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Welcome Back...
May Workshops kicked off at the Sedona Art Center. A week with abstract painters in beautiful red rock country and bright blue skies was visually invigorating. A week in Sedona was what I needed to stimulate my senses for another new body of work. It felt good to be with “my people.” Incidentally, the Art Center has scheduled me to teach again next year in Tuscany, Italy. Sign up soon! (More about this trip below.)
Home from Sedona for a week, then off to Omaha, Nebraska to teach Abstract Painting and Collage at the Hot Shops - a huge, older building filled with artists’ studios and galleries. Omaha surprised me. Omaha? Very strong in support of the arts. I visited the famous Bemis Center, an artist-in-residence facility for contemporary arts.
Wonderful for me to talk to and visit with each artist and to experience their new visions. The visit “charged my batteries.” Plus, I visited the artist Jun Kaneko’s studio, which is yet another huge complex of visionaries. Kaneko is the well known Omaha sculptor, whose oversized ceramic heads are in the collections of many major art museums and public places.
Of particular interest to me was his recent success in designing and implementing the complete operatic set and costumes for Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.” This was the most visually and conceptually beautiful theatre set I have ever seen, compared only to David Hockney’s opera designs. The complete involvement and dedication of Kaneko to his work inspires me to focus on my own work. It pays to get out of your own studio, visit with other artists and see what’s going on in the bigger picture.
Tom Dudycha, my host for the workshop in Omaha, did a fantastic job putting together a group of 23 painters and chaperoning me to the major art events around the city. I love Omaha and the artists I visited and painted with.
Home again for a week, then off to the Hudson River Valley Workshops for another week of Abstract Painting & Collage. 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! Paint with Bob in San Miguel de Allende!
Workshops in the Spotlight
Vermont Art Event For more information and a schedule, contact HK Holbein, (800) 682-6686. Sign up early! September 25-30, 2011 October 2-7, 2011 Featured Burridge Product
New Online Special! Product Review
Need to Ship a Painting?
Artists who have a need to ship their painting and receive it back after an exhibition now have the good fortune to acquire their shipping box from several companies. Most professional art galleries, competitions and art shows now insist you ship your work in a re-sendable “strong box.” Very affordable compared to running around town to find a proper cardboard shipping box, bubble wrap, tape, etc. These reusable containers are typically heavy-duty cardboard, lined with a reinforced material and a custom fit foam pad. You tell the company the size of your finished painting, and shortly you will receive the all inclusive box - open the lid, place your painting inside the fitted foam pad, close it up and off to FedEx (recommended) it goes! Simple! And upon return, the same box comes back to you with your painting (empty, if your painting sold!). I have used the same box several times and it holds up well! After repeated mailings, the box starts to show wear. But that’s exactly the point, a multi-reusable and eventually, disposable container. Not a bad product and service for us artists! Check out these Strong Boxes: Venus Studios Art Supply in Palm Desert, CA
Venus Studios Art Supply is a new creative oasis in the desert for artists and architects. The only locally family-owned artist supply in the Coachella Valley offers materials for drawing, painting, drafting and more. Events schedule includes painting workshops, painting and product demonstrations, and "try it" play days! Watercolors, acrylics, oil paints, drawing, drafting and model making supplies. Many brands to choose from. Extensive catalog of special order items available in 24 to 48 hours. Mark your calendars for Burridge Mini Workshops!
February 2-5, 2012 Venus Studios Art Supply
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.
Nevenka from California writes: What brand and gloss level is the varnish you use over acrylic paintings? I bought Minwax Water Based Polycrylic and upon testing found my paintings had spiderweb-like cracks in the varnish. After that I order Golden Polymer Varnish with UVLS and asked for semi-gloss, but they sold me Satin (saying that satin is what they call semi-gloss - I found it to be more like a matte finish. I appreciate your advice. Dear Nevenka, Minwax is what I use in my studio and in my workshops - semi-gloss. Two thin coats is best. Your cracking and "spiderweb" may be the result of a number of things - 1) The vanish was too thick, thereby "skinning" before drying completely; 2) The acrylic painting may not have been dried enough (two days drying time minimum); 3) If the weather was rainy, wet and cold this could cause cracking; and 4) I paint on 300 lb paper. It's sturdier than 140 lb and has a more stable surface.
