Saturday, August 16, 2008

Dude! It's Jesse Reno!

He says dude a lot.

Dude! Finally! Am I the only one from the class that hasn't posted anything about Jesse Reno's class? Here's me and Jesse. He shoulda been pooped on that third day of teaching, but, heck, he's young. He can sweat it. Do you think I'd look good at the next PTA meeting with that hair?

What?

I've never shown up to one PTA meeting ever?

Oh yah.

I only could make it to the third day of the class - needless to say, I missed a sh*t-load of learnin' and bonding with this big group. But, I was happy to see so many friends. You'll get to see them in a minute, links and all, but let's get down to art!
Here was one of the main workspaces. You can see Mija to your left and Tamara to your right. I began working at a table outside, with the wonderful Catherine Witherell and some other lovely women (whose names fail me completely but were also lovely and talented). However, the heat started getting to me, and I moved to the table above (with air conditioning). It was so nice to sit with these two old friends - Mija, whom I've known for a few years now, and Tamara, whom I've known online for about the same amount of time, but met in person for the first time here! yay!

Here's me and Catherine:

I immediately knew she was wonderful when I found out she loved my BFF Lisa. She is an amazingly talented PMC artist - so you really should go check out her blog asap.

Jesse has a very interesting technique, that is kinda scary, but produces wonderfully complex paintings. This technique involves beginning with his background, painting layers and layers randomly - with no specific purpose, per se. Then, when he starts seeing an image or one of his creatures materializing from the paint, he begins to define them (or it) with black paint/pencil. As he paints, he may "block out" entire portions of his already developed background - that's the scary part. He will just take a wad of paint and blot out portions of his painting that he doesn't like. Check out Catherine's blog (link above) for a few good picks as the days progressed. Remember, I was only there on the last day.

By blocking out some sections of the painting, and then repainting over them, you can get a very complex focal point - his are creatures. I'm not really sure I was courageous enough yet to fully have tried his technique, but here's what I came up with:

I really like the first one. I worked on two pieces at once. Jesse likes to work on multiple pieces at once. He also likes to paint with his hands, and he likes to paint on wood. The piece above is a 11"x22" piece of wood. I loved working on the wood! It feels great under my hands - all mushy and full of paint! The second piece is not even half way finished, but here it is in all it's strange glory:
This is an 11"x14" canvas board. It only has 4 layers, so it still has a ways to go. Perhaps I will have some time in the next few weeks to work on it.

A big group went out for dinner after the class. Here's all these totally cool women, some I only knew online for so long, and finally got to meet. Some, I had admired their art in different publications and finally got to meet in person. Some were just plain new and wonderful.

L-R: Kelly Snelling, me, Deryn Mentock, Pilar Pollack, Lorraine, Catherine Witherell, Tamara Comerford, Mija Marie, and Tamara's hubby! What a cool dude to be hanging out with all us cool chicks. You really should check out all the links above - most have more great pics from this wonderful workshop at The Carol Parks Studios.

Go link amongst yourselves...

10 comments:

HappyDayArt! said...

It's a really good review of the class and I am totally impressed by what you painted! After ONE day?! It looks to me like you know exactly what you are doing. Don't you love the black details? I do!

Dude! I think I miss him.

I also think if you went anywhere with that hair people might avert their eyes. I'm just sayin'. I am just like you about the PTA meetings though.

Sorry you missed the other days but I knew you were coming and I was waiting for you!

Hey, I like using both side of my brain sometimes too! We have so much in common.

ttyl
Catherine

peggy gatto said...

How lucky you were to get to take the workshop AND.....be with such talented happy artists!!!!!

Kelly Snelling said...

hey dude! i am digging these paintings! rock on, tally! i think we need another get together. miss julie needs to crawl out of the desert so we can all get together and play!

JBMolina said...

It looks like you all had a fabulous time!

Of course it would have to be the same time as Art Unraveled.

Growl.

Well, you'll all have to teach me some things when we all get together.

rscoach said...

Tally - great talking with you today and looking forward to taking your class on Monday - wow! Love what you did in Jesse's class - and that was in only one day? looking forward to seeing you again - hugs Reva

Barbara said...

wow...as i skip from blog to blog...such a fantastic cyber picture comes to life! looks like a grand time! love your heart painting!!!

hugz

Pilar said...

I love how your second painting is turning out. I did catch a glimpse of the first one at the workshop and it was very cool. It was a crazy weekend and I am so glad I finally had the chance to meet you!xoxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Loved your "rad" paintings Tally! It was great to finally meet you. Wasn't it so much fun??!!

peggy gatto said...

I have something for you on my blog!

HappyDayArt! said...

Dude, don't eat too much of the dipped bread. 4 or 5 slices tops.

XO Catherine