Charlotte Artery November Exhibit

I have been invited to exhibit as a guest artist in the Charlotte ARTery's November Exhibit.

Two nights only! Friday, November 13 and Friday, November 20, 6-9 p.m. each night.

Located at 130 W. Bland Street, one block off of Tryon St, in the South End of Charlotte. Please come out to see my new painting:

Burning Leaves
10" x 8"
Oil on Linen

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OTHER EXHIBIT NEWS

Teaching Talents: Instructor and Staff Exhibit
November 9 - December 23

Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St, Cornelius, NC
(Open M-Th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC
(Open M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

I have three paintings and an etching in this exhibit.

Small Works 2009
November 23 - January 8
Lake Norman Art League Gallery
442 S. Main St, Davidson, NC
Open M-F, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

I have three paintings in this exhibit. Please come out December 3-5th, 6-9 p.m. during Christmas in Davidson. Lake Norman Art League will be hosting a reception each night, taking visitors votes for viewer's choice favorites, and giving free posters away to visitors who come out these nights.

The Lonely Bull (SOLD)

This is a limited palette painting using five colors: ultramarine blue deep, cadmium red light, cadmium yellow light, titanium white, and a little burnt sienna. I typically use about 14 colors in a painting. With this painting, I wanted to try restricting my color use, so I could see the range I could get with fewer colors. The reason one would use so many colors is out of convenience, allowing for quicker mixing and therefore, less time. All one really needs is a red, yellow, blue, and white. I am pleased with how this painting turned out, and I hope you are as well.

The Lonely Bull
5 7/8" x 7 5/8"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

American Art Today Exhibit

Green was accepted into the juried exhibit American Art Today: Juried Works at The Bascom in Highlands, NC.

Green
20" x 16"
Oil on Linen

The exhibit opens with a free, public reception on Saturday, October 24, 2009, from 5-7 p.m. Ms. Blaugrund will speak at 6 p.m. about her selections. The exhibit remains on display through December 18, 2009, and is open during The Bascom's regular hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"The exhibit juror was Annette Blaugrund, former director of the National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, New York, New York, who has organized major exhibitions and published and lectured widely on diverse subjects in American art. Blaugrund holds a Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University and is author of major books, among them John James Audubon: The Watercolors for The Birds of America (October 1993, Villard Books, Random House, with Theodore E. Stebbins, Jr.). One of Dr. Blaugrund’s projects was an exhibition and catalogue called The Tenth Street Studio Building: Artist-Entrepreneurs from the Hudson River School to the American Impressionists, organized for The New York Historical Society where she was the Andrew W. Mellon Senior Curator of paintings, drawings and sculpture from 1989 to 1995, and Director of Institutional Planning in her last year there. As an accreditation reviewer for the American Association of Museums, Dr. Blaugrund consults privately with museums and foundations across the country." (Bio taken from exhibit prospectus.)

Article in University City Magazine

I just realized I never posted this info back in September. I was featured in the September 2009 issue of 'University City Magazine', published by The Charlotte Observer. The issue was all about the arts with the title, 'The Arts Issue - 7 Artists Shaping Our Community'. The article about my work is on page 30, titled "Capturing Nature". They interviewed me for the article and a photographer came by to take my photo while working in my studio back in early August.

White Oak River (SOLD)

This painting is from a photograph of the White Oak River in Swansboro, North Carolina.

White Oak River
6" x 8"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Beach at Fort Macon (SOLD)

This is the next painting in the 125 series. I painted it on location at the beach at Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, last week. I'm teaching a workshop there and at other locations along the Crystal Coast this fall.

Beach at Fort Macon
5 7/8" x 7 5/8"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

If you're in the Concord, North Carolina, area tonight, I'm participating in the Concord Art Walk from 6-9 p.m. at the Piedmont Renaissance Center. I'll have paintings from the 125 series, larger works, and prepared panels for artists on display and for purchase. Please stop by if you can.

