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 Bob & Clown at Circus Vargas Welcome to the August issue! Our jam-packed schedule has been a very rewarding series of teaching workshops, studio time, an art show opening and commission for Santa Maria’s Autumn Arts, Grapes & Grains festival poster. I even squeezed in an evening at a real tented circus!  Lisa at Cheap Joe’s Workshop  Bob & Robert Dickson, Entertainer & Chef Extraordinaire At Cheap Joe’s in Boone, North Carolina our Loosen Up Workshop was packed with twenty students. Joe’s hospitality and very accommodating staff are one of the many reasons I love teaching there. The workshop space and the mountain views are all the more reason to go there.  Happy Painter Then off to Cloudcroft, New Mexico! Not only is this location the home of the top rated workshop in New Mexico, it also is home to one of my favorite spots, the National Solar Observatory. Kate and I made time to visit it twice! Cloudcroft Art Workshops - located 9,000 feet above White Sands.  Cloudcroft Workshop Next, I went to Traverse City, Michigan during their famous cherry festival to teach my “No Brushes” workshop. Traverse City is a beautiful place, located right on Lake Michigan, teaming with sailboats, schooners and marina restaurants. I’m usually rejuvenated and inspired when I’m near boats and water - Art Center Traverse City made it very nice for me!  Stephanie Showing Off her Landscapes  Traverse City Workshop Group Hug This month I made my first trip to the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio - to teach Larger & Looser! Large canvases everywhere made this event an exhilarating and visually creative painting experience. Just look at these photos! What a great place - I’m going back for another week in 2013.  Wyn Paints Larger & Looser!  Working Studio at the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center My last August workshop was at Wenmohs Ranch, outside of Austin, Texas. This was my 4th time teaching there - and yes, I’m going back for more! Dena Wenmohs hosted another full week and a half of two workshops on her ranch. Wide open spaces, ranch dogs (Christine & Roscoe), the donkey girls (yes, real donkeys) and an insulated studio space that kept out the unprecedented 104 degree heat!  Bob at Mark Thomas Studio And if that wasn’t enough, in between the two workshops, I was honored with an art reception on August 20th at Mark Thomas Studio in Austin. I am particularly proud that a percentage of sales benefited several Austin non profits: Project Transitions, The Care Communities and Zach Theatre. The evening was sponsored by Hotel Allandale, Starbucks Coffee and Mark Thomas Studio.  Reception at Mark Thomas Studio, Austin, Texas  Reception at Mark Thomas Studio, Austin, Texas More Great Trips! International Workshops - Please Join Us!
Painting in Tuscany!
Villa Fattoria Bacio, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Between Sienna, Florence and San Gimignano sits the beautiful Villa Fattoria Bacio. The villa is the perfect blend of old world ‘rustica’ and catered comfort, surrounded on all sides by spectacular views of the meandering hills of Tuscany. Seven nights lodging at the villa, nightly genuine Tuscan meals and fine wine are included. The five day workshop will take place Monday through Friday.
We did this trip to Tuscany in 2009 - went to Florence for a few days before the workshop started - I highly recommend going to Florence at least once! Click HERE to view our Italy Trip photo album on Facebook. Contact Sedona Art Center (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809 www.sedonaartscenter.com
Paint with Bob in the Bahamas! Workshops in the Spotlight
The Trade Shows are coming up! Learning & Product Expo: Art! Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh, North Carolina For more of my workshops all over the county, click HERE check out my workshop schedule. Product Spotlight
A New Studio Chart
Introducing the latest Burridge Studio Chart: Painting the Illusion of Glass Vessels. Imagine having all on one page, every reference you’ll need to help or remind you how to convincingly paint wine glasses, cocktails, tumblers, flower vases and wine bottles. We Want to Hear From You!
Keep those Studio Tips and your questions coming! If we use yours in an ArtsyFartsy Newsletter, we will send you a Burridge Permission Mug.
Terri from North Dakota asks: Hi Terri,
I have a quick fix for your current problem: Believe it or not, put your paper under a weighted surface (such as a rug) for a few days. Don't wet it. Cover your paper with a plastic sheet so it stays clean. When I paint with acrylic on watercolor paper, I always prime the surface with acrylic gesso. Let it dry. Hope this helps - We’ll send you a Permission Mug!
