Show me the Paintings, Take 1 - Casey Baugh

Determination and a single-minded focus are required to create a body of work for a solo show.  Emily recently attended two back to back shows for Casey Baugh and Jeremy Lipking (featured in Take 2) in Manhattan at the Arcadia Gallery, renamed the Arcadia Contemporary Gallery.

Casey Baugh’s show “Static” opened November 21^st.  A young master who creates exceptional portrait work, “Static” catapulted his craft to a new level. It blended his recognizable style and simultaneously departed from traditional representational work. In an interview about this new direction, Casey said, “I have been painting for ten years and right now I feel like I’m starting all over again with a whole new set of materials, problems and challenges. I feel like this is what I should have been doing from the beginning.”

For “Static” Casey took inspiration from a childhood desire to be an electrical engineer.  He combined his exquisite portrait and figure work with a statement about the world in which we live today. "I want these paintings to say something, comment on the world we are living in," says Baugh.  "It's easy to get trapped and engulfed in all of this (the obsession with technology and social media). Sometimes it is bad, sometimes good . . . sometimes it enlightens us while other times it bogs us down."

With skills seen a century ago combined with images in the modern world, best describes “Static”.  Beautiful faces are paired with unusual accessories.  “Illumination” is a portrait of a dark haired beauty with her head encircled by a blinding fluorescent bulb.

Illumination, 12x16 Oil on Panel by Casey Baugh

The opening night crowd was excited to see these new works and many were red dotted right away. I viewed Casey’s paintings online and thought them to be stunning and fresh.  Artists can become type cast just like actors, so I applaud Casey’s risk taking to broaden his talent and to present his collectors with some original “edgy-ness”.

Casey will be teaching at the Scottsdale Artists' School in Scottsdale, AZ January 6-10.  In this workshop, "Painting the Model", he will discuss the correct way of seeing value, drawing, edge and color, as well as composition theory and design. 

- Catherine Dietrich

Palette Project 2013 at the Scottsdale Artists’ School

Initiated in 2012, Scottsdale Artists’ School’s free two day mentorship program with renowned oil painter Daniel Keys is an innovation. The unique weekend workshop designed to instruct young artists, ages 15 – 21 in painting was well received and offered again November 2 – 3^rd, 2013.

 The Palette Project attracted artists passionate about developing their craft and earnest in their pursuit of a career in the visual arts.  The potential candidates were required to submit an essay about their skills, passion and experience for Daniel to review and select.  

The work area is prepped and ready

Daniel donated his time and art company vendors donated the necessary art supplies.  We at RayMar were excited to participate and provided linen panels for the students.  Other donations came from Artists On Art,  Blick Art Materials, and Cobra solvent free oil color.

Some of the many supplies donated for the workshop

I applaud Daniel’s vision for this workshop. He told me he decided to become an artist when he was between 15-16 years old and that’s when many artists make that determination.  Daniel invited me to sit in on his video presentation to the students. He told them he could not teach them to paint specific objects like clouds or flowers, but he could teach them “how” to paint.  His presentation of the elements of painting (shapes, values, edges, color and color temperature, and composition) made the process look very achievable. I thought to myself, “I bet Daniel wished he had received this instruction when he was their age”.

A glimpse into class time

Parents and friends were invited to the closing reception and I was introduced as the supplier of the linen panels.  It was a thrill to see the students’ accomplishments.  They learned their lessons well and have ensured the continuing growth and success of this most valuable workshop to instruct and inspire the artists of tomorrow. 

- Catherine

 

 

Student work displayed at closing reception

 

Own the Moment

 The concept of time, unique to us humans, only exists in this very moment.  Our past is in the history books.  And our future doesn’t exist until the moment arrives when we can take action to leave our imprint. 

So when an opportunity presents itself that could catapult you and your talent to the next level and change your life, take the risk in that moment. There is a line I wrote for the Oil Painter’s of America award we present annually. It is “I applaud every OPA member who takes creative risks.”  Just imagine all the different “schools” of art that came about when artists tried other surfaces beyond the cave walls.  The joy of being an artist is to try the untried.

