sounds of a summer garden on a warm day is the buzz of bumble bees collecting nectar from the many-colored "cafes" that they find.   How to simplify the wings and still have them read properly was a challenge, especially on such a tiny canvas.

Opening bid on this painting is only $20!

Amber Eyes

"Amber Eyes" 6x8 inch oil on canvas panel

Click to Bid in my Online Auction 

$40 starting bid

The last two years has been a mixed bag of big events in my family, ranging from my sister's cancer, my son's wedding, my father's severe stroke, my husband's retirement and other major celebrations. My focus has been on painting in my available time and I gave myself permission not to spend as much time on the business end of art.  This post begins my return to connecting with all of you online, so I'm resurrecting my once a week blog post.  I'm excited to share my latest work and the progress that I'm making in the studio!

"Amber Eyes" was painted from a photo that I took about 5 or 6 years ago. The image has stayed in the back of my mind all this time as one that I wanted to paint.  I ran across this pretty tabby while roaming through a tack barn here in Colorado and I fell in love with her sweet nature (That shows in her eyes doesn't it?). Being in charge of rodent control in the barn meant that she only had sporadic company, so she was happy to great all visitors!

Pikes Peak Studio Tour

Julie Kirkland Fine Art Mark your calendars now for the 2014 Pikes Peak Studio Tour When: Saturday September 20th, 10 am to 5 pm Sunday September 21st, 10 am to 5 pm Where: 7224 Big Valley Ct, Colorado Springs  www.pikespeakstudiotour.com I'm welcoming you to visit my home studio during   the Pikes Peak Studio Tour. Many of you have stopped by my Old Colorado City studio in the Garman building, but the tour is a chance to see me in my home studio.  In past tours, I've set up a quasi-studio for demo purposes because my actual "studio" has been more of an art storage facility with a narrow path to an easel in the corner.  I spent this winter unearthing and organizing what is now a very pleasant creative space that I'd love for you to see! As part of the tour experience, I'll again be giving away an original painting.  Be sure to register for a chance to win it when you stop by! I'm excited to have plenty of new paintings to show for the weekend!   A brand new selection of prints and cards will be here for you to enjoy along with some old favorites.  Start your holiday shopping and look for my blank Christmas cards featuring the image of my watercolor,"The Gift." I have items starting from $5, so you're sure to find something that you like.   The Gift Flowers, figures, animals and landscapes, my subject matter offers something for everyone. Come see what has been inspiring me these days and how my work is evolving!                                  If you are unable to make it during the tour weekend, you can find me during the October 3rd OCC Artwalk 5:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, October 3rd 2418 West Colorado Ave, Studio L Upstairs in the Michael Garman building Hope that you're happier than a pig in mud! Julie Follow Julie Kirkland Fine Art on Facebook http://www.juliekirkland.com info@juliekirkland.com http://www.juliekirklandart.blogspot.com

Soul Food

Garden of the Gods, Sept.4     6x8"       Available Sept. 20-21 during the Pikes Peak Studio Tour

Plein Air painting feeds my soul.  I've been working so diligently this summer on all kinds of things and have been whining in my head about how summer had passed me by. Yesterday, I put on my big girl panties and called my friend, Karen Storm (www.karenstorm.com).  She's set herself the goal of painting in the Garden of the Gods for 30 days in a row.  The sale proceeds of her paintings will go to a friend who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  Great idea, right? Anyway, she had invited me to join her, and I arranged to meet her this morning.  Just a couple hours of painting outdoors and my summer was redeemed.  Despite the work left to prepare for the Pikes Peak Studio Tour, I'm going to save my heart and soul by painting outdoors with Karen as often as I can.  Today, I actually created a piece that I can frame for the tour.

The Pikes Peak Studio Tour: Behind the Scene

I'm excited to once again participate in the Pikes Peak Studio Tour coming up on Set 20th and 21st.  Twenty artists have been juried into this year's tour and I think that you'll enjoy meeting each one of them. While many of you visit me frequently in Studio L in Old Colorado City, only a very few have seen my home studio.  The last two times that I hosted the tour in my home, I've set up a quasi-easel work station, but the door to the actual studio has been closed.  Maybe 7 people have even seen the room since we moved into this house.

I use the word "studio" loosely here, because, while I had a corner to work in, it was really an art supply storage room that I could barely walk into.....(many of my fellow artists are now nodding their heads in sympathy.). But, I spent the month of January excavating the room and creating a comfortable studio in which people can now walk without injury!

However, even the cleanest studio comes unglued when preparing for a big event, as this picture illustrates.  Creating lots of new work creates a lot of creative clutter.  Paint, canvases, paintings, creating, photographing paintings, matting, framing, eating, frame making, sleeping.....  But I promise that the floor will be clear again for the tour, so please stop in and see things like my frame storage and flying pig collection (my business name is The. Flying Pig Studio). Oh yes, I'll also have my artwork.

Bombshell

Bombshell                                   6x6 inch oil

The woman in red just tickles me!  She's "living out loud" and doesn't care a wit for what the other women think!  This piece sold to an east coast gentlemen who collects paintings of 1940-ish street scenes with people in them.  I'd love to see his collection!

