http://www.windsweptstudios.com/ Original Pastel Paintings - plein air paintings - artists news 7/29/2010 9:50:18 AM en http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/122/summer-socail-and-paint-out-july-31st/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/122/summer-socail-and-paint-out-july-31st/#comments 7/28/2010 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/122/summer-socail-and-paint-out-july-31st/
I will be participating again this year in both the juried art exhibit and invitational plein air “quick draw” event at the Hoedemaker Farm on Lopez Island. Dozens of artists from all over the northwest will also be participating and working on-site during this event, which features: a live art show and auction, on - site (plein air) painting, children's activities, food by renowned chef, Kim Bast, wine from Lopez Island Vineyards and live music by JP and the OK Rhythm Boys!

For a detailed map and directions: www.sjpt.org and view "calendar of events". Pictured here is a pastel I did about 3 weeks ago, in a practice run titled: “Marking Time and Pushing 100”.

The artwork selected for exhibit by jurors, will be exhibited and for sale, Saturday, from 4-7 p.m. Many painters will be arriving earlier than that to set-up and paint on Saturday. Many of the remaining works will then transfer to Crow Valley Gallery in Eastsound for a special exhibit through Labor Day weekend. www.crowvalley.com

I hope to see many of you there on Saturday, while we all work within the great range of landscape possibilities and subject matter provided at this historic old farm.

]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/121/steven-r-hill-at-agora-gallery-new-york/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/121/steven-r-hill-at-agora-gallery-new-york/#comments 7/21/2010 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/121/steven-r-hill-at-agora-gallery-new-york/
I am participating in an exhibit titled: "A Maze of Milieu" starting July 23, at Agora Gallery, located at 530 West 25th St., Chelsea, New York, NY. Exhibition dates: July 23 – August 13, 2010. Gallery hours; Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-6 pm.

An opening reception for the artists will be held on August 5, 6-8 pm. Both Judy and I will attend the reception and look forward to seeing patrons and meeting collectors, while in New York.

Dubrovnik Promenade

The piece here "Dubrovnik Promenade" painted from our October 2009 trip to Croatia, has already sold (together with “Gernika, Spain”) to a private collector prior to the show opening. I have shipped 2 more pieces to the gallery for this show and will have a total of 8 new works exhibited.

www.agoragallery.com to preview works in the exhibit
]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/120/last-call-croatia-art-experience-octobr-2010/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/120/last-call-croatia-art-experience-octobr-2010/#comments 7/16/2010 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/120/last-call-croatia-art-experience-octobr-2010/Last Call for sign-ups is August 3

There's still space in the October 3-12 Croatia Art Experience on the lovely island of Korcula, near Dubrovnik. Daily live demos by Steve Hill at stunning sites around the Adriatic Sea will teach you to paint with confidence and new skills.

The food at Lovrics comfortable B&B is unmatched (3 meals per day included with accommodations, workshop fee and ground transportation for @ $2200 U.S.) . . . the friendly people who run the place are like family.

October is the perfect month to be there, as it's still nice and warm, the grape harvest is in full swing, providing perfect subject matter to paint. Colorful wooden boats are everywhere and since Croatia has over 1100 islands, there's always some great compositions on the water. We even take a one day excursion by private boat (included in the workshop fee) to a small island with a beautiful Franciscan Monastery nestled in a turquoise bay. Beautiful stone walls line the fields and some great winding streets in the villages, lined with ancient buildings, entice visual expression and are waiting to be painted by you.

August 3 is the deadline for sign-ups for this year's workshop. Go to www.slikamilina.ca for registration and details about the art experience, or contact me. The painting here, "Cavtat Harbor" is one I did from the 2009 trip, where we all stay the first night at Dubrovnik, before heading to the ferry for Korcula.
]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/119/opening-at-colin-goode-gallery-on-lopez/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/119/opening-at-colin-goode-gallery-on-lopez/#comments 5/31/2010 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/119/opening-at-colin-goode-gallery-on-lopez/
I hope to see many of you at this new exhibit, which features Daphne Morris, Colin Goode, myself and other gallery artists.