Golden varnish - I have been known to get the semi-gloss that I prefer by combining a small amount of Golden Satin to Golden High Gloss. It works. Thanks for your question! We’ll be sending you a Permission Mug! Donalee from California asks: Is there a way to get rid of a spot on an already painted canvas that looks convex from the front… as if something poked it from the back but didn't break through and it left a kind of a small bump. Can you help me fix it? Thanks for your question Donalee! Yes, this can be fixed. I’m assuming the “bump” is in the canvas and not in the paint. These bumps are caused by improper storage, such as aother canvas leaning against the surface of another canvas.
These dimples are easily fixed by soaking the back of the canvas with a wet sponge (use a lot of water!). Within minutes, the fabric will shrink and tighten the canvas back to its original stretched tautness.
If your canvas has many dimples or just plain sags, after much abuse or simply old age (no comments, please) I simply spray the entire back of the canvas with a garden hose. Thanks for your question - hope this helps! A Permission Mug is on its way! Bob’s Studio Tip for Loosening Up
Playtime! That’s what we need more of in the studio!
So instead… Paint something else to get you jump-started! Such as
Paint a canvas totebag (the best are from Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff!) That way you will know it’s your bag for carrying around your art supplies and groceries!
Or… paint yourself! I have two types of clothes in my closet. Clothes that have paint all over them and clothes that are GOING to have paint all over them! The point is, spend time playing first - this is the first thing you do before tackling the bigger job. Playing early keeps me looser throughout the day. I have more tips for loosening up! Check out my Loosen Up Studio Workbook for more techniques to help you stay loose, relaxed and creative!
Click here for product information. Painting of the Month Club
Bob was out the other week picking up wine from our local winery. We’re members of their “Club” which means we receive a case of their favorite handpicked wine every month. This gave Bob a new idea! How about “The Burridge Painting of the Month Club.” You get an original painting every month! Burridge Painting of the Month Club is a 12 month subscription. The paintings are all originals - acrylic on paper or acrylic & combined media on paper.
Each painting is completely painted and hand-selected by Robert Burridge, signed and dated. Each month will be a different subject matter, including still lifes, abstract, landscapes, figures, etc. and represents what he is currently working on in his studio. Each month you can expect high quality paint on professional quality watercolor paper. 6x9 inch paintings matted on 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 monthly + shipping/handling. If you live in California, sales tax will be charged. When you sign up we will keep your credit card info on file and charge it monthly (usually around end of month) or you can send a check monthly prior to the sending OR you can use PayPal to make your monthly payment. Sorry, no returns or special requests. All images are solely owned by Robert Burridge Studio. Ask Kate about Art Marketing
Terri from California asks: What do you put in a new buyer’s possession besides the painting? I’ve been giving people a bill of sale, business card, brochure, thank you note and a small painting. Is that overdoing it? Is that enough? Hi Terri, Thanks for your question! Your present buyers and collectors are also your best future buyers and collectors. You should give them enough self-promotional material so they can find you again in the future! When Bob and I buy artwork, we keep the artist’s brochure and business card with the artwork. Any other info I get about the artist goes into a file with our “important papers.” As a collector, I appreciate info about the artist. Now, as an artist, besides the promotional materials, the business materials hold equal importance. By business, I am talking about the bill of sale. I am so happy you are using receipts. Make sure you use receipts that are in duplicate so you and your purchaser have the exact same record. Our bill of sale is preprinted with our Studio Name, address, phone number and website. On the bottom is the wording: “All Rights Reserved,” meaning the artist owns the copyright even though the purchaser owns the physical piece of art.
On the bill of sale I write the customer’s name, address, phone, email - all of it! This info goes into my address book of collectors. I also write the inventory number, artwork title and a breakdown of the price, sales tax (if applicable) and shipping (if applicable). Thank you notes! Yes - handwritten and should be a notecard that features your artwork! If the work was purchased at a show or festival, we take a photo of Bob with the new collector and include that photo in the thank you note. Terri, you are giving them a small painting too? In my opinion, it’s too much. The only time we would include small sketches or studies is when a commission is completed. Thank you very much for your question and for sharing your good promotional habits!
