How to Inflate Your Life Raft

Let me begin by saying that 2018 was the most challenging year of my life. Through a series of mind-expanding experiences and very difficult decisions, I made some big changes. The mind is a very flexible tool. A curious phenomenon takes place when we venture beyond our limitations. It's like pulling the cord on an inflatable life raft - once expanded it’s hard to shove it back into its original shape.

“Realism is not based on the way things are, but upon things as you see and feel them” – Charles Woodbury

Gallery One Seventeen, Hamilton Bermuda

View of Elbow Beach, Bermuda 11x14

The best gifts I've ever received have been questions I couldn’t dodge. Good questions are better than good answers, in that they give us purpose. I'll admit it, I’m a pleasure centered person, the fear of being uncomfortable is a very palpable thing. But my fear of failure is overshadowed by the realization that life is a gift, we have to make the most of it and not waste a moment. I took a leap of faith, chose the road less travelled and let the universe direct me with a trust in the knowledge that I’m not in the drivers seat as much as I'd like to believe.

“It’s easier to paint the angel’s feet in another’s masterwork than to discover where the angels live within yourself.” – Art and Fear

In many ways the creative process is a metaphor for life: it’s letting go of fear, trusting in our abilities, and accepting our “mistakes" with patience. It’s also about asking tough questions. It’s problem solving on a visual level and the reality that painting is not a mindless escape. It takes a highly evolved, series of mental maneuvers to create a great work. That being said, believing that every painting you make must be absolutely perfect is an unrealistic goal. You’re never going to achieve it, so you become too scared to even try. Instead of aiming for perfection, strive for every painting to teach you something and learn from your mistakes.

Hog Penny Pub, Bermuda 8x10

I spent a lot of time in Bermuda over the past year, teaching and painting.The most satisfying thing about teaching is that I get to help people step outside of their comfort zones and stray from their intellectual neighborhoods long enough to learn something new. The first challenge is to break down the psychological barrier that you must be born with the ability to draw or paint. Art is a universal language and it is so because it's the expression of the feelings of all men. The word ‘truth' is often used in the discussion of painting. It speaks of the creative process as a soulful act. The power of seeing the world in the most truthful of ways requires extraordinary intuition, an insight into subjects which are dark to ordinary vision. Creativity is about engaging with the world and awakening an emotion in ourselves and in the minds of others.

"Have no fear of perfection you'll never reach it" – Salvador Dali

One of the most talented artists I’ve had the pleasure to meet is Nancy Guzik (married to Richard Schmid, another huge influence). While painting together on a cold winter day in Brattleboro, Vermont she compared the process of painting to a horse race. It’s important to pace yourself; lay in a good foundation, maneuver through the painting with confidence and skill and hold back till the finish line is in sight. This resonated with me because as in life, I lack patience and want to get to the good stuff first. The creative process does not come easy, it takes real effort to move beyond mediocrity. As is the case with professional athletes, musicians and great artists, this “ease” comes from years of hard work and practice. Our ego wants it easy. In reality nothing worth doing ever is.

I hope you'll join me for a workshop in 2019. 

The next journey is a Brush with Portugal May 20-28th. 

Visit www.elicedrone.com for my workshop schedule in 2019

Bermuda Journal: Living life in reverse

“Most have two lives. The life we live, and the un-lived life within.

Between the two stands Resistance." ~ WH Murray

Bermuda Surf

This is a story about living life in reverse. After 35 years, countless adventures and living everywhere from Cannes to California, I’ve come full circle and find myself back on “de rock”. I’m speaking metaphorically about Bermuda. The island captured my heart the moment I flew over its azure waters and has held me in a magical embrace ever since. Fresh out of college, my first experience here was working in advertising. The tools of my trade were an e-xacto knife and a slide ruler rather than a paintbrush and palette. The opportunity to revisit Bermuda, to spend unfettered time exploring, painting and sharing what I’ve learned with others, has been a dream for some time. 

Firefly Cottage Devonshire

You are the traveler, you are the path, and you are the destination. Be careful never to lose the way to yourself. 

~ Shihab al-Din Yahya Suhrawardi

Sunrise North Shore Road, Bermuda

It’s been said that fear is the thief of dreams. Our weakness forms us even more than our strength. So my return is evidence that when you act from passion and commitment to an idea, then providence steps in. 

I owe a huge debt to my benefactor, Tom Butterfield, the founder of Masterworks Museum of Art. Mr. Butterfield had the vision to amass a collection of work from artists who for centuries found inspiration on this little gem in the Atlantic. The collection includes such luminaries as Winslow Homer, Georgia O’Keeffe, Marsden Hartley and Charles Demuth to name a few. https://www.bermudamasterworks.org

I have a mermaid soul…

The skies are ominous as I head out for an early morning of painting. Coming from Boston, I’m not very good at predicting the weather patterns here. Just as I set up, a massive front barrels through Hamilton Harbor. I think, “ok I can deal with this” and find cover under some palm trees. It all seems like an adventure until 30 minutes pass and my restless spirit gets the better of me. I climb onto my moped and ride through torrents of rain, sprays from passing cars add insult to injury and the water has managed to find places on my body that I didn’t know existed. 

