Still Life with J. F. Peto's Salt-glazed Mug, Clementine, and Match (+ Peto Museum Workshop)

Private Collection

photos: Garry Kravit

In November, I taught a workshop at one of my favorite places: the John F. Peto Studio Museum. If you're not familiar, John Frederick Peto (1854-1907), born in Philadelphia, was a late nineteenth-century figure in the trompe l’oeil school of American still life painting. The Peto Museum is a renowned and memorable studio museum about 2 hours east of Philadelphia where I live and work.

The Museum invited me to use Peto's still life objects in my painting demonstration during this year’s workshop (I painted Peto’s copper jug in 2013). In addition to Peto’s characteristic use of matches as subject matter -- which I placed in my still life as an homage -- Peto often painted the salt-glazed mug that I selected from the Museum’s collection for my still life. As I was setting up my still life, I was amazed thinking that Peto held this very object in his hands, too. As I was painting, I felt a deep connection to Peto. It is impossible to fully put it into words. Painting for me is a deep inquiry into the moment, light, and still life objects.

photo: Garry Kravit

Teaching and painting at the Peto Museum is awe-inspiring. Setting up one of Peto's still life objects in my own still life set up is an incredible experience, especially because Peto used the mug so often in his still life paintings (see below).

If you're interested, below are two of Peto’s salt-glazed mug paintings: Mugs, Pipe and Matches and Book, Pipe and Mug, both from c. 1880, which were on view in the exhibition, Important Information Inside: The Art of John F. Peto and the Idea of Still-Life Painting in Nineteenth-Century America, at Washington, D.C.’s National Gallery of Art in 1983.

The exhibition featured sixty-one paintings by John F. Peto.

Peto's own paintings of
his salt-glazed mug

(Image source: the exhibition's hardcover catalog Important Information Inside: The Art of John F. Peto and the Idea of Still-Life Painting in Nineteenth-Century America, by John Wilmerding, Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1983.)

Here are photos of my painting demo, more of Peto's paintings, and the workshop. 

Next time, I'll post a bit more about the workshop and the fabulous group of painters who came to study, paint, talk painting, laugh, and just spend time with me.

Enjoy,

Still Life with J. F. Peto's Creamer and Strawberries (+ Studio Sale this week)

Still Life with J. F. Peto's Creamer and Strawberries
Oil on linen on panel, 6x8 inches, 2017
AVAILABLE - Contact me at abbeyryan@gmail.com for purchase information

Last month, I taught a workshop at one of my favorite places: the John F. Peto Studio Museum. If you're not familiar, John Frederick Peto (1854-1907), born in Philadelphia, was a late nineteenth-century figure in the trompe l'oeil school of American still life painting. The Peto Museum is a renowned and memorable studio museum about 2 hours east of Philadelphia where I live and work.

The Museum again invited me to use Peto's still life objects in my painting demonstration during this year's workshop (I painted Peto's copper jug in 2013 and his salt-glazed mug in 2015).

I chose Peto's blue and white ceramic creamer. There is a painting at the museum in which Peto himself painted this blue and white ceramic creamer. If you're interested, Peto's painting of this same creamer, along with the creamer itself!, is to the right and also pictured in this 2013 New York Times article.

As I was setting up my still life, it was cool thinking that Peto held this very object in his hands, too. Setting up one of Peto's still life objects in my own still life set up was an incredible experience.

********** STUDIO SALE **********
WEDNESDAY, NOV 8TH, 12 NOON EST

Since I am preparing to move my studio, I'll be having a STUDIO SALE of some available paintings. The sale will be discounted set prices, not auctions. Preview that link and I may try to add a few more paintings. Subscribers of my email list will get the sale notice first. If you aren't already on it, add yourself to my email list before Wed Nov 8th because in past studio sales, paintings have gone fast. First come, first served.

If you enjoy today's painting, you may also like to see Still life with John F. Peto's Copper Jug, Clementine, and Concord Grapes or Still Life with J. F. Peto's Salt-glazed Mug, Clementine, and Match.

To get my painting in your inbox, sign up here.
To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Best,

Still life with John F. Peto's Copper Jug, Clementine, and Concord Grapes (+ Peto Museum Workshop Recap)

Collection of the Peto Museum

Two weeks ago, I taught a workshop at one of my favorite places: the John F. Peto Studio Museum.

