Friday, April 16, 2010

Q & A Weekend

I just finished four new paintings for a group show at Howard/Mandville Gallery - you'll see those in a couple of weeks. Three are dogs, and you know how I love to paint dogs. The rest of my painting time has been frustrating and continuous wipe-offs. It happens - just have to work through it.

Meanwhile ..... I thought I would start Question & Answer Weekends. Please ask your questions by clicking on 'comments' and I'll be sure to post my answers during the weekend. Thank you.

51 comments:

donna said...

This may not be the kind of question you had in mind... do you have any of your books available? Or, do you have another in the works?

Karin Jurick said...

I have 2 books I'm ready to publish. Thru Apple, who publishes mine, I have to prepay for the order - so that's the reason for the delay. I should have extra copies of past books as well as new editions by mid-May.

Terri Buchholz said...

I wanted to tell you, I spent a couple of hours browsing through your past works recently and what a pleasure that was. I knew you were prolific, but there are so many paintings I had never seen, discovered by clicking on a painting then clicking from there onto "previous". Are you taking any advanced orders for your books?

Karin Jurick said...

Thank you Terri - much appreciated. The more you paint, the more you learn - that's my experience.
As for taking orders for the books, I don't and that's because I have to see the books in my hands and know they're 100% good to go.

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Karin...my BIG question is "What is your best marketing trick??" :) I'm using you as inspiration as I plug along with my oil strokes!! I slap my own hands some days when I try to overwork!

Karin Jurick said...

Trick? I wouldn't know, other than to be consistent, always have new work available and use the internet for what it's meant for.

Cleve said...

Great idea for the Q&A Karin. Love the work!

Where do you purchase the panels? Or do you make your own? If you do make them, where do you get the untempered hardboard?

Thanks

Linda Popple said...

I don't have a question ...... YET! Just wanted to say that this is a great idea and much appreciated. I not only look forward to answers to my questions, but those of others. THANK YOU!!

Meagan said...

I am wondering if you always start your paintings with a solid color for your backgrounds? I use black and was noticing a lot of orange in your background...am I right about the orange?

Pam Van Londen ~ daily painter of landscapes, portraits, and still life said...

Hi Karin.
I'm still trying to find Caribbean Blue oil paint, which you have recommended somewhere...I lost track of where I can order it.

Neiley Harris said...

I am curious as to what camera you are currently using for photographing your work and for reference photos. I know you use a photoshop program after. Your work always looks so "clean" on your blog!

Rae Andrews, Contemporary Texas Artist in all media said...

Karin I have been going to your blog almost every day, and always discover new works. You are my idol, I am blown away by your wonderful paintings. I am very interested in how to set up sales off the Ebay, was it complicated? You have had such well deserved successes in that department, I would love to experience a part of that.
Thanks Karin.

Madonna Hitchcock said...

What do you listen to while you work? Sambas? Stevie Wonder? Big Band? Sarah Vaughn? Just curious.
Madonna

Unknown said...

Hi,Karin. Any tricks or suggestions on photographing figures inside (i.e., restaurants, shops, musuems)?

Karin Jurick said...

For the small formats I paint on Ampersand Gessobords which I order from Dick Blick.

Karin Jurick said...

I add a ground color of black on the panels - my second choice is to add a paprika-like tone on top of the black for a different effect.

Karin Jurick said...

The Carribean Blue I love is by Old Holland - I have found that brand at Pearls and Binders.

Karin Jurick said...

My camera is a Canon Power Shot SX20. Getting to know your camera inside and out - as well as Photoshop - is just as important as painting.

Emily said...

How do you keep your brush clean in between colors? The colors in your paintings are always so vibrant... mine end up kind of muddy.

Thanks!

Karin Jurick said...

With respect to setting up sales on Ebay - the website offers a tutorial that takes you through all of the steps. That's easy. Getting noticed in a vast ocean of art isn't - it takes years of consistent offerings and customer satisfaction. There's no shortcuts.

Karin Jurick said...

What music do I listen to while I'm painting.... I either have the TV on in the background or Pandora running on my computer. Music of choice would be Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Van Morrison, Al Green, Marvin Gaye - lots of 60's & 70's stuff.

Karin Jurick said...

With respect to photographing people in public places - I pay close attention to not being intrusive - and I've learned how to be quiet and quick. If I'm indoors, I make sure I abide to the policies in place.

