Summer Updates

Now that summer is officially here, want to update artwork and goings on.

Recently, I finished the third piece in my color abstract series. This one is Blue.

It is acrylic, 16" x 20" on stretched canvas. The first was Black (sold) and the second Beige, which I might rework. 

Also

 These are more experiments in gouache, finishing my flowers in a vase series. They are on 10" x 14" 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper.

The next three are an extension of my plein air workshops - I actually went out on my own, no teacher, to our pool/clubhouse and painted these in oil  on site - primarily. I blocked in the buildings and dark spaces from photos. Then I returned and painted on site one morning. Then, back in the studio touched up, straightened lines, etc to complete the work. The upper is 8" x 10"; the two below are 9" x 14; both on stretched canvas.

I have started an oil, larger version of the gouache I placed in the last blog, a view of the Chatahootchee River in Columbus GA. By the way, I will enter that gouache in a show next month at the Bonita Springs Art Center. And, for the first time I am trying to create a work specifically for a show/contest. It will be this fall at the Alliance For The Arts in Fort Myers. The topic will be Dia de las Muertas, the Mexican version of All Souls Day, the day after Halloween. I did some research on topics, art styles, etc and have blocked in. This should be interesting.

Art Purchased: (and a BIG correction to those I sent a separate email on this artist)

This was fun. I attended a showing at the Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SW State College. Bob R moved to Sanibel Island toward the end of his career. He and his studio worked with the school to set up the Gallery and continuing art education for the community. The featured artist was Steve Keene (I butchered the name in prior emails, sorry). 

The show: Steve KEENE: 57 Miles or 455 Furlongs – a newly commissioned, site-specific installation at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery by the “World’s Most Prolific Painter.” Dubbed the “Assembly-Line Picasso” by Time magazine (when his work was featured in 1997) and having created more than 300,000 paintings over the last 35 years, Steve Keene (born 1957) is a Yale University educated, Brooklyn-based artist who believes in mass-producing hand-painted artworks for the masses. Famous among indie-rock fans for designing album covers for bands including Pavement and The Apples in Stereo, Steve Keene has painted instruments, video and concert stage sets, as well as promotional and tour posters for the likes of Soul Coughing, Merzbow, The Klezmatics and the Dave Matthews Band. The title references a work by Bob, adding Steve's estimate of 57 miles of paintings he has produced. At this show there were 4' x 8' plywood sheets each holding 12 paintings - three across and four down.

So, if you go to his website, you can purchase 6 individual 16" x 24" acrylic on 1/8" plywood pieces for $70, including postage. Ready to hang! Well, I said, "Why not - a chance to own original art by someone kinda famous." A fun thing. To my surprise, I received 9 pieces shown below. Two album references in the group are Blond on Blond and Nashville Skyline (must be from his Bob Dylan period). Hang them or give them away as Christmas/Birthday presents??? I'll let you know.

Music: 

While I type, listening to Pure Moods III; Steven Hillage Green; and, Steven Halpern Deep Alpha: Brainwave Synchronization for Mediation and Healing. (Don't ask) and (thank goodness for spell check). Patty Griffin, ex-whatever of Robert Plant, and Tim Buckley of whom Goodbye was written. 

Humor:

Time Lapse:

From the fall of 1968 to summer of 2018 - 50 years and 35 lbs. sure has an effect on us, doesn't it?

Graduation photo, St. Mary's HS

It is nice having a place like Marco Island only an hour south of here. Attended late morning Mass on the island, grabbed a Starbucks, and took it easy for a couple of hours. The water there is definitely better than FtM, cleaner and a couple of degrees warmer.

Marco Island, Father's Day 2018

We are starting to get ready for our trip to Amsterdam and the Rhine River. Watching videos and reading travel books. I hope to have a blog devoted solely to the trip. 

If I did not mention it, at Dominic's graduation, he and Lisa announced their wedding engagement, no date set. Greg will soon be moving from Ft Benning to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, an area with which we are well familiar, as many of you know.

