Current Painting Still at my Easel ... A PEEK AT MY PAINTING IN PROGRESS/Artist Confessions

Ruby Red Original, Sold--(Prints Available) Her Popularity Became the Inspiration for a Sequel Artwork

Ruby Red was practically snatched off my easel by a recent client.  The popularity of this painting inspired me to create a sequel painting -- A blonde version with a white wine pour.

THE FACE - A SKETCHY IDEA

INSPIRATION FOR THE WINE POUR:

For the white wine pouring over her head, I chose Chardonnay for its color and also, because I could have a bit of fun with a "word play" on that varietal.  I will call the painting, "Chardonnae".  Usually, a painting title doesn't come to mind until after I create a painting.  I got a wine buzz!

FACE IN THE GOBLET:

For my painting reference photo, I chose a three-quarter facial view of a blonde, instead of a full-frontal view.  This choice differentiates the painting from its predecessor, but not without challenges.  Portraits are the most difficult subject to paint.  Add to that, the fast drying time of acrylics makes blending soft edges more difficult.  Also, acrylics dry noticeably darker than when they were mixed wet.

WHY DO I FREQUENTLY CHOOSE COMPLEX PORTRAIT PAINTING SUBJECTS IN MY WINE-THEMED PAINTINGS?

I'm establishing myself as a contemporary "go to" wine artist who celebrates the wine experience differently than the ordinary wine art genre does.  That involves creating wine art not typically seen.  I haven't seen any women's faces or bodies in wine vessels the way that I render them.  I hope to create sensual, elegant, simplicity in my wine narratives.  Zooming in to intimate views of realistic or abstract  human forms seems to engage viewers (and me) more.  It's a challenge that fascinates me.

BEYOND SKIN DEEP & ONWARD

GOING BEYOND SKIN DEEP:

After rendering her face similar to the reference photo, I realized she needed more dimension than was evident from the photo, especially on the left side.  Without a subtle change in plane from the side to the front of her face, she literally appeared flat.  The photographer used more than one light source to blow out most of the shadows cast by her features.  Fashion photography intentionally avoids light that creates harsh shadows and lines to produce more flattering results.  It was fine for the photo because her hand and her hair defined her well enough.  Isolating her face from the rest of her head and including more of the side of her face with the three-quarter view, as I did in the goblet, created more of a portrait challenge.  While I didn't want harsh shadows and features in my painting, I had to invent a more apparent light source and appropriate shading to define her facial forms.

COLOR CONFUSED/ADJUSTED

CHARDONNAY COLOR CONFUSION:

Considering my passion for wine art scenarios, it may surprise you to learn of my limited wine-tasting experience.  I have never observed or tasted Chardonnay wine.  (I do gravitate to white wines like Reisling and Pinot Gris.)  For the painting wine pour, I googled "What color is Chardonnay?"  I saw two kinds of Chardonnay pictured:  One, pale yellow-green and one described as a golden copper-yellow, or saturated straw gold.

I headed back to my easel with that descriptive vision of coppery-gold in my mind's eye.  Things went well with the painting.  For some darker areas to define the streams of wine pouring, I used a burnt orange.  Unfortunately, the oranges became so rich that the coppery-gold tones were overpowered.  When the painting dried darker, as acrylics do, I had a rusty-orange redhead;  not the sultry blonde I was aiming for.  This would not do -- I had to get it right.  Painting is a constant process of adjusting.  Sometimes you just have to get it wrong before you discover how to get it right.

I revisited the Chardonnay illustrations at my computer.  This time I noticed the color described as a coppery-gold was actually a yellow gold with a greenish cast.  I mixed a more neutralized gold and started painting over the dominating orange tones.  I feel I'm on the right track now.  I'll probably replace the orange in the wine bottle with neutralized green casts.  STAY TUNED FOR THE BIG FINISH IN THE NEXT POST...

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 UPCOMING ART EXHIBITS:

If you are local to Roseburg, I invite you to attend an artist reception for myself and two other artists, Susan Rudisill and Andrew Duclos at Fisher's Flowers & Fine Art, 638 W. Harrison St, Roseburg, OR on this Friday, 4/4/2014 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.  Fisher's is near the corner of Harvard and Harrison.  The art receptions at Fisher's are popular for their fine art, delicious treats and fine wine tasting.  I have a few large, sensual wine paintings on display at Fisher's from now through June 27, 2014.  I'd enjoy visiting with you in this relaxed, fun venue if you attend the reception this Friday.