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 - Match the Color Wheel? No Worries!
Some of you may be having a hard time wrapping your head around my color wheel and how it works. First, it starts with the assumed premise that you are familiar with the gray scale. A ten step graduation of a pure color (#10) across to its lightest shade (#1) and on to no color (#0). The reason one needs to recognize this information about the gray scale is to help convey the mood or message of the piece. “Moody and dark” might give you #8, #9 and #10. A light-hearted painting might start off with #3, #4 and #6 (high key).
Decide before you paint… is it dark, brooding, heavy and filled with angst? Then paint it. Or, is it light-hearted, silly and goofy? If so, then paint that. At least you have a voice, a direction, an intention, a sense of purpose. These are three examples of color combos, representing the same Blue Dominant color combo - but each example is a different gradation range. Note: The focal point is the same in each, no matter what.
If you need a gray scale reminder for your studio, click here for ordering information.
A Little More About Color... Admittedly, I don’t overthink color. On purpose, I don’t worry about warm red vs cool red. I am constantly asked: “Do you consider a cool blue or a warm blue? What? Who cares? It’s Blue!
I paint whatever blue color I want until the painting communicates what I want. To me, Blue is … blue. Now having said that, using my studio color wheel references, if the dominant color of the painting is determined “Blue,” I will choose three, four or even five blues. I like choices!
I am not an exact or formula painter. I paint because I love the act of painting and all its quirkiness. I am not, on purpose, a scientist. So why eliminate the whimsical surprises while painting?
What's Up With Texture?
Continuing on from last month’s “What’s Up with Texture” article (April 2011), I’ve been asked to expand on the innumerable techniques. I know you have many books on the subject and attend workshops featuring various ways to incorporate more texture in your paintings. It’s almost pointless to list ALL the techniques, but here are two more of my favorites.
Using a straw, blow on very wet, fluid paint to make spidery legs of color. When dried, do more with complementary color, from another direction.
Repeat, building up layers to get the unexpected. It’s all about a string of layers to give you a deep, and richly woven effect. After that, you can continue on to do whatever you intend. I know you already may know this stuff, but it’s cool to do as a series to get you out of the ordinary.
I use strips of newspaper because I like the texture of the typography and the absorption of the newsprint paper. I use gel medium for my glue and thinned down gesso to give the painting a latent image.
At my workshop last week at the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops in Greenville, New York, I was introduced to this book about textures:
Surface Treatment Workshop: Explore 45 Mixed-Media Techniques by Darlene Olivia McElroy and Sandra Duran-Wilson Someting New for Bob
You’ve read in previous issues of the ArtsyFartsy News how much I prefer the Derwent InkTense Water Soluble Pencils when I draw. Lately I’ve been “marking” my drawings and scratching on top of my dried acrylic paintings because I like making paint or a pencil more than it is.
Last month, while I was teaching at the Sedona Art Center, Zenna McGregor of Sedona Art Supply and Art for Kids sent over a box of Derwent InkTense Blocks. Blocks! Yippee!
