Thomas Jefferson Kitts | Blog

Art is an Imperative...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:10:00 +0000

Well, that pretty much covers it.

Apropos of nothing else, my Essential Alla Prima Techniques workshop begins tomorrow. I expect we will have a good time and learn a lot...

Thomas

OutdoorPainter.com Highlights 'Moi'...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:55:00 +0000

The Heck with the Oscars!™

Because for just today it's all about me at

OutdoorPainter.com

(My Outdoor Painter acceptance speech)

"I want to thank my beautiful wife, without whom I could not have done any of this; my handsome son who still talks to me at the dinner table; my sweet precious little dog who's always happy to see me come home from the studio because it must mean it is dinner-time; my mom and dad and sister who never lost faith in me (except for that one time the family still won't talk about...); the few friends I still have left; any number of gallery owners who foolishly pinned their hopes on me over the past 28 years; my erstwhile lawn-guy and his unlicensed mortgage broker – hey wait, NOOOO! That isn't the music starting up yet, is it? – Oh my gosh... My nice neighbors who have never once complained about my odd working hours or about that time I laid down in the middle of our road in my bathrobe while the school bus went by – and wait, wait, NO!... I can't leave out the guy who installed my dishwasher last week, and, and, and most certainly not the pizza-delivery boy who smuggled art supplies to me every week while I was on the inside!...

Oh jeez, they're coming out from the back stage for me. Gotta go everyone! (grin)

But really, a heartfelt thanks to PleinAir Magazine!™

Thanks for promoting plein air work everywhere!

See you in Vegas!...

The Awe-Inspiring Work of Edgar Payne...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:29:00 +0000

But first, Last Call for my January Alla Prima Essential Techniques Workshop. (More information here.) We still have room for a few more participants, but if you want to join us for this year you must send me an email immediately as the workshop is January 27 - 29. This class will teach you how to work quickly, paint wet-into-wet, and how to maintain control of your color and values as you do so...

Here's a wonderful visual treat from the folks at Colorado Public Television. There will be an amazing show of Edgar Payne's work on display at the Pasadena Art Museum from June 3rd to October 12th, 2012. Many paintings I've never seen. I'll try to find out if the show will travel and if so get the schedule and post it here.

Edgar Payne: The Scenic Journey

Watch Edgar Payne: The Scenic Journey on PBS.

This special will follow painter Edgar Payne from his childhood in the Ozark Mountains, through his years in Chicago, and on to his discovery of the California landscape that became his lifelong inspiration. Produced in association with the Pasadena Museum of California Art, and created with the curators and scholars behind the touring exhibition of the same name.

From the Pasadena Art Museum website:

Edgar Payne: The Scenic Journey
June 3, 2012 – October 14, 2012

As part of its tenth anniversary celebrations, the Pasadena Museum of California Art is pleased to present the first major showing of Edgar Payne (1883-1947) in over forty years. One of the most gifted of the historic California plein air artists, Payne utilized the brushwork and color of Impressionism, but his powerful landscape paintings departed from the genteel refinement depicted by most Impressionist painters. He imbued his works with an internal force and an active dynamism achieved through majestic, vital landscape subjects and a bravura application of pigment. The exhibition will trace his artistic development as he traveled the world, finding magnificence in diverse settings, including the southern and central California coast, the Sierra, the Swiss Alps, the harbors and waterways of France and Italy, and the desert Southwest.

This exhibition has been curated by Dr. Scott Shields, with Dr. Patricia Trenton advising.

Edgar Payne: The Scenic Journey catalogue can be purchased online.
The exhibition catalog will run 272 pages and contain 120 full-color reproductions of Payne's work, with essays by authorities such as Peter H. Hassrick, Lisa N. Peters, Scott A. Shields, Jean Stern, and Patricia Trenton. This is going to be one awesome show!

And thank you Chase for bringing this to my attention!

Doing an In-store Painting Demo at Dick Blick Art Materials store in Portland...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:57:00 +0000

Hey blog-readers, this February I will be offering a free painting demo at the new Dick Blick Art Materials® store in Portland, Oregon...

