VancannonArt

VancannonArt

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Out With A Bang!

There are a few things that really excite an artists. One of them you can guess - selling a piece of art. Another cake topper experience is seeing your work in a publication. Receiving positive show reviews is affirming and rewarding. It helps build an artists resume and will continue to help them reach their goals through out their career. As you can guess I was ecstatic to see the "Decades" show, reviewed in Sacramento Magazine, December issue. To make it even more surprising was to hear about it from a student in class a couple weeks back. 


Lorrie Kempf's fine art and curating experience blended together 14 artists of all different mediums and styles into an electric show. The exhibition was held in the bright and open corridors of SMUD customer service lobby, also know as SMUD Art Gallery and Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission "Art In Public Places." 

"The generational divide, always a hot topic, has mushroomed into a full-blown phenomenon now that the four generations are together in the workplace for the first time in history. "Decades: an exhibition about the generations" ... offers a multigenerational view through the works of 14 artists." - Cathy Cassinos-Carr
                                                                                                                 


"Some of the works are pure, sweet nostalgia. Memories of a simpler time run strong in Abigail VanCannon's painting "Pick-Up Sticks,"which captures a serene scene of a mother, wearing pink dress and pillbox hat, playing peacefully with her blonde, pigtailed daughter." - Cathy Cassinos-Carr

I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in a local show highlighting the multi generations within the workplace and using public art to help bridge gaps between them. A lot of times problems arise between people because they can't understand each others view-point or perspective. This exhibition speaks to the values and traditions of each generation. I am also thankful to close out 2014 with a highlight and ring in the New Year with more anticipated success. Happy New Year, from VanCannonArt Studios! 


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! - Please click here to read my Christmas Greeting




Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Who is Mary Cassatt?

close up -  Mother Wearing A Sunflower On Her Dress 

I had the pleasure of feasting my eyes on +30 Cassatt painting this summer while traveling in our Nation's Capital. The National Gallery of Art was featuring Degas and Cassatt show, which I found time to visit twice during my week long stay(insert: emoji smiley face and 20 thumbs up). Although I wasn't able to take picture of this exhibition, I did get numerous photos of Cassatt's work in other DC museums.

 Woman With Red Zinnia 

I've viewed a lot of figurative work, and was familiar with the name "Mary Cassatt," but had never seen many works. After viewing so many together this summer, I gained a whole new appreciation for her work. Woman and motherhood paintings, her theme of choice, evoke thoughtful introspection while her interesting brushwork, color choice, and patterns keep the viewers eye in circular captivation. I resonate with many of these themes as it reminds me of the closeness I feel for my mother. As a woman, I can also relate to the maternal and nurturing traits. In my own work, I have tried to portray some of the same emotions.


Woman In Pink Dress Picking Apples

During the late 1800's and early 1900's women of a certain class (educated and wealthy in this case) had to be careful with who and where they visited men. Maybe part of why Cassatt chose to paint so many woman, was out of convenience and propriety? This being said, she did spark a wonderful friendship with artist Edgar Degas. It is known that these two worked together closely in the arts, inspiring each other, with Cassatt as the mentored. They had successful group shows and historians have even discovered that Degas helped "correct" the background design in one of Cassatt's paintings. This in not surprising, since many teachers often help tweak areas of paintings during the learning process. Artists are visual and the best way to help them learn is to often show or demo a change.

Child In Straw Hat

If you are an art connoisseur I highly recommend The National Gallery of Art. The museum itself is just gorgeous! There are numerous galleries broken up into different shows and period work. After spending time looking you can take a break in their Roman peristyle garden. The museums are kept nice and cool, so its also a great escape from the heat if you visit in the summer. Entry is free.


Beautiful Roman Peristyle - internal gardens


Do you have a favorite museum or show that you've seen? Maybe you know some fun facts about Cassatt or want to share your Cassatt favorite? I'd love to hear your comments. Read more about the Degas and Cassatt in Art News. You can view my artwork at - www.vancannonart.com








Saturday, December 6, 2014

Art Club - Fun Paint Day

The California Art Club has been around since the early 1900s. Since it's start there has been a strong focus on promoting arts education and advancement in Representational California Artists. The club puts on art shows, master artist workshops, and paint-outs. Different regions meet 5-6 times a year to stay connected and paint together.  Yesterday, the Sacramento Chapter met at Patris Studio and Gallery for a winter paint-in. About 15 artists surrounded two themed models and a still life. After three hours, I was impressed with the outcome of 'Alla Prima' work produced. Afterwards, we held an informal critique.

 Many of us worked from a winter themed model
 On the other side of the room our 2nd model posed with a guitar. 

 A few others painted from a still life set up.

Instructor Randy Blasquez, works on the persimmons and vase still life. 

