Where Oh Where, Abstract Landscape by Janet Bludau

12" x 12"

Oil

I recently came back from a really enjoyable 4 day workshop by Marla Baggetta, a Portland based artist.  Marla's medium is primarily soft pastels but she uses a lot of acrylics also.  I found a kindred spirit:  I get teased about how many paths I paint and here was someone else who sure does paint a lot of paths!  I came home and painted this on board with oil, instead of paper with soft pastels.  Our "styles" are different.  She has a beautiful, loose, free way with her work.  That is also one of the reasons I wanted to learn from her.  I am always wanting to loosen up, as are most artists I know.  Its wonderful to incorporate a few new techniques or, what I have especially liked are the words that come to me from prior classes.  "What If" came to me with this piece and I started scraping  the blue paint back to the red.  At the end of the day though, when you line a group of paintings up, you will most likely know which painting belongs to which painter.  Mine typically have that contemporary, angular style.

SOLD "Between Storms"

The Viewpoints Show at the Chemers Gallery in Tustin, Ca. just opened last Saturday night.

  I am so happy to say that my entry has sold!

Land And Sea, Contemporary Abstract Landscapes and Seascapes by Janet Bludau

12" x 24"

Oil on Thick Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This painting started out with a solid layer of red paint.

From there, I did a simple drawing with very light, thin paint.

I mixed a few colors I thought I might like to use on my palette.

I then started with brushwork but still staying thin with my paint, being careful not to cover up all of my red undercoat.  After I was happy with my colors on the canvas, I went back in with thicker paint with my brushes and palette knives.  Again, being careful not to cover up all my red beneath.  Lastly, I did some scraping with the side of my knife in the foreground which gives us more grass like shapes and again, more undercoat to show through.

Bludauart@gmail.com

Website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

Here And Beyond, Large Abstract Landscape, Seascape

24" x 36"

Oil on Thick Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is one of my favorite paintings I have done.

I stood back and tried to analyze exactly why.  I don't know if it is the color, the sky or the combination of thick and thin paint.

I hope you like it.   Just realized that I already posted this awhile back - woops.  I guess I just wanted to show it to you again?

Bludauart@gmail.com

Website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

Collector Art Shop, Berkeley, Reception

I have been out of town and therefore no posting.  I always think I am going to have plenty of time for my computer duties while on the road but it is rare.  There are photos to take and friends to see and new places to check out.........  First stop was Santa Barbara for a 3 day anniversary celebration and some relaxation.  We then headed up 101 through the beautiful central coast wine areas, ending up in Kensington at Amy and Hugh's.  This was to be our home for the next 2 nights.  I am probably 5 pounds heavier because of their wonderful cooking and our one pizza night.  We couldn't just get pizza from one shop, we had to bring in several for a tasting dinner.  I reconnected with one of my best friends in Berkeley who I haven't seen in years and she took a box of my small 6" paintings that she is just sure she will find homes for!  The opening reception at Collector Art Shop was on Friday evening. Shown here is one group of my work.  They also had me represented in the front window and several other places in the gallery.  It was a great evening of old friends, local art lovers to meet, music and wine.  The trip was topped off with a wonderful visit with my husband's son's family - very fun.

"Serene" Abstract Stand Of Trees Landscape by Janet Bludau

20" x 20"

Oil on Thick Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Bits of red poke through from the underpainting

$350 if purchased directly from the artist at Bludauart@gmail.com

Full Website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

AUCTION for "Sonoma Inn" Small Rectangular Landscape by Janet Bludau

8" x 12"

Oil on Thick Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Auction starts tomorrow at $20 on the Daily Paintworks Site

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/original-fine-art-auctions

Berkeley, California Gallery Showing Janet Bludau Fine Art

If you live in the California Bay Area, put the evening of March 8th on your calendar!

I will be there as one of their featured artists.