Date and Time:
February 9th, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Location:
Dick Blick Materials Art Store, at
1115 NW Glisan, Portland, Oregon
Google map

Hey, did I mention it's free...?

I'll also let you in on a little secret: I am doing this demo with a new paint that hasn't been released to the market yet. Well okay, a limited set of this paint was released back in Spring of 2010 but the colors I'll be using for this demo are new.

Gamblin has been busy developing an extended range of FastMatte™ colors and I've been working with them behind closed doors for over a month. (Check the image at right) You know, paling with them to see what they can do. In the studio and out in the field... If you come to my demo you can be among the first to see this expanded line of alkyds in action. I am impressed with what they can do. They were originally designed to be a fast-drying underpainting for classical painters, but having the entire spectrum covered – including those all important earth colors – makes working with alkyds a realistic option for the alla prima and plein air painter. (You can read a review of the earlier FastMatte line here.)

So come by Blick Art Materials on February 9th to say hello. I'd be happy to meet you...

Also:

This is my (almost) last-call to sign up for my January's "Essential Alla Prima Techniques" Workshop. This is a three-day intensive class that will focus on what you need to know about the most direct form of oil painting. If you plan to jump into plein air painting this spring, or simply want to learn how to paint wet-into-wet then this is the class for you! My approach to teaching is encouraging and respectful but gets you to work. It won't be a 'boot-camp for painters' but you will graduate more fit than you were when you came in!

Details may be found here or up in the right column of this page.

Workshop closes next week.

Keep painting!

Thomas

Why Plein Air Painting Should Never Become a Competitive Sport...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:06:00 +0000

A little moment of fun demonstrating why it is not a good idea to get too competitive when out in the field.

The Artists from Giant Creative on Vimeo.

A tribute to Tim Bell and Stephen Griffin, a couple of friends who like to paint big canvases outside. Four feet by four feet and larger...

Hope to see you two guys again this summer at Easton!

Thomas

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There is still room in my "Essential Alla Prima Techniques" class coming up in January. If you want to join the group let me know soon, as spots are filling. For more details, check out the info in the right hand column. Or click here.

Claude Monet, Out Paintin' in His Garden...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:09:00 +0000

Here is Claude Monet, working it...

Three things about this video:

1. I'm guessing it was shot in the teens, during the 20th century, since Monet died in 1926. And look at his white suit. Not a spot of paint on it. Massive palette. Big brushes. Thick paint. Not a spot on him. And he's painting outside under the full sun in a white suit. Can this guy even see his canvas?

2. Look at the the wind in this clip. I don't know how he's anchored his huge canvas but it seems rock solid, as do the umbrellas that are shading his set-up. I want that set-up myself.

3. Check out his cheroot. How long has that ash tip been hanging? Sadly, Monet died of lung cancer. (And Steve, you might want to cut back on the cigs while you paint, eh? That turp and the damar you love are combustable...)

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I still have room for my "Essential Alla Prima Techniques" class coming up in January. If you want in let me know soon as spots are filling. Check out the info in the right hand column or click here.

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:48:00 +0000

Simply because it is so fun...

An art-related video from grantwoolard.

How many artist references can you get?

Enjoy...

Thomas

The 12th Annual American Impressionist Show...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Obviously, I am still trying to catch up after my hectic plein air season, but I wanted to share with you that presently have a figurative work in the American Impressionist Society show down in Carmel.

A big deal, actually. The AIS show opened a few weeks ago and remains up until November 15th, so if you are in the area there is still time to go see the work. The exhibition is being held in the Mountain Song Gallery, in Carmel, CA, which is located on Ocean Avenue, between San Carlos and Delores. (Really, that's the way addresses read in Carmel. That town doesn't seem to use actual street numbers. How 'twee' of it . . .)

Many of you may not know I have an extensive background in painting the figure, beginning in my early days as a professional illustrator.

