Tom Francesconi Workshop

Figure Study

by Liana Yarckin

Late Lunch

by Liana Yarckin

Call me last minute Liana.  I lucked out and got to take Tom Francesconi's workshop at the last minute.  I knew I wanted to take it earlier in the fall, but, I thought my schedule was too busy so I did not sign up.  Then, the morning before the workshop I emailed asking if there was a spot for me, if so it was meant to be.  I was so happy to open the response with the words, "it was meant to be, we had a cancellation."  

Not only is Tom an awesome artist, he is really a great teacher.  The light bulb went off for me so many times in his 3 day workshop.  The above two paintings I did in his class.  I had a lot of "likes" on Late Lunch on my facebook page, less on the figure study.  Ironically, the figure study is what sings to me and what I am striving towards.  My husband asked why do I want to paint like that.  I am really attracted to the light in the painting.  My eyes keep moving around completing the picture in my head and never getting tired of the things I see.  

I do like Late Lunch, too, however, in comparison to the figure study above it, my eye just keeps going to the figure study.  Do you have any thoughts?  Which one are you drawn to, if any?

Have a great week.  I appreciate eveyone's thoughts and emails.  

Dallas Scenes and a nice surprise

Bridge at Exall Lake

11x14

by Liana Yarckin

How lucky was I?  My preschooler did not have school on this past Monday.  As I drove him to his friend's house, I saw a group of artists painting on Lakeside.  After dropping off my child, I went back to talk to the artists.  I asked them if I could please paint with them, it was a gorgeous breezy day and painting alone is so lonely.  I blew off my errands and ran home to get my supplies.  

Not bragging, but, I am so pleased with my painting - it is the fruit of plein air painting.  What I love about plein air, aside from being outdoors, is that you have to be quick as the sun is moving and the scene is changing.  I feel like even in plein air value studies, the feeling of the scene is captured.  This painting sings to me and encourages me to want the feeling of this result more.  So calling all Dallas artists, who wants to plein air paint on Fridays?

The surprise for me.  I knew I was going to be one of the artists in the book, Visual Language I, 2012.  When I went to the website and previewed the book, look what I found!  My painting is on the inside cover page of the book!!!!!!  If you want to see it, press here and go to page 4 of the preview.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support and encouragement, both artists and friends.  I feel like I have had so many blessings, one of the blessings is you.  Connecting and sharing with you is the reward.  Have a great week!

Beach Scenes by Liana Yarckin

A September Morning

11x14 watercolor

Here is something a little different from my usual bright colors.  I took this photo in Cape Cod.  We were boarding the ferry to go to Nantucket on a cool, dreary morning.  I was attracted to the size of this boat and how strong it looked on this morning in the rain.  I did use masking so that I could have freedom with the background.  I may try this technique again, but, instead of masking I will try to scrape out the ropes and lift where the poles of the boat are.  

SWS 49th Annual Juried Member Show

Linda Franklin
Second Place

Mary Emerson
Edgar A. Whitney Award

Pat Kochan
Carolyn Hollabaugh BAC Award

Just some of the paintings in the show

Me and my mom

Last Saturday evening was the Southwestern Watercolor Society's 49th Annual Juried Member Reception.  The show is running until October 19, the gallery is open everyday except Sunday.

I already mentioned in a previous post that the paintings are really amazing.  Artists from Florida to California entered.  The reception was very crowded and there were so many artists friends to talk to and to meet.  I didn't take any photos until after the reception when it was almost empty.  The painting on top by Linda Franklin is my absolute favorite.  LOVE these colors and the pattern makes my eyes want to keep looking all around the painting.  Some small world tidbits:  

all 3 of my watercolor teachers won awards, that would be:

Jane Jones, Naomi Brotherton and Pat Kochan

I was reunited with a long lost painting pal, Mary Emerson.  She had talked me into 

taking my first week long workshop out of town with Ken Hosmer.  AND I bought the first

painting she ever sold!  It is still hanging in my house.  When I saw her name on the painting, I wondered if it was the same Mary Emerson.  She looks the same and she remembered me.

My dear artist friend, Anne Beletic was in the show, too.  We had met at a workshop long ago.  Then she recognized me at the playground when our children were just toddlers.  It turned out that our kids would go to school together to this day.

I do love this art community that I am so fortunate to be a part of.  My mom got to come to the show because she happened to be in town.  She is an artist, too.  I am so glad I got to share this with her.  My sweet little 4 year old fell asleep in the car and slept through the entire event despite how noisy it was.  When we got home he asked, "Are we going to the art show?"

More pics from the art show.

