Frank Mason

I took this picture at the SVAC exhibition. The woman in the painting also studied with Frank at the same time that Jack and I studied. It is a beautiful painting with dazzling brushwork, yet the most sensitive and subtle nuances. The model and her husband were at the opening, and it was wonderful to see how a beautiful portrait captures the underlying essence of the person. Although, many years had passed since Frank painted this, the model was instantly recognizable, older, but still lovely.

Frank Mason

Here are a few of Frank's portraits. The top one was of a woman who studied with him at the same time we did, and I love the light effect. The bottom painting was one of Frank's self-portraits, and I first saw it in November, 1973, at the National Arts Club, where he was having a huge retrospective. I joined Frank's class at the Art Students League in December 1973.

Frank Mason

Frank Mason taught oil painting at the Art Students League of New York from 1951 to 2009. My husband and I were very lucky to have studied with him from 1973-1978. He had a tremendous influence on the way we paint, as well as the way we teach. He taught us to appreciated beauty and to strive to create paintings that excelled in craftsmanship and draftsmanship.

While our 2 - person exhibition was on display in the Entrance Gallery of Southern Vermont Art Center, Frank Mason's solo retrospective exhibit was on display in Gallery I, which was connected to the Entrance. It was an honor to be showing at the same time, and it was wonderful to go from our show to his and see many of his paintings that I knew and loved, as well as ones that were new to me. Our shows opened on June 13, and Frank was in the hospital. He passed away on June 16. He was a great painter and a great teacher who will live on in the many students whose hearts he has touched and whose brushes he has inspired.

I hear him when I paint...."Where's the light effect?"

I am going to post several of his paintings for you to enjoy.

More from SVAC

These 2 paintings were on the landing. The Sunflowers sold at Visions of Vermont Gallery, and the other painting, "Tomatoes" is currently at M Gallery of Fine Art in Sarasota, FL.

More of the SVAC exhibition in June

2009 2-person exhibition at the Southern VT Art Center

Our 2 person show opened June 13. The SVAC has 2 floors with several rooms, and each room serves as a "Solo" show (or 2-person). Our show was hung in the Entrance Gallery and grand stairs.

June 2009 - 2 person exhibition at Southern VT Art Center

Here are 3 of my paintings: Peonies - 18"x24" oil on panel by Karen Winslow

The Arts - 36"x30" oil on linen by Karen Winslow

A Glimpse of the Sound - 16"x24" oil on linen by Karen Winslow

Exhibitions in 2009

Here is the big landscape that Jack had been working on. It was the centerpiece for our exhibit at the Southern Vermont Art Center. It is now at M Gallery of Fine Art in Sarasota, FL.

Exhibitions in 2009

Jamie

Here is a photo of the painting and the set-up.

Jamie

When we built our new studio, we made sure that it was handicap accessible. Jamie is an amazing young woman. Because she has very limited movement, she is unable to paint alla prima (one shot). So, I have her painting with a monochromatic underpainting, which she later glazes with color. She is patient beyond words and carefully analyzes her values and works her masses until she is pleased with the way everything looks. When the underpainting is dry, she applies the glazes. She is an inspiration.

Weekly still life classes - Thursdays 6pm-9pm

I set up simple still life arrangements so that students can focus on light, form and planes. The cupcake was a fun set-up, and several students had a chance to paint it. Here is Erin's rendition.

Thursday Evening Still Life Class

Thursday Evening Still Life Class

Every Thursday, I offer a still life class from 6pm-9pm. Students are free to choose paint from a number of simple (and sometimes not so simple) arrangements. Most of the students are new to painting, or recently returning to painting after a long hiatus.

2009 - recap

It has been a while since I've posted anything, so I thought that I would share some photos of classes and workshops, as well as paintings and shows from this past year. I now offer a still life class every Thursday night from 6pm-9pm. I set up several still life arrangements, so that students have a choice. All of the students use a value scale, mixing a series of grays using black and white.

"Open" Figure/Portrait Painting Group

Here is my effort from Saturday's painting session.  I wiped out my first attempt at the whole figure and concentrated on her head instead.  

"Open" Figure/Portrait Painting Group

The new studio is taking on a life of its own.  I began hosting an "Open" figure/portrait painting group that meets each Saturday from 1pm-4pm.  The group fluctuates, depending on people's schedules, between 5-10 artists.  The model takes a repeated pose for 3 hours, and the artists work in whatever medium they wish.  Some draw in charcoal, pastel or pen.  Some paint in acrylics or oils.  It is a wonderful way to share the cost of hiring a model, and it is a great way for artists to connect, encourage one another and share ideas.   

Head Studies

I love painting head studies.   For those of you who know me, the top one is a self portrait, and it is an 8"x10" oil on linen.  I started it as a generic head for practice, but it morphed into me, so I added the brush to make it more obvious.  The bottom painting is an alla prima study  that is a 12"x16" oil on panel.  It was done in about 2.5 hours.  

I have started an "Open Studio" portrait/figure painting group that meets on Saturdays from 1pm-4pm at the studio.  Painting in a group of artists is a great way to support younger artists and learn from more experienced ones.  Sharing ideas and encouraging one another helps to improve your skills in observation, as well as technique.