Cheri Halsema Fine Art

Camera Decisions for my new project - The Florida Series

2011-10-27T05:32:00.000-07:00

I got some great input from my friend Trudy about my next camera purchase. She recommended a Nikon P100. I plan to see if I can find a refurbished one on Ebay. Having a good camera will improve my results for my new project.

In September I started working on upgrading, and staging my Dad's home. We repainted it in new colors (taupe base, cream trim) and it looks about 10 years newer. It's really a well built home. We hope to have it listed by Thanksgiving. Later on I will have time to start my new project, and return to art.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Artist Camera Decisions

2011-08-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Seems like an artist not only needs to be pretty familiar with computer technology, but also obtain a good camera for their work. I use a small purple Pocket Nikon COOLPIX, 10 megapixels, to photograph my future painting subject matter. Although convenient, sometimes I think would like to use something that was a little more powerful (zooming, pixels, etc).

The Coolpix has served me well. Although when I photograph my actual finished paintings, I like to use my brother in law's more sophisticated digital camera (you can see why I need to upgrade).

I'm looking for a new digital camera that's easy to use, perhaps in the $400.00 to $600.00 range.

Would love to hear of your recommendations, or what you actually use for your work.

Hello from Florida

2011-07-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hope you are all having a good summer. Some of you know I am staying in Florida to help my Dad return to health after a very bad fall.

I'm not very familiar with this area so I'm getting maps and tour information of where to go and what to see - especially from a standpoint of exploring new subject matter for future paintings. Someone told me of a place in Venice called "The Rookery" that has a large assortment of Florida birds. Venice is not far from here so I will drive there soon and check it out.

Drove out to Manasota Key Island last weekend. Took a photo of a beautiful Egret in flight. Unfortunately now the laptop won't accept the downloads from the camera. The laptop is having difficulty recognizing the camera. So until I get some help to fix the upload laptop issue my blogs may be without photos. At home in the Studio I never had that issue with my desktop computer.

Dad is doing better each day. He's walking again - but only a few feet at a time, with a walker. Not sure when they will release him yet. We still have a few hurdles to overcome.

Away from the Studio...

2011-06-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

Dad in Florida suddenly took ill and is currently in a Rehabilitation Center. We almost lost him. I'll be staying there to help him as he transitions back to health. I'll be happy to get back to the studio and painting when I return to California.

I've seen some beautiful birds flying around here - have no idea what they are but they are spectacular - makes me want to paint birds. If time permits I hope to take pictures of some of the beaches and tropical settings around here. They'd make good subject matter to paint from when I make it back to the studio.

I expect my posts will be a little less often as there is a lot to do here for Dad and his home. Dad is 90 but is improving everyday. He reminds me of the John Wayne type - strong and quiet.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and Happy Father's Day!

Brain scans reveal the power of art

2011-05-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

I came across an interesting article via Lori Woodward from The Telegraph about brain scans and art. Evidently it was found that showing humans beautiful art increased blood flow as much as 10 percent - the equivalent of looking at a loved one. Here is the article below.

Brain scans reveal the power of art

Works of art can give as much joy as being head over heels in love, according to a new scientific study. By Robert Mendick, Chief reporter, The Telegraph, 8:00AM BST 08 May 2011

Human guinea pigs underwent brain scans while being shown a series of 30 paintings by some of the world's greatest artists. The artworks they considered most beautiful increased blood flow in a certain part of the brain by as much as 10 per cent – the equivalent to gazing at a loved one.

Paintings by John Constable, Ingres, the French neoclassical painter, and Guido Reni, the 17th century Italian artist, produced the most powerful 'pleasure' response in those taking part in the experiment.

Works by Hieronymus Bosch, Honore Damier and the Flemish artist Massys – the 'ugliest' art used in the experiment – led to the smallest increases in blood flow. Other paintings shown were by artists such as Monet, Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci and Cezanne.

