GIving Back

 Hope everyone enjoys their holiday!

If you are in area on Sunday, November 23rd, The Ridgewood Art Institute is having their Holiday and Small Paintings Show from 1:00 - 4:00. There are beautiful framed 8"x 10" paintings for sale for $150.
The paintings were donated by the artist members. I would love to purchase a few myself if I can get there in time! There are so many gems by so many wonderful artists! Give the gift of Art !

"Sunday Brunch" oil  8"x10" was my donation for the Small Paintings Show. 

Pending Morocco

So here is a piece I have been struggling with…..struggling because I have no time to finish it. This summer has been way too busy... after I let a piece sit on my easel too long, it dies! It becomes hard for me to work back into it. Does anyone else have this problem? Well lets see if I can revive this piece. I want to finish the background, keeping the cool light and push the pear on the right to really come out. I will keep you updated. This still life remind me of my trip to Morocco.

  In the meantime I thought I would share some Art events that you may want to participate in and/or attend. Mark your calendars! These are great Local events with some really amazing artists!!!

Edward Hopper House Art Center

Small Matters of Great Importance

Deadline September 1

www.edwardhopperhouse.org/upcoming-exhibitions 

The American Artists Professional League

86th Grand National Exhibition

Deadline September 6

www.americanartistsprofessionalleague.org

Thomas Cole National Historic Site

Postcards From the Trails

Deadline Sept 6

www.thomascole.org/call-to-artists/

Just a reminder, The Oil Painters of America Regional Show at the Eisele Gallery of Fine Art in Cincinnati, Ohio is fast approaching! I am hoping to attend this event but have not been able to commit to it as of yet. I am honored to be exhibiting with this group and know the paintings will be amazing!

Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Show

 This summer I will be taking a break from the still life paintings and focus on landscapes. I am pleased that the Oil Painters of America have chosen "Morning Light" to be part of their 2014 Eastern Regional Exhibit.

   

                            The first attempt at this still life was an 11 x 14 ( pictured below) and I hated it. I have the reputation of scraping down my paintings too fast, but thats how I work. I try not to attach myself to any painting so that I can quickly scrape down and redo and hopefully learn something new. (Of course each time I do wipe down, those little voices in my head tell me that was the best you will ever come up with and you just blew it!) Friends commented the painting had a nice mood and people liked the soft quality. I tried to rework it again that evening attempting to make the blossoms more delicate but it just felt stuck. I was also feeling that the painting had no breathing room and really wanted to extend the baby breathe sprigs to the edges…so  

                                                                       First attempt  :(

I didn't scrape it down BUT just did it over instead. I am glad to have the old reference and can also gauge the  progression.  I don't feel its giving up. I think its more that your realize where you went "off the road"as I find that when I reapproach  a painting you already have a map in your head of the values and colors and composition…and the frustration of wanting "to get it right this time" helps. When I was younger I never understood how painters did so many studies, now I really see the benefit! Of course I would much prefer to get it right the first time!!!! :)

                                                     

                             Morning Light     oil    16"x 20"

I am hoping to make it to the reception in Sept in Ohio! 

Nyack News & Views has featured my Art in their Local Art Index Profile.

Please go to 

http://www.nyacknewsandviews.com/2014/04/lai-barrasi/

to read the interview.

Hook Magazine has featured my Art in their Green Issue 

distributed throughout the Hudson Valley.

Giulios in Tappan, The Grape D'Vine in Sparkill, The Artist Cafe, Wasabi and Back to Earth in Nyack,

are just some of the locations were you can pick up an issue!

Winter Blossoms

I should be taking advantage of the beautiful blue shadows in all this snow but instead I have been consumed with florals this winter. Painting them at home as well as in class.

Feb 14                                  Winter Bouquet             

The bouquets above were painted from life. I tried playing with lost edges and color…..more of a impressionistic approach…….Light was bouncing all over….as the snow glare streamed in from the windows.

Then I got so cold,  I painted this from my head one afternoon just praying for spring to arrive!!!!

I look at this and think of lollipops! Anyone else see that?

                                                    Apologies

                            

These paintings above were set up with direct north light in a studio setting. I am trying to make each stroke count but the old illustrator in me comes out and I start rendering….. I am not feeling I am bold enough in my application of paint either! Back to the drawing board…. 

(The hydrangeas were the set up by the master eye of John Phillip Osborne. I am so grateful to be able to attend his class this year!!! So much to learn!!!!) 

Farms On The Brain

                                                       America    mixed media   4.5" x 11.5"

                                        Vermont oil  6 x 6  SOLD

 
I am just getting a chance to review my sketches and photos from my summer trip to Vermont. I love farms! Spending a week at one is on my bucket list. It wouldn't  have to be a working farm but it would be wonderful to live around chickens, high grasses and rolling hills. Now, as a suburban New Yorker, high grasses scream "TICKS!" That being said, I would take my chances if it means waking to the crow of a rooster or bright sunlight streaming in unveiling the morning. I have dragged my family to any and every farm that crosses our path; dairy, maple, bovine...any excuse to study the light on these great forms against such strong horizontals.
  The above image titled AMERICA was taken on a road trip from New York to Canada and is currently on exhibit at the Hopper House Art Center in Nyack for the month of January. The image below it, VERMONT,  was recently sold at Giulio's of Tappan.
 I should mention that I am Artist of the Month at the Hopper House Art Center which is such an honor. There will be a reception on January 18 for their Annual Members Show 3:00 - 5:00 at
82 N. Broadway in Nyack, NY 845 358-0774