Volrath-Parrish

2008-07-10T09:29:00.006-05:00

"Two Art Shows Opening This Week."

"Pure Golden", Linda Volrath, 12"x16", Oil on Linen

Linda has been very busy painting for two shows that open this week. First was the Oatlands Art Show in Leesburg, VA which opened Monday July 7th. The second which opens today July 10th at Main Street Gallery in Annapolis, MD. These images are from the Main Street Show.

"Studio Window", Linda Volrath, "11x15", Oil on Linen

"The Red Cup" Linda Volrath, 10"x8", Oil on Panel

I will post the images from the Oatlands show next week. Linda and I both have paintings in the Oatlands show.

2008-05-23T18:33:00.003-05:00

"Recent Plein Air Studies"

"Plein Air Study, Azaleas in the Rain" Linda Volrath, 8 x 10, Oil on Linen

"Plein Air Study, Dogwood in Bloom" Steven J Parrish, 9 x 12, Oil on Linen

These two paintings are examples of Plein Air quick studies that we have done since we took Kenn Backhaus's Workshop last month (See post below). Linda and I both learned a great deal from Kenn and will continue to use what he taught us in our landscape paintings.

We are now both busy painting for upcoming shows, hopefully I can post some of them in the near future.

2008-04-29T12:26:00.002-05:00

"Oatlands Plantation 2008 Gala"

"Morning Sun on Oatlands Mansion", Linda Volrath, 8" x 10", Oil on Linen

We attended the Oatlands Plantation spring 2008 black tie gala last weekend. The gala is a fund raising event to benefit this historic trust property in Leesburg, VA. Linda and I have been involved with them for about 10 years. We have had paintings in their annual art show every year and have always done well selling paintings. Linda donated this painting "Morning Sun on Oatlands Mansion" for the silent auction. Bidding was strong and the painting raised the most money of all the silent auction items, we would like to thank and congratulate the winning bidder. We would also like to thank Cynthia Bridgman for having us at her table. We enjoyed speaking to William C. Travis and his wife Sally, William's watercolor painting of Oatlands was used on the invitation and was donated for the live auction. His painting raised a substantial amount of money for Oatlands benefit. We would like to thank everyone involved at Oatlands for always being so kind to us, allowing us to paint on their property and giving us opportunities to be involved in their fund raising events. If you can visit Oatlands it is well worth the trip.

2008-04-23T09:08:00.002-05:00

"Kenn Backhaus workshop and mini-tornado"

"Moravian Church at Dusk", Linda Volrath, Oil on Linen, 9"x12"

Linda and I just got back from a plein air painting workshop with Plein Air Painters of America member Kenn Backhaus. Kenn is a great landscape painter, and a wonderful instructor. This was one of the best workshops we've taken, Kenn is an enthusiastic, thoughtful teacher that gave us a great fundamental foundation to improve our plein air painting. If you get the opportunity to take a workshop with Kenn Backhaus you should take it. Thanks to Sandra Corpora President of the Bethlehem Palette Club who organized this workshop. Thanks also to Sandy and Pat for their wonderful hospitality. The weather though cold at the beginning of the week, turned warm and sunny for the remainder of the week. The weather event that none of us had ever experienced while painting occurred on Tuesday afternoon. Kenn was doing a painting demonstration along the banks of the Lehigh River, there was not a cloud in the sky and the wind was calm. Soon a slight breeze picked up, and intensified to the point that we went running to our easels to keep them from blowing over. Things were blowing in all directions and a dust devil came spinning down the path we were all on, it took a right turn about twenty feet before where Kenn was set up and headed down the bank onto the river. Easels and painting supplies were rolling down the banks and into the water. Once over the river the dust devil transformed into a sixty foot tall water spout a mere fifty feet from where we were standing. After fifteen or twenty seconds it moved to the opposite bank and burned itself out over the steel mill buildings. Then all was calm and there was still not a cloud in the sky. We picked ourselves up and resumed the demonstration. As usual there were at least twelve cameras in the group and no one took a picture.