Professor Semir Zeki, chair in neuroaesthetics at University College London, who conducted the experiment, said: "We wanted to see what happens in the brain when you look at beautiful paintings."What we found is when you look at art – whether it is a landscape, a still life, an abstract or a portrait – there is strong activity in that part of the brain related to pleasure."We put people in a scanner and showed them a series of paintings every ten seconds. We then measured the change in blood flow in one part of the brain."The reaction was immediate. What we found was the increase in blood flow was in proportion to how much the painting was liked."The blood flow increased for a beautiful painting just as it increases when you look at somebody you love. It tells us art induces a feel good sensation direct to the brain."

The test was carried out on dozens of people, who were picked at random but who had little prior knowledge of art and therefore would not be unduly influenced by current tastes and the fashionability of the artist.

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan measured blood flow in the medial orbitofrontal cortex, part of the brain associated with pleasure and desire.The study, which is currently being peer reviewed, is likely to be published in an academic journal later this year.

Professor Zeki added: "What we are doing is giving scientific truth to what has been known for a long time – that beautiful paintings makes us feel much better."But what we didn't realise until we did these studies is just how powerful the effect on the brain is."The study is being seized upon as proof of the need for art to be made as widely available to the general public as possible.

There is currently concern in the arts world that widespread budget cuts could affect accessibility while also slashing acquisition budgets."I have always believed art matters so it is exciting to see some scientific evidence to support the view life is enhanced by instantaneous contact with works of art," said Dr Stephen Deuchar, director of the Art Fund, the national fund-raising charity which has spent £24 million over the last five years helping to buy art for galleries and museums. Last month, the organisation launched a National Art Pass giving free entry to more than 200 museums and galleries and 50 per cent off entry to major exhibitions.

The Art Fund has pledged to increase its funding by 50 per cent to £7 million a year by 2014 to make up for widespread budget cuts in the arts world. The charity has been praised by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt for showing that "philanthropy can be about small as well as large donations".

Tomorrow's the Big Day

2011-05-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all Mom's!... and tomorrow kicks off my little exhibition at The Wine Bar in Harbor Village, Half Moon Bay, for the month of May. I'll have 15 paintings on exhibit - mostly seascapes.

I think my Mom Grace will be smiling down on us from heaven, and will be with us in spirit. She was a very creative and amazing woman.

Thank you Mom for all that you were, and all the love that you gave to us. We miss you dearly.

Meet me at the Pier

2011-04-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

As a young girl, living by the water on an island there were some nights that were magical.

I remember taking our friend Leslie back to the mainland in a boat at night, and watching the water sparkle as we splashed through the waves.

Night time on the water is such a magical time.

I am getting ready for my show at the Wine Bar, Half Moon Bay, for the month of May. We will be hanging it this Friday afternoon.

I plan to do a little sketch of where everything goes before hand - hopefully to scale. I don't want to wait till Friday to figure out where all the paintings go. I hope to have about 14 paintings all together.

I also want to print out a Price List, and mark prices on all my Prints for sale. They will all be reduced for the Art Reception on May 8th.

Come on out to the Show if you're in the area near Half Moon Bay, it runs for the month of May.
Link to The Wine Bar HMB

Redwood City Art Walk Branding

2011-04-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Just started working on some marketing pieces for The Redwood City Art Walk, May through September.

Besides the Logo, I will also design a Postcard, two different sized Posters, and some Feather Flags.

Including myself we will have over 75 artists participating, the 2nd Saturday of every month.

My art will be shown at La Tartine, 830 Middlefield Rd, for the month of June. Nice comfortable atmosphere, with good salads and delicious bakery items.

When I'm in Redwood City I enjoy going there for a little bakery treat.

Come on out and join us at the Art Walk for some good food, music and art. There will be FREE Trolley Rides to all Venues. Hope to see you there!

New Painting "Opal Ocean"

2011-03-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

This is my first painting using Diana's easel. The sky was not so hard, but when I got to the reflection it took a long time. I redid and redid the reflection.

All my pastels have turned gray now, and I can't see what color they actually are. Guess it's time to clean them up in some rice.

I have a show coming up at The Wine Bar in Half Moon Bay for the month of May. If you're in the area please stop by. It's steps from the picturesque Pillar Point Harbor, behind The Oceano Hotel.

