Golden Series: Farm Garlic, Avocado, & Grape Tomatoes

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This is the ninth painting in my Golden Series. In August 2012, I began this ongoing series with this post:

"As the summer winds down, I'm working on a few series exploring "new-old" ideas. Blueberries, Plums, Fig, Peach, and Champagne Grapes is the first of a new series. Specifically, it introduces my Golden Series. If you recall in my recent Italy post, I mentioned being wowed again by the Dutch painters Rachel Ruysch, Caspar Netscher, and Abraham Mignon during my visit to the Uffizi in Florence. 

Maybe it's because I'm Dutch :), maybe it's because I myself tend more towards order... that I admire their eclectic and energetic mix of objects (a friend of mine recently said, "It's only physics. Nature gravitates towards chaos." I wonder?). What I find to be powerful in paintings such as those by the Dutch masters, however, is not only the fervor, but the balancing of the diversity of nature with the exquisiteness of human touch. 

In my own work, I tend to navigate more towards the subtle and exquisite. My Golden Series is grounded in this but foregrounds diversity, highlighting both dynamic and subtle relationships. I'm excited to continue this investigation."

If you're interested, you can view this painting #OnTheEasel here.

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

Enjoy,

Golden Series: Two Pears with Four Strawberries

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Some News
I have told just a few of my collectors this, but I wanted to let you know that I injured my knee two weeks ago. Not being able to paint (or go running and to my favorite Zumba class) is always difficult, but I am doing much better now! The head of UPenn Sports Medicine ordered an MRI for me for next week to make sure there are no tears, so after that I can begin a more active recovery. Please send positive thoughts that I won't need surgery! : )

In other news, my Nov. 8-9 Peto Museum workshop is already more than half full. If you're thinking about it, register today to reserve your spot. I am also teaching in Yardley on September 13. After that, my next workshop will be May 18-22, 2015 in Sedona (save the date).

My recent Sedona Arts Center workshop was off-the-charts AMAZING. What an incredible group of painters! I am writing a couple of posts about that, along with my paintings from Arizona. I will also share some responses/testimonials from some of the fabulous workshop participants. Look for that next week. In the meantime, snapshots from the week are here.

Golden Series
Since I introduced the series in August 2012, I've been periodically making paintings that are part of what I refer to as my Golden Series. This is the third Golden Series painting I've done lately, although I am often thinking about the works by Dutch painters Rachel Ruysch, Caspar Netscher, and Abraham Mignon (all of which I studied at the Uffizi in Florence).

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

All best,

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Golden Series: Three Pears (Asian, Bosc, & Bartlett)

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Thinking About Food (in honor of Earth Day)

Last June, I shared a bit about the significant impact that a raw food e-course had on me and my painting work. More specifically, starting on the raw vegan path made me feel like I had woken up to new pathways of creative energy within myself and deepened my relationship to my still life objects in ways that I did not expect or imagine.

Now almost a year later, this week I'm again looking forward to Viva Institute's e-course 30 Days Raw -- and this time I'll be taking it as a refresher. If you're at all curious about raw food, I will say that I personally think it's amazing ("raw-mazing") and life-changing. I highly recommend 30 Days Raw; if you approach it with a sense of wonder and curiosity, it is really a blast. For fun: in the picture above is my own homemade beet/carrot/chard juice (L) and carrot/chard juice (R).

Golden Series
Since I introduced the series in August 2012, I've been periodically making paintings that are part of what I refer to as my Golden Series. This is the second Golden Series painting I've done lately, although I am often thinking about the works by Dutch painters Rachel Ruysch, Caspar Netscher, and Abraham Mignon (all of which I studied at the Uffizi in Florence).

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

Happy Earth Day,

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Here's how this painting would look framed:

Golden Series: Bosc Pear, Concord Grapes, Idiazabal Etxegarai (Spanish Cheese), Knife, and Italian Plums

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24-hour auction ends at 7:30PM EST on Tues, Oct 17

This is the 14th painting in my Golden Series. The pear and concord grapes came from my in-laws' beautiful farmer's market in Fairport, NY. Also, I'm always grateful to our local co-op for working with local farmers to offer the beautiful fruit I often paint, and this painting especially was inspired by Weaver's Way Co-op.

