North Wind Blizzard. Live Painting.

Studio Early Winter. 2022. Pastel. 14" x 8.6". Casey Klahn.

My little studio is anything but "all weather". It leaks air like a creaky baffle. But, the best direction for wind and snow to attack, from my point of view as a survivor, is from the north. 

This pastel was done by opening the door and huddling in the doorway, and watching the storm.

Big Work on the Easel

Full sheet of La Carte pastel card on the easel. Can I have a cookie now?

Click on the image to see it in full crop.

Thinking My Way Through Yellowstone

Madison River, Yellowstone NP, 2013.

yellowstone.co

Atelier Of Ellen Eagle

Phyllis, 2002

11 3/4" x 7 7/8"

Pastel on Pumice Board

Ellen Eagle

sensitive

 Atelier is the French word for that place where you do your painting. It feels more intimate than the word, "studio." In her new book, Ellen Eagle has invited you into her atelier and offered you a look at her expertise and practices. Pastel Painting Atelier covers basics, such as studio set-up, pastel choices, brands, and pastel tools and surfaces. But the real experience of reading her book is like that of participating in a Japanese tea ceremony. You are made to feel special  and revelations abound.

observant

 Ellen spotlights both historic and contemporary artists working in pastel. A favorite section of the book for me was the in-depth walk through of her process where she unpacks her thoughts, feelings, and methods while showing progress on portrait, figure, and still life works.

attentive  

 The following is what Ellen wrote to you, the readers of The Colorist and Pastel Workshop.

Pastel Painting Atelier is my first book. I began the writing by entering my studio. I looked into my work environment and the treasured tools of my trade. My opening preface emerged naturally, and that personal statement set the tone for the whole book.  Throughout, I wrote about my inspirations and hands-on working practices.   My goal was to suggest to the reader ways to open up his and her own path. 

I also reached beyond my studio, into the ever-evolving history of our gorgeous medium. It was very important to me to exalt the magnificent lineage of artists who, across centuries and continents and styles, continue to  bequeath to us breathtaking works in pastel, artists who daily transform powder into monument. I closed the book with an index of public collections in which to view firsthand the enduring beauty of our collective endeavor.  

Ellen Eagle.

intimate 

Pastel Painting Atelier

ESSENTIAL LESSONS IN TECHNIQUES, PRACTICES AND MATERIALS

Ellen Eagle

Snow Deep and Notes

  Autumn Slope Drawing

12" x 13.5" 

Charcoal, Chalk & Pastel

Casey Klahn

With my world full of snow, I have taken to drawing in a serious way. I have quit a lot of pastel works in storage, and with a head full of ideas I want to make hundreds more. Anyway, I felt the urge to simplify and sharpen the charcoals a bit. This one, posted above, devolved from a finished pastel!

My children are snowed in from school, and my wife is down with an awful virus of some kind.  My time is not very plentiful, but I do get to the studio almost daily. Maybe today I'll wear snowshoes to get there since yesterday I was plunging to the knee in snow!

Another bother is that we have misplaced the battery charger for the Nikon camera and will have to order a new one.  So, no new photos of pastels for a while, even though I have probably 20 or more to show.

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In other studio news, I am forming an idea for a large work and it may take two over-size sheets of La Carte that I have squirreled away for a special occasion.  I'm imagining them just mounted together, seam and all.  If Degas did it, I think I may try the same. I know I could unroll some Wallis, or even get a piece of Gatorboard that big, but the dream I have is for La Carte.

Another fun pastime has been virtually framing art in Photoshop.  Here is one that worked well.

Fantastic Italy in Faux Frame

The Fall Studio

Staying warm in the studio this Fall and painting daily.  Here are the various works; some small and some large works.  I'm getting about 5 or 6 done per week.

Report & Matisse Quote

Harvest is Underway

Thanks to my readers and patrons for your kind attention to my Flat File Sale.  It isn't over, yet, but the weekend was busy and several framed and unframed works are going out in the mail.  As I said on Facebook, any artist is blessed to have an audience, and I appreciate mine very much.

There will be some topical sets of images, such as Italian scenes, and also a few inexpensive works to show you this week.  Also, I will cobble together an offering of framed works that are available to purchase.  Maybe I will do that twice, since I have different sizes available.  Stay tuned for these, please.