Diana's Easel

2011-03-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

Last week I was presented with the beautiful special gift of Diana's easel from Janine. Diana and Janine are my step sisters.

Sadly Diana Leanza passed away unexpectedly last week. She was about my age.

Diana loved to paint, and was an accomplished artist even while holding down a demanding full time job. She also cherished her beautiful little dog named "Joleen". Joleen will now have a loving home with Janine and Brent in North Carolina.

On weekends Diana loved to fill up her Van with her paintings, travel to the many Art Fairs and Shows around California, and sell her beautiful work. Her work can be seen in many private collections, both here and abroad.

"She escaped into a warm and colorful world in her landscapes and still life impressions, and loved to portray these feelings to her viewer". Looking at Diana's art I can feel her joy, her energy, and her vibrant personality come through beautiful thick splashes of paint on the canvas.

Her strength, talent, kindness, and love will be always be remembered and shine through her beautiful art. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Leanza family.

I know Diana will be art directing me as I paint with her easel, and that my work will improve with the help of her inspiration. Diana we will miss you very much. God bless you.

You're Gone

2011-03-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

I recently received a wonderful gift of 3 boxes of Terry Ludwig Pastels, which I got to try out for the first time on this painting. It's amazing using those pastels - they are so soft - and different from what I'm used to. I really like them and I can't wait to use them some more. Mostly I have used Nu Pastel, Gallery Soft Pastels, and some other brands, but never these.

I'm getting ready for a show in May on Mother's Day at The Wine Bar in Half Moon Bay, and I hope to get some more work done to show there.

Why the World Needs Artists

2011-03-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

I came across this article "Why the World Needs Artists" recently in FineArtViews by Carolyn Henderson. I thought it was interesting and would like to share it with you. She is a regular contributing writer for Fine Art Views, and her freelance writing appears in regional newspapers, online magazines, and her humor blog, Middle-Aged Plague.

For the last two weeks on the FineArtViews site, there has been a lively discussion about whether or not artistic ability is an inborn talent. Because many respondents commented on the concept of God-given gifts, the issue segued smoothly into discussions of a religious nature, and I have followed the thread with interest, wondering when or if Clint Watson would have to step in and ask everyone to go paint now, please.

It is gratifying to see that such interpolation was not necessary, and that artists of varying religious persuasions have been able to communicate graciously with one another without resorting to shouting back and forth in capital letters. What is even more intriguing is to see that, regardless of the spiritual outlook of the various writers, a majority attribute their ability, talent, hard work, and discipline to some form of inner strength -- be it metaphysical, earth-based, self-based, Christ-based, God-based, or Higher-Power-based of some form.

What I see here extends beyond individual belief and doctrine to something more universal: an acceptance and pursuit of truth in its many forms.

When I was a teenager, I had a poster amongst the dozens on my walls that said, "The pursuit of truth will set you free -- even if you never find it."

As an adult, I look at this saying and think, "Sounds good at first, but actually it's kind of stupid."

There are so many truths in this world down here, that if you set out to find them and can't, then you're looking for baby formula in the liquor store.

Truth: Gravity. It exists; it's a law; it won't be defied. It's not difficult to find.

Truth: Death. Same qualifications as gravity.

Truth: Life forms need water in order to continue to be living life forms.

Truth: Honesty, integrity, compassion, beauty, patience, perseverance, determination, loyalty, peace, hope -- these are good things, and when we as humans strive for them, good things abound. These good truths are the basis of all religions worth following.

Conversely, the polar opposites of the aforementioned truths -- envy, hate, bitterness, laziness, despair, slyness, manipulation, horror, pride, and fear -- are traps that we can fall into regardless of what we believe, and pursuing these counter truths draws out the worst in us, mitigating or eliminating the good in any spiritually derived teaching.

Artists -- because of their sensitive, analytical, observant, and creative nature -- are uniquely poised to present truth to a world that cries out for it. While there is the stereotype that artists are flakey people, self-absorbed and mumbling to themselves in their garret studios, there is a streak of level-headed common sense that runs through their veins, and when they paint or sculpt or otherwise create images of the world around them, they are presenting the truths, or absence thereof, that they see.