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see Golden Series: Blueberries, Plums, Fig, Peach, and Champagne Grapes (with a description of my Golden Series).

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,

Golden Series: Delft Vase, Blackberries, & Sour Cherry (+ still life "gifts")

Golden Series: Delft Vase, Blackberries, and Sour Cherry (the light, the shade)
4 x 5 inches, oil on linen on panel, framed, 2015
Available
Email me for purchase information

For the new work in my current solo exhibition at Gleason Fine Art, it was my intention in every painting to include a still life object that was given to me as a gift. My mom (who is of Dutch descent) recently gave me the beautiful Delft vase in today's painting.

And one of my best friends gave me the sour cherry -- she only gave me this one cherry because A) she said she knew I would just love the leaf and B) she ate the rest.

This is the tenth painting in my Golden Series. Also, it's a little hard to see the hidden blackberry behind the cherry, but this painting is also part of my ongoing series "the light, the shade" that I began in December 2012. I wrote about Bob Lax and described my inspiration for the series here.

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

Golden Series: Blueberries, Plums, Fig, Peach, and Champagne Grapes

4 x 6 in., oil on linen on panel
Click to view auction

As the summer winds down, I'm working on a few series exploring "new-old" ideas. Blueberries, Plums, Fig, Peach, and Champagne Grapes is the first of a new series. Specifically, it introduces my Golden Series. If you recall in my recent Italy post, I mentioned being wowed again by the Dutch painters Rachel Ruysch, Caspar Netscher, and Abraham Mignon during my visit to the Uffizi in Florence.

Maybe it's because I'm Dutch :), maybe it's because I myself tend more towards order... that I admire their eclectic and energetic mix of objects (a friend of mine recently said, "It's only physics. Nature gravitates towards chaos." I wonder?). What I find to be powerful in paintings such as those by the Dutch masters, however, is not only the fervor, but the balancing of the diversity of nature with the exquisiteness of human touch.

In my own work, I tend to navigate more towards the subtle and exquisite. My Golden Series is grounded in this but foregrounds diversity, highlighting both dynamic and subtle relationships. I'm excited to continue this investigation.

If you enjoy today's painting, leave me a comment here, and share it with your friends using the links below or click to tweet.

ENDING SOON
The auction for Two Figs with Tenmoku Ink Bottle No. 2 ends tomorrow at 11 AM EST. View auction

Enjoy,

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FRAMED VIEW

Golden Series: Tangerine, Horse chestnuts, & Cranberries

I sometimes paint a self portrait of sorts in the reflections on my shiny still life objects, but this is the first time I've painted my hand in the process of painting, as it is reaching towards my canvas and closer to the object. Can you see it?

This is the fourth painting in my Golden Series, and I continue to think about the works by Dutch painters. Since I introduced the series in August 2012, I periodically make paintings that are part of what I refer to as my Golden Series, paying homage in my own way to such painters as Rachel Ruysch, Caspar Netscher, and Abraham Mignon (all of which I studied at the Uffizi in Florence).

If you haven't yet, please take this quick 3-question survey. I am getting tons of similar responses and would welcome your input also.

If you enjoy it, share this painting using the links below or use this little click to tweet.

Best,


P.S. If you'd like to purchase my work, you can view my Current Painting Auctions and then view All Available Paintings.

Golden Series: Tangerine, Lemon with Leaves, & Pomegranate (+ Feedback about Sedona)

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Since I introduced the series in August 2012, I've been periodically making paintings that are part of what I call my Golden Series. This is the first Golden Series painting I've done in a while, although I am frequently thinking about the works by Dutch painters Rachel Ruysch, Caspar Netscher, and Abraham Mignon (all of which I studied at the Uffizi in Florence).

Workshops Feedback
If you're considering my Artists of Yardley March 29-30 workshop or my Sedona May 19-23 workshop, here's some feedback about my teaching:

"A dream came true... I just got back from Sedona, taking a workshop with Abbey Ryan. I've been following her blog for years. I've always loved her work and getting to learn under her teaching was totally amazing and awe inspiring."   ~D. Denstorff

Debbie wrote me a beautiful thank you after that workshop. Here is just a snippet of it:

"You taught me things that have taken me a lifetime to learn. Not just about painting, but life. What you have given me is belief in myself that I know the answers. My art has given me peace in a world that doesn't always. You are truly a blessing in my life. It was so special to meet you in person. I do hope our paths will cross again one day." ~D. Denstorff

Thanks, Debbie! and be sure to check out her painting work here.

