Katja Leibenath: May 2009

Thursday, May 28, 2009

a few Sundays - in progress

After the first few coats of oil paint. Almost done.

You can compare this to the sketch below to better understand this part of my process.

First glimpses of Sundays: underpaintings

I use these intensely colorful acrylic studies to figure out the composition and contrast

and to experiment with different colors and combinations.

I don't gesso my canvases in white, I make real under-paintings.

Usually none of this will be visible in the finished painting, after layers and layers of oil paint, but it does always seem to have a huge influence on everything.

This is how it all started this time: with monochromatic sketches.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Interstate 5

Here is a sneak peek of the other series I have been working on: "Interstate 5".

13 small oil paintings on canvas, ranging from 6x8 and 8x8 to 10x8.

Based on pictures I have taken and some sketches I made along I5 over the years, I've always found the farms, rice fields and orchards with their ever changing colors very inspiring.

They are drying and will be ready for framing soon, very close to being done.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Coming up: June shows

upcoming shows this summer, showing work from 2008 - 2009:

The City Skies series will be on display at Liquid Spaces Gallery, One Union Street, San Francisco, CA from Sunday, May 31 until the end of July.

Group show with Gabrielle Gamboa, Bunnymatic and others at the Artist X-Change Gallery for the month of June. Opening Reception on June 5th, 7-10PM with live DJ.

I am excited that my studio will be one of several stops on the Tour Des Artistes fundraiser on Sunday, June 7th. Join the tour, get in the limo, support art programs for kids, have some Mimosas.

I will also have some work up starting June 9th at Philz Coffee's newest location: Middlefield @ Loma Verde in Palo Alto. Great patio, free parking, laid-back peninsula cafe... love it.