Bonfire (AVAILABLE)

This painting was in the recent Realism Found exhibit in Charlotte, NC. I hadn't painted this large in awhile, though I have been meaning to. The painting depicts friends gathering around a bonfire for a summertime party, enjoying the peaceful farm setting under the nighttime sky.

Bonfire
28" x 36"
Oil on Canvas
Please inquire about pricing to info@paulkeysar.com or call 704-596-1286.

The painting is framed in a black frame with gold lip, outer dimensions 36x44".

Cucumber Slices (SOLD)

Today's painting in the 125 series.

Cucumber Slices
4" x 4 7/8"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Red, Green, and Black Grapes (SOLD)

I'm having to post these paintings so late at night because they are taking longer to dry. Once I get caught up with things, I hope to get them posted earlier in the day. Here's the next painting in the 125 series.

Red, Green, and Black Grapes
5" x 7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Gray Day at the Lake (SOLD)

Here is the next painting in the 125 series.

Gray Day at the Lake
5.25" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Garden Tomato (SOLD)

I am happy to be back after finishing a landscape commission in late July. I also just got back in town from telling family and friends that I am going to be a dad! Very excited for that. Today a photographer came by to take some photos of me at work in my studio for an upcoming article in University City Magazine. I'll send a link to that when it comes out. I am actually not certain what the article is about, so we will see. This is the next painting in the 125 series.

Garden Tomato
4 7/8" x 5 7/8"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

This is another tomato variety in my vegetable garden—a heatwave planted from seed. I love the unusual shape.

Red and Black Plums (SOLD)

This is the next painting in the 125 series. I am currently working on a commission due at the end of this month, so that is my top priority for the next few weeks. I'll continue to create new paintings in this series as time permits. I had hoped to be able to juggle teaching, the commission, and this series, but it wasn't reasonable. I look forward to getting back to this series regularly after the commission.

Red and Black Plums
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

I started this painting last week, intending to send it out Saturday, but had a hard time getting the plums to look right. The first approach wasn't working, so I had to take a different approach, one that I should have started with from the beginning. My first approach was to paint the colors as I saw them on the surface. The approach that I needed, which ended up working, was to look past the surface light (reflections) to the base color of the plums, and then working wet on wet, to build up the colors, ending with the reflections.

Juliet Tomatoes (SOLD)

I finished this painting yesterday, but cadmium red takes a long time to dry, and it wasn't ready to scan until today. I will be sending out another painting tomorrow. These two juliet tomatoes are from my vegetable garden. I hadn't heard of juliets before this year, and I highly recommend them. They are about the size of a large grape or small roma tomato, and the plant is a high producer.

Juliet Tomatoes
4x6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

The Unfinished Painting

This morning I started working on a painting of a green tomato, something I have been looking forward to painting for a few weeks. Unfortunately, it just wasn't happening. I was about half to three quarters of the way done, and it just wasn't clicking. As an artist, every painting doesn't end in success and satisfaction, and you have to know when to move on to something else. This was today's story. Maybe you will go back to the painting the next day, week, or months later, but sometimes paintings stay stacked in a dark closet, never to see the light of the studio again. I started a new painting of two red juliet tomatoes, but got called away from the studio this afternoon. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Tennessee Fourth (SOLD)

I painted this in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on July 4th while visiting with my wife's family. It is so refreshing to get out in the mountains and valleys of western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Such a beautiful landscape right in the backyard.

Tennessee Fourth
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Shells (SOLD)

Shells
5.25" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Pear with Jar (SOLD)

Pear with Jar
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Willow Oak Study (AVAILABLE)

Willow Oak Study
7x5"
Oil on Masonite
$185 (includes shipping within the U.S.)

To purchase this painting, please email info@paulkeysar.com or call 704-596-1286.

Blueberries with Lemon Peel (SOLD)

Blueberries with Lemon Peel
4x6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Shell (SOLD)

Due to my schedule this week, the paintings for this week will probably go out at night. Here is the new painting in the 125/125 series.

