New Work: Lake Shadows, oil on canvas, 30 x 30 inches

Lake Shadows, oil on canvas, 30 x 30 inches  $4400 framed

I have returned to this image of a reservoir. It's a strip landscape and in this case, one with a lot of complexity. The painting is much about bands of color everywhere and a lot of manipulation was done to get them all to work together.

As the painting developed, my desire was to set up an interesting color combinations. In the process of doing so, I began to push the colors further to create light effects and vibrancy. This oil went through a number of changes with each one taking the oil further compositionally and chromatically. The finished work is alive with shimmering colors.

Initially, I had set out to do a more somber scene with a very limited color selection, but when the yellows and blues kicked in, they were too exciting to tone down and spoil the fun. That somber version will have to wait for another day.

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: Red and Orange Merging, oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches

Red and Orange Merging, oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches

First off, thank you Lynn for your sunset photo.

This finished oil is a cropped-down and brighter version than the source photo. My intent was to create a large sunset oil without too many of the cliche light effects. This work is almost pure composition and color. 

I got off to a good start with this one and on the second session a number of different blues, reds and oranges went into clouds. Then I did the same with the land below by adding a variety of unusual colors. The composition was still in place but now a considerable amount of unnatural colors will have to be dealt with. During this second session it became apparent that the big cloud form was going to need a lot of work to keep it interesting in every direction, all 3 by 4 feet of it, presenting a new challenge to make it happen.

During the second session I purposely departed from the blacked-out land area and the big "God light' vertical streams in the photo. Instead I painted in an abstracted scrub landscape at the bottom and opted out of the upward light streams, the "God light" as a compositional element. Because the reds and oranges are prominent in this work, I chose a glowing, green field with other colors for green support. Every element in this oil is there to enhance the radiance of the clouds.

The last painting session was primarily two things. First to make the cloud form interesting as it moves horizontally and upward and to do the same for the field as it moves left to right. Then it was about pushing the oil to a more interesting place and perhaps to a finish.

Rather than just adding more bright color, I put in a number of different grey tones because they have the effect of adding complexity as well as making adjacent colors appear brighter. That turned out to be a really good move.

More interest at the edges were added and last, virtually every color on the canvas was given another brighter layer of a similar color, creating glowing effects throughout the scene.

New Work: Marsh Tones, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches

Marsh Tones, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches

First off, I want to thank Ed Chesnovitch for his great photo of this marsh. Living in Colorado doesn't allow for much marsh scenery, so I am grateful to Ed and the composition he captured.

Ed Chesnovitch, pastel

Ed is a very accomplished Cape Cod artist and I would encourage you to visit his website and sign up for his newsletter.  He is also represented by the Left Bank Gallery in Wellfleet, MA.

2014 Workshop at the North River Art Society

Workshop:

I will be teaching a 2 1/2-Day Making it Fine Art / Advanced Strategies nearby in Marshfield, MA August 26-27, 2017. It is sponsored by the North River Art Society.
Register by contacting Peggy Bruno 781-837-8091 or email northriverarts@gmail.com 

Open to artists in all media.

Workshop flyer   Complete information on the Workshop page  Contact Ken

About the oil Marsh Tones:

At the beginning of this oil I wanted to use colors I haven't used before and to keep everything fresh. This scene is very atmospheric with a haze everywhere that is also reflected in the water. There is a sun effect in the photo, but early on I decided to play that down.

It was important for me to begin with a variety of colors, not knowing exactly how they would come together. There isn't a lot of visual information here, so the plan was to use color as a key interest. The land and tree masses are essentially three bands of color, so it felt essential to add more chroma in unexpected ways.

As the painting developed it became apparent that the contrasts and clarity in the foreground would be important to this work and as the scene receded, just enough detail was maintained to carry the viewer's interest back to the trees and sky. Since this is a horizontal landscape, care was taken to simultaneously keep it interesting across the entire left to right space as well. 

There is much to see here but without high detail and a glow suffuses everything, bringing the oil to life. To make a work with this amount of subtlety is a bit like a minimalist poem with the point clearly made. It is so easy to overwork something like this.

Turns out, this oil will be a prelude for a much larger one beginning this week. I'm really looking forward to revisiting this scene.

Workshops: Making it Fine Art Workshops, Denver in July and Mass in Sept 2016

Trees in the Half Shade, oil on canvas 36 x 36 inches

View through the Orange and Red Woods, oil on canvas 40 x 40 inches

Workshops:

Castle Rock, CO (Denver metro)

Sat and Sun, June 9-10 9:30 - 5pm
Flyer and complete info
The workshop has filled / watch for a new date in October 2016

Open to artists at all skill levels and media
An indoor, two-day workshop limited to 8 participants.

$390 per person payable to Ken Elliott. 

Register online

and

Massachusetts
Marshfield, Sept 9-11 and

Falmouth, Sept 16-18

Making it Fine Art 3-Day Workshops with Ken Elliott
Sponsored by the North River Arts Society and the Falmouth Art Guild
Complete information on the Workshop page

Private lessons by appointment.
Please inquire. Complete workshop info on the Workshop page

Sunset over the Hilltop oil on canvas, 36 x 72 inches

Workshops: Boulder CO March 19-20, 2016

March 19-20, Boulder, CO

Making it Fine Art Weekend Workshops with Ken Elliott

Open to artists at all skill levels and media
An indoor, two-day workshop

Limited to 8 participants

We just completed the Making it Fine Art Workshops in Boulder, CO for Jan and Feb.  It was great fun, informative and Very Inspirational! 

The March 19 - 20th Workshop in Boulder has one opening left.

Workshop page
Flyer and complete info

Sponsored by Jacque Michelle at her private Studio,
3060 5th St, Boulder, CO 80304




Open to artists at all skill levels and media
An indoor, two-day workshop Limited to 8 participants.
$390 per person payable to Ken Elliott or register online below.


Next scheduled workshops:

Massachusetts
Marshfield, Sept 9-11 and Falmouth, Sept 16-18
Making it Fine Art 3-Day Workshops with Ken Elliott
Sponsored by the North River Arts Society and the Falmouth Art Guild

Open to artists at all skill levels and media
An indoor, two-day workshop Limited to 8 participants.
$425. per person
Flyers with complete information and registration info:
Marshfield
Falmouth 

I hope to see you there!

Ken

Complete info and registration online

Making it Fine Art Workshop in Boulder, CO at Jacque Michelle's studio

Workshop in Ken's studio, Castle Rock, CO

Workshop sponsored by the Glynn Art Association, St. Simons Island, GA

Register by paying via Paypal on the Workshops page or by contacting/emailing

Jacque Michelle: jacksonjackson@comcast.net

or by phone
303-444-9304 (leave message)

Private lessons by appointment.

Please inquire Complete workshop info on the Workshops page


From a Boulder Workshop attendee:

Just a quick note to let you know how much I learned, enjoyed and benefited from your art workshop at Jacque Michele’s studio Jan. 16-17. It was a groundbreaking eye opener for me in so many respects. At the end of the two days I felt like you had given me the tools to truly free up my art work and go wild with color and strokes. A very liberating experience indeed. It was such a pleasure to meet you and study under you. Hope we will be seeing more of you in Boulder.
A.R.

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.