Traffic here at The Colorist has been sky high, and that is because of daily posting about this event, with much art to see, and this popular feature of artist Cameron Hampton.  Also, for reasons I haven't figured out, this post about the Ukranian artist Sergiy Aliev-Kovyka has gotten new attention.  I love his free style with the pencil.

My new web site has gotten lots of attention.  It directs you to this portfolio page, where currently available works can be seen.  Another reason for high traffic here at The Colorist is that university students are back on campus.

Finally, a quote from the master, Henri Matisse:

There are so many things in art, beginning with art itself, that one doesn't understand.  A painter doesn't see everything that he has put into his painting.  It is other people who find these treasures in it, one by one, and the richer a painting is in surprises of this sort, in treasures, the greater its author.

And no blog post is complete without one of these: the kitty.  My sincere thanks to the kind readers of The Colorist!

Harvest Photo: Lorie Klahn.

If Your Paintings Were Dances, What Would They Be Like?

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Studio Update.

How could there be anything more important than my kids will be back in school Wednesday?  My son will be in the Fifth grade, and my daughter fourth. From a studio perspective, though, that means I will be back at full crank with daily pastelling, and also oil painting.

The barn studio for oil painting suffered some momentum loss when we went on vacation to the coast, but I am confident that things will get back to full speed there, soon.  My next effort will be a mid-size painting, and I feel that I can play much better with that extra space on the canvas.  Reports to follow.

Although summer has kept me less active in the studio, I have made efforts to create almost daily and have moved the art forward.  I think you'll be surprised to see some of the works when I get them photographed.  

One interesting development has been the practice of working on pieces over longer periods of time.  I guess some artists describe that as rigor.  I feel that there are more things to be said, as well as some technical gems to be discovered, when one works the surface with more effort.  In some ways it hones the observational skills.

See you soon.

The Barn Studio Project

The idea to use the barn for a studio has been going around in my head for some time.  I was warned about the downsides, and there are many.  But, the space is big, and well ventilated for when I want to try my hand at large oils.  We'll see how things turn out as I use this for a temporary oil painting studio, at least while the weather is good!

Dusk From The Studio Window

Dusk Studio View 

4" x 10"

Pastel

Casey Klahn

When I paint the view out my studio window, do I get credit for that as a plein air piece?  Just kidding.

Up To The Minute

In the interests of keeping you up-to-the-minute, here is a photo journal of my recent studio works.

Upland Air

6.3" x 6.75"

Pastel

Casey Klahn

informal iPhone record

Ghost Riders

6.75" x 9.75"

Pastel

Casey Klahn

informal iPhone record

These pastels make use of my new Roche sticks.

Time Runs Out Today on the Pre-Sale

Pre-Sale

Available Works

Thanks to my readership for your attention and purchases!

Studio Dreams

My studio, pictured in the third frame from the right.

Studio Interior - easel and walls.

 Snow and my studio back door.  Gotta get those skirts on.

Studio Interior - north light and palette, easels.

When I googled artist's studio photos, it instantly struck me what were authentic and well-worked in studios.  Some were beautiful, and others cozy.  I dream of a studio that is big and busy.


Willem de Kooning and his studio in the Springs, Long Island.


The Parrish Art Museum.
Getty Images.
flikr.









Russel Chatham in his Livingston, Montana studio.  I follow his work.
h/t Loriann Signori.




The following link offers my sage advice on how to run your studio.  Spoiler:  don't be like Eric Satie.
Ten Life or Death Studio Tips, The Colorist.


I want to do a post on ten more tips.  Stay tuned.


I found this review of artist's studios at a blog named minutia: Artist's Studios.  My fave was Sigmar Polke's studio in Cologne, Germany.  I noticed he goes months without visitors - shades of Satie!


My studio dream is to build a big box connecting the north end of my current structure with high ceilings, north light and a deck.  I want limited or no windows to the south and west.  The trailer part will be office, framing and storage, which are tasks that are now done there in addition to being my studio.


I'm not complaining, though.  Many artists would be happy to have the space, and locale, of my wonderful studio.

Studio Mash

This is a photo journal of the week's studio events.  More happened, but those paintings already went in the flat files. 

 Flat Files and Studio Library

 Degas Copy on the Easel; New Drywall

 Deer Heaven Sketch

 Bull Pine, Informal Photo

Ballerina, Unresolved

Struggle

Studio and Struggle

My current studio work.  