I'm a bit speechless about all aspects of the experience painting and teaching at the Peto Museum, but setting up one of Peto's still life objects in my own still life set up was by far the highlight for me. Painting Peto's copper jug was surreal, and at the same time I felt grounded in his studio space and deeply connected to his artistic energy. It was truly an honor.

If you're interested, I found photos of a couple of Peto's paintings of the jug that I painted. Below is his painting "Pots and Pans" from c. 1880, which I found in the catalog Important Information Inside: The Art of John F. Peto and the Idea of Still-Life Painting in Nineteenth-Century America, by John Wilmerding, Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1983. The exhibition featured sixty-one paintings by John F. Peto.

Here are photos of my painting demo, more of Peto's paintings, and the workshop.

Tomorrow, I'll post my other demo painting for auction and a bit more about the workshop.

Two other related thoughts:

1- My three latest trompe l'oeil paintings are on view at the Peto Museum through the end of December 2013. Here is a preview of the exhibition and artist reception.

2- In case you missed it, Art & Antiques Magazine published a fabulous article about the Peto Museum in last month's issue.

If you're interested, view all my Current Painting Auctions and Available Paintings.

Best,

To receive detail views of my paintings, sign in here (it's FREE):

View Current Painting Auctions
View All Available Paintings

Here's how this painting looks framed:

John F. Peto Studio Museum

I've been doing a lot of traveling this summer (Upstate NY, Westchester County NY, NYC, Eastern Long Island, Maine, the Jersey Shore), and I am getting ready to leave for my workshop in Arizona at Sedona Arts Center (which begins on Monday!). With all my travels (and no laptop), I've got many paintings ready to be posted to my blog -- and I have lots of experiences to share.

Last week, I visited the remarkable John F. Peto Studio Museum in Island Heights, NJ. This year, I've been doing some reading about American painting, and earlier this year became re-acquainted with John Frederick Peto (1854-1907), "an important late nineteenth-century figure in the trompe l’oeil school of American still life painting," who also happened to be born in Philadelphia. (!) The John F. Peto Studio Museum features the home and studio of Peto.

Coincidentally, this summer I was lucky enough to get to know a fellow Art in the Open artist, who just happens to be one of the amazing folks taking care of restoring Peto's Studio in nearby New Jersey. So, along with the generosity of one of my amazing high school art teachers, I was fortunate to be taken on a private tour of Peto's studio and home.

It was incredible, to say the least! I got to walk through Peto's home, see much of his original furniture, spend time in his studio, study the light cascading through his north-facing windows, and see his brushes and still life objects up close! I don't even know which was my favorite part because it was all so memorable.

The Island Heights community is doing a phenomenal job with the Museum, and if you are looking to make any donations this year, I highly recommend you consider giving to the Peto Studio Museum (it's a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization - all donations are tax deductible). Anyway, I was lucky enough to see the actual objects pictured in the painting to the right -- and they were set up just as they are in the painting. I can't wait to go back and visit!

Ceci n'est pas une pipe (Woodstock, NY) (+ Magritte & Peto)

Ceci n'est pas une pipe (from Woodstock, NY), 6x7 in., oil on linen on panel, 2015

You probably have noticed that I like to periodically pay homage to certain art historical moments that interest me. This painting references René Magritte's La trahison des images, also known as The Treachery of Images -- a famous painting of a pipe. Below it, Magritte painted, "Ceci n'est pas une pipe." -- French for "This is not a pipe." He painted it in 1928-29 when he was 30 years old.

I found this amazing pipe over the summer at a market in Woodstock, NY. Of course, it caught my eye because of my connection to John F. Peto and the Peto Museum.

One of Peto's well-known favorite objects to paint was a pipe (as you can see in his paintings here).

I may bring this pipe along with me next month to use in my demo painting during my Peto Museum workshop. It's always such an honor to be able to choose from Peto's own still life objects for my demo painting set up during my workshop. More on that later.

Peto Museum, NJ - Oct. 24-25  - Click to register (several spots left -- sells out at 10)



Still not sure about signing up?

1. Read many more testimonials here and here
2. Watch this video to learn about my approach to painting
3. View photos from my last Peto Museum workshop
4. Feel free to email me with any questions

I look forward to painting with you at the Peto Museum in October. Reserve your spot today.   

To purchase my work, view my Current Painting Auctions and All Available Paintings.