Artists are the canaries in the mine, warning society that it is on the wrong track. They see where we are going before we get there; they see the good truths that can be and the bad options that entice. They promote and elevate the good truths so that others can grasp and understand it.

“What is art?” is one of those mystery questions that is as unsolvable as “Why do innocent children suffer?”

“What is not art?” however, is vaguely answerable:

Art is not something that promotes the counter truths, simply to glorify them or shock the senses.

With this in mind, it can be strongly argued that a "sculpture" of a crucifix soaking in a container of urine is not art, because its sole purpose is to dismay and damage. Ripping into another's core beliefs with such unbridled contempt and hate produces only more contempt and hate, something we don't need more of in this world.

If you are an artist, you have a divine commission, whether or not you believe in a divine power: You see truth.

You are uniquely capable of translating abstract truths onto canvas (or bronze, or into fine jewelry, or into words -- art is broad and far reaching).

In a society that promotes engineers and scientists as the highest forms of helpers to mankind, artists are not valued for the deep and abiding contributions they make to the human race, but don't be deceived: building bridges and developing treatments for cancer are vitally important -- but so is creating art.

The engineers and the scientists can't do it.

Only the artists can.

"Evening Fog" has a new home

2011-02-14T16:50:00.000-08:00

A lovely lady from Redwood City purchased "Evening Fog". She lived by the ocean for many years on the East Coast, and she said this painting brings back fond memories.

This image was in the late afternoon with the fog coming in over the sea, and the roar of the ocean was so loud it seemed to rattle right through me.

I am so thankful to my friends, patrons, and supporters who encourage me to continue in this wonderful new journey of art and creativity.

I am looking forward to designing some marketing materials for The Redwood City Art Walk which will be starting in May this year. Lots of wonderful creative accomplishments encompassing art, photography, jewelry and dance. More news of this celebration to come!

Santa Cruz Dusk

2011-02-10T19:45:00.000-08:00

This was the view on a drive back from Capitola one evening, so I stopped and took a photo. The sand was wet quite far into the shore, so the reflection of the sky was very pretty. The seagulls were off to the side, playing in the water, that was running in from a stream to the sea. This one was off by himself watching me, as I walked along the water.

I will have to find out the name of this lighthouse in the distance.

The Beach Path sold today

2011-02-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to say that The Beach Path sold today to a young woman that works in town. The M Coffee Shop display of seven paintings in downtown Half Moon Bay will be going on for the month of February.

I also had good news that there is a very interested buyer for the painting "Evening Fog", so perhaps that will sell as well.

I also designed an 11" x 17" Poster advertising the display, that I put in the window to attract people walking by. Max, the owner has been very nice, and supports emerging artists with showings at his family run Coffee Shop.

Oops, missed the turn!...

2011-02-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this scene on my beach walk a few weeks ago and took a photo (I had been wondering how to get closer to the boats so I could paint them on the water - but not on the sand!).

The story I heard was that the fishermen fell asleep after a long night of fishing, with the boat on "Cruise Control". Unfortunately when they awoke the nets were tangled in the propeller, and they were on their way into shore - seriously "into shore".

No one was hurt, and the Insurance is covering the project. And what a project! all kinds of trucks to haul fuel safely, security guards, big cranes, bulldozers, etc. populating the beach for several weeks. It's an all iron boat, with seams welded. Evidently some people from Alaska offered to buy it since iron boats are supposed to hold up well. They plan to cut the top off, and then tow the two pieces back to the harbor, and fix it back up over there.

So anyone have a good tittle for this photo? "Asleep at the Wheel"? "Riding the Dunes"? Comments welcome:)

Pescadero Sunset

2011-01-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

This is the sunset on my drive back from Capitola on my way home, along Highway 1 near Pescadero. It was just before the sun went below the horizon. This is my second sunset. I also may paint a recent sunset photo I took at Santa Cruz, showing a bit of the lighthouse there.