Water soluble ink blocks of vibrant ink-like color. Dry, it’s a bright line. Wet, it transforms into a translucent ink paint. The best part… when dried, Derwent claims that it’s permanent. (It better be!) For drawing and making marks, Derwent’s InkTense Blocks are my favorite - so far. Found in better art stores or your favorite catalog source. Recommended Book
“I’m always trying to do things that no one has ever seen before.” - James Rosenquist. These words flew off the page at me. Throughout my 25 years of painting, I’ve heard myself repeatedly saying and writing this before beginning each painting. I am usually not enamored with realism, but after reading this autobiography, I have major respect for - not the “end product” - but how this painter’s work ethic continues to hammer the message: Have a vision… then do it. Over and over. That’s James Rosenquist - the acclaimed American painter who has applied his many youthful years experience, painting large billboards, working his way upward (literally) onto block-long movie billboards. Think Hollywood lips, eyelashes, flashy cars over Times Square and over to super-large canvases now in museums and major public places. To this day, Rosenquist receives large-scale commissions from around the world. An intelligent, articulate and humble painter with vision and great work ethic - in spite of losing his studio in a fire - this visionary is why he was chosen as a contributor for the book “Creativity… Unconventional Wisdom from 20 Accomplished Minds.” I loved reading his thoughts and reasons for what and why he does what he does. A truly inspirational painter. Painting Below Zero by James Rosenquist
Creativity: Unconventional Wisdom from 20 Accomplished Minds by Herbert M. Meyers and Richard Gerstman Recommended DVD
Who Gets to Call it Art DVD Have you ever wondered how the Andy Warhols, the Jasper Johns and the David Hockneys got their work in museums while they were alive? Well, I have! "Who Gets to Call it Art?" is an immensely entertaining collection of how contemporary artists and their work got "the nod" from one man. During this eighty minute documentary, you will hear from the artists themselves and every one points their success to one man... Henry Geldzahler. as curator for the stuffy and dated Metropolitan Museum of Art, Henry was sent out from behind his desk to search out the New York underground, modern artists. This is one of my favorite historic DVDs because I can listen to and watch some of my most admired risk-takers in the 60s. This was the beginning of how American artists challenged everything and changed art as we know it today. Henry (a real character of a guy) shows us how he did his work and helped make them all famous. Get this DVD! "Who Gets to Call it Art" DVD Actors: David Hockney, Hans Hofman, John Chamberlain (IV), Hilton Kramer, Clement Greenberg Directors: Peter Rosen Format: Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC Language: English Region: Region 1 - U.S. and Canada only. Number of discs: 1 Studio: Palm Pictures DVD Release Date: May 23, 2006 Run Time: 80 minutes ASIN: B000EQ5V9A [buy at Amazon  Speaking of Vision… the Birth of a New Series
Okay, everyone who wakes up at 3:33am, raise your hand! Now, everyone put your hands down. What’s up with 3:33am??? For years, that’s when my body and soul woke up - no matter what time zone, go-to-sleep-time, late night food and drinks, etc. It’s 3:33 for me! I’ve kept this to myself for years. Then, I started to notice a strong “universal message” with 333. My hotel room number was 333. My In-n-Out Burger receipt number was 333. A photo of me in front of a Canadian Hotel - above my head, in huge type was the hotel’s address number. You got it! On and on it goes.
I mention this in my workshops because my painting students are receptive and we end up comparing notes. Explanations? I have heard them all! But here are some interesting facts: I was born somewhere around 3:30am; I am the third of five boys (middle child - surprised?); the last digit of my birth year is 3. Also - I can juggle only 3 balls and 3 martinis is my limit.
So, chatting about this with Kate and journaling about 333, I started painting - the one and only focus was 333. I really had no stronger vision than to play with a graphic image of those three symbols.
This is the beginning and introduction of another subject I am enthused about - visual vocabulary if you will. Besides the obvious 333, I am interested in early signs, symbols and language, telling a story to make aware the idea that formulates a thought. So, these are my first 6x9 inch paint sketches and collages to “get the ball rolling,” as my dad would say! Music to Paint By!
Reaching back to some favorites from many years ago! Funny how some things that are old sound so new again! It never takes long for music to change my mood or put in a receptive creative mode. Enjoy!
G-Stoned by Kruder & Dorfmeister
Remixes 2: 11-81 by Depeche Mode Inspiration - Some Things are Just Funny
My daughter Jennifer saw this poster and sent it to me years ago. Watching her dad morph into an artist overnight, this poster amused her. My four beautiful children, all adults, still can’t believe their dad paints for a living - everyday. My Bobism… Think about this. “Social pressure is the enemy! I’ve seen it happen. How in heaven’s name are you going to find your own track if you are always doing what society tells you to do? I also spent a year teaching in a busy prep school, and that was a crowd that was trying to make up their minds, you know? I’ve seen them since, and those who followed their zeal, their bliss, they have led decent, wonderful lives;those that did what Dad said they should do because it’s safe found out it’s not safe. It’s disaster.” - Joseph Campbell “I’m always trying to do things that no one has ever seen before.” - James Rosenquist
  Copyright ©2011 Robert Burridge. All rights reserved.
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