I still make a habit of drawing and painting the human form from life on a regular basis, as it is the best artistic training there is for a painter, no matter what other subject matter may be preferred. And I have been working with the figure for over 30 years. I love doing so as it is so unforgiving. You can't fudge a figure. It is either correct or not. It either feels right, or not. To benefit the most from this kind of study you must paint from from life, not photos. I love that aspect as well.

This winter I will be offering a "Focus on the Figure" workshop in a friend's studio here in Portland Oregon. (see right sidebar). Something to consider if you are interested in 'upping your painting game' . . .

Here is my painting in the AIS show. Again, it was painted from life, in a rush within a three hour period, plus a few corrective touch-ups after the paint film had a chance to dry...

"Preparing to Go On"

18 x 24 inches | oil on canvas

The young girl is Ashley, one of our professional dancers in the Oregon Ballet Theater. This painting is still available for purchase. For more information please contact me directly.

Thomas

"There's no place like home, Toto..."

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:26:00 +0000

Okay, I am finally home from my 2011 plein air season and (almost) rested up. All in all, I competed in eight major events starting last May, and added three side trips for various commissions and exhibitions, taught two workshops, and judged one event. After crawling out of bed this morning I discovered I had posted a Laguna museum video from the gala soiree. (When and how the heck did I manage to do that? Man, the memory is going...)

So here is some of the work from the 2011 Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. But not all. Unfortunately something on my camera was set wrong when I shot the paintings so I had to torture them back into an approximation of what they actually look like. With one painting being completely overlooked (the QuickDraw), and one painting not surviving digital triage. (So you won't see it here. If I get a better shot someday, maybe then.) In any case, thank goodness for the digi-magic of Photoshop™.

"Comes with a View" Crystal Cove Cottages

20 x 16 | oil on linen

These cottages were erected during the early part of the 20th century and are now part of the Crystal Cove State Park. Unincorporated and quasi-legal at the time, a rich bohemian culture sprung up within this enclave until the state of California shut the place down in the '70s. Hard to find anything like it anymore in America.

"The Great Stone Church, Mission San Juan Capistrano"

18 x 24 | oil on linen

A different kind of structure. Erected in 1776 and destroyed by an earthquake soon after, the great stone basilica of Mission San Juan Capistrano was briefly the largest buildings of its kind in America. It is still something to see as it is constructed of mortar, field stone, and plastered with adobe. The structure you see here is the only (semi-) surviving dome out of seven that made up the church. The people in the painting are to scale.

"Inspiration Point" near Corona del Mar

20 x 16 | oil on panel

A stunning view along the coastline which ignites when the sun drops in the west.

Nature: One Echo after Another" (Victoria Beach, South Laguna)

24 x 18 | oil on linen

I give credit to my wife for the title of this painting and I hope I have not wasted it. Been saving it for years. I once came home from a painting trip and mentioned how I kept discovering similar forms repeating themselves in the landscape, shapes and movements which spanned rocks, water, clouds, trees, and so forth, but never appearing in quite the same way. She looked at me like I was stupid and said, "Yes Thomas, that's Nature for you – one echo after another."

Duh. So Zen, eh?

"Palms and Pickets" Crystal Cove

16 x 20 | oil on linen

This was my final painting during the competition week. At the end I was burnt out producing 10 large paintings and felt physically exhausted. I had three competition pieces in the can, and four reserve paintings for the second sale day, so I thought, "What the heck, everyone has left Crystal Cove for other locales so why not throw down a 'What the h*ll painting' and call it a day?" What is a WtHP, you ask? It's a painting you wouldn't normally do, and you just do it to see what happens. The subject was impossibly complex, I was fried, and well...what else are you going to do in that situation? Go home?

A little backstory: my wife has been after me for years to throw down more paint as I work and I was sitting in the bar sipping a Mojito, looking at the view, and reflecting upon her point. (When it comes to art she is always right.) I was also thinking how close I'd come to exceeding American Airline's suitcase weight allowance on my fly-down. I'd packed a bunch of big tubes of oil paint which totaled about 30 pounds, and when I checked my suitcase it was a mere 1/2 pound under the limit. So that afternoon I decided to paint a WtHP – and use as much paint as could be stuck to its surface, if only to lighten my load home. There is approximately 2/3 of a tube of Old Holland™ lead white on this canvas, plus the other colors you see, so this painting is thick. It's more frosted than it is painted. (On a rigid panel, okay? I'm not an idiot...)