Quiet Adriatic Bay

The painting here, which is one of the pieces I will have in the exhibit, is titled "Quiet Adriatic Bay" from Korcula Island, Croatia. ]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/118/new-exhibit-at-la-conner/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/118/new-exhibit-at-la-conner/#comments 5/19/2010 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/118/new-exhibit-at-la-conner/
My invitation piece here is titled: “Evening Light, Fisherman Bay”, which won an award in the Associated Arts of Ocean Shores 41st National Juried Fine Arts Show, in April, 2010. It was painted en plein air in August, 2009 on Lopez Island, at Fisherman Bay Peninsula.

Summer Evening, Fisherman Bay, Lopez Island

I will also have many smaller paintings from plein air trips (all at very affordable prices) from Portugal, France, Croatia, Italy, Carmel, CA, Boise, Idaho (my home town) and, of course, the San Juan Islands. Hope to see many of you at the opening this Saturday!

The gallery is located at: 112 Morris Ave., La Conner, WA
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The juried pieces are displayed Saturday and Sunday, in a large, covered outdoor pavilion at Davendorf Park in Carmel, where they are put into a silent auction. A live auction on Saturday afternoon follows for pieces receiving more than 10 silent auction bids, with an awards ceremony held after the auction. A “quick draw” for award winners is held on Sunday, from 10-12. Attendance numbers in the thousands and it's a great way to see plein air painting in action, meet the artists, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and weather of the Monterrey Peninsula.

An on-line “Absentee Bidding” process is now in place for this festival. To get on the mailing list, email Hella at: cafauction2010@yahoo.com

Beach Anatomy, Point Lobos

To see the 2010 schedule of events, go to their web site: www.carmelartfestival.org

The image here is a piece I did at Point Lobos, during last year's festival. It is titled: "Beach Anatomy" and will also be in my upcoming show at Agora Gallery in New York this July 13th. www.agora-gallery.com
]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/116/painting-workshops-home-and-abroad-2010/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/116/painting-workshops-home-and-abroad-2010/#comments 4/4/2010 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/116/painting-workshops-home-and-abroad-2010/View the current classes

Day's End, Lumbarda, Croatia, 17 x 20 $1200

The painting here, is one I have just finished from reference photos taken less than 300' from the bed and breakfast where we all stay during the Croatia workshop. It's titled “Days End, Lumbarda, Croatia” and will be framed and available soon at my home gallery on Lopez Island.


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Spring Blooms

My original painting pictured here “Spring Blooms” sold to the Lambiel Museum on Orcas Island, during the opening. It is the museum's second acquisition of one of my pieces.

This exhibit hangs until mid-May and has a great mix of new work to enjoy. See my previous blog for the invitation, list of artists and show dates. Gallery Hours are: Friday-Monday 11-5.
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invitationYou are invited to attend the "Early Spring" opening reception with The Northwest Masters at La Conner Seaside Gallery SATURDAY, March 20th. Open the image to the left for details. Judy and I will be present at the gallery opening.

My painting (pictured here) was done en plein air at Aix en Provence, France, last September. Mt. Saint Victoire was painted over 30 times by Paul Cezanne, whose atelier (still intact and now a museum) is located just 1/2 mile up the road from where I worked on this piece.

Mt. St Victoire

An interesting side note: Picasso bought Cezanne's chateau located in a small village at the base of this famous mountain and lived his last years there (Cezanne died in 1906, Picasso in 1973 – he is buried at the chateau). Picasso was greatly influenced by Cezanne's works and owned several Cezanne master works. He freely "borrowed" compositions from those, which he used as on-going themes throughout his own stellar career. A grand exhibit of these 2 artists' works, especially pieces that Cezanne created and Picasso copied, was at Musee Garnet while we visited Aix.

I think all artists relate visually and metaphorically, to what has been laid-down by others. We respond, even to old themes, within a universal language of design, rhythms and imagery, pulled out of our own bags- of-tricks, while we work. Visiting Cezanne's atelier, the Musee Garnet exhibit of these 2 masters, plus a chance to paint at this rather sacred place in the art world, formed a day of connections for me as a painter, that I'll never forget.
]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/112/northwest-masters-new-works/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/112/northwest-masters-new-works/#comments 1/24/2010 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/112/northwest-masters-new-works/“Gernika, Spain” pictured here is one of 10 new pieces I have on exhibit with 12 other Northwest Masters now showing at La Conner Seaside Gallery, through March 9th. Many of the artists are doing “live demos” with their particular discipline, while they sit the gallery. This is a co-op gallery formed and completely staffed by some of the leading artists in the Pacific Northwest. Watch for a “spring show” scheduled to open March 15th, but do get in there now to see this new exhibit! Hours are: Friday-Sunday 11-5. 210 Morris Ave., La Conner.

Painted from a hilltop overlooking Gernika with a distance church.

Note: My inaugural exhibit at Amsterdam Whitney Gallery in the Chelsea District of New York City is up through February 2nd and has received many favorable reviews from collectors and gallery patrons, to date! (See previous blog for exhibit details and gallery hours).
]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/111/steven-r-hill-new-york-exhibit/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/111/steven-r-hill-new-york-exhibit/#comments 1/4/2010 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/111/steven-r-hill-new-york-exhibit/
Friday, January 8th, marks my inaugural exhibit in New York City at Amsterdam Whitney International Fine Art Gallery in the Chelsea District. Go to www.amsterdamwhitneygallery.com for a preview of the work I will be exhibiting during this show, which runs through February 2, 2010.

One of the major pieces in this show was published in the book "The Best of America Pastel Artists and Artisans", Vol. I, by Kennedy Publications in October, 2007. It is titled "La Mattina, Riomaggiore" . . . literally "The Morning" and was completed from studies done in Italy's Cinque Terre, in the southernmost village of Riomaggiore.

Ancient Walled City, Krk, Croatia

The piece pictured here, is from my recent painting trip to Croatia titled "Ancient Walled City, Krk, Croatia", painted in October, 2009. I hope any of my blog subscribers who live around the east coast or who might be visiting New York, can make the opening and see the show! The gallery is located at 511 West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York, NY. A gala opening champagne reception will be held on Thursday, January 14, from 6-8 p.m. ]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/109/northwest-masters-collecetive-exhibit-coninues-at-la-conner/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/109/northwest-masters-collecetive-exhibit-coninues-at-la-conner/#comments 12/7/2009 Steven Hill Exhibits and Events /blog/109/northwest-masters-collecetive-exhibit-coninues-at-la-conner/
This new collective exhibit has already been heralded as the highest quality artwork to ever hit the town of La Conner, from a strong group of master artists showing their work through January 6th at the newly formed co-op gallery in La Conner. Sales have been brisk, and the artists have installed a special section of the gallery with smaller works priced to sell. This group is comprised of some of the most collected artists in the region (see invitation from last blog), and is a great opportunity to acquire a high quality, original piece of art for your own collection or as a special holiday gift.

The gallery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11-5, every week of the year. Annette Tamm, an extraordinary glass artist from Anacortes, has just joined our ranks with some beautiful new works. Don't miss this show . . . it's truly an eclectic mix of some excellent fine art!

The piece pictured here is titled “Spring blooms” from my plein air studies done near La Conner in 2009.
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Tomorrow (Sat. Nov. 21)marks the grand opening of the Northwest Masters Show at La Conner Seaside Gallery in La Conner, Washington. The official opening is from 5-8 p.m., with 15 artists participating (see invitation). I am excited and feel honored to have the opportunity to exhibit work with some of the best painters I have ever had the opportunity to show with, anywhere. I have already seen most of the works in this show and they are most impressive. The gallery will be open at 11 a.m., then throughout the day until the party starts at 5. If you are a collector and able to preview the artwork, it is best to arrive early, to have the best selection of any of the artists' work you like.

5 Artists will be doing live demos: Ned Mueller, Tom Jensen and Aleks Kargopoltsev will be painting from a live model at 12 noon in the gallery. Mark Bistranin and myself will be doing a live landscape demo (oils and pastel) at 2 p.m., also in the gallery. This gives anyone who has an interest in the actual process of making art a first- hand look at visual artists performing without a safety net.

Click to view invitation

A “small pieces” exhibit has also been installed upstairs in the gallery, with some excellent holiday and special grand opening prices in effect. I hope to see all of you tomorrow and Sunday! The gallery is located at 210 Morris Street, just a block behind the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner.
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Click to view invitationThe invitation here marks the beginning of our new co-op gallery opening next Saturday in La Conner, Washington. I will be at the gallery all day (11-7 P.M.) and hope to see you there. There will also be a “small pieces” show section, with works priced for holiday gifts giving. This group of artists has been working hard to make this special gallery viable and we will be hosting regular shows throughout the coming year. To view the invitation, click on the image to the left.

Winding Down

The image pictured here is a piece I did just a month before this old farm building, near Bayview, in the Skagit Valley, burned to the ground. It is titled "Winding Down", a reference to the brief winter sunset illuminating the building and field from behind. Little did I know another icon of the valley would disappear forever. ]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/105/croatia-art-experience-2009/2010/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/105/croatia-art-experience-2009/2010/#comments 11/8/2009 Steven Hill Travel /blog/105/croatia-art-experience-2009/2010/

The group photo here is from the village of Rascice, a deep water port filled with old wooden boats, one of the stunning painting locations on Korcula Island. I have already heard from Lynda Milina, workshop/art experience coordinator, that she has also posted some group/action photos, as we both plan for the next Croatia Art Experience, October 3-12, 2010.

We will be advertising through some international art magazines, as well as an article or two in the “Zadjednicar” (Croatian newspaper printed in north America) for the next plein air painting experience, as well as web blogs, etc. Now is a good time to think seriously about coming with us next October. All mediums are encouraged, the food is simply superb and the accommodations are totally comfortable and perfectly located within 250 feet of the water.

Go to the web-site www.slikamilina.ca and click on “events” to see more photos and “testimonials” to read what others have to say, “pricing” for that info, then forward to any friends or sign-up yourself for the 2010 tour! All levels, from beginners to experienced are welcome and all art mediums (including photography) are encouraged.

P.S. British Airways has a new Visa Credit Card promo going that even I signed-up for. 50,000 air miles (enough for a RT fare to Europe) just for signing-on and another 50,000 bonus miles if you charge over $2000 in 3 months. That's airfare (RT) for 2 people for just using that Visa Card. Plus upgrades for business class (like 1st class on most carriers) just using air miles, good offers for companion passes, etc. Their promo only goes through November 30th but is well worth using whether you go to Croatia or anywhere else in Europe. ]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/103/croatian-plein-air-workshop/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/103/croatian-plein-air-workshop/#comments 10/10/2009 Steven Hill Travel /blog/103/croatian-plein-air-workshop/
Korcula Island, Croatia is a beautiful island near Dubrovnik on the southern coast. I am teaching a 10 day workshop in plein air landscape painting. The 2 images here are both demo pieces: the first is at Cavtat near Dubrovnik, the second a Franciscan Monastery on the small island of Badija (the “j” makes a “Y” sound).

