New in Studio

"Freshly Picked"    oil    16"x20"

Still studying the prismatic palette and the way North light flows over objects and creates this mood that I can not find elsewhere! I focused on where the light was falling and tried to let the other petals and objects go off into shadow. It is sometimes hard not to paint every item but I believe leaving things "unsaid" is more powerful.

Commissioned Work

I don't usually include the framing with the painting image but the client picked out such a fabulous frame, it really enhances the painting. This painting is 24" x 36."  I really tried to work on the spectrum of light, the lower blue sky is really that wonderful light blue green color, although I could not get a great color image of this piece.  It will be shipped off to Canada soon! 

January Happenings

 Une Demi Douzaine    oil   16" x 20"

At first these little cherries appeared as apples! They became way oversized as I was trying to loose the edges…couldn't get it quite right as the mass grew and grew….I must have had my nose to the canvas because as I stepped back I shrieked! How did that happen??? Had to scrape it all down and redo it…but got into a zone when I started to pick up the palette knife and try to loose those edges but still keep the form and light….Its so important to step back from your canvas to keep things in perspective.
Am happy to say this painting sold while still wet!

Just a fast sketch, I figured I would rework it in my studio but as I look at it I think I like it as is….

some are meant to remain just studies.

The Ridgewood Art Institute is having their 35th Regional Juried Show. 

I can not wait to see this exhibit.  Reception is Sunday January 25th from 2:00-4:00.

This year they will be presenting a "Donata Cardona Barrasi Award. 

My mother loved traditional realism. 

The Edward Hopper House Art Center is having their Annual Members Show.

Local artists exhibit until Feb 8

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!!!!)