Lisa Ober, Artist

Unveiling of portrait of the late John Q. Hammons in Springfield, Missouri

2014-03-27T22:54:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I had the honor of attending a reception for the purpose of unveiling of a large oil portrait of the late John Q. Hammons. Mr. Hammons was a pioneer in building hotels and resorts. The unveiling took place in what I believe was one of his first (if not the first) hotels he built, University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Missouri. If you are from the Springfield area or attended school there, you likely recognize his name as he was extremely generous with the entire area. His name is on a number of buildings as well as a street. It was quite an honor to paint his portrait. It is my understanding that reproductions of the painting will hang in the hotels and resorts.

Pastel Journal April 2014 Issue Preview

2014-03-27T22:32:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to all the winners of The Pastel 100! I am honored to have my work among such excellent art. Check out this overview from Pastel Journal magazine. My piece, "Pastel of Pastels in Pastel" is at 1:44s.

Artsy Shark Feature! Pretty Exciting!

2014-02-03T21:10:00.002-06:00

Today I woke to a really nice little feature article on Artsy Shark, a great site that helps artists build better businesses and does a great job sharing the work of working artists to help them reach new audiences. Here is the link: Artsy Shark-Lisa Ober

WHAT A HAPPY SURPRISE! Thanks Artsy Shark!

Workshop in Florida/Recap on St. Louis Workshop

2014-02-03T20:52:00.001-06:00

Just a reminder that I am teaching a 2-day pastel portrait workshop March 17th & 18th in Tamarac, Florida, near Ft. Lauderdale. I just wrapped one up in St. Louis and we had a ball! Below are a few photos from that workshop. I'm really looking forward to being in Florida. Won't you join me?

Please contact Paint St. Louis if you are interested.

Below are some photos from last weekend's workshop in St. Louis. My students never cease to amaze me with their stellar results!

Name the Painting TItle Contest-We Have a WInner!

2014-02-03T20:40:00.003-06:00

A little while back I ran a Facebook contest looking for title suggestions for the painting of these marbles below. I had no idea what kind of response I would receive. Well I do now! I received 361 title submissions and was floored by not only the sheer number but also the varied ideas. After a lot of cutting and pasting of titles for a final vote, we finally have a winner:

MONDAY'S MENTAL MARTYRS

Thanks to everyone who participated!

TItle and Jerry's Artarama!

2014-01-08T02:18:00.003-06:00

First, special thanks to Jerry's Artarama for sharing my review of the Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels along with an image of the painting I created with them show below.

Splatter Blog (Jerry's Artarama)

Secondly, I have a winner for the Facebook contest to find a title for this painting. The winning title is "Art is the Best Medicine" by a huge margin. Congratulations to the winner!

Finally, the painting has already sold. It's been a good week!

First Painting with Gallery Pastels

2014-01-02T20:58:00.000-06:00

I've just completed my first painting with the new Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels. They were so beautiful new that I decided to include them in the painting. I am running a contest on my Facebook Page to get a title. Voting ends at 11:59 January 3rd, 2014 but if you want to vote on your favorite title head HERE.

Untitled (so far)

Pastel on UART, 22 X 10

New Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels-A Review

2014-01-02T20:53:00.001-06:00

Lucky, lucky me! I received a new full set of Mungyo Gallery Soft Pastels from Jerry's Artarama along with a package of UART Sanded Pastel Paper just in time for my holiday break. I have been asked by many people how these pastels perform so here is my review:

The full set of 200 is an excellent starter or base set with a wide variety of color choices packed into a beautiful sturdy and classy box which is perfect for travel. The set that I received was perfectly intact without a single break (I don't like broken new pastels). The colors are nicely arranged and AP non-toxic. Each pastel is about the size of woman's thumb, very similar to Unison Soft Colour Pastels. For me, the size is perfect.

The quality of each pastel was consistent across the range of colors I used. The pigments are pretty rich…at least the blue/green colors that I pulled out for this piece and I assume that is true for the other colors.

Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels have the approximately the hardness/softness of something between Rembrandt Pastels and Unisons. They are only slightly less blendable than the Unisons for this reason. The option to subtly shift tones in additional layers is excellent but for some, to significantly change a color with a subsequent layer would require a softer pastel such as Unison, Mount Vision, Townsend, or Schminke. This also may depend on the surface you prefer and how much pressure you apply when painting. Still, they are good for blending and layering and are a great base set for professionals and students.

The Gallery's handled very well on the UART paper (600 grit) which is my favorite surface so far. I imagine they would be good on any professional pastel surface.

My overall impression of these pastels was excellent and even more impressive when one considers the value. The full set is priced at $624.99 but on sale through Jerry's (but out of stock, sadly-10-30-13) for $499.99, you really can't beat the price at all for the overall value.

I'd love to hear your thoughts or any questions you have but I hope this helps. Happy painting!

November Pastel Journal suprise

2014-01-02T20:41:00.001-06:00

Thanks to UART Sanded Pastel Paper, my painting "Oddball" appeared in an advertisement in The Pastel Journal. It was an honor having a piece next to Toni James' artwork.

New Surface for Portraits

2014-01-02T20:35:00.000-06:00

I rarely take progress shots of a painting but I had just discovered a beautiful linen panel made by a friend of mine so I decided it might be a good time to do that. Here are the progress shots of a portrait followed by the final painting. Oil on linen. 23 X 18.

Workshop Photos!

2014-01-02T20:23:00.001-06:00

I'm catching up on fun events from last year and one terrific experience was my Still Life In Oil workshop hosted by Paint St. Louis. Below is my painting from the workshop along with some photos from that class. I had the best students! If you are interested in a pastel or oil workshop, check out this link: LISA OBER WORKSHOPS

"Sweet Somethings" Oil on panel 16 X 14

Pastel Society of America Signature Membership status

2014-01-02T20:07:00.001-06:00

I am very happy to learn that the Pastel Society of America has granted me signature status! That is very exciting. This is the first time I have applied so I am thrilled. I'm told I can now put the initials PSA behind my name.

15th Annual Pastel 100 Win!

2014-01-02T20:03:00.002-06:00

HOORAY! The 15th Annual Pastel 100 winners have been announced and guess what? I made the list! Second place in the Still LIfe and Floral category. How fun is that? And I will receive pastels to top it all off! I believe the Pastel 100 issue will be April's issue of Pastel Journal in which the competition winners will appear. Anyhow, check out the list. Congratulations to all the folks on the list. I can't wait to see all the paintings. Here is the winning painting:

Fantastic Results at Still Life Workshop in Arkansas!

2013-08-14T17:59:00.000-05:00

I've just returned from a successful workshop in Gravette, Arkansas and had a fantastic time! The students were fantastic and I had an opportunity to visit Crystal Bridges Museum as well. Below are some photos of my visit. You can see what a terrific job everyone did. I can't wait to go back in February of next year for a portrait workshop. If you are interested in joining me, please click here.

This is my demo piece, almost finished. Just a few little touch-ups not shown. Happily, it found a home with my host in Gravette.

Lisa Ober has a new website! You may want to switch your hosting!

2013-07-04T21:47:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty cheap when it comes to paying for website hosting and design. I understand that professional web designers who do a great job deserve every penny they get, but I update my website so frequently that I cannot justify paying to have someone do it for me. For many years I have maintained my own website using various companies with varying degrees of success.

Enter Weebly. It's the perfect tool for artists, photographers, or anyone wanting a professional looking website that can be up and running in about 5 minutes...including e-commerce sites. For FREE (basic site) or at a REALLY great price (bells and whistles) they offer a drag and drop website that does everything I could ever want a website to do. It is SO easy to use. It's entirely customizable. It is optimized for mobile and even has an app allowing you to edit your site from your mobile device. I have never seen anything like it. So I have just made the switch. Check it out and I think you will agree. Here is my new site: Lisa Ober's new website. Let me know if you decide to give it a try!

Here's a little screen shot:

New Portrait and New Surface!

2013-07-03T04:59:00.001-05:00

I have an artist friend who has been working on new mounted linen panels and I was lucky enough to try one! Now I'm hooked. They are beautifully made and very smooth--as I was hoping. Here is my practice piece on the new board, a portrait of my daughter in oil. 18 X 18. Now I need to get more panels from my friend!

