I love the vibrant colors of my new Vasari Oil paints and I'm not sure I could do without them. I was introduced to them last autumn when Stephen Salek, founder and paintmaker of Vasari Classic Artists' Oil Colors, so generously welcomed local artists into the Easton, Pennsylvania showroom to try out his paints. Stephen and everyone else there were very friendly and helpful. Gail is a color genius and  Wendy always has a smile.  I immediately fell in love with the paints. Their texture is wonderfully smooth and the colors are rich and beautiful. When I mix these paints together the new colors are pure and clean.

I've never been afraid to use bold color in my work and it doesn't go unnoticed. It is usually the first thing people tell me they like about my paintings. But now with my Vasari paints the colors are even better. A few weeks ago, at a plein air competition, several artists commented about my use of color. Later at the reception at least three of  the artists walked up to my painting, pointed to a little dab of blue, and asked  "What is that color?" A tiny part of me wanted to keep it as my little secret, but I had to share with my fellow artists and friends, “VASARI VIDEO BLUE”, my secret weapon. 

I really enjoy participating in plein Air Competitions and enter as many as I can each year. I love them! I have a great time and have made many new and wonderful friends along the way. I travel to beautiful places and paint from sunrise until I drop. It's very exciting and I like the challenge. I find the Quick Draw to be the best part of the event.

I was starting to feel less enthusiastic in the past year and decided I had to make a change or quit doing  the competitions altogether. My decision was to work hard at painting for myself and not question myself about who would like it, or if it would sell. I also decided not to think about winning. This is not easy for me but I kept at it and I am glad I did. It was so freeing and I love what I'm doing now. It feels great to paint without an audience or a jury in my head. This all paid off in unexpected  ways. I am winning and selling. But that is not as important to me as painting freely, in my own style, and loving the results.

Before starting I must state that I’m not being paid or compensated to endorse this product.  I am new at blogging and decided it might be interesting to share my experience.   

I was pretty happy this morning when I saw I won a first place prize for the Magic Of Charvin Infinite Color Contest !  https://www.jerrysartarama.com/galleries/2017/magic-of-charvin-gallery  sponsored by www.jerrysartarama.com.

This was an interesting competition and a new challenge for me. It was not about the painting but about how many colors you could mix with eight Charvin brand paint colors. I am used to using a limited palette so I thought I’d give it a try.

I had never used Charvin paints before. I actually use only one brand of oil paint and don’t vary much.  To get the colors I wanted I found had to buy the top of the line, the Charvin Extra Fine Professional Oil Paints. The paints were more expensive than the brand I typically use but I must say I loved them! No! I’m not saying this because I won a prize. They turned out to be very nice paints.

They were slippery, smooth and transparent. The colors were brilliant and clear. I particularly loved the red oxide which I used as brown. At first I was not sure about the Phthalo Viridian but once I got used to it I was able to mix any color I wanted.              

The challenge of the contest was to use eight Charvin brand paint colors. You could make a color chart if you wanted. I decided to do plein air paintings and mix as many colors as possible. I was painting in the autumn in New Jersey so there was no need the fake it, the colors were all there.

The painting “Conflagration Ballet” was the one I entered but I really like the other paintings did too.

The contest was a fun challenge. I tried new paints and new colors with great satisfaction. I of course was thrilled with my prize and am excited to buy lots of new art supplies.  

I was so honored to be selected as one of four artists-in-residence at the Goldmoor Inn http://www.goldmoor.com/ in Galena Illinois where I spent a week in the lap of luxury making beautiful paintings. This was such a lovely experience and a great opportunity to paint with no distractions in a beautiful relaxing environment. My hosts’ Birgit and Slobo Radin and all of the staff treated me like royalty. I was warm, cozy and well fed in their beautiful Inn. Mother Nature was not as cooperative as I would have liked but what can one expect in January. I had the run of the place and when it was too cold to be outside I painted from every window and balcony I could find. The scenery was beautiful and I was happy with everything I painted. After a fabulous dinner in their restaurant (seriously some of the best food I have ever tasted) I retired to my room for a soak in the Jacuzzi in front to a roaring fireplace. My week ended with a lovely show of my work.

I am so blessed to have had to opportunity to do to this and thankful to everyone who made it happen including my sister Denise Black who was patient, supportive and a great picture framer and Kelly Wisecarver of Wisecarver Public Relations http://wisecarverpr.com/  for putting it all together. 

Me and Kelly Wisecarver with her new painting