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