Grateful Notices: Field with the Orange Tree

Field with the Orange Tree

oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches

Private collection

Looking back on this canvas, I remember that it went through a lot of variations before reaching this finished stage. In the end, the canvas came together when I  first increased the brights and darks. The contrasts made it more interesting and it was the same for the colors once they changed in hue across different parts of the canvas. 

The painting is a simple arrangement with a minimum of detail, a bit of poetry with notes in yellows, golds and blues.

My sincere thanks to the collectors that selected this work for their home.

Ken

Grateful Notices: Autumn Diagonal oil, 30 x 40 inches

Autumn Diagonal

oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

Private collection

I enjoyed the effort with this oil. There were at least three times when it was 'good enough' but it was not enough. Both times I was satisfied about the work and was ready to sign it but when I saw it in the studio the next day, it seemed to be lacking something. 

The sky changed a number of times as well as the light and color coming through the trees in the background. 

What made it all come together was when I hit the right side hard with the blues and greens. The earlier version of the oil was a fairly continuous line of orange and red trees. The dark blues added punch and counterpoint to the red trees on the left.

Within a few days a wonderful couple, one is an artist, bought it. It's always a thrill for people to take your artworks home or into their offices, thank you!

Abstract Painting blog: Artist Daily

Artist Daily.com
If you’re a reader of the Artist Daily blog, you probably already know that abstract painting is one of those sneaky art forms that tends to look easier than it is. They created this series of exercises for those times when you’re staring blankly at the canvas wondering where to begin. The 12 exercises included are not only a good place for inexperienced painters to start; they’re also a simple way to stimulate creativity in those of you that might be seeking inspiration.

It’s free to anyone and it may take our artwork to an even better place.

Grateful Notices: Fall Imposing, Sunset in Pinks and Orange and Field with the Orange Tree, oils on canvas

Fall Imposing

oil canvas, 36 x 60 inches

Private collection, Texas

Sunset in Pinks and Orange

oil canvas, 36 x 60 inches

Private collection, Texas

Field with the Orange Tree

oil on canvas, 36 x 60 inches

Private collection, Texas

It's a great pleasure to meet new people and this Texas couple was a delight! My good friend here in Colorado is the daughter of the woman that visited. We had a lively time before they left and three works were selected for their home. 

I couldn't be more happy to have met them and I was honored that they took a number of oils back to Texas.

Thank you!

Ken 

Workshop: Sat - Sun, November 21-22 The Pastel Society of Colorado

Making it Fine Art Workshop, Marshfield, MA

This will be my last Making It Fine Art Workshop of 2015 and I am honored to be invited and sponsored by the Pastel Society of Colorado.  I hope you can make it!

This will be an indoor, two-day workshop open to artists at all skill levels and in all media.

Because of the Society sponsorship, this workshop is over $100. less than the usual price.

In these Workshops new artistic paths are offered and strategies for making fine art. It is an inspirational weekend with information that will last you for a lifetime.


Sat - Sun, November 21-22
Making It Fine Art Workshop

Pastel Society of Colorado, sponsor
Workshop flyer and supply list

Location:
Lakewood Cultural Center
470 S Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226
Open to artists at all skill levels and media
An indoor, two-day workshop, 9-4 pm
Limited to 20 participants, $225 payable to the City of Lakewood.

Register online: http://www.Lakewood.org/Register
(keyword search Ken Elliott) or a much easier way by phone:
303-987-7845, workshop #379401-01

In this workshop:
This workshop is open to artists are all skill levels. Ken will discuss strategies for creating better artworks with a variety of common and creative tools. The workshop will focus the strategies for making better paintings, going to new places in your work and how to make fine art. Much attention will be given to improving your own artworks and career.

Ken will demonstrate painting using oil and pastel. He will discuss the idea of making strong starts and keeping the way open for more interesting and dramatic finishes. Ken is a very hands-on teacher, so there will be some collaboration if you are open to it.

