Joan DaGradi: The Painting Life or Postcards from New Orleans

Regina Rosarii

2008-05-22T18:00:00.000-05:00

watercolor, 14 x 11 inches

Great fun painting this!

A second view to follow in a few days....

Mater Dolorosa, Sunny Morning

2008-05-20T19:26:00.002-05:00

watercolor, 14 x 11 inches

Suddenly, it's hot, very, very hot. After a cool Spring, it seemed Summer might never come, but it did indeed arrive yesterday. Meaning that early morning is the best time to paint plein air, without fighting the humidity. On location by 8:00 AM this morning, I'm hoping to be out a bit earlier tomorrow. The sun hitting the bronze doors at Mater Dolorosa was exquisite today. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to be there and paint this.

"Sunday Morning" chosen for Synovate Auction

2008-05-14T17:57:00.011-05:00

watercolor, 21 x 14.5 inches

My watercolor, "Sunday Morning", is one of the 40 pieces by New Orleans artists commissioned by Synovate. The Synovate auction on eBay begins May 23rd for 7 days. Today, a press release was featured on Forbes .com. As Yoda might say, "Thrilled, I am!"

For more information and to see the entire collection online, go to Synovate.com.

"Quarter Renovation"

2008-05-12T22:28:00.003-05:00

watercolor, 21 x 15 inches

"Lakeview Shack"

2008-05-10T19:57:00.005-05:00

watercolor, 11 x 14 inches

After the Conference

2008-04-29T23:03:00.006-05:00

Hosting the Synovate delegates was pretty amazing. Totally a wonderful experience. Delegates were from China, Thailand, Germany, Australia, UK, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the US, India, Poland and Hungary. I loved every second; this was a fantastic group. I realized that it's time to start teaching. Truly, I had no idea that I would so enjoy sharing and communicating. It was really fun and I'm grateful that Synovate chose to help the local artists through the Arts Council of New Orleans. There were beautiful pieces on display at the dinner Thursday night. We have some very talented artists here and it was a great pleasure to be a part of this.

In my studio, the delegates helped decide, by a vote, which painting I would enter. They asked many questions and came up with a written profile which will be put on eBay, when the paintings go to auction.

I can't remember having more fun; what a terrific experience!

Synovate Global Conference in New Orleans

2008-04-19T21:33:00.003-05:00

The successful marketing firm, Synovate, third largest in the world, is holding its 4th global conference in New Orleans! Most exciting was their decision to help local visual artists, who have been largely ignored in the wake of Katrina. Synovate is bringing over 500 delegates to their conference, which begins Monday. They have chosen, commissioned, and paid 40 artists, including yours truly, to develop a painting based loosely on "My New Orleans". Fourteen international delegates will go to each artist's studio to devise a marketing profile of the artist. All paintings will be auctioned online, with proceeds to be divided between the Arts Council of New Orleans and the individual artist. Definitely a win-win situation!

Delegates will be coming to my studio on Wednesday afternoon. I'm really excited to be a part of this and am looking forward to meeting the delegates. We will gather in my newly refurbished watercolor studio, which recently had the wood floor installed and sanded, having languished since the flood. I painted large swaths of the wall with magnetic paint so that I can post watercolors anywhere, with the help of neodymium magnets rather than push pins or nails. It's terrific to have the space back in use.

I'll post new work after the conference. Predictably, I'm having a hard time choosing which painting to select. Maybe I'm even getting a little over the top about which one will be featured. Two more days and the painting time is over. I've made frames in two sizes to keep options open. The only definitive is that the painting will be a watercolor landscape.

"Boarded Up on Filmore"

2008-04-10T23:13:00.004-05:00

watercolor, 11 x 14 inches

Randy Pausch on ABC News Special With Diane Sawyer

2008-04-08T20:22:00.005-05:00

Randy Pausch is one amazing person.

You may have seen his picture this past Sunday on the cover of "Parade" magazine.

My son was fortunate, in his freshman year at Carnegie Mellon, to study with Randy, as he was recruiting computer science students to work on the Alice project for the following year. That semester turned out to be the only opportunity to work with him as Randy was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer soon thereafter.

