The Painter A painting newsletter from Christopher Leeper J A APRIL-JUNE 2016 N - F E B 2 0 1 5
The Painter A P R I L - J U N E 2 0 1 6 News Recent honors include having my work included in the Plein Air Salon sponsored by Plein Air Magazine. I also won a Merit Award in the National Organization of Acrylic and Oil Painters on-line Spring Exhibition. I was one of 32 artists juried into Plein Air Texas Competition to be held late October in San Angelo, TX. Workshops - 2016 July 23 - Acrylics on Paper BayArts Bay Village, OH Contact: erin@bayarts.net August 6 - Oil Artworks Around Town Wheeling, WV Contact: gregory.siegwart@gmail.com September 3-4, Watercolor Workshop Decorative Arts Center of Ohio Lancaster, OH Contact: Trisha Clifford-Sprouse clifford@decartsohio.org October 15 - Watercolor Landscape BayArts Bay Village, OH Contact: erin@bayarts.net Trail Shadows was juried into the Ohio Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition Watercolor 2016 at the Riffe Gallery, Columbus, OH. Exhibitions- 2016 September 22- October 29 Ohio Views: Light and Shadow Paintings of Dan Knepper and Christopher Leeper BayArts Bay Village, OH Plein Air Events - 2016 Ohio Plein Air SocietyAnnual Competition September 23-25 Bay Village, OH En Plein Air Texas October 23-30 San Angelo. TX September Sun was juried into the American Impressionist Society s 17th Annual National Juried Exhibition.. 2
New Work Spring Light II Light and Spark, 22x30, watercolor on Fabriano 300 lb. cold-pressed paper Here is another example of reworking the same subject. This time it was the same medium but I used hot-pressed paper and a technique that focused on all the shapes and details. The painting took close to 30 hours. I occasionally like to dive into this form of painting. It is rather meditative. Light and Spark II, 22x30, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. hot-pressed paper 3
New Work Trail Shadows Trail Shadows, 30x22, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. hot-pressed paper, This was done in the same manner as Light and Spark II on page 3. I attempted to match the values and color in a single wash to maximize the transparency and clarity of the color. 4
New Work December Farm and Sunlight and Thunder December Farm, 18x26, watercolor on Waterford 200 lb. cold-pressed paper Sunlight and Thunder, 18x24, oil on linen 5
New Work Trout Fishing on the Neshannock Trout Fishing on the Neshannock, 15x22, acrylic on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper I did this painting as a gift to my nephew Michael Leeper on his graduation from Kent State University. Michael and his dad (my brother Don) have spent many great days fishing Neshannock Creek in New Wilmington, PA. 6
New Work September Sun September Sun, 16x20, oil on linen The reference for this painting was from a photo taken in Licking County, OH. As a painter who chases the light, it was an obvious candidate to be painted. It was recently selected for the American Impressionist Society s 17th Annual National Juried Exhibition in Kirkland, WA. 7
New Work Form and Reflection Form and Reflection, 11x15, watercolor on Waterford 200 lb. cold-pressed paper This was my entry in the Airstream Fine Art Invitational-May 31-June 5 in Jackson Center, OH. It was an event celebrating 100 years of Airstream. Thank you to Dan Knepper for the invitation. The show was a who s who of nationally known landscape painters. I was honored to be included. As a plus, the painting sold! Open at Ten, 22x30, watercolor on 300 lb. Arches cold-pressed paper 8
New Work Silver Bridge Silver Bridge, 18x24, oil on canvas Silver Bridge is a painting of an iconic bridge in Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, OH. It was done as a fundraiser for Lit Youngstown. They are a literary and arts non-profit organization. The raffle raised $1300 which Lit Youngstown generously split with me. 9
New Work Road to the Stream and Trout Season Road to the Stream, 12x16, oil on aluminum panel These paintings are of an abondanded railroad grade that is now a rustic trail/ road in New Wilmington, PA. It is closed to motorized vehicles but provides walking access to a great trout fishing section of Neshannock Creek. The oil painting is the first one that I have done on 1/8 inch aluminum and resin panels. The substrate is used for sign-making. It makes a great, rigid surface to prime or mount linen on. They are very durable. Occoassionaly you will see them for sale in the art catalogs under the brand name of Di-Bond, which is very expensive. The product I use is similar to Di-Bond but more affordable. I purchase it in 24x48 sheets from a company called Online Metals. I found them on Ebay. Trout Season 15x22, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper 10
Competition Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival, Canandaigua, NY I was selected to participate in the Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival. It was a 4-day event. I didn t paint an award winner but had a great time. The only real challenge was the wind. It blew pretty much non-stop. All paintings were oil on aluminum panel. Grand View, 16x20, oil on linen on aluminum panel Sun Drenched, 16x20, oil on linen on aluminum panel 11
Competition Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival, Canandaigua, NY 12 Pond Shadows, 18x14, oil on aluminum panel
Competition Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival, Canandaigua, NY Damann s Deutz, 18x14, oil on aluminum panel Quickdraw entry Pleasant Street, 12x16, oil on aluminum panel 13
Demos These four paintings are demos from my May workshop at the Toledo Artists Club. The Maumee Theater painting will be used by the club as a fund raiser in the fall. Each painting is 15x22 on cold-pressed paper. 12 14
Demos 13 15
Demos-Studio 15x22, Fabriano 140 lb. rough paper 15x22, Waterford 200 lb. cold-pressed paper 15x11, Waterford 200 lb. cold-pressed paper 16
The Ohio Plein Air Society presents Essence and Design In Plein Air Painting an all-media Workshop with Ken DeWaard An opportunity to study with a great teacher and artist! September 26 - September 28, 2016 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Bay Village, Ohio During this three day plein air workshop, students will inevitably be chasing the light and seeing beyond what is there, always looking for more. No matter what we are faced with, it all comes down to design. Utilizing and building on what nature gives us but not being a slave to it. It is all about the design and interpretation as well as simplification, shapes, and light and shadow patterns. My personal objective during this workshop is to make sure that each and every student experiences advancement. - Ken DeWaard Individualized critique, at the students easel, will form the basis for instruction. Demonstrations, as a means toward clarification of a concept, will be performed as well. Students will work from the landscape en plein air. Students may work in the painting medium of their preference, be it oil, watercolor, pastel, or acrylic. A very modest, suggested supply list, will be presented upon registration. For Ken there is nothing more rewarding and challenging than painting under an open sky, surrounded by the scents and sounds of nature, along with it s ever changing color and harmonies to excite one s creativity. All Levels, Beginner to Advanced $395 for OPAS members, $430 for non-opas members To register, visit the OPAS website at: http://www.ohiopleinairsociety.com/index.php/ken-dewaard-workshop/ Ken Dewaard of Wisconsin is a nationally recognized award-winning painter. He has studied with Scott Burdick and Dan Gerhartz at the acclaimed Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art in Chicago. He has won numerous awards around the country in many of the top Plein Air Competitions including the coveted Artist Choice awards, Best of Show, along with a host of various other awards. Most recently, he received Best of Show at the prestigious Door County (WI) Plein Air Festival. Ken finds inspiration throughout the United States as well as Italy and China. He is an instructor at the The Academy of Fine Art, in Denmark, Wisconsin. See Ken s work at www.kendewaard.com
Workshops in my studio Workshops for six people or less. Topics can include oils, acrylics, watercolor or drawing. They can be scheduled in 2 or 3 day sessions, 9-5 each day. Classes must be scheduled well in advance. These workshops include demos, handouts and lots of one-on-one attention. I try to provide plenty of information in a short amount of time. I can shape the workshop to the group s needs. You can bring your own reference or we can work together on the same subject. The workshop can also be focused to learn a specific technique or concept. Weather-permitting, these sessions can include plein air painting. There is a Hampton Inn and Courtyard by Marriot just a few miles from the studio and many nearby restaurants and shopping venues. Your workshop can also be combined with a visit to the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio and/or a visit to beautiful Mill Creek Park. I have taken many workshops over the years and you have been the most helpful. I learned more in three days than I have in the past 20 years. Plus, it was so much fun! Fees: 1-2 students: 2 day class: $400 per student / 3-day class: $600 per student 3 students 2-day class: $275 per student / 3-day class: $400 per student 4 students: 2-day class: $200 per student / 3-day class: $300 per student 5-6 students: 2-day class: $175 per student / 3-day class: $250 per student Call or email me if you have any questions or to schedule a workshop Christopher Leeper Studio 4411 Mellinger Road / Canfield, OH 44406 330-793-5470 leepart@zoominternet.net www.christopherleeper.com 17