My portable studio... painting at Devonshire Bay

Bermuda Plein Air Festival, Coral Beach

But it doesn’t matter because in spite of minor vexations, I keep having these serendipitous moments. The joy of getting lost on purpose is rewarded with spectacular views. I follow an unknown path and discover a jewel of scene. 

A big part of the experience is the people I meet while on location; an ex-marine shares with me his memories of Vietnam, the fishermen at Devonshire Dock with their strong Bermudian accents, good-natured banter and slang only a local can appreciate, bring a smile to my face. All are character studies, sketches for future paintings perhaps. 

"Snapper" cleaning fish at Devonshire Dock

The art of teaching…
Apart from my participation in the Plein Air Bermuda Festival, (thrilled to win an award for Best in Oils!) much of my time in Bermuda was spent teaching others the fundamentals of painting. I had the honor to work with truly gifted and giving people. Teaching ain’t easy and teaching art is even harder. First of all, talent is a myth. We aren’t born with talent, we develop skills over time through learning and practice.

My painting Coral Beach Club won Best in Oils

With Michael Harding, his wife and officials at City Hall Gallery

Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, 

and the architect of accomplishment.  

~ Zig Ziglar

Granaway Cottage

Genius is one percent inspiration and 

ninety-nine percent perspiration.

Many who’ve achieved greatness were failures in their youth. Einstein did so poorly in school that he nearly decided to drop out and sell life insurance. Steve Jobs was a college drop out. Deliberate practice produces a natural tendency. Love what you do and even on the worst days, try to remember that you gotta be able to stand being bad to paint anything good.

The Old Rectory, St. George's

Plein Air painters at Astwood Cove

The world of art is the place of the spirit’s freedom.

Hans Hofmann said “to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. The artists eye sees simply; making patterns of light and shadow, forming motifs. 

As the sun creeps over the horizon illuminating all, I find inspiration in the simple things I see along my morning walk. I prefer the grittiness of my North Shore neighborhood to the pristine beaches of the south shore. The patina of time-worn surfaces, tired and crumbling homes giving up and settling back to the earth. There is no end to the adventures we can have if we keep our eyes open.

Early Morning North Shore

The urge to capture and hold onto a memory of light is always present. I ride through the night and feel an exhilaration of being close to the earth. The smell of the sea, perfumed wind in my hair, tree frogs singing. I cherish my time here - knowing that sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.

Classes & Workshops at Masterworks Museum of Art

I’ll be teaching weekly classes as well as a two-day landscape and figure workshop on island in 2018. To learn more about the program click the link below or visit my website: http://www.elicedrone.com 

http://www.royalgazette.com/lifestyle/article/20171120/brushing-up-on-classic-methods

Painting at Pink Beach

The Bermuda Plein Air Festival on ZBM News:

https://www.facebook.com/zbmnews9/videos/1464650883571304/

Diary of vagabond artist...

"There are three kinds of people: those who see, those that see what you show them and those who do not see" - Leonardo Da Vinci

The adventure begins with an artist residency in Palm Beach. I left behind mountains of snow in Boston so palm trees and sandy beaches were a welcome site. Dropping my bags, I head out to explore and do a few small oil sketches. The sun is low in the sky and as the clouds start to roll in, it makes for a moodier  scene than I'd originally intended. I pack it in and head to the huge Art & Antique Show at the Palm Beach Convention Center. (more on that in my next blog)

The following day, sunlight greets me, and I head to Delray where I enter the world of COLOR – orange brick walls, purple cast shadows. I set up quickly and knock out my second oil sketch of a brightly colored, surf shop. There is no better way to arouse the senses than through travel. It offers an increasingly vast series of landscapes; lively cafes, a stretch of beach, stunning sunsets, gardens and architecture. It’s always an awe-inspiring and enriching experience.

Here's my block-in for Surf Shop.

Surf Shop, Delray Beach

Society of the 4 Arts, Palm Beach

It’s often said that technology is making the world smaller. Nowhere is this truer than in the community of artists. By simply reaching out through social media I have widened my circle to include; painters, sculptors, educators, students and patrons, many of whom have become friends. A huge thank you to my wonderful hosts… Peter & Manon Sander (http://www.manonsander.com) and Steve & Pati McGuire (http://www.patimaguire.com). Which leads me to the second half of my adventure...