How thick is it? When I checked my suitcase in at the AA counter on the way home it weighed 3 1/2 pounds less, and everything had been packed the same as it was on the fly-out. (I'm meticulous with my packing. It's an obsession.) I hadn't planned to exhibit this painting but decided to do so after a few of my plein air friends said I should. Up it went on the wall to a great response. So that makes it my heaviest painting, not counting the support and frame. Maybe I should try selling my art by the pound... (Ha!)

"The Adobe Garden"

Mission San Juan Capistrano

20 x 16 | oil on linen

Another painting at the mission. I could have stayed within the walls all week. There were so many paintings within a few feet of each other.

"The Bell Tower" Mission San Juan Capistrano

20 x 16 | oil on linen

Yet another painting in the mission. A few feet from the one above.

* * * * And my personal favorite from the week . . . * * * *

"The Sentinel", Aliso Creek, South Laguna

20 x 16 | oil on linen

Wasn't even going to paint it. Went to look at a place a friend painted the night before, saw the difficulty in setting up on a muddy flat, and creek that flowed out from the local sewage plant, but once I got in place I knew the scene would ignite once the sun sank low on the horizon. My favorite piece o' the week. Did I mention that?

And finally, even though I have already posted a video from the gala, apparently on the night of the gala, here are some more pictures for anyone who wants to see the tony event. We all looked so 'simply mahvelous'. We were all such 'dahlings . . .'

Some of my best friends are in it. It was a fine night.

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Coming up next: A painting currently on exhibited in the 12th Annual American Impressionist Show in Carmel, California. The last trip of the season.

That's all for Laguna, folks. It's good to be home. My wife thinks so too!

Thomas

Laguna Beach Gala Soire...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 08:43:00 +0000

YouTube Video

- Posted from my iPhone

2011 Laguna Beach, Day Whatever...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 06:33:00 +0000

Some pictures of me painting at Crystal Cove, north of Laguna. Thursday there was a mandatory paint-out and I painted two entries.

Tomorrow evening is the museum show opening. The gala soirée and such...

Guess I better clean up as well

Millions of termites hatching out as I paint this. Forgot to clean off kamikaze bugs when I was done. So I'll pick out all the wings when it goes up on the wall.

G'nite.

Thomas

- Posted from my iPhone

2011 Laguna Beach, Day Two

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:32:00 +0000

Painting at the mission again.

YouTube Video

- Posted from my iPhone

2011 Laguna, Day One...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:13:00 +0000

Today the competition starts. We began with a QuickDraw, starting at 11:00 am. Never the best light to paint in. I painted the 'Rockpile', down below the Laguna Art Museum . Its a local surfing break, although the waves weren't doing their thing at the time. It was high tide. Here is a quick snap:

Then, a quick bite with friends and off the Corona del Mar to paint another rock pile during tonight's sunset. I liked the outcome but need to work on my waves. There is an anatomy, a structure to a wave I haven't locked onto yet. Always something to learn, eh?

YouTube Video

Man, the weather is better than last year.

Good night!

Thomas

Laguna Beach 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 06:33:00 +0000

Too tired to post. Two paintings today.

Here is a video shot by Nile, from Southern Ireland this morning:

YouTube Video

Painting the Mission San Juan Capistrano. The original stone and adobe basilica. Destroyed in 1812 by an earthquake. Something to see first hand. Words cannot describe it. Fifty years to build, fifty seconds to fall. Still magnificent...

T

- Posted from my iPhone

In Laguna Beach Again...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:36:00 +0000

Arrived today and scouted around. Picked up my supplies, painting panels, and ordered frames for the museum exhibition at the end if the week

Then I went down to San Juan Capistrano to look around. Nice. Think I will do a little painting there tomorrow as as warm up.

Some fine things to paint!

