New Sketching Pen

Yesterday I sketched with the Charleston Urban Sketchers and I grabbed a new pen (new to me) to try out.  It's a Pentel Sign pen (no other name or number appears on the pen).  It draws smoothly and I like that it's a shade of gray, not a black.  What I didn't count on (and I discovered by mistake) is that it can be rewetted.  So...I just played with it a bit and I came away liking it.  I think I'll add it to my list of "must takes" (not mistakes!).

This tiny, circular building is on Market St., near Concord (in Charleston, SC)
Does anyone know what it used to be?
(thx to Karen H for telling me it was there!)

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR SOME OF MY 2018 TRAVEL & ART RETREATS.

FIND THEM ALL ON MY WEBSITE HERE.

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Charleston's getting festive!

Downtown Charleston (SC)

Isle of Palms (just across the bridge from downtown Charleston)

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My Venice workshop is 4 months away.  Want to come?

Check out my separate excursion packages for both Painters and Non-Painters HERE.

And my Montreal workshop is now open for registration (details HERE).

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Play Tourist

I'm looking forward to hosting my California student in my home this month.  She went with me to Venice, Italy this past Spring and she's coming to Charleston for both of my back-to-back watercolor workshops, so I offered her a free bed and a good time (ummm...that didn't sound right, did it?). 

Instead of painting on my commissions (which I really need to get back to tomorrow), I've been tidying up My Upstairs Studio (because Heavens...what would she think if she saw it au naturel?).  

Looking forward to showing off Charleston to her, and taking her to my town's Sweet Tea Festival (next Thursday evening in historic Summerville).  Magnolia Plantation & Gardens will also be on our Must-Do list!  I get to play Tourist!

"Gossamer Shelter II" (Magnolia Plantation & Gardens)
Acrylic Mixed Media by Helen K. Beacham Fine Art
In a Private Collection

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Come paint with me! 

In 2016, we're going to Venice again.

Sept 2015 classes have been added to my website!

Check them out HERE.

Newbies No More

Every now and then, I offer a short 3.5 hr #sketching #workshop outdoors to introduce artists to the fascinating world of "en plein air" painting (literally, it means "in the open air").

Tippette:  Don't spend too much time trying to find the "perfect" spot.  You could spend hours walking around.  Settle down in short order, and get to work on whatever's in front of you, especially when everything's as lovely as it is in downtown, historic Charleston! 

Yesterday, we tackled architecture, that dreaded P word (perspective).  Drawing comes easy to some, and not to others.  For those of you that fit into the second category, I recommend two things:

1.  Buy yourself a copy of "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards and do the exercises in the book.  It's THE best advice I can give.  Click HERE for a link to it on Amazon.

2.  Buy a Compose-It-Grid and learn to use it.  See http://compose-it-grids.com/.

I was careful, I thought, to pre-select our spot under the protective canopy of trees, as well as to choose a street that didn't allow parking in front of the houses.  Well, par for the course, a white minivan comes up and parks right in front of the house we were sketching.  But, this time, the nice lady walks over to me and says she's just going to spend 5 minutes unloading and will be on her way!  That was good news!  (The lady turned out to be a lawyer that rents that building.  She said that hers must be the most painted and photographed building in the city.  She said many brides choose to have their wedding pictures taken in front of the arches and gates in the brick wall!)

Here, I'm laying in my first wash.  Trying to capture those beautiful cast shadows on the building.  We take lots of pictures when the sun accommodates us (peeking through the clouds that hung around much of yesterday), so that we can later remember what to include as we finish our paintings in our studios.

Painting "en plein air" is invaluable.  My students are no longer newbies, overcoming their fear and hesitation of painting outdoors.  They learned a lot about how to truly see the relationships of one section (or plane) to another.  I gave my students a handout of my "en plein air" tips.  If you'd like a copy, email me at helenKbeacham@gmail.com (remember to include the K in the middle of my name or it won't come to me) and I'll be glad to send you one!  And why not leave me a comment below about YOUR first experience painting outdoors!

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Come paint Montreal, Maine, Charleston, and Magnolia Plantation with me in 2014!  In May 2015, we go back to Venice!!!  Find details HERE.

