New Equine Artworks

Braze 48″x 48″

I’ve been painting and sculpting up an Equine storm of new works, ever since my workshop at the Beatrice Wood Art Center.  All clay horses survived the first kiln firing with amazing results.  More pictures will be added in the next few weeks.

The Equine Sanctuary in Ojai has become a new compassionate interest of mine and I have committed to donate 10% of equine artwork sales to the incredible non-profit.  Also in the works is an “Equine Lovers”, juried art exhibit at the Ojai Center for the Arts, slated for Feb. 2012.  This April, I will show case my new equine artworks in the Beato (Beatrice Wood) showcase at the Ojai Center for the Arts.
And by Feb. 9th; installing 10 bales of Hay the Kindergarten class has donated at Monica Ros School, for the Kindergarten’s 100 days of School Celebration.  Learning to count by 10’s to 100, 10 bales of hay will feed 100 horses.  The bales will be donated to the Equine Sanctuary.

Here’s a new poster design for the equine sanctuary.

So, in short, I’ve been doing a lot of horsing around in Ojai in more ways than one!!!  I love this community….

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Wailing Wall Painting Adorns US Air Base Chapel in Southwest Asia

Just in time for the Holidays, my “Wailing Wall” painting arrived in Southwest Asia Chapel to be installed in the lobby of an undisclosed US Air Base location; to receive prayer requests.  The Chapel staff holds 21 weekly worship services and approximately 30 weekly spiritual studies, ultimately ministering to and meeting the spiritual accommodations of approximately 5,000K+ troops on a monthly basis.

It is an Honor to have my artwork be of service to the Brave.  Hopefully it will give an assurance of hope, love and peace.  While creating the painting I felt an over whelming feeling of compassion.

I send many Blessings to all that serve for the goodness of all.  May peace and love be in your hearts, always… Happy Holidays!

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Ojai Center For the Arts

COLD WINTER DAYS * COLD WINTER NIGHTS  Dec. 4- Jan. 6, Reception Dec. 5th,  from 1-3pm

Give the artists an unjuried theme show and the results are a diversity of texture, techniques, subject and emotions; all reflecting the creative strengths of Ojai.  The installation was a bit of a challenge to hang because of the variety and quantity of pieces but after several configurations, fine tuning and with the patience of Richard Franklin assisting with the installation, the show at the Art Center is exquisite.


Michele Pracy, the fabulous new Director of the Ojai Valley Museum, enthusiastically selected the top Coldest to Cool Awards for this season’s open unjuried exhibition.
Coldest (1st Place) Karen Lewis, Winter Chairs, oil on canvas,  in above photo.

Colder (2nd Place) Marilee B. Allen, Red River, oil

Cold (3rd Place) Harvey Steinberg, Ice Dinosaur, a frozen drips icicle photograph.

Carlos Grasso, “Winter Light”, Acrylic, Honorable Mention, above photo.

My painting, “Kitch Up” mixed media, Honorable Mention from my new Equestrian series, above photo.

Susan Guy, “Ute Trail - Rocky Mountain National Park”, oil on canvas, Honorable Mention

And I was very impressed with Tom Hardcastle’s, “Isolation”, oil on canvas… (Totally Cool - People’s Choice to be announced)

Sculpting at Beatrice Wood Art Center, Ojai

Allison Newsome “Once Fire Ceramic 4 day Workshop” was outstanding, inspiring and an explosion of creativity.  Her “no rules” and spontaneous techniques were perfect to untap the impulsive flow.

Working with a nude model outdoors, I loved exaggerating the form.

The workshop sparked a new beginning  series of sculptures and paintings.  I’ll always remember new born foal Ember, her long wobbly legs with big knocky knees and skin clinging to hallowed bones and when she reached around to nibble her butt, her legs were so distorted, I thought for sure she was going to fall over.  And so this pose “Got An Itch” is the bud for my new sculpture series I’m developing at the Beatrice Wood Art Center.

I highly recommend as an once in a lifetime opportunity to take a workshop to experience Beatrice’s sparkling eyes, smile and creative spirit, along with the amazing views, incredible setting, wonderful galleries and the Director Kevin Wallace and his wife Sheryl cusines are savory works of art.  To be served at the Blue Table where Marcel Duchamp and other great ones have enjoyed exquisite joyful dining, opens the table for delicacy and enchanting conversation.

I felt like I was in a magical dream.

To be continued…….

“OJAI Studio ARTISTS Tour” October 9th-10th

Come visit my studio and gallery filled with new Plein Air paintings, experiemental photography, sculpture and large scale landscape and Chinese brush paintings.

I’ll also have plenty of greeting cards and smaller prints for your memoir of the tour.
For tickets and details please visit Ojai Studio Artists.

Painting via Mediterranean Crystal Cruise

Artist Anne Trusty and I are going on an amazing inspirational journey in Grand style on board the most beautiful ship at sea, the Crystal Serenity

I always wanted to sail the Greek Islands and dreams do come true.  Hopefully I will return with several painted panels, many sketches and photographs.

