Saturday, February 1, 2014

GOT PRESENTS?




Had a really good dinner at Mom's and some presents (art books and mysteries!!! yay!!!) for my birthday in January!

I got several art books, and am especially loving these two by Shirley Trevena (one from Mom and one from my sister).  They know what I like!  And I'm taking my time going through these, reading and learning.  Shirley has such a vivid color sense and definitely has a style all her own, not caring about perspective but putting shapes where she thinks they look best.  It must be fun to watch her set up a still life and then paint it, making changes as she goes.  






I got the latest Daniel Smith sales catalog and knew immediately that it was a Shirley Trevena painting on the cover - she does have a signature style.  











Happy Groundhog's Day!!!

14 comments:

Vandy said...

I love Shirley Trevenna's work. I'm sure you'll really enjoy your books. You're so right about her style. I remember going to the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour Exhibition in London and seeing a small one of hers from across the room. It was unmistakeable. I didn't need to read the label to know it was hers.

Happy Birthday and Happy Painting

laura said...

Happy Belated Birthday. I have these Trevena books and they're beautiful--I love her colors and the way she fractures shapes; she really has her own style.

AK said...

Lucky You.

Lorraine Brown said...

Great gifts Rhonda, I enjoy Shirley's style, interesting that she says it takes her sometimes weeks to finish a piece but then they are always quite complex

Katherine Harra said...

I've watched a couple of online demos by Shirley Travena (probably on youtube), and she is a favorite of mine too. The way she decides what to do next! So free, so confident, and, best of all, so right! And the colors, yes, and the patterns. What's not to like? I can't imagine ever painting like her, heaven knows, I've tried. But at least we can look at her paintings. Wish MY family knew to get me books like this. Maybe I should give in and buy them for myself?

Katherine Harra said...

OH! and, Happy Birthday, Rhonda!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Vandy, Laura, Lorraine and Katherine. Katherine, you have to get a wish list going on Amazon and just point them in that direction.
AK, I am lucky to get so many good art books!

Can you believe it got up to 56F today? But it's here just long enough to make us miss it when more winter weather comes this week.

Caroline Simmill said...

Wow great gifts Rhonda belated birthday wishes to you. Your latest bird is lovely in your last post.

Celia Blanco said...

You are lucky, beautiful gifts! I hope the groundhog saw his shadow...best wishes!

Gary L. Everest said...

Hi Rhonda,
Pretty sneaky, springing your big day after the fact.
I hope you had a truly Happy Birthday, Rhonda.
Nice gifts, too.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Sincerely,
Gary.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Caroline and Celia. I had a very nice birthday!

Gary, the reason I didn't post on my birthday (or just before) was we "got the hell out of Dodge" and went back to Anna Maria Island for a week. I was there for my birthday, walking in sunshine and a bit of misty rain at the John and Mabel Ringling estate and art museum. How the rich lived! WOW! Of course, to me, I was thinking, why such lavish furnishings when they could have used that money for painting? ha ha We got back yesterday afternoon and it was 51F here so brought the warm with us :)

http://carolking.wordpress.com said...

Oooh, Love Shirley Trevena's work. congratulations, your family knows you very well to get you these books for your b'day. Enjoy.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Carol - it helps to have a tech savvy sister who helps my mother pick out things on Amazon :) ha ha

Studio at the Farm said...

Happy Birthday, Rhonda!!! ... belatedly. The Shirley Trevena book is great! I love her flair. :) Have fun with the book.