2008-04-11T17:59:00.005-05:00

"Paintings from the Blue Ridge Hunt Races"

"The Red Cup" Linda Volrath, 10"x8", Oil on Panel

These two paintings are Linda's exploration of a new genre for her. She was inspired by the spectators at the cold and windy Blue Ridge Hunt horse races chronicled in a previous post. I love them and hope she continues to paint people in the process of enjoying life. You really get a sense of how we all were feeling that day.

"untitled" Linda Volrath, 14"x11", Unfinished Oil on Panel

These paintings will be added to Linda's website once she has finished them. When we finish redesigning her website we will add a category for People and Animals other than Horses. She has some great paintings of birds that need to be included.

2008-04-01T09:13:00.005-05:00

"Spring is Springing"

"Daffodils and Ball Jar",Linda Volrath, Oil on Linen, 9" x 12"

Spring is Springing at our house in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the birds are busy building nests, the rabbits are trying to eat everything growing in our gardens, and the trees are budding their brains out. That can only mean one thing, IT'S PLEIN AIR LANDSCAPE PAINTING TIME! We're dusting off our outdoor equipment and will be back out there battling the sun, snakes, bugs, wind, and whatever else nature wants to throw at us. It is all worth it when you stand in front of God's beautiful creation and really look at the light, shape, and color of nature. Nature is gloriously simple and amazingly complex and it all would take care of it's self if not for our destructive human behavior. So take some time this spring to go out and really see what God has created for us, and give nature the respect that it deserves.

2008-03-13T08:17:00.007-05:00

"Dust Devils" Linda Volrath, Oil on Linen, 11" x 13"

Linda and I went to the Blue Ridge Hunt point to point steeplechase races last weekend. Thanks to Chris and Andy for the wonderful food and hospitality. The weather was a major character in our day. It rained hard all morning, but by race time the rain had stopped and the temperature was in the mid forties. That all changed at 3 PM when a cold front came through bringing hail and heavy rain. It only lasted 30 minutes or so, but the horses weren't happy and the spectators ran for cover. Those that chose to seek shelter in the porta-johns came to regret their decision as they were blown over. After the rain the temperature dropped a good ten to fifteen degrees and the wind howled at 20 to 30 mph. The races continued and those of us who stuck it out were rewarded with several close finishes and a fun story to tell. No horses or riders were injured and it was another success for the Blue Ridge Hunt.

Me face into the wind

We got some great photos of both horses and spectators. We captured some images that Karin Jurick would love. If you don't know Karin Jurick's work here is a link to her Blog;

http://karinjurick.blogspot.com/

Karin captures ordinary people in the act of doing ordinary things, and elevates the scene to a beautiful moment in time with her expressive paintings.

2008-02-18T09:19:00.006-05:00

"Linnin' em Up, Newmarket", Oil on Canvas, Sir Alfred Munnings, Collection of Paul Mellon
Image from Virginia Museum of Fine Art website

Linda and I went to the Virginia Museum of Fine Art this weekend to see Paul Mellon's, Eugène Boudin and Sporting Art collection. We weren't that familiar with Boudin, but we really liked his work. The show was titled "The first impressionist." I can see that, he was painting in an expressionist style, but not to the extent that the later Impressionists would take it. We specifically went to see the sporting art, which unfortunately was a very small collection, separate from the permanent collection. The sporting art show featured; John R. Skeaping and Sir Alfred Munnings, we went to see the Munnings. Skeaping was a pleasant suprise, we liked his work a lot, we don't follow watercolorists as closely as oil painters. The three Munnings paintings were amazing, and we studied them for a very long time. His use of color is fantastic, especially in the shadows. We also spent time looking at Paul Mellon's permanent collection at the VMFA, what an amazing art collector.

2008-01-14T09:24:00.001-05:00

"Pickled Pear", Steven J. Parrish, Oil on Linen, 22" x 16"

Critique my latest painting.

