Workshop Information / In the Studio: June 28, 2016

It's an interesting day in the studio with these three oils in progress.

On the easel is a 3 x 5' lake scene variation, above left a 4 x 5' canvas in the Saccade series and a 40 x 40 inch orange landscape. All of these are very close to completion and it is a real pleasure to add the final touches.

However, anything can happen before they are finished and drastic changes can occur in order to improve the artworks.

Currently there are 6 other canvases in progress and I'll be making new starts this week.


I just held my Making it Fine Art / Advanced Strategies class in Steamboat Springs, CO to a full room. There were some big successes and the artists are on track to make big leaps in their works.

More workshops are coming up:

Castle Rock, CO (Ken's Studio, Denver metro)

Sat and Sun, October 15-16 9:30 - 5pm
Flyer and complete info

Open to artists desiring new tools and strategies for creating fine art. This is an indoor, two-day workshop limited to 6 participants.  one space left
$390 per person payable to Ken Elliott or register on the website

Castle Rock, CO (Ken's Studio, Denver metro)
Spring 2017  date to be announced

Saturday 9:30 - 4pm and Photoshop session after dinner, 5-8pm; Sun, October 15-16 9:30 - 5pm

Making it Fine Art Workshops / Advanced Strategies 2 1/2-Day
Limited to 6 artists, $390 per person payable to Ken Elliott. Register online on the Workshop page

Open to artists in all media. This is a new, advanced version of Ken's Making it Fine Art Workshop. We will be going deeper into making better and more appealing artworks with a variety of strategies. After dinner, I will also show you Photoshop techniques Saturday evening for taking your works to the next level and creating better pathways for finishing your artworks. You will be given a Photoshop guide and have access to a large photo file of over 1500 inspiring artworks.
Flyer / complete info

Massachusetts
Marshfield, Spring 2017
Making it Fine Art Workshops / Advanced Strategies 2 1/2-Day
Sponsored by the North River Arts Society
Register by contacting Peggy Bruno 781-837-8091

Open to artists in all media. This is a new, advanced version of Ken's Making it Fine Art Workshop. We will be going deeper into making better and more appealing artworks with a variety of strategies. After dinner, I will also show you Photoshop techniques Saturday evening for taking your works to the next level and creating better pathways for finishing your artworks. You will be given a Photoshop guide and have access to a large photo file of over 1500 inspiring artworks.

I hope to see you there!
Ken

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Just Fun: Prague Sculpture / 42 Rotating Layers Make up a Must See Surreal Sculpture

photo: Jindřich Nosek

Artist David Černý created a 45-ton rotating sculpture of Franz Kafka's head, which faces City Hall in Prague. video link above

Hidden within a busy shopping centre in Prague you'll find one of the most surreal sculptures you've ever seen depicting the head of famous writer Franz Kafka. This is the work of Czech artist David Cerny who's well known for his mesmerizing kinetic installations and although 42 independently driven layers of stainless steel moving in motion looks impressive, the sculpture also has a far deeper meaning.

The constant movement of Kafka's head also reflects the severe self doubt that the writer suffered with throughout most of his life. With 45 tons of steel used in total to create this incredible kinetic artwork watching it in motion really is quite amazing.

More photos and video from Blaze Press

June 2016 Newsletter

June News: Summer is going wonderfully with exhibits, workshops and travel. There are new artworks, a large commission was just delivered, two upcoming exhibits and three workshops coming up. I hope to see you at one of these events soon! Ken Exhibiting in June: I will be participating in the Cherry Creek Art Festival July 2-4, 9-5 at the gallery. Please stop by and enjoy our exhibit and the festival. 2830 E. 3rd Avenue, Denver, CO 80206  map view my originals and giclees in the exhibit Installing the show at the Art Gym, Denver My group show at the Art Gym opens Thursday June 23 with my fellow Expand Artists, 5-8 pm. Our show is titled Expand / Experimental. with artists Victoria Eubanks, Janice McDonald, Carol Ann Waugh, Mary Williams and myself. Check out our exhibit and tour this amazing 17,000 sq. ft. of rentable, creative workspace for Denver artists. Location: 1460 Leyden St., (at Colfax) Denver, CO 80220 map Exhibiting in July: I will be in Texas for a group show Saturday, July 23 at the Arden's Gallery, Houston. Join us in their redesigned space at 1631 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006 map Workshops: Take your work to new heights. These workshops will focus on strategies for making better paintings, going to new places in your work and making fine art. Please inquire   all workshop info Steamboat Springs, CO Making it Fine Art Workshop / Advanced Strategies Sat and Sun, June 25-26, 9-4pm. This class is almost full, so call the Center to secure your place. Flyer and complete info Open to artists in all media desiring new tools and strategies for creating fine art. This new, advanced version of Ken's Making it Fine Art Workshop is limited to 12 participants. $390 per person payable to the Center for Visual Arts. Call the Center to register: 970-846-7062 Castle Rock, CO (Denver metro) Making it Fine Art Workshop Sat and Sun, August 20-21  9:30 - 5pm  filled Open to artists at all skill levels and media. An indoor, two-day workshop limited to 6 participants. $390 per person. Let me know if you need help with transportation and accomidations. Flyer and complete info    register online here Making it Fine Art / Advanced Strategies 2-day Workshops in Marshfield, MA Sept 10-11 and Falmouth, MA Sept 17-18 These groups are now taking registrations. It is an amazing time of the year to be on the East coast and I hope to see you there! We will be going deeper into making better and more appealing artworks with a variety of strategies. I will also show you Photoshop techniques for taking your works to the next level and creating better pathways for finishing your artworks.complete info and registration Making it Fine Art / Pastel Colorado Springs, Colorado September 23 and 24, 2016 9:45 am - 4:30 pm Sponsored by the Pikes Peak Pastel Society Complete info / flyer   registration form Castle Rock, CO (Ken's Studio, Denver metro) Sat and Sun, October 15-16 9:30 - 5pm Flyer and complete info 4 spots left Great things happen in these Fine Art Classes with information that will last for a lifetime. New Works: Lake Palette Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches Art Gym, Denver sold More about Lake Palette and how is was made on my blog Grateful Notices: Gold Progressions III Oil on panel, 24 x 24 inches sold by Mirada Fine Arts, Indian Springs, CO (Denver metro), Private collection Currently Exhibiting: Haze in the Distance II Oil on canvas, 40 x 40 inches Mirada Fine Arts, Indian Springs, CO (Denver metro)  $6650 framed More about Haze in the Distance II on my blog At the Denver International Airport Should you find yourself at the Denver Airport, take the time to view my work and those of my gifted Expand artists / collogues reproduced in the Main Terminal. You will see the images between the baggage claim areas and behind the car rental counters. This “Here to There” themed display was curated by the DIA Art and Culture Program. The airport desired more color in the main terminal spaces and happily, we were allowed to use it as our playground. Many thanks to my fellow artists and everyone that made this possible! Our EXPAND artist group is comprised of five artists from the Denver metro area: Victoria Eubanks, Janice McDonald, Carol Ann Waugh, Mary Williams and myself. Making it Fine Art Workshop in Boulder, CO March 2016 Publications: A Survey of Paintings and Prints at the PACE Center with works in oils, pastels and monotypes. This exhibition catalog can be purchased online here. 30 color pages and text by the artist. $10 plus $4 postage. Ken Elliott American Landscapes coffee table book: This large coffee table book reprises 25 years of my works in oil, pastel, monotype, etching and collage.Large, coffee table hardback version, 11 x 13 inches, 94 color pages with essays. Book and a signed giclee print of the cover image: $150 or just order the book for $115. Also available as an iBook / download on Apple devices for $9.99. You can preview the complete book and how to order your electronic or hardback versions from my website. My Blog, For the Color Want to follow along in my studio? Come across some interesting art bits and intriguing posts from elsewhere? Check out my artist's blog: For the Color and on the right of the blog under Followers, click Join this Site. Right now you can view vintage videos of Renoir, Degas, a Piet Mondrian video montage, comments about my works and observations about museum artworks from some recent trips. View my newest artworks: This monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with my new works and events. You can also follow me on Facebook and go more in depth with my blog, For the Color. To view the total of my works in all media and in all my galleries, go to www.kenelliott.com Thank you, Ken Contact Ken 303-995-1611 email website Art Blog: For the Color Sign up for this monthly newsletter Image top: Lake Palette Oil on canvas 36 x 48 inches (cropped here) American Art Collector Magazine: "Elliott's canvases display the strikingly vivid modern hues in which he chooses to render his contemporary landscapes."  Southwest Art Magazine:  Although his paintings loosely reference photographs and plein-air sketches, they refuse to exist within the confines of already-prescribed images. Rather, they stand independent of any specific place or time, the fulfilled pursuits of the artist’s visual and intellectual explorations. Elliott wields color boldly, creating sizzling, vibrant shapes that are at once kinetic and placid, grounded in unifying illumination, and focused compositions. He has a fascination with line structure as well, believing that “edges empower colors.”  Private Lessons: I have really enjoyed giving private lessons over the years. It is casual, focused and fun. There will be a big result in your approach to making fine art and clarity on your career strategies. Give me a call and we'll discuss what works best for you. Lodging and transportation can be provided for the Castle Rock Workshops. What they are Saying: "I can't thank you enough for coming to Boulder! Thank you for your clear eye, your hard work, your beautiful color and your careful feedback. I'm now a different Painter...maybe a different person? I loved the weekend. And I can't wait until we get to soak up your love for the work, for Wolf Kahn, for COLOR -- yet again (note that I'm greedy). You are an amazing addition to our lives." M. "Thank you so much for lighting up our lives and our paintings at this past weekend’s workshop! I loved hearing about your time with Wolf Kahn, your thoughts on painting, the beautiful demo, and of course the great feedback you provided us on our own paintings. You really reignited my desire to paint freely. Thanks also for your generosity in sharing the numerous links. I hope to spend another weekend painting with you sometime soon." B.H. "Thank you for the workshop! It was a great two days. You are an amazing host and instructor, (two things that don’t always work together). You pulled something from each of us and it was wonderful to be a part of it. Thanks to the moon and back," V. "Thank you Ken. It was a wonderment! I learned so much." Kathy "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 "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 "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. 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 "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 " Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest SHARE THIS EMAIL

Copyright © 2016 Ken Elliott Fine Art, All rights reserved.

New Work: Lake Palette, oil on canvas 36 x 48 inches

Lake Palette  oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches

Note: Ken has a number of workshops scheduled this year. Complete info


I am always drawn to the calming interaction of land and water at the lake. This oil was made from a photo and it contained considerably more detail - nice to have it, but the point of the oil is simplicity.

Rather than use the colors of the photo, I opted for a tranquil, blue effect. There are a lot of blues here and they are limited to certain parts of the painting in order to preserve their power and unique effect.

It took a lot of tweaking to bring it all together. The pinks at the foreground went in first, an off-balance move to set things in motion, a small risk.

Once the oil began to take shape, lights and darks were increased for depth and interest. Just a touch of green and the red/darks provided a sense of realism to the right land form, setting it apart from the etheric left side. From there it was a matter of setting up the various blues, some receding, others glowing to bring the oil to life.

In the end, the aquas slightly glimmering in the water and the yellow / purple sky in the far distance lift the somber blue mood and allow the eye to move through the scene.