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 Sausalito Art Festival Hey, how ya doin’? We have quite a bit of ground to cover since the August Newsletter! Labor Day Weekend has been my annual deadline for the past twelve years - The Sausalito Art Festival, celebrating 59 years as the most “artist-friendly” festival ever. For us, this year was no exception. But to answer your first question… lots of sales - better than last year’s sales. The economic pendulum seems to be swinging in the right direction for the arts… slowly!  Production Still for DVD  Landscape & Trees DVD Production Shot Right after the Festival we had a quick turnaround and flew to Raleigh, North Carolina to film two DVDs, produced by Burning Oaks Studios. I’m excited about the subjects - Abstract Painting & Collage and Painting Abstract Landscapes & Trees. Plus, we also filmed three 10-minute art lessons that will be available online thru Jerry’s Artarama. Stay tuned for the release date!  Studio Mentor Workshop, September 2011  Studio Mentor Workshop, September 2011 Back to my studio in Arroyo Grande, California for this month’s Studio Mentor Workshop. My studio comfortably fits seven painters, all who come with their own goals and intentions for creating a body of work. I was blown away by all the creativity, enthusiasm, making new friends and enjoying gourmet food and Central Coast wine. I even got in some much needed painting time!  GloZell Green & Shots of Bob Drumming from GloZell's Video And in case you missed it, YouTube Star Glozell Green was on-hand and filmed her daily videos in my studio and throughout the property. Check out YouTube/GloZell Green to see her three videos. Her impromptu shots of me drumming in my studio is hilarious! However her video of the horse is getting more hits than me... Too much fun! Click here to see me on GloZell YouTube channel!  Fall Color at Dillman’s End of September, off I go to one of my favorite workshop locations - Denny and Sue Robertson’s Dillman’s Bay Resort and Creative Arts Foundation at Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin. One week of my flagship workshop “Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting” and the second week, “Contemporary Artists’ Retreat” where we draw, paint and collage the contemporary nude.  The Lake after Class  Dillman’s Morning Demo This is the most perfect place to be this time of year. Colorful trees, crisp clean autumn air, early morning chilly walks - a photographer’s paradise! Or… how about being a painter, just walking through the birch tree forest listening to the loons on the ever-present lake. You must give yourself this present anytime of the year. Denny and Sue Robertson are the folks who arranged our wonderful workshop trip to the Bahamas earlier this year. We are returning to the Bahamas in January 2013 and mark your calendars for November 2014 - Cuba!  Bob Signing Autumn Arts Grapes & Grains Posters Also in September, I was honored to be asked by Santa Maria's Recreation & Parks Department to do the painting for the poster of their Autumn Arts, Grapes & Grains event, held the first Saturday in October. This is my fourth time as the poster artist. It is quite an honor! 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
Don’t Miss the Final Trade Show of the Year - Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh, North Carolina Why go to trade shows? Here are a few reasons: Product Spotlight
You can now Download our DVDs!
Vintage Bob at his best. These two classic DVD videos are now downloadable. Each - $39.95 + sales tax (CA residents) Thank you Subscribers!
Free Gift with Purchase!
A nifty mini-poster to hang in your studio! Some things are tongue in cheek, others a little more challenging, but all with Bob’s light-hearted attitude in his studio and his workshops! A great reminder. 8.5x11, color on 14 pt coated cover paper. Free with every purchase. One per order. 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.
Bethanne from Arizona asks: Dear Bethanne,
Hope this helps! Vanessa from Pennsylvania asks: Hi Vanessa,
When I use cheap tissue papers and like materials in my combined media paintings, I use them primarily to get the effect I am looking for. When done, I'll varnish my entire painting with a UVLS polymer varnish. Golden, as well as others make a good varnish for this purpose. I should warn you that my techniques can sometimes rile the "conservation police." I respect those painters who follow the rules, I think my way is more funner! Bob’s Studio Tip for Loosening Up
I’ve mentioned in the past that brush handles have been problematic for me. My hands don’t seem to be able to hold on to the thin handles for the entire day. Not only does the tapered end slip out of my hand, frequently my hand seems to lock-up in a squinched knot (arthritis, thank you very much). Good news ahead - I designed and received a patent for a longer and “fat handle” paint brush.
In the meantime, you can easily make your own comfortable handle. Go to the hardware store and buy a one inch diameter foam insulation pipe tube. Cut off the desired length of “handle grip” and use vinyl tape to tightly wrap the new foam handle. Your hand will be more comfortable, you will be less tight and the brush won’t go flying out of your hand as often!
For another quick solution idea, see November’s Artist’s Magazine, page 65. The article is titled “Tools that are Tried-and-True” - #27. The artist uses a stretchy tape material to expand the girth of the brush handle. A good idea!