All best,

Maine Lake (+ Peto Museum Workshop Registration OPEN - Oct. 24-25)

Maine Lake
5 x 6 inches, oil on linen on panel, framed
Available (framed view below)
Email me for purchase information

This is the counterpart to my Maine Lake (In the Fog) from yesterday -- the same lake view on a different day, in a different light. They are both on view in my solo show in Maine this month, framed in the same frame to match one another (pictured below), and hopefully they will stay together as a "pair."

Introducing my Peto Museum Workshop
My 2-day October 24-25 workshop at the Peto Museum is now open for registration. 

Space in this workshop is more limited than usual. The Peto Museum is an amazing and inspiring place, and I like to keep the group size intimate.

You can read about my 2013 workshop and my 2014 workshop at the Peto Museum, including views of my demo paintings and my thoughts on painting Peto's own still life objects in my still life set up.

Register today to reserve your spot.

In this workshop, I'll focus on how you can strengthen your approach to painting and your internal painting dialogue so you’ll have positive painting experiences. My perspective balances all there is to love about painting (a LOT!), with what I have identified as the most universally challenging aspects of painting. Read more here.

If you're interested, these photos and this video give a glimpse into the vibe of my workshops.

Finally, here's some feedback about my teaching at the Peto Museum:

"In one to one discussions, Abbey has a wonderful way of communicating the things that are working and making suggestions. She is an excellent instructor, sharing so much information not only about HOW she does things but WHY. Also, working in the Peto Museum and studio was AWESOME! There is definitely a sense of creative energy there. It was inspiring to see the ordinary objects that Peto turned into such beautiful paintings."     -DL

To purchase my work, view my Current Painting Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Enjoy,


Framed view:

Homegrown Tomato (+ Peto's still life objects)

Click to view auction

Peto's own still life objects

As I prepare for my Nov. 8-9 Peto Museum workshop - I'm contemplating John F. Peto's remarkable still life objects. The Peto is a Studio Museum, so his objects are placed in situ throughout the space.

I am honored to be able to choose from Peto's objects for my own painting demo still life set up during the workshop. During last year's workshop, I painted Still life with John F. Peto's Copper Jug, Clementine, and Concord Grapes. If you're interested, you can read more about it here and here.

Note:
Friday, August 22nd is the last day to enter the Peto Museum's National Juried Show of Contemporary Trompe L’oeil.

One last thing, about today's painting: I painted a mostly round homegrown tomato in 2007, a pretty green homegrown tomato in 2008, and a quite orange one in 2010. August is tomato season!

Enjoy,

To receive detail views of my new paintings, sign in here (it's FREE): 

View Current Painting Auctions
View All Available Paintings

Detail View:
If you are interested in receiving detail views of my work, sign up.


Framed View:

Red Grape in the Sun at the Peto Museum (+ Peto Museum workshop feedback)

Click to view auction

I shared yesterday about my workshop at the Peto Museum and my painting of Peto's copper jug.

A few more superlatives: hosting a workshop in the Peto Museum was beyond inspiring; the Museum hosts were outstanding; the workshop space was lovely; and the workshop participants were fabulous. Here's what one participant posted in a private facebook group that I created for painters who have studied with me (either at a workshop or in my one-on-one online Mentoring program):

Thanks, Renee! :-)

I'm planning to offer a Peto Museum workshop again in Fall 2014 in conjunction with the Museum's annual trompe l'oeil exhibition, so keep an eye out for that announcement soon.

Click image for larger view of workshop snapshots

In the meantime, if you're thinking about painting/studying with me, check out my workshop offerings and online Private Painting Mentoring. I also posted feedback from Private Painting Mentoring participants here.

Finally, here is Red Grape in the Sun at the Peto Museum #OnTheEasel:

If you're interested, view all my Current Painting Auctions and Available Paintings.

Enjoy,

To receive detail views of my paintings, sign in here (it's FREE):

View Current Painting Auctions
View All Available Paintings

Here's how this painting would look framed:

Jug and Heirloom Tomatoes (with Self Portrait Reflection), larger painting (+ Peto Museum workshop)

Still Life with Jug and Heirloom Tomatoes (with Self Portrait Reflection)
Oil on linen on panel, 9x12 inches, 2017
$3500
Update: Sold

This October 14-15, I will be teaching a workshop at one of my favorite places: the John F. Peto Studio Museum. If you're not familiar, John Frederick Peto (1854-1907), born in Philadelphia, was a late nineteenth-century figure in the trompe l’oeil school of American still life painting. The Peto Museum is a renowned museum about 2 hours east of Philadelphia where I live and work.