Dawn Hartigan said...

Karin, I was wondering about cleaning my palette after painting. How long is too long to wait? Do you bother to save the leftovers and if so, how do you use the leftovers? So far I haven't found a palette I am really satisfied with. Any suggestions would help. Thanks.
Dawn

Amy Hillenbrand said...

What do you like the most about your paintings? and what do you like the least? How long does it typically take to do a 6 x 6 and how long for something larger like a 16 x 20?

Karin Jurick said...

How do I keep my colors from getting muddy.... for every one or two strokes I make, I wash out the brush in Gamsol. Change your color, wash your brush out. Simple as that. Think of it in terms of having 4 pots of different sauces on the stovetop. You wouldn't stir one sauce then use the same spoon to stir another sauce without cleaning off the spoon.

Karin Jurick said...

With respect to my palette - I use a 16" pizza pan - the paint usually lasts for a week, then I throw it out and squeeze out fresh paint on another pan.

Karin Jurick said...

Amy's questions - what do I like/dislike about my paintings.... I can only say I like the fact that I paint what I'm most interested in - ordinary people doing ordinary things. I like ending a painting feeling like I used oil paints for what they're meant for. If I dislike something I've done, I usually fling it across the back yard and start over.
The time involved in a small format can be an hour up to five hours. Depends on the flow. A larger size for me is around 12x12 or the like - that can take an average of 10 hours.

Laura Lee Zanghetti said...

Karin, this is so awesome. I also would love for you to do an instructional book, to see more of the process and application of your work. I keep a lot of your work in my insperational file and study it constantly. Also, do you think you would ever be doing a workshop in the Boston area? Please, Please, Please.

Karin Jurick said...

I am proud to be a part of anyone's inspiration. Thank you for that.

Denise said...

I love the use of color in your paintings. How do you achieve it? What color theories do you subscribe to?

Also, how long do you allow you painting to dry before shipping them?

Karin Jurick said...

Denise, I thank you, but I don't know how to answer the question about how do I achieve the color - other than the more you learn how to mix color, the braver you get with color. I like to exaggerate the intensity of color in life - same reason I use a lot of mustard on my hot dog. It adds more flavor.

With respect to drying time, I like to give mine 4 weeks, unless it has a particularly thick application of paint. During the hot weather, it's crucial to not package a painting until it's very very dry.

Barbara Benedetti Newton said...

I met you and your beautiful work a couple years ago at Howard/Mandville. I remember your work floating in the frames. Can you share that framing technique as well as the specific frames you use?

Karin Jurick said...

I would rather not cover the edges of the painting, so I mount the panel on a linen matboard and allow 1/4" of the matboard to show on all sides. I used various frames, mostly dark woods with a thin, goldleaf inner lip. I own a frame shop, so I choose from a few different sources.

IVYALLOVER said...

Karin wow what an inspiration you are to me! I've gotten back into my paintings now for about 2yrs and I am loving every minute of it. I've been trying to loosen up and your work is an inspiration thank you! Your Q&A is a great idea as well. I am on the waiting list for your class in NYC in May - will you really not be in NYC until 2011? Boo. Also I am curious have you ever used the large palette containers to store your paint in the fridge? That's what I use and its great (I don't like wasting paint). Do you crop most of your photos in Photoshop for composition purposes or do you find you don't crop much? Other than cropping what else do YOU use Photoshop for? You also mentioned your largest piece is 12x12 is that correct? Is there a reason you don't paint larger? I am so curious about using black gesso - Your paintings illuminate is that from using the black foundation or from all your colors would you say? I've always been taught to have a minimal palette and to mix your colors what are your thoughts on that? I take many photos..how do you know what will work in a painting? In other words how do you decide what to paint when you have several photos to choose from?

Thank you! sorry for going crazy on the questions and my the ramblins....

IVYALLOVER said...

Hi its me again are you sure you want a Q&A? haha...I just read your comment on framing. Sadly I have not seen your work in person is it possible to show us a piece mounted on the linen board as you described perhaps in your blog? I use the deep cradle boards to paint on - no frame needed - but sometimes I like to see how people frame their work.

Do you always work in alla prima? or do you work in layers -say you work on a piece then go back to it the following day? If you work to finish a piece in one sitting any tips on how to avoid the muddy effect? Also do you draw on your board before painting the scene?

thanks again!

liz wiltzen said...

