Another Barn -October 2014

I've been busy trying to finish several small paintings that accumulated over the last few years. Some needed a major make over and others just needed to be completed.  I  thought of taking photos after I was into the project. Today I started a new, small painting 

Again, I am using Terra Rosa, Ultramarine Blue and Titanium White. I block in with the Terra Rosa, a fairly non-overpowering shade, then work in the blue and end by cutting in the white. 

I've started with the background, glazed a dark, transparent, green glaze over the trees but still let some of the warmth of the underpainting to shine through. Into that thin, moist glaze I start working out the large shapes within the trees. I am using a much more opaque mixture of paint.

The red barn definitely gives the painting focus. I like the tree to the left, but feel that I've lost some of the freshness of the other trees. If I had gained that wonderful myriad of life and nature I wouldn't care, but now I need some work.

 

September 2014 Class Demonstration

 This is the under-painting, the block in. It was painted primarily with Tera Rosa. I added Cobalt Blue to help define the shadows and finally white with a touch of Thalo Blue. The challenge to the students is to start thinking more with their brushed and less with the pencil. Its quicker, easier to erase and starts the creative juices. The next step will be next class 

More to come

Making a Shipping Crate for Large Artwork

Building A Shipping Crate

 for a Large Painting

The framed painting that I am shipping is 3' x 4', so I will be able to use full sheets of plywood (4' x 8'). My crate needs enough room for cushioning

Shopping List:

• 2 - sheets of 1/4" plywood (cut to crate size 56" x 44". Some hardware stores will do these cuts for you.) For all your wood products use smooth finished surfaces. -- nobody wants a splinter. Avoid composite boards, but look for lightweight. I used under-layment and it was very smooth.
• 2 - Sheets of 5' x 8' foam insulation
• 2 - 1" x 4" 8' wood planks(2cut to 44" and 2 cut to 54.5". (AS I build the edges of the box, rather than 56", I have to adjust for the 3?4" thickness of the 1" x 4".
• 2 - Door Pulls
• 4 - 1'' bolts with nuts and locking washer
• 1 box of 5/8" or larger flat head wood screws 60+ count
• 8 - 2" flat head wood screws
• Carpenters glue
• 4 - Corner braces (When I finished this crate, I was happy with the firmness of the project and didn't use the corners. When I have used them, I put them on the inside corners, so that they would not scratch any floors' however you must put a lot of packing between them and your painting's frame, )

Here is my plan, pretty simple. Inside dimensions are big enough to accommodate my 3' x 4' painting plus the frame and some packing materials around the edge. On the top you can see where I am thinking about putting the handles. 

I put my short edge on the outside and the long on the inside, as I like to open the box by taking off the front. I set the screws half of  the width of the boards, 3/8". I drill to pilot holes into the front board using a drill bit slightly smaller than the 2" wood flat head screws. Use corner clamps if you have them, it makes it a lot easier.  

On the bottom sheet (44" x 56" piece of plywood), I mark of 3/8" from the edge and every 8"-12" mark where I will screw it into the edge.

I use a small drill bit and drill pilot holes for the screws but only through the plywood. I run a bead of wood glue along the edge and then clamp the back to the edge.  

I used this screws to secure the back to the edges and will repeat the process for the front later on, but will not use the glue.

I added the door handles. I marked where I wanted them to go, then drilled holes large enough to put bolts (instead of the provided screws)  On the back I put locking washer and bolts. I don't want the handles to come off. I think the courtesy of the handles encourages more gentle handling.  Make sure to put plenty of insulation between the bolts end and your painting's frame.

Once the back is on, I put a sheet of the foam insulation on the bottom and cut strips of insulation on the edges. Then I lined everything with bubble wrap. Finally I gently laid the painting into the assembly. This photo shows a lot of wiggle room. Be sure that everything is snug.

I  laid sheets of glassine over the surface of the painting. I taped the pieces together, but only on the outside surface. I added another layer of bubble wrap and the final top layer of insulation.

Without using the glue, secure the top in the same way as the bottom. With power drills and screwdrivers, I like having the front removal, rather than one of the edges. To me it just seems easier to get to the painting. I write on the front (top panel). open this side.

I've used FED-EX for shipping. They are expensive, for my budget, but everything has always gotten there safely. 

STEPPING ASIDE and STEPPING UP

For years I have watched various art organizations -- from the inside and the outside. I've watched them struggle to stay viable and I've noticed a few problems. First, after almost every regime change, the "stunning incompetence" of the past team is discovered. The second is the complaint: members don't volunteer enough. 

That the previous team was flawed, let it go. The new team is different and should have a different focus.  Tasks will be accomplished more easily if an attitude of inclusiveness is adopted. Blaming the past groups just shuts doors. Also, the more transparent the succeeding team is, the more they can attract support from members -- you can't volunteer if you don't know the plans. 

In my many years on boards and committees, I never had a problem getting enough volunteers. I made personal phone calls asking members to handle a specific task. Some couldn't or wouldn't, but most were able to help. I tried hard to make the phone calls sound like an invitation but never like a guilt-trip. 

The other problem is the small group of perpetual leaders and volunteers. At first glance, this doesn't seem like a problem, but it is. If there are people who are always willing to do the all the heavy lifting in an organization, then few others will be compelled to step forward. 

Letting new people take positions of leadership has many rewards. Depending on the tasks, they will develop skills and/or make new contacts. The new skills will not only help the organization but should translate into new confidence for the member. Networking, this is the real power for the organization and the individual. Knowing who can help your organization (generate publicity, provide display space, sponsor awards, host workshops…) and then working with them is an important step. 

I know, all this sounds like common sense but these little problems hobble many organizations. Just being aware of them might help. 

Horizontal Swamp Watercolor

I wanted to make a long format watercolor of a swamp scene. I had done a smaller version and liked the color palette.

An invitation to an exhibit

Swamps and Other Wetlands
A Painting Series
By Ray M. Hershberger

Arts of the Albemarle
516 East Main Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
252.338.6455
www.artsaoa.com

February 2013
First Friday Opening:
February 1, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Whether you are just going to work or traveling across the country, there is a good chance that you've seen these wetlands. Swamps, marshes, streams and drainage ditches are wonderful discoveries waiting at the bottom of almost every hill. Often, these magical spaces are doppelgänger worlds of reflections, packed with both life and decay. Among the dappled light and shifting shadows are amazing, complex color arrangements. These are the worlds that I am trying to capture in paint.

Please visit my website:
http://www.rmhershberger.com

Close to being done

I've spent my painting time in the studio trying to make this more exciting and inviting. I did add some more trees and branches and I tried to pick the color up in the foreground.

Quick WC Swamp -- almost completed

I have almost finished this piece. Time to go home but no reflective time. I think a tree or two might be needed and although no one else will notice, I want to add some variety of color to the tree trunks. I had used a few different colors, but they have dried rather flat. Now, I need to use some dark tone gouache and staining colors.

An Easy Correction

After a nights sleep I came back and looked at the last project. When I looked at the highlights on the tree trunks, they felt a little stiff and applied. With a small flat brush, I gently scrubbed the right side of the highlights. Next I applied a very light wash over them. Finally, I put a small highlight line over the older muted one. Is it really finished? I hope, but I will stay open to change; however, I hope I remember to honor the intent of its beginning -- quick painting.

Swamp Exhibit heading to Elizabeth City, NC

SWAMPS AND OTHER WETLANDS will be at The Arts of the Albemarle Gallery in Elizabeth City, NC during the month of February. The opening reception will be from 5:30 to 7:00 on Friday, February 1, 2013. I hope you can make it. I would love to see you.