Sisters and their dog - in progress

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  Yesterday morning I woke up to wet sidewalks and cloudy sky which brought a giddiness to me.  Yes, I was thrilled it was raining.  I don't know why, but, when it rains it seems that everyone kind of slows down.  For me, that means I can stay in my pajamas and paint all day.  

Above is a portrait of two sisters with their dog - in progress.  It is on a 22x30 full sheet of watercolor paper.  It is hard to get a decent photo when the paper is so large.  Also, the wells of the warping paper create shadows onto itself.  I have a long ways to go on this portrait.  When I work on portraits, I like to go slow and step back for a day or so.  The tiniest change in color or value can make such a difference, either good or bad.  In this case, I am not happy with the cheek lines on the little girl on the right.  I am so disappointed with it I don't know what to do.  Portrait artists out there, help.  My other issue is, I don't know what the background color should be.  Usually, it develops on its own if I don't have an idea before painting.  This time, there is so much background and a long ways to go.  I welcome all suggestions.

Have a great week and stop by to see me at the SWS Art Show this Saturday if you are in the area.  

Art Reception

I hope all is well with you.  I dropped off my painting last Saturday for the Southwestern Watercolor Society's 49th Annual Exhibit and was literally blown away by the amazing paintings lining the floor waiting to be hung.  It was a juried competition so I am very excited that my painting was accepted in to the show.  

You are all invited to the reception

Saturday, September 22

6:30-8:30

Plano Family Arts

4017 Preston Road

I know it is far away for most Dallasites, if you happen to be in the area, come celebrate with me!  I promise you, you will be very impressed with the level of art at this show.  My mom and little 4 year old will be there, too, as well as all of the artists in the show.

Even if you cannot make it, I do appreciate your constant support at the local Dallas shows, the referrals from you and your comments here, on facebook and via email.  The biggest reward to me is the connection my paintings make between us.

Have a fabulous weekend!

City Scapes by Liana Yarckin

The Marquee

11x14

Happy back to school!  One week for me.  Hopefully, I can get into a good painting routine again.

I have been wanting to paint this image since it was under renovation.  I have photos of it with cranes and construction workers thinking I would paint it back then.  The Village Theatre located in Highland Park Village was always a theater, but, with the renovation, they created a super glam place for a night out.  First, the marquee (actually for the restaurant and bar named, The Marquee) was turned into a glamorous viewing deck or pedestal if you will.  When you are walking in the village you look up and see a crowd of people encased in the glass railings, smartly dressed, having cocktails and enjoying each other and the view.  It makes me want to go up there immediately.  So that's why I say a pedestal.  It feels like a throw back to old Hollywood, beautiful people with martini glasses in hand, standing up there to be seen and admired by the pedestrians below.  Another way I can describe it, is the idea of climbing out your window and making a cozy little space on top of a flat roof.  It's found space, a viewing deck or one's private getaway.  

Please don't misinterpret my description, when you live in Dallas, away from the ocean, the mountains, tall palms or tall pines, you have to make the best of what you have.  Architecture, getting dressed up and sitting on a marquee could be that mountain top sometimes.  

This painting has inspired me to want to paint plein air around town.  So any Dallas artists reading this, please contact me.  I want to put a plein air group together to paint once a week. 

Have a great Labor Day to my American readers!  

Beach Scenes by artist Liana Yarckin

22x30

original watercolor

by Liana Yarckin

I had so much fun painting the last group of seals that I painted another seal.  We saw this little guy in Chatham Harbor.  He and his 5 or 6 buddies were having fun swimming for the morning crowd.  An hour and a half had gone by before we knew it watching them.  They would come mostly on their backs and show their bellies to the sun.  It was really relaxing watching them swim and float with such ease.  The water was truly clear so that you really could see their bodies in the water.

So.... what should I name this painting?  Do you have an idea?  Morning Swim, Cool Waters, Self Reflection?  This painting makes me think of the cold water that I have dipped in only briefly.  Because the water is so clear, it always tempts me to go in, but, it is soooooo cold.  It is refreshing, but, I always stay in for under 5 minutes.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on titles and the painting!

Beach Scenes by artist Liana Yarckin

King of the Bell Buoy

15x22

My son and I were so lucky to get to spend some time in Newport Beach with his best buddy from school.  Aside from the mild temperatures, enjoying everything alfresco, walking on Balboa Island (I took tons of pics. for paintings of these charming streets), hanging out with good friends and dinner on the beach, we were so lucky to see these seals.  Some friends took us on a boat ride all around the marina.  The highlight of our boat ride for not only our little ones, but, I think it brought out the child in all of us, was riding out to the bell buoy to see these seals.  We were able to get very close and hang out for a bit to watch these cute guys swim and hang out on the bell buoy.  I cannot say that they were sunbathing.  There was such a thick mist in the air.  They call it June Glooms and it was still hanging around on this morning even though it was mid July.

