New Website Design

I have spent the last few days working to redesign my website. My main purpose for the redesign was to reflect my decision to put my focus on still life paintings. I wanted the website to clearly communicate that focus. As such, I did not include my landscape, figurative or animal subsections for my gallery page. I also wanted my paintings to pop more than they did on the neutral background I used in my first website.....thus the black. The part that I am unsure of is the left column with my business name and the links to the other pages in the website. I am not sure it doesn't intrude on the main focus of each page. I would be excited to get some feedback from you......let me know what you think......how could it be modified to improve it further? Here is the link:
http://www.karenbudanfineart.com/

Vine Tomatoes

Vine Tomatoes is the next piece in my exploration of fruits and vegetables in market settings. This piece is adapted from a photo taken in my local Safeway market. That reference photo collecting trip was interesting in and of itself. I had no idea that vegetable display setups are highly competitive among markets. I took a business card with me when I entered the store with my camera wanting to be both professional and polite. I approached the gentleman stocking in the vegetable area to request permission to take photos as reference for my work as an artist. He informed me I would have to talk with the store manager. When I explained my request to the store manager I was told I would have to talk with corporate. I was given the number for corporate and asked for public affairs as I had been informed to do. I explained my request and on a whim suggested she visit my website to see the kind of art I seek reference photos for. She indicated she would call me right back. I only had a loiter around the entrance to the store for a minute or two before she called me back and gave me the go ahead. Needless to say I took many photos knowing the steps I would have to take for future visits.

This setting of vine tomatoes nestled in artifical straw caught my eye. I added a few tomatoes and adjusted the lighting as I needed a focal point and a clear lighting pattern (in the store the lighting comes very strongly from the ceiling. This is also the largest painting I have done to date measuring 18"x24". It took me a LONG time to work on all these tomatoes!!! Hope you enjoy the results!

More Exposure

Summer is the slow time in Arizona. Many folks leave the valley for cooler climes. Personally, I like the heat.....certainly makes for fabulous pool weather!! Although I am entering national shows which continue through the summer in other parts of the country, the slow pace in Scottsdale allows for more studio time. However, I am still interested in having my work out in the public for exposure and possible sales. The Arizona Art Alliance, of which I am a juried member, has entered into an agreement with the new managing company of the Scottsdale Pavilions shopping complex. They have leased a building to use as a gallery, but they also have agreed to set up art in the windows of currently empty buildings until they are leased by new tenants. I now have two panels of work in the windows of stores as well as two pieces in the new gallery which is scheduled to open June 2nd. If you are in the area of Indian Bend and the 101, I hope you will take the opportunity to check out my work!

Two Down

I completed the revision of the second piece developed during my recent two day workshop with Liz Kenyon. Again....although it was not finished to begin with during the workshop...during the critique at the end of the workshop I realized that in both pieces my compositions were composed of four objects. A general rule of thumb is to have an odd number of objects for a strong composition. To resolve this issue with the piece I titled "Fruit and Spices" I decided to add a paring knife. It fits in the concept as many people like to salt their fruit. It also completes the composition without pulling from the focal point where the salt shaker meets the center pear. Here is the finished piece.

One Down and One To Go

Here is the revision of the first of the two pieces that I painted in my workshop last weekend. As indicated in a previous blog I realized the painting was composed of four objects. A rule of thumb for a good composition is to have an odd number of objects. To rectify this issue I added two additional turkey eggs laying on the table next to the basket. This eliminates the totally symetrical look of the painting without the extra eggs. I have named this piece, "Turquoise Plate". On to the next revision.

Equine Eye

I was always one of those young girls totally crazy about horses. I read every horse book and spent many happy hours galloping around fields holding a piece of rope (my reins). When I got married I had my first opportunity to own a horse. I lived, breathed and loved horses for many years. I rode across the state of Michigan as a trail rider, studied and showed in dressage at both the state and national level, and bred and raised several foals. It was a wonderful time in my life. I do not have horses now....but they still hold a warm place in my heart. Horses have personalities and express many emotions. Their eyes are so soft and expressive.....I have always loved close-up photos of equine eyes. I decided to paint an equine eye. I spent the time painting this piece reliving many memories. If you have ever spent time with horses I hope this painting brings your memories to life as well!

Still Life Workshop

Last Friday and Saturday I participated in a Pastel Vintage Items Still Life workshop with instructor and friend Liz Kenyon. As always Liz provided a lot of direction, inspiration, guidance, and fun. I painted two pieces.....both of which still need some final touches. In addition to the final changes I had planned, I realized during the group critique that I had created each with an even number of objects. I will be adding an additional object to each. I thought I would share the pieces post workshop, but pre needed work. Watch for the changes.