Okay, I’m a believer. Cheap Joe’s Kilimanjaro Watercolor paper... I recently purchased 50 sheets of 300 lb CP. The price per sheet is the best deal! And of course, I took advantage of Joe’s discount sale price. Stock up on this paper - it’s better than the more expensive watercolor papers.
When I paint on watercolor paper I usually trowel acrylic gesso all over the paper. I prime my watercolor paper with one coat of good gesso. When the gesso is dry, I paint with my acrylics. This technique offers me more “play time” with the paint because the paint doesn’t get absorbed into unprimed paper. The acrylic paint slides around on the top surface and allows me to be more free and goof around on the painting. Bob’s Studio Tip for Loosening Up
Preparing to Paint - My Typical Table Layout
In my studio, I have found I am more productive and creative when everything is placed where it belongs. I prefer an organized surrounding, so I don’t waste time hunting for my stuff... Even down to my painting table!
On my eight foot painting tables I place only what will serve me. My tables are not used for storing cans of brushes, all my tubes of paint or anything else... just the painting, the paint for my pre-selected color combination and sketchbook with my written goals for this painting. My water bucket sits on a stand next to the painting table, and is the same height as the table top. I don’t have to reach up, over and into a gallon bucket sitting on the table. Also, I am right-handed, so therefore I place everything I need on the right hand side, so I don’t have to constantly reach across the table.
The four pre-selected colors are squeezed out on the polyethylene covered table. This is my palette. The cover is a 4ml polyethylene roll of plastic, found in most hardware stores. Paint does not adhere to the plastic. When dried, I peel off the “skins” of color and use in my collage paintings later on.
This studio tip of organizing my painting area before hand is my way to help me remain clear-minded, efficient and light.
Click here for product information. Painting of the Month Club
Want a new Burridge original painting every month? Join the Club! Each month you can expect high quality 6x9 inch painting on professional quality watercolor paper, matted to a 12x16 inch presentation. Bob works in a series for the Painting of the Month Club, so pieces will not be copies - but all similar. $75 + $12.50 shipping/handling monthly. If you live in California, sales tax will be charged.
Interested? Click Here for more information and to order! Ask Kate about Art Marketing
Dusanka from Oregon asks: Hi Dusanka,
If they want the piece for longer than 24 hours (like a weekend) - I automatically think they are using the artwork for a party or something like that. So - I rent the work for 15% of the retail price per day, payable in advance by credit card only. If they wish to purchase the painting after the on-approval time period is up, I deduct that amount from the retail price and charge them the balance. It goes without saying that you need a rental contract and the artwork must be returned to you in PERFECT CONDITION. Hope this helps!
Click HERE for details for Hot Art Marketing Workbook. Don’t forget to use your subscriber discount! Click HERE.
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Color Wheel
Abstract Color Combinations
This issue begins another series illustrating ten color combinations that I use. Each month will feature one of my four-color combos from my abstract painting series. Here’s how it works for me - give it a try!  It Works for Me! After I write my painting goals and intentions, I choose my color combination and put on my table ONLY those four colors, plus black and white. For this month’s color combo, I have selected Red as the dominant color.  Red Dominant Overall First, paint the dominant color all over the surface. Paint this first step with a variety of the dominant color.  Dominant Color is Red Here, red is dominant, along with other red colors. I’m not beholden to just one red color, so I will also include other reds such as Magenta, Rose Red, Crimson, etc. Let dry.  Red with Focal Color Blue Next I see that my color wheel spinner points to the Focal Color - Blue Green. In a red field painting, the blue-green color stands out. It’s the focal point. Put the cleanest color at the focal point. If I want to continue to use the blue-green elsewhere on the painting, I mute it down with a small drop of its complementary color.  Add Spice Colors The two remaining colors are Spice Colors, placed near and around the pure Focal color. Used sparingly around the Focal point, they help to emphasize the blue-green focal color. At this point I continue either abstractly or realistically. “Under all great paintings are first great abstract paintings.” Mark Your Calendars!
I greatly admire the painter Willem de Kooning. In the October/November 2007 issue of the ArtsyFartsy News, I reviewed his biography “de Kooning: An American Master” by Mark Stevens & Annalyn Swan. And, for me, I’m thrilled to see that his first major museum exhibition devoted to the full scope of his career is at MoMA in New York City from September 18, 2011 to January 9, 2012. Click HERE to get more info. This exhibition is shown exclusively at MoMA in New York. My dream is to experience this once in a lifetime event. See you there? And if you can’t get to MoMA, at least get the catalog!  de Kooning: A Retrospective de Kooning: A Retrospective Try This...