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

Best,

Sample Detail View: (to receive detail views regularly: subscribe)

golden series: peach, pear, five blackberries, bleu cheese (the light / the shade)

golden 
series:
peach
bleu cheese
bosc pear
and five
blackberries
(the light, 
the shade)
4 x 6 inches, oil on linen on panel, 2016.
Available - email abbeyryan@gmail.com for purchase information

This painting is part of my the light, the shade series that I began back in December 2012. I wrote about how Robert Lax was the inspiration for my "the light, the shade" series here.

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see a bunch of my paintings from my "Golden Series."

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,

Golden Series: Four Peaches, Cherries, and Grapes

Click to view auction

The deadline to register for my August 4th painting seminar in East Boothbay, Maine, is this Wednesday, July 25. Click here for information and registration online. You can also call 207-633-6849 or email info@gleasonfineart.com to register. To read reviews of my workshops, click here.

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see Golden Series: Peach, Pear, Five Blackberries, Bleu Cheese, or my other paintings in my Golden Series.

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,

Golden Series: Figs, Apricot, Blackberry, Cherries, Peach with Leaves, & Silver Cup

Click to view auction

The last time I painted something in my Golden Series was in 2018 and 2017. If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see other paintings from my Golden Series.

P.S. Just as a reminder: I'm planning to migrate this painting email newsletter to a different service—I'll be moving to one provided by my new website host so that my website and newsletter are housed under the same roof. If you're a subscriber: here's what you need to know in order to keep getting my new painting emails: my newsletter emails will soon-ish be sent from "info@abbeyryan.com"—so if you don't want to miss out on any emails, please add "info@abbeyryan.com" to your address book / contacts list / safelist. Contact me if you have any questions!

To get my painting in your inbox, sign up at the bottom of this page.

Golden Series: Apple, Cranberries, and Humboldt Fog ( + Lax at AstroPoets)

This is the 13th painting in my Golden Series. Also, if you've been following along my ongoing Robert Lax project "the light, the shade" and my Johnston Fellowship work involving Lax -- Lax was included in a twitter post by Astro Poets (@poetastrologers).

If you enjoy this painting, I invite you to see all of the paintings from my Golden series, or a bunch of my paintings with apples or fruit with a leaf or leaves or cranberries or five previous paintings with Humboldt Fog cheese in them.

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

Best,

Golden Series: Two Apricots, Red Pear, Peach, and Blackberries with Two Glass Bottles, 9x12 inches (+ my recent interview with The Studio Podcast)

Golden Series: Two Apricots, Red Pear, Peach, and Blackberries with Two Glass Bottles
9x12 inches, oil on linen on panel, 2016.
Private Collection

This is the 12th painting in my Golden Series. Also, if you're interested, I was recently interviewed by artist Danny Grant for his podcast, The Studio:

The Studio - Episode 12 - Interview with Abbey Ryan - July 28, 2016
"In this episode Danny talks with artist Abbey Ryan and she tells him what it means to be a daily painter, why it's crucial to know yourself as an artist, how important it is to have a daily practice, why she doesn't like tapas, and so much more." Listen and see lots of photos of my paintings here.

Ending soon:
Two Lady Apples auction ends at 5:30 PM EST

Click to view auction 
Auction includes detail views

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

Best,

Golden Series: Two Pears with Cranberries and Chestnuts (+ The Thanksgiving Reader)

Golden Series: Two Pears with Cranberries and Chestnuts
Oil on linen on panel, 6x7 inches, 2017, Private Collection.

If you're interested, take a look at The Thanksgiving Reader, created by Seth Godin -- also, here's his good explanation of it.

If you enjoy today's painting, you may also like to see my bosc pear paintings, cranberries, or a bunch of my Golden Series paintings.

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

Golden Series: Strawberries, Blueberries, and Two Figs (+ Artist Charlie Ritchie)

4 x 6 in., oil on linen on panel
Click to view auction

This is my second painting from my new Golden Series (you can read about the series here). If you enjoy today's painting, please leave a comment here or share it with your friends using the links below (or tweet it).