Shell
4.25" x 6"
Oil on Cardboard
SOLD

Cucumber Accident (SOLD)

This is the first cucumber grown in my garden. I accidentally stepped on it when transplanting, and it took on a deformed shape, and then stopped growing. I like to find fruits and vegetables that have unique characteristics. They are much more interesting to me than what is considered a 'normal' look. I have started to play with color in my paintings. The background in this painting started out green. I then changed it to red to play with its complement, before changing it back to green.

Cucumber Accident
4x6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Field on Contees Wharf Ln (AVAILABLE)

Today was a very hectic day. I'm sorry for the late post. Going forward, I would say, I'll get these out as early in the day as possible, but things come up outside of my control. For instance, this painting took a long time to dry, so I had to wait to scan it in. The Habanero Peppers painting has sold. Tuesdays and Wednesdays paintings are currently available if interested. Here is today's painting:

Field on Contees Wharf Ln
6x6"
Oil on Masonite
available

This is a plein air study. There's a little bit of glare on the right side of the photo.

Cherries with Peach (SOLD)

I must say I had a very difficult time editing the scan of this painting. The light reflecting off of the medium used created glare spots, and for some reason, the color just isn't conveying. The actual painting turned out quite nice, and its background and foreground colors are softer and more even than what the photo is depicting. Photo documentation is probably the most frustrating part of this process.

Cherries with Peach
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

I am always looking for variety in my paintings, and frequently use what's on hand. This is a combination I haven't painted before and was able to make use of these fruits before they went bad.

ELEMENTary Opening Reception6/26/09, 6-9 PM - Concord, NC

Please join me at the "ELEMENTary - The Basics: Air, Earth, Fire, Water" opening reception on Friday, June 26, 2009, from 6-9 p.m. at the Cabarrus Arts Council galleries, Historic Cabarrus Courthouse, 65 Union Street S, Concord, NC.

I have 14 works on display, including 7 new oil paintings, one of which is shown below. Hope to see you there!

Shore Line
16x20"
Oil on Canvas
SOLD

Below is an invitation to the opening:

The exhibit is on display through August 13, 2009. Regular gallery hours are M-F, 10-4.

Cloudy Night (SOLD)

This is the second painting in the 125 series of small paintings.

Cloudy Night
6x6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

In this painting, I wanted to show the coolness of night and the way the light of a full moon plays off of the clouds.

Habanero Peppers (SOLD)

This is the first painting in the 125 series of small paintings.

Habanero Peppers
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

I was first drawn to paint these peppers due to their delicate, petite nature—a true testament to looks being deceiving, as the habanero is one of the hottest peppers in the world. You won't catch me eating these now that the painting is done. I also wanted to play with the complimentary colors of orange and blue. At first, I had the tablecloth a darker blue, with lighter blue in the background, but the contrast was too strong, so I reversed the foreground and background colors.

For an early preview of tomorrow's painting, please subscribe to my email newsletter (see top right of blog). Thanks!

Watermelon Slice (SOLD)

While you are waiting...here's one currently available:

Watermelon Slice
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Finished!

I have finished and turned in all paintings for my second exhibit this summer. I have been working on preparing for the "Realism Found" exhibit (on display through June 30th), and the upcoming "ELEMENTARY: The Basics - Air, Earth, Fire, Water" for the past two months. I am ready to switch focus.

The ELEMENTARY exhibit runs June 22 - August 13, 2009, with an opening reception during the Art Walk on Friday, June 26, 2009, from 6-9 p.m., at the Cabarrus Arts Council, Historic Courthouse, 65 Union Street S, Concord, NC 28026. For more information about this exhibit, please contact the gallery at 704-920-ARTS (2787).

I saw a preview of the exhibit yesterday, and it looks really great! There is a great mix of styles from artists across the region. Please come out to the opening if you can. It won't disappoint.

I'm still working on editing images of the new paintings completed for the two exhibits, so I can show you the new paintings. I created four new paintings for the Realism Found exhibit and seven new paintings for the ELEMENTary exhibit. I'm still working on my website redesign. There's been a lot going on. I'm not posting new information on my website until the redesign is done. In the meantime, look for news on my blog or follow me on Twitter at @paulkeysar.