Thomas

- Posted from my iPhone

Starting the Day Off Right...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:55:00 +0000

Ahhh! The morning coffee, before heading out to paint. Starving artist? Not for me...

T

(photo provided courtesy of my wife)

Paradise...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:55:00 +0000

Clearly I am working too hard...

Ha!

T

- Posted from my iPhone

Flew back to Telluride Yesterday...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:13:00 +0000

On another Beechcraft vomit comet over the Rockies...

Rough ride, but my wife and I are finally here. I'll be working a commission for the new few days, painting the Aspen in color, and taking time off to spend time with my wife, whom I haven't seen much of over the summer due to all my travel.

Here is our view for the next five days:

Nice!

Then, I am home again for three days before heading off to the 13th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational for a second time.

The fun never stops, eh?

Thomas

- Posted from my iPhone

Does Anyone Speak Dutch?

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:16:00 +0000

Ha! Curacao again...

I have no idea what this says. Can anyone help me out?

(click to enlarge)

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UPDATE to this post:

Here is what I was painting in the Amigo article:

Boats at Caracas Baai, Curacao

sold

11 x 14 | oil on linen on board

Translation provided by courtesy from Cynthia Roosberg, sister of Hellen Chirino – the woman behind Plein Air Curacao. Thank you Cyntha!

Headline: Landscape artists capturing Curacao on canvas.

Photo caption: One of the artists trying to capture the landscape of Caracasbaai, Thomas Jefferson Kitts.

Article text: This morning about 15 easels and artists appeared amidst the beachtowels and swimmers at the Caracasbaai. Plein air Curacao has taken off! Local and international artists will be working here untill sunset. This should provide entertainment for the public. The next few days the artists will try and capture the landscape at various locations.Wednesday they will be at the Santa Cruz, Thursday at the Hyat and Friday at Cura Hulanda.

The resulting art can be viewed and purchased at the Maritime Museum. On Saturday morning there will be a 4 hour long competition in Punda, Otrabanda and Scarloo. Participation is open to all and will cost 15 gld for children up to 18 yrs. Adults will pay 25 gld. Prizes will be presented in 4 categories at 13.30.

Categories are, local artists, foreign artists, ages 13 to 18 and aspiring young artist from 19 years on. On Friday and Saturday the students of Instituto Buena Vista and a number of patients of teh Capriles Clinic will work on a mural at the Rif Stadium. On saturday about 30 young children will be painting in Punda.

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It was a great event, and filled with kind people and interesting adventures! I hope to return to paint again next year...

Thomas

Curacao, in Motion...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:45:00 +0000

Here is a 7 minute video of my recent painting trip to Curacao for you all to enjoy. The background music is by Oswin Chin Behilia, who is singing "Curacao di nos e ta", which literally translates to "Curacao is Ours".

And after visiting the island and painting, I think I understand what he means:

As soon as I receive pictures from the group photographer I will post my paintings for you to see.

Thomas

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

It's Curacao, Baby!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:39:00 +0000

Bon Dia!

YouTube Video

Wow!

Won "Best International Artist" from Plein Air Curacao. (Best of Show. )

In the island airport now waiting for my flight home. Great fun. Wonderful people.

Full report soon, after I get some sleep and photos of my work from 'Paparazzi Steve'. (the cool guy in the pamama hat).

Until then,

Bon Bini!

Thomas

- Posted from my iPhone

Today's Curacao model...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:16:00 +0000

YouTube Video

Miss Sue. Amazing model. Held the pose like a rock!

- Posted from my iPhone

And later that sane night...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:49:00 +0000

If Hemingway painted:

(Photo credit, Steve Smith, plein air paparazzi)

One cigar long night painting.

Posted from my iPhone

Caribbean Workshop Today...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:46:00 +0000

After the class...

Everyone happy.

Me happy too.

Thomas

Posted from da iPhone

Night...

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Kitts) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:26:00 +0000

Left to right:

Hai-Ou, Larry, Stephen, Roger, Steve,and me behind the iPhone.

- Posted from my iPhone