In addition to making art works, Ken will talk about business and promotion, which are necessary to be a successful artist in the marketplace.

There will be serious discussions, laughs, and your questions. We will all come away with new tools to take your art to the next level.

Attendees are invited to bring whatever they wish to paint with and work on. Bring works to start, works in progress, and finished works to evaluate. There will be a lot of conversation about the mental aspects of making good art by design and experiment. The mental aspect is the quickest way to get the breakthroughs to the next big success in your art.
Ken will bring some finished works to share with the group.

The feedback from the "Making it Fine Art" Workshops has been very positive. People are saying they are getting much more than they expected and for many, a real boost to their careers. Some have experienced tremendous breakthroughs.

People are saying:
"So, when my friend, Ken Elliott, told me he was co-teaching a workshop on color with Casey Klahn, I immediately said sign me up! Ken's work is simplified impressionist landscape with an emphasis on bold color like reds and yellows. Casey's work is influenced by the cloudy days of the northwestern part of the United States, and his paintings are simplified, abstracted landscapes. Casey uses subdued colors like blues and purples. Both artists' style and color sense are so dramatically different than mine that I knew I would be challenged by this workshop. And indeed I was! I have to smile when I see the work I produced in this workshop. It's so unlike my usual work."

Lee McVey website

I so enjoyed meeting you and being part of the workshop. You got me on fire!!!!!
Ed

"Wow! My weekend of private lessons was fabulous! While I was there I stepped into a whole new world that my soul was calling for. Wonderful conversations, a beautiful time with great art everywhere and artistic success!"
Kate

"Thank you so much for including me in the wonderful weekend workshop at the Castle Rock Artist "Retreat" :D I found all of you to be a delight and am so happy to meet each of you! Ken, you are a wonderful teacher & inspiring person!! The one day with you in your B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L home & "artist sanctuary" was "exactly" what I needed on so many levels !!! Thank you for your generosity, great color sense, sharing of your artful knowledge & supply resources. I came away with a renewed art spirit and also w/ some new artistic ideas for applying paint to the canvas! Very inspiring indeed!
Jeannie Paty website

"When I signed up for a painting workshop, who knew that it would be so much more. Thank you Ken. For your kindness, generosity of spirit, and sharing your knowledge and skill of painting with us. And thank you to everyone for making our time together a magical weekend which will be cherished. Fortunately the universe provided me with what I needed, whether I knew it or not."
Linda

"It was a fabulous workshop! I know we all had a lot of fun and really enjoyed having you here. We would love to have you come back again next year!"
Donna


"Just wanted to thank you again for a very inspiring, informative, and fun workshop. I worked LARGE today!
Maxene


Thank you for all your inspiration!
Deb


Thanks SO VERY MUCH, Ken, for such a fun, informative, and energetic workshop. Your enthusiasm is contagious. What a wonderful weekend!!
Christine


"You are so gracious. Thank you so much for the wonderful workshop and ALL that you shared. It was a great weekend."
Suzanne

"Love the class, you are a great teacher!"
Betsy


"I feel so enriched and on fire to paint big and glowing colors. If you ever get a chance to study with Ken Elliott, I highly recommend him. If you need help getting to his workshops just read his book Manifesting 123"
Francine "

Great class Ken! Thank you for all the good tips and inspiration. So glad you came to Houston."
Kay

You are so gracious. Thank you so much for the wonderful workshop and ALL that you shared to inspire us. It was a great weekend in Alaska.
Suzanne

A good time was had by all! Thank you!
Barbara, Workshop organizer and attendee

It was a great work shop, I highly recommend Ken's workshops.
Scott

Art Workshops: Colorado Springs Art Guild, October 2015

Here is a photo from the Colorado Springs Art Workshop with some of the participants. I'm working on an oil demonstration as the class looks on. One of the lessons here is to make a good start on this 36 x 36 canvas. So far, so good!

My thanks for the Colorado Springs Art Guild that sponsored this event. I throughly enjoyed myself and we put a lot of new ideas into effect during that weekend.