Gyeongbokgung Palace View, Seoul (South Korea 2013 painting #1)

Private Collection, Seoul, South Korea

This is the first painting I did during my recent trip to South Korea. It was late afternoon at the amazing Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. Snapshots from my Korea travels are here. Please leave me a comment about this painting here.

If you're interested, I've been posting on my facebook page snapshots of my Sedona adventures this week. If you Like the page, you'll see more of what I post.

Enjoy,

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Still Life with Drop Vase, Strawberry, and Blueberries

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I'm heading to Sedona tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to meeting the painters who are coming to paint with me next week -- they're coming from all over -- Minnesota, Louisiana, Texas, Indiana, and, of course, Arizona.

If you're interested, next week I'll try to post on my facebook page snapshots of my Sedona adventures (sort of like this glimpse into my day yesterday). Join me there. I'm also planning next week to post my paintings from my recent Korea travels.

As part of my "Paintings of Handmade Pottery" project, in this painting is one of my favorite handmade vases by Jury Smith. Please leave me a comment about this painting here.

Have a great weekend,

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Here's how this painting would look framed:

Pomegranate

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I'll be in Arizona for my workshop in Sedona next week, and then I'll be traveling and painting for a bit, so this won't ship until after May 31st.

The Desert Sage and Korean Bowl with Grapes auction ends tonight at 10 PM EST. View auction

Please leave me a comment about this painting here.

Enjoy,

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Here's how this painting would look framed:

Tangerine with Leaves

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I'm starting to get ready for my workshop in Sedona next week. After the workshop ends, I'll be traveling and painting in Arizona for a bit, so this painting won't ship until May 31st.

Because it's on my mind, I wanted to share with you this video from Marina Abramović's 2010 Museum of Modern Art (NY) retrospective. I saw this exhibition exactly three years ago today and it has stayed with me. I'm still thinking about it. I only recently found the video of Marina with Ulay, though, and it is pretty powerful. From the MoMA site:

For the exhibition Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present, The Museum of Modern Art’s first performance retrospective, Abramović performed in the atrium every day the Museum was open between March 14 and May 31, 2010. Visitors were encouraged to sit silently across from the artist for a duration of their choosing, becoming participants in the artwork. Read more here.

The Desert Sage and Korean Bowl with Grapes auction ends tomorrow at 10 PM EST. View auction

Please leave me a comment about this painting (or Marina's piece :) here.

Best,

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Here's how this painting would look framed:

Desert Sage and Korean Bowl with Grapes

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Today, in my new studio, I'm grateful to be thinking about the desert and this quote:

"If you hear a voice within you say, 'You are not a painter,' then by all means paint...and that voice will be silenced." —Vincent Van Gogh

Also, in this painting is a remarkable (and I mean remarkable) handmade bowl I got during my recent trip to South Korea. I painted a few paintings in South Korea, which I will post soon, along with more about my travels.

On another note, I learned today that half-tuition scholarships are available for my upcoming workshop at Sedona Arts Center ("The scholarship fund at the Sedona Arts Center is available for those who need some help funding the art side of their lives. A scholarship will pay half of tuition for any Workshop or class!").

Please leave me a comment about this painting here.

All my best,

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Here's how this painting would look framed:

Still Life Invitational

Four Figs (10x8 in.), Heirloom Tomato with Handmade Bottle (4x3.5 in.), and Heirloom Eggplant on a Wood Block (3.5x4 in.). Click image for larger view. See framed views below.
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These three paintings are available and on view in the Still Life Invitational exhibition at Susan Powell Fine Art. Click here for details. Participating artists include Kathy Anderson, Carol Arnold, Stephanie Birdsall, Dan Brown, Deborah Chabrian, Grace M. DeVito, Sandy Garvin, Vincent Giarrano, Lisa Gloria, Susan Jositas, Rosemary Ladd, Sherrie McGraw, Susan Nally, Michael Naples, Cora Ogden, Cindy Procious, Abbey Ryan, John Smith, Elizabeth L. Strazzulla and Sandra Wakeen.

Heirloom Tomato with Handmade Bottle is part of my "Paintings of Handmade Pottery" project and in the painting is a handmade bottle by Jury Smith (this weekend there's a special sale: 25% off, code: "mothersday").