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Packing Light (for Overseas Painting Workshop)

As our October #Venice workshop gets closer, I start to make mental and physical lists of what to pack (and sadly, what to leave home).  Traveling light is the key, especially in a city like Venice where there are  no cars and walking is the prevalent mode of transportation (unless you ride a vaporetto or a gondola, which have their own issues around carrying heavy suitcases).

Vaporetto - Photo courtesy of http://www.earth-photography.com

The other day, while visiting Tanger Outlet in Charleston, I wandered into Travelpro Luggage Outlet to see what was new (lighter?) on the market.  After mentioning my preferred budget and requirements for a new suitcase, the nice gentleman that was helping me, pulled out this model below.

24" Walk About Lite 3 (about $85-95)
with Inline Wheels (the salesman said I'd love them, and I think he's right)
It weighs 11 lbs.  That leaves me about 39 lbs for my gear, in order to not exceed the max.

Here's the kicker:  this baby measures only 24"h x 16"w x 12" deep.  I AM taking a carry on with me (it's a converted laptop bag that will house my travel-sized watercolor palette and other inflight necessities).  Does it seem even remotely possible that I can get all my stuff for 2 weeks into this thing?  I told him I'd have to lay out my gear, clothes, etc on the bed and eyeball my pile before I could decide.  But it's my goal to make it work.  I bragged to #KellyMedford, my fellow teacher in Italy, that I was traveling light, and light it shall be!

Note:  I have yet to verify with U.S. Air (which is the airline I'm traveling on) to find out what exactly the maximum size and weight limitations are for carry on and checked luggage, when traveling overseas.  (That's not exactly true...I HAVE tried to read the fine print on their website to no avail and now I have to make myself phone them, or drive out to the airport to ask!  I bought my tickets with "miles" so no travel agent is involved and available to help me).  If anyone out there knows that answer, pleeease send it my way!

In case you're curious about the other watercolor supplies I'm taking with me, you may find my Supply List on my Workshop page by clicking HERE.  If any of you are oil or acrylic painters, don't feel left out.  You're invited too and we'll send Supply Lists for your preferred medium.  Just ask us!

P.S.  The only medium we won't be teaching at this Venice workshop is pastels, but for you pastelists who are thinking of traveling elsewhere with your gear, here's pastelist Richard McKinley's TIPS for traveling light, many of which can pertain to other media just as well.  Wise words!

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Come with me (Helen K. Beacham) and Kelly Medford to paint Venice this October...

Click HERE for details!

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Day 30

Mission:  30 paintings in 30 days
Focus:  Watercolor with pen and ink on Italian-made Fabriano 140# paper.

Today was a struggle to get the last painting done...all day I wanted to sit down and work on it, yet I had an otherwise full day to deal with.  I had been approached to join Lowcountry Artists Gallery in Charleston, and I just hung my work at the gallery!  So...it's been a "good" busy, not a "bad" busy day.

Here's the very last piece in the 30 day challenge.  Hard to believe it's over.  No wonder the months (and years) seem to fly by lately!

"Charleston Embrace II" is reminiscent of our wonderful, quaint streets that never cease to please locals and tourists alike. 

Tomorrow I hope to post some of my insights and conclusions about committing to this 30-paintings in 30-days project.  Thanks for sticking it out with me!

"Charleston Embrace II"  (watercolor with pen & ink) - 6" x 4" - Available Framed $275

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To purchase (or view)  any of my paintings in this 30-day project, click on: ARTWORK

Please also enjoy the other 220+ artists' paintings by visiting LESLIE SAETA.

Come with me to paint Venice this October...click HERE for details!

READ MY LATEST POST!

Day 16

Mission:  30 paintings in 30 days
Focus:  Watercolor with pen and ink on Italian-made Fabriano 140# paper.

ANGEL's TRUMPETS have intrigued me ever since I moved to the South.  They seem so other-worldly for some reason.  I'd lovingly add them to my garden except for the fact that parts of them (allegedly) are poisonous for pets and children alike!  How could something so beautiful be toxic?! 

