New dates for Pastel Workshop in Alburtis, PA 18011 with David and Cecile
August 31st, 2010Upcoming Workshop has new date of October 2&3!
FOLKWERKS
121 South Main Street
Alburtis, PA 18011
David Garrison & Cécile Houel Soft Pastel Workshop
Signature members of Pastel Society of America
Date: October 2 & 3
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Fee: $250 – September 27th deadline
$150 deposit required, mailed with registration
Four pastels for Festival International du Pastel, France
July 18th, 2010The Societe des Pastellistes de France is the oldest and best known society in France.
The Society’s board of directors are known to be tough in all areas of its life; which has caused much grief to those trying to enter one of their exhibits. David had been after his French artist wife Cécile, to introduce him to this well known society for two years. At last, in a moment of weakness she gave in. Traveling through the heavy Paris traffic to get to their studio/school caused David pangs of guilt for what he was putting his wife through. But those feelings were soon changed to glee because when the Vice-President of the Society saw his work, which was unframed and fresh off the easel, she got very excited and accepted four Paris landscapes for their next International exhibit.
This unexpected acceptance put both David and Cécile in shock. Never before has this difficult collection of artist in this Society accepted art work this quickly. David stood there thinking, “I can’t be part of this group already and hand these to them, I just finished these pastels last week. I haven’t even signed them yet. And they’re not even framed.” But they were accepted and David and Cécile had only a week to get them framed and handed over to the hanging committee. Plus the pressure of needing to prepare for their move to the south of France for David’s international Plein Air workshop in pastel was there. But some kind of special luck was following them that week because Cécile located a place that did framing quickly.
Less then a week after the teaching trip to Arles, in southern France, it was time to attend the Grand Opening, Festival du Pastel. Cécile looked at David and said, “You’re wanting to go to the opening aren’t you? Most people would be content just to be in the show. Its a 1000 Km trip and our car does not have air, but your still not bending, you’re wanting to go anyway.” The trip was long, hot and a lot of traffic. The hotel had no air and no screens at the small single window. But the Open of the exhibit was truly Grand.
The overall exhibit of 300 pastels on a scale from 1 to 10 would be 8. The poorest example was a 3, and the best was a strong 10! David felt very proud to be part of this exhibit. Three other Americans were in the show, all 10′s. Several from England, Spain and Russia. The Russian’s always prove to be bold in their way of painting. But one stood out to have a soft hand, gentle touch. China had the Guest of Honor place this year. No awards are given in this show. To be in the show is the award. In time the greatest prize of all is given by them: Title of Master.
As David and Cécile walked through the exhibit they were impressed by the intense medium that pastel had become. To view a collection of so many artist together in one medium is a awaking of your creative spirit; giving you a refreshing breath of what this business is really all about.
The trip home seemed less difficult to bear. Lost in their own thoughts and dreams of how to conduct their art life they realized they were doing very well indeed!
Feel free to visit the Société des Pastellistes de France.
Video clip of a demonstration at the Arles France workshop
July 5th, 2010Below is a video clip of me demonstrating a pastel painting for the students at the Arles France workshop, June 20-25, 2010. We had a huge turnout and it was a great success!
If you’re interested in the official demonstration video containing 5 days of very useful plein air and studio demonstrations and the wonderful cities in France we visited, please let me know. It was shot by a professional, so it’s superior quality compared to this amateur clip. It will be released in Fall 2010 and will have both English and French narration and commentary. If you order it before it is released in Fall 2010 there is a discount, so don’t wait!
Pastel painting The Louvre and The Eiffel Tower in Paris
June 2nd, 2010Everyday that the weather is good I’m out painting everything I can find…and in Paris there’s alot out there. I spend from 9 am to 6 pm walking and painting by myself. I’ve got a great collection going. And it has been good training for our Arles Workshop in June.
This Saturday, 5/29/10, we move to Normandie to set shows in place and to teach the French students we have over here.
Delivery of Hilton Garden Inn murals to Washington DC
April 3rd, 2010Following a hard hitting, difficult four months of intense painting on the commission to paint two murals for a new complex idea developed by the Hilton hotel group; the murals are ready for delivery to Washington DC. The artist and his beautiful French artist wife will leave on Saturday April 3, 2010 with a U Haul over-flowing with two large murals.
On the artist home page you will find the progressive development of the 5′ X 10′ mural capturing the Great Falls National Park in Maryland. The mural is now complete and will be shown on his Web-site. The second Mural is 4′ X 7′ centering on the US Capital in a more modern updated effect. It was painted in acrylic, resticted to black and white and gray tones. The Hilton designers wanted the mural to stand out from all the rest art work that will be in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn, Washington DC.
Below is a video of the large oil painting as it progresses from sketch to final mural – ready to be delivered to the Hilton Washington D.C.!
Ten Common Mistakes Made by Beginning Plein-Air Painters.
February 9th, 2010- They don’t establish the big broad relationships of color, shapes and values before moving on to the details
- They fail to unify the light side and the dark side and keep them seperate
- They paint what they think they know, not what they actually see
- They don’t have the proper equipment or too much of it
- They don’t stand back enough to really see
- They don’t paint what they know and love
- They choose too complicated of subject matter
- They don’t use enough red in their greens
- They don’t see things as mass, but more as lines that they fill-in between
- They expect too much of themselves, too soon
- They don’t fill their lover’s glass enough times….oops, that’s from another 10 common mistakes!
Workshops By David Garrison — For the students that will be in the south of France Pastel Workshop – June, 2010
February 2nd, 2010When I give a workshop, I assume that each person wants to learn something about “painting from life” that can be applied to all future paintings. Having taught for the past 20 years, almost without exception, the success or failure of a painting created from life, is based on the foundation and procedure established in the beginning and middle of that painting. Even though people assume their problem areas have to do with the last half of the painting, including style and so forth, it’s not where the problems really are. Based on this idea, my workshops include three basic principles:
- Anatomy- All styles need one basic element and that is good sound drawing.
- Mood- Creating a flow to your painting that is beautiful and pleasing to the eye; a mood captures attention. This is done by way of technical use of edges, lighting, design values and the use of color. I do not use lines, I use value change.
- Finish- How not to overwork that painting, and when to stop in time and keep that fresh look.
These basic principles are explained and taught by way of demonstrations, questions and answers, and not being in a hurry to move on until everyone understands these concepts. No one will be asked to duplicate my style but rather learn where the trouble spots are in a painting and what to do about correcting them. At all times I keep the class cheerful and uplifting, and inspired to paint!
Impressions of Notre Dame
January 2nd, 2010“As I entered the winding streets of this section of Paris a different atmosphere became apparent. A feeling; a noticeable re-leaf of pressure.”
Of all the impressions an artist lives with, feelings are the most reliable of his senses. Used correctly it can be a phenomenal tool or lost to the darkness around him. Walking through those streets helped to clear David’s mind for the painting he had planned. So many others had already painted this outstanding structure that’s nestled on an island in the middle of the Seine river. What’s one more? A feeling of hope and hoplessness together hits David as the Gothic marvel comes into view.
Nearing the island helps David’s spirits gain strength. The noise of the city seems to fade and his pack with paint lightens. Crossing one of the bridges to the island lifts his spirits even more and the packed crowd with their colorful faces and endless words no longer matters. For the past three hours of walking, with his pack of brushes, paint and canvas, he has had time to consider how it would feel to paint one of the most notable buildings on earth. Many times in the past three years of living in France, he and his wife has past by. But more with an attitude of introductory. This was different, this was with feelings, this was with intent to paint.
Passing the building through the gardens and into the street beyond where David can view what is most important for a painting like this. Not the people, they are impressions of noise. Not even the Gargoyles standing watch over the building; perhaps another time, another painting for them alone. What it must have is light bathing the building in glow. David’s paintings have no lines only values of color, the value being the most important of the two. A spray of warm mixed with cool is a must in each of his works of art. All this obtained by the spirit of the moment, feelings of what’s important. David’s intention is to guide the viewer through the painting as you would guide your lover through the ecstasy of the night. To be in control of the viewer and what they look at while standing in front of the painting. Only by the impact of the view before you can you be impressed and with those feelings you will know what to do.
Painting in France
December 30th, 2009
“The painting trip to France had a special feeling of excitement, I was in Paris to paint. It was a warm December day, and while I walked I had an interesting sight, watching the people moving around me in a hurry to do their Christmas shopping. Here I was walking on the street bordering the Seine river carrying my easel and paints on my back totally lost to the world of shopping.”
The world of painting is what this artist is devoted to, totally. The only other love he feels is to his French wife who is also an artist. Together they find places to hide, to watch the world around them; to express it in paint and feelings. To love often in their hiding places, causing a peace to overtake. The hiding is a wall to protect and be used to offset any devaluations of the night.
The world of David Garrison in Paris in December 2009 held a passion for painting the chapel Notre Dame in all its glory. With the Seine river sliding by on both sides of the island where the chapel is built; it’s a natural setting for an outstanding oil painting.
The chilling breath of air whipped at the easel and brought tears to the artist eyes. Nothing really new. Over the past 45 years of many painting trips he has experienced this and more. Sometimes on what he called “a shoe string budget” he would drive to find an inspiring subject, not with comfort but with inspiration. In this day and age though the budget is fatter and the inspiration comes easy to this artist. Such is the case with the Notre Dame painting. With the afternoon light coming across the Seine river and causing the chapel to glow with rich colors. A masterful work of art in oil.
The oil painting will be on display at the Hilligoss Gallery 520 North Michigan Ave. Chicago Illinois In February 2010.
David wins prestigious Jack Richardson & Co award in New York
November 5th, 2009David has just won the Jack Richardson & Co. Award in the juried American Artist Professional League’s 81st Grand National Exhibitition exhibit at the Salmagundi Club, New York City.
The award was for the pastel piece – WALK ALONG PARIS. It was painted in Paris in 2008.
Just Announced! Landscape Pastel Workshop in Provence, France
October 28th, 2009David Garrison will be teaching an exciting workshop in landscape pastels on the week of June 19-25 2010 at St. Michel de Frigolet Abbaye in France.
Total cost is $1,100 US and includes:
- 7 nights room and board
- 5 days of Plein Air Paining in Pastel with demonstrations by the artist
- 1 free day of orientation and demonstrations by the artist
- Main transportation service provided for the week
(Air faire is purchased separately by the participant)
For further information, contact David Garrison at 319-753-0809, or by email.
A visit to the Met
October 19th, 2009Workshop in NY City
October 19th, 2009
A good crowd
Art du pastel en France – International Exhibition
May 15th, 2009PSA Guests of honour:
Rae Smith (MP), Jimmy Wright(MP), Jason Chang (MP)
France Guest of honour :
Maurice Robert, Pierre Lambert
Giverny, France
from june 06 until 14, 2009
Open daily from 10:30am until 06:30 pm
Pastel Society of America – 36th Annual Exhibition
July 17th, 2008The National Arts Club
15, gramercy Park South
New York – NY 10003
september 5th until 20th, 2008