Sandi's vibrant, textured floras are hanging at Ticor Title Insurance and next door she has a few wine paintings on display at Fortress Financial, 180 Lithia Way, Ashland, OR through April 2014.  These are new venues for Ashland's First Friday Artwalk, April 4th.

wine fantasy prints
See more of Sandi's art at her website

New Art Venue Joins First Friday ArtWalk LineUp in Ashland, OR March 7, 2014

Strawberry Flapjack 20x20 acrylic ©Sandi Whetzel 

Ticor Title Insurance proudly introduces their expansive business quarters during their debut as a First Friday Artwalk destination in Ashland, OR.  Adorned with Sandi Whetzel's vibrant, contemporary, flora art through the end of April, the business seeks to become a popular art venue. 

The first Friday of each month, the public is invited to stroll the historical downtown railroad districts, exploring the visual and tasty treats at many participating art venues from 5-8 p.m.  Ticor, located at 180 Lithia Way, near the corner of Lithia Way and First Street, is near the center of some of the popular art stops. Ticor will serve wine and chocolates to art observers this Friday and April 4th.

Chantilly Lace 18x18 acrylic ©Sandi Whetzel

Ticor management requested Sandi Whetzel's art  via Ashland Art Center's ART2Business program because they felt her uniquely textured, graceful floras complemented their contemporary, wide-open space.  Sandi is pleased to have her art hanging on the walls of such a spacious, contemporary building.  There is plenty of elbow room to comfortably  browse the exhibit space at your leisure while sipping wine.

Sandi Whetzel says, "I think people are looking for a simple elegance in an artwork that separates it from the ordinary.  That is my goal in blending fantasy with reality.  I aim to grab the viewer's attention:  Wow!  I've never seen anything like that!"

Besides her graceful, sensual floras, Sandi is becoming known for her paintings celebrating the wine experience.  Her wine narratives tickle viewers senses in ways they have not seen in typical wine-themed art.  She renders surprising, surreal wine scenarios:  Sensual.  Seductive.  Tantalizing.  Romantic.  Playful.  It's almost as if she produces advertisements for the wine industry.  See more of Sandi Whetzel's art here  .

Alternative Art Venue in Ashland, OR Welcomes Artist, Sandi Whetzel's Mood Enhancing Art

Kaleidoscope 30x24 acrylic ©Sandi Whetzel

A kaleidoscope of breathtaking color and graceful, animated images will lift your mood as you savor Sandi Whetzel's vibrant art at Royce Realty's opening reception during Ashland's First Friday Art Walk, December 7. Wine and finger foods will be offered at Royce's reception for the artist beginning at 5:00 p.m.  Although Sandi lives nearly a 2 hour drive from Ashland, she plans to attend the reception and is eager to meet her art viewers.

Whetzel's contemporary acrylic paintings are distinguished by her passion for curvilinear lines, shapes and harmonious color. The radiant chroma, stimulating motifs and rhythmic movements throughout Sandi's art works are sure to tickle your senses.  These contemporary art pieces will complement many home interiors exquisitely. Sandi is also known for her signature paintings to promote the Oregon wine industry.  You can see more of Sandi's art here .  To learn more about Sandi and her art visit here . 

The gallery space at Royce is a great example of Whetzel's willingness to explore creative venues for sharing her engaging art.  Royce Realty is located at 145 E Main St., in the heart of downtown Ashland, across from Starbucks and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Theatres and a short walk from the Art Center, the hub of Ashland art.  The staff at Royce Realty encourages visitors to feel free to stop by and browse Sandi's art during the month of December, pick up a brochure or a map, get the latest information on the local Ashland real estate market, or just ask for a good restaurant suggestion. 

Royce has requested Sandi Whetzel's art to enhance and draw interest to their space during the month of December as part of Ashland Art Center's Art2Business program. Participating Art2Businesses choose art from a large screened pool of qualified, talented professional artists with a variety of styles and media. This alternative art venue benefits the artists with greater exposure to their art, intrigues clientele, improves employee morale and draws exposure to the businesses from participation in the Art Walks. 

Recently the Arts Center has added a free shuttle service to the Art2Business art venues during the First Friday Art Walks.  The shuttle, provided by Cascade Shuttle and Art2B, completes its route covering all the Art2B sites every 30 minutes from 5 to 8 p.m. A list of Art2B stops and the route is available as a handout from the Ashland Art Center where the shuttle begins its route and returns every half hour during First Friday evenings.

Your Wine Fantasy, "Moonlight Rendezvous", or "What's in Your Goblet?"

