In this issue of Art Talk, seven artists offer inspiration and instruction to help you reach your summer art goals.

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Dolores Mitchell

In Spring and Summer, I usually spend most of my creative hours painting with my favorite medium of oils. But when Spring came this year, I lacked a compelling subject to call me to my easel. Playing with the new-to-me medium of clay finally conquered my inertia and I dove into the formidable project of painting in oils as an homage to Vivaldi's "Four Seasons." I can only post the beginning stages in this Art Talk, but hope to include finished versions in the August edition.

I relish what I call “Clay Play Days” in a studio where I can squeeze and poke and carve clay with exploratory, non-critical abandon. A few weeks ago, I made a Medusa head to fulfill an urge to roll coils of clay into snakes. The process triggered my imagination--I was a child again, rolling scraps of dough on my Nana's breadboard.

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D. Mitchell, Stage One "Winter," 16x20" oil on Stretched Linen canvas.

"Winter: the desolation of f minor and the pouring rain over the frozen earth" I Musici Veneziani website.

It took me two hours to rough in Stage One of "Winter." and it will take at least four more sessions to complete it, if all goes well. A linen canvas primed with oil absorbs some of the first layer of paint, making it ideal for hazy atmospheric effects.

I began by wiping a thin coat of medium over the surface to let pigments move slightly with gravity. Each brushstroke suggested the next and when shadowy trees had formed I loaded a sable brush with white and spread it over the surface like fog. I used my thumb to press blobs of opaque Turquoise across the lower third of the canvas for hints of horses. My main interest was to create an erie atmosphere into which ghostly horses had wandered. With a palette knife I dashed on heavy marks for leaves and reeds in the foreground to contrast with the whispy background and make it recede visually..

As I painted, I listened to the "Winter" concerto in Vivaldi's "Four Seasons." The way his impetuous rhythms added energy to my brushstrokes convinced me to try three more paintings of "Spring," "Summer," and "Autumn." To understand Vivaldi's sound structure, I pulled up the Venetian Music website and found an l8th poem about "The Four Seasons" that resonated with me. I've included quotes from the poem that influenced my paintings.

Dolores Mitchell, Initial Stage, "Spring," 16x20" Oil on Cotton Canvas.

"Spring:The key of E major, describes the pure and warm light of the spring season." I Musici Veneziani website

Although I didn't paint Spring monochromatically, I did limit my colors to six that I associate with the fertility of a Northstate Spring: yellow for sunshine and wild mustard; pink for plum and cherry blossoms; blue for sky; black for soil and branches; green for grass and leaves. I've tentatively brushed in mares and foals but may alter their sizes and placements. I love the freedom that oil paint gives me to change my mind..

LEARN TO CARVE STONE WITH MATT AUVINEN

Enjoy the experience of carving a stone to create your own vision.

Learn to carve because: you are interested in art, might enjoy the stress-free and rhythmic activity of carving a piece of stone, explore your creativity or improve your existing skills.

I offer one on one and group workshops for beginners and advanced carvers. A carver since 1980, I have worked professionally in Italy and have done extensive research into ancient and early modern carving techniques.

Matt Auvinen, photos from the Camille Claudel exhibit at the Getty Museum, L.A. Matt's contribution to the didactic display on materials used by the artist is the marble foot (lower right corner of the first photograph)..

Matt says Please contact me if you are interested in lessons in stone carving. I worked and taught in Pietrasanta, Florence, Rome and Venice for over 25 years where I learned the traditional techniques from master artisans. I offer training in direct carving, beginning to advanced techniques and pointing with the “macchinetta” (pointing instrument) and compass enlargement. Students can begin with a drawing, clay or plaster model or work spontaneously. I have a limited variety of stones available for purchase, including Italian marble, California soapstone, Texas limestone and a very rare California marble.

Modern sculpture is frequently made with diamond disks and grinders. I feel that all students of sculpture can benefit from the study and practice of the sequence of traditional tools like point chisels, toothed chisels, pointed hammers and the full variety of flat and rounded chisels. I stress the value of understanding the most effective proportions of hammers and chisels for the various tasks of carving like rough out and finishing. Tool suppliers only offer standardized sizes and shapes. I offer the benefit of years of research and collecting old tools used by the experts.