Here’s another cool use for the foamtube: Make your own spreader and scraper with foamboard scraps and a foamtube handle! Another good idea for spreading gesso and paint around.
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
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.
New Product!
Chocolate Artist Palettes
Created exclusively for RobertBurridge.com by the Tropical Chocolate Company, our new handmade chocolate artist palettes. Gift box of twelve - four each of dark chocolate/chocolate ganache, dark chocolate/wine ganache and milk chocolate/coffee ganache. Each artisan chocolate is handcrafted in small batches and exquisitely decorated. $30 - Twelve piece box. Click here for shipping information.
Ask Kate about Art Marketing
Fran from California asks: Dear Fran, Hope this helps!
Click HERE for details for Hot Art Marketing Workbook.
Click HERE for top of page.
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Color Wheel
Abstract Color Combinations
Continuing on with our color wheel combination section, this month features “high key.” My Goof-Proof Color Wheel works whether you use a darker or lighter version of your selected color palette. Just know, a dark painting tends to project a heavy, old, classic message, while a lighter shade of the same color (high key) tends to send a lighter or newer message. Again, I want to mention that the colors I choose from my color wheel will be a close version of the actual color chip indicated on my wheel. If the dominant color is marigold (light orange), I’ll select several variations of light orange marigold, such as light -pink-orange to cream-yellow-orange. You get the idea.  High Key Color Combo - Ooh La La #2  High Key Color Combo - Ooh La La #4 Here are two of my paintings from my current series called Ooh La La. The colors are a high key version of the combination of Marigold Dominant and Compose Blue #2 as the Focal Color. Spice Colors are Middle Green and Violet - they play around the focal color. My intention for this latest series is rather obvious. The paintings lean towards the erotica. Kate calls this series my “Naughty Boy” series. Don’t encourage me! Product Review
Canson Glassine Paper  Canson Glassine Roll While studying print making at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts), I learned that when making multiple prints and stacking them on top of one another, we used a waxed slip sheet in between - so the prints wouldn’t stick to each other. As a poor art student, I waxed my own tissue paper with canning jar wax. But today, you can save lots of time by going online and buying your own sheets - try waxed, pre-cut butcher paper or waxed freezer paper.  Bob Working with a Sheet of Glassine Paper For archival storage I purchase rolls of acid-free Canson Glassine paper from Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff. I suggest you purchase several rolls to keep in your studio. The rolls are 36 inches wide and 10 yards long. I cut sheets to place between and protect my charcoal drawings, my watercolor paintings and any other delicate surface artwork. Be professional and respect your original artwork. Treat your art with care. Recommended Book
Two books this month don’t have much to do with painting. In fact, both books are about the creative process. These artists are comedians (aren’t we all...) and I was curious about what made them tick and how they create.  Born Standing Up by Steve Martin His early childhood as a magician, clown and teenaged goof-ball all rolled into one entertaining book; reminded me of my early years. Surprised? I found this book fun to read and discover how his creativity developed using ideas and concepts from his early childhood memories. I was fascinated how he developed his life’s experiences and early jobs (teenaged magician at Disneyland) that influenced his persona on stage. Everything he performed came from what he felt close to. He did not separate his life from his art. Sounds like an artist to me! Plus, he is a creative genius, a visually hilarious entertainer and has a plethora of published articles, stories, plays and films. Steve Martin led us through the 70s, 80s and Saturday Night Live with many, many unforgettable moments. Admit it. This guy is who you really connect with! And he’s still making entertaining appearances and films. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin Speaking of “connecting” with comic genius, I know you have a spot in your heart for George Carlin. I smile just recalling his classic television and Vegas performances.  Described as a screwball scrapbook, a true romantic comedy love story, this book is a surprisingly rare and revealing glimpse into the heart and soul of another genius of our time. Meeting by chance in a Santa Monica bookstore, Sally Wade, the final love of his life until the end, published his “puppy love” sticky notes. These two cosmic talents had the “eternal teenage love” we all hope to have forever. This book is not necessarily about art, but more about the importance of a passionate relationship between an artist and his muse. Many surprises throughout the book. Over the course of their decade long courtship, he wrote to her daily: scribbles, love notes, drawings. She saved all of them and now you can read them too. Sally Wade’s bittersweet tale with George Carlin takes you into the mind of a comedy pioneer and the love of his life. The George Carlin Letters: The Permanent Courtship of Sally Wade Try this Assignment
How to Start a Painting The process begins with an idea. Any idea that excites you is a good idea. But how to get an idea for a painting?  It’s a Good Idea! For me, I’ll do one minute, one color paint sketches of a verb. A verb that describes an idea. Example - Paint your one minute interpretation of the word “TO JUMP” “TO FLY” “TO MIGRATE” “TO ISOLATE” “TO EMPTY” “TO DANCE” - you get the idea. This daily routine jump starts my creative side.  Bob Working on Small, Daily Sketches So what happens here is I paint a quick visual interpretation of an idea and do my best to communicate that idea - all in one minute. These small daily sketches inspire my larger canvas paintings.