The water is warm enough to swim and we have been blessed with perfect weather days for painting outdoors. Workshop attendees are making good progress and I will be blogging their activities in the next few days. ]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/102/aix-en-provence/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/102/aix-en-provence/#comments 10/5/2009 Steven Hill Travel /blog/102/aix-en-provence/

Cezanne's atelier, which I visited today, had a similar although loftier view over the city of Mont Sainte Victoire, which he painted several times with mid-range color values and a muted palette.

Perhaps the transient effects of light affects my own palette in a much different way. I tend towards expressing light on objects with stronger color temperatures and a very large range of lights and darks, because it is how I see and choose to interpret the landscape.

Same mountain, different painting techniques and styles. Interesting to note: Picasso is buried on this mountain, as his family purchased a huge piece of Mt. Ste Victoire when he died. A well curated exhibit of Cezanne and Picasso's work at the museum in Aix provided excellent examples of the 2 artists mutual admiration and influence, especially of Cezanne for Picasso. (Cezanne died 1906, Picasso 1973). We are all part of this ongoing visual dialogue and the best is yet to come. ]]> http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/101/rural-france/ http://www.windsweptstudios.com/blog/101/rural-france/#comments 10/1/2009 Steven Hill Travel /blog/101/rural-france/
The painting here was done en plein air near Jegun, France, in the Gers region of southwest France, looking up at a chateau from just in front of a field of sunflowers. The spent russet flowers were all pointing characteristically east, but the backsides of the heads (facing me) still provided a color statement of fairly bright, warm golds & yellows, set against the earthier tones above.

Summer gives way to the fall harvest here, with busy vineyards, the last of tomatoes and many fresh farm products showing there own colors with the season. This is the most rural farm region in France, with hardy people who manage the land taking in harvests and celebrating “the good life”.

It is also the site where I am planning to teach another art workshop next September (2010), just prior to the scheduled painting workshop I will teach in Croatia in October of next year, as well.
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Painted from a hilltop overlooking Gernika with a distance church.Painting in the Basque countryside of Spain brings many visual opportunities, as the steep, rugged countryside allows the perception of peaceful, nearly poetic contemplation for those who would listen. I hear it speak through the buildings that cling to hillsides and centuries old family dwellings, churches and villages along the coast and in the mountains.

We are here on this first leg of a 7 week European painting trip, with our Basque family connection, Carlos Mendiola, (my sister, Deanna's husband) from Boise, Idaho, together with his cousin, Inaki, who lives here and has been guiding a fascinating, multi lingual journey through the last 500 years of recorded family history for Carlos.

Painted above an old farmhouse overlooking the Bay of Bisque

This church on the hillside north of Gernika, as well as this beautiful country villa near EA on the Bay of Biscay were both bathed in warm light yesterday, when I worked from a sunny perch. Today, torrential, thunderous rains have limited visibility to less than 200 meters – as our hosts at this seaside villa say “It's very good for the grapes, peaches and figs growing just around the house”.


For me, right now, the rain makes a good opportunity to think about what adventures lie ahead, as I paint my way across the continent.


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Arcady Barn at Deer HarborMy painting “Arcady Barn at Deer Harbor” was awarded First Place in the San Juan Preservation Trust and Plein Air Washington Artists annual juried paint-out, yesterday on Orcas Island.

The event was well attended with over 300 people, all of whom share a common ground in helping to preserve open spaces in the San Juan Islands. Beautiful live music, wonderful fresh-grilled salmon and island garden bounty all made the event live-up to its name “Summer Social”. A live auction of artwork was also held, with nearly every piece sold from artwork done during the “quick draw”. 40% of those proceeds go directly to the San Juan Preservation Trust. My quick draw piece “Arcady Barn in Soft Light” sold for $850, netting $340 for the SJPT.

Other artwork done for this event has been entered into Crow Valley Gallery on Orcas Island and will be exhibited through the month of August. I will be joining other selected artists to participate in doing new plein air pieces around Orcas Island next week. A big grand opening event will be held next Friday, August 14th at Crow Valley. Be sure to visit their web site for details www.crowvalley.com .
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