I'm currently painting this scene as an 11x14 inch painting.

Hambone

Hambone                                      6x6 inch oil          $150

Another painting of my pig friend, still splashing around in his puddle.  He is currently at Poor Richard's Restaurant in Downtown Colorado Springs.  Hanging along with him are many other small animal paintings, and my famous donuts.  You can purchase him through the Pay Pal link above, or by visiting the restaurant. 

Happier Than a Pig in Mud

Happier Than a Pig in Mud                    6x6 inch oil Sold

I'm in love with this guy. It was a hot day and he was luxuriating in his puddle. He actually had that smile on his face!

This painting is hanging in Costa Mesa, CA for the month of December, along with two other of my pieces.  Here's the physical address, date and time.  For prices and to purchase, contact Randy Higbee Gallery.  Mention my name, and the name of the painting that you are interested in.

Also in the show are:

Strawberries                   6x6 inch oil

Glory                        6x6 inch oil

Painting Sunflowers

Since my sunflower paintings are very popular, I thought you might be interested in how many of them come about. 

I like to work from life, but every time that I've bought a bunch of sunflowers this summer, I've made sure to photograph them as well. Sunflowers seem to disappear from my local markets in late fall, and I want to be sure to have photos to work from through the winter if I want. Here's a photo of the setup I worked from for this particular piece. Actually, I've used this photo for several different paintings recently and each is very different, as you will soon see.

Reference Photo

Following the Sun, 4 x 6 inch oil  SOLD

Red Warms My Heart 5 x 5 inch oil

The Yellow Rose of Kansas   6x6 inch oil

Now you know!  Don't be surprised to see more versions from this same photo!

A Touch of Gold

A Touch of Gold         8x8inch oil on panel, framed      $310

I'm beginning to think that either my monitor is going kapoot, or that my camera is losing it (it has shown other signs), because for the last few months, I'm had trouble getting the color right in my painting photographs...the color tends to be too saturated and I haven't be able to correct in Photoshop.

  I'd love for you to visit me during Art Walk on November 1st to see this painting in person.  It was something new for me in that the majority of the subject was in shadow, so essentially, that was where the most interesting color was.  I struggled with it for awhile, not going dark enough in the shadow area, and although I started painting with a brush, I switched to the palette knife about 3/4ths through.  In the end, it's now one of my favorite paintings. 

Any thoughts on my photo problems?

Chip

Rumors of me being lost in an absinthe fog are greatly exaggerated! I have had a lot of family activity, but have managed to keep painting as well.  I've had several dog portrait commissions, and thought that you might enjoy seeing one of those in process.

My subject for this portrait is Chip, a beloved pet who grew up with his college age owner, and quietly passed away last year.  I received some text messages with reference photos, and the quality of the one I wanted to work from wasn't optimal.  The pose was wonderful, but I couldn't tell if he was tan or grey.

I did have two other photos, but Chip's color was washed out by the camera flash.  They seemed to indicate that there was a lot of tan in his coat, but I asked some questions to make sure that was the case.

The finished painting would be 6 x 6 inches. You can see that I first toned my canvas with orange and then did the drawing, putting in most of my values as I drew.

Then, I began to paint.....

At this point, I sent a photo to my client to check on his color.  The photo was passed onto one of Chip's family members who observed that Chip was actually very grey.  I just corrected the color I'd created so far to reflect his grey coat.  After a check on his eye color, I completed the piece.

6x6 inch oil commission                    $85 unframed

Actually, I think I tweaked some edges and his ear shapes after this, and now I can see that I need to carve the sides of his face out a little (when the owner brings it in for varnishing, I'll have a chance to do that), but otherwise, you get the idea! I hope that you enjoyed this little demo!

Sunflower on Red

Sunflower on Red                                    5x5 inch oil

Click to Bid in my Online Auction

I'm committed to my series on Sunflowers and am learning more and more about using the palette knife.  I'm also learning to quit sooner than a do.  I often leave the studio vowing to give up painting altogether given the "mess" I've made on the canvas, but am almost always surprised to walk in the next morning with a fresh eye and find that what looked disastrous the night before is actually quite exciting.  It's the "just let me add one more stroke" that leads me to reworking the whole thing, and in doing that I often end up with something more generic looking.  Luckily, that didn't happen with this piece!  Current auction bid is $40.

Summer Mowing

Summer Mowing                                          8x10 in.  oil    $360 

Painting outdoors is my most pleasurable activity.  I love being out in warm weather enjoying the sites, smells and sounds of nature.  Painting "plein air" is challenging.  The light changes quickly, and in this case, my model didn't stay still very long.  I consider my plein air pieces to be studies of light and color to take back to the studio, along with a photograph of the scene, with the possibility of creating from it.  But occasionally (and in this case) I'm happy with the painting as it is.  If I repainted it, I'm sure I'd lose the looseness and immediacy of the piece.  My strategy here was pretty simple: get my model in before she moved and then paint the scene around her. She happens to be "Patches,"  Rock Ledge Ranch's resident jersey.  It was a perfect morning of painting in the company of some favorite artist friends.