Please leave me a comment about these paintings here.

All my best,

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These paintings are for sale framed:

Japanese Vase with Tangerine and Grapes

Oil on linen on panel, 5 x 6 in., 2013
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In this still life is a sweet little wood-fired vase made by an artist living in Japan. You can read about the artist, Dave Pike, here.

I painted this during my recent Yardley workshop. As I was doing this painting demo, I explained some of my thoughts on handmade objects, and the spirit and gesture embedded in them. (Everyone really stuck with me and all my meditation and spirituality talk.) One of my workshop participants then told me about a book called Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren (I had never heard of this book -- thanks, Wanda!).

I love when things come into your life at just the right time. [This has been happening a lot lately for me, and I'll be sharing more as things come up (including my trip last month to South Korea)...]

Anyway, I just started reading it. I'll maybe write more when I'm finished.

Best,

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Still life with Handmade Cup and Three Spring Figs

Oil on linen on panel, 5 x 6 in., 2013
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As you might guess, I have a lot of things to post about. For now, I'll simply begin by posting paintings.

Private Painting Mentoring Update
I am blown away by the amazing painters I've been working with and all the heartfelt applications I've received from folks in Europe and across the US. I'm so humbled and honored. If you're considering working with me one-on-one, the details are here. (The next Mentoring spot is available in early-May.)

I've also put together some feedback from a few of the painters I've been working with, along with a short profile on their work (used with permission). Read those here.

Happy Earth Day,

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Upcoming Sedona workshop - May 20-24

There are a few spots left in my upcoming 5-day Sedona workshop (May 20-24). The time left to register is just about up. The group will be small in size (max 8) so everyone will get lots of individual attention. I will demo everyday, share my latest musings on painting, and bring along some of my favorite pieces of pottery for still life set-ups.  Sign up here today.   

Not sure about signing up?

1. Read testimonials here and here
2. Watch this video to learn about my approach to painting
3. View photos from my last Sedona workshop (an amazing place)
4. Email me with questions

Best,

For direct access to my paintings, sign up here (it's free):

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Artists of Yardley workshop & Photos

Last weekend was my two-day workshop at Artists of Yardley in Bucks County, PA. I feel so lucky to have had a group of some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life (truly). They were wonderful and we had a terrific time painting together.

Soon I'll be posting my two demo paintings from the workshop. In the meantime, I posted photos on facebook and here's some of them:

I really LOVE these painters :)

my day 1 demo

my day 2 demo

the workshop venue is a magical place

Workshop update

There's only 1 spot There are no spots left in next month's Artists of Yardley two-day workshop, but there is a wait list. Email aoyworkshops@gmail.com to get on the wait list. (With inevitable last minute shuffling, I think wait listed folks often tend to get in the class.)

Not sure if a workshop is right for you? Watch my new video to learn more.

Registration is still open for this workshop: May 20-24 workshop in Sedona.

All my best,

For direct access to my paintings, sign up here (it's free):

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Workshops (New Video Project)

This is a project that has been in the works for some time, and is now ready to share. I'm happy that my talented cousin, Colin, composed and performed the music that accompanies the video. Hope you enjoy.



Registration is open for this workshop: 
May 20-24 workshop in Sedona

Finally, if you're interested, I posted some South Korea photos here.

Thanks for watching the new video.

Best,

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South Korea Travels

I've been posting photos of my travels in South Korea (am still in Seoul), and you don't have to be a member of Facebook to view them. You can see some of my Korea photos here.

Thanks for all your comments and notes.

안녕히 가세요,

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In My World.

In my world, this winter has been full of events that have necessarily silenced my blog posting, and I will write about this later.

For now, since I'm leaving for South Korea in the morning (bringing my paints along), I should announce that registration is open for my upcoming workshop:

April 13-14 workshop at Artists of Yardley FULL, but accepting a wait list
May 20-24 workshop in Sedona

(If you can't travel for a workshop, learn more about my online Private Painting Mentoring.)

Thanks, as always, for all your kind emails.

All my best,

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Tonight

Artist Reception - Exhibition of my ink paintings - Click for more info.

Exhibition

Upcoming exhibition of my ink paintings ("my other work").

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IBC

This is something we should all read today.