I have since changed it a little after this picture was taken. It is a 9" x 12" size. I'm starting to do some 9" x 12" paintings now for a change instead of just 11" x 14".

I had the good fortune to attend a free Demo at the SWA Gallery by the wonderful pastel artist Kim Lordier http://kimfancherlordier.com/about, whom I admire very much. I hope to post some information from her excellent Pastel Demo soon.

Her painting just got the cover of The Pastel Journal magazine. I enjoy reading the Pastel Journal but they have cut down the size of it to about half of what it used to be! I hope someday they will return to a decent size magazine for the $6.95 price.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

2010-12-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at a lighthouse from a photo my friend took a couple months ago. The lighthouse is still an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation using a 24 inch Aero Beacon. I would like to paint more of this area in the future. On that particular day the moon was not there, but I have seen days when it has been there in the sky like that. This was a crisp, clear day and the sun was out. Pescadero is about 45 minutes from my house down along the coast on the way to Santa Cruz.

Many tourists visit this lighthouse on their way down Highway 1. I met two young women who were from Australia, and they were riding their bikes down the coast until their money ran out. They had started their bike trek in Alaska.

New Painting "Remembering Susan"

2010-12-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

Sunsets remind me of Susan Hunt, a brave and beautiful woman who passed on in 2008. My friend Marilee took this photo and it is such a striking photo I asked her if I could paint it. This is a scene from Capitola, near Santa Cruz, CA.

I 'm excited that I have 3 shows coming up soon. February is M Coffee in Half Moon Bay, March is La Tartine Restaurant in Redwood City, and May is The Wine Bar in Half Moon Bay. I hope my muse returns so I have something to show!!! I currently have 7 paintings on display at The Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant.

I wish you all joy and prosperity in the coming New Year.

Collecting Original Artwork

2010-12-18T13:40:00.000-08:00

The following post is from a blog I read recently by Lori Woodward on this topic and I thought it gave some very good information about how to start collecting original artwork ( http://loriwoodward.com/blog ). Thank you Lori.

"Where and How to Begin

So, let's say you're interested in buying original art, but you feel uninformed and intimidated by art galleries and museums. If this is the case, I understand your dilemma completely - even though I am an art collector myself, I sometimes get the "cold shoulder" when I enter galleries -- I guess I don't fit their collector profile.

You can begin to develop your personal taste in art without ever having to go into a gallery. Here's an easy way... Next time you're at a large box bookstore, like Borders or Barnes and Noble, go to the art magazine section and take a look at: Southwest Art, American Art Collector, Art connoisseur,American Art Review, and Art and Antiques. I'd recommend buying several titles and looking through them in the comfort of your home.

When you have time to sit and flip through the pages, take a pad of sticky notes and bookmark any of the paintings that strike you. Don't analyze why you like it at this time, but if a painting gets the "Wow" factor, just place a sticky note there. If you're really brave, tear out the pages of the paintings you like and set them all side-by-side. Then take note of anything they have in common.

It might be a certain color scheme, subject matter, or style that attracts your attention. I advise you to not worry about whether your taste is good. That's the delightful thing about building a collection that resonates with your personality. There's art for everyone, and the diversity of style and subject matter exists to please every taste.
How To Buy An Original Work of Art

There are many places and ways to buy original artwork. Most major gallery districts reside in resort areas. These vacation places provide a great way to see many works within a few blocks' distance. I'm most familiar with Kennebunkport, ME - Bar Harbor ME, Manchester VT, Rockport MA, Stowe VT, etc. Out west, my favorite art haunt is Old Scottsdale AZ. The biggest problem about these resort areas is that it's very difficult to find a parking space.

If you're not familiar with gallery shopping, you might be surprised at the price of original artwork. Keep in mind these things: It takes many years for an artist to develop sufficient painting skill and a style of their own. Canvas and frames are expensive, sometimes costing the artist hundreds of dollars for a single painting. Many galleries take a 50% commission on sales, so the artist is getting less than half when you buy the work (because of their investment on materials and shipping).