We do not normally post images of unfinished paintings, but I thought I would try it with this one. This is the painting I have been working on for the Oil Painters of America National Competition. I need to submit it in the next week or two, please feel free to critique this painting and make any suggestions that you feel would be an improvement. This is the level of finish that I have reached when I say a painting is in the review process. The painting moves from the studio into a room in our house with more representative lighting conditions, and varying viewing distances. Linda and I then discuss any changes or improvements that need to be made.

Steven

2008-01-11T14:05:00.001-05:00

"Duet", Linda Volrath, Oil on Masonite, 6" x 9"

The holidays are over and we're back to work, I am 99% finished with the still life I am submitting to the OPA National Juried Show. Linda is finishing up a painting that has already been sold, and working on some paintings that were in various stages of completion.

2007-12-20T09:59:00.000-05:00

"Light of Life" Linda Volrath, Oil on Linen, 12" x 9"

Linda and I wish you a Merry Christmas.

To all our friends, family, and patrons, we appreciate you being in our lives, and enjoy the time we have spent together.

We're looking forward to next year and hope you will continue to share the beauty of life with us.

Linda and Steven

2007-12-11T10:10:00.001-05:00

"Best Friends" Oil on Linen, by Steven J Parrish

The Holidays are taking up a lot of our time and painting days have been few and far between. Paint is being put on canvas but nothing is finished. Since progress is slow I would like to just talk about art for a moment.

Linda and I meet a fair number of people in our travels and as soon as they find out we are artists we get some predictable reactions. Some people are fascinated, some are curious, and to some, it even seems like a normal thing to do. The most interesting part of the discussion that follows depends on whether the person owns original art or not. If they own original art they are glad to talk to us about it. They are always the most passionate about art when they found a piece and purchased it themselves. Art collectors, even if only one piece, know how original art in their home enriches their lives, and brings them joy. We have found this to be universally true. We have never met anyone who said "I have a painting in my house and I hate it." Every collector we have spoken to agrees on one thing, "There is always room in the house for more art.". The conversations with non-collectors tend to focus on everything other than buying or owning art. I can see why this is the case, buying art can be overwhelming and expensive, but I believe the biggest issue is that non-collectors don't see art adding any value to their lives. Let's face it, people will not spend money if they do not perceive value. Most people will never find value in art, but those that learn to appreciate how art can make them feel, and the beauty that it can add to their home will be forever changed. I think it is the responsibility of everyone involved in the art world to help those with even the smallest interest in art feel welcome and comfortable with the process. After all it benefits and adds value to us all.

2007-11-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

I worked on my still life painting and did get it into evaluation mode. I signed it so it must be getting close. I think I have a little work to do on the background shadows. Linda worked on a painting she's been working on for a couple of weeks, it is looking really good. I will post images once we get done.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, be safe and be happy.

2007-11-16T13:42:00.001-05:00

With our New York trip behind us we are looking forward to getting back into our respective studios and painting. I hope to have the still life I have been working on at a point where I can be in evaluation and final adjustment mode this week. Linda has several paintings in progress and might start something new. I never know until I walk into her studio what she might have going on. Unless we decide to attempt some "snow scenes" we should be in our studios for the rest of the winter. I hope to have my newest still life done in time to submit to the Oil Painters of America 2008 National show, I'll let you know if I make it.

On a technical note I have been playing with light control in my studio for almost five years now and think I am finally getting it under control. I have some more improvements to make when I take down my current setup. I didn't want to change in the middle of a painting, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Steven J Parrish

2007-11-12T13:36:00.000-05:00

Linda, Sandy and I just got back from our "All art all the time" trip to New York City. Our main objectives were to see the Daniel Sprick solo show at Arcadia Fine Arts and the Dutch Masters exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art .

