PAINTING OUT LOUD #4

PAINT OUT LOUD  is an "artumentary" of my paintings, from the

original sketch, to the finished oil painting, signed and framed.

This is #4 in my series of sharing secrets and insights into my creative process. 

 An artist learns to paint by painting. Each painting becomes our teacher and 

paves the path for the ones to follow. Sometimes I know where I am going in a 

painting, but often the painting changes direction without warning.  I have learned to go with it.

Now that we have entered into a new decade I am making plans for a new exciting series -

paintings I have never done before...larger images and lots of textures and FUN!

This is a blog about my new oil painting "Little Mozart".

I met this little boy (Dominic) and his parents last summer at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, CA. They have purchased

several of my paintings over the years.  They love my work and they really enjoy impressionistic art.  We've talked over the phone many times, but because they live in Canada and I'm in California, we hadn't been able to meet in person.  Finally, this summer they came to visit me at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach. This family was such a delight.  Their little boy loves the beach and I was prepared with a pail and shovel kit I bought for him. He is one of the sweetest, most inquisitive, darling little boys I've ever met. His happy demeanor and sparkling eyes made me just want to hug him (which of course I did). His parents were equally as sweet and genuinely kind beyond measure. His mom has sent me pictures of all three children every now and then over the years. For my birthday I received a handmade birthday card from Dominic - with an ocean theme! I love receiving cards made by hand. She recently sent me a photograph of Dominic at the piano. From the minute I saw this photograph, I just knew I had to paint it. It was such an endearing scene, with this sweet little boy! And, adding to the fun, the painting over the piano is mine - "Two Horns" - one of my favorites. I fell in love with this family.  

 It's amazing to think you can fall in love in your booth at an art show.

I was so taken with this wonderful little scene. I initially thought this painting was going to be a slam dunk.  Little did I know how many hours at the easel it would take me to create this darling little scene in their music room with Dominic practicing on the piano.  I changed his hair four times! Hours and hours and layers and layers I finally got what I wanted to convey. I made many changes as I progressed. My goal was to do a painting I would not only be proud of, but one that caught the sentiment of the moment and honored this lovely music room! 

Where would we be without music and art?!

I initially sketched in the painting using a pastel pencil.  My substrate is a stretched linen. The pastel

pencil glides and blends easily on the linen canvas. I used some odorless mineral spirits to help create washes of color.

I added more values and hues, using liquin as my medium.  I wanted to establish my darks and lights.

I kept the palette warm and  glazed in some darks for the piano.

I began putting some detail in his face.  I worked on the books and picture frames

and gave more attention to the window and curtain.  I added more color and

design to the painting in the background. I re-worked my little painting over the piano.

I worked on the curtain and more details on his face.

I decided to change the size of the painting in the background.  I felt the image

was distracting from the figure. I made subtle changes overall to the books

and the frames and his hair. I painted many impressionistic strokes over the piano keys.

I again decided to change the size of the background painting.  At one point I took it

out altogether.  This time I think I've got the right size and toned down the value.

I softened the curtain and window to keep it from competing with the main focus of

the painting.  At this point I am finally happy with his face and hair.

I worked on the curtain and window and brought down that color into the background.

I put more details into the books and frames.  I adjusted his shirt and piano keys.

I gave more definition to the music book and deepened the piano with several

layers of a blue/black glaze.

"Little Mozart"oil on linen, 16" x 20"

Thank you for enjoying my art!

email me for more information!

septembermcgee@gmail.com

NEW WORKS

Blessings,

September McGee

PAINT OUT LOUD #3

PAINT OUT LOUD  is an "artumentary" of my paintings, from the

original sketch, to the finished oil painting, signed and framed.

This is #3 in my series of sharing secrets and insights into my creative process. 

 An artist learns to paint by painting. Each painting becomes our teacher and 

paves the path for the one to follow.

It's been too crazy busy to be blogging!  And yes, its been far too long.

I traveled, moved and then I pulled off a two month summer art show,

got accepted into five juried exhibitions, and also won three awards!

It was a great summer. WHEW!

 Now that it's Fall, I am back in my studio where I have more room to paint larger pieces.

I met so many wonderful customers this summer. When I shared my works I told everyone that

I would never ever paint one of my complicated, detailed, night scenes. Nope, never again. 

One should never say never. (See below).

Did you know that rain means increase and blessings?

I took photographs in New York of Times Square - 47th Street on a rainy night in November.

It was quite cold. My fingers were glued to the camera.  The reflections from the city lights onto

the sidewalk  drew me in.  I stood in the street waiting for the light to change.