"Realism Found"Opening Reception June 5th, 6-9 p.m.

I have 13 pieces on exhibit, including several new, never before seen, pieces. Please come out to the opening if you can. I would love to see you there.

Work in Progress

I am currently working on finishing five paintings for "Realism Found: Charlotte Artists Find New Meaning in an Old Tradition". I have to finish these by Monday to get them photographed and framed prior to next Wednesday's hanging. I'll post some photos of the paintings in the exhibit later next week. The show runs June 2-30, 2009, at The Queen's Gallery, 1212 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC. If you're in town, please come to the opening reception on Friday, June 5 from 6-9 p.m., or the Plaza / Midwood "Krawl" on Saturday, June 13, 2009, from 7-10 p.m. Hope to see you there.

After those paintings are finished, I have several more I have to be finished for another exhibit in June in Concord, NC. Those need to be turned in by June 1st. A very busy week for me lies ahead.

May 2009 Plein Air Painting Workshops

Upcoming Plein Air Landscape Painting Workshops

Saturday, May 23, 2009 (rain date rescheduled from last week)
McDowell Nature Preserve, Charlotte, NC
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
$35

Saturday, May 30, 2009
Colonel Francis Beatty Park, Matthews, NC
Morning Session: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Afternoon Session: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$35 per session, or $70 for both.

To register, please call 704-596-1286 or email info@paulkeysar.com.

Skill Level: All skill levels.

Medium: Demo will be given in oil. Participants may use the medium of their choice.

Limit: Workshops are limited to eight (8) participants.

Workshops will deal with the problems artists face during the beginning, middle, and end stages of a painting. Through demo, discussion, and critiques, Artist and Instructor Paul Keysar will help participants develop a higher understanding of and gain a greater confidence in painting the landscape in plein air. He will cover topics such as, how to work with your materials, the use of drawing as a foundation in painting, color choices, the importance of a good composition, and more. Paul will start each workshop with a short lecture and discussion time, followed by a demonstration. The remainder of each day will be spent painting the landscape with each student receiving individual guidance as needed.

Upon RSVP, supply lists and directions will be emailed to you.

Entering Juried Exhibits

artshow.com is my favorite resource to check for upcoming juried art exhibits.

Where do you look?

Some key things I check before entering a juried exhibit:

1. Who is the judge?
What type of work does the judge like, as evidenced by their own work (if an artist) work they collect (if a collector), or work they exhibit (if a gallery owner). What type of work has the judge selected for acceptance and awards in previous juried exhibits? Do a Google search to find out more.

2. What type of prizes will be awarded?
Will it benefit me to enter? In what ways...if I win and if I don't?

3. Will my work fit in with the style preferred by the show organizers?

4. What are the additional costs of entering?
Aside from the entry fee, are there shipping costs or booth fees? Do I think that my income will outweigh the expenses?

5. What are my chances for increasing exposure to my art?
What type of press coverage does the event receive? How respected is it in the art community? Is this a local exhibit, regional exhibit, or will it attract national attention?

I entered art exhibits for many years without paying attention to most of these details, just assuming that my work would speak for itself. It's not going to make much impact if you are speaking to the wrong audience. Once I started researching and only entering exhibits that matched my goals and interests, my acceptance and award percentage went up significantly. I encourage you to do the same.

Marketing Your Work Online

Every day it seems there are new online websites, blogs, and social networking sites to help you market your work. While I haven't jumped on the Facebook bandwagon yet...still not sure if I will, and I'm not video blogging (or vlogging)...no video camera, there are a few blogs I consistently follow.

EmptyEasel.com provides articles from an artist's perspective on topics such as search engine optimization tips, art tutorials, marketing tips, reviews of various products, and more. Ways for you to interact are: submit an article you have written for a chance to be published on the site, and suggest that your work be reviewed as the featured artist of the week. My work was featured as the September 5, 2007, featured artist of the week.

Gurney Journey is a must read daily weblog from James Gurney. It contains a wealth of information for all artists, and this is the one site I check every day.