Large, Abstract Seascape/Landscape by Janet Bludau

3 Feet x 3 Feet

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Varied Brush and Palette Knife work make this piece interesting to look at - 

I am very pleased with the outcome!

Bludauart@gmail.com

Website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

Workshop Day 1 with Tom Balderas

This painting is 1/2 Janet Bludau and 1/2 Tom Balderas.  Oh My, there is a lot to learn.  I wish I could just jump into his body and feel what he is thinking, feeling, knowing.  In 3 minutes, he transformed the bottom of my painting.  This is a study in Values.  We were only to use various tones of gray to convey the darks and the lights of our still life in front of us.  The red around the saucer was added last just for fun.  I think we will be using some color in day 2 (next Monday).  That probably sounds more interesting to most of you but this is hard enough!  Also, I really do like the look of these almost black and white paintings.

"Lavender Valley" Large, Abstract Landscape - Janet Bludau

24" x 36"

$600

On thick Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I have recently done a series of Lavender Field Paintings.  Lavender Valley is the largest so far.  Most of the them have been inspired by the beautiful fields I have photographed in California, Oregon and France.

Bludauart@gmail.com

Full Website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

Abstract, Colorful and Small "Bountiful" by Janet Bludau

6" x 6"

Oil on Archival Board

$75

or

$125 framed in a contemporary floater frame

Inspired by our California Farmlands

"Provence Lavender" Small Abstract Landscape by Janet Bludau

6" x 6"

Oil on Archival Panel

$75 with a complimentary easel

$125 framed in a contemporary floater frame

Another small 6 x 6!  Whenever the Randy Higbee 6" Squared Juried Show is announced I start painting these small paintings.  I finished about 10 of them this time around.  My next step is to decide which ones are my favorites.  You can send 3 images for consideration.  Then you remain hopeful that you will be excepted!  More than 1 piece juried into the show is very exciting and 2 of mine were excepted!  "Provence Lavender" was not sent in to be considered even though it was one of my favorites and also chosen as a favorite by several friends, family members and fellow painters.  I forgot to mention that during this "home judging" period, I ask anyone and everyone who comes into my house, to choose their top 3.  Its gets pretty old when I start eliminating and re-asking my visitors.

Hopefully you are still with me here.........  The reason I did not send in the "Provence Lavender" is that I thought the judges would be looking for value changes, along with other "painterly techniques."  This basically means that there are much darker and much lighter areas in the painting.  If you notice, this painting lacks that - it is more "tonal."

I am drawn to tonal paintings........  Enough said........you are yawning now..........

http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

Bludauart@gmail.com

"Contrasting Beauty", a Colorful Abstract Landscape by Janet Bludau

6" x 6"

Oil on Archival Panel 

$75 Unframed with complimentary table easel

or

$125 in a contemporary floater frame

Thank you for looking at my blog!

Bludauart@gmail.com

http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

"Between Storms" 24 x 36 Beach/Coastal Oil by Janet Bludau

24" x 36" Oil on Canvas

$600

A woman and her dog are out for a morning stroll. The sun is peaking out but she knows it won't be for long.  There is another storm forecasted and it should hit within a few hours.  The storms are why she has a home at the coast.  The only room on the second story of her home is her large, sparse, bedroom with a small writing table at one end.  The entire wall facing the ocean is made up of windows.  There is nothing she loves more than to cozy up in her warm beach house while a storm passes through.

Bludauart@gmail.com

"Patchwork Landscape" Framed Colorful Abstract Inspired By Our California Farmlands By Janet Bludau

8" x 8"

Oil on Archival Panel

Framed in a contemporary floater 

$175

I am not really sure why I am so drawn to painting farmlands and abstract, geometric landscapes.

I mean really...... I live in Newport Beach - land of dogs with their own strollers, more cosmetic surgeons per block than plots of corn or apricots!