 Don, Chapter Co-Chair, also works on persimmons. 

One of my students joined us to paint. It was her first event with the Art Club, I think we'll have another member very soon. 

InstructorVictoria Brooks paints the Christmas model.

A zoom in snapshot of my piece after 3 hours. 
Visit my website - www.vancannonart.com to see more finished work. 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

New Works Added

Work from my past three plein air trips has been completed and photographed. Be sure to visit my website and check out the new work!
 Rolling Waves - 6x8 - oil
 Iron Stone Lake - 6x8 - oil
Autumn Reflections - 8x10 - oil 

Enjoy looking through my collection of landscape works.  Many of which were created on location. Close your eyes and let your mind step into the setting. Feel the cool salty breeze roll off the ocean waves as you hear them wash onto shore. Think back to an autumn walk through the woods and the ever changing leaves falling around your feet. Get inspired by the beautiful and broad California landscape. Each piece is for sale and professionally framed, which is included in the price. Purchase through Patris Gallery and VanCannon Art Online Gallery.  All work is copyrighted by VanCannon Art ©2014.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Final Hours To Save Big!

Now is the time to start collecting original artwork. I believe having artwork surrounding you is inspiring, mood improving, and another way to express yourself. Today is the last chance to save big during my After Thanksgiving Sale. Check out all the great prices at my online store. Free Shipping on all orders until 12am Tuesday morning. Shop now : http://vancannonart.com/storefront/






Concerned about buying it online without seeing it in person? 
No problem - You can return it with in 7 days and receive full refund on artwork. 
*Paintings must be returned in original condition and in original packaging to receive refund. *Your purchase supports a US small business.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Art for the holiday's

Don't miss out on VanCannonArt's best sale of the year. I am featuring major sales on unframed original oil painting studies and original studio pieces. Choose from figure, landscape and still life. Also Free Shipping on entire store!!!





Thursday, November 20, 2014

I've seen the light

Plein air painting has been something that has grown on me over the last few years. I didn't learn how to plein air until five years ago. While going to the Academy, I took a landscape class that practiced outdoors each week. I would carry my full size french easel(HEAVY), backpack, and palette up and down hilly San Fran until I found a spot I liked. The elements were challenging and I was tired from hiking - it was hard to focus. Lucky for me, Dean Larson is a good teacher. By the end of the semester I had a few successes and started to acclimate to the process.

"Rebuilding The Bay Bridge" - 10x10 - ©2010 

When I moved to Sacramento after graduating I got involved with a group of artists that loved to plein air paint. My friend, Patris, lives and breathes plein air painting and started inviting me on paint trips to local CA destinations. I retired my french easel and upgraded to the "Easy L." Painting got a lot easier when my pack was light! I began to enjoy the opportunity to travel and study the land. There is something amazing about visiting a place, studying it, and painting a response. I feel like a poet every time.

My "Easy L" and Golden Gate

This week my outdoor studio has brought me to Angel's Camp, CA. Patris and I are revisiting spots we painted about a year ago today. Its a bit overcast and drizzly, but we've still found some gem locations.
Here's the view from Twisted Oak Winery
I loved the path peaking through the silvery grass

It started to get dark quickly - The backlit tree, drew me in and I did a quick study.

On Wednesday we found shelter under awnings in Murphy, CA to escape the drizzle.

I love Murphy's Hotel. It opened in the late 1800s and has so much character. 
The windows reminded me of Italy, so I zoomed in on a couple. 

Patris is in the pink jacket under Murphy's Hotel awning. 

She captured the damp leaf lined streets! 
Check out more of her work at: www.artist-patris.com


 Don't miss out on my outdoor studio adventures. More updates coming soon! You can also check my website: www.vancannonart.com to see finished works. 





Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Speed Studies in AZ

I am excited about an upcoming workshop in Tempe, AZ. Interested in taking speed studies? Join me January 17-18, 2015.





Contact me for more information and to reserve your spot today. 
vancannonart@gmail.com / 415-225-2161

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Last from Monterey's outdoor easel

Gloomy and overcast, the Ocean informed me she was sad to see me go. My last day in Monterey area we spent at Pacific Grove. I couldn't get enough of the craggy rocks and waves crashing around me. It was a peaceful and brisk morning. I loved capturing the dark and light contrast of values from the stone and water. Since there wasn't a strong light source I focused on the dark value patterns I could create from the rock shapes. I had to pick and choose what to leave in and edit out. In that way I could design a more appealing composition. 


 Patris is busy painting up on the landing
My Outdoor Studio
 Natalie found a nice spot on the beach


This is the finished outcome. Its dark, but peaceful.
Interested in purchasing this piece? Please email me at Vancannonart@gmail.com 
Be sure to visit my website (www.vancannonart.com) and see the new work added to the storefront!