University Art - Newsletter

The Community Artist

University Art Newsletter Vol. 4 Issue 2, February 2005

ART ORGANIZATIONS SPOTLIGHT

This month we are going to return to the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara to announce the museum's 40 Year Anniversary. For all that time the Triton has been leader in featuring the very best of local Bay Area artists in an elegant, intimate setting. Allied Artists West is currently on exhibit until March 10th, followed by Jean-Paul Bourdier.

In addition to top-flight exhibits, the Triton has a studio arts program of classes for both children and adults that run during the week. The Triton in its 40 years of operation has quietly become a must see artistic destination point in the South Bay. For more information on the museum call (408) 247-3754 or online at www.tritonmuseum.org.

COMING SOON

Allied Artists West
Through 3/15/05
Triton Museum of Art
1505 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA
For Details: www.tritonmuseum.org

Jacquelyn Paull
Paintings and digital Graphics
1/1/05 - 3/15/05
Rosirucian Egyptian Museum
1342 Naglee Avenue
San Jose, CA 95191

Tom Lynch Mini Watercolor Workshops
University Art
Palo Alto, San Jose, Sacramento
4/4/05 - 4/9/05
$75.00 per day or $150.00 for both days. All materials are provided.
Call (916)-484-1640 (Sac), (650)328-3500 (PA) or (408) 297-4707 (SJ) to register or for details.

If you have exhibit info that you want to have posted please e-mail at snjbram@aol.com

TRIVIA AND STUFF JUST FOR FUN

Did you ever wonder where the months of the year got their names? This month for instance, February, is said to be named after the Ancient Roman Festival of Februa, (a festival of physical and spiritual cleansing) that was traditionally held around mid-February in pagan times. With the advent of Christianity the name of the festival was changed to Candlemas and the date changed to February 2nd. The festival now represented the ritual purification of the Virgin Mary after the birth of Christ. The date change came about because by Jewish Law every mother of a male newborn was required to undergo ritual purification in the temple 40 days after the birth of the child( In this case December 25th) making the ritual day February 2nd.

ASK BRAMSCHANDOZ

Q: My paintings look kind of flat, not enough contrast, is there something I can use to fix the problem?

A: This is a loaded question that can have various solutions. Increasing the intensity of a light source for instance can produce strong contrasts ( if doing a still life.) Working a complimentary color scheme might be another solution to the problem. Doing a small value study of your subject before you paint can be really helpful compositionally and in establishing dark and light area relationships. Sometimes though, we have trouble making the transition from black and white to color; this is where a value finder comes in handy. Get yourself a small piece of red acetate or plexiglass to look through at the object you are about to paint: you'll see the values easier.

JEFF'S TIPS

This month's tip is a simple one, and I cannot believe I have not mentioned it before. Try using a colored ground for your pastel, acrylic, or oil paintings. This is a wonderful technique that can both unify a painting as well as give it a dynamic tension. Many of you start with a colored ground as a matter of course, but if you haven't tried it, or been afraid of the results, give it a try! A nice dark or complimentary color can really set the stage for a dynamic painting full of mood: the rest is up to you!

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