Delray participants

It’s Thursday morning and I’m preparing to teach my first workshop at the Old School Center for the Arts in Delray Beach. We began with a series of gesture sketches and then move outdoors for the quick figure study in oil. The weather could not have been better for an outdoor session. I was excited to work with such a talented group of painters. Everyone did a great job and we covered an overwhelming amount of information in two short days. 

Our talented model, Randy Orwig

My second workshop was at the Lighthouse Center in Tequesta with another talented group of seasoned artists. The class was held in the gallery which as fate would have it, was hosting The Manoogian Collection. Considered to be one of the most significant private collections of 19th and 20th-century American paintings. Having these works on view during my workshop was an inspiring and invaluable tool for instruction.

Lighthouse Art Center participants

Manon's "surprisingly" good painting!

I was given permission to copy one of the paintings in the collection titled "Hush Do Not Disturb Them" by Hamilton Hamilton. The painting depicts a voyeuristic view of two children in the shade of a large boulder on a quiet beach. Copying a masterwork can be very instructive; Although my format was different, I was sensitive to the subtleties of temperature shifts from violet to yellow and the variety of beautiful tones of grey throughout the painting.

My copy of Hush, 10x12

One of the highlights of my time in Florida was my participation in the 2nd Annual Plein Funfest in Delray Beach. Fifty artists from around the country were juried in and competed for cash prizes on February 20th. We had 6 hours to paint and because it was overcast I chose a a cafe scene on a busy corner because of the tiny lights illuminating the figures inside. The paintings were on display that afternoon at the Old Square Center for the Arts. I was honored and pleased to have won an Award of Excellence. It was a picture perfect day in a picture perfect city!

My winning entry, The Fat Rooster, 11x14

If this is Tuesday it must be Miami… I had a few days off from teaching I so drove to Miami Beach to visit with friends from my Gloucester residency in 2015. We attended the Art Wynwood Exhibition which was a mind-blowing experience. I loved Wynwood Walls where the people watching was as fascinating as the graffiti-covered buildings.

Just down the road from where I was staying lives Dan Peterson, a renowned sculptor who just happened to be unveiling a new work that day. This large scale sculpture sits on his front lawn was created in collaboration with his wife Christina who is a talented painter.

"Conga" 2016 by Dan Peterson

Once again I hit the road and made the two hour trek across Alligator Alley to Naples to catch up with family and friends. I spent an afternoon with Nancy Smythe whom I'd met last November at the Bermuda Arts Festival. We had a great time visiting art festivals and galleries. Welcome to the world of the vagabond, I highly recommend it!

I'll be teaching a week-long workshop at the Bonita Springs Center for the Arts, March 19-25, 2017. I'll also be offering new workshops in Delray Beach and Jupiter next winter. Visit my website for more info at www.elicedrone.com. 

Nancy Smythe and I show off our new hats.

Hanging it up, showing it off.

This past month I felt as though I was in the business of moving rather than making art. The season is in full swing on Cape Cod. I have a lot of new paintings on view at Gallery Antonia (Chatham), Sosebee Gallery (Nantucket ) and Willoughby Fine Art (Martha's Vineyard).

A really nice crowd showed up on June 5th for the opening reception of an exhibition of my paintings at The Marion Art Center along with pastels by Kim Morin Weineck. Art in Bloom was a special part of the exhibit and floral arrangements were created expressly for each painting. The show runs till July 11th. 

Speaking of “Portable Studios” I’ll be doing a demonstration this Saturday, June 27th from 10:00am to 2:00pm MAC. Marion, MA is a really cool town to visit (it's like Cape Cod without the hassle of crossing the canal) I hope to see you there!

Marion Art Center

Main & Pleasant St, Marion, MA (508) 748-1266 

If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air...

So go the lyrics to the Patty Page song, "Old Cape Cod". As the years go by I grow to love this place more and more. On July 12th my solo show "Outside the Lines" opened at Gallery Antonia in the heart of historic Chatham village. About two months before the show, I was driving back from painting in CT and I got a call from the owner, Domonic Boreffi. Apparently my work was going to be featured in the July issue of American Art Collector magazine (that was the good news) and I had about 3 weeks to get images to the publisher (that was the bad). So my emotions went something like this... excitement, apprehension, fear, dread, and sheer panic.

I thought, "I can handle this". So I hit the studio bright and early and made a bold start with some new work only to find that painting on demand is a sure path to failure. I wasted yards of canvas and piles of paint. After a few days of feeling like a complete failure I began to revisit paintings that I had allowed to languish thinking I'd had all the time in the world to finish. In the end I managed to meet my deadline. Maybe not in the way I'd intended but more importantly I had a revelation about ambition, failure and the meaning of success. "In creating, the only hard thing is to begin; a grass-blade's no easier to make than an oak." - James Russel Lowell