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Friday, July 19, 2024
Ken Elliott Fine Art Newsletter, June 2024
"I begin with an idea, and then it becomes something else." 
Monday, April 29, 2024
April 2024 Fine Art Newsletter
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Monday, April 15, 2024
New Work: Bright Flow II, oil on canvas, 24 x 48 inches
Bright Flow II, oil on canvas, 24 x 48 inches
$4750 framed
About this oil:
I was very intrigued by the idea of a stand of bright, yellow trees fading into the shadows. Moving from bright to dark is also an opportunity to use an array of colors to make it happen and I looked forward to watching it play out.
The accuracy of the tree forms is secondary to the color and possible combinations. It’s all about making that yellow form glow and move. The tree on the right creates a stage of sorts and the stream below is useful to amplify the yellows and to provide the surprising reds on the lower left.
It all sounds simple enough but I started on this oil about a year ago, working on it on and off during that time. Sometimes the simple must have its season.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
New Work: Yellow Day, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches
Exhibiting: Saks Galleries
$5250. framed
One of the joys of being an artist, particularly one that loves color, is the freedom to make chromatic arrangements and let the colors go where they lead.
I do like this line of trees and the arrangement is very useful for a variety of color experiments. For this oil, the idea was to create a yellow line of trees, but what of the other elements and their contribution to the finished work?
As this piece evolved, I put in hints of blues behind the trees to make something happen. It created an immediate statement and it was as if the blues were insisting on more. So to make a more interesting subject, I laid in purples on the right and to create an interesting flow and separation, aquas were added at the center.
After a break of a couple of days, I was considering the idea of making this a soft, poetic piece but I pushed on with a stronger yellow for the field. Once everything was in place, it was a matter of how bright to make the oil. With each successive studio session, small accidents were added, with the sky as a combination of very pale colors. The idea was to turn the yellows loose against that bright sky and wedge the blues in between the trees and field. With that, all the colors would be at their maximum intensity, but somehow making a believable forest.
In the end, it was a happy, yellow day in the studio.
Monday, March 18, 2024
In the Studio This Week, March 19, 2024
It is very important for me to have a lot of works going for a number of reasons. It allows for a variety of compositions and color to choose from and it keeps me from getting too bogged down or pressured to complete a particular work. I can stay busy and proceed at a leisurely pace, hopefully avoiding the temptation to overwork a canvas or to make shortcuts to hit a deadline.
There is another interesting side effect as well. Because there are so many options and opportunities available, each canvas is not too precious. Alterations are the norm going forward, these works require a number of changes and sometimes drastic ones for the best result.
Monday, March 4, 2024
Quiet Evening, oil on panel, 24 x 24 inches
2,450.00 framed
About this oil:
There are those moments when the color is just right, early morning or late evening, and it enhances the look of everything in the scene. That is what I set out to do here with this simple line of trees at the edge of a little creek filled to its banks.
The scene contains numerous strips running across the oil, each with its own color, texture and character. Every element is very important, not just for its position but also for the density and atmosphere that is conveyed.
Saturday, February 3, 2024
3-Day Making it Fine Art Workshop: Moving to the Next Level: Fri-Sun, April 5-7, 2024
April 5-7, Friday - Sunday, 9-4pm
Sat. evening after break, 4:30 -7: Photoshop Tools and discussions.
An indoor, 3 - day workshop
Limited to 5 artists, $590.
Ken will discuss strategies for creating better artworks with a variety of common and creative tools. The workshop will focus on concepts for making better starts, compelling artworks, going to new places in your work, and how to make fine art. They will use informative videos and pass on strategies, some not the literature, but handed down from the very best teachers.
Together, we will be going deeper into the how-to of making more appealing artworks with a variety of ideas and tools. After the day's sessions, the group is invited to further discussions and dinner. After the Sunday session, Ken will present Photoshop techniques for taking your works to the next level and creating better pathways for finishing your artworks. You will be given a simplified Photoshop guide and have access to a large photo file of over 2000 inspiring artworks.
Ken will demonstrate painting using oil and pastels, if requested. In addition to making art works, Ken will talk about business and promotion, necessary tools for success in the marketplace.
There will be serious discussions, laughs, and your questions with more continuing after class hours. We will all come away with new tools to take your art to the next level.
Ample time will be given to live problem solving, daily critiques and creative options.