What's so amazing about Randy, if it wasn't enough that he was a gifted educator at CMU and co-founded the Entertainment Technology Center is the way he's dealt with his illness and his incredible ability to teach others about what's really important. He has been on "Good Morning America" and "Oprah". Tomorrow night, April 9th, he will be interviewed on the "ABC News Special with Diane Sawyer at 10 p. m Eastern/ 9 p.m. Central time zone.

Three weeks after being diagnosed, he was asked to give a lecture at CMU, called the "Last Lecture"; it can be seen on YouTube. The lecture has been turned into a book, now available at Amazon.com.

Blue Tarp, Uptown"

2008-04-08T18:08:00.002-05:00

watercolor, 10 x 12 inches

email artist for more info

"A Street, Uptown", watercolor, NFS

2008-04-01T18:30:00.002-05:00

"Late Afternoon, Louisville St., Lakeview"

2008-03-29T21:16:00.004-05:00

watercolor, 11 x 14 inches

Away in Chicago, at the Art Institute

2008-03-28T08:45:00.007-05:00

The Homer and Hopper Shows are too good to miss!

Truly, the Winslow Homer show, "The Color of Light" was minimally described by the museum's press releases; it is a huge blockbuster of a show. Unfortunately, this is the only location to see it; the show is not traveling elsewhere after it closes on May 10, 2008.

It lovingly details Homer's artistic journey from illustrator to artist, showing how extremely inventive he was with his watercolor work. Many of the pioneering techniques he used in his watercolors can be directly linked to the work he did as a young illustrator. A fabulous catalogue accompanies this show, which is spread over 7 to 8 rooms and includes several of his finest oils. One visit is not enough; the show has been packed from the moment the museum opens at 10:30 AM. A great time to see it quietly is on Thursday evenings at 5 PM. The Chicago Art Institute is open late on Thursday until 8 PM.

The Hopper show is also one not to miss. Chicago is the last stop for this amazing exhibition, which has already been in Boston and Washington, D.C.

Many of Hopper's best known oils, like "Early Sunday Morning" and "Nighthawks"are presented, as well as watercolors like the "Mansard Roof" and many from Gloucester and the Cape.

It's quite a thrill to walk back and forth between two giant shows, seeing some of the best watercolors and oils that American artists have ever produced.

Gotta love the Art Institute of Chicago; membership entitles you to free access to the shows, pretty much anytime, no waiting in line.

Ciao!

"White House, Gray Day, Lakeview"

2008-03-26T21:19:00.003-05:00

watercolor, 11 x 14

The One that got away.....

2008-03-25T19:56:00.008-05:00

"Corner of Colbert and Filmore"

watercolor, 11 x 14 inches

I've become obsessed with this house. Don't know anything about who lived there, but I've painted it at least a dozen times in the last two weeks.

The first watercolor of this house was satisfying, and possibly would have been enough.

Atypically, I was very happy with the result, using a limited palette.

As I packed up, evidently the painting remained behind; I never saw it again. Maybe it was left it on top of the car as I drove off. When I realized it was missing, back I went, driving all over the neighborhood, but to no avail.

Like the fish that got away, in my mind's eye, the painting just kept getting better and better.

Since then, I keep trying to reach that bar again. Sooner or later, if the house doesn't get knocked down first, I'll stop, hopefully after a successful painting experience.

"Foss House Sunlight Sketch"

2008-03-24T12:01:00.005-05:00

Watercolor, 11 x 14 inches

Click on title for auction.

Owen Fos's House, Lakeview

2008-03-23T22:15:00.007-05:00

Watercolor, 11 x 14 inches

Click on title to view auction.

This was the first Lakeview house that I fell in love with. A neighbor from across the street told me about Mr. Fos. He is in his 90's, living elsewhere now. I was thrilled to hear that he had survived the storm. His son is trying to take care of the house, which will probably be torn down soon. Many elderly folks in Lakeview chose to stay during Katrina, rather than leave their pets, and perished in their homes when the levee broke.

I drive by it nearly everyday and have done several studies of this structure. This was the first. I hope to do a larger version before it's gone. While I was painting here, a Sewage and Water Board employee came by, giving out handbills telling of impending street work in the area.