Both show were amazing, but the Daniel Sprick show was one of the top three solo exhibits I have ever seen. My top three in no particular order; John Singer Sargent at the National gallery in Washington, DC, Richard Schmid retrospective at The Butler Institute of American Art Youngstown, Ohio, and Daniel Sprick at Arcadia Fine Art NYC, NY. If you have never seen a Daniel Sprick ( Or Richard Schmid for that matter) painting in person I urge you to do so. The elegant beauty that Sprick depicts what could be viewed as unappealing subjects (skulls, bones, dead bugs, egg shells, etc) has to be seen to be believed. I have admired Mr. Sprick's work for years but I was amazed at how much more spectacular the paintings were in person as compared to photographs and web images.

The Dutch Masters exhibition was overwhelming in its own right. Being a huge fan of Rembrandt and Vermeer this was a must see show. It was the MET's permanent collection grouped by how it was acquired, but to see it all on display together was worth the trip. We spent the most time analyzing the Rembrandt's and Vermeer's. I would have loved to have seen them when they were just completed and not after 400 years of age, cleaning, and restoration.

We also had time to visit galleries carrying paintings by Daniel Greene, Jacob Collins, and too many more to mention. Endless thanks to Sandy for guiding us around the city like a pro. Thanks also to Pat for providing us a room with a view from Central Park South so we could wake to a view of Central Park in Fall Color. We also visited the Salmagundi Club of New York to look around this historic artists club and view the American Artists’ Professional League Exhibition the same show that Linda won an award in last year.

Time will tell if our painting will be influenced by the great art we viewed on this trip, I hope it is.

I believe that art can change your life, so live with art in your life.

Steven

2007-11-07T09:02:00.000-05:00

Here are the three finished plein air paintings form our recent painting trip. They were painted on site in one or two sessions. The painting of the train bridge was interesting because I was just a few feet from what I found out was a very busy freight train track. Several of the trains had to stop and wait for other tracks to clear, so the train engine was just a few feet away rumbling me and my easel and surrounding me with diesel fumes. A couple of railroad workers walking the tracks to do inspections thought I was crazy painting rusty old railroad equipment. I told them they see it so much that they had gotten used to its beauty, they laughed and kept walking. The other two are my first attempts at painting water, I think they turned out OK, I still need to work on the transparency of the non reflecting water areas. I will definitely paint more streams when I get the chance.

Steven

2007-11-02T15:22:00.000-05:00

Our good friend Sandra Corpora spent the weekend painting with us and as usual it was a great time. It rained the first two days so indoor still life painting was the focus. The sun did come out and some frigid and windy landscape painting was attempted. Sandy finished a few paintings, Linda started some good paintings to be finished at a later date, and I started a big still life and almost finished my landscape. I keep trying to get paintings posted to this blog, and I promise I will, but you can always see what we have been up to on our websites.

http://www.lindavolrath.com

http://www.sjparrish.com

http://www.sandracorpora.com

2007-09-07T08:36:00.000-05:00

We're back from our landscape painting trip to Bethlehem, PA. Thanks to Pat and Sandy for hosting us again. Great food, great friends, great weather, and plein air painting, what more can you ask for. We painted every morning and every afternoon for four days. We all did really well and have several paintings that just need a little touch up to be complete. I hope to post some of them in a few days. Here is a picture of me painting near the Trout hatchery. We painted with Sandy's Bethlehem Palette club on one morning, it was fun to be out painting with a dozen other artists.

2007-07-20T08:12:00.000-05:00

We are focusing on paintings for the Eastern Regional OPA show in Naples, FL. The entry deadline is in August.

I have finally finished my website and it is now up and running. I will be added more paintings to the site as I get PICS on the computer. The address is: http://www.sjparrish.com

2007-07-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Oatlands Plantation Art Show opening reception was last night, a great event as always. Several of our paintings have found new homes. Thanks, to all our patrons for your continuous support. We had a chance to see and talk to many fellow artists and meet several patrons and supporters of the Oatlands historical property. The show will be up through August 9th for anyone who couldn't make it to the opening reception. We really enjoy getting out and talking to patrons and other artists. It gives us an opportunity to share ideas and get feedback, art can be a very solitary endeavor.