I don't garden as much as I used to.  Years back I used to fight with myself:  "You need to get in there and paint....... no, I need to prune and mulch for just a few more minutes."  My daughter's friends called me "The Farmer."  I'm not sure that was a compliment but they were sweet about it.

Bludauart@gmail.com

Abstract Rowboat Seascape by Janet Bludau "Floating Through Life"

24" x 24"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

$400

"Floating Through Life" was created using both brushes and palette knives.

The composition is similar to my "Ocean Series" paintings but I went larger with this one!

Abstract Wine Country Lavender Fields Landscape "Ready For Harvest" by Janet Bludau

6" x 6"

Oil on Archival Board

Framing options available

$75 unframed

I have a series of small Bay Area, California paintings that I have finished with many of them being of lavender fields.  I am going larger now, with a lavender field painting measuring 2 feet x 3 feet on my easel!

Bludauart@gmail.com

Website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

"Lavender For Miles" Small Landscape of Lavender Fields by Janet Bludau

6" x 6"

Oil

This painting was juried into the Higbee Art & Frame 6" Squared Show.  The opening reception is Saturday evening,  December 8th in Costa Mesa, Ca.

It is one of two paintings I will have in the show.  The second painting is titled Sea Of Lavender and was posted on November 23rd.

Getaway to "Cabo San Lucas" Mexico Small Piece by Janet Bludau

6" x 6"

Oil on Archival Board

A few months ago I went on a Girls Getaway to Cabo with 3 other painters.  We swam, we read, we sketched and painted.  We drank margaritas and beer.  We counted our mosquito bites and tried every potion we could think of to keep the bugs off  (I think the Bounce Dryer Sheets really do work).

We traveled to Todos Santos, a wonderful little "artsy" town.  We traveled out to some wonderful dinner destinations and discussed our future dreams.  Most of all we laughed and joked and talked about having to do a trip next year...........

"A Bowl Full" Abstract, Modern Still Life of Fruit - Janet Bludau

20" x 20"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is one of those pieces I really enjoyed painting.  There were virtually no struggles with it.  I had the usual decisions to make of course.  After the bowl was painted blue I thought, "No, wrong color."

I knew that changing it at that point could be a mistake though.  I still had other parts of the painting that had to be worked on, including some color tweaking.  I instead, worked on these areas.

As sometimes happens,  my "wrong" blue became a "right" blue.  Dana Cooper calls this the Push And Pull of painting.  Working on one area changes the look of another.  You have to keep pushing and pulling until the painting as a whole works.

Thanks for visiting!

bludauart@gmail.com

Sea Of Lavender, Abstract Landscape of Wine Country, Janet Bludau

6" x 6"

Oil on Panel

Juried into the upcoming Higbee Art & Frame 6" squared show.

Opening reception December 8th

I hope if you live anywhere near Costa Mesa, Ca. you will join us!

Bludauart@gmail.com

http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

Abstract Maui Beach Scene Landscape by Janet Bludau

12" x 12"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Dancing Trees is a very modern take on a Maui photo I shot years ago.

Baldwin Beach has many trees that need to be navigated to make your way to the warm sand and water.  It is a beautiful beach, as are most  Hawaiian beaches.

$200 plus shipping

Bludauart@gmail.com

Website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

Small Abstract Perfect For A Gift "Holiday Party Goers" by Janet Bludau

6" x 6"

Oil on Archival Panel

$75

Painting will arrive gift wrapped and includes an easel

Feel free to inquire about larger sizes, additional color palettes.

Bludauart@gmail.com

Website:  http://janetbludau.fineartstudioonline.com/

"Makena Shore" Maui, Hawaii Abstract Landscape, Seascape by Janet Bludau

12" x 12"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

With bits of red underpainting showing through, Makena Shore was painted with both brushes and palette knives in primarily blue and green hues.  

Makena Beach is on the Leeward side of the island of Maui in Hawaii, where I was fortunate to live for 5 years.  The beaches in this area are perhaps my favorite on the island.  Have you been?