2nd Class...

Well, as I promised, here is the result from my second class. I am not happy with it - the finished image I had in my mind is definitely not what you see now. I am so used to painting landscapes, both from photos and en plein air, that I think I approached this the same way and it didn't work for me. I have been reading and watching videos that show a 'workshop' approach, and I hope to try it during my next class. In the meantime, Mark Hayden has assigned me 'homework' - self portrait studies. It will be difficult for me, but I am determined to figure this out! I'll keep you posted...

I think I should mention that this painting changed drastically from the first class. The model was great, but my view in class 2 was not the exact same so I needed to make the appropriate changes. On a positive note, I think the painting looks more like the model this week.

Yikes! I am taking my first portrait painting class with Mark Hayden at the Essex Art Center. I was very slow to start and didn't get as much done as the other students did. The plan is to continue working on the same pose next week....

I will post my progress each week, even if it ends up disastrous! Feel free to make any comments - I will definitely take them into consideration!

The Winner is...

The winner of the mini painting is Jeff Ventola! He responded almost immediately. Keep your eyes open in the next week of so for a similar offer!

Email Offer!

I have been working on some very time consuming pieces lately and haven't felt as if I am accomplishing much, so today I painted a quick, small piece. I am offering this to my blog subscribers and to my website newsletter subscribers only - if you are interested in purchasing this painting, I will sell it to the first email offer I receive (you name the price!)!

fineart@robinthornhill.com

Thanks!

-robin

Happy New Year!

I'm very excited to start the new year with some serious goals. Keeping an art journal of goals, self-expectations and accomplishments is one of my resolutions that I have already started - off to a good start!!

I have posted my winter classes schedule on my blog and on my website - check it out and let me know if you have any questions!

Happy New Year, everyone!!

Lowell's Boat Shop Holiday Open House

Join me this weekend for art, food and fun at the Lowell Boat Shop's Annual Holiday Open House. Over 150 pieces from local artists will be on display and for sale. The preview party starts at 6:30 Friday evening, and the fun continues throughout the weekend. Click on the title link to visit the boat shop's website for details. Hope to see you there!

I have a piece hanging at the Newburyport Art Association's Holiday Show - the reception is Friday evening also. Make a night of it and visit both!

Open Studios - Huge Fun!

As you know, Amesbury held its Open Studio Tour the weekend of the 12th - we had so much fun! Tons of people stopped by our studios to mingle, eat and enjoy art. Thanks again to all that came to the event to support me and see my paintings, to those who purchased art and for all the encouragement, compliments and constructive criticism - I appreciate it all!!!

Greater Salem Art Asc. Demonstration

This is as far as I got during this demonstration; I only had an hour and 15 minutes to work on it, and I was also talking and answering questions as I worked...

The top image is the completed piece. I promised everyone that attended the demo that I would post both images for them to compare. I hope I didn't disappoint!!

Open Studio Tours!

Enjoy an evening of art and entertainment this coming Friday during the Open Studio Tours in Amesbury. Come by and visit me Friday evening during the artist's reception between 5:30pm and 8:30pm, Saturday between 10am and 4pm or Sunday between 12pm and 4pm at the Artists' Muse Studios, 9 Water Street. Click the title link for more information on participating studios.

Thank You!

This is the piece I painted en plein air on Saturday to benefit Newburyport's Friends For Peace Wet Paint Out. I wasn't able to attend the auction, but I am told that my piece sold to a wonderful couple from Newburyport! Thank you!! Thank you to all who donated and supported the cause, and to all of my friends that that came by to cheer me on, stopped by to see the finished piece, and to those of you that attended the auction...your support means the world to me. THANK YOU!

Join Me!

Join me Saturday, September 25, 2010 between 8am and 2pm while I paint the marsh along the Plum Island Turnpike! Afterward, attend the live auction of all the wet paintings done during the day by lots of talented local artists to benefit Friend for Peace. Click the link above for details!!

Andover Art in the Park

This past Saturday was Andover's Art in the Park. I was very fortunate to have placed 1st in the Oil Painting category and to also win Best of Show! It was quite an exciting day for me - the weather was beautiful and I was blessed to chat with lots of new people and old friends too!! Thank you to all who came and all who invested in my work.

THANK YOU!

I would like to thank everyone who supported me at the Band of Brushes show at the Newburyport Art Association by coming to the show, attending the artist's reception and for investing in my pieces! I was honored to be showing with such a talented group of artists!!

My next show is the outdoor art in the park in Andover, Ma. on September 11, 2010. Visit www.robinthornhill.com for more information. I hope you will stop by to see me!

Group Show

Please join me at the Newburyport Art Association from July 1-23, 2010 for a group show from the Band of Brushes, our plein air painting group. Join us for a drink at the artist's reception on July 3, from 7 - 9pm. I will be painting in the gallery on Thursday, July 1 from 11am - 5pm. I will also be at the gallery on July 10 and July 23. Be sure to come by and say hello!
For more information, click the title above or visit: http://www.newburyportart.org/

Thank you!!!

The auction at the Newburyport Art Association was such a nice event! It was packed with artists, collectors and art lovers. I am happy to say that my piece sold to a very nice couple - it makes me feel good when I know a painting is going home with someone who loves it! I have a few works in progress (Tom, your commission piece is almost done!), and have a few shows coming up including a group show at the Newburyport Art Asc. in July and the Andover Art in the Park in September. I'll keep you updated!!

Artful Feast

A busy day, tomorrow!! From 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, June 12, please join me and about 25 other local artists who will be painting en plein air at Pettengill Farm in Salisbury, Ma. Lots of beautiful flowers and art will be for sale.

Tomorrow evening, Saturday, June 12, please join me at the Newburyport Art Association for a live auction. The above painting is the piece that I donated for this great event. Visit www.newburyportart.org for more information.

Hope to you tomorrow!!

New Paint 2010

It was all so exciting! Yesterday I participated in the New Paint 2010 wet paint out in Lawrence. I strayed from my 'safe' choice of a soft landscape to do a street scene of the downtown. It was quite a challenge and so much fun. A local business owner offered to purchase my painting at the end of the day, but I told him it was promised to auction. He gave me a reserve price and although I feel bad that he was outbid, I was thrilled that the piece sold for as much as it did and that I was able to to participate in making such a nice donation the the Essex Art Center!

I would like to thank the Lawrence business owner for his interest in my art, bid and subsequent commission. Thank you also to the generous buyer of my painting/supporter of the art center. Last but definitely not least, I would like to thank my best friend Robin not only for her continued support of me and my obsession with art, but for attending the auction with me last night and for her EXTREMELY generous donation to the art center which will enable children to attend camp there this summer who otherwise would not be able to. You are the best!

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone that came to Flatbread on the 4th to buy great pizza and art! I appreciate your support and so does the Essex Art Center!! Thank you also, for purchasing the piece that I donated - it means a lot to me. Also, I will soon be adding some new updates to my website - the first will be a 'fresh from the easel' type of page where you can view my absolute most recently finished work...check soon for my latest piece! --robin

Flatbreads Fundraiser

If you are around Amesbury, Ma tonight stop by Flatbreads for some good food and some nice art all for a good cause. Local artists participating in New Paint 2010 have donated a small piece of art - this is the piece I donated. Come check it out! Visit http://www.essexartcenter.com or click on the title link for details.

Artists' Muse Open Studios

I'm a little late posting this (no surprise to anyone that knows me)! Please join us today for the 2nd day of our open studio tour from 12 - 4pm. Click on the title link to find out more information. Hope to see you there!!

Brain Aneurysm Foundation Auction

I would like to say congratulations to Heather Karp for her success at organizing the art auction for the BAF this past Sunday. Congrats also to all the artists that participated in this event. I am glad that I was able to contribute to such an important cause!

Brain Aneurysm Foundation Auction

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is Hosting An Afternoon Tea Fundraiser!