BON VOYAGE

PS… if you would like to join us or reserve a future cruise, please contact me.

Ventura/Ojai Arts Early Summer Tour

“Carne II” Plein air oil painting on panel 8″ x 10″ ©2010  Freeman

THE HEART OF THE ARTIST
Explore the arts in Ventura and Ojai June 4,5, and 6 hosted by Emily Thiroux and Ron Threatt.
I will have an open studio from 11am - 5pm on Saturday June 5th.
Call 310 200-3027 for directions.

*Friday Afternoon in Ventura, Champagne reception meet the artists
*Friday Night in Ventura, WAV, Working Artists in Ventura, Bell Arts Factory, Stoneworks Studio

*Saturday in Ojai, visit artists studios Sandy Wolk, me and Teal Rowe, Ojai Art Center, Firehouse Pottery

*Sunday Morning Brunch at My Florist restaurant in Ventura, 1-4pm Coil Basket Class with Emily

For complete weekend tour and registration call Emily Thiroux for more information 661-428-3610

Ojai Center for the Arts

“INspirations” Paintings & Photography March 6-31, 2010 Reception Sunday, March 7, 1-3pm 113 South Montgomery Street, Ojai, CA 93023 “BlossOming Muse” © 2010 Digital Photograph, 20″ x 16″, A single explosion of vibrational beauty was blossoming on the hillside terrace at Glen Muse. Ojai Center for the Arts, will host a series of my paintings and photography in their Fireplace Room for the month of March.  On exhibit in the Main Gallery will be paintings by Santa Barbara Artist Laurie MacMillan. On exhibit will be photographs taken during Glen Muse Open House this past Thanksgiving during the Yuletide Madrigali performance. “Madrigali Muse” is a photograph captured outside looking in, at the event.  “There was something very mesmerizing and intriguing viewing the event from outside through a curtain of antique leaded glass.” On March 13, Monica Ros School is having their big fundraiser “Evening Bash”.  Jim Cherry and I donated “BlossOming Muse” for the Fine Art Auction.  Please visit the website to bid and buy tickets! (link to come shortly) Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave. “Awesome Art” Ojai High Schools Annual Exhibit, March 4 - April 11, Reception Thursday, March 11, 4-6pm Join us and meet new Museum Director Michele Ellis Pracy.  My art will be on exhibit for being one of the three judges.

“Agave Silver Mist Trio”, Digital Photographs

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Plein Air Painting with Dave Zaboski

Wow, we had so much fun Plein Air painting in the backyard today.  Dave Zaboski was intrigued with my panorama size seascape of Will Roger’s State Beach, so we did a raw canvas trade and he took on the challenge of doing his first largest Plein Air oil painting in an afternoon.  When asked how he was doing “I’m cranking” was his reply, and so he happily was and his gorgeous painting emerged.

When Dave said he was going to paint the Buddha on the wall, I decided to do the same.  I’ve painted several masonite panel studies of the grove of oaks beyond the Buddha and painting the Buddha would be refreshing.  Reverend Karen Wylie from Symphony of Life, gave an excellent sermon today, or better yet, spirit spoke about allowing and having faith in Spirit. And so, I let spirit move through me for painting, allowing the landscape and Buddha to merge through color.  The painting now resides in the Meditation room of attorney, Ken Knabe in Cleveland, Ohio.

And my favorite photos of the afternoon has to be these two…
Buddha with Amazing Grace…

Dave Zaboski is a Divine artist and illustrator.  Keep an eye for his new illustrative children’s book written by Deepak Chopra that will be available this New Year!

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Leonardo Da Vinci visits Monica Ros

Renaissance week, Oct 8th, 2009 at Monica Ros School in Ojai…. “Excusee?!” Are youa da Lisa? Youa very beautiful” “No!!”, “Shes ova dere”! “Oh no, dats a photo, I need da real livin Mona Lisa, in da breathin flesh…”

“MaMa Mia!! Ver isda Mona Lisa? Hava yua see her?”   “Noa!!”  “Dis isa verry bigga dilema…I musta findher toa paint her portrait…if youa see her, pleasea, sendha toa me. OK? Graze…”

And so, Leonardo searched the play yard asking all the queens, knights, peasants, philosphers, scientists, bakers, hat makers, etc…

Searched the classrooms and begged for assistance to paint the Mona Lisa on the hand ball court wall in an afternoon and if he didn’t find her, he just might have to do a painting of himself…. Oh my goodness, 9 years to paint the Mona Lisa and at Monica Ros, to do it in an afternoon would take a miracle.

And a miracle it was… The children poised to be the Mona Lisa and they were fascinated. Everyone worked very fast, like little bees on honey with their little brushes…. Smocks on gowns and armor, there were so many assistants at times, Leonardo had to stay in the wings to oversee.
He noticed how the children painted with their wrests & taught them how to paint from their legs, using their entire bodies to make energetic strokes!

Bravo!! They were & are magnificent!!!