Photo of Angel's Trumpets  courtesy of www.myths-made-real.blogspot.com

My Day 16 painting is based on Angel's Trumpets that I found at MAGNOLIA PLANTATION & GARDENS in CHARLESTON, SC.  This one was fun!

"Angel's Trumpets" (watercolor with pen & ink) 6" x 4" - Available

By Helen K. Beacham

www.helenKbeacham.com

To purchase (or view)  any of my paintings in this 30-day project, click on: ARTWORK

Please also enjoy the other 220+ artists' paintings by visiting LESLIE SAETA.

Come with me to paint Venice this October...click HERE for details!

READ MY LATEST POST!

Day 8

Mission:  30 paintings in 30 days
Focus:  Watercolor with pen and ink on Italian-made Fabriano 140# paper.

I tend to paint the "simple", not the "sublime".  Even in a town as rich with history and gorgeous architecture as CHARLESTON, I find myself on the side streets and alleyways where I picture simpler life unfolding.

Another thing that draws me to any particular spot is the lure of the ITALIAN CYPRESS trees that poke the sky with their tips, as it would seem.

This is Day 8's painting in my series this month.  Please enjoy!

"Charleston Embrace" (watercolor with pen and ink) 6" x 4" - Available
by Helen K. Beacham

www.helenKbeacham.com

To purchase (or view)  my whole collection of paintings in this 30-day project, click on:  ARTWORK

Please also enjoy the other 220+ artists' paintings by visiting LESLIE SAETA.

READ MY LATEST POST!

"Charleston Alley Gate"

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I love it when my collectors send me pictures of how they've framed my artwork, and where they envisioned hanging it when they added it to their collection!  It kind of completes the whole process for an artist.

Charleston offers the "casual walker" a plethora of scenes to enjoy, including intimate settings like this one which I found down one of its many quaint alleyways.

"Charleston Alley Gate" (watercolor) by Helen K. Beacham

And here, below, is the picture showing how the new owner of "Charleston Alley Gate" ended up framing the painting.  I'm honored to hang below the sweetgrass basket painting by JENNIFER BLACK, one of our beloved local artists here in Charleston!

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Plein Air this morning.

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Participating in a plein air painting session in downtown Charleston today with 45 other painters.  It's actually the OIL PAINTERS OF AMERICA group, but this weekend's organizer (HILARIE LAMBERT with LAMBERT GRAY GALLERY) invited me to join in with my watercolors!  Went to a cookout with the group last night so I got to meet many artists from around the country that came in for the event.  We'll be set up North of Broad this morning and South of Broad after lunch.  At 6pm, our paintings will be displayed at Lambert Gray Gallery with a reception for the public.  Will post pics later!

One of a bazillion gorgeous settings in downtown Charleston to paint today!

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Charleston celebrates Halloween!

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Walking around downtown Charleston yesterday was entertaining, to say the least! Check out some of the sights that greeted me!

Ghouls hangin' out!

DON'T JUMP!!!!  

Southern hospitality at its finest!

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The Art of Photography

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I discovered this photographer's work through the Wells Gallery in historic Charleston, SC...wow!  John Michiels truly understands how to speak to a viewer's emotions.  Black-and-white is his specialty!

"Sidewalk View I" (photography) by John Michiels - Available through the Wells Gallery

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What Caught my Eye Today

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I spent the morning at the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery today on East Bay Street.

As I walked around the gallery, looking at the paintings, I pulled out my camera (don't do this without asking permission), and I snapped pictures of some of the pieces that caught my eye. Here, in random order, are those that stood out.   I apologize in advance for my terrible photography.  Trust me, they were even more beautiful in person.

"Addelle" by Steve Jacobs - Addelle is a fellow artist at the gallery.  As soon as I saw this piece, I not only recognized Addelle, but I felt that Steve captured her quiet soul!

"Ladies in White" by Addelle Sanders (yes, the Addelle from Steve's painting above).
This is Addelle's beautiful fiber art.  

"Still Life with Onions" by Pam Schussel.  Again, my photo does not do this piece justice.  The onions were painted such that you could see THROUGH the transparent layers of the skins!

This is a photograph by Charles Measter (but I don't remember the title).  My apologies to the photographer.  BUT what a way to draw the viewer into his work!  So engaging.