Next article, I'll introduce you to some other venues where you can buy excellent art: Outdoor shows, Event Exhibits, Oil Painters of America Show, Salon Shows (not where you get your hair done), Artists' Websites, Online Galleries, and Artists' Open Studios. Unless you're ready to hop on a plane and go to the national events (which some of you might love to do), I suggest attending open studios, galleries, and art-group events within a 2 hour drive. These are fun, you get to eat free goodies, and meet the artists in a relaxed environment, and go out to dinner afterwards.

We'll also discuss shows and events where paintings are sold by draw.

Happy Collecting!

Sent From: http://loriwoodward.com "

Inspiring Video from Artist who found her niche and overcomes challenges

2010-12-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

I got an email from this artist and opened it....I'm so glad I did! Elizabeth Nelson has overcome some big obstacles, and has wonderful talent.

As a fellow graphic designer and artist I was inspired to view her video. Not to mention her fabulous studio her brother built - it's really a nice one!

Elizabeth's art is really amazing, and her perseverance is motivational. During this time when my art muse has gone on vacation it's a pleasure to watch her video.

Here's the link: Video about Elizabeth Nelson's paper art

"Waves at Rockaway" wins Award at SWA Oct/Dec Gallery Show

2010-10-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

"Waves at Rockaway" won an Honorable Mention Award at the Oct/Dec SWA Gallery Show in Redwood City. There were some excellent paintings in this show.

Other award recipients were Anneliese Drbal, First Place, Decker Walker, Second Place, Deborah Matlack, Third Place, and Anne Oseberg, Honorable Mention.

The Judges were Diana Jaye, SWA, Eddie Kirschner, SWA, and Jeanne Nordess, SWA.

I also designed the Show Flyer pictured here for SWA. The exhibition will be up until December 3rd. Please stop by if you are in the area - Pete's Coffee, several restaurants, and an art supply store are close by. The SWA Gallery is located at 2625 Broadway, Redwood City, CA.

"Seascapes" downtown HMB is now offering Giclee Prints of my work

2010-09-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy to announce that Seascapes in downtown Half Moon Bay will be offering limited edition Giclee Prints of my work.

Sharon, the store owner, is a delightful and charismatic person. She has a cute little store just next to Casey's Cafe. She has been there for over 15 years, and sells many "gifts from the sea". She has the most beautiful shell assortment I have ever seen.

If you're on the Coast check out Seascapes at 330 Main St., Suite 105, Half Moon Bay, CA, 94019, Telephone (650)712-8096.

SWA Pastel Demo by Deborah Matlack Part 1...a little background

2010-09-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

"There's no chalk in pastel!" I really enjoyed this demo by Deborah Matlack at the SWA Gallery in Redwood City today. I don't know why there are all these boxes that say "chalk pastel" - as Deborah mentioned there's no chalk in pastel! She said that pastel is the purest of mediums and has the least additives. Pastel comes from a Latin word meaning "paste". It's got three ingredients - pigment powder, water and a binder. Pastels from the 1600's still look good - very little fading. But like any other medium they should be kept out of direct sunlight.

The first comment about pastel by Da Vinci was recorded in 1495. Rosabella Carriera, an artist from Venice, born in 1675, was the first person to use pastels exclusively. She is thought to have pioneered the medium. In the 1800's pastel flourished with Whistler, Degas and Mary Cassatt. In the mid 1900's German born American painter Wolf Khan kept pastels alive.

At the end of the 20th Century there was a resurgence of usage and interest. In 1972 Flora Giffuni founded The Pastel Society of America. Now there are 67 Pastel Societies in the world. The oldest society was founded by Degas and Mary Cassatt in England.

New Painting " Waves at Rockaway"

2010-08-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

This painting is from Rockaway Beach in the afternoon. The sun was out and many families were enjoying a day on the beach. I tried to capture the beauty and movement of the water. I am looking forward to driving up to Auburn Saturday to attend the PSWC "Viewing the Show" with Margot Schulzke. And I will leave you with a quote "Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything" - Eugene DeLacroix.