PASS Artist Association Art Demonstration 2011

"The Grand Canyon"  Art demo by Terry d. Chacon  12 x 16 oil painting on canvas board.

On Thursday Oct. 6, I was asked once again to give an art demonstration for the PASS Artist Association in Beaumont, Ca.    This is the 3rd time I have had the pleasure of demonstrating my approach to plein air painting to this group and it was another full house.   I was excited to share with them my recent experience of painting the Grand Canyon National Park a few weeks ago, on my way to Ohio for the Afghan Hound Club of America 75th National Specialty.  

Terry with a couple of her recent paintings painted on location at the Grand Canyon National Park.

In sharing with the group about my experience, I wanted to show them the 2 paintings I had completed on location.   I took a photo of the Grand Canyon in late afternoon and used my experience of painting these two paintings, the reference photo and the feeling that I had when actually painting at the Grand Canyon just weeks before.  It was amazing the excitement I still have when thinking about my experience and how much I had remembered about painting there.

I had sketched on a 12 x 16 panel my large shapes to begin the painting in my studio to save on time during the demo.   I thought I would have at least 2 hours to complete the painting, but I actually only had 1 1/2 hours or less once I was able to get started.   Since I normally work small on location (9 x 12 the largest), I was really worried as to how much I could actually complete in the 1 1/2 hour time slot.  

Starting the painting I put a layer of color on each mass/shape.   I am sure the audience was wondering how in the world my finished paintings looked the way they did, with this first step.   I assured them to sit tight and they would see.   They all laughed and were very patient as I painted away.

Putting the second layer of paint on each of the masses paying strict attention to values whether the mass was brighter, duller, lighter, darker than the other masses. 

The 3rd layer of paint.

Now the painting is starting to come together with the 4th layer of paint.   I almost finished the painting, but when I got home I completed the painting in my studio, which is what you see below.

I am in love with painting the Grand Canyon.  I will take this painting and the other 2 paintings as reference and complete a huge painting in my studio.  

Another little tidbit about this painting and experience.  While painting at the Grand Canyon I was amazed at how many people would actually walk out to the edge.   The white flagstone cliff in the foreground bottom left of the painting, there were actually people who would walk to the edge and have photos taken.   It made me sick to my stomach to think they could go right over the edge.   And at this point, you had to walk around the fence rails to get down to this point.   And they did, one person after another.  I stood there painting and shook my head.    

I want to thank the PASS Artist Association for asking me to once again share my passion with them.   They are a wonderful group of artists and I hope to see some of them out painting on location in the near future. 

Thank you to Clidene Roper for taking the photos and to Bea Dimatteo for contacting me to do the demo. 

Until next time, Please ENJOY THE ART!   Terry d. Chacon