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Vincent van Gogh Roses in Pink

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Painting at the NGAMany may not realize that Vincent van Gogh created several versions of “Roses”.   The masterpiece created by VanGogh, “Roses” that is in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. was painted in 1890, shortly before he was released from the asylum at Saint-Remy.  It is among his largest and most beautiful still lifes, with an exuberant bouquet in the glory of full bloom.

Originally, the roses were pink which would have made a beautiful compliment with the green background.  However, the pink has faded throughout the years.  It is difficult to determine which roses and how many were originally pink. I am in the process of copying this piece for the second time.  The first time I copied it just as the it looks today.  For the second try, after doing some research, I took the liberty of painting it in the manner that I believe van Gogh created the original–with the pink roses.  After careful observation, I decided that the flowers that have the slightest tinge of pink were probably the ones that he painted in pink. It’s been fun to see how this painting has evolved and how it will end up.  It should be completed in about one more session.

One can view the original creation as well as my copy on Tuesdays from 10:30 AM until about 4:00 PM in the Impressionist Gallery #83.

Holiday Cards

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These images are of cards from past years and are available for purchase at “The Candy Kitchen” 52 N. Market St. Frederick, Maryland, and at the “Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center” 40 S. Carroll St. Frederick, MD beginning in October.  They may also be special ordered through this web-site.  See HOW TO PURCHASE/COMMISSIONS.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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MET - NYC full view
Copying Renoir “Still Life with Peaches”

I’ve put another check mark on my bucket list.  As a high school student living in New York City, I often took trips to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As I walked through the great galleries, the feelings I experienced were multiple.  It was almost unrealistic that someone could actually paint such magnificent works of art.  I remember being entranced, walking around in a state of awe, not quite understanding what I was feeling, but happy to be there soaking in such beauty and color while observing the unbelievable skills of the master artists.

During the time period of July 8 through July 19, 2013, I realized a dream I thought could never happen. I became a Copyist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I was doing what I loved in my own home town –  the beloved city of New York.  After a long application process I was accepted in the program, one of five copyists selected for the summer season.  I copied Auguste Renior’s “Still Life with Peaches.” It was an unbelievable experience to be so close to that magnificent painting.  I met art lovers from all over the world, exchanged stories, answered many questions while loving everyday and every moment.  The museum staff was wonderful and helpful.  The copy drew tremendous interest and many positive comments from the patrons.

A special thanks to my dear friends Camille and Joe who opened their city apartment to me.  It is conveniently located and enabled me to travel daily to the MET with a load of art supplies.  Without their generosity and support, this experience may have never happened.

Master Copies from The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

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The images in this gallery are authentic copies from the masters at The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.  Each piece is authenticated by the NGA as a copy from the original and painted in oil.  Most are on a linen surface. Some are on gallery stretchers and do not require framing as they are painted around the sides of the canvas.  Careful research and study was done to learn the process and use of color during the time period the original painting was created.  These one-of-a-kind works of art are available for sale.  Interested parties should contact me here.

I am also taking commissions to copy any master painting at the NGA that is available to me for copying. Visit the National Gallery of Art’s collection at www.nga.gov.

The Dancer – Auguste Renior

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The Dancer after Renoir, in copyThe Dancer by Auguste Renior, is the largest copy I have attempted (30″x40″), the maximum size allowed by the NGA for a copy. The original measures 56 1/8″X 45 3/4″. All copies I have completed thus far presented a challenge but because of the size of The Dancer this one is even more complex. “The Dancer was one of seven works Renoir included in an exhibition in Paris which opened in April 1874 with a group of artists soon to be known as the impressionists. The Dancer inevitably calls to mind the work of Renoir’s fellow impressionist Edgar Degas, whose name is now synonymous with depictions of ballet dancers. The paintings scale and the figure’s prominence by being placed in the very center of the composition, dominate the entire canvas. Shown in profile, her silk-slippered feet placed in classic fifth position, Renoir’s dancer is poised and alert as she turns her gaze toward the viewer. Renoir accentuated the dancer’s youth and he masterfully captured the gauzy softness of the tulle which floats about her body like a cloud seeming to dissolve into the hazy background. The fabric as light and ethereal as mist. This painting, as did Degas’ “The Dance Lesson”, reminds me of my youth when I painfully endured ballet lessons and wanted so badly to learn to dance well and become a ballerina. It didn’t happen but I enjoyed it and now have had the thrill of producing a dancer on canvas.

