S P R I N G is finally in the air!

I am so looking forward to opening my studio for a one-day show, April 25th.  It's time to air it out, dust it off, and put a few things on sale!  I am like most professional artists, I don't stop painting because the economy is not co-operating.  I keep painting because it's what I do....good, bad or ugly, those paintings are stacking up!

I hope if you're reading this, you'll sign on to 'follow' my posts...there are good art deals to be had, and I am very open to tailoring a buy it now plan so that you can enjoy the real thing.  

So, think of artwork as a special gift, but one that is also a necessity!  Once you own the real thing, you will never accept anything less!

ARTISTS FOR CHILDREN OF THE WORLD...

On March 6 and 7th, my daughter Becky and I will be showing our artwork at the ACofW show, a benefit for children.  This most worthy cause is put on by a core group of dedicated volunteers who showcase art, music and food during this upcoming weekend.

The address for the show is 11535 SW Durham Rd., in Tigard Oregon.  It runs 10-8 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday.  We hope you will come on by and say hello....you are sure to find something to gift to yourself or a special someone.  Remember, art rarely depreciates....it's food for the soul!

An Artshow at The Stafford through February 23rd

Julie Everhart and Jude Welter are showing their watercolors and mixed media paintings at The Stafford in Lake Oswego, 1400 SW Overlook Drive (intersection at Stafford Rd.) through 2/22/2010.

Hoping you'll pop in between 8 and 8 to take a look!

A Winter's Day....

At least it's not in 'deep and dark December'.  But this past month has sped by way too quickly.  I always like to re-cap the month, as sort of a mental list of what I might have accomplished--now I can write that down!

Let's see, I began the weekly teaching of classes in Canby.  A fun mix of painters, all ranges and abilities.  I swapped out artwork in the Wallflowers Gallery, there in Canby on 1st street. 

I attended a 'Three Rivers Arts Guild' meeting and signed on to help with the 'Art in Windows' program which places artists' work all over the Oregon City Main Street.  Paintings, glass, pottery, fibre, photography and more!

I installed a show at The Stafford in Lake Oswego and I will install one at the Art Media store on 82nd &
King Rd. 

And of course, I've painted....or drawn, or done something else fun in my studio each day.  Did I mention I need a maid,  and a gardener?

'Daphne'

I love this plant.  I am always amazed that in the thick of the dreary days, this little shrub has the beginnings of magic started.  Tiny little pinkish buds have formed, and wait there patiently for a warmer day.  My bushes are so full of buds, I have had to prop them up!  I know the plant is very shallow rooted, so I know that is part of the problem.  Yet for a seemingly needy plant, these shrubs have held up well...through last winter's grueling snow and ice, through torrential downpours that beat up the soil around them and left very little.  I have to dedicate the first floral painting to 'Daphne', which certainly must have the adjective of 'steadfast'.

Yes, when they bloom I'll know that it's time to come out of hibernation, out of the studio, and yes away from the computer!  It will be time to paint outside, to garden, to hike, to bask in the season.

Just as there are fairweather farmers, I am that fairweather painter.  I have always loved to paint 'on location' long before it was termed 'en plenair'.   I work each and every day at something in my studio, but when that daphne does bloom, I will kick up my heels and my brushes and head for the hills!

'Below Tumalo Falls' Oil by Jude Welter

Jude Welter Website

www.judewelterstudio.com

'Is a print just a piece of paper?'

I spent most of today mounting new giclees of an oil painting I had done of Georgetown Lake, which is shared by Deer Lodge and Granite Counties in Montana. I was very happy with the painting, I felt I captured the 'space and the place'. As with any paintings that seemed effortless, I knew I would not pull one like that off again in the immediate future. My dear Muse does not grace the studio every day, every week or even once a month.

As I was working on these prints, about a dozen of them...I was thinking of a comment from a gallery owner that giclees were really not of value. I suppose that might be true of the work depicted was far afield from the original, or that the original was not up to snuff to begin with. However, if I were just captivated with an image, and could not afford the original, I would happily buy a print just to have the 'story' to enjoy.

There are always lots of things to think about when doing the myriad of little chores associated with being an artist. It would be so nice to have an apprentice!

Hello to all interested in art -- where would our world be without it? And to be able to share it online, to the WHOLE WIDE WORLD....well, that's what www is all about. I hope to get the knack of this and would love to hear comments from anyone who cares to send one!

I am busy getting ready for artshows this year and for my classes which are coming up soon. I always look forward to the excitement of that first class, filled with eager painters ready to explore ways to turn a blank piece of paper into a story!

Please see my website too....I hope to integrate this blog onto that new site soon.

'Have an artful day'

Jude