Hey Karin, just a quick note of encouragement re: your recent run of wipers. You emptied the vessel pretty good on that last show, seems only natural you haven't filled it up again quite yet. Sending some good painting vibes your way!

Anita Tresslar said...

Karen, I will be in Hilton Head next week and look forward to seeing your new work. I am wondering how long you wait to varnish your paintings? I was taught to wait six months. I think you commented on your FAQ page that you varnish after 7-10 days. Is that still the same?

Anne C M Campbell said...

Hi Karin!

I read that you varnish your paintings. Do you use a matt or gloss varnish? And if you have ever had to take it off again, for whatever reason, what have you used to do that?

Looking forward to your new work.

xdbx said...

Other than Gamsol to wash your brush between colours do you use any other painting medium/s mixed in with your oil paints at any stage? If so what do you use...and when?
Thanks so much for the Q&A - it's a brilliant idea!

Karin Jurick said...

Catching up...

- I don't store my paint in the fridge. I have too many condiments. There's no room.
- Yes, I use Photoshop to prepare the image for painting, sized right and ready.
- I don't paint larger because I don't have the desire to. Not yet.
- I don't think one can have too many different mustards, salad dressings, spices in a kitchen - same with paint colors. I want more possibilities at my disposal.
- How do I decide what to paint from hundreds of photos? Sign up for one of my workshops, it would be easier to explain then.
- I always work wet, I don't have the patience for working in layers.
- Sometimes I sketch out before I start painting, sometimes I don't.
- Thanks for the good vibes Liz.
- I varnish approximately 3 weeks into the drying time. I do it when I'm sure it's ready. There's various thicknesses of painting, different brands of varnish - no rule should apply.
- I use a combination of gloss & matte. I have had to remove the varnish several times in the past and used mineral spirits. Check the brands' instructions.
- I use linseed oil with the paints all through the process.

I invite your questions - and remember I have written about a lot of these topics for years on this blog - you can search for these topics within the past posts. I also have a FAQ page on my website - there's a link on the right column. Just a reminder...

Diane Cutter said...

Karin... I've so enjoyed your blog showing us your wonderful work. Your work is alwayss fresh, not overworked, as though you are painting plein aire. The beach paintings would support that but... what about your museum visitor series? Do you work in the stu8dio from photos or from sketches done on location?

Karin Jurick said...

Everything I paint is referenced from photos I've taken.

Laurie G. Miller said...

Hi Karin,

Do you scan or photograph your work for posting on your blog? Do you correct/enhance/modify the digital image before posting.

Thanks!

Laurie

PS - Your work continues to inspire me...thank you!

Karin Jurick said...

I don't scan the work - it's wet paint. I photograph the paintings as soon as I complete them. The colors are more vivid before drying and once they're varnished, there's too much glare to get a good image.

The time it takes to refine the image accurately, for presentation, can be a good half an hour or more. It's crucial to get it right. Honestly, that's where I see a lot of artists fail. If you want to show your work on the web, you need to put as much importance on the presentation as you put in the work itself.

Gwen Bell said...

Here it is Sunday night so hope I haven't missed the Q&A weekend.
My question is about being picked up by Galleries. I am in 2...one local, one in PA...but both just happened on my work through my blog, not out of anything I did. How do I actively approach Galleries about selling my work? Clueless here.

Gwen Bell said...

Another question: What adhesive do you use for your floating framed paintings? I tried it here at home (know how they say "don't try it at home?) with double stick tape and it fell off after 2 days. Glad it happened here and not in a Gallery! I'm thinking Gorilla Glue?

Karin Jurick said...

With respect to approaching galleries, I can only suggest you call or email and ask if they're accepting new artists and if so, what format would they want to receive some examples. Some websites have that info - I would call and ask. I've been fortunate to have been noticed by the gallery owners - so having a good website and/or blog does help.

Regarding the question about adhering the panels to the matboard - I use clear silicone, acid-free - with small daubs on the outer corners. Let it dry a full day.

Karin Jurick said...

I'll do the Q&A next weekend - so if you have more questions, I'll see you then. Thanks to all.

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed your museum series. Do you have a favorite art museum?

Karin Jurick said...

My favorite museums are the Art Institute of Chicago and the Smithsonian Museum of American Art.
And thank you for the kind remark.

Edie Dean said...

Karin,

When you photograph indoors, do you use flash?

Thanks.

Edie