Emails with my Father, continued.

>------- Original Message -------

>From : Tamsen Armstrong[mailto:tamsen345@comcast.net]

>Sent : 7/22/2012 4:45:34 PM

>To : normvance@hrecn.net; annevance@hrecn.net

>Cc : 

>Subject : RE: railroad crossing

>

>Well, this was a two day project that started yesterday out at the Carquinez Straits with my friend Kim Homes.. I sketched the composition first, then started painting. The funny part was when the trains would come by (it seemed like every 15 minutes!) and broke my concentration! But it was lovely to be outdoors in the sunshine. When I took it home, I realized I was much too tentative and stingy with the paint, so I loaded up by brushes and went to work! I like it so much better now. Im sorry I did not take a photo of the first step, but here is my (nearly) first landscape in oils. It just needs a few more highlights and some detailing on the sign. I hope you think it is decent. I think I was trying to emulate your bold color strokes, Dad. Love you both!

TamZ 

From: "Norman K Vance" <normvance@hrecn.net>

Date: July 22, 2012 6:11:31 PM PDT

To: tamsen345@comcast.net

Subject: RE: railroad crossing critique

Reply-To: "" <Norman K Vance>

GOOD ONE!!!  Your composition is good, but I would like to see the tree trunks a bit smaller, and one tree trunk looks like it is resting on the track.

I love your choice of colors, and your application technique/  

Tone down the tree leaves, they overpower the study.  Use mix of chromium oxide and a bit of naples yellow for this.  

All in all, a very good study, worthy of a glance from Edward Hopper!

love

Daddy

Emails with my Father

I'd like to post some of the email conversations I had with my father on the subject of books, painting, art and life, since he has given me so much encouragement and inspiration throughout my life. 

We didn't start talking seriously about my own journey as a painter until 2010 when he and my mother came to visit during the Christmas holidays that year and we started painting and drawing together. He died in 2013, just after his 60th wedding anniversary and a few weeks before Christmas. 

From    : Tamsen[mailto:tamsen345@comcast.net]

Sent    : 4/22/2013 7:55:05 PM

To      : normvance@hrecn.net

Cc      : 

Subject : RE: Re: .....by holding my breath...

Oh frabjous day! Callooh callay! 

Or is that not Lithuanian enough for you!? Glad to hear your computer is 

back up and running. It's my lifeline to the world and I don't know what 

I'd do without it! 

Hey, Daddo, I'm glad you like my Mount Diablo painting. I feel that for a 

first effort, I did pretty well. Im still making changes to the 

foreground tree line and may do some more with the sky  I'd like to keep 

exploring the subject and try for all kinds of variations. I found that 

the best time to see the mountain is in the late afternoon and early 

evening. The colors are much more saturated at that time. 

I think of you every day and hope you are feeling well. I love you!

TamTam

From: "Norman K Vance" <normvance@hrecn.net>

Date: April 23, 2013 10:59:22 AM PDT

To: tamsen345@comcast.net

Subject: Claude Monet, the father of impressionism....

Reply-To: "" <Norman K Vance>

,,,,,painted dozens of studies of "haystacks". I can only assume he was 

exploring the shapes and textures, the lighting and colors.  Monet was in 

a learning curve at this time, a place you are in, now, so don't be 

afraid to paint Mt Diablo again!  You will learn much as you do this!

If you remember my series of abstract paintings of "Rock Crushers", I did 

many studies and finally found some design I liked.

Just a few words of advice from

your ever loving

Daddy

I'm going to Stinson Beach next weekend for my annual Accidental Readers Book Club Slumber Party, so I decided to practice painting a beach scene. This photo is from my friend Lisa, who loves Stinson over any other place on earth. I used brushes at first, then started messing around with a painting knife. Just a little 5x7 quickie on a cheap canvas board.

I thought it was time to get back to drawing, but I really hate working with pencils. I need to erase too much, so I started drawing a shoe that I love but don't wear anymore. I drew the shoe in thinned out blackish paint, then started filling in and moving the paint around until it looked right. That's not a great way to learn to draw, but easier for me. I call this one Kitten Heel.

I participated in the Lamorinda Arts Alliance show at the Lafayette Christian Church a couple of weekends ago---my first big chance to show and sell a bunch of paintings! My painting buddy, Kim Homes, and I had a lovely patio all to ourselves, shady and pleasant. We greeted visitors as they came through and I got the opportunity to speak with several people, five of whom bought small paintings. It was fun, but exhausting. A lot of work for so little money! I've been told that these kinds of shows are hit and miss and not to get too discouraged, especially if your first wasn't all that spectacular. We'll see. I've heard that the big shows are really expensive to get in. How to make enough money to keep going, buy paint and canvas...I love to paint, but I'm not an expert at selling.

The glorious Piedmont Center for the Arts: the Lamorinda Arts Association show will be every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3:00 until Sept. 27

 I am standing next to two of my "Grapefruit Series" paintings. I sold both last Saturday an hour after the show started! The last two will be up for the rest of the show.

 Valerie Corvin did an amazing job on the show: she was awarded these orchids as a thank you from the artists.

 My painting buddy, Kim Homes. Her meditative landscape is called Highway 37

Today's underpainting went pretty well

I really love painting chain link fences for some strange reason...they fascinate my sense of order. Everything meshes together...except for that convenient warped section where my bird is sitting...ha ha! This Stellar's Jay has been teasing my cat, who longs to fly off the ledge of our veranda and show him who is boss. I'm glad cats can't fly! 

The Grapefruit Series now showing at the Piedmont Center for the Arts @ 801 Magnolia Avenue

My first show starts today! I'm so proud to be part of the Lamorinda Arts Alliance and hope to make the acquaintance of some of my fellow LAA members today. of