Techniques to Get you Started  Floating Sphere Illusion & Gold Box Illusion Use symbols or images to convey your story and theme. I have been interested in contemporary Abstract Icons, mythology and metaphors. I read myths from all cultures of the world but I found the Native American tales and narratives to be rich, very well developed, the themes are timeless.  Detail of Line Judges & Overall of Line Judges And with my Roadside Attractions Circus Series, I find I am using circles and other geometric symbols that abstractly represent floating balls, juggling, rigging and the trapeze.  Detail of Juggler’s Assistant & Overall of Juggler’s Assistant The book below has been visually influential when I am developing my intentions for new work.  The Complete Encyclopedia of Signs & Symbols by Mark O’Connell and Raje Airey  Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures by Robert K. Wittman and John Shiffman The “most famous art detective in the world” is a living legend. Robert Wittman, the founder of the FBI’s Art Crime Team, reveals for the first time, his thrilling career as a real-life undercover agent catching art thieves, exposing scams and nabbing black market traders. The breadth of his exploits is unmatched and rivals “The Thomas Crown Affair.” These are his true stories - recovering priceless art including Rodin sculpture, Geranimo’s headdress, the original copy of the Bill of Rights, and artworks by Rembrandt, Pissaro, Monet and Picasso. And, as you may know, he cracked the scam that rocked the PBS series “Antiques Roadshow.” With the current news of a stolen Picasso from a recent Swiss exhibition, this book is not only priceless, it’s timely. It’s comforting to know that while we painters are busy making art, this guy’s out there recovering our collective older artwork from the bad guys! By the FBI’s accounting Wittman has saved hundreds of millions of dollars worth of art and antiquities. Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures by Robert K. Wittman and John Shiffman Music to Paint By!
The World Groove music scene started years ago and one of the pioneers was Claude Challe, the owner and creator of Buddha Bar restaurant/clubs and music compilations. Buddha-Bar 1 is the original 2-CD set that started the whole thing! Buddha’s Dinner and Buddha’s Party. Fourteen songs on each CD. This is “dreamworld stuff for your studio.” One just has to sit back and enjoy the ride… through this magical universe. The sounds are eclectic, timeless and atmospheric. It’s a feel good journey between dreams and reality. This is one of the many Buddha Bar types I listen to while painting. The CD set is one of the originals so it may be a challenge to dig up, is pricey, but a real “find” to add to your collection.  Buddha Bar by Claude Challe Another series of cool music in the World Groove tradition....  test Hotel Costes 14 mixed by Stephane Pompougnac Inspiration - Children are Natural Born Artists!
I received this letter and photos from Kathleen Miller, a 5th grade teacher - her wonderful letter seemed just the right intro to the second half of this article! If you missed the first half, it’s in the previous issue of the ArtsyFartsy News. Here is Kathleen’s letter and two photos about her “Brave Art Bunch”…
 Brave Art Bunch #1 All children make the most amazing art! 1) Have the children talk about their creations, not explain their creations. Never ask, "What is it?" Never correct or assign a grade for their paintings. The child is the authority; the art teacher would be advised to refrain from judging or comparing.  Brave Art Bunch #2 When You Are Teaching Your Children... •Discard everything that is unnecessary.  Art Time in the Studio In Closing...
 Bob & Dena It was Dena Wenmoh’s birthday during my second week there at her ranch. The whole class hired a troubadour, Ryan DeSiato to sing Happy Birthday to her... he ended up singing for two hours, much to the delight for everyone there! Dena and all the girls fell in love. He sang one of my favorite songs that evening... very beautiful and very timely.  Dena Wenmohs and Ryan DeSaito Imagine there’s no Heaven  Wenmohs Ranch Workshop Imagine there’s no countries  Dena & Jo Relaxing After Lunch You may say I’m a dreamer  Nancy & Jean Working Imagine no possessions  Cindy Working on her Figure Series You may say I’m a dreamer  Imagine by John Lennon Imagine by John Lennon  Bob with New Work Sausalito Art Festival Booth #143 Labor Day Weekend Click here for link to my Facebook album - see what I'm taking to Sausalito!   Copyright ©2011 Robert Burridge. All rights reserved.
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