Friday, July 31, 2009

Roy Coynes Art Classes

Started my classes last night with friend and fellow artist Gerrie Govert. We got there early and had a salad and sandwich at my favorite store called Fox and Obel. It's a high end small city grocery store with a deli. We got there early to figure out the parking and had a quick bite and then walk along the galleries at River East.




Click on his name or the paragraphs above to see his work.




Quote
"Great art is art that strips you of words, and then allows you to find the new words to describe that experience."
~ Eric Fishl (1948-)

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Home Again, Home Again!!!


Back once again! We traveled to Richmond, Virginia to see our good friends, then onto Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.. We took several trips to the museums and of course I had to take some pictures (it was permissible). Always enjoying forms all around me. I LOVED the contemporary galleries very much.


I'm posting the picture of me standing next to a Joan Miro. This painting I had not seen before. It must have been done as the artist was evolving. I was in intrigued.

I handed over my logo job and declared that I am an artist not a graphic designer. I started out with drawings, but cannot adjust things on all the programs I was attempting to
down-load. So now I can get on with the business of ART. Tomorrow I start a class in Chicago at the River East Center on figure painting from life. I haven't touched my oils in a year. So now with some old large tubes of 6.75 oz which weigh a ton because I don't want to buy new tubes I go on! I have been spoiled by acrylics. So I know I will be intimidated but I have never been afraid of a challenge. A kite only rises against the wind NOT with it!!!

Last note....we went to the Capital Steps in the Ronald Reagan Building...and for those who get to Washington and haven't seen it yet...."Go!" It was great! It made fun of both parties...it was a good laugh!!

Thursday, July 9, 2009


Does anyone out there know of a good graphic design program that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I bought a cheap program called Logo Design Pro Studio by MacWare which is useless. I've had more problems with it. someone told me about a free download called Inkscape which scares me since it's free. I have a Mac which means I don't get hardly any viruses, but it's still a possibility. If I can finish these last two projects I can move on.

We went to Kansas City for the 4th for 5 days to visit an old college buddy and his wife which happens to be our financial planner as well. I had time to visit the Nielsen- Atkins Museum which was beautiful! Kansas surprised me. The downtown looked like Rodeo Drive. Beautiful architecture which I thought odd for Kansas. Spanish-kinda European-middle eastern influences.

I spent some time in their Barnes and Nobles ( which I love doing) and was amazed at the volume of books they had in the Art section. It was awesome! I found a book that inspired me. I want to finish these projects so I can be creative again. The books called "Rethinking Acrylic" by Patti Brady. She shows a lot of great techniques to make your paintings look Encaustic when their not..or to make it look like glass, etc, etc. and all the layer and depth you can achieve.

I used oils for years, but I have found that with all the new mediums acrylics are easier and just as forgiving and less toxic and not such a mess to clean up.

Well, best get something done. The picture is one I did about 10 years ago in oils.