My workshop next month at the Peto Museum is open for registration. The 1.5-day workshop will be held inside the Studio Museum on Saturday and Sunday, October 14-15. I'm especially honored that the museum allows me to use J.F. Peto's own original still life objects for my demo paintings.

Space is VERY limited, so I recommend that you sign up right away if you're interested. The Museum is located in Island Heights, NJ, and details are here. If you have any questions, please contact me or the Peto Museum directly at info@petomuseum.org.

To get my painting in your inbox, sign up here.
To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Best,

Hand-picked Apples on the Same Branch (+ the Haunted Studio)

Click to view auction
3-day auction ends at 8PM EST on Thursday, Oct. 12

My October 14-15 workshop at the Peto Museum has 2 spots left. If you want to learn more about the museum, there is a great article, "The Haunted Studio," about the Peto Museum in the October 2013 issue of Art & Antiques Magazine: read it here. It's always such an honor to be able to choose from Peto's own still life objects for my demo painting set up during my workshop.

The Museum is located in Island Heights, NJ, and workshop details are here. If you have any questions, please contact me or the Peto Museum directly at info@petomuseum.org.

Peto Museum, NJ - Oct. 14-15  - Click to register (2 spots left)



Not sure about signing up?

1. Read a bunch of reviews of my workshops here and here
2. Watch this video to learn about my approach to painting
3. View photos from my 2014 Peto Museum workshop
4. Feel free to contact me with questions

I look forward to painting with you at the Peto Museum. Reserve your spot today.   

To get my painting in your inbox, sign up here.
To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Best,

Blue Collection (Golden Ratio)

Blue Collection (Golden Ratio), oil on linen on panel, 6 x 7 inches, 2014

Studio Update
As I'm in the happy midst of preparations for my solo exhibition at Mason Fine Art in Atlanta in November, I am also "recovering" from moving my home and studio two weeks ago. (!) Things are finally just about close to being in order in my studio. If you're interested in seeing my beautiful new studio, let me know and I will see if I can take some decent photos of it.

About Today's Painting
This new trompe l'oeil painting of mine relates to a series of non-objective ink paintings that I've been working on since 2012 that utilize the structure of the golden ratio. I've been considering the golden ratio as not just a structure (as it is in today's painting), but as subject matter in my still life and trompe l'oeil oil paintings. More on that later.

In the meantime, if you're in the NJ area, this painting will be on view in the Peto Museum's National Juried Show of Contemporary Trompe L’oeil from September 27 – December 29, 2014. The opening reception is Friday, September 27, 2014 6-8pm. Contact the Peto Museum for details about that.

As I prepare for my Nov. 8-9 Peto Museum workshop - I am excited that I will be able to choose from Peto's objects for my own painting demo still life set up during the workshop.

If you're considering signing up, photos from last year's workshop are here. I think there may be just one spot left in the workshop.

Anyway, the Peto is a Studio Museum, so his objects are placed in situ throughout the space. During last year's workshop, I painted Still life with John F. Peto's Copper Jug, Clementine, and Concord Grapes. If you're interested, you can read more about it here.

Best,

View Current Painting Auctions

View All Available Paintings

Concord Grapes (& My Thoughts on D.C.'s National Gallery)

Click to view auction

Last week, I spent the day at the National Gallery in D.C. (more on that below), and today's painting is inspired by my curiosity about a somewhat unassuming Joseph Decker painting I saw there. As I was painting this, I found myself also connecting to something else -- quite different -- that I created almost ten years ago when I was a student at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. It's an unexpected connection that I will probably continue to think about.... See for yourself here.

I love the "vibe" at the National Gallery (the atmosphere reminds me a little bit of the Uffizi in Florence) and, as I'm sure we all do, I hope that the inspiration I felt there stays with me as long as I can hold onto it. Today I'll share a bit about the John Frederick Peto works I saw (background info here), and I'll write about the works by Dutch painter Willem van Aelst in my next post.

