Studio and Plein Air Paintings

 I've been spending a lot of time in the studio lately, working on very large still life paintings for commissions and gallery requests.  But every now and then, I just have to bust out of my work space and venture into new territory- either outside in nature, or throwing paint at the canvas just for fun. Here are a few pieces that I did just for the fun of it, and they're available through my studio, so they're discounted from my regular work!

"Cascade", 14" x 18", Oil on Canvas, $850

I thought I'd try my hand at a purely abstract painting, but couldn't resist adding some very realistically rendered roses on top of it.  I photographed these roses on a trellis in a monastery in Brittany, France when I was there in June.  

"Two Trees, The Sanctuary",  9" x 12", Oil On Panel, $550

Frame For "Two Trees", $100.  Please forgive my atrocious photography!

A couple of weeks ago, my friend and fellow painter Chula Beauregard and I took our gear out to paint on one of the last glorious fall days here in Steamboat Springs.  The Sanctuary was almost overwhelming to look at- the colors were everywhere.  This painting is available unframed, or framed for a bit more.

"Trail's Edge", 10" x 10", Oil On Panel, $550

When I'm out hiking in the mountains, it's easy to get swept away by the majestic views at every turn, but sometimes, I focus on what's just at my feet.  The trail's edge is often chock full of wild flowers and tangled grasses that are a joy to paint.  For this painting, I took a brush full of paint and swiped it across a textured panel, letting the drips become roots.  I picked out the leaf and flower shapes when the paint was still wet, and then added a few bits of color at the very end.  

Creating these paintings was like a breath of fresh air for my brain and for my spirit.  If you're interested in purchasing one, please email me at:  Ann.Feldman@comcast.net.

And thank you for your interest in my art!

Silent Refuge

 

A Return To The Palette Knife (my old friend)

A Very Complicated Scene! When I'm feeling stuck in my painting practice, I take out my palette knives and squeeze out large lakes of paint to help me loosen up again. "Silent Refuge" (bottom photo) actually started out as a very tight, complicated painting. It was so confusing to look at- I tried to render individual leaves and branches and ripples on the water. I won't share my "before" painting here since you would surely think that I'd completely lost my mind! A photo reference of the scene is here. Just when I thought about flinging it out of the window, I thought, hey, I'll use this complicated mess as an underpainting for a palette knife painting!

My Thumbnail Guide Before I painted on the canvas, I took out a small gesso board and painted a very simplified scene to use as my guide. I put this guide next to my canvas, and looked at it while I painted on top of my original canvas.

Once again, my old friend the palette knife helped me to simplify the shapes and color passages of the scene. There is no way on earth I could put in tiny little shapes with the flat edge of a knife. I was much happier with the flat planes of color that resulted. And the viewers can fill in the detail in their mind's eye! I don't have to do all that heavy lifting!

"Silent Refuge" Oil on Canvas, 16"x12"x3" (gallery wrapped canvas)

For more information on "Silent Refuge", please click here.

Approaching Storm

"Approaching Storm", Oil on Canvas, 48" x 60"

Available Through the J. Petter Galleries

Happy New Year, my friends!  

Yes, this year hasn't been the best in many ways, but there have been a few reasons to be joyful in the Feldman household despite it all.  The headliner is that we've welcomed a brand new member of the family- Maya Jacobs, born August 27 to daughter Emily and her husband Doug.  Nothing could prepare me for the tidal wave of happiness that comes with being a grandparent.  Some of my excitement has found an outlet in creating paintings for her.  Here are a few pieces that I painted for her nursery:

Another new development on the family front is that we're now dividing our time between Denver and Steamboat Springs.  I won't feel completely moved in in Steamboat until I find some space for painting outside of our home there- my paintings have grown quite large over the past year or so, so I'll need some extra space!  

As I prepare to begin this new year, I feel a renewed sense of gratitude to you for following me, and your continued interest in my art.  Surprisingly, this has been a very good year for art sales, perhaps owing to the fact that people are at home more now, and they're sprucing up their spaces with new paintings.  Here's a sample of some of the paintings that have sold this year:

Painting in my studio wouldn't be half the fun without you following along to see what's new.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support and interest in my art.  

Flowers For Katherine

 “Flowers For Katherine”, 30 x 30”, Oil on Canvas

Commission

During my visit to the J Petter Galleries in August, I met a lovely couple from Minnesota who were interested in having a painting created just for them, using blooms from their garden.  It was a joy to work with them to paint a loose interpretation of a vase filled with their flowers.