(below) Matt Auvinen, Sculptures from his "Tools and Weapons" series that was inspired by prehistoric Acheulean hand axes that scholars believe had aesthetic rather than utilitarian purposes.

Matt says. I began to make these “blade” forms with concave scallop shapes that look like what are known as “conchoidal fracturing.” The objective of this simulated chipping, or “bifacial reduction,” is to create a harmonious and beautiful organization of concave shapes that reference spearheads, arrowheads and stone knives.

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BETTY O'HARE: COLLAGE

Dolores says: "Betty O'Hare is known in Chico for her large scale vibrant paintings that were featured at Avenue 9 Gallery. She also worked in large scale as a designer for theater. Betty is now experimenting with intimately scaled collages. Her recent work demonstrates how artists can give unresolved paintings new life by cutting them into collage pieces."

Betty says: "I love collage! From my small cut and paste bird pieces, that are story telling, to the larger collages that are more abstract and painterly, each has its own challenges! Sizes I use typically range from 10 by 8 inches to 27 by l9 inches.'

The cut and paste small collages are easier in that they start to tell a story pretty quickly as each cutout is assembled. I start larger collages by deciding on a color format and then just filling the page with scribbles, paint and found pieces of paper until something starts to develop. Abstraction is very difficult for me.. the process often somewhat hair pulling!"

Betty explains: "I use Coventry Rag White Vellum paper because it can take a beating when using multiple layers of various papers, paint and matte medium for gluing.

"I often include scraps of my old watercolors, hand printed tissue or my marbled paper along with magazine cutouts and other various ephemera. I use rubber stamps, rollers and countless tools for mark making. 

I love the multiple layers of paint and papers that create accidental and mysterious happenings. I often don't know what the outcome will be! I don’t title my work, preferring to leave it to the viewer to interpret my collages.."

Contact information for purchasing a piece or to chat with Betty O'Hare about the Collage medium: bettyoh@comcast.net

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Cynthia Sexton: Journal Sketching & Marvey Muller, On-site Sketching.

Dolores says:

"Given the visual appeal of Chico and its surroundings, painting out-of-doors this summer is a fine way to nourish your spirits. However, If you are a novice artist or have had discouraging outdoor painting experiences, I've got a remedy to propose. It consists of taking a sketchbook journalling class with Cynthia, going on sketch outings with Marvey, and working towards a goal of participating in the Chico Art Festival's plein air painting competition in May of 2024. This competition thrills on-lookers, including children, as artists make the surroundings of St. John's Episcopal Church come to life on canvases and sketch pads."

Cynthia says: "It makes me so happy to include a “Sketch Out” in our Chico Art Festival. It brings joy to both artists and the viewing public. The winner of the competition, chosen by public vote, receives art supplies donated by Ellis Art Supply, and by me, plus a $50 gift certificate.

I will be teaching a Sketchbook Journaling class this summer that includes advice on simplifying palettes and not being overwhelmed by choices.

Cynthia says "Above are photos of the two vases I used as models for my students. Below, are two of the watercolors students made using my three color method.

Cynthia says: "Covid forced me to close my Ninth Avenue Studio and to stop teaching. It also gave me time to rethink color theory so that my students would really “get it.” I invited some past students to take my new “Three Pigment” class (red yellow and blue) at the Chico Art Center and give me a critique on it. At a thrift store I found two pitchers with strong patterns of multiple colors. The challenge was to paint them using mixtures of only three pigments.."

Cynthia says: "As we were painting the pitchers a student exclaimed: I've just had a lightbulb moment! I could have kissed her! Now I don’t paint with three pigments only, but the three foundation colors will always be on my palette. This is a valuable skill for anyone who wants to paint out of doors."

In my upcoming Sketchbook Journaling class I'll share many ways to keep a sketchbook while traveling as a visual diary, or at home, or on sketching expeditions/ I encourage people to stop by the Chico Art Center to see what we are painting in classes that take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1-4pm.