They honked, screamed, yelled!  No matter.  I got the shot.

I chose a wonderful Raphael Premium archival oil primed linen panel, made in Italy.  

These panels are extraordinary.

This is my initial sketch.  I wanted to get all the figures and the scene organized into a

wonderful composition.  I used pastel pencil, water, Q-tips to draw and blend, 

and a few paper towels.

I generally start keeping it loose and wanted to maintain that momentum!

I further defined the drawing and values for the painting. 

I really took this drawing further than I normally do,

but I wanted to ensure I had everything in place. I used Pastel pencil 

and Liquid and used Q-tips for drawing and blending.

I also added in a few oil colors of raw and burnt umber

throughout using a flat brush.

Did I mention this oil primed linen panel is exceptional! 

A really good substrate makes all the difference.

I decided I wanted to get some details in now so I wouldn't get lost, 

as I often do, when working on complicated scenes!  

I say to myself, "hmmm, where was I?"

I'm terrible on directions too.

It was time to add some color. I added white and some beautiful grey greens

which balanced nicely with the warm umbers.  

Knowing the focus was going to be the Roxy sign, I began giving this area 

detail. I added more burnt umber and a little ivory black

to the carriage and reflections.

I added a beautiful gray turquoise to the pole and garbage receptacle

and several other grays in background.  I love the way the grays balance with 

the umbers and darks. There's a lot going on with this painting.

 I actually fell in love with where the painting was at this moment. 

I could have stopped, but I wanted to get some vibrant colors in the painting 

to make certain areas really pop!

I'm happy with the progress.  It's time to add some yellows into the mix. 

I lay in some toned down yellows, almost in a dry brush impasto style. 

I don't want to overwhelm the piece. I mix some of the yellow hues into the 

grays and continue establishing the lights, halftones and darks.

I begin to define some of the details of the window on the right.

 Some of the buildings get additional strokes.

 I've added more color.  And it's FUN!

If you haven't figured out by now, RED is my favorite color.  

Almost all of my paintings have red in them somewhere.

I wanted to balance the tones of red throughout. The values seem right.  My first teacher

Helen Van Wyk always said, "If you get the value right, the painting will be right."

If I question my values, I take a photo of my painting thus far. I go to photoshop 

and turn the photo into a black and white. Easy peasy.  

We are so lucky to have these tools at our fingertips.

(I'm sure you can do the same thing in photos and in preview and many other programs.)

I take photographs of each painting I am creating as it progresses.  

This is a great way to see my painting on my computer screen and view the work 

from another perspective.  I enjoy zooming in on different areas of the piece

to see how the strokes are working, or not working.  

The painting is getting near its completion. I've added details throughout the scene

and begun placing some of my "rain" strokes.

All it really needs are a few more punches of color here and there

and several details including some lights in the windows of the buildings in the

upper left corner to add a little flavor of subdued light.

After a full night at the easel I sat and viewed the piece for quite some time.

I made the final decisions about what the painting needed or didn't need.  

I have come to learn that when I promise myself I will leave some sections alone, 

to keep my promise.  I learned from those many times when I was going to 

 just touch up an area and make it better. Two hours later I'm wondering why didn't 

I just leave it alone!  EEEgads!

I hate it when that happens.

Sometimes I have to de-construct a piece with sandpaper to re-paint an area. 

This painting required very few changes, which makes me happy.

I added the higher highlights and beefed up the colors, especially

the yellows and reds. I added more of my "rain" strokes and also added some 

thicker, "funner" strokes throughout to keep the painting lively and colorful.

"close up"

"close up"

"Times Square - Roxy"

oil on Italian linen panel

16" x 20"

This is what my palette looked like after I finished the painting.

(Next time we'll talk brushes or substrates or color mixing!)

Leave comments or email me with your thoughts!

Blessings,

September

Coming soon!  I will be offering a limited number of online art lessons and art guidance with your paintings.  If you want to learn how to paint or feel stuck

with your creativity this one on one program is for you.

Email me for more information!

View a NEW oil painting from START to FINISH!

"Sidewalk Cafe #2"

This is one of those paintings I wanted to paint for years and years.  The energy was finally there and I was ready to begin.  Sometimes it takes hours to choose the right photo. The next decisions are which substrate to paint on and what size to use.  I chose a 12" x 16" which is one of my favorite smaller sizes.  I then selected a beautiful Raphael Premium Archival Panel as my substrate.  These panels are gorgeous - expensive - but gorgeous to paint on. Each decision will determine the style and brushes I will use in my creative process.