From the artist's point of view, although the original photo shows the entire bell buoy with several seals and even a seal swimming in the water, I focused on this group of seals for this painting.  I did want to keep enough of the buoy in so that those familiar with the area would know exactly where this was when they see it and also, I liked the contrast of these wild creatures on this hard man made structure.  

I painted the seals with quinacquidone gold, yellow ochre, brown madder, french ultramarine blue, cobalt blue and a mixture of permanent rose and Winsor Blue.  The red in the buoy has about 5 different shades of orange to red.  This painting is twice the size of most of my paintings.  I felt like the size was necessary for the subject.  I did enjoy having a larger area of paper to mix my colors on.  In addition, I did use a 1 1/2" flat brush for most of the painting.  

Thanks for visiting and / or thank you to my email subscribers for taking the time to read my thoughts and emailing me yours.

Home Portraits by Liana Yarckin

11x14 watercolor

by Liana Yarckin

11x14 watercolor 

by Liana Yarckin

Above are two house portraits I did in May and forgot to post.  The painting on top was commissioned as a gift for her husband's 50th birthday.  The timing was perfect because they had just completed renovating this home using "green building".  This means the home is environmentally responsible and resource efficient.  Aside from being friendly to the environment, the materials used and the HVAC system both protect and improve the occupants' health and productivity. 

The painting on the bottom was commissioned for a Mother's Day gift.  This house is the definition of charming.  It truly is one of my most favorite homes.  I love all of the details, the stone work, the windows, the iron window boxes, the gorgeous ironwork on the door and then the perfect lavender and white petunias overflowing in the window boxes.  

If you would like to commission your home, vacation home or a gift, please contact me for details.  I offer 11x14 watercolors or 8x10 pen and inks at reasonable prices.  To see a  collection of home portraits by me, visit my Facebook page or website.

Have a great week!

Conch Shell Abstraction Complete

Conch Shell

16x20 watercolor

by Liana Yarckin

 Painting Area one day on vacation

A lobster roll from J.T.'s Seafood, check out that claw

I finally finished the conch shell abstraction.  It was a fun and liberating experience.  Finishing it in my studio got me lost in the zone.  I continued painting in the grid with gradations, then at a stopping point, I noticed it was two equals - water and shell.  I decided to work on the shell so that it would pop out as the star.  I left the white strips because they reminded me of the sunlight reflections in the water.  I was trying to show a conch shell in beautiful clear moving water like the water in Turks and Caicos where it is so aqua, yet, see through to many several feet below.  Several shades of aqua blue with white sand far below and reflections of bright sunlight.  Please read my last post to get the full story of the abstraction process.

I am thrilled that we got to go on our annual Cape Cod trip to visit my husband's family.  Normally, we stay for a long time and I get to crank out a bunch of paintings, but, this year we did things a little different.  With my kids at camp, my husband and I went to Montreal.  This was such a fantastic trip.  The highlight was riding the rental bikes that are on every corner all over to see the sites.  We were lucky to eat delicious French food and go to the comedy festival that happened to be in town.  Then we drove to Maine to pick our kids up from camp.  Our road trip included stops in Burlington, VT and Kennebunkport, ME before ending up at the Cape.  So in other words, I had a blast, but, did very little painting.

I had to post a pic of a lobster roll from J.T.'s Seafood because of the last post from photos taken the previous summer.  I promise I am not on commission or an owner of J.T.'s, but, take a look at that lobster claw.  The best lobster roll I had this trip was at The Colony in Kennebunkport, though.  

Despite not painting much, I took several photos of cafes, sailboats, flowers and anything that made me say, "ooh, i want to paint that."  Where are your summer travels taking you?  If it is summer in your parts of the woods, that is. 

As always, thanks for visiting and your comments and thoughts make me smile.

Cafes from Cape Cod and Dallas

Lobster Rolls at JT's Seafood

11x14 watercolor

by Liana Yarckin

Selected for the Artists of Texas Fourth Annual Show:

Lunch in the West End

11x14 watercolor

by Liana Yarckin

buy here

No matter what the temperature is outside, everyone always enjoys a meal with friends alfresco.  Here are two more paintings for my cafe series.  In order to be considered for my cafe series, umbrellas are key!  Umbrellas or a trellis of vines.  