Marvey says: "Some participants in the Chiva Sketch-Out Contest on May 11, 2024 shared their works and thoughts with me. They were in unanimous agreement that sketching in a communal and supportive atmosphere had been a pleasure. Participant Cameo Cobery told me: 'It's fun to draw. It's playful and connects me to my youth.' Courtney Singer said 'I love socializing with other artists. I’ve never met a mean sketcher.' The 10 sketchers in my group who participated in the paint out competition ranged in age from 7 to 85." 

Marvey says: "One set of sketchers was the LaBadie Family, Grandmother Sandy, her son Ian, and his daughter Penny - sharing their love and learning as a family." 

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Richard Kennedy, Cartooning

Dolores says: My first art lesson came in the form of a correspondence course in cartooning. I was ten and had responded to a "Can You Draw This Woman's Profile?" ad in a "Wonder Woman" comic. The lessons, based on circles and squares were easy to follow. I loved making people and animals come alive on my drawing pad. And Readers, Richard Kennedy, an accomplished cartoonist who has taught Osher Lifelong Learning classes for years, will get you laughing and drawing from the start.

Richard says: “CARTOONING is an activity that has given me enormous amounts of joy & satisfaction. It's a skill many people wish they had. I believe anyone can learn that skill & I'm willing to teach them. Drawing cartoons is too enjoyable to be left to professional cartoonists. It's fun stuff! If you haven't tried cartooning because you don't feel you have the talent, you might want to reconsider. I've designed this introductory course for people just like you.'

'In this course you'll learn the basics. You'll draw cartoon heads & bodies along with all their features. You'll discover that by moving around & exaggerating you can come up with many new looks. By exploring the possibilities you can make your character unique, different from all others in the class. Once you've designed characters you like, you can bring them to life with a shortcut that will give each character its own, unique personality. It's easy. All you need is a pencil, paper, and your sense of humor.”

Contact Dick for more information: dkartguy@yahoo.com

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Janet Lombardi Blixt

Chico Art School

Dolores says: Janet's art school is a Chico treasure at a time of cuts to art instruction in public schools. She provides solid techical advice in drawing, composition and color theory in a variety of mediums, but just as important, she encourages personal expression in classes for all ages.

Photo of a young student painting at Chico Art School

Janet says: "Currently, I am teaching four days a week at my Chico Art School. My students range from seven up to teens and adults, and from complete beginners to advanced artists. Students of all ages work on projects of interest to them, with an emphasis on drawing and painting and most importantly, having fun.

Most students work in oil, acrylic, pastel, colored pencil, watercolor, and charcoal, but I am always exploring new art ideas and new-to-me mediums such as stained glass, the cold wax medium, and 'shimmer drop' paints. whose colors change when viewed from different angles.

Right now I offer summer camp instruction, and my once a week lessons continue throughout the entire year as well. Weekly adult classes are three hours long to allow plenty of time for immersion in an art project without feeling rushed. I also offer birthday parties for children and paint night parties for adults." 

Photo of a class in progress at The Chico Art School.

"You'll find Chico Art School & Gallery at the corner of Third and Wall. It's a wonderful place to drop in and see art during Saturday’s Farmers Market. My paintings are on display together with work by other artists who offer paintings, ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, etc., for sale."

Photo: An adult student works on a floral painting at Chico Art School.

"My main focus with my adult students is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for those exploring art or wanting to reintroduce it into their lives. Many students are eager to create, but struggle with anxiety and fear about art. I aim to transform that fear into excitement.

My classes offer a lot of freedom because I believe art should be a

personal expression, not restricted by strict rules. If you're looking for a fun and supportive atmosphere, consider the Chico Art School & Gallery.

Janet Blixt

Chico Art School, 261 E. 3rd Street,

530-570-3895. More information at:

www.chicoartschool.com

SUBMISSIONS For the August issue of Art Talk on the theme of summer art activities are welcome (July 4 deadline).Feel free to email rough ideas to me: dmitchell@csuchico.edu

Art Talk" is a forum for the entire local art community including nearby towns. "Entire" means all ages and all levels of art-making from beginners to pros. Early submissions are welcome and I can chat with you by email or phone to help you get started: dmitchell@csuchico.edu. 

Local media vehicles for art publicity have diminished drastically in the last decade. You can make "Art Talk" a more useful free communication outlet for our arts community by forwarding this copy to friends who can click below to subscribe. 

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