Higbee 6 x 6 Show

No Billy Crystal or Ricky Gervais, but Randy Higbee certainly put on an Awards Show last night. I think it's got to be the first of it's kind on Facebook. Instead of just posting all of the winners in his 6 x 6 Show he rolled out each winner one by one creating a bit of suspense. For those of you who don't know Randy or this show; it's an open with the only requirement being that the work be done at 6" square. Randy then takes each piece and frames them using his stock. He is the King of Frames after all. 297 artists entered a total of 1174 works of which 500 were accepted. I was happily surprised to find that my painting "1st Avenue at Noon" was selected as one of the award winners. It was one of only two watercolors to receive an honor and it's especially nice to share that distinction with my friend Tom Schaller who's work Venice Afternoon 2 was the other watercolor to receive an award.

It's a real treat to be included in this group let alone win an award. Some of the top artists in the country submitted to this show and the calibre of work is stunning to say the least. Currently the only way to see the show if you're not in Costa Mesa, CA is via Randy's Facebook page, but I expect that will change soon. If there is a web link posted I will update this.

is

Experimenting with loose / fast technique.

Over the last few days I've made a renewed discovery. Arches 140 lb. cold press paper. I've used it before and always returned to it's 300lb bigger brother,  but this time I really noticed the difference in the two surfaces. The 140 lb. is much more conducive to fast brush strokes and more gestural style. The 300 lb. is an extremely absorbent paper and draws on your wash like a sponge. I've always enjoyed it for the control it allows, but if you're looking to splash the color around, it can stifle a fluid style by drawing too much moisture out of the brush and limiting the range of a single stroke. I happened on this by chance on Friday as I set out to do an image with a real disregard for detail focusing more on the larger shapes and construction of the overall composition. Coming from the 300 it was like walking out onto a skating rink in tennis shoes. Lot's of movement, very little control in the sense I'm used to, and pure fun. I quickly ran through 3 images and although I'm still getting my bearings with this surface I'm having more fun than I have in a while.

Sunlit Corner NYC #1

14" x 10.5"

Sunlit Corner NYC #2

14" x 8.5"

Art Auction for Japanese Disaster Relief Round Two

My first auction for Japanese Disaster Relief went very well. Congratulations to the high bidders and thanks to everyone involved. We raised $1200.00 in the first round. The second auction is still open. Please follow the link to the Daily Paintworks Help Japan Challenge sponsored by Keiko Tanabe to bid. Again all of the proceeds from this auction will go to one of the Disaster Relief Options listed on the website.

Click here to Bid-Thank you.

Samford at Night

16" x 8"

Art Auction for Japanese Disaster Relief

Samford at Night

16" x 8"

The auction for this painting ends March 23rd at 8pm CST

click here to bid

My wife Noelle and I were talking about the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan last night and describing how helpless we felt watching the news coverage. Each day brings more shocking news and truly heartbreaking stories. It's so easy to feel small and unable to help and the frustration of watching as we  sit comfortably and safe in our home makes the feeling that much stronger. As we talked I mentioned that Keiko Tanabe and Tom Schaller were auctioning some of their work to be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society. I had been thinking about doing something similar when I first saw Keiko's post and as I can hopefully reach a different group of people I would like to join them in auctioning some of my images. I have been in touch with Keiko and decided that the proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The winning bids will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

To bid please email me at iainstew@mindspring.com 

The starting bid on each image will be $50.00

The bidding will run through Saturday March 19th at 8pm CST for the last 5 images. The first image is a new auction which will end Wednesday March 23rd at 8pm CST.

To see a list of other artists who are also auctioning their work please click here.

The auction for the paintings below ends March 19 at 8pm CST

Savannah No.1

11.5" x 8.25"

Auction Ended Final Bid $125.00

North Georgia No.1

12" x 19.5"

Auction Ended Final Bid $200.00

Basillica di Santa Maria del Fiore

8" x 10"

Auction Ended Final Bid $275.00

Marina No. 1

13" x 9"

Auction Ended Final Bid $300.00

Chicago Tour Boats

14" x 6.5

Auction Ended Final Bid $300.00

I would like to thank all of the people who participated in this auction. Together we have raised $1200.00 for the Japanese Red Cross. The Samford Hall auction will continue until 8pm CST March 23 and the current high bid is $250.00.

http://artauctionsforjapan.blogspot.com/

Commuter No.2

The Commuter No.2

27" x 10"

A return to a previous painting and a follow through with a move from a carefully done study to a much larger painting. 

Savannah

Here's a new one. This little fella lasted all of 12 hours on my facebook page before being snatched up by a new collector. Thank you.

West Bay Street   Savannah, Georgia

7" x 18"

Pratique Des Arts

Very exited to get my copy of the french art magazine, Pratique des Art Hors-Serie Aquarell. Check out page 36. This issue is full of fantastic work from watercolor artists around the world and it's a real honor to be included. A special nod to Tom and Tracy who are showcased as well.