I sketched the image onto the panel and began with the background.  I never start my paintings the same way. I don't want to become a formula painter so I mix it up. When figures with faces are my subject  I generally begin with the face. In this case, I began with the background. The panel is so fabulous  the paint just flows. 

 I chose bristle filberts as my choice for brushes - I was going for texture!

I was happy with the composition and placement of figures in this outside cafe.  You can see on the lower right I have a figure on a bicycle.  I wanted to lay down a base to serve as my underpainting.  Now I will proceed to the figures.

I am happy with the color palette evolving.  The building is a beautiful yellow.  I love to paint with yellow which is the color of FUN! I have to make several adjustments to the waiter and people at the table to make this piece readable.

I now have all the characters in place and I need to decide on the sidewalk and details on the figures and windows. This cafe is going to need some wording in the windows.  It is taking on a nice painterly effect and I add in some red to the windows (I have to put RED in almost every painting.  It is my signature color!)   I worked on the door on the left and omitted most of the detail.  I punched up the door with a green hue.  The fun expressionist strokes on the sidewalk will probably have to go to make way for the final sidewalk.

I add the words and more detail to the windows and figures and  the bike.  I add in the sidewalk curb to give the foreground an interesting horizontal line to coincide with the cafe's linear movement.   The paint is thick.  The strokes are spirited and very impressionistic.  I made adjustments to the waiter and added a red tie. I gave the chairs, windows and all the figures  more attention.  I set the piece aside to dry.

This painting took a lot longer than I anticipated.  They usually do.  I was finally ready to put the finishing strokes on this piece.  I added more detail throughout and finished the sidewalk. With all the detail going on in the painting, I wanted the sidewalk to be a bit quiet, yet fun and flavored with the colors reflecting off the yellow cafe and figures.  Each stroke brings me closer to being completed and I could quit at any time now.  Being the perfectionist I am, I go over the entire painting with a keen eye and make minor adjustments with a #2 filbert.  I add some lines in the sidewalk to pull the eye into the piece and additional shadows on the building, figures and under the bicycle.  The hue on the sidewalk coincides with my green door on the left and the fun yellow.  I am pleased, finally and the painting is ready to be photographed, signed, framed and shipped off to the gallery.

I chose a black gallery frame that has a built in warm gold ribbed fillet to frame in the piece.
                                      "Sidewalk Cafe #2"oil on panel, 12" x 16"  

I love this painting and was proud to sign my name to it.  

            This painting SOLD two days after it arrived at                                            The Greenberg Gallery, Santa Fe, NM!!

I am always adding additional paintings to my website. Let me know if you enjoyed seeing the progression from start to finish of one of my paintings.  

I would love to hear from you. 

This is my first blog with my new website and I would love to have you sign up as one of my cherished followers.  I will be posting new works, events and surprises!

Visit my new website: and contact me!

                                            septembermcgee.com

Thank you for enjoying my art.

Blessings,

September McGee

PSA, CPS, PSWC, NPS

Elected Member, Allied Artists of America, NY

INVEST IN QUALITY - BUY ART MADE IN AMERICA

First Painting of 2012!

"Hills Hotel - Red Chair #1"

This is my very first painting of 2012!

"Hills Hotel - Red Chair #1" is an original oil 

on a Raphael Linen Panel - 14" x 11"

(available from studio)

This brand new piece represents a direction I will

be heading towards in this wonderful New Year!

This is the year of the dragon...a year for change...

and... this is going to be the best year ever!!!!

My penchant for figurative renderings is even more

passionate than ever!  I am adding some brand new

 colors to my palette, and stretching to new heights

 new techniques, and some novel painterly surfaces 
to launch my 2012 series.

This year, my skin tones will take on porcelain hues

with softer edges and a focus on stunning features;

 distinctive features that draw you in and 
don't allow you to leave.

I plan on accentuating expressive graceful hands,

alluring lips and arresting eyes.

All women are so beautiful, inside and out.  

Capturing this inner beauty 

is my ultimate creative intent.  Portraying this

grace and elegance in my works my 

 hallmark!

My model for the Hills Hotel series is a wonderful,

effervescent, sweet and lovely young woman who
leaves you feeling happy just knowing her.
  She is an absolute joy and it is an honor to work with her.

I invite you, the viewer, to join me

in celebrating this wondrous New Year,
filled with limitless possibilities and dreams come true.

Look for some exciting news in forthcoming shows...

and stay tuned for new leading-edge paintings.

Magic and miracles are in store this year!