The color in the digital photograph of the copy when compared to the original work appears to be different but when actually viewed in person they are as close as can be achieved taking into consideration that the original is over one hundred years older than the copy and the color has faded.

The Bridge at Argenteuil – Claude Monet

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The Bridge at Argenteuil, in copyThe Bridge at Argenteuil by Claude Monet, National Gallery of Art Washington, D.C.  After almost a four hour drive to Washington, D.C. from Frederick, Maryland on a rainy, cold Tuesday morning, I was finally able to start on this wonderful and very popular masterpiece that is all about the glow of light, produced by pure and unmixed color. Monet shows the interplay between the short strokes indicative of the ripples in the water, the focal point of this painting, and the larger areas of color.  The challenge for me will be to reproduce the sparkle of the refections that was so masterfully achieved by Monet.  I have laid out the drawing indicating the larger forms on a toned canvas and have completed most of the underpainting, resisting painting in details. The details will come later and will be the fun part. That’s when the painting begins to sing,  right now it’s humming.

This authentic framed copy is on exhibit and for sale during the Fall 2013 exhibit at Art at the Mill, Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, Virginia.  The exhibit will run from October 5-Coctober 20.

Girl with a Watering Can

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Pierre-Auguste Renoir was one of the most beloved and talented of the Impressionist artists.  His works, especially in his early period, are noted for their soft edges and brilliant colors.  On Tuesday, November 13, I will complete my first Renoir copy.  The Girl With a Watering Can depicts a young girl, dressed in brilliant blue, and clutching her watering can while in the garden.  This painting draws a crowd every day.  Young and old, her pleasant smile captivates them all and ranks as one of Renoir’s true masterpieces.  Interest in the copy has been high with several people stating they would like a Renoir in their home.

The copy is 36″ by 26″ available for sale, certified as an authentic copy of the original brilliant masterpiece at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.  Painting the copy has been a joy.  I can’t count the number of photos that have been taken while working on this icon in Renoir’s life.  The young girls smile is so sweet you want to hug the painting.  Several people have remarked they look at the painting and get the feeling they would like to jump into the painting so they could walk with this beautiful young lady.  Interested?  Contact me at sgadra@me.com.

Pet Commissions

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Everyone loves their pets.  I don’t have a pet but when I did many years ago, Cinnamon was our beloved cat and a member of the family.  She really thought she owned the house.  I have recently been asked to do pet portraits so one of my new ventures is doing pet commissions.  It’s lots of fun and the portraits can easily be done from photographs.

Grisaille 10″X10″ – $200  Color – $225  Grisaille 12″X12″ $250  Color – $275

Addiction and Art Exhibition

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"Loneliness" - Winner, Addiction and Art Exhibition/ Competition 2012 International Nurses Society on Addiction, Washington, D.C.
“Loneliness” – Winner, Addiction and Art Exhibition/ Competition 2012
International Nurses Society on Addiction, Washington, D.C.

The International Nurses Society on Addiction conference and Art Exhibition at the Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. on September 5th was a big success.  It highlighted the human experience of addiction and recovery.  My entry “Loneliness” was selected as the first prize winner.  For more information go to:

http://www.intnsa.org/Events/2012Conference.asp

Annual Education Conference of the International Nurses Society on Addiction
Madison Hotel, 1177 15thSt., NW Washington, DC
September 5, 2012,  Reception: 5:30 – 8:00 PM