Robert Motherwell painted everyday. Most importantly he painted on a ream (500 sheets) of white paper daily as a warmup exercise using large Sumi inked brushes. Think about that! 500 sheets, quickly painted with black marks and lines - everyday. He coined the phrase “Automatism.” In fact, he felt that painting everyday became so natural (like tying your shoe) that while painting, you are not thinking about what you are doing. It becomes automatic! Do you really recall tying your shoes this morning? Repeated daily acts of painting increases creativity. Creativity and originality can only come to you when you paint many, many paintings - everyday. Even the great golfer, Arnold Palmer said, “It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get.” By now, you know I feel if a painting does not express what the painter wanted to communicate, I won’t spend my time in front of it. What is an an abstract work? Abstract painting is like “classical music played by a jazz musician.” The musician plays his interpretation, expressing his ideas on the classics. How I get started - I journal my goals then I paint a verb. Can’t come up with a verb? A great book for your studio is a Roget’s Thesaurus. You will be busy painting new ideas the rest of your life.
Roget’s Super Thesaurus by Marc McCutcheon Music to Paint By!
When things get too crazy in the studio, I always go back to Mozart for these reasons: To ground myself and get inspired with creativity. The familiar tempo keeps me moving. How can you go wrong with Mozart?
Mozart in the Morning
Mozart for your Mind Inspiration - When to STOP
 Bob Working on Ooh La La - Museum Show, June 2012 Every once in awhile I get a really great question emailed to me. The ones I like to share appear to be a question I hear a lot - here’s my take! Bill from California asks: Dear Bill,  Bob Working on Ooh La La - Museum Show, June 2012 We start out with much enthusiasm and then pile on much expectation and even envision all the public accolades for this new creative work. All this before we even begin the work! Talk about painting towards others’ expectations! Jeez! Well, by now you realize all this is self disruptive. You will be more comfortable with your true self when you paint from the fire in the belly. Which means, having something to say and commit to it.  Bob Working on Ooh La La - Museum Show, June 2012 Here’s what works for me: To paint, I need an idea, a concept, a point of view. So first, I journal. I write about everything that is bouncing around in my head. It never stops, but for this one moment I am able to formulate some thoughts to paint a big idea… a concept. And be so excited about it that I plan to do a series. Never just one painting. I paint a series of ten or more. When I get to the point in the painting where it is beginning to communicate my concept, (Bill, this is that moment you write about.) STOP.  Bob Working on Ooh La La - Museum Show, June 2012 This is what I learned about that part of painting. At the beginning of my painting and journaling, I am full of expectations and anticipation. My imagination is running amok! I have a strong intention. An intention to communicate a big idea and throw myself passionately into the painting. I am busy communicating this big idea! Now, THIS is a painting, I say! Then my intellect jumps in… This is that moment (and it happens to me all the time) I become aware of the constant tension between my intellect and my imagination. And my painting begins to die in front of me. I stop.  Bob Working on Ooh La La - Museum Show, June 2012 The intellect mind-chatter of “what will people think?” wins over because the imagination part is done. My suggestion is to believe in your original concept and stick to it until the painting tells your story. It was a good idea at the beginning. At what point did it become a bad idea? When the intellect begins to talk you off the ledge. STOP! You are emotionally painted out. You gave it your all. There is nothing more than to “tidy it up.” STOP. I find I’m just tired and can’t make a rational decision. In most cases, a few days later, I find the painting done. Follow-up from "Children are Natural Born Artists!"
We have known Stephanie Schlatter for about five years and recently found out about her “labor of love” - teaching art to children in Ethiopia. This is from Stephanie, in her own words... “You can't help falling in love with these children once you have met them. They are vulnerable in a way that makes me want to protect them and do all I can to give them a slice of opportunity. I have not in 5 years, meet one of these little sweetie pies who takes education for granted, they hang on every word as if I (the teacher) hold the key to real change in their life, it is unbelievably humbling, and unfair that in a way I do, by way education! Nobody had to teach these kids to "loosen up" and that puts a smile on my face.”
Click here for link to the Art Aid/Tesfa Foundation Facebook page... Click here for link to info about the Tesfa Foundation on Stephanie’s website.
In Closing...Why Art Matters
The Santa Maria Arts Council is our local arts organization. Council President Craig Shafer started this great list to raise awareness - “Why Art Matters...” I’m sure you can think of even more to add to this list, which you are invited to share in your own art community! Why Art Matters... •It enriches our lives Click here to add your personal “Why Art Matters” on the Santa Maria Arts Council in California website in their Advocacy section.
  Copyright ©2011 Robert Burridge. All rights reserved.
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