John Frederick Peto's paintings continue to capture my attention. (I've been told that Peto is the best inspiration that a still life painter can have -- I'm still mulling that one over.) A definite highlight of the day was a tiny room full of still life treasures, including five Peto paintings (pictured right). Peto's compositional decisions challenge me a great deal, but I admire his ability to embrace and harness tension. I also admire a type of restraint present in his paintings: they are reserved, yet also overflowing with a genuine and sincere approach to the subjects. When I look at this paintings, I feel a sense of discovery that Peto must have felt.

His paintings are "filled with so much affection and no affectation" (I'm told). Therein lies a challenge for many of those who walk on the long path of the classical 'still life.' I know I will need to spend my life painting to even begin to understand this. In the meantime, I'm humbled and very thankful that painting makes for joyous days.

If you'd like, leave me a comment here or tweet about this painting.

Thanks for reading,

If you'd like to see detail views of my paintings, sign in here for direct access (it's FREE):

View All Available Paintings
Visit Current Painting Auctions

FRAMED VIEW

Throwback Thursday - Morandi Postcard (+ Peto Museum Call For Entries)

Morandi Postcard (Watercolor Still Life, 1962), Oil on linen on panel, 5 x 6 inches, framed, 2013
Available
Email me for purchase information

Throwback Thursday #TBT
In October 2013, I posted Morandi Postcard (Watercolor Still Life, 1962) along with a fabulous article about the Peto Museum in Art & Antiques Magazine. Last week, I started putting together a facebook photo album of a few of the trompe l'oeil-inspired paintings I've done since 2007. Some are not purely trompe l'oeil, but I hope you enjoy seeing the variety of subjects I've painted.

Peto Museum Trompe L'oeil Exhibition
The Peto Museum is accepting artist submissions for their National Juried Show of Contemporary Trompe L’oeil. The last day to enter is August 8th, 2014. It's a fantastic show, and the Peto Museum does a stellar job mounting it, so I encourage you to apply here.

Morandi Postcard (Watercolor Still Life, 1962) was on display in last year's exhibit. If you're interested in getting a glimpse of the Museum, take a look at my snapshots from last year's opening reception.

If you're interested, view all my Current Painting Auctions and Available Paintings.

Best,

To receive detail views of my new paintings, sign in here (it's FREE): 

View Current Painting Auctions
View All Available Paintings

Here's how this painting looks in its frame (on display at the Peto Museum last year):

Still Life with PB&J Halves (+ museum exhibition)

Sold ($1900), Still Life with PB&J Halves, oil on linen on panel, 2018, 6"x7"

This PB&J painting is larger than my typical auction paintings. It will be framed.

Museum Exhibition
Two of my paintings are included in the Masters of Illusion: The Legacy of John F. Peto exhibition at the Morven Museum in Princeton, NJ, from November 15, 2018–May 12, 2019. The Morven Museum has partnered with the John F. Peto Studio Museum to present a new look at trompe l’oeil art. Born in Philadelphia in 1854, John F. Peto is recognized as one of America’s most accomplished trompe l’oeil artists. The exhibit features Peto’s paintings and photography, and one of Morven’s galleries presents Peto's legacy through contemporary artists who have participated in the Peto Museum’s Tri-State Invitational Exhibition.

To get my painting in your inbox, sign up here.
To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Thanks in advance,

Saint Francis of Assisi Postcard (+ Peto Museum Workshop update)

Saint Francis of Assisi Postcard, Oil on linen on panel, 4 x 3.5 inches, framed, 2013
On hold
Email me for purchase information

On view at the Peto Museum thru 12/31/13

I recently announced my Nov. 9-10 workshop at the Peto Museum. The workshop is half full already, so sign up soon if you're interested. Space is very limited. The Museum is located in Island Heights, NJ, and details are here. If you have any questions, please contact the Peto Museum directly at info@petomuseum.org.

I'm honored to share that I will be using J.F. Peto's own still life objects in my still life during my painting demonstration at the workshop. (!)

If you're considering the workshop, here are photos from my recent workshop and here's what my past workshop participants have to say about working with me.

Ending Soon

6 x 7 inches (larger than my usual daily painting size)
Click to view auction
(Auction ends at 10 PM EDT on Monday, Oct. 21st)

If you're interested, view all my Current Painting Auctions and Available Paintings.

Enjoy,

To receive detail views of my paintings, join me here (it's FREE):

View Current Painting Auctions
View All Available Paintings

Here's how this painting looks in its frame: