Bobby Forbes, the Crimson Painter

The gift that gave back …

2012-01-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

The months turned into the language that referenced ‘over a year.’ I’d say, “I’m going to start painting this week – see I’ve made an appointment with myself!” While over time everything else became a priority over painting. Heck, there were a couple of times where house cleaning was even on a higher need. And, the fear of not achieving a finished, painted product grew larger.

One of the activities, that became a priority (as in taking over my life), was my role in sitting on the board of a local non-profit. In the past I’d served on several boards and also been employed or volunteered at several other non-profits, but nothing had drawn on all my talents, skills, and abilities like my current activity.

It was at a Monday meeting for my new posting where a committee was discussing the structure of putting on events. The dialogue went from having small in-home fundraising parties to “Bobby’s an artist – I’ve seen her business card. She could do a quick sketch of the house that could be used on the invitation and then be given to the event hosts.”

There it was out, it seemed like it was stated in one long breath. First thoughts were, “No, no, no!” This was followed by a bit of shock and fear. Then, “How do I get out of here?”

While it was a fair idea to plan something like this, it wasn’t something for me to do. I don’t paint on demand! And, my assigned tasks with the non-profit are immense. I don’t have time to paint!

Now it should be said that the person who made the statement was also having a party, the invitations had already been sent and received. I was amongst those being invited. And by Wednesday, I was starting to think about what to take as a hostess gift. Yes, I could try to do something with ink and maybe watercolor.

On a foggy, gray Thursday, I drove past the event location, took a couple of pictures and hoped I had something to use. An attempt would be made to create something!

The natural lights were turned on, the paints and brushes were ready and the photo image was transferred to paper. Knowing nothing was going to appear without actually putting a brush containing paint on the paper – I started to paint.

Memories of other paintings returned, formulas remembered and, oops this isn’t going to work. This painting of a big, elegant home was just too big and complex for me to paint. So, I reduced my focus and redrew it with just the entry.

When it was close to completion, I laid a mat on it. Wow, what a difference. After it was fully dried, I slipped it into a clear protective sleeve for presenting to the hostess. Along with inviting me to a very elegant party the hostess gave me back my desire to paint again.

We'll try this again ...

2011-08-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

It is said that life can get in the way of art. Guess that's the excuse I'll use for not keeping up with my blog and, in turn, with painting. Months have passed and the brushes stay dry. So this is an experiment to see if I can get back to a painting and an art routine. Today is Sunday, August 20, and I'll wait to post this until new material for this site us prepared.

The answer is ...

2010-08-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

Quandary, dilemma, conundrum - whatever you want to call it, the questions is how to get started again. Memory lapse had my recall of last posing as December. So imagine my shock when I noticed that it was last September. That's just shy of one year. Oops!

So this is the first what will be many postings (even posted one that was in the draft stage since last year). Much has happened and a lot is in planning stages. The main thing is I am painting again and focusing on future paintings.

Another painting on the move

2009-09-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

On September 19, Washington State University Vancouver (branch) will celebrate it's 20th Anniversary. There will be a celebration including a silent auction.

Now flash back to last November 17 on this blog where the watercolor art show held on this campus was discussed. The painting apple cup: 1 was in that show.

People really do go to these shows. Last week I said 'yes' to a call from a WSUV representative requesting this painting or a print as an auction donation. Being an alumna of this University aided their call and they will receive the original painting.

Building art

2009-09-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Recently I was quizzed about how many paintings I've completed lately since I've stated 'I'm off painting.' Guess the phrase should have been "I'm off building art!"

Painting is more than just putting a brush in paint and onto paper. It is a process. A comparison to the building industry could be made.
Preliminary property sale: Obtain subject photographs (unless plein aire).
Architect: Composition has to be thought out.
Blueprints: Drawings can give general boundaries.
Building supplies: Paper, brushes, paints, frames, glass or plexi, etc.
Construction framing: Value studies must be done in order to get lights and darks.
Construction installation of cabinets, lights, etc: Color studies start to bring future painting to life.
Construction flooring instillation: Everything is now tied together, a final painting can be created.
Final property walk-through: Have the painting critiqued by peers!

Summertime outdoor celebrations

2009-08-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

A bit of a disclaimer: I prefer allergy-free sports (watch on TV) and allergy-free arts (go to galleries and shows). By exhibiting indoors, I am somwhat assured of what the weather will be and not deal with rain or heat above 80 degrees. So for me to be part of a show that was held in a park was very unusual.

On August 22, Ridgefield, Washington celebrated it's 100th anniversary with what was a large community party, including: early morning walk/run, parades of old cars and tractors, ice cream socials, fashion show, kids activities, historical cemetery tour, ongoing entertainment on the park's stage, etc.

And yes, 'Art in the Park.' Presented by Ridgefield Art Association, artists' work was viewed within an open white arena under tents procured from local utility group.

This event was special! The community's pride was seen in the festival participants from the friendly waves of walkers as paintings were delivered just after 7 AM to the smiles of event volunteers at the day's end.

Good job, Ridgefield!

Award winner!

2009-08-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Title: 3 pears: 3

Watercolor, 10/2008

Image: 10" x 14" Mat/frame: 16" x 20"

Over the years I've wondered if the arts community sees county fairs as a viable exhibit venue. After doing research for an artistic resumé's content and layout style, I started to see that many nationally recognized artists got their start and began their awards list with those received at fairs.

Since last summer I'd only received a couple of 'Honorable Mention' awards. Not what I'd consider sufficent to be called an 'award winning' artist. Now that has changed! This painting received first place in the semi-professional section for water media. The check that came with this placement was more of a gesture of good will than of substance - shall we say it paid for the gas running back and forth to the fair grounds.

Paintings on the move

2009-08-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

This week I delivered two watercolor paintings to the Clark County Fair - Tiger: the lump and 3 pears: 3. Probably won't find out if I won a ribbon until I pick them up on the 17th.

Also this week I became a member of the Department of Revenue. Yes, I'm now licensed as Crimson Painter and Bobby Forbes, Artist. The branding can begin in earnest.

'tis the season to support community events

2009-07-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

The county fairs across the country are a great venue to show works of art. I'm in the process of selecting watercolor paintings which I'll enter next week in the Clark County Fair.

Currently it's been too hot to paint, fans are blowing constantly and paints are drying quickly. Temperatures are predicted to break records this week. We're talking 103 - 107 degrees. For Washington state, that's hot!

I'm back to painting!

2009-07-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Arne Westerman's book Paint Watercolors Filled With Life and Energy contains a chapter called "Ten Ways to Get Unstuck." I found this at the right time as I hadn't painted in a couple of months. And this chapter's item number eight: "Attend a workshop" really hit home with me.

In March I was able to participate in a three-day workshop by Mr. Westerman held in Springfield, Oregon at Emerald Art Center. Notice I didn't say paint - but participate. This is because for three days we mainly worked on thumbnails and color sketches, their need and importance. It was an amazing workshop!

Next, a national artist was doing a three-day workshop in April in Portland. I thought it might be a good chance to kick-start my painting routine. Wrong! As never before at a workshop, I left feeling I'd waisted my money. This artist was all about making themself look good and putting down the amateur artist, arts organizations, etc. For example: a student received assistance on color and composition (several times) yet when it was critiqued, the visiting national artist took a sponge and washed away the lower half of the student's painting telling the audience how wrong this painting had been set up. Enough on this egotistical artist!

By now I really needed to get to painting. Like comfort food, I have comfort instructors. A couple of these are Vickie Nelson and Bev Jozwiak, NWS, who co-teach workshops in the Northwest. They did their annual week-long Portland workshop at the end of May. And I can happily report that I did restart my painting. Many of the paintings from this week have been critiqued and after retouching they'll be added to this site - soon!

Busy weekend with multiple shows

2009-05-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

While I whole-heartily support individuals becoming members of arts groups, it can become a little crazy when multiple functions or shows land on the same weekend. This is what happened this weekend.

The Society of Washington Artists staged it's spring show Thursday thru Saturday. Overlapping days, Battle Ground Art Alliance presented it's spring show Saturday and Sunday. The artist's reception for each show was scheduled at the same time. Since I'm a member of each organization I wanted to participate in each show.

Once paintings were delivered to the various location, the choice of which artist's reception to attend became an easy choice. I'd received an 'Honorable Mention' for 3 pears: 2 at the SWA show. And this was the reception I attended on Saturday night.

Bridgeport

2008-12-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

Title: Bridgeport

Pen & ink with watercolor, 10/2008

Image: 7" x 5.5"

This should be considered more of a doodle than a painting. The color could have been darker in some areas, runover in other areas and edges softened. Yet on first glance, the eye goes where I wanted it to go.

2nd birthday

2008-11-27T13:28:00.000-08:00

Title: 2nd birthday

Watercolor, 10/2008

Image: 7.5" x 9"

After attempting to paint several different poses of my granddaughter, I'm ready to concede that painting portraits of kids is harder than painting adults! With that said, I do have several other paintings drawn in hopes of painting them in the near future.

Exhibit: WSU Vancouver

2008-11-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

Top photo: two paintings hanging on right sidewall are mine.

Washington State University - Vancouver

14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue
Vancouver, WA

Administration Building
November 17 - January 8, 2009
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

I was one of ten artists showing their work in the WSUV show. I may have been the only alum.

Tiger: the lump

2008-11-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

Title: Tiger: the lump

Watercolor, 6/2008

Image: 10" x 14" Mat/frame: 16" x 20"

This twenty-two pound 'love' lives with my daughter and her family. Tiger's aim in life is to eat, sleep, receive affection and sit in sun beams. He is at ease around people which allows many photographs to be taken of him. Next time I'll attempt to paint the eyes open.

This painting was another in the trio used to become a juried member of the Southwest Washington Watercolor Society.

3 pears: 2

2008-11-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

Title: 3 pears: 2

Watercolor, 6/2008
Image: 5.5" x 9.25" Mat/frame: 11" x 14" SOLD

Watercolorists tend to paint pears - a lot. Their color mix and round shapes can aid a directional flow.

This painting was one of a trio used to become a juried member of Southwest Washington Watercolor Society.

apple cup: 1

2008-11-05T13:57:00.000-08:00

Title: apple cup: 1

Watercolor, 6/2008

Image: 5.5" x 9.25" Mat/frame: 11" x 14"

This cup is one of many I can choose to use for drinking my morning coffee. One morning I sat it down next to other fruit and thought about the rivalry football game we play each November. As a Washington State University alumna I'm an avid college football fan (and also of boys basketball). Go crimson and gray! Go COUGS!

This painting is part of a trio of paintings used to become a juried member of Southwest Washington Watercolor Society. Preparing for the jury process can be equated to master's orals.

twigs & Silver Falls

2008-10-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

Upper Title: twigs

Pen & ink with watercolor, 3/2008

Image: 2.5" x 4.5" Mat/frame: 5" x 7"

Lower Title: Silver Falls

Pen & ink with watercolor, 3/2008

Image: 6.5" x 4.5" Mat/frame: 10" x 8"

Upper painting: For as small as it is, this painting critiqued well due to value and color changes.

Lower painting: I was there but the weather didn't cooperate for painting on site. With snow still on the ground, thank heavens we were in the Conference Center within Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon. The park is known for its ten magnificent falls.

even on a cloudy day

2008-10-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

Title: even on a cloudy day

Watercolor, 2/2008

Image: 21.5" x 14.5" Mat/frame: 29" x 23"

Received "Honorable Mention" at 2008 Clark County Fair's Fine Arts Show.

Always on the search for new subject matter, sometimes using shared resources. This painting is of a 17 foot catamaran and is based on a race my son-in-law attended. He races a 16 foot, two person Hobie Cat catamaran.

c.p. & shells

2008-10-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

Upper Title: c.p.

Pen & ink with watercolor, 1/2008

Image: 4.5" x 2.5" Mat/frame 7" x 5"

Lower Title: shells

Pen & ink with watercolor

Image: 5" x 3.25" Mat/frame: 7" x 5"

These little paintings were created free-hand. Since I prefer tracing or transferring using a projector, this was a real stretch.

geometric - curves

2008-10-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

Title: geometric - curves

Pen & ink with watercolor, 11/2007

Image: 3.25" x 6.25" Mat/frame: 5.75" x 8.75"

A workshop focused on how to use found (math and engineering) shapes to create designs and movement.

self-portrait 2006-08

2008-10-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

Title: self-portrait 2006-08

Watercolor, 2006-08

Image: 9.5" x 8" Mat/frame: 14" x 11" Property of artist

This was a class exercise and it was amazing that over half of the class skipped this day. Many gifted professionals recommend that a self-portrait be painted each year but my last attempt went to the scrap heap!

black straw hat

2008-10-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Title: black straw hat

Watercolor, 8/2006

Image: 9.5" x 7.5" Mat/frame: 14" x 11"

Ever since I started painting with watercolor, I've considered doing a series of hats. It still may happen. I like that painting the hats allows for various textures to be seen.

fedora & red belt

2008-10-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

Title: fedora & red belt

Watercolor, 8/2006

Image: 9.5" x 7.5" Mat/Frame: 14" x 11" Property of artist

The mystery of this resource drew me to paint it. The tweed was enhanced by the use of salt.

3 pears: 1

2008-10-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

Title: 3 pears: 1

Watercolor, 3/2006

Image: 7.5" x 9.5" Mat/frame: 11" x 14" Property of artist

This painting was one of the first paintings I completed from my own resource - pears laying on slate table's bamboo runner.

Artist's statement:

2008-10-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

My work in traditional translucent watercolor painting reflects a study in simple shapes and textures. I prefer to paint directly with colors mixed primarily on the paper rather than using many layers of glazed color. Using this method allows me to have more control over hard and soft edges while still giving me the option to add more color after the painting is dry.

A newly revisited technique deals with pen and ink along with watercolor. Strong value statements may be made with inclusion of ink. Add to this traditional watercolor and the result is a bona fide mixed medium.

...in the beginning

2008-10-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

…in the beginning – no I don’t think we want to go back that far. We need not discuss a variety of art projects in high school, first time around in college and private gallery lessons.

Fast forward to 2005 when my husband announced he would definitely retire as soon as he was eligible. The upside was he wanted me to join him in retirement – to be available to travel, go to lunch or shopping, run errands, etc. whenever we chose. The possible downside was filling an enormous amount of time.

Not wanting to be like many I’ve known in the workforce who said, “I’ll do it when I retire,” and then not doing anything, I began thinking about what could fill a large portion of my retirement.

Art has always been a part of my life – even drawing me back to college mid-life. Watercolor had always been there as something to explore further so with retirement I signed up for my first class.

I’m still at it and still delighted to be painting, taking classes and learning.