Blessings,

September McGee

Check out my latest!   

and

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http://septembermcgee.blogspot.com/

The Last Painting of 2011 by September McGee, American Impressionist

"The Blues Singer II"

14" x 11" oil on museum panel

I wanted to finish off 2011 with a painting that spoke of the flavor of another wonderful year now ending.  Interestingly it ended up being one of my paintings of musicians.   But then again, what better ending!

She took three nights at the easel, when she dries I will most likely

tweek a few things here and there...in the interim....

May your song be sung with passion, joy, love and magic

and....

May 2012 be the year of miracles for you!

Blessings,

September McGee

www.septembermcgee.com

Framing Insights from September McGee Studios

"Music Series - Streets of New Orleans - Washboard Woman"

This is a brand new painting of a New Orleans street musician.

I was fortunate to have one of my new found friends and collectors lend me a few photos she took of the street musicians while in New Orleans that she knew I would enjoy painting...and I did! I painted "Washboard Woman" on a museum panel and had fun using a lot of color and texture to capture the vitality and spirit of this woman.

When it came to framing this piece it simply wasn't going to work to have just any 'ole frame. Yes, a frame can make or break a painting! I take great care to find the perfect frame for each of my paintings. I want the frame to accent the painting without taking away from the piece and to complement and balance the colors and subject matter. It is never about matching any particular decor, curtains or heaven forbid, a couch. The frame becomes the setting, the foundation on which to present your latest creation to the world.

I felt this particular piece would do best in a frame that reverberated the sounds of the instrument she was playing and to accent the hues, unique textures and the flavor of New Orleans! I often use beautiful gold framing and black gallery frames on many of my paintings. This time I was hunting around in the back of my framers warehouse where he stacks many unusual mouldings and came upon this gorgeous 4" frame. I knew instantly it was the perfect setting to allow the energetic ebullience of "Washboard Woman" to pop and give it the pizazz and zing this painting demanded. I wanted the final framed piece to echo her rhythmic tones.

If the viewer gets close and really listens, they are forever re-sounding.

The washboard was originally used for, you guessed it, washing clothes and found its way into the music world years ago from a mix of many wonderful cultures. Jug bands became popular in the 1920s and used washboards. Zydeco, jazz and various forms of folk music employ this unique instrument which is generally embellished with the musicians individual sounds. Bells, pots, cans, and many other fun and creative adornments add to their repertoire. Metal thimbles, guitar picks and even bottle openers are used to tap or rub rhythmically across the ribbed surface of the instrument. The washboard, or sometimes called the froittoir, is worn over the shoulders of the player like a breastplate. Many musicians spend years perfecting their washboard and novel sounds.

There is only one company left in the United States that still makes washboards, the Columbus Washboard Company located in Ohio. They began manufacturing in 1895 and continue on today... and they are helping out our troops! They are sending shipments of laundry supplies and washboards to our troops to help them with their laundry chores. And, like my art, all their products are

Made in America!

I always promote buying products made in our wonderful USA. I am proud to be an American and believe we should all invest in American made goods.

This holiday season, check out the labels on the products you are purchasing.

Buy products made in America as often as you can. Support the arts and music.

They are the gifts that last forever and enrich our lives and touch our souls.

My special thanks to Tawnya, a gorgeous woman with engaging eyes and a lovely smile - a woman with a generous heart who lends beauty wherever she goes.

Blessings of the season and the day to everyone.

September McGee

p.s. "Washboard Woman" is a 14" x 11" oil on museum panel available from my studio. She did have some pots and other accoutrements on her board, but this painting was too small to add all the detail. When and if I do a larger painting of her I will certainly add on her musical pots and bells.

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Happy Miraculous Monday from September McGee Studios

"Cafe Series - The Hills Hotel - Bar #1 - First Date"

"The Hills Hotel - Bar #1 - First Date" is the first in this brand new series. I met this gorgeous model at my summer show and she agreed to model for me. As it turns out we did our modeling session at the Hills Hotel in Laguna Hills, CA and what a treat. There were many different locations from the lobby to the bar and more. I was in heaven - a dream location.

...an a dream model! Jacqui was prepared with dresses and shoes and an effervescent personality. We began the modeling session and it was magic from beginning to end. Our concerted efforts paid off and I was thrilled with the incredible photographs of this beautiful woman on my camera. How lucky can you get?!

I have been biting at the bit to begin painting some of these images and plan on doing many large ones. This is a small study to get my brushes rolling and get familiar with my model. I just love the palette that evolved and the stance of this gorgeous model is so innocent and endearing.

We had so much fun doing this modeling session and I can't say thank you enough to Jacqui for her beautiful spirit, for modeling and for lending me her Dad's hotel for the evening.

On this Miraculous Monday I wish you FUN! and miracles...small and large. Look for them. You might be surprised to find them everywhere!

Blessings,

September McGee

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Happy Miraculous Monday from September McGee Studios

"Couch Series - Tawnya #1"

On this Miraculous Monday I wanted to share my new oil painting of this gorgeous woman, inside and out, who posed for me while her husband cooked dinner for us - crab legs and vegetables!..and let's not forget the bubbles!!

How lucky can an artist get? Tawnya posed in another outfit and after a costume change, we moved to their living room to take these pictures. The lighting was perfect and as soon as she sat down, the photos were simply magic!!! This woman has so many different looks and each time she turned her head a new look emerged. This was truly one of those amazing nights artists dream of. YES a truly miraculous evening: great company; fabulous food and taking home treasured photos for creating masterpieces!

I have a penchant for figurative works and I just love to paint women, one of God's loveliest creations! This painting took a while to come to its fruition. Now that I have figured out the composition and palette I am pleased with the results. "Couch Series - Tawyna #1" is an oil on linen, 24" x 18".

Thank you Tawnya. Thank you Mike. You both ROCK!

Monday Blessings,

September McGee

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Being Grateful on Thankful Thursday!

"Pacific Symphony - Tuba #1"

I am so grateful for music. Often, I hear songs that make my heart melt. My soul is moved as the notes resonate within me. Even the sounds of birds singing make me stop, listen, smile.

I often wonder if music evolved from the birds chirping their incredible heavenly notes. Not a day goes by without my daily dose of these audible miraculous sounds.

Over a year ago I was fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph the musicians of the Pacific Symphony here in Orange County, CA as they played their magnificent music at the Segerstrom Concert Hall. This amazing group of extraordinary talent come together and magic happens. I watch in awe and listen. Heaven on earth.

In creating this latest addition to my series, "Pacific Symphony - Tuba #1", I can still hear the notes resounding as my brushstrokes rendered the colors and textures of the painting. I strive to honor the musicians and their music and yet at the same time allow the creative process to flow. I am honored to know the Conductor, Carl St. Clair personally and been fortunate to meet several of these amazing musicians.

I am so grateful to have their music always lingering in my heart and for their continued diligent efforts to present us with some of the most incredible music. Thank you.

Art and music have a lot in common. Music can make you happy...heal stress...and it has been discovered that listening to great music like Mozart et al can improve your IQ. Looking at art has similar effects. When we look at beautiful art, we are drawn in and held captive, if only for a moment, as this creative image resonates with our own magnificence...and we are all truly magnificent!

Today, put on some great music. Dance if you can. Look at some great art

and honor the creative spirit within yourself. Come back and see all the latest inspirations coming out of my studio. For a personal tour email me:

septembermcgee@gmail.com

Smile and be grateful!

Blessings,

September McGee

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Check out my latest paintings

Happy Thankful Thursday!

"Cafe Series - Bordeau Reflections"

oil on Museum Panel

This rendering reminds me how grateful I am to paint. These little studies can be so much fun and when the paint is flowing - let it flow!

Life itself generally ebbs and flows...every circumstance bearing gifts for us to open. How we choose to handle each moment is always up to us...we choose, we always choose...in the every only moment of NOW!

I find it way more fun to choose to be happy...particularly knowing every thought - word - action is coming back to me in one way or another.

Creating is a process that flows through us - not from us!

Letting go of how the piece is going to turn out allows for true creativity to flow. Trying to push the rendering in one direction or another can block the pathway to its fruition. The trick - get out of the way!

The same holds true for life. Decide what it is you want then get out of your own way and let the universe bring it to you....I guarantee (like so many brushstrokes that came out of the ethers) the universe will deliver far greater than you ever imagined!!!

"Bordeau Reflections" is a brand new oil on Museum panel that just rolled off my brushes. This is a painting of a beautiful woman, inside and out, who has modeled for me twice. Often the second session is more relaxed and we both know what to expect from each other... and the creativity flows.

Did you know that if you say "hmmmmmmmmm" out loud you cannot criticize yourself while saying it. Try it next time you find yourself repeating limited vocables to yourself. Relax, turn off the "neggies" and let it all flow.

My plan is to do a large painting from this study. The color palette will probably change as will the strokes and flavor of the painting.

I am so grateful to this wonderful woman who has come into my life, and also become a dear friend!

What more can you ask for!

Blessings on this Thankful Thursday,

September

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