Thank you for your interest in my art!

 

"Summer Shadows (Diptych)",  72" x 36", Oil on Canvas

Sold, The J. Petter Galleries

Dear Friends,

As 2021 begins to draw to a close, I'm reflecting on the effect of recent events on my year in art.  This year has tested my resolve to produce art and to continue creating; it's thrown many opportunities and obstacles my way.  Here's how it all turned out:

Just over a year ago, I moved into a large studio space in Denver which allowed me to work bigger.  This was not a gradual change- my canvases ranged from 3 feet square to 4 feet x 5 feet overnight.  Seeing my work take up the majority of the space on a wall was thrilling and terrifying at the same time.  I was used to presenting my work in smaller, quieter formats.  Now, my paintings were seeming to shout from across the room: "Hey!  Look at me!".  This exposure made me feel a bit off balance.

My new space allowed me to continue working through the pandemic.  I found new focus and a drive to work every day, 7 days a week for months on end.  The silence and solitude encouraged me to dive deeper into new subjects.  Some paintings came easily and almost painted themselves, while others required relentless reworking and angst for months on end (are you listening, "Skscapes"?).  

I knew that these larger format paintings would not sell themselves.  I needed help from galleries to promote them.  Smaller paintings can be purchased from photos on the internet, but large investments should be seen and experienced in person.  I started to reach out to galleries to tell them about what I was working on, and to generate interest in selling them when they were finished.  To my relief, my galleries in the midwest and two new galleries in Colorado were interested in working with me.

By the end of July, I had amassed a very large stack of very large paintings.  I had an exhibition in Saugatuck at the J Petter Galleries in August, so I stuffed my paintings into my SUV, and drove from Denver to Michigan, dropping off paintings along the way.  Mary Williams in Boulder, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, The Hildt Gallery in Chicago, and J Petter all took paintings for their walls.

After the journey, I was exhausted physically, and yes, emotionally as well.  Would this new batch of paintings be received well?  Will this year of work be worth the effort?  I came back to my studio and its bare white walls, all my colorful paintings gone.  If my paintings don't move, how would I find new energy to develop a new body of work?  At this point, I questioned everything about my life in art.  But I decided to wait and see.

To my utter shock, my phone started to ring a week or two later- galleries telling me that my paintings were selling- particularly my largest pieces that I was most uncertain about.  My anxiety and exhaustion started to lift.  

My studio walls are still empty.  I need to dig deep now and find my creative self again.  I hope to have new work to share with you again soon.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following me and supporting me through this journey.  It really does mean the world to me to know that you are out there.

To see my latest work, please visit my newly revamped website:  Annfeldmanartist.com

Sold work in 2021- An Astonishing Year

Waiting For A Fare

 "Waiting For A Fare", 12" x 12",  Oil on Panel

Click here for more information

Anyone who has ever seen me outside knows that I never leave home without my iPhone on a strap around my neck.  I always want to be ready to capture people in everyday moments that seem classic and timeless.  This pedi-cab driver was engaged in just that type of moment the other day, waiting for his next fare.  This is a scene I see almost daily here in Denver, and I was happy I got it!

"Ranunculus, Life of the Party"

Click Here for Information

Dear Friends,

This weekend, July 10th and 11th, I'll be an exhibiting artist for the Broadmoor Galleries at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.  I'll be setting up my easel alongside some fantastic artists and painting all weekend long. I can't wait to get outside to paint again- I'm dusting off my trusty plein air easel and organizing my paints with lots of saturated outdoor colors.

If you're in Colorado this weekend, I hope you'll come by to say hello and to see some amazing artists create in real time!

Here are some of the paintings I have at the Broadmoor Galleries now.  Click here for more information on any of these paintings.  And as always, thank you for your interest in my art!

"Strolling Chefs",  9x12",  Oil on Panel

"Nocturne", 9x12", Oil On Canvas

"Peonies, Here For The Moment", 16x12", Oil on Panel

"Peonies, Made Me Think Of You", 12x24", Oil on Panel

"Gladiolas, Tuesday Morning", 10x8", Oil on Panel

 

Studio Sale!

My Open Studio at Prism Workspaces is just around the corner- June 25th!  Since many of you aren't in the Denver area, I wanted you to have the opportunity to see some of the paintings I'll have on display at special Open Studio prices.  Please send me an email if you'd be interested in purchasing any of these paintings before the doors open this Friday!