The painting on top is of JT's Seafood.  They have the best lobster rolls.  I first saw the umbrellas and crowds of people when we were driving by on Route 6A several years ago.  The traffic was heavy and traveling at a good pace that it was difficult to get my husband to turn the car around so I could take some photos.  Photos would have to wait for another summer.  I found my way back to Route 6A and took photos of JT's and the much photographed Brewster General Store.  Little did I know that we would end up spending time in Brewster for the next two summers.  Now I have several photos of JT's from all angles taken while we waited for our food.  It is funny how things in life can make a full circle.


Lunch in the West End is inspired by the West End in Dallas.  The West End is a popular place for tourists to go when visiting Dallas.  A nice little walking area in Downtown full of restaurants, shops and live entertainment.  I really liked the shadows coming around the building here.  The red brick arch marks the entrance of the West End.

PLEASE VOTE FOR OUR FELLOW BLOGGER FRIEND

My dear blogger friend, Sandra Busby, has a chance for her painting Sherlock to be on the cover of the art catalogue, Ken Bromley Art Supply.  Sandra is such a talented artist and has a wonderful series of teddy bear paintings.  Here is Sherlock:

To vote: click on this link , Sandra's name is right under the picture.  It would make a darling cover.

Abstraction Study

work in progress 

by Liana Yarckin

I am working on this abstraction of a conch shell using a fracturing technique.  I have been wanting to create paintings of these conch shells that my husband and sons picked from the ocean floor a few years ago.  They are giant and heavy, but, it reminds me of the conch shell my grandparents had in their home long ago in which they used as a door stop.  I was just a toddler and my aunt and grandparents would hold it to my ear and tell me, "if you hold this to your ear, you can hear the ocean."  I think they would even say that, "so even if you are not at the ocean, with this shell, you can always hear the ocean."  Unless that is something I have made up now as an adult.  


I decided to do this abstraction for several reasons.  One, I wanted to capture or remind the viewer of the clear blue moving water in which the shell was found.  Two, isn't their a famous conch shell painting?  Just of the conch shell in the middle of the page.  I googled it, but, could not find it.  If you know which painting I am talking about, please let me know.


About the technique, first I drew the shell using mine as a model.  Then I used one of Pat Kochan's templates to create the abstract pattern over the shell.  She has several templates to chose from, but, when I saw this one, it felt right.  I feel like it echoes both shell and moving water.  We will see where this goes.  So far it has been both fun and challenging to paint.


Thanks for visiting and for your thoughts!  Have a great week wherever you are.

Latest Painting and a Bit of Good News

Days of Innocence

11x14

Here is a painting of where I wish I was.  On the beach with my feet in the sand, the hot sun feeling good because of the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves!  Instead, for the time I am in hot, hot, hot Dallas trying to stay cool and hanging out with my kiddos.  My precious little one did get a hold of a piece of 300lb. watercolor paper that I was going to paint on next.  He colored ninjas on one side and a force field on the other side!!!!  


For the painting above, I created the image from a photo of the two girls playing in the sand at the Dallas Arboretum.  I had the trees and shrubs drawn, but, I couldn't bring myself to paint the greens.  So I decided to turn it into the beach.


Buy Here

Accepted into the Southwestern Watercolor Society 49th Annual Juried Exhibit

The big, exciting news is, I found out that Summer has Arrived (above) was accepted into the SWS Annual Juried Exhibit!!!!  If you read Carrie Waller's interview with me, one of my goals was to be accepted into a juried show.  I cannot believe I got in.  I am honored and feel so justified and inspired to paint, paint, paint!  I realize the other side of the coin is that it is just one person's opinion and if it were a different juror, maybe, my painting would not have gotten in.  But, either way, it shows how this artist (me), can be made so happy if just one person likes her work.  There is no "Buy It" button here because I kind of want to hang on it to it for now.  


If you would like to see the other selected paintings for the show, visit here.  One of my favorites is the alligator on the second page, but, I have a lot of favorites.  The physical exhibit will be in September.  I will post details for it closer to the date.  


Try to stay cool where you are.  And thank you all so much for your encouraging words!

Beach Scenes by Liana Yarckin

Pelican Sunbathing

detail

 Pelican Sunbathing

15x22

Buy here

Photo by Ophelia Kehoe

I started this painting in March and then had some real fun with it this past Tuesday!  The painting is inspired by the photo which was taken by my Aunt.  It is a pelican on a boat in Corpus Christi.

I was kind of uninterested with how my first wash came out.  I knew I needed to get darker behind the pelican.  I liked the reflections in the water, too.  I do not know how it entered my head but, I turned the painting sideways and started dripping various shades of blue paint onto the painting.  I had wax paper over the pelican to protect it from the running paint.  This was so much fun!  I like the way it came out. I truly felt like I was playing.  I like the cropped version.  The beauty of framing, you can have the mat cut to show whatever you want.

Thank you for all of your comments and emails for the last post on the water lily.  I have started a drawing for another painting inspired by a newspaper ad.  It has a boat in a marsh, however, I am adding lilly pads!

Water Lily by Artist Liana Yarckin

Water Lily I

15x22

Every time I see water lilies, I stop and take photos for a painting one day.  Well, here is the first watercolor I do from my photos.  This came about from Pat Kochan's class.  We were approaching abstracts  by applying a grid or some other type of pattern to our painting.  I created a random grid and one of my water lily photos.  I did not paint in the water because at the moment, I really like the white of the paper.  The painting is very bright in person compared to how it looks on my computer screen.

Let me hear from you.  Do you have any thoughts on this painting - done or should I paint the water?  What are you painting?

Hope you are staying cool where you are.

Liana Yarckin - Cafe Series

Lunch at Angel Tube Stop

14x18

It has been busy, busy, busy with the kids out of school for summer.  Fun, but, busy with little time to paint, much less keep up with all of the business side promoting one's art.

Here is number 11 in the Cafe Series.  I am really liking the color mingling going on in the right corner of the picture.  By doing this series, I am getting less afraid of painting crowds of people.  The photo that inspired this painting is from 2001.  I have stacks of photos of cafe scenes, street scenes and crowds of people that I have been saving for the day I had the courage to paint them.

I will mention that I have been frustrated with the quality of my images on the computer.  I am using the same camera, but, I switched to a Mac in December.  I feel like iPhoto is not keeping accurate color or sharpness that is the actual photo.  When I look at my posts before December, I feel that the quality of the pictures is so much closer to the real life image.  Does anyone have thoughts or advice on this?

Stay cool and please check back to see a new subject I just finished painting - it is NOT a cafe scene!

p.s.  I am exhibiting in 2 shows right now:  One Gallery and Manske Library.  These are group shows and the collections are quiet interesting.

Give a Liana Yarckin Original for Father's Day

 Buy Amen Corner

Buy Covered Bridge

 Buy Sailboats  Framed.

 Buy Jagged Beach

 Buy Sunset Sail

Buy Strong Waves

Buy Stoli Doli and Friends

or Commission your very own original

The painting above was commissioned by the daughter, the painting is of her father and her two brothers.

Excuses at the Cafe

Excuses

11x14

First, I am thrilled to let you know that I was interviewed by Carrie Waller.  Please go to her blog to read it.  I do enjoy reading her interviews because I learn interesting tid-bits about artists I follow.  Carrie's art is amazing.  My words cannot even begin to explain her unique style.  Carrie, a big thank you for interviewing me, I am honored.

Sometimes, you just don't know what is going on when you are trying to take photos of your favorite cafe discreetly.  This is Neighborhood Services on Henderson in Dallas.  I love how they have a white rose arbor over the patio area.  I was trying to take photos of this gorgeous arbor quickly since my family already left me behind headed to the car.  After I upload the photos to my computer I saw this couple in the photos.  Maybe he was late, again, or who knows.  I could just see that she was not happy with his explanation.  Originally, I was not going to paint them in my "cheerful" cafe scene, but, then I thought, why not.  Life is full of disappointments.  Sometimes we are disappointed by someone in our life.  I like the body language and wanted to recognize that life is not always made of only good moments.  Whatever happens with this pair, we know that they will encounter many more good times and bad together or not.

Today is our last day of school.  Have a happy summer everyone!  Hopefully, I will still get to paint and blog.  Oh, before I forget, I have some work on exhibit at Gallery One at Highland Park Presbyterian Church for the summer.  Another exhibit will be at the Richardson Library starting on June 2nd.

p.s. on the interview - 5 things hope to achieve, I forgot to mention camp in the Grand Canyon with my family and visit the Pyramids!

Paris Cafe

This is number 9 in the cafe series.  By doing these cafe scenes I have been able to focus on letting the colors mingle to imply the crowds and the details versus painting every tiny detail.  I have noticed that I really like painting in several washes, layer over layer.

Should I title this "Morning Coffee" or "Table for One"?  Table for One sounds lonely, but, I don't think he is lonely at all.  In fact, I would love to be him, sitting there sipping my coffee and watching everyone go off to work.  He is just enjoying his coffee and not in a rush.  Ironically, the rush is coming to an end with the school year ending and I am finding it hard to down shift out of the fast pace.  I was able to paint most of the day yesterday which is good, but, just weird adjusting to quiet and not rushing around.

Have a great week.   Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!