I have been working diligently on the Hoquiam River series, because I want to have at least twenty paintings come the exhibit.  So far, so good.  Maybe there is a thread that unifies them.  They have been spread out over time, so I wonder.

It was time for a break, and so I tried to develop an image from Italy.  I was happy, but with reservations. That isn't too bad for a genre I don't specialize in.  

Riva Practice

Today, I had a short day in the studio, and had to call India for you-know-what.  The technician says my internet dish is old.  Good one.  Anyway, I got into doing some people on the street, in the Margaret Dyer style.  I want to explore those some more, as I am a huge fan of hers.  There is a thread of unity in her work and the work of Edgar Degas.

I liked the way Celeste Bergin mentioned at her blog that she does paintings for practice.  Then, she whips out a fantastic piece of a mother and child on the beach (see the link).  Hello.  Genius at work.

File this under miscellany.  I only found it the other day, and yet it is a series of posts done in the summer of 2009.  Sadie J. Valeri attended a residency involving the Hudson River Fellowship, and worked en Plein Air in upstate New York for a month.  I read the whole series with my mouth wide open.  That means I am in awe of the wonderful work done by Valeri, and I especially loved the use of graphite and chalk, and pen and ink washes.  Beautiful.

Cheers!  I'd better post this before my satellite dish falls over.

Aperture Bright

Aperture Bright

11" x 14"

Charcoal & Pastel

Casey Klahn

The Christmas season is here, and the Klahn household is abuzz with activity. My children, ages 9 and 7, are being as good as they are capable of being under the threat of coal in their stockings on Christmas morning.

I'm in the studio as much as possible, too. This year, the snow has played havoc with the control of the light in there. It is so bright, even with the windows facing north, and the blinds at half mast, that I am having trouble getting what I want. Maybe I'll have to go nocturnal, when the light is all artificial. I recently added another track light, which is a big help.

I am working on a series, and it has been a real joy. Some finished drawings are included in this, using mixed media of charcoal, chalk, and pastel. Also, there are some graphite works. Pictures to follow, soon, I hope. One direction is that these images are a little bigger than my normal fare, and the last few images have included more neutral colors.

Today I'm picking the kids up after school and together with Lorie we'll be shopping for the tree. Merry Christmas!

Links and Studio News

November 15 in the Studio, Hoquiam River Scenes
Casey Klahn

Jeanette Jobson, who does Gyotaku Prints, has published an interview of me at her newsletter. Jeanette blogs at Illustrated Life. Go here to find out about my studio secrets.

Katherine Tyrrell, of Making a Mark, has linked me on her popular Sunday feature, "Who's Made a Mark This Week." If you don't already make a habit of reading her Sunday entries, you should. I consider it the artist blogger news.

Here at The Colorist, I am continuing to think about The Artist's Ideas. If you haven't found your answers as to what your art ideas should be, that's good. Keep looking, and use my essays as fuel for your thoughts.

Also, in the world of blogging, I wonder who will become my three-hundredth follower? Next month will be the fourth anniversary of The Colorist, and I think you can appreciate the effort that requires. I appreciate each reader at my humble artist's blog.

I am becoming active at the ning community, Artistes de Studio. Jennifer Evenhus, a great artist from central Washington, is the driving force there. I enjoy the status of a Master Artist in the group.

Studio Panorama

In the studio, I am going forward with the long awaited Hoquiam River Series. Consider it like Twilight, only more moody. My representation of the rainy, coastal little river is a passage I am making by means of strong pastel paintings. Are these paintings of one of the most interesting places on Earth good representations of the scenery there? Only if you look at them through the heart.

I hope to have an opening in Hoquiam, my hometown, some time next year.

Studio in the Mist - An Update

Local Landscape in Mist
Small
Graphite on Sketch Paper
Casey Klahn

You are long overdue for a studio news report, and so today we'll get caught up. But first, here is an around-the-blogosphere update.

A recent post at Observe Closely, by Jan Olsen, addresses 5 Elements of a Successful Artist's Blog. I am working on my response to her post, and recommend her well designed blog to you.

Over at Katherine A. Cartwright's Studio blog, Katherine and her readers have just finished a three post exercise in trying to define what art is. To do it right, begin with her challenge first, Is It Art?, then proceed to Results... and lastly: Summary: What is Art?, to see how it all shakes out. Well worth your time, and not a few chuckles will be had!

The Colorist is now coming to you formatted on my new laptop pc. Sorry Mac-heads, I just couldn't afford the time to relearn all of my hard-earned but meager e-savvy. The time savings I am enjoying is phenomenal - it's as if I have an extra 2 hours added to my day. My old laptop now serves merely to run my old Photoshop version 2.

Bald Ridge in Haze

Small
Graphite & Pastel on Sketch Paper
Casey Klahn

Studio News.

My studio is humming with activity. We have had snow, but now are suffering a mid winter thaw. This morning I slipped on a shield of ice and had to lay there like a beached whale for a minute wondering how stupid a guy has to be to step on 2" of ice with rubber boots. Ouch. Both kids are home with sinus infections, and I am sharing that with them, myself. Ugh.

There are a number of new works in the studio, waiting for the photographer to capture them. In the meanwhile, I have taken some informal photos of sketches with my point-and-shoot, and two of them are posted above. Enjoy these over the next few days, and don't be too critical of the focus. I am totally in debt to my wife and her fantastic skills with the lens.

Speaking of lens skill, Lorie has taken a series of portraits of your artist on the occasion of my recent awards. See one of them below. Time to get out some newsletters and press releases, and in the mean time you get to enjoy my "mug" in the next few posts.

I am working on three new series, and on my studio goals and direction. I will review my old goals for you, and we can walk through the new ones. But, as usual, I don't find this stuff easy and I am still at this task. Stay tuned.

The Colorist update.

A while back, I got rid of the blogger profile tool here at The Colorist. It was too blogger for my tastes - trite and dull. On the right, see my new link to a refurbished blog profile. More remodeling will be forthcoming here soon.

The Colorist blog is swinging along very well. Statistics are up and there seems to be some synergy developing as far as the popularity and readership here. Thanks to everyone who has been reading, and to those bloggers who link to me.

Casey Klahn
January, 2010
Photo: Lorie Klahn

Master Copies

Mary Cassatt, After Degas - detail
@ 32" x 26"
Charcoal
Casey Klahn

At the Easel

I like studying the master works of artists like Edgar Degas. This work is a copy of his well known Portrait of Mary Cassatt.

Studio Life

Self-Portrait in a Striped T-shirt, 1906
o/c, 79" x 59"
Henri Matisse

In my studio, several threads are being woven at the same time. I am reading a biography of Henri Matisse, who was a noted Fauvist and a pillar of Twentieth Century art and Modernism. I had just finished a couple large volumes on World War Two, and feeling like I needed another big tome, so I found this @500 page whopper on Matisse. Then, feeling all smug about myself, I realized it was the second volume! I grabbed the Taschen Book on Matisse to round out the visual side of my study, and I'll be hitting the Amazon site to chase down that first book.

When it comes time for me to post on Matisse, you'll see the heroic as well as the staid side of the great Frenchman. Would you be pleased to exhibit your painting at salon, only to be openly reviled and mocked? How would it feel to have the patronage smearing the still-wet oil paint with their fingers just to amuse themselves? Stay tuned for more on the colorist whose shoulders we all stand upon.

Because my exhibition schedule is through for the summer, I am taking advantage of this time to Get Organized. That means I am doing filing, computer back up and cleaning, studio organizing, goal-setting, calendaring and what not. I see by my notes that I took the G.O. class from Alyson Stanfield back in November of 2006, and that led directly to this blog and much coherent forward progress in my art career.

As a means of clearing my head, I am getting outdoors and refining my plein air methods. Look for a beautiful post on Eastern Washington farm country painting at Pastel, soon. You will be treated to my elaborate and Rube Goldberg talents of securing my easel against the ever-present wind. In the near future I will be putting together a workshop for pastels, and I am exploring the possibility of putting my less color-dependant (more realistic) artwork into print. You'll be the first to know about that here at The Colorist, BTW.

On the home front, my two Lieb Kind will be in grammar school soon, and that translates into three full-time days a week for Daddy Klahn to be an artist in his studio. Woo Hoo! Next year, when my littlest is in First Grade, I will finally be a full time artist - a life long goal. Now, I take the attitude of a full timer, which sometimes helps, and sometimes hinders, studio progress.

For a touching display of home life and sending the child to Kindergarten, see this post from last year. Also, next week will be family Bible camp, so I will be out of touch with you starting mid week. Sun, lake shore, a small amount of someone else watching the kids, camp fires, a little bit of plein air painting, some rock bouldering (a type of climbing), and no house chores. Ahhhh.