"Tomorrow is the biggest day of the year for charitable giving in the US," and Seth shared some excellent links. Check each of them out.

If I may share one more link: the IBC Network Foundation. My good friend Casey (age 33 -- same as me) entered hospice yesterday. I've posted before that she is working hard to educate about inflammatory breast cancer. You can learn more here, and my hope is that you will share it, too. As Seth writes, "sooner rather than later."

Happy New Year.

Best,

Holiday Wish

Candy Cane, 2012

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Note: 24-hour auction ends at 12:45 PM EST on Saturday, December 15

If you do facebook or twitter, I sometimes post pictures of my paintings #OnTheEasel in my Studio World photo album. This candy cane painting on my easel is pictured here (along with some pretty funny comments below it). Also, the last time I painted candy canes was in November 2007. (!)

Ending Soon
Two Satsuma Tangerines (the light, the shade) auction ends today at 2 PM EST. View auction

Best,

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Two Satsuma Tangerines (the light, the shade)

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Note: This 24-hour auction ends at 2 PM EST on Friday, December 14

I don't usually 'explain' my paintings. Today's painting is significant though, so I want to share that it is inspired by four things:

1. Robert Lax's the light / the shade (see below)
2. A long series of in-depth conversations with a sculptor-friend about dimensionality.
3. My notes from studying several works by J.F. Peto during my recent visit to the National Gallery.
4. My notes from studying Willem Claesz Heda's Still Life with Oysters, a Silver Tazza, and Glassware during my recent visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

More on #1:
Thomas Merton is my namesake, Merton and Robert Lax were friends, Lax is my favorite poet, and Lax and my dad were pen pals when I was a little girl. I have a cigar box of their letters in my studio. I also have a wonderful stack of Lax's books (thanks, Dad). I've been reading the light / the shade over the last few weeks and it is one of my new favorites. Something worth seeing in the photo above is that Lax inscribed the light / the shade for my family. Click on the image to see it better. I'm Abi / gail. 

Private Painting Mentoring Update
I am blown away by all your heartfelt applications. If you submitted one, you will hear from me soon. If you're considering working with me, the details are here. As always, email me with questions.

Enjoy,

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Private Painting Mentoring

I love painting, and I started doing 'a painting a day' over five years ago. Simply put: I paint to learn. Now, as we prepare for a new year, I want to offer you what I have learned.

For all the details, click here. 

Still Life of Handmade Bottle with Eggshell

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Note: Auction ends at 3:45 PM EST on Tuesday, December 11

Because I deeply admire artists who make handmade pottery, in January 2008, I began my Paintings of Handmade Pottery series as part of my 'painting a day' project. This ongoing series -- today's painting is part of it (here it is on my easel) -- began as a collaboration with ceramicist Jury Smith (it was her good idea). I drew up some rough sketches of bottles, and to my delight and amazement, Jury threw them on the potter's wheel for my still life set ups.

Almost four years later, I've done many paintings in this series, and my love of pottery continues to grow. I continue to be intrigued by Jury's original idea to create a dialogue between my paintings and handmade pottery by living artists, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate creatively with another artist. [The bottle in this painting was made by Jury, and if you're curious, here's her Bottle Shop.]

Lastly, I want to introduce you to Potters for Peace (I donate a portion of each painting sale from my "Paintings of Handmade Pottery" series):

"Potters for Peace offers assistance, with the goal of better livelihoods, to our fellow craftspeople in the developing world. This is done in the belief that international justice and peace can result from respectful friendship and equitable relationships of power and economics. Since 1998, Potters for Peace has been assisting in the production worldwide of a low-tech, low-cost, colloidal silver-enhanced ceramic water purifier (CWP). Field experience and clinical test results have shown this filter to effectively eliminate approximately 99.88% of most water born disease agents." [via Facebook]

Private Painting Mentoring Update
Thank you all for your tremendous interest in my upcoming Private Painting Mentoring announcement. I'm working out some last minute details, and I'll be announcing this new offering on December 12 at 12noon EST. Spaces will be limited, so to find out about it first, sign up here.

Also, if you are interested in this offering, please let me know by emailing me directly (abbeyryan@gmail.com).

All my best,

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Coming soon. 
One-on-one sessions. 
Space is limited. 

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