Earlier this spring, I attended an inspiring lecture given by artist Charles Ritchie (he's also Associate Curator of Modern Prints and Drawings at National Gallery of Art in Washington DC). In his lecture “34 Years of Keeping a Journal: Notes on a Daily Practice,” Charlie discussed the journals that he's been creating continuously since 1977. These drawings/sketchbooks are inspired by the artist's home, and track his dreams and creative process.

When asked what motivates his daily journaling practice, I admire that Charlie says,

"It’s a great way to get sort of closer to yourself and take time for yourself especially in this kind of modern world where we are so bombarded with such clutter that you know it’s really important that we stop and breathe and look inside and see where we are, who we are, and what we are. 

You can see it as meditation or even exercise. It’s a kind of way of exercising one’s mind and inventive capacities and building on them and sharpening them in a way and being more and more in tuned with the world." ~Charles Ritchie, 2012 (source)

As I re-visited his website recently, I particularly enjoyed "Conversation with the Artist in his Studio" and I highly recommend it. Three-quarters of the way down the page, Charlie comments on "looking at the overlooked" (source) and how his works "resonate with familiarity for the viewer." As a long-time Morandi fan, his response piqued my interest: "Morandi repeatedly painted a group of objects with very slight changes. He was dealing with various internal states, and he projected not only his own experience but the universe upon those objects."

Finally, here's one of my favorite Ritchie passages: 

"My art makes me ask questions, and I hope it makes others ask questions. There's much more here than we let ourselves to see, more that what we assume is here. I am commenting on my world and myself."  ~Charles Ritchie, 1992 (source)

P.S. Thanks to Charlie -- a new goal of mine is to give a lecture in the year 2041 entitled, "34 Years of Daily Painting: Notes on a Daily Practice."

ENDING SOON
The auction for Yellow Pear Wrapped in Green Tissue Paper No. 2 ends tomorrow at 8 PM EST. View auction

Enjoy,

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FRAMED VIEW

Golden Series: Pear, Champagne Grapes, Concord Grapes, and Peach with Handmade Cup

Click to view auction

This is another painting from my (fairly) new Golden Series. Read more about it here. If you'd like, leave a comment or tweet about it.

During my day at the National Gallery in D.C. (part I post here), in addition to seeing memorable works by Peto, Heda, Mignon, Dietrich, Peale, Haberle, Charles Porter, W. M. Hartnett, Whistler, Twachtman, Eakins, and Bricher.... I spent time looking at the exhibition, "Elegance and Refinement: The Still-Life Paintings of Willem van Aelst" -- which I'm sorry to say just closed yesterday.

Although I can appreciate van Aelst's larger, complex compositions (and velvety textures!), for me, the highlight of the exhibition was what, I think, was his earliest painting in the exhibit: a small, intimate still life. I believe it was from when he was 16 or 17 years old. No photos were allowed, but I found one online here. (The colors in the photo are mostly wrong, but you get the idea.)

Here's some info on van Aelst from the National Gallery's site:

"Few artists were more skilled than Willem van Aelst (1627–1683) at depicting luscious fruits, luxurious fabrics, and spoils of the hunt. His renowned still lifes are remarkable for their fine finish, carefully balanced composition, jewel-toned palette, and elegant subject matter. Bringing together 28 of these sumptuous paintings and his only known drawing, this exhibition—the first devoted solely to this artist—celebrates the most technically brilliant Dutch still-life painter of his time. It is also accompanied by the first comprehensive publication on his work." [Link]

Finally, my two other highlights of the day were Dishes with Oysters, Fruit, and Wine by Osias Beert the Elder (1625) and Still Life with Sweets and Pottery by Juan Van Der Hamen Y Leon (1627).

ENDING SOON
The auction for Concord Grapes ends Wednesday, October 17 at 9:30 PM EST. View auction

All my best,

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

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FRAMED VIEW

Golden Series: Strawberry, Plums, and Peach with Handmade Cup (+ Contest Giveaway !)

Click to view auction

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of my blog, and I painted this in the afternoon light (it's the third painting in my new Golden Series). I think the afternoon light in my studio is particularly powerful because it reflects some of the Schuylkill River light.

As a THANK YOU for your interest in my work over the last 5 years, I am GIVING AWAY 5 signed prints. The details of the contest are HERE.