I feel a tremendous sense of urgency to document so many different, beautiful old houses in Lakeview before they're gone, before the street work starts, before the summer heat sets in.

Ah, Love.....

2008-03-11T20:49:00.007-05:00

"Behind Reginelli's, Gray Day, 2004", watercolor, 14 x 22

Love is a funny thing; you miss it when it's not there, and maybe, take it just a bit for granted when it is.

Years ago, I began playing with watercolor. Played with it here and there, for a few months at a time....and years went by as I pursued a livelihood with pastel portraits and oil paintings.

Every now and then I'd pick watercolor up again, only to be greatly frustrated; it takes several months of daily practice to "hit my stride", feel comfortable enough that I can paint without being self conscious about every stroke.

Invariably though, after a few days of practice, the entire world looks different, luminous. I start seeing with eyes that imagine how to paint everything in watercolor and, amazingly, even McDonald's looks beautiful! At times, watercolor seems like the most impossible of mediums; every small accomplishment makes me want to sing!

On the next rainy morning, I'll photograph recent starts. When the light's up, I'm rushing out to paint....and results are slow. I'm again playing with watercolor. Experimenting. I know that I don't want colored drawings as much as I want watercolor paintings.....but I need to be patient, it will come.

I'm working primarily in a section of New Orleans, Lakeview, that was severely damaged by the storm. For a full two years after Katrina, I couldn't paint there. Every block looked like a wasteland, with doors open swinging in the breeze, like a stage set for a spaghetti Western. Only Clint was missing.... Copper theft [plumbing, fixtures, gutters] was a huge problem for quite some time in the area. Now the neighborhood looks so good, it's amazing to see the few houses on each block that have not yet been re-done or knocked down. And those are the houses which have captured my eye.

Matassa's Grocery: in the French Quarter

2008-02-22T20:08:00.003-06:00

watercolor, 14 x 20 inches

Painted plein air in the Quarter.

Home again, home again....

2008-02-15T08:14:00.003-06:00

Just back from a short trip...hope to resume posting in a week or so.

Sorry to say that my website is down, though hopefully not for long.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Ciao!

Respect Delayed: The life of Charles Ethan Porter [1847-1920]

2008-01-30T19:59:00.002-06:00

The paintings of Charles Ethan Porter have been rediscovered by patrons eager to explore the work of Connecticut artists. The first major retrospective of his work was in 1987. The current show at the New Britain Museum of American Art began January 12 and continues through March 16, 2008. The accompanying catalogue is exceptional, both for the wealth of information and the quality of the reproductions.

Green Jar & Lemons close up

2008-01-29T20:33:00.002-06:00

"Marsh: St. Bernard, oil, 8 x 6 inches

2008-01-27T19:26:00.000-06:00

This painting is being shown in the February group show at Jean Bragg Gallery, 600 Julia St. in New Orleans. For more information, please contact the gallery at 504-895-7375. The show "Smalls for the Walls" begins Feb. 9 and will be shown through the end of the month.

Jean Bragg Gallery is a beautiful, spacious gallery in New Orleans Arts District, with a distinct Arts and Crafts period flavor, showing original Sadie Irvine watercolors and Newcomb pottery.

They also have published outstanding catalogues, including "Painting the Town", a study of the Woodward brothers whose wonderful paintings and teaching style have linked them indelibly with New Orleans great contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement. For more info, go to www.jeanbragg.com.

Second version of "Green Jar & Lemons

2008-01-23T11:50:00.001-06:00

This is the midway version of this painting. Some of the darks have dropped out and will need to be reinforced. After careful thought, I wiped out the day's work on the silver creamer. The highlights were too high and the modeling looked too grayed -out to my eye. Sometimes the best thing is to wait a few days and come back with a fresh eye.

"Two Roses" 8 x 7 inches, oil on canvas

2008-01-22T12:40:00.001-06:00

This painting is currently showing at the Jean Bragg Gallery at 600 Julia St. in New Orleans. Please contact the gallery at 504-895-7375 for more information or go to http://www.jeanbragg.com.