Wednesday, November 26, 2014

BLACK FRIDAY THOUGHTS

While everyone out there was planning on how and where they were going to spend their Black Friday, I felt the need to take a road trip and contemplate the subject myself.  So I got in my car and drove along the ocean to help clear out some space in my brain, when I came upon a site that I just had to paint.  It is a spot that surfers use to get out to the waves in a hurry since it is located so close to the ocean and the parking lot.  I like it because it implies the water but you can't see the ocean.  All you can sense is the ocean's call.  I never stick birds in my paintings because it always seemed a bit corny but this was the one moment it seemed right.  I love the key hole that the sea grapes create and how it helps to draw you in and makes you wonder what is awaiting you on the other side.

So on my journey to find out what I will do on my Black Friday I came up with the best alternative that I could come up with.  While everyone's at the mall I will be out in nature peacefully painting and recording its beauty without a sole around me.


Surfer's Call, Oil on Canvas, 16x12



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Painting in Cortona

Painting in Cortona
City of Cortona with view of valley

Painting of View of Cortona Valley

Painting of View of Cortona Valley
It was such a lovely day we painted in the piazza overlooking the valley. The round building in the foreground is actually part of the original wall that surrounds Cortona.

Cortona View Lake Trasimento from Piazza Garibaldi

Cortona Italy Workshop

The workshop was a very successful and met everyones expectations. The Villa di Piazzano was an outstanding small hotel that lived up to its rating of four stars. The staff was very accommodating and helpful. Our tour excursions to Florence, Sienna and Montepulciano were very fun and helped to take the participants minds off of the pressure of producing a painting.

I am currently in the planning stages of producing my next workshop and if anyone would like to be put on the list of perspective participants please email me at tedmatz@comcast.net

The pictures below will give you taste of our Plein Air Painting Adventure.

Courtyard of Hotel di Piazzano

Painting in the courtyard

View of Cortona in the distance.

Scouting painting sites.

Group painting in country side

Plein Air Passion

My real passion is for plein air painting. Love the challenge that you have to deal with when painting outside. I personally think it makes you a better painter because you have to deal with so many unforeseen circumstances that come your way but also you have a better handle on light, darks and textures that you don't get from working in a studio and from photos. The following is a sample of some of my most recent work done en plein air. This painting is currently being shown in a group show at the Palm Beach County Cultural Council in Lake Worth, FL and runs through the middle of September, 2013.

Apoxee Landscape

Apoxee Landscape

The path at Apoxee Park

Demo piece at Jupiter Beach Park.

Four Arts Lily Pads One

Four Arts Lily Pads One

Four Arts Lily Pads Two

Four Arts Lily Pads Two

Still Life

I generally do still lives as exercises and demonstrations for my painting classes. Featured below are samples of those pieces.

Bright Red Cup

Bright Red Cup

Blue Bottle with Violets One

Blue Bottle with Violets One