Final Exhibition at the Doiron Gallery

Vitro
Oil on Canvas
30 x 30"
$750

The Doiron Gallery in Sacramento is closing down next month, so they are having a 'last blast' sale of gallery artists work. The gallery, on Del Paso Blvd is showing three of my Kokanee paintings, and are priced to sell! So if you're in the area, please pop in and take a look!


Dance of Life
Oil on Canvas
60 x 40"
$1500



Synchronocity
Mixed Media on Paper
20 x 30"
$375

Doiron Gallery is conveniently located in the heart of Sacramento’s Uptown Arts District, one mile from Arden Fair Mall and only six minutes from downtown. DIRECTIONS: From Business 80 North: Exit RIGHT at El Camino, at 4th light LEFT onto Del Paso, after 2nd light on your right, past Winnipeg Street across the street from Bank of America.

From Business 80 South: Exit WEST at Arden Way, at 5th light, RIGHT on Oxford St; next light, LEFT on Del Paso, .on your right past Winnipeg Street, across the street from Bank of America.

From Downtown: Take 16th Street (160) North to Del Paso exit. On your left between Forrest Street and Winnipeg Street across from Bank of America.

From I-5/ Natomas: Take Arden/Garden Connector LEFT on Del Paso , on your left between Forrest Street and Winnipeg Street across from Bank of America.

Doiron Gallery 1819 Del Paso Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95815

Phone: 916-564-4433

Iris (ii)

Iris (ii)
6x6"
Oil on Panel

I started on a big Kokanee painting today. I think it's going to be weirder than I though going from 6 inches to 6 feet. It's fun though, and I think the precision of the smaller works will help refine my looser big works - and the big work will loosen my small works. That's what I'm hoping anyway. I painted some little cherries after I'd laid down the colours and shapes on the big canvas. I definately felt less 'linear' after warming up with a 4" brush. I'll post the cherries tomorrow and maybe some of the process of the kokanee if I'm feeing brave.

Painting in Hope Valley

"Summertime, and the living is easy..Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high ... "

Well, almost summertime. I went out painting with fellow Tahoe artists Bonita Paulis and Penny Shrawder yesterday, to a beautiful area just south of where I live called Hope Valley. It was the first day of good weather in quite a while, and I was desperate to get out of the studio. The recent rains have made all the greens greener in the landscape, and that warm lushness is perfectly complemented by the blue snow capped mountains in the distance.

There were people fishing on the river, and the occasional whoops and cheers indicated that the fish were indeed jumping (albeit on the end of a line, sadly) There was some curiosity about these three smudged women standing at easels on the riverbank, but thankfully the fish were of more interest and we were left alone for the most part.

I was interested in capturing some of the energy of the landscape, rather than try to make a finished piece.

I gave a demonstration at Lake Tahoe Community College on Tuesday evening, to the ceramics students. I had been asked to paint some of my Kokanee on clay, in the loose style of my mixed media pieces, and then if it went well to show the students how I did it. It did go well actually, I was pleasantly surprised at the watercolour effect the glazes made. Explaining something you do instinctively is a little challenging, and it's been many years since I taught. Being able to paint at the same time as talking took the pressure off though, as it's easier to show someone how a flick of the wrist can mimick the movement of a fish tail in water than try and shape your words around the motion. I'll post the demo pieces once they are fired.

With this in mind, I approached this landscape with the same idea of looseness and confidence in your instinct. It was so refreshing and liberating. I was also aware of the value studies we did with Carol in Santa Fe, and found myself boldly laying in light and shade in an abstract way. I'll be returning to the valley with my oils in the next few days if the weather stays good, I'm excited about this composition now, and want to take it to towards a finished piece.

Apple Values
Oil on Canvas Panel
Email me if you would like to purchase this painting

Washing Brushes

Washing Brushes
Oil on Canvas Panel
6x4"

Purchase

So I'm finished painting the Kokanee for the Foyer Gallery exhibition - I did already have enough work but I just wanted to make a set of really loose mixed media pieces to work with the photos I had, (which have been sitting in the hard drive since last Fall..) so I can get some ideas for larger oils - I think they'll be very dramatic!

I've missed doing my little daily oils, but I have gone back to the easel with fresh enthusiasm and ideas. This study is part of the ongoing theme of 'Home', inspired by both the physical location we live - with it's fabulous light and angular construction - and the sense of place I've found in my life. The morning light in our kitchen is amazing, and the window looks out over an evergreen tree line, and the sky..which throughout the day changes from white to blue, and blooms with colour in the evening. It's a great distraction when you're washing dishes (or brushes!)

Breaking away from the herd

Breaking away from the herd
Mixed Media
11x14"

$300

If you would like to buy this painting, it will be available from the Foyer Gallery from April 11th 2008. Please email me at art@shelleyhocknell.com for more details.

The mixed media I am using is watercolour, pastel, and inks. They are great fun to create, and you can generate a lot of movement really spontaneously. I used a coloured paper for this one, and the pigments react differently to it, creating an unpredictable environment, to an extent, which opens up lots of possibilities for 'happy mistakes'.