Alyson B. Stanfield has a blog and produces a weekly e-newsletter with tips to help artist's market their work and stay organized, so they can spend more time in the studio. She also has a book called I'd Rather Be in the Studio!.

There are many other sites and blogs out there. Find the ones you like and leave comments to let the authors know when they have provided helpful information and if you have information that may be helpful to others. What are your favorite sites? What sites have helped you most?

If you are on twitter, follow artists_wife for insight on what it's like to be married to an artist, plus news about my work that doesn't always make it to my blog. Twitter is an easy way to share news and insight into your work without taking up a lot of your time.

Sketch for Autumn Rain (Available for Purchase)

Sketch for Autumn Rain
4 7/8" x 4 7/8" (drawing size)
9 13/16" x 9 13/16" (mat size)
Graphite on Paper
© 2007

This would look great paired with Cattle in Winter. If interested in purchasing, please email me at info@paulkeysar.com or call 704-596-1286.

Art Leagues and Critiques

I just returned from a dinner/social/critique session with the Lake Norman Art League. I joined this Art League (and later a couple others) shortly after moving to Charlotte from Maryland. This was a great way to meet people with similar interests and get plugged into the local arts community. If you do not participate in a local art group, I encourage you to search for ones in your area and attend a couple meetings and exhibits to see if you would fit in. Benefits include connecting with fellow artists, participating in exhibits, networking, finding out about local events and having an outlet to help market your own, plus many more.

We had a critique session tonight. Each person could bring one work, give a brief introduction of themselves and the piece, and receive helpful feedback from fellow artists. Many commented they had never stepped back far enough from their piece and were seeing things in a new perspective. Others had not reflected on the impact matting and framing can have on a piece. It is important in every artist's growth to seek out feedback from other artists.

If you don't have an art league or critique sessions in your area, I encourage you to help get them started. Get involved in your local arts community in whatever way you can. Make your voice and interests heard. I did not participate much after college when I lived in Virginia and Maryland and the contrast between then and now is abundantly clear.

New Painting FinishedView from Quiet Waters Park (SOLD)

View from Quiet Waters Park
8" x 10"
Oil on Canvas
© 2008
SOLD

I finished this painting a few months ago, but have not posted it to my website yet. The view is looking out on the South River from Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland.

Spring Classes and Workshops

I am teaching several oil painting classes and plein air painting workshops in the Charlotte, NC, area this spring, as well as a wood cut workshop. I am also available for private lessons for individuals or small groups. View a list of current and upcoming classes and workshops I am teaching. For more information, please email me at info@paulkeysar.com or call 704-596-1286.

I am also planning 3- and 5-day plein air painting workshops at Emerald Isle and the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. Projected dates are in late-September and October. More details to be announced soon. There is also the possibility of a 3-day workshop this spring. If interested, please let me know, and I will email you the details when available. Thanks!

Google Image Search

Just a note: If you found my blog by doing a Google Image Search, I recently removed all old posts featuring the miniature paintings I completed in 2007. Almost all of these have been sold, and I am taking a new direction with my blog. A selection of these paintings will be on my website, paulkeysar.com, in the portfolio of past work, when the site gets relaunched in a couple of weeks. I'm also looking at publishing a book featuring my small works sometime in the future. Until then, the image links should still work if they are hosted on my website server.

Thanks,
Paul

Redesigning my Website

I am currently working on redesigning my website paulkeysar.com and hope to have it up in the next couple of weeks. Until then, I am not updating it with new content. The new website will have a new look and new features. I will no longer have a news page on my website. All news will be posted to my blog.

Linen versus Canvas

I received a comment from Ellen who asks, "I see that you paint on linen. I have only used canvas. What is this linen all about, and can I buy it in an art supply store?"

You can buy linen in the same forms as you would buy canvas—primed or unprimed, pre-stretched, by the yard, or in rolls. I usually buy mine from Dick Blick, and most major art suppliers carry a wide selection. I always buy primed linen or canvas to save time.

Aside from what you are willing to spend, probably two of the most important factors to consider when purchasing linen or canvas is the weight and the texture. There are light to heavy weights and extra-fine to large grain textures. I am most concerned with the texture, and I prefer extra fine because I like the smoothness and the way it takes the paint. I am still searching for a suitable linen or canvas with a texture I enjoy and a price I am willing to pay.

Canvas is usually made of cotton. Linen comes from the flax plant. Cotton is more readily available and can be cheaper to manufacture into canvas, whereas the flax plant grows best in Belgium and France and takes more resources to produce. The fiber strength is stronger in linen, and linen is better for archival purposes.

All said, I think linen looks better than canvas, and there are affordable linens out there. You just have to do some research, look at some samples if possible, and figure out what will work best for you.

What type of linen or canvas to you prefer? Please leave a comment...

Cattle in Winter (Available for Purchase)

Cattle in Winter
5" x 5" (drawing size)
9 7/8" x 9 7/8" (mat size)
Graphite on Paper
© 2007

I will be posting one drawing for sale per week. I'm starting with a few drawings I have had hidden away in my sketchbook. If interested in purchasing, please email me at info@paulkeysar.com or call 704-596-1286.

A New Year, A New Blog Format

Welcome to 2009! Hard to believe February is almost gone. I did not do a good job at keeping up with my blog last year or email newsletters. It's easy to let things get away from you if you get out of the habit of doing them. I have been evaluating things and coming up with a plan to be better organized this year.

I have also been evaluating my goals for my art, and will be starting a couple new series of paintings this year. Along with a new direction in my art, I decided I needed an updated website and blog. My wife is working on a website redesign of www.paulkeysar.com, and has just finished updating this blog, now titled "Working Through Art".

I decided to call it "Working Through Art" for two reasons. 1. My occupation is an artist. 2. I don't have this artist life figured out yet, and I will share some of my experiences with you through my blog. I hope writing about my experiences helps me work through some things and gives you some insight into what it is like to be an artist. I also hope to encourage other artists who might be going through some of the same issues.

I value your comments and welcome your questions. Please feel free to leave a comment, send me an email, or give me a call (studio - 704.596.1286). I'll do my best to get back to you in a timely manner.

Finding a Balance

Here's a struggle that I am constantly facing. I would like to have a body of work to approach galleries with, to participate in solo or group exhibitions, and to market to collectors. Galleries usually want a minimum of 15-20 paintings when reviewing new artists. You need a good number of paintings to be in an exhibition. And what I have learned in the past year, is that it is important to create series of work. I have several ideas for a few series of paintings that I am working on now. In opposition to that, is the need for immediate income.

Art is a very expensive profession. I have three tubes of paint that I am out of, and they cost about $120 total. Not many people realize the supply cost that goes into creating a painting. I go through almost a set of brushes per large-size painting. I prefer linen to canvas. Then, there are the obligatory monthly bills—the cost of living. The immediate need for income surpasses the need to build up a body of work. I feel like I am caught in a spin cycle, trying to fight my way back on top of the water.

To fulfill my immediate monetary needs, I take commissions, I sell my work to interested buyers, and I teach. I like doing all three. Commissions are important because you know that the work you are creating is already spoken for, with a partial deposit. Direct sales are the goal of every artist. There is nothing more satifying for an artist than to create a piece of work and have someone fall in love with it and claim it as their own. I also enjoy encouraging beginning artists in the foundations of painting, helping them grow in their understanding and skill.

However, I have recognized that to make it to the next level, I need to do more. I need a great body of work that sets me apart in the crowd. So, I am trying to figure out how to do it all. I think it is important to set goals and revisit them daily. What shows do I want to enter this year? What kind of advertising do I want to do? In what galleries would I love to be accepted? I guess I am recognizing the need for a business plan. Artist's don't like to think about business much because it leeches away the creativity. I am blessed to have a wife who helps me with the business side. I don't know how people like James Gurney do as much as they do, but it is encouraging.

I must find that balance between immediate need and future goal. I must document my goals on paper and revisit them daily to keep myself on track. I'll let you know my progress...