"Showtime" by Daniel Livingston

So go ahead and boldly brush that bright orange “light” on the cheek of the portrait you’re painting. You may tone it down later but take the leap now.  Sign up for the Third Annual Plein Air Convention in April in Monterey.  You know you want to attend because you’ve heard it is a life changing experience.  Submit your best work to an online contest to bring your work to the attention of a vast audience.  The RayMar online contest is the risky idea I created in 2005 to showcase artists and their work. We are near the close of the seventh contest and are inviting judges for the eight contest that begins in April 2014.  Other contests have adopted my original format for even more opportunities to expose your art. 

 Louis Pasteur said, “Chance favors the prepared mind”.  I have come to believe the most successful artists are disciplined to be ready for challenges. So seize each opportunity when it arrives.  Go beyond being in the moment and own the moment when all that you’ve worked for in the past meshes together as you shoot for the stars in your future. 

- Catherine Dietrich

Conventions Inspire

April turned out to be convention month for RayMar.  Emily and I manned (or “womanned”) vendor booths at the 2^nd Annual Plein Air Convention and Expo in Monterey and the 15^th Annual Portrait Society of America’s Conference in Atlanta. Meeting many long time artist customers and new ones was the convention highlight for us.  

Cathy and Emily speaking about RayMar Products

We unveiled our new multi-dimensional carrier.  Artists have asked for a carrier to transport multiple sizes.  The “Multi” holds the most popular travel sizes 8 x 10, 11 x 14, and 12 x 16 in one carrier. When word got around the convention about this new carrier we sold out twice and then took orders. They are now for sale on our website.

Each convention focused on a different genre of painting.  However, artists told us all subjects inspire them to paint.  We discovered portrait artists paint en plein air and plein air artists paint portraits.  Seemingly a surprise at first, but then we realized artists are open to the world and their sources of inspiration are limitless.

 With hundreds of attendees to view demos and lectures by the top artists in their fields these two conventions supplied inspiration at the highest level. If you were on the fence about attending and passed this year, I highly recommend you participate in one of these next year. They were both well conceived, organized and delivered!

Emily Dietrich with Aaron Westerberg at PSA Awards Banquet

Apart from the scheduled convention events, it is the gathering of so many like minded, creative artists that built intense excitement. From my perspective, to solidify the importance of creating art and the desire to support each other’s efforts is the main purpose of these conventions. Plein Air Magazine has already sent an email advertising next year’s convention, their third annual, which will be in Monterey again. So schedule a convention in your future and prepare for you and your art to grow exponentially.    

- Cathy

  

Artist Demos, In the Style of the Scottsdale Artist’s School

The Scottsdale Artist’s School has created a series of events to accompany their workshop program.  Beginning last October and scheduled through May, selected instructors paint a portrait or figure demo at the school or the nearby Legacy Gallery.  RayMar was invited to be a sponsor and I was excited that I could attend and bring a guest, as well as support the school.

The events have captured the interest of the art community.   Each special event is a condensed mini workshop and is perfect for the artist whose schedule does not permit a week long class.  The demos take place on the expansive second floor of the Legacy Gallery where the audience is surrounded by beautiful art.  With lights, sound projection and a large screen video of the painting in progress, it is a performance.  But even with fifty or more in attendance, a sense of intimacy pervades. The artists answer questions and often share their personal philosophies about life and art through anecdotes from their artistic journey.

I feel the learning opportunities inherent in a live painting demonstration surpass instructional books and lectures. The on the spot lessons from the demos by Daniel Keys, Casey Baugh, Jeffrey Watts, Robert Liberace, Romel de la Torre and David Kassan were invaluable and I learned a lot. David donated revenues from his demo to his new Kassan foundation to assist a visual artist and a musician each year. RayMar donated a 12 x 16 panel carrier filled with three panels that was raffled off to support the school.

Congratulations to the Scottsdale Artist’s School for creating an exciting venue beyond the traditional classroom! The best news is the school has planned more artist demonstrations for the next school term.  So if you plan to attend a Scottsdale Artist’s School workshop check to see if there will be an extra demo event planned with your favorite instructor!

Cathy Dietrich

Casey Baugh

  Jeffrey Watts

 

Nancy Guzik

Romel de la Torre

David Kassan

How Long Will It Take and When Will It be Finished?

Most events have an expected time frame from start to finish. Two hours for a concert, an hour to bake a cake, and three hours to fly to Chicago from Phoenix all seem about right.

 

We’ve heard the line “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, but how long did it take?  This question is not so much about how long as the inherent thought, good things take time.

So in the subjective world of art, when is a painting finished? How does the artist know after a myriad of brushstrokes when the last one has been applied? Depending on the artist’s style and technique, from the initial block in to some spot along the path to completion, the painting is finished when the artist has nothing more to “say” in paint.

When asked, “How do you know when the painting is done?” my art school painting instructor answered, “The painting is finished when the telephone rings.” The class laughed and thought it was one of his frequent riddles.  I asked what he meant.  He replied, “If a painting represents your thought, when you have said what you want to say, it is done at that moment.”

I still didn’t understand.  Then I got it. An artist needs to decide to what extent he wishes to develop a painting.  Will it remain a loose impressionistic piece or a highly developed photo realistic rendering?  Any stop along the way could be considered its final destination depending on the artist’s vision. The artist is the CEO of his painting and must make that call.

So start some paintings and focus in on when to “wrap” them.  It could be when the telephone rings, or the dog barks or when you feel no more strokes are required. And the more painting starts you make, your art will ultimately project your own unique style and connect with collectors who will “hear” your very recognizable voice.

 

Nothing Plain About Red Rock

The First Annual Plein Air Convention (April 12-15)  in Las Vegas at The Red Rock Casino was historic.  RayMar was a sponsor and Emily and I filled a mini van with panels and carriers and drove over from Phoenix.  Billed as the largest gathering of plein air painters in history we were ready for the “Plein Air Show”.  It promised to be unique in the annals of conventions and it delivered… complete with a marching band, show girls and Elvis. After all it was Vegas.  It was three weeks ago and the buzz is still going.

 At the onset there was a feeling in the convention hall that something historic and hugely successful was happening.  Artists and sponsors along with the Plein Air staff sensed the bar had been raised and a new standard set for artists to learn and paint in a convention venue.

 The floor layout put artists and sponsors together and it felt more like a reunion than a convention.  We frequently heard, “Oh I’ve used your panels and carriers for years”. We squealed with delight meeting long time customers and new ones and thank everyone who stopped by to share their stories. Morgan Samuel Price showed me her seasoned carrier from 2002. It was still in service and I wanted it for our archives.  She inscribed the old one “To Cathy, great wet painting carrier!!!!” and I swapped it out for a new one.

Morgan's old carrier!

Emily, Morgan Samuel Price, Richard Lindenberg, and Cathy

Pat Welsh, Cathy, & Chris Adessa at the Plein Air Convention

Alexey Steele "traveling light" with RayMar carriers at Red Rock

The inspiring lectures and demos energized the artists and our sales resembled a feeding frenzy.  We even sold our samples to a New Zealand artist who said they had nothing like our product.  The creative energy was “over the top”. Tony Pro told us he sold everything he had…all his demos and DVDs.

Later as we packed up two banners and a logo table cloth the General Pencil Co. sponsor in the next booth asked, “ if that was all we had to pack”?  We answered “yes” and he smiled and said “Show off”.  We felt euphoric with solid confirmation that artists like our products.  We felt like an overnight success that took 14 years.

I imagine an artist has a similar feeling when their artwork sells.  The joy is overwhelming when someone is moved to purchase your work and we’re pleased that you like our “work”.  I don’t know how the Plein Air staff will top this event but we’ll find out when we see you at the 2^nd Annual Plein Air Convention next year.

Cathy and Emily Dietrich