"Ghost Roses", Oil on Panel, 16 x 12", $475

"Turquoise Bowl", Oil on Panel, 14" x 11", $525

"Floral Abstraction", Oil on Panel, 11" x 14", 

Framed in Red Floater Frame, $450

"Red Apple", Oil on Canvas Mounted on 1" Hardboard, 6" x 8", 

SOLD

"Red Flowers", Oil on Panel, 6" x 6", 

SOLD

I'll be updating availability on this blog page.  As always, thank you so much for your interest in my art!

Open Studio and Sale

 

"That's Just Peachy", Oil On Canvas, 14x11"

Click Here For Purchase Information

Hi Friends, I can't believe I'm about to say this:  We're having an Open Studio at Prism Workspaces!  Over 35 artists will open their doors on June 25th from 5-8pm.  If you're in the Denver area, I hope you'll come by to see what everyone's been working on this past year, and I'd love to see you there! If you plan to attend, please drop me a line so I can look for you.

As part of this Open Studio Event, I'll be offering some paintings for sale at greatly reduced prices. "Just Peachy" is part of this sale.  This painting was framed in a rather formal frame, so I think it wasn't showing at its best.  It's been set free now, and I think it's a good example of my impressionist style. Send me an email if you'd like me to put it aside for you.

I'll be posting some other paintings as part of this sale over the next week or so, so please keep an eye out for fresh art.

As always, thanks so much for your interest in my art!

 "Strolling Chefs", Oil on Gessoed Panel, 9" x 12"The Broadmoor Gallery, Colorado Springs

Dear Friends,

The past few months have been a time of intense, nose-to-the-grindstone work. Nearly every day, I shut my studio door, put on my headphones, and start to paint. Some days, I've felt that I've made some progress, and on others, I could swear that I've taken several steps back. All told, it's been a time of growth and discovery.

And now it's time to emerge from my hermitage, and share some of the work I've been toiling over. I've been invited to participate in two artist exhibitions this summer:

August 7, The J.Petter Galleries, Saugatuck/Douglas Michigan, 4-7pm

July 10-11, The Broadmoor Galleries, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 10-4pm

I'll be bringing along my easel and paints to each of these exhibitions, painting whatever is in sight. I love participating in these exhibitions, to talk with artists and art lovers and to enjoy the beautiful galleries.

If you're in the area, I would LOVE to see you there!

A Short Video About A Big Painting (Sunset, 6 feet x 5 feet)

Hello Friends, 

I've been hard at work this month painting a very large commission piece for some lovely clients here in Denver.  Along the way, I took some video of my process and created this short video for you to see the behind-the-scenes action.  I hope you enjoy this little video!

"Skylight Over Colorado", Oil on Canvas, 72" x 60"

A toast to the finish!

I discovered that I enjoyed this process immensely- if you or someone you know would like a commission piece, please let me know!

Seasons Greetings

"White Peonies", 20" x 16" Oil on Board

The Hildt Gallery, Chicago

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings To You!

I hope that this message finds you healthy and well.  Here in Denver at Chez Feldman, we are patiently awaiting the arrival of the vaccine and a new year.  

Life in this downtown high-rise has whittled down to the basics over the last year.  I'm so fortunate to have an art studio nearby. I close the door, put on my headphones, and delve into my painting.  Here's a photo of my studio setup:

I've been painting still lifes and flowers lately, since portraits and landscapes are off the table for a bit.  I've been enjoying focusing in on flowers, really concentrating on how the petals turn, and how light sometimes passes right through them.  I have flowers delivered to me from a local florist, and I can spend hours photographing them, in the hopes that one of the photos will be good enough to paint.

Here is a recent photo I took in my studio. This one has definite possibilities!

I do miss painting people though.  I recently found a box of portrait sketches that I did from life over the years, and couldn't resist putting these old friends up on my studio wall.  

Do you recognize me with my complete pandemic hair?  I grabbed this opportunity to stop coloring it!  I feel quite liberated, truthfully.

A Seasons Greetings note would be incomplete without a blurb about the family!  John and I are happily adjusted to our lives here in Denver, both of us busily pursuing our work.  Daughter Emily and son-in-law Doug have bought a house just outside of Boston.  Josh is visiting us now from DC, where he moved with girlfriend Dylan for her once in a lifetime job with the federal government.  Jordie is in Steamboat, in property management, and we're lucky to be close enough to see him now and then.

I cannot thank you enough for your support through the years, and especially this one.  Let us toast the end of 2020, and ring in new beginnings in 2021!

All the best,

Ann

 

Hope

 "Hope",  20" x 20", Oil on Canvas

The Mary Williams Gallery, Boulder, Colorado

Price Available Upon Request

Friends, as I painted this floral over the last month, I had plenty of time to contemplate the whirlwind of emotions that are swirling around us all.  The feeling that stuck with me as I painted was hope- hope that we will soon be with family and friends sharing carefree days again.

Several people have told me that they would be interested in prints of my work, so I've started to set that process up!  This painting will be available as a print soon, so if you'd be interested, please let me know.  I'm still trying to decide what the best format would be.  The cheapest option (while maintaining the highest quality) would be a gyclee print on high quality paper, ready to be framed.  I can also have prints made on canvas, ready to pop into a frame and hung.  If you have an opinion on any of this, I'd love to hear from you!

It's snowing today in Denver, which is the best news possible for putting out the fires raging all through the state.  Everything is cancelled, so I'll light my new cedar and evergreen candle and hunker down inside.  I hope you're having a beautiful fall wherever you are!

Sunshine On A Saturday

Sunshine On A Saturday

36" x 48", Oil on Canvas

For information, please click here

Where would I be without my studio to retreat to, to delve into my paint, and get lost in deep concentration? This imposed quiet time has forced me to slow way down and see things in a new way.  

I think my new T-shirt sums up this year pretty well:

I hope that your coping mechanisms are working for YOU!  

 

"Sunday Morning, Bird's Eye View"

"Sunday Morning, Bird's Eye View"

36x48 inches, Oil on Canvas

The Petter Gallery

I just got word that this rather ginormous painting has safely made it to the Petter Gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan.  After I painted it, I took the canvas off of the stretcher bars, rolled it up, and trusted my friends at UPS to treat it kindly on its journey to Michigan.  I always have an uneasy feeling when I send a painting off into the stratosphere, especially one that I spent about a month working on.

It has arrived and been stretched and framed by my good friends at Petter.  I can rest easy now and concentrate on the paintings in my studio yet to be launched!

For information on Sunday Morning, please click on Ann Feldman, Sunday Morning.

Are We Instagram Friends Yet?

I've been working on making my Instagram account uplifting and more fun.  I share my inspiration and thoughts along the way.  If you'd like to be Instagram friendly, please click on this link: Ann Feldman Instagram.

Peony Contemplation

 "Peony Contemplation", 14" x 11", Oil on Panel

For Purchase Information, please click here

Why do artists paint what they paint?  

For me, I've been contemplating the beautiful, simple things that are usually right in front of me, and I feel grateful for the hours of quiet concentration they give me.  Do you love peonies as much as I do?  The way they catch the light, the subtle color shifts, and transparent petals keep me transfixed for hours.

For this painting, I took a lovely old panel that I had gessoed thickly with a palette knife many months ago.  I had started painting on it back then, but that painting never really got off the ground. A week ago, I took sand paper to it, and to my surprise, some lovely shapes and colors emerged from underneath!  I very slowly built up the peony shapes on top of all this lovely found texture, and was careful not to completely cover up what was already happening.

These peonies were my escape for several days.  I feel uplifted after my time with them.

We're all looking for ways to run away without leaving home these days!  For my son, it's sitting for hours, composing the perfect software code.  For my friend, it's baking loaf after loaf of bread, in search of the perfect flour.  What's your escape without leaving home?

First Bloom

"First Bloom", 12"x12", oil on panel

Click Here For Purchase Information

I love spring for many reasons- not the least of which is the first bloom of peonies.  Today is Mother's Day in the U.S., and wherever you are, I hope that you're feeling some extra love today!

Steamboat Snow

"Steamboat Snow"

11" x 14", Oil on Panel

How many weeks have we been under this "shelter in place" order?  I've honestly lost track.  I do know that it's necessary to find some means of escape- if only in my mind.  I love going back through my photos and finding great memories, especially of the outdoors!  As I painted this one, I thought about how the air felt that day (bracingly cold), and how the snow crunched underfoot.

I have to admit that even in this very difficult and sometimes scary time, there have been some silver linings.  Perhaps you've found a few too?  I'd love to hear about them.  John snapped this photo of me (I had no idea- look at that concentration!) on our pandemic walk in the neighborhood.  Note the facemask and my Lockdown Locks of untouched hair! 

I hope you are well my dear friends. Let's keep looking for those silver linings.