At In Spirit Gallery...

The paintings are hung at In Spirit in care
In hopes that some collectors soon will be there...

This afternoon was the artist's reception for my showing at the In Spirit Gallery in Carmel Valley.

Thanks, as always, to Joe, Brian, Pia, Jake, Jet, Diane, and Iris for their show of support. It was also a treat to see some unfamiliar faces!

Susan and Hugh did a great job with the exhibit. The show opened today and will be there until August 15th. So, if you're in town, and so inclined, go check it out!

In Spirit Gallery. 13750 Center Street, Carmel Valley, California.

MBPAPA

I'm official. I received the welcome email from the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association.

After meeting one of the painters at the Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival, I decided that this would a natural progression for me. I want to do some plein air paintings. And what better way than to learn in the field, literally, from the guys and gals that are already doing it. So, tonight I began working on my portable set-up. And I'm going to start getting out there and putting brush to canvas in the wide open spaces of Monterey County.

In Spirit Gallery, Carmel Valley

One nice thing came out of those long hours at the 7th Annual Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival - a gallery gig. I'll be featured as the guest artist for a month at the In Spirit Gallery in Carmel Valley next month. It fits perfectly in the window before I'll be hanging at the WestEnd Celebration in Sand City in August.

Look for more information. I'll post details about the opening reception for all you local people.

First Festival

I displayed my paintings at a festival for the first time today. The 7th Annual Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival.

What a long day. We arrived to set up at 9am and were loaded up and on the road by 6pm. The boys were troopers.

I didn't sell a single piece, but it was nice to see other local artists' works and get the experience of a set-up and tear-down since I'm signed up for the WestEnd Celebration in Sand City in August. I have some things to work on before that though.

We did get to taste some phenomenal wines. Holman Ranch Vineyards just labeled their wines yesterday and today was their first pour. The pinot gris was delicious as was the pinot noir; but I have to say that the rosé was a delight! Surprisingly dry. Check them out if you have a chance. And Scheid is always a favorite!

Putting a Price on Art

How do you place a value on art? As I'm working on price lists and a printed booklet for the Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival tomorrow, I've been grappling with this question: how do you put a price on art?

The obvious answer is that a painting is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. True.

One way to do it is size, meaning any canvas this size will be 'x' number of dollars. Another way is by time, answering - How many hours did the painting take? How much is my time worth?

Those are all quantifiable, logical ways to put a price on a piece of art. But the more fleeting value is this - how does a piece of art make you feel? What emotions or memories does a painting evoke? And how much is that feeling worth?

As I'm new to the art scene, I'm just going to have to go with what I think that feeling is worth and what my wife thinks the feeling is worth. And if we disagree, we'll land somewhere in between. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Quick Sketch

While I was doing a test run on putting up the walls of the booth, late last night, my wife hollered out the door, "Can you please do a quick sketch for the boys' end of the school year presents?" Sure thing. I needed a break. So I grabbed my pencils and whipped this out in about half an hour.

What I didn't understand was that she wanted one for each present. Nope, I had to get back to work on the booth. That's what a photocopy machine is for...

So, the booth is all set; I reminded myself of how to get it all assembled. Come check out my art at the 7th Annual Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival this weekend! I'll be in booth space #7 (on Del Fino Place), showing my art and doing some quick sketches.

Booth Space #7

I was just notified that I will be in booth space #7 (on Del Fino Place in Carmel Valley Village).

They have a great line-up of wines, entertainment and a Kids Zone at the end of Center Street.  So, be sure to come out to Carmel Valley Village for some fun, sun, and paint on canvases!

The event is free, but tickets for wine tasting will be $20 on the day of the event. Cin cin.

In the Clouds

You know that game where you lie on your back on the grass, looking up at the clouds? We play that game a lot with the boys, exercising their imaginations and getting some fresh air and sunshine while we do it.

I painted this from a photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge; each time my wife walked past it, she looked at it oddly, but she never said anything. Finally another friend saw it and said, "Oh. Oh!"

Oh. Oh!

Every time she had walked past the painting, Cam said to herself: "the clouds didn't look like that that day." It wasn't until someone else saw it - and gasped - that she paused to play the cloud game.

What do you see?

Sunrise Over the Salinas River

While this painting - of a summer sunrise over the Salinas River - was unfinished, hanging in my studio, some friends saw it and wanted to buy it. So I finished it, framed it...now it's signed, sealed, and delivered. Hope they enjoy it.

Summer Art Classes

I stumbled across these affordable art classes for kids, ages 7-12, at the Monterey Museum of Art and, promptly, signed my boys up for one class. We'll give it a shot and see if they like to paint as much as I do. 

Click here for more information about the classes.

Sand City's Street Party: The WestEnd Celebration

And because it's such a lively atmosphere, I submitted an application today to be one of the artists at the WestEnd Celebration in Sand City in August. It's a gigantic street party with music, art, jewelry, dance, and more. All the local shops open their doors and the festivities spill out onto the street.

It should be a blast. And you'll see me, Cam, and the boys there whether I'm accepted to display or not. I'll keep you posted.

Click here for more information about Sand City's 10th WestEnd Celebration.

Art and Wine

Two of my favorite things. Art. Wine.

Art doesn't sell if it isn't seen, right? As I launch into getting my art more visible, I just sent off the reservation form for a booth at the 7th Annual Carmel Valley Art & Wine Festival. Over 60 artists, local wines, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. 

So, if you're in town on June 11, 2011, swing out to the Carmel Valley Village, and say 'hello.' I'll be there, paintings hung and wine glass in hand. Cheers!

Click here for more information about the event, from the Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce website.

New Doors

A decade ago I fell off a ladder at work and decided then and there - with more than a little nudge from my wife - that rough construction might not be a good long-term career plan.

I transitioned into custom woodwork and have been doing that ever since. But with the economy the way that it is, even the affluent have been affected and jobs are fewer and far between, and the shop through which I've been working is shutting its doors.

So, as one set of doors slams, I'm looking at another opening. Though this change will mean some belt-tightening and better budgeting for the Mann family, but it also means more time for art. I'm looking forward to more paint on canvas, more time in the studio, and - hopefully - a few more commissions. New doors, baby!

Portrait Commission

Last year I donated an 18"x24" custom portrait to my boys' school's auction fundraiser. Good friends, Dan and Denise, won the item.

I did a preliminary sketch from the photograph they selected and we had our first consultation today about the composition. I love that they opted for a candid shot of their two daughters fishing at Cherry Lake.

Making Frames

I'm headed to the shop this afternoon to frame some new paintings. Some abstract. Some not. I'll update my etsy shop tonight. JM

Restful Sea for Rotary International Night 2011 Auction

When my father-in-law asked me to donate a painting to Monterey Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club's auction fundraiser, I didn't hesitate to say yes. Deciding on which painting to donate was a tougher task. Not being familiar with that group or what they might want to bid on, I wavered between a still life composition or something more abstract. Joe took a poll and it was unanimous: an ocean scene.
"Restful Sea" is an original oil painting on wood.  The cool touch of the moonlight on the still waters of Monterey Bay inspired this painting where the vessels are enveloped in a cloudy embrace.

Hope they like it! 

Click here for more information about the May 7th event.

A Smaller Version...

And here is a smaller, framed version on my large artichoke still life.

Thorny and multi-layered, artichokes make fascinating subjects for a painting because of their various shapes and multiple shades of green.

This original oil painting, on canvas, depicts a couple of globe artichokes, pearl onions, and red cranberries.

The canvas measures 8"x10"; with its leafy wooden frame, the dimensions are 13"x15".   Click here to purchase this painting through my etsy shop.

Large Artichoke Still Life

Thorny and multi-layered, artichokes make fascinating subjects for a painting because of their various shapes and multiple shades of green.

This original oil painting, on canvas, depicts a couple of globe artichokes, pearl onions, and red cranberries on a hardwood cutting board.

The canvas measures 15"x30" and has painted sides so a frame is unnecessary.  Click here to purchase this painting through my etsy site. 

White Onions

Onions make an interesting subjects for a painting because of their varying shades - from pure white to rich purple.

This original oil painting, on canvas, depicts a couple of white onions on a hardwood cutting board.

The canvas measures 11"x14"; with its leafy wooden frame, the dimensions are 14"x19".

 

Click here to purchase this painting through my etsy shop

Golden Beets

Beets make voluptous subjects for a painting because of their varying shapes and shades - from squat to elongated, from the sunny golden beets to the fuschia and white striped chioggia variety.

This original oil painting, on canvas, depicts a bunch of golden beets on a hardwood cutting board. 

The canvas measures 18"x24"; with its leafy wooden frame, the dimensions are 24"x30".

Click here to purchase this painting through my etsy shop.

Year of the Artichoke

Last year, 2010, was definitely the Year of the Artichoke for us.  Jake was commissioned to create the artwork for the 51st Annual Artichoke Festival in Castroville, California.  So, we were a regular fixture at all of the festival events, appearing on several parade floats to hype the event.  It was great fun.

The original oil painting "Thistle Be Fun" was auctioned off at the sponsor dinner, but we have 18" x 24" posters for sale.  Jake will autograph the posters which can be personalized as well.

Click here to purchase a poster through his etsy site.

Original Paintings by Jake

I'll be updating this blog with the news of Jake's painting adventures. Stay tuned...