Reflection:
When I took the opportunity to move to Florida with my employer, Reliance Bank, it was to work until I was 70 while enjoying the Florida weather and lifestyle. I looked forward to building a book of business and assisting the staff in place to grow their banking skills. When the Florida branches were sold about 18 months ago it was the 8th or 9th time I had been sold or as an acquiring entity. I just did not want to go through it again, and fortunately, could afford to stop. If I did not have my art, tennis lessons and on-again, off-again Spanish lessons, I would have really struggled. 1 1/2 months of spring training baseball is not enough to get me through the year. Then, as some of you know, I grabbed an opportunity presented to me by Florida Gulf Coast University's School of Business. Good pay, not benefits other than the State's version of a 401K. After six weeks, however, I decided that it was not how I wanted to spend my remaining time on this earth. It did, however, clarify that I like the retired life. So now I am doing more artwork, have picked up some tennis lessons which I hope to continue. I am taking a 10-week class at Resurrection Parish. We are going back to Europe. We had many more visitors to our place this winter. I think I am comfortable now with my state in life. Hope the health holds out, the market doesn't plummet, or I don't lose my way home.

Hope you enjoy the blog. Visit my website for current and past art work. Let me know what you think of the blog. And...you really need to purchase more art for your beautiful home, tent, houseboat, hole-in-the ground, whatever. Call me if you want to discuss price and logistics. 

New Art and Travel

New Art:

I have enjoyed an art spurt. Some new inspiration and some finishing projects initiated over the last 12 months. Right now I am down to three pastel projects. Most of my travel is complete and all of our visitors (which we love to host) are gone so it is time to get going. Again, I am still learning, experimenting with medium, subject, technique.

Four 4" x 4" miniatures using grey gesso base.

Two Gouache 8 x 10's on watercolor paper, first time I used this medium.

5 x 7 oil on wood panel: Cactus, Pool, and Mary.

Oil on 12 x 12 stretched canvas, 1st true still life attempt since college.

11 x 14 oil on a canvas pad, have worked on this for almost a year.

8 x 10 Drawing, couldn't sleep so  got up and drew this after midnight 

 Another gouache (and watercolor), looking down fairway on Ft Benning golf course. 12 x 9.

Preserve #3, oil on canvas board, 12 x 9. This took quite a while, lots of starts and stops due to intricate depth problems.  I am starting two more preserve views in pastel and then that is it. Too difficult.

Travels:

Over the last two months I visited Saint Louis twice, the most recent to attend Dominic's graduation from Washington U in St Louis. Sorry to St Louis friends, we were pinched for time so I could not try to get together. 

Also visited Greg at Fort Benning, just to catch up and hang out. Greg on one of the Ft Benning courses:

Upcoming is our river cruise from Amsterdam down the Rhine River to Frankfort. Along the way we have a stop in Koblenz, Germany where my father's mother's ancestors came over in 1850's. I owe my Irish blood to her grandfather who married Mary McDermott from County Clare. And, really big for us, one afternoon, maybe Dusseldorf, we hope to host our former Au Pair, Claudia, who lives in Munster. She is planning on bringing her four children. She helped us when we lived in the DC area. A wonderful experience for the boys, us, and her. Her parents were able to visit during her stay. 

Trying to get to KeyWest, maybe in July. I purchased a discount voucher for the KW Express boat. We need to use it. 

Lastly, a possible visit to Ft Carson in Colorado Springs when Greg makes his next move later this year. 

You Travel Here...looking forward to visits when Mizzou plays FLA in Gainesville first weekend in November. Let us know if you want to stay for a couple of days in Southwest Florida, we have the guest cabana ready for you. Just call to see if we are going to be home. 

Dominic graduated fro the School of Engineering and Applied Science with a Master Of Engineering 

Management. It rained on the way to the ceremony, during (held outside), and all the way home. We were wet through and through, but a fun day for him and his family. Met a lot of his friends. That would be his mother clapping as he walked by.

Humor:

Included is a little graduation fun, just change the degree from English to Engineering.

And, just another voice mail cartoon:

from Reader's Digest

Photo History:

The one that got away (car, that is): '69 MGB I should never have sold. Custom steering wheel and Rocaro seats. Couldn't afford the $60 month payments right out of school. And my wild days, rode the Honda 360 to Florida with Marty, first half in a pouring rain. Sold it to get back to MO when I couldn't get a job due to the '75 recession. Unemployment in St Pete area was 13%.

Music:

While I am typing - listening to Deep Purple: Nobody's Perfect (Live). It includes a little heard Perfect Stranger-I would title it (we Must Remain) Perfect Stranger (Right?) A great concert piece.

Chuck Prophet: No Other Love. "No other can take me there"... "I can go anywhere"; raw sound, great engineering, fun key changes. Summertime Love was his hit. 

Several Darius Rucker: Fell in love with You Can Have Charleston. Been there physically and emotionally; kind of a Southern version of George Strait's I Can Still Make Cheyenne (but not as funny). Also a quartet with Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Charles Kelly (Lady A).