2007-07-03T13:01:00.000-05:00

We are delivering our paintings to the Oatlands Plantation show this week. The show opens on July 9th. Linda finished her paintings late last week and the final images of the last two are included here. It has been the usual sprint to the finish with varnishing and framing, but we are done and ready to go. Hope we will see some of our good friends and patrons at the "invitation only" opening reception, it is always a good time. If you didn't get an invitation try to see the show while it is up.

2007-06-21T12:41:00.000-05:00

Linda and I will both have paintings in the upcoming "Four Seasons of Oatlands Art Show and Sale" July 9th through August 19th http://www.oatlands.org/News/newsview.asp?ID=20. If you have a chance stop by and see the show. The paintings for the show are shown above. Linda has one more painting she will include in the show, but it is not finished yet so I can't include it here. The unfinished painting is shaping up to be very impressive, so you should go to the show to see it.

We are both preparing to start work on landscape paintings from our trip to Napa and Sonoma counties in California. We have some really good reference photos. We both prefer to work en plein air, but we decided not to pack all our painting gear for this trip. I'm not sure how my efforts will play out, it will be a new experience for me. I will post on our progress when we are farther along.

2007-06-05T15:21:00.000-05:00

Linda and I are back home after a couple of trips, first we spent a week in Sonoma and Napa Counties in CA, and then we went to Bethlehem and Philadelphia for the weekend.

Our trip to California was for our tenth wedding anniversary, we had a great time traveling around exploring the towns and vineyards. We have tons of photo reference for future landscape paintings.

We went to Bethlehem to see our friends Pat and Sandy and to go to Sandy's solo show opening at the Gross-McCleaf Gallery in Philadelphia. The show was a huge success! Congratulations Sandy! http://www.grossmccleaf.com/artistpages/corporapage.htm

Between both trips we went to the artists reception for the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America centennial traveling show put on by the Cross Gate Gallery. If this show comes to your area make an effort to see it, the artwork is amazing. http://www.crossgategallery.com/artist_detail.asp?id=1089

Now that we're getting back to work, Linda is busy painting for the show at Oatlands Plantation, and I am trying to get my website finished and uploaded.

2007-03-15T09:16:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I have posted, but with the holidays now well over I can give an update.

Linda decided to reproduce several of her paintings on note cards and had them for sale in several locations in our area during the Christmas shopping season. They sold well and she still has some available for anyone that is interested. Email her at llvolrath@att.net.

Linda was asked to paint a large painting for the cover of the Blue Ridge Hunt's point to point race guide. The race is March 31st and the painting is to be auctioned off at some later date after the race. This is a big opportunity for Linda to show her equine paintings to the horse community. The painting was quite a challenge since it had to work as a stand alone painting and as a layout for the guide cover. The painting looks great and will hopefully raise a lot of money for the Blue Ridge Hunt Club.

Linda also had a fox hunt painting in the Cross Gate Gallery's traveling centennial exhibition for the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America. I say had because the painting sold in the first couple of weeks, so she is preparing to send another painting. http://www.crossgategallery.com/artist_detail.asp?id=1089

I have not been painting much, not sure why, lacking inspiration I think. The spring weather should get us out landscape painting and that should get me moving.

2006-11-01T09:41:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted. Linda and I spent a great week in Asheville, NC, not much 2D art but tons of pottery and woodwork. We really enjoy all that the downtown has to offer.

Linda just found out that the painting that was accepted into the Artist Professional League show at the Salmagundi Club in New York won the "Helen DeCozen Award For a Floral". This is Linda's second national award in two years. The other was the "Founders' Award for Excellence in Painting" from the American Academy of Equine Art in Lexington, KY.

Linda has been so busy with the business side of her career the last few weeks she has barely had time to paint. That should be changing soon as she fulfills some commitments to benefit auctions and a possible local solo show.