"Afternoon Silence" by Faye Sullivan.  Faye is well known for her deft handing of the oil medium .  She might paint typical Lowcountry scenes, but she always adds her own twist.  Her choice of color intrigues.  Nice job, Faye!

"Sweeties" by Hampton R. Olfus, Jr.  I like the "unusual" subject, and I liked his work overall.  This one, of those that he was showing today, stood out for me.

Painting by Dwain Ray, although I didn't remember to capture the title.  I love the super energetic colors and movement.  This one made me smile!

For those of you new to the area (or just haven't heard before), here's some information for you:  If you're a painter, photographer, 3-D sculptor or fine jeweler, you should consider joining the Charleston Artist Guild.  Once you're a member, you'll be able to submit your work to a jury, who will determine eligibility to show your work in group exhibitions and eventually to hang your work at the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery.  You'll meet like-minded artists and you might make some new friends!  I was in your boots 6 years ago when I moved to the area and I've enjoyed the relationship immensely.

www.helenKbeacham.com


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Development of a Rose Painting

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"Undying Love" by Helen K. Beacham

My painting (above) of a rose is done in watercolor...this video that I'm about to show you is done in oils.  It's truly fascinating to watch the rose immediately "develop" and almost become a "hole" in the canvas as the artist renders it into a 3-dimensional form.  The video is only 3 minutes long, so enjoy!  

(p.s.  I wish I could give credit to the artist, but I don't see a name on this video).

VIDEO

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Rainbow Row in Charleston, SC

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Photo & Comments courtesy of www.CharlestonLowcountry.com

Concern for the needless destruction of historical buildings inspired the forming of the Society for Preservation of Old Dwelling Houses, in 1920, still functioning today as the Preservation Society. 


In 1931 Dorothy Legge purchased 99 and 101 East Bay, beginning the renovation of the area between Tradd and Elliot Streets. Originally these mid-1700 homes had been the center of commerce; merchants had stores on the first floor and lived on the floors above. Neglect over time left these valuable buildings in a state of disrepair. The purchase and restoration by Mrs. Legge inspired others, and today this beautiful array of homes is known as "Rainbow Row".


These old row houses are very popular to Charleston. They represent the very first style of Charleston homes and are portrayed in the story of Porgie and Bess. You'll see pictures of Rainbow Row throughout your stay in Charleston.

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Classes for Everyone!

Take a peek...then take your pick!  Of classes, that is.
Click on: BEACHAM LESSONS & WORKSHOPS

I love to take classes in the fall, don't you?

I'm offering watercolor and acrylics classes that start in November...with a schedule all the way through April 2012.  Check out details on my website's link shown above!  Come to Charleston and take a class with me.

The Dreaded Bio

Just one more chore that artists hate to face:  the dreaded bio!  We hate to brag on ourselves!!!  How do you all deal with it?

The City Gallery requested updated bios for our upcoming group show through the South Carolina Watermedia Society.  I just spent an hour updating mine.  Done!

City Gallery at Waterfront Park (Charleston, SC)

Tuesday's Musings

Recently found out that my painting "The Reveal" has been accepted into the South Carolina Watermedia Society Exhibition being held this Nov-Dec at the Charleston City Gallery!

"The Reveal" (Watermedia on Rice Paper) by Helen K. Beacham
Also, I just finished the weekend at the Atlanta Arts Festival, where I ran into the "Chicken Lady", Madison Latimer (a fellow artist).  Does anyone think she looks like her subjects???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Fun lady!

Have you ever met yourself coming & going?  That's how I feel lately.

- Teaching "Watercolor on Yupo" workshop this coming Monday.
- Teaching a workshop in Charlotte at the end of the month.
- Traveling to Memphis to help with the babies (!)
- Painting for the Atlanta Arts Festival in Sept.
- Choosing which painting to submit to the South Carolina Watermedia Society show this month.
- Submitting 3 paintings for fundraisers.
- Continuing to plan for my Italy workshop (April 2012)!!!!!!!!!
- ....
It goes on and on.  But you know what?  That's my life and it just wouldn't be the same if it were any different!

"Look Within" (Acrylic on Canvas) by Helen K. Beacham