Special Guest Gail Huff of WCVB-TV to Speak to Guests over Tea

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation will host an Afternoon Tea on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Omni Parker House in downtown Boston. The fundraising event will celebrate the lives of brain aneurysm survivors while honoring the memory of those lost to brain aneurysms by supporting the mission of The Brain Aneurysm Foundation of increasing education, awareness and research that helps save lives by reducing the number of ruptured brain aneurysms.


WCVB-TV reporter Gail Huff will be a special guest of The Brain Aneurysm Foundation at the Afternoon Tea. Huff, a supporter of The Brain Aneurysm Foundation, was affected by cerebrovascular disease when her sister suffered a stroke as a young adult.

The Afternoon Tea will also feature a silent art auction, with pieces donated by a host of local artists who support the mission of The Brain Aneurysm Foundation. For more information, please contact The Brain Aneurysm Foundation at 781-826-5556 or office@bafound.org

To preview the artwork, click on this link:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=421156278211%3A1908661751

Come and join us to support an important cause!

Melrose Arts Festival

My next show is a juried show the weekend of April 16th - 18th. Opening reception Friday night with cash bar, hors d'oeurves and live music. Free admission show on Saturday and Sunday. There will be an art raffle that ends Sunday afternoon. Come join the fun!

Melrose Arts Festival

Lots of shows and auctions coming up! The next one is the weekend of April 16 - 18 at the Melrose Arts Festival. Click on the title or visit www.melrosearts.com and click '2010 Arts Festival' at the left for more details. I will post more information and the postcard soon! This little painting, 'A Walk in the Park', will be one of the many paintings I will be showing that weekend...come by and see!

New Website!

Hi again...my website got a new makeover and I am excited to share it with you! It is still a work in progress - my web designer is being very patient with me providing all the information he needs (thanks, Jeff!) but I am working on it slowly so check back often to see updated information on upcoming shows and new images of current paintings! Click the link above or go to: www.robinthornhill.com

Artist's Muse Open Studio Tour

Artist's Muse Open Studio Tour

Please join us on Friday, November 13, 2009 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm for our opening reception, and on Saturday, November 14, 10:00am - 4:00pm & Sunday, November 15 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Fall Pastel Demonstration

Please join me on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 @ 6:00pm at the Exeter Center for Creative Arts (ECCA) for a free pastel demonstration of a local landscape. Hope to see you there!! -robin

Oh, my! I knew it had been a while since my last post, but I didn't think it was that long! So much has been going on...I had a piece juried into the NAA Winter Show; I am now sharing a studio space with a terrific artist, Heather Karp; I am starting spring painting classes this Friday (info at left), we are having open studios at our new space (visit: wwwartistsmusestudios.blogspot.com ); and recently found out that the above piece I entered into the NAA Regional Show was juried in! If I missed anything, I'll let you know!

"Lil Bit O' Love"

Sold

5" x 5", Oil on Gessoboard

My family likes all kinds of 'junk' candy....sour patch, peach rings, skittles, and even these heart shaped Gobstoppers. Although I am more fond of chocolates, these were too pretty not to paint!

WIP

This is a painting I am currently working on (one of MANY). I always feel as if I should only post completed pieces, but today I decided that I will show some works in progress every once in a while. This piece is 16" x 20" and is in pastel on sanded paper. It's one of the paintings in my 'fog/mist' series I am working on....

Heather from my weekly painting group recently started a group blog for us where you can see some work from our weekly plein air outings, although most are hesitant to post their works in progress too! You can check it out at www.thebandofbrushes.blogspot.com or you can click on the link on the left. From there you can visit the websites of everyone in our group. Have fun!

"Big Dog"

7" x 12", Oil on Mounted Linen

So much has been going on: the holidays, 9 (yes, NINE) days without electricity in an icestorm, art shows, etc...but I am still managing to get some painting done! I have been working on 2 series: landscapes with a mist/fog theme and figures in the landscape.

This week our plein air painting group met indoors - can't say I was too upset considering it was about 5 degrees outside! I used the time to paint this guy; it was good to take a break from the larger more serious pieces to paint something fun. Hope you like him!

Click here to pat this dog on Ebay!