HOME COOKING

I saw this sign in a cafe yesterday, I thought it was so beautiful.

I ordered a coffee and a passion fruit mousse. It was wonderful, thinking of making some myself next week.

Tomorrow, Thursday I will be getting some "Bee Therapy" (APITHERAPY) for my arthritis in my hands. Wish me luck! Just to see its magic!

Hummingbirds are hummin round here. One crashed into my window and fell to the ground, I turned right side up and he was shaking terribly, but after 10 minutes he was able to fly away and hovered in front of me first, as if to say thank you! Would love to have a hummingbird feeder here to watch.

Costa Rican, one sneeze say "salute", second sneeze say "dinero", third sneeze say "amor"!

"Birthday Bamboo" 8x8 watercolor

Here I am again in Costa Rica, my 10th  winter year here at the Julia and David White Artist Colony.

OK now what...I am starting to feel settled in, I think. Preparing myself for painting. Cleaned the palette from last year as much as I could, I actually gessoed the surface of palette, cause there was so much acrylic on it, I scrapped some off and now have my pointer finger bandaged. Scrapping with a razor blade and the angle that you have to use to get it all off has made my knuckle raw. I didn't realize how much I use this finger, 

It is very sore.

I have unrolled the 36x60 paper to start the biggest painting I have ever tried. Yup! I am going to attempt it, but I have no idea what I am going to paint yet. Waiting for the muse to show up. I did this small painting of bamboo for a birthday party I am invited to by my friend Bernarda today at 2:00. 

Thought I would get into painting and loosen up a bit.

Going through all my photos of Costa Rica to clean out and organize and at the same time find the perfect one to use for references. Too many...oh boy. Here at the colony... it is so green..it has rained everyday so far, but only a little like maybe an hour a day. The sunshines and then it rains a little again..I can't find my umbrella either, it is a "goner". That makes me want to stay in studio, I don't want to be caught in a downpour. It is still rainy season in Costa Rica until middle of December and it sprinkles alot, then it downpours randomly.

I like this small bamboo painting, I kept layering colors on it and finally wiping even some off on the left side which created a movement I kind of adore!

EXPERIMENTING WITH WATERCOLOR
new website www.lorrainebromley.weebly.com

In my studio at 58 Edgemere Avenue, Warwick, RI 02889
617-595-5681
$80.00/4..... Fall CLASSES 2014, beginning October 30th
Thursdays
10:00-12:00 and 6:30-8:30
BRING YOUR SUPPLIES
MATERIALS LIST available

2015 SPRING CLASSES (March-April)
email me lorrainedesigns@gmail.com
TO BE ANNOUNCED WHEN I RETURN FROM COSTA RICA

Lorraine's website

IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

Recent work from my artist residency in Costa Rica

Coastal Living Gallery

83 Brown Street, Wickford, RI

http://www.coastallivinggallery.com/

Exhibit: June 3-30

Jungle Reception

June 13, 2014   

6:00PM-8:00PM

EXPERIMENTING IN WATERCOLOR

2014 Classes starting May 6th Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 -8:30pm

North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Watercolor paintings are often technically 

good but still lack spark and freshness – it’s a challenge.

This class will focus on: Color theory • Fresh, clean color • Intuitive negative painting • Incorporating soft lost edges and sharp found edges • Spontaneous, sure brushwork • Stronger composition & design, Landscape scenes and flowers will be our subjects and photos will be provided for your use. There will be demos, exercises, critique and lots of painting time. Bring your materials and for suggested supplies email: lorrainedesigns@gmail.com

   

 Star Orchids, photography entry in Newport Flower Show, June 2014

   There are alot of things going on right now around here. I am back from Costa Rica. Came back a little early to care for Cal, he was really sick with a pulmonary virus in March. He is much better now, 95% better. I am still taking Spanish lessons from Bernarda, now on Skype, love it. Homework and conversational is keeping my mind in the Spanish mode. The house is almost ready to move into, Lots of painting of walls, decisions, trim, colors, curtains, blinds, furniture, blah, blah, blah. All so overwhelming. Also getting ready to teach a class in watercolor in North Kingstown at the arts council. www.nkartscouncil.org. in May. Cal & going to visit my parents in Florida April 3rd and then going to visit Cal's sister in Sanford, thank goodness they all live rather close to one another. Mom healing from broken ribs. Evelyn from Ireland visiting Sheelagh and Alvan, so it is a busy time for Cal and I. Of course we also have a grandkids we love to talk to and coo over, Lyla (5 months) and Hudson who is 9, and Liam and Niamf (3 yrs old) in England. Trying to keep track of all our 5 kids is just like everyones else lives. Just busy, but lovely. Raining today...going over to house to work on refinishing stained glass window in our bedroom. wow!

I am missing painting though. but when we get into house this summer will be awesome in the garden the house and in the studio. This is will be my first summer. I will be getting ready for a show in June in Wickford at the Coastal Living Gallery and then the West Bay Open Studio Tour again the end of October.
Ideas are flowing around art, journaling, home decorating, framing...and looking forward to working on a couple new projects.
1. Creating a book that incorporates my photography, painting, calligraphy on gardens that Cal and I visit this year.
2. Create a cookbook with my illustrations on muffins to eat, serve, & enjoy at lunchtime.
 LUNCHIN MUFFINS (www.lunchinmuffin.weebly.com)

On my way....to be continued....

New website www.lorrainebromley.weebly.com

Lyla Jai Sherman 4 mnths

 

Papaya in the Wind, watercolor 22 x 30

I saved a butterfly this week from drowning...yes I did....also starting new paintings, matting and cropping old ones...experimenting with monoprints...watched the Golden Globe Awards this morning on You Tube...did  laundry...ya know those daily tasks really get in the way.

Experimenting in Watercolor

4 sessions-two classes offered...Tuesdays and Thursdays

Instructor: Lorraine Bromley

NK Residents: $55   Non-Residents: $65

When: 6:30–8:30 p.m. 
    

Choose a class night:
Tuesday Classes at Beechwood Center ...May 6, 13, 20, 27
Thursday Classes at Wickford Art Gallery, 36 Beach Street...May 8, 15, 22, 29

Watercolor paintings are often technically good but still lack spark and freshness – it’s a challenge. This class will focus on: Color theory • Fresh, clean color • Intuitive negative painting • Incorporating soft lost edges and sharp found edges • Spontaneous, sure brushwork • Stronger composition &
design, Landscape scenes and flowers will be our subjects and photos will be provided for your use. 

There will be demos, exercises, critique and lots of painting time. Bring your materials and for suggested supplies.

Email: lorrainedesigns@gmail.com 
Website: www.lorrainebromley.weebly.com 
Blog:  www.lorrainedesigns.blogspot.com

Christmas in Costa Rica...this year Cal and I spent our eve with our dear friend, Bernarda and her family, enchanted by the decorations of the holidays in every corner of Dalhia's home. A dinner with abundance...flavorful pork, chutney of pineapple, cinnamon, clove, brown sugar, stuffed potatoes with cheese and bacon, red wine, flan and Costa Rican coffee. The night ended with packages for the little ones and well thoughtful gifts. Outside fireworks illuminated the skies as we released our lanterns and made the years wishes and sent our troubles into the blackness. Back to studio, tired and resting on the images of life past, present and future.

Info....Attached is a link to an article written about a day-long workshop I taught for Masscribes in 2012.

Inkspots Article

As much as I love to paint, I also love to take photographs. Especially of my grandchildren. This is Lyla, she was born on November 5th, 2013 to my daughter, Aja. We are all so entertained by the faces she makes. I can stare at her all day. So I am thankful that Aja and Lyla are healthy this Thanksgiving. We will all celebrate her this Thursday.

The West Bay Studio Tour on October 19th & 20th went really well....my studio looks awesome and thanks to so many like my husband, Cal, Carpenter Jamie, Electrician Bob, BGF Marklyn, BBF Don, and Flower Extraordinaire Alyssa. Lots of family, friends, neighbors and students came to help me celebrate the opening of the studio. It is a dream come true! Thank you all!

I hope it is one of many celebrations...now to get our home ready to live in. After Hurricane Sandy damage to our home @Edgemere, in 2012, we started to "repair" areas, we discovered many other areas had to be repaired as well. It will be practically a brand new house when we finally get done. Yup, move expected by Christmas.

DAMSEL FALLS

watercolor

I can send you a map with all studio locations or you may find one at any of our sponsors. There is also an exhibit of all participating artists at the Warwick Museum in Apponaug the month of September with lectures, and demos...Warwick Museum or go to West Bay Open Studios or send me an email..... lorrainedesigns@gmail.com for more info.

West Bay Open Studio Tour-October

I will be participating in the October 19 & 20, 2013, West Bay Open Studio Tour, stop by to say hello and visit my new studio in Warwick. We just had a studio built next to my home and at the moment still working at getting it up and running for the tour...it will be ready, can't wait to share with you, my friends and students. Make sure you make time to visit my artist friends on the tour as well. Maps will be available at all our studios as well as our sponsors.

Check out the website with link below.

WEST BAY OPEN STUDIO TOUR 

Also check out another link below ... the  Art League of RI Artist Member Show 2013
I will be exhibiting in group show in September at the Providence Art Club

ART LEAGUE OF RHODE ISLAND for more info and directions.

NK Arts Council-My Student's works

 

 Linda Kenyon

 

 Janet Masse

 

 

Carol Wong

These are some of the works of my class from NKAC-Watercolor Class this past spring. It was a challenge to use techniques like blowing thru a straw, saran wrap, gradation, hard and soft edges, shapes, color and applying these to our subject that evening of sunflowers...I think they are all unique and we all enjoyed the process, that is what it is all about!

New Year, New Works....Press in local paper Warwick Beacon

http://www.warwickonline.com/stories/Local-artists-offer-new-works,78320?search_filter=lorraine+bromley&town_id=1&sub_type=stories

People of Costa Rica

Egg Lady and the Strawberry Lady

The walk to Saturday markets in Cuidad Colon are wonderful, always seeing a friendly face shopping and a treat to have "pipa" juice while walking around picking out the next weeks meals. Sunday open markets are a much bigger than Colon and a treat of color every week. Pat & Willy have taken me with them on Sundays to Santa Ana to get the freshest and best produce in CR, the morning light is exquisite, I don't need an excuse to join them, 6:30 am sharp, or they leave without me. A feast for the eyes as well as the tummy. We always stop for fresh bread too, they love to cook and entertain us "starving" artists for the holiday, this year, no different...bocas, Christmas lunch, while looking over their well tended gardens of purple, orange and blue. Purple my new favorite color.

I am back here at the colony, (7th year), some things are different. The big pine trees are gone in front of my studio. Ok, it's a better view of the mountains, but now it is much hotter in the daytime, no shade. The top of the property is sold now, and bulldozers clearing land for new construction of homes. Progress? 

Still a nice place to be. Studio is full of inspiration! Findings of flowers, nests, flowers, sticks, stones, other pieces of nature, scattered all around here at studio.

Waiting for Cal to come today. Yahoooooo!