ENDING SOON!
The auction for Still Life with Pear Half and Concord Grapes ends today at 5:30 PM EST.

Thanks,

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

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FRAMED VIEW

Bowl of Cherries (+ Sedona painters)

Private Collection

As promised, I'm happy to share snippets of feedback from my recent Sedona Arts Center workshop participants. I'll post a few more tomorrow. If you're curious about working with me, a good place to start is to read more about my workshops.

"One of the most inspiring and surprising aspects of Abbey is this: she is much better read and traveled than I had ever imagined. This is someone who brings an incredible discipline, expertise, and reverence for painting. I could feel her energy the minute I met her and appreciated her unselfish sharing." ~C. Cason, Pasadena, CA

and

"Having attended Abbey’s 2013 Sedona workshop, I had no hesitations about signing up for 2014. I was excited for the opportunity to study and paint with her again, and the Sedona Art Center is a wonderful creative venue. 

Abbey’s demos are my favorite aspect of the workshop. I learn so much from watching her paint, and I think all painters would benefit from working with Abbey. It is so interesting to see her demonstrations in person, and her in-depth critiques are invaluable. 

Since the workshop, I feel more thoughtful toward my own painting process. I am more conscious of my choices in both set-up and subject matter. Abbey clarified several specific issues with which I’ve been struggling, and that feels huge to me. It’s like a fog has lifted in my world, and I am so appreciative.

Abbey always gives one hundred and ten percent. She is so thoughtful and considerate during one-on-one time with each student, and it does not go unnoticed. She is one in a million!"  

~D. McDowell, darlamcdowell.blogspot.com

Ending Soon: Golden Series painting

The auction for this painting ends today, Wednesday, June 18th at 12noon.

If you're interested, the video below captures the first brushstrokes of this painting (which is part of my Golden Series). During the 2-min. video you can hear to the pouring rain outside my studio window. Click here to watch or you can view it below:



If you enjoy this video, share it using the links below or click to tweet it.

Enjoy,

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

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Eggplant in Afternoon Light (+ New Video; + Sedona Workshop)

Thank you for the flood of wonderful emails regarding my knee. I'm so grateful for your support!

Sedona Workshop Thoughts
I wrote an update about my two remaining 2014 workshops, and I have received several requests to talk a bit about my recent Sedona Arts Center workshop. Tomorrow I'll post snippets of feedback from workshop participants. For now, I'll begin with some related thoughts that have to do with how I begin my paintings.

For me, painting is a daily practice and meditation -- one that is intensely spiritual, transformative, and personal -- and I speak about this in-depth during my workshops.

I find that every single workshop participant expresses how invaluable it is to experience my painting demonstrations, during which I explain my painting process from start to finish.

While there is good reason why it should be impossible, I am able to continuously talk while I am painting to explain my strategies, thinking, intuition, meditations, inquiry, reasoning, joys, ideas, challenges, color mixtures, struggles, questions, and so on.

Workshop participants of all levels share that they learn immensely during my demos because I explain everything from my first brush stroke to my last -- from an open-minded and non-judgmental place. They also say that it is equally as helpful that I occasionally do not have an explanation for something I choose to do in a painting!

New Video: Golden Series painting

In the spirit of these thoughts, the video below captures the first brushstrokes of my most recent painting (background: I shared about my Golden Series paintings in my last post).

If you're in a quiet place, during the 2-min. video you can listen to the pouring rain outside my studio window.

Click here to watch or you can view it below:



The auction for this painting ends Wednesday, June 18th at 12noon.

If you enjoy this video, share it using the links below or click to tweet it.

Happy Monday,

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

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Here's how this painting would look framed:

Golden Series: Sliced Peach, Dutch Cheese, and Italian Plums (+ artists going to the moon?)

If you're interested, SpaceX's first moon voyage customer, Yusaku Maezawa, will be to flying around the moon in 2023 and he is going to bring 6-8 artists with him:

"Maezawa said he will choose six to eight artists, from painters and sculptors to fashion designers and architects, to share the experience with him — and, ultimately, with all of us. The artwork that results from this weeklong #dearMoon mission 'will inspire the dreamer inside all of us,' said Maezawa, who is an avid art collector. He's launched a website (dearmoon.earth) just for the project." [Keep reading]

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see a bunch of my paintings from my Golden Series.

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,