And Moved by The Rev Shaun Amos. Some Demi Lovato and Gomez.

Saint Louis Connection:

Remember this Rams player?

Remember: My art work is for sale. I will ship it. Go to my website claudelylesartworks.com. Some you will see has been sold. Also can view on phone at artloupe.com but I can't make a price deal there as they take a commission. If you view my website on your phone (desktop or laptop 1,000 times better) use the "hamburger" button in the upper left to navigate to the various content pages. Having said that, hope you enjoy the blog. It is fun for me to share and it makes my brain work overtime in retirement. I keep learning. Claude

New Art Work and Spring updates

New Art:

This piece was done yesterday. A group from the Art League of Fort Myers met at The Butterfly House in downtown Fort Myers. Being lazy, I drew/painted this scene from in front of my auto trunk where I set up a chair to depict the rear entrance to the office. I love older homes with shapes and shadows. It is a mixed media; first I drew with watercolor pencils, then I brushed over sections to create washes, then back in my studio I added Gouache with brush which was the first time I have used it.

Next I finished an oil on canvas of the preserve behind our home. Not sure I captured the effect I was looking for. Need to keep working, however, so I can learn. 

We held the second of three performances of ArtPoems. Our 2018 catalog of art and poems can be purchased on Amazon, or through the website: ArtPoems.org. These are two scenes of the authors and painters after the show. 

On Friday, if you are in Fort Myers (I STRONGLY encourage it as I read the weekend weather forecasts for the Midwest and Eastern seaboard), Art Walk is Friday night when all the galleries will be open, street music, restaurants, etc. If not then, our work will be on display during the month of April. I will try to take some pics Friday night for the next blog. Also, I entered the two photos from the last blog created in my Dan Graziano workshop in Punta Gorda last January.

Some humor:

The last words I heard from my parrot were: Darn, I think my parrot is going to die today.

from Readers Digest, April 2018.

Travel to and fro: Well, we had four guests, singles or couples and children in March, which we loved. I think, in turn, they loved the guest cabana off the pool. One more confirmed, Linda's brother and his wife will arrive Saturday evening for about 10 days here and on Sanibel. 

Terri and Paul Wienke from STL and my sister Val from Punta Gorda, FL outside Twins stadium for Spring Training game vs Houston Astros.

Getting ready for my STL trip later this month, Looking forward to seeing Dominic and my friends. Still on for his graduation from Wash U in May. Have not yet booked a weekend in The Keys. Our Rhine River cruise is shaping up. Was reminded that my cousin Joan's son is living in Amsterdam so I will reach out to see what he suggests we visit. Our former au pair, Claudia, has confirmed she and her children will drive over to see us at one of the river stops. She said they are about 1 1/2 hours away. Can't wait to catch up. 

Two (small) life changes: Back in Spanish class. I struggled in the second session of Spanish I. Nevertheless, decided to jump back in and man up. Worked on clocks and numbers this week. After two hours of almost all Spanish dialogue I drive home with a headache. Reminds me of 2 weeks in Europe trying to communicate in France and Italy - exhausting; one of reasons I admire (immigrants (legal) in the US. It is tough going. Many immigrant success stories I encountered during my banking career were so inspirational.

And, the reason I have time for Spanish again, and just a few of you knew this, was that after six weeks working at Florida Gulf Coast U on staff in their business school, I decided I was not a good fit for their needs so I resigned. I did not want to get in too deep in a situation that wasn't going to get better and then they would have to restart a search to replace me. Good pay, enjoyed being on campus, but I should have asked a few more/better questions about their Small Business Development Center program. Now I know, I will stay retired and paint, bicycle, volunteer, travel, and enjoy the Florida lifestyle. 

Remember, if you would like to purchase any of the art on my website: claudelylesartworks.com, contact me so we can discuss price and shipping arrangements. I sold 6 pieces last year. If you view on your mobile device instead of your laptop/desktop, use the "hamburger" menu in the upper left to open the various pages.

ArtPoems show and other updates

ArtPoems (.org) show and other updates.

Last night was the first of three performances of poets and artists collaboration. This was performed at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers; the next will be March 28 at Big Arts on Sanibel Island, and the last will be in early April at ACTS Gallery. There the works will be installed for Art Walk, the first Friday and then will be on display during National Poet Month of April. The works were published and I bought enough books for many Christmas presents, all autographed. You can see all of the works and prior shows at artpoems.org.

Jamilla Brooks wrote "Love Sees", a new poem inspired by my painting "Fort Myers Beach". She performed the poem on stage to the audience, acknowledging me as the artist.