New Piece Part of Small Works Show

2013-06-07T03:53:00.001-05:00

Grafica in Webster Groves, Missouri (see previous post for address) is exhibiting small works from the artists in my art group, Art Group 360. This is just one of the 7 pieces I have in the show. It's a great show! All of my pieces are oil on panel and measure 6 X 6. I've stuck with the theme of tools and items found in my studio. Lots of colorful items.

Art Group 360 Opening Reception May 31st, 2013

2013-05-27T00:05:00.004-05:00

I hope you'll join me!

Opening Reception for "Multiple Choice"

May 31

Grafica Fine Arts 7884 Big Bend Blvd. Webster Groves, MO 63118

Small works (12 X 12 and under)

6 different artists:

John Dean

Lisa Ober

Steve Morris

Janet Fons

Marie Donato

Linda Smith

Still Life Workshop: Fantastic!

2013-05-26T23:20:00.002-05:00

I couldn't have asked for better students for this past Saturday's still life workshop! They did an incredible job. I thoroughly enjoyed being with other artists. I learn from them as well. Here are some pictures from the day.

Having a Ball This Year

2013-05-19T02:56:00.000-05:00

Had a great time at NAMTA seeing the art manufacturing business from the other side. I enjoyed doing the demos for UArt. Below is one I started at the trade show and finished up this past week at home. It's a pastel on UArt paper. 24 X 18. There is something about pool balls that I really enjoy and I suppose it's the fact that they are really colorful. Having done portraits for so many years, I really enjoy a colorful change of pace. Off to the next one!

Heading to NAMTA! Come say hello.

2013-04-28T00:53:00.001-05:00

Next week I will be at the NAMTA trade show checking out all the new art materials. It's going to be like visiting a candy store! I'll be doing demos all three days for UART. They make the most amazing pastel paper/board. If you are attending, please make sure you stop by the UART booth to say hello!

Workshop May 25th!

2013-03-30T20:39:00.002-05:00

Workshop May 25th

If you know of anyone who is interested, please share the information below.

One Day Workshop with Lisa Ober

Saturday, May 25 - 9am-4pm

If you have ever wanted to learn how to create detail with pastels, this is a workshop for you. On Saturday, May 25, Paint Saint Louis and I are planning a one-day still-life workshop. This "hands-on" workshop will show you the creative tricks and techniques I use to create my paintings.

The workshop will be limited to 15 artists so everyone gets plenty of personal guidance. I will provide the U-art paper.You need to provide your own pastels, a ground cloth and easel. There are tables if you prefer to work flat. You will have the choice to work from a real still-life set-up or from a photograph. It's an all day workshop at Garry McMichael's studio, and includes snacks, and one of Diane's famous healthy lunches.

Price for the workshop will be $110. For more information

please contact:

Garry McMichael
(314) 773-4112
garry@imaginagrapher.com

Tidbits

2013-03-30T20:02:00.001-05:00

Adding to my small works collection for a show in May/June at Grafica. About 6 more left to complete so I have a nice square display. 6 X 6 oil on panel.

I loved creating a painting of this little girl in pastel. She had such a sparkly personality!

24 X 18 pastel on board.

Mixing It Up

2013-03-03T02:33:00.002-06:00

Piece number two for the small works group show. Creating this painting made me realize how complicated the mixing of color is up close. I had never really paid much attention to the very subtle gradients that form between colors on a palette not to mention how many little sparkly highlights exist in wet paint.

Help me name this piece!

2013-02-22T01:00:00.001-06:00

Lately I have been working on smaller pieces for a group small works show this coming summer. All of the pieces will be square. This is my first complete piece. It is an oil on panel and measures 6 X 6.

I have been receiving title suggestions on my Facebook Page and would love your suggestions as well before I make a final decision. You can leave a suggestion here in the comments section or on my Facebook Page by clicking HERE.

I was so excited to have two pieces in February's Pastel Journal as part of an article on food paintings in pastel. "Sweet Rewards" was the section title. Ria Hills and Karen Howard were also featured so I was in great company.