Thursday, October 4, 2012

Members Only Competition reminder



Mark Your Calendar - Members Only Competition Deadline is December 14, 2012
Last year Karen Kaapcke was awarded First Place in the Self Portrait category and shared these thoughts about her painting and career.




1st Place
Karen  Kaapcke, Self-Portrait with Crooked Glasses
9 x 11", oil on panel

Karen Kaapcke:  This painting came about when my private student cancelled her session at the last minute.  I was at my studio, and realized that I had the gift of about 3 solid hours of painting time.  Though I also had a work in progress that I could have continued with, I thought instead to do a really quick self-portrait, with the challenge of getting it accomplished within this time frame. I have been strongly drawn to self-portraiture for the past 6 or 7 years, and have been painting all sorts and manners of self-portraits, to investigate more deeply this unique category of observational painting.  I enjoy balancing off work on longer-term pieces with quick studies, and had been teaching how to bring an oil sketch or study to the level of a more fully resolved painting in a quick and fresh way, and so it was also done in a somewhat instructional manner, as something I would later share and discuss with my student.   I also felt it would be good to show my student that it is important to paint no matter what, with your materials at hand, come what may - to paint all the time and in every context!

With this kind of painting, I usually start on a toned panel - but here, I worked directly on the white gesso since the painting came about in a very unplanned manner and that was all I had in my studio.  This was actually somewhat helpful, as I had to work really quickly initially to try to get rid of the distraction of the white.  I lay in quick strokes to mark out the general map of the placement of forms in a neutral earthtone, and then really quickly got into painting in patches of dark, then the possible lightest light, and finally everything in between with an eye towards building the structures.  When I feel things are getting too fussy, I reclaim my energy to obliterate it - bringing it constantly back to a level of simplification.  It is important to also constantly observe yourself working, to make sure you are simply, and clear-headedly seeing what's in front of you.  Again, when this seems not the case, I gather up the energy to obliterate the marks that have deviated and seem too symbolic, to replace them with the results of pure (as pure as possible!) observation.

After receiving my MA in Philosophy, I trained mainly at the Art Students League in NYC where I studied sculpture with Barney Hodes for a couple of years.  At the same time I was studying drawing with Ted Jacobs, and was waiting to get into his painting class.  When I began painting, I left sculpture behind in order to focus on the world this opened up.  When he relocated to France I continued to work with him there for some time, but also continued to work at the Art Student's League when I had to return to NYC to earn money.   There I worked with several abstract painters who influenced me quite a bit, mainly John Hultburg whose monitor I was for a couple of semesters. 

This painting, as a part of a larger series of self-portrait investigations that I have been working on for many years, represents a vision of the self that is quick and quirky, a real moment of the self captured, in order to portray an honestly observed and felt reality. The notion of painting honestly has been becoming more and more important to me as I mature as an artist - and the crooked glasses, in particular, stand for that  - for the goal of painting as a response to reality, not correcting what your vision tells you by what your mind tries to tell you 'should' be there.  When I noticed that I rather unthinkingly painted my glasses as crooked as they really were, not only did I find it a little humorous (since I kept putting off getting them fixed, and it was becoming a real problem!), but true and unjudged.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Mentoring Program Deadline


The September 5th deadline is fast approaching for applications to the mentoring program.  Participants of the Mentoring Program will work one-on-one with their mentor over the nine-month period, using personal goals as focus and motivation. 

The requirements to apply are as follows: 
1) Be a Portrait Society of America Member 
2) Be a Cecilia Beaux Forum Member 
3) Have experience in the techniques and medium you seek to improve 
4) Have specific goals to achieve with the help of a mentor 
5)Have a portfolio of 8-10 pieces

The 2012-2013 program will run between January 1- September 1, 2013. For more information and to apply visit CLICK HERE

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Conference DVD Released - Series II



Want to relive your conference experience, or missed out on a previous event? 


You can add to your collection three new DVDs featuring demonstrations from Michael Shane Neal, Burton Silverman, and Mary Whyte.  Each one focusing on a different medium:  drawing, oil painting, or watercolor. These DVDS would make a wonderful addition to any artist’s collection.  PURCHASE DVDS NOW.

In his demonstration entitled Power of Persistence, Michael Shane Neal brings his unique style to stressing the importance of doing your homework, dedication to your craft and determination in this new oil painting demonstration.

Burton Silverman gives a wonderful drawing demonstration with revealing techniques in Drawing you in: Finding the Art in the Subject.

Mary Whyte does an inspired watercolor portrait of Burton Silverman and then sits down for a candid conversation about art and personal style in Finding Your Style: In Paint and Point of View. 

These demonstrations from acclaimed artists Michael Shane Neal, Burton Silverman, and Mary Whyte are now available on the Portrait Society website under the Media tab. PURCHASE DVDS NOW.

Also, check out the other great DVDs we have available in the Series I release including artists Judith Carducci, Daniel Greene, Robert Liberace, Michael Shane Neal and Mary Whyte.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Congratulations to the Winners of International Portrait Competition


Congratulations to the finalist in this year's Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition. On Saturday, May 26, 2012 in Philadelphia the winners were announced at the Portrait Society's Gala Banquet and Awards program.  

The three panel judges were PSoA Board Member Daniel E. Greene, NA, PSoA member and conference faculty artist Mary Whyte and the invitational judge was Brandon Brame Fortune, Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. 

The top five awards were: The Draper Grand Prize presented to Julio Reyes, the Best of Show to Mary Sauer, First Place to Alexandra Tyng, Second Place to David Kassan and First Honor to Lynn Sanguedolce.

 

Draper Grand Prize 
Julio Reyes
Tread Softly, 42 x 63”, oil  

 

Best of Show
Mary Sauer
Anna, 30 x 40”, oil

First Place
Alexandra Tyng
Year at Sea, 68 x 46”, oil
Second Place
David Kassan
Portrait of My Dad, 32 x 25”, oil 
First Honor
Lynn Sanguedolce
Tom Poynor, 68 x 50”, oil
Honor Award
Greg Mortenson
Orveda, 20 x 16”, oil

Honor Award
Paul Wyse
Max, 22 x 28”, oil
                                                                                                 

Honor Award
Katherine McNenly
The Beekeeper, 20 x 24”, oil


Honor Award
Gavin Gardner
Kalos Kai Agathos,7.75 x 13”, cast stone


Honor Award
James Tennison
Margueritte, 40 x 27”, oil

Exceptional Merit
Nick Alm
Insomnia, 35 x 37”, oil

Exceptional Merit & People's Choice
Casey Baugh
Composing, 12 x 20”, oil


Exceptional Merit
Matthew Collins
Richards Serrin, life size, terracotta

Exceptional Merit
Marina Dieul
La grande ails, 50 x 50”, oil 




Exceptional Merit
Stephen Early
I Wanna Be Adored #3, 36 x 30”, oil


Exceptional Merit
John Ebersberger
Avie, 27 x 19”, oil



Exceptional Merit
David Gluck
The Trapper, 24 x 30”, oil



Exceptional Merit
Aapo Pukk
Paul, 38 x 31”, oil 


Exceptional Merit
Thomas Reis
The Reader, 30 x 34”, oil 




Exceptional Merit
Hsin-Yao Tseng
I Never Told You, 30 x20”, oil
                                                                                                 







Saturday, March 24, 2012

Don't Miss Watching David Kassan in the Face Off!


Don't miss an opportunity to watch David Kassan paint in the "Face-off," Thursday, May 24, 2012 in Philadelphia; or on Friday afternoon, May 25, or hear his thoughts on "What is a Portrait?" when he joins Burton Silverman, Daniel Greene and Rose Frantzen for this insightful discussion.   His afternoon drawing class is already full but we are taking a waiting list.  Recently, David shared his thoughts about teaching, "As a teacher, I believe that the most important lesson that I can impart to my students is an understanding of how to develop a keen sense of how to see the world around them, and get that on paper or canvas. I want them to get a strong understanding of how they can have their work represent their individuality, how they are the sum of their unique experiences -- and to have their work reflect this. The technical aspects of what I teach are only a small set of tools that can be used in a million different ways by each individual student."  Sign up today for The Art of the Portrait, May 24-27, 2012. www.portraitsociety.org