Moonlight Rendezvous 30x24 acrylic©Sandi Whetzel
Originally uploaded by sandiwhetzel

When you are with the one you love, you can't fight the moonlight under a lover's sky. This perfect wine pairing of two moonstruck lovers has all the seductive elements for a romantic encounter. A romantic beach, a beautiful moonlit sky and elegant wine with a sweet finish that lingers. It's liquid bliss. What's in your goblet?

This painting, like its predecessor in sultry reds, “A Toast to Love and Wine”, engages viewers on several levels. Both paintings present viewers with the prospect of triggering their own personal fantasy of love and wine, or creating their own version of what each painting represents. While both paintings set the scene for wine fantasies, they leave viewers with questions that only the viewers can answer as to what is about to happen or has occurred.

Viewing “Moonlight Rendezvous”, one might think that the man in the water has just discovered the lady in the goblet, marveling at her beauty and deciding how to get to her. Is it a chance meeting? Do they already know each other, or was their meeting prearranged? His position in the water with his shoulders facing the viewer might lead to other conclusions. Maybe they have already been together and it is time for him to go. Maybe, in his reluctance to leave her, he lingers for one last gaze at her; basking in the afterglow of their experience. What do you think?

The response to the first painting was so powerful that I was inspired to create another one with equal impact. I could have used the same passionate reds, but since both paintings share similar elements of a lady in a goblet, a man in the water, and a sky scape, I felt I should vary the composition of this second painting. In fairness to my art collectors, neither painting should be too similar to the other so that each painting has its own uniqueness, even though they share a theme. Each one stands distinctly on its own and will not be confused by the other.

The sizzling sunset of the first painting was changed to a tranquil moonlight. The placement of the man in the water is completely different. The woman's pose was altered and she is a blonde, instead of the slimmer, dark-haired lady in the first painting. I used a more intimate close-up view of the lady in the goblet. She is more prominent and more visible in the twilight than the lady in the first painting. I managed to keep the men in both paintings as a secondary surprise element. The seductive blues in this painting create a dreamy, sensual ambiance that will make it at least as compelling as its predecessor.  Here's to living your fantasy!

This painting and others in my wine series will be on display at the Umpqua Valley Arts Association Annual Summer Arts Festival, June 24-26, 2011 at 1624 W Harvard Ave, Roseburg, OR. Look for me and my art in booth #84.  I'm doing my best to live up to this year's festival theme of "Paint the Town".   For festival hours and events, click here:  This arts extravaganza is one of the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and considered to be a premiere community event.

A Love Triangle and Tryst: Art, Wine and Posh Nosh



The Unveiling 20x10 acrylic ©Sandi Whetzel



Like great food and wine, art is a pleasure of the senses.  These three sensual delights come together like players in a seductive love triangle, finding their tryst at Liquid Assets Wine Bar in Ashland, OR.  The willing participants in this triangle are an ample assortment of wine varietals paired with seasonal French-inspired cuisine.  This complementary duo shares a cozy ambiance with a seductive and stimulating art exhibit.  Sandi Whetzel, contemporary acrylic artist from Days Creek, OR, is a refreshing, recent addition to Ashland’s art scene.  Her vibrant succulents and other flora are on display now at Liquid Assets Wine Bar, Bottle Shop and Restaurant through the evening of May 12. 

Luscious colors and graceful shapes inspired from the plant world are a recurrent theme in Whetzel's art.  Fantasy blends with reality in Sandi's contemporary, surrealistic and frequently sensual delights--succulents, abstract flora and trees and her most recent passion to expand her wine series.  The artist is also known for her wine-themed paintings that have been used to promote the Oregon Wine industry.  Marsa Morse, curator for Liquid Assets art exhibits, has invited Sandi for a return engagement to exhibit a sampling of her wine series paintings at the wine bar in September.

In addition to participating in the First Friday Art Walks, Liquid Assets will host Rogue Creamery’s pairing of their cheeses with “Heydon Road” wine during the annual “A Taste of Ashland” weekend, April 30 and May 1^st.  Whetzel’s captivating art will be gracing the wall during that event also.

 

Top off your cruise of Ashland’s hot art stops during the First Friday ArtWalk, May 6 from 5-8 pm, with a rendezvous at Liquid Assets.  The food, wine, ambiance and the tantalizing art will tickle your senses.  Sandi will be delighted to visit with interested visitors.  The wine bar is located  at 96 N Main St., adjacent to the Bard’s Inn and the Plaza Inn and Suites and just a short walk from many of Ashland’s quaint Bed-and-Breakfasts.

You can view more of the artist’s work  here: