Grateful Notices: Soft Sunset, oil on canvas, 24 X 48

Soft Sunset, oil on canvas, 24 X 48 private collection

Occasionally there is a canvas that never makes it to competition. Soft Sunset was one of those pieces, continually evolving, presenting more problems and demanding a good finish.

I have a few of these problem works currently stacked in the studio, patiently waiting for the last brushstrokes to pull it all together. 

This canvas was started at least three years ago and for whatever reason, I found the solution last week. The painting was too bright with a number of colors competing for attention, keeping it out of balance.

I made a big move by adding grays to almost every part of the canvas, allowing just a bit of the original, brighter colors to gleam through. After that, it was a matter of some color and contrast adjustments, a pleasant task.

Perhaps this same strategy will work on some of the other old canvases.....

My sincere thanks to the collector that purchased this for her home.

Grateful Notices: Saccades I and VI, oils on panels, 24 x 24 inches

Saccades I   24 x 24 inches    Sold by Saks Galleries, Denver  private collection

Saccades VI   24 x 24 inches    Sold by Saks Galleries, Denver  private collection

It is always a thrill for your gallery to call and let you know that a painting has sold... even more when you find out that the client has inquired about a second work as a possible pair.

When your artworks are selling around the country, artists don't always have the pleasure of meeting with their collectors. Happily, I delivered the second oil to the clients home and we spent the evening getting to know each other with laughs and insights.

After looking at different locations for the oils, their original idea of the dining room was the best. It's always tricky to hang two works side by side perfectly so I was happy to have the husbands help. I should take him along next time.

What a delightful evening! Many thanks to the fascinating couple that purchased these works and again to Saks Galleries for their wonderful support.

More information about the Saccades Series of oils

Newsletter: September 2017

September News: the late late version I am late for my self-imposed newsletter deadline but I'll plead that the month was too interesting and fun to stop and take the time to write! A Making it Fine Art / Advanced Strategies workshop wrapped up last week. It was a specially scheduled Fri-Sat class to accommodate two artists from Massachusetts, Grace and Maureen along with Rob from CO Springs. We had a vibrant and inspiring experience, all pushing ourselves and thoroughly enjoying our time together. My next workshop will be in mid-May, 2018. Details will be announced soon. Contact Ken to learn more or to schedule a workshop in your area.  all workshop info The month ended with the completion of a couple of large oils (below.) The cropped photo at the top of this newsletter shows me close to completion on a 4 x 5 ft oil... more to follow as the painting bends me to its will. Do take the time to embrace the inspirations of the fall! Ken For the Benefits: Afterglow Oil on canvas, 30 x 30 inches, $4400 framed Donated to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund website Contact Arden's Gallery, Houston About Afterglow: Recently I noticed a trend in almost every cloudscape I paint. Rather than paint the perfect, puffy-white clouds, I opt for the darker ones. The darker clouds have more color and variation, giving more opportunities for a colorist painter. I spent half of my life in Houston and now live in a Colorado landscape that is depicted here. Everyday I see the long lines of foothills with the cloud patterns in constant movement above the landscape. The dark clouds in my work always have a counterpoint, a source of light. I realized that I am painting hope in these scenes. Although the cloud form is overpowering, it is a necessary part of the scene. Without that added drama, the soft glow in the landscape would look ordinary and uninteresting. In the end, is the light, the hope that illuminates the scene and brings it beauty. Thanks to the Relief Fund for the opportunity to give something back to my dear hometown. Corals Emerging From an original pastel: Limited edition giclee in three sizes and prices: 17 x 12 5/8 inches $300. 23 x 17 $575. 27 1/2 x 20 1/2, $790. Total edition of 195, plus 15 artist proofs. The Artful Home online gallery is offering a large number of pink-themed artworks during the month of October with 15% of proceeds going to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Reasearch Foundation. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase great art from a large number of artists and support breast cancer research. View the entire Pink with Purpose Collection Purchase Ken's Corals Emerging New Works: Bright Patterns Oil on canvas, 48 x 60   $10950 framed More about this work on my blog, For the Color Sun Behind the Foothills Oil on canvas, 36 X 60      $7500 unframed Exhibiting: Sorelle Gallery, New Canaan, CT More about this oil on Ken's blog, For the Color Currently Exhibiting: Gold Progression II Oil on canvas 48 x 60   $10950 framed Renjeau Gallery Natick, MA More about this oil on Ken's blog, For the Color Grateful Notices: Soft Sunset Oil on canvas, 24 x 48 inches Private collection Workshops / Private Sessions: Take your work to new heights. These workshops and private sessions will focus on strategies for making better paintings, going to new places in your work and making fine art. We will be going deeper into making better and more appealing artworks with a variety of strategies including Photoshop insights made easy. Contact Ken to learn more or to schedule a workshop in your area.  all workshop info Great things happen in these Fine Art Classes with information that will last a lifetime. Ken's work 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 / colleagues 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. 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: Ken working on an oil in progress, 4 x 5 ft. (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: "Thank you so much for the wonderful, thought compelling workshop. You rekindled my love for making art. Your enthusiasm is contagious and felt throughout the room. You set up a stimulating environment that provided continuous visual images and your generosity in sharing those photos was much appreciated. I found you to be humorous, supportive and kind. I would recommend you as an instructor to anyone who would like to take their art to the next level." "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

New Work: Bright Patterns, oil on canvas, 48 x 60

Bright Patterns, oil on canvas, 48 x 60  $10959 framed

At it's essence, this oil is a simple composition but with a lot of complexity. There are layers of leaves  in essentially two colors: variations of red-orange and green. The dark band helps to intensify the foliage and the sky coming though creates a delicate counterpoint.

To further accentuate the diaphanous foliage, the foreground complexity is kept to a minimum, even substituting what would usually be dark shadows for light lavender passages in the middle left

There is a gentle rhythm and flow as the short grasses move across the bottom of the canvas. They set up the tree and leaf patterns as they move upward and burst out a bit like fireworks.