There were 12 poets and 12 artists; in one case a poem was written inspired by a 2-dimensional work, and the other artwork inspired or affected by a poem.

(Sorry about the big eyes behind Holly)

Then, later in the show, Holly McEntyre performed her poem "After My Evening Meal" which provided inspiration for my pastel "Sanibel After Dinner." I then talked about the creative process and how I tried to capture the essence of her work. I would not have created the paster if I had not been presented with her poem.

Recent finished work: the Marina at Fisherman's Wharf (Punta Gorda) was from my plein air workshop in January lead by Dan Graziano. I finished it in the studio; ditto for the painting of History Park, also in Punta Gorda. I tried to capture the feeling on site rather than reproduce a photo image.

Some interesting humor lately, compliments of Scott Adams. Reminds me of my days at the bank.

Thought I would show you what I am doing in the studio. All are in various stages. And, I need to take a class, was thinking of plain vanilla drawing, or at least using a model and maybe painting or pastel. So...

Upcoming trips:

In April I am going to visit Saint Louis for several events. Hope to see as many friends and family as possible.

In May, my oldest son, Dominic, is graduating from Wash U with his Masters. We'll be there.

Maybe in June we will use our Key West Express vouchers and visit KW for a long weekend. Have not been there yet. 

Late July, early August is a Rhine River cruise starting in Amsterdam and ending in Frankfort. One stop is Koblenz from where my father's mother's family emigrated in 1854. We bought some extra days in Amsterdam. Linda's brother Steve and his wife will join us. And, this will be fun...Some of you might remember our au pair, Claudia, from Germany who is now living in Munster. She is going to visit us at one of the stops and, hopefully, bring her children.

I still want to make a East Coast road trip to see many personal friends and business friends. Still working on it.

Coming this way will be Captain Gregory Lyles, currently stationed at Ft Benning, GA to take in some spring training baseball. I purchased Twins season (it's only the month of March) tickets and split them with a former Dragon who is living nearby, Bill Weber.

Marty Pelch and Nona will be here soon from their place in S Pasadena, the wealthy side of the St Pete tracks where the richest of the rich live. In two weeks the Weinke family, friends from St Richard parish in Saint Louis will make us one of their stops as they travel through SW Florida. Two of their children were classmates of Dom and Greg at StR.

And in early November, hopefully many Missouri Tigers will join us at the Florida game in Gainesville.

Lastly, I want to remember a former bank customer who became a friend. 

John Eirten. My sympathies go to his wife and family. He had a lot of great stories and was always smiling, we had many a laugh. And, I learned a little about the chile business.

Remember to check out my website: claudelylesartworks.com. If you view it on your phone, there is a menu square in the upper left that will open the site to the various pages (topics). And, the unsold artwork would like a home - call me for a price, let me know if you want it framed and where to send it. I will quote a price with/without the frame and check on the postage for you.

First Show

 Photos of Ma'laga Spain from our cruise. I loved this port city on the Mediterranean.  Very livable, birth place of Picasso, architecture is good, good restaurants, large Brit enclave. I could live here if ever kicked out of the U.S.

Spainglish?

Had Pizza for lunch after Mass

What if you escape, where are you and how do you get home?

promenade along the port

View from the ship

As walked into the port

reflections at the Louvre satellite museum

On the edge of downtown as we walked in from the port

Ibid

Ma'laga Cathedral

Looking up from the courtyard

It was Sunday, Mass had just started, so we joined the locals.

Courtyard from front steps of the Cathedral

Carriages downtown

Leaving port, about 5 PM, on our way to Seville

Today I installed 12 pieces as Artist of the Month for the month of January 2018 at the Art League of Fort Myers. But first...STL friends - remember this headline?

And, now some humor

These are the A o t Month entries

Better View, received compliment from a teacher as I was assembling AotM board

other Jan entry, in window

This is one of two entries in the Jan juried show

I really like this pastel on Oil ground, 8 x 10 panel board, just completed

Next will be 2 entries in Plain Air show in Punta Gorda. You will have to turn in to the next blog to see the works, and I will finish up with the port city Cadiz gateway to Saville, about an hour fifteen drive.

Remember, this post has a place for comments. And you can purchase most of the pieces. Just call me and we can arrange a price, w or wo frame, and estimate (your) cost to ship.

claudelylesartworks.com
claudelylesartworks.blogspot.com for earlier posts.

And, in closing, thanks to all who sent Christmas Cards and letters. Claude