Canyon de Chelly Workshop October 2011

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! DATES: OCTOBER 13th-16th 2011

This workshop will give participants the chance to paint a very historic landmark in the southwest, Canyon de Chelly. For decades, some of our most celebrated American artists traveled to this location and created iconic paintings and drawings. The first two days will be led through Canyon by Navajo guides and will have a chance to paint several historic locations. On the last two days of the workshop we will paint from the rim of the Canyon, which offers great views. The cottonwood trees should be a great shade of yellow during the workshop. Logan will do daily demonstrations, as well as work individually with all workshop participants.
The class size will be limited to 12.

Cost- $475 plus $190 for guides, lunch and transportation
Lodging and meals are extra
Lodging is available at the Thunderbird Lodge
If you are interested in more info please contact
Mark Fehlman markfehlman@gmail.com

3 person show, Jackson Hole, WY

"Man in Black" 18x18 oil/linen

I am having a 3-Person show at Altamira Fine Art, with two of my good friends, Glenn Dean and Bill Schenck.   The show opens on June 16th, I will be there for the opening reception that night.  

I will have about 10 paintings in the show.  You can read about it in the June issue of Western Art Collector Magazine.  

"The Passing of a Day" 60x60 oil/linen

Above are two of the new paintings in the show.  Hope to see some of you there.  

New Painting Project 1 year 1 painting

I started another blog that will document the process of working on 1 painting for 1 year (or at least 1 year, if it isn't good enough by then, I will keep working on it).  Please follow along, it should be interesting, maybe funny, maybe a huge disaster and embarrassment.  Visit  www.1painting1year.blogspot.com to see the start of this project, I am already 3 posts deep.

Here is a photo of the start of the 36x36 painting

I will still post here with other paintings, and events.  Hope to see you all over on the other blog!  

Finished Product from Online Demo

Below is a photo of the finished painting from the www.Zarolla.com demonstration that is now available for viewing.  Just visit www.Zarolla.com and you can buy the demo for $29.99 and watch it as many times as you would like.  The demo lasted 4 hours long and I tried to explain my process of putting a painting together in the studio with the use of outdoor studies as well as photographs.

"Sun to the West" oil/linen 20x24

The painting above from the demo, "Sun to the West", is now available at my Two Person show at Altermann Galleries in Scottsdale click here to see the show.  

Toadlena Trading Post

I have been on the road for a couple of days and spent yesterday and today at the Toadlena Trading post.  I wanted to spend some time at the Trading Post to soak in the environment and look for some people to paint.  I found some local Navajo people to paint and got a taste of life on the Rez.  There is a small Navajo community in the area and lots of characters wander in all day.  The view from the Toadlena Trading Post shows the famous Two Gray Hills.  This region is known for its weavers.  Mark Winter, who runs the Trading Post supports almost every rug weaver in this community.  He purchases and sells the rugs at the Trading Post.  While I was there I witnessed a few Grandmothers come in to sell their recently completed rugs to Mark.  He is very fair with them and tries to keep them happy so they keep producing work and keep bringing their work to Mark for first pick.

The Toadlena Trading Post

Mark and his staff encourage these weavers to do their best work and do their best to get the younger generation involved in weaving.  Mark buys every single first weaving that is brought to him by members of the community.  Some of the large tapestry weavings can take a year or two to produce. 

I was able to meet one of the Grandmothers named Virginia, who I am told is like the Mozart of weaving.  She demonstrated how she spins her wool and did a bit of weaving for me as well.  

Virginia Deal, the "Mozart of Navajo Weavers" at work

The interior of the Trading Post feels like it must have in the old days.  There is a big nickel plated stove inside and an old barber chair for visitors to sit in while gossiping about the latest goings on in Toadlena.

The counter at the Trading Post. 

The Toadlena Trading post is located just 45 minutes north of Gallup, NM.  It is well worth the drive to visit.  I plan on coming back again soon.  

Next up, headed to Santa Fe...

 

Online Live Demonstration on www.Zarolla.com

I will be doing a live demonstration on the educational art website www.Zarolla.com on Saturday January 22nd, at 3 pm, pacific time.  Here is a bit of info from the website on the demo:

Composing the Studio Painting (4hrs)

This painting demonstration will cover several aspects of putting a painting together in the studio. Logan Maxwell Hagege will combine photography as well as field studies to put together a finished piece.

Topics including composition, preliminary sketches, photography, lighting, color and more will be discussed.

BROADCASTING LIVE: January 22, 2011 3 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Cost: $29.99

Here is the link to sign up for the demonstration:  http://zarolla.com/special/hagege/

I hope to see you all there!  

Recommended Book

I often get emails from students asking where to start when they want to improve their paintings.  I will try to list some recommended books from time to time here.

Composition is such an important element to making great paintings.  So my first recommendation will be Composition of Outdoor Painting, by Edgar Payne.  
















This book covers several types of compositions and gives great visual examples from several artists, besides Payne.  Though this book is geared towards outdoor painting, the composition principals apply to all types of subjects, from still life to figures.

A strong composition will help a good painting become a great painting.