Friday, March 16, 2012

Join Mary Whyte at the 2012 The Art of the Portrait


Mary Whyte, Waiting, 24 1/2 x 19 1/4", Watercolor
In Mary Whyte's Conference Insider she addresses the idea of obtaining a likeness in portraiture,"Getting a likeness is only the beginning of making a great portrait painting.  Too often portrait artists focus on the goal of copying their sitter’s features, and think little of the painting’s overall concept, feeling and composition.  Artists sometimes mistakenly believe that if they get the model’s nose length and eye color exactly right, only then will the painting be a success.  What is important to remember is that when viewing a portrait, we respond to the feeling of the work before we scrutinize the sitter’s features.  The ultimate success of a portrait depends not on how well we recognize the model's features, but on how well we respond to the feeling of the person's character as portrayed in the painting."

If you want to hear more from Mary Whyte we hope you will join us at our 14th annual The Art of the Portrait conference, May 24-27, 2012 in Philadelphia, along with 28 other leading artists.  You will be able to see Mary Whyte in the following programs:

Thursday, May 24,from 5:00-7:30 you can watch Mary Whyte demonstrate her approach to the portrait, along with 14 other artists in the Face-Off . Artists will be painting in groups of 3, models dressed in colonial garb. A real treat for the eye!

On Friday, May 25, from 2 2:00-3:30p Mary will present work from her Working South exhibition along with New Works by Daniel Greene and Alexandra Tyng .

You can join Mary Whyte for the special Lunch and Learn program on Saturday, 1;00-2:00pm where you can gather for an informal lunch and discussion about art.

Make sure you stay for Sunday, May 27 from 9:00-10:00a so you can hear Mary talk about The Various Paths to Success with Michael Shane Neal and Bart Lindstrom.

To register visit: www.portraitsociety.org

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

2012 Spring Portrait Academy


Featuring Everett Raymond Kinstler, Edward Jonas,
Michael Shane Neal, and Dawn Whitelaw
 March 30 & 31, 2012
Norman Rockwell Museum – Stockbridge, Massachusetts


 The Portrait Society of America is proud to announce a special 2012 Spring Portrait Academy. We cordially invite you to attend this insightful and educational event. 

Our first-ever Spring Portrait Academy will be held in Stockbridge, Massachusetts at the Rockwell Museum, featuring artists Everett Raymond Kinstler, Edward Jonas, Michael Shane Neal, and Dawn Whitelaw.

Join us at this exciting, enriching, and inspiring event! Enrollment has already reached the half-way point and we expect this program to sell out, so please register soon.  Below is the agenda outlining all the events we have planned for the two days.  Registration is flexible - you can attend one day (Friday-March 30) or for both days (March 30 & 31). 


Good News! Registering is now easier than ever: Click here to Register Online

Schedule & Programs

Friday, March 30, 2012
1:00-4:00pm       An Afternoon with Everett Raymond Kinstler                    
                           Everett Raymond Kinstler will give a presentation and  at the 
                           end of his presentation Kinstler will give a personal tour of 
                           the exhibition.

Saturday, March 31, 2012
10:00-10:30am     Welcome (Overview of day's activities)
10:30am -12pm    Morning Breakout Sessions 
                             (Select one event from the 3 options)
1.   Edward Jonas: The Anatomy of Expressions A sculptor 
    explains how and what we subtly communicate through pose 
    and expressions.
2.   Michael Shane Neal: The Broad BrushA view of 
     painterly style and simple effect.
                              3. Dawn Whitelaw: The Color ConnectionBuilding 
                                  harmony in your work.
12pm-1:00pm       Lunch break                   
1:00-2:30pm         Repeat of Breakout Sessions 
                             (Select one event from the 3 options)                    
2:30-3:00pm          Break
3:00-4:30pm         Techniques for Critiquing Your Own Work & Critiques 
                             from Original Paintings
                              You are encouraged to bring one small original work of art for 
                                       critiques at the end of this program