Felines & Canines - a very worthy cause

Rochelle Weiner originals on Network TV

Wow - I am super thrilled. Jean Leigh of The Leigh Gallery in Chicago sold 2 of my paintings to the set of NBC's new series, Chicago Fire. I can't wait to see my work on TV! If you're watching, keep an eye out for these two fall scenes. They're about 15" x 15" in size. I'm hoping to see them in some recurring set - an office space, one of the featured stars homes... something like that. But I'm only guessing here. (Really hoping they don't burn them!)

The pilot premiers tonight on NBC - and will be showing Wednesdays at 9pm Central.

Here are the paintings:

"Birches" sold to the set of NBC's Chicago Fire

"Fall Birch" sold to the set of NBC's Chicago Fire

Post Update: The paintings have been spotted! They are in lead role Matt Casey's living room, hanging above his couch! As far viewed clearly on Episodes 14 and 15.

Post Update: More paintings to be on NBC's Chicago Fire!

By Rochelle / Landscapes / Monoprints / NBC's Chicago Fire / Paintings - 10/10/2012

Painting in thirds

Three years in a row I've taken a week-long watercolor workshop with Karlyn Holman, in Washburn Wisconsin. I find this woman so inspiring - not only is she a truly gifted artist and painting instructor - but she also has such a verve for life you can't help get wrapped up in her exuberance.

During the first workshop I attended in 2010 she told a story about teaching to a group of women in Ireland. She told us the same thing she told them - try dividing your full sheet watercolor paper in thirds, to make three separate paintings measuring 10" x 22". Karlyn claims that this odd size painting is very marketable, since most people have some awkward wall in their house that just needs something. Paintings this size tend to fit those spaces perfectly.

Between giggles Karlyn reported how confused she was at first when the Irish ladies kept asking about the turds... "Karlyn - are we supposed to be working on our turds today?"... "Karlyn - how do we make a turd again?"... Giggles all round. Oh yes, a little potty humor is not beneath us. Ever since then I can't call these size paintings anything but "turds". Karlyn - you are the best.

Following is a series of "Turds" that I have completed recently.

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By Rochelle / Materials / Paintings / Watercolor - 08/16/2012

Return customer

Brian Kozlowski hired me a few months ago do create a portrait of his partner's parents as a surprise gift. He and his partner Jonathan Carbonell were so happy with the result that they came back and commissioned a second portrait, this time of Brian's parents. I'm thrilled to present a photo they sent me of both portraits now hanging together in their house!

Looks great guys! This tableau looks fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂

And here are close ups of the completed paintings:

By Rochelle / Gifts / Materials / Paintings / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 07/21/2012

Sold!

I love it when a client sends me a photo of my work on their walls.

Leslie Anagnostakis of New York recently bought two of my original paintings (thank you Leslie!) She purchased "Autumn Shine" for her sister, and "Rita's Back Yard" for herself. I was so excited to get the following photo! I think it's fabulous in this spot!

Thank you Leslie, for sharing! Love it!

And here are close ups of the two paintings:

By Rochelle / Landscapes / Materials / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 07/21/2012

90 degree winter

It's been so hot in Chicago lately that I was inspired to paint a couple winter landscapes, below. Nearly monochromatic, these were created using only four paint colors - 3 blue hues and one red. I am totally digging the stark quality.

"Winter path" - original watercolor painting by Rochelle Weiner

"Frozen Morning", original watercolor painting by Chicago artist, Rochelle Weiner

By Rochelle / Landscapes / Materials / Paintings / Watercolor - 06/11/2012

Chicago spring

This spring has been so unusually warm and pleasant that Chicago has sprung into green more quickly than usual. I snapped a few photos recently in a forest near my house and here's first attempt at capturing the moment in watercolor. This painting is basically a study - a small version (11" x 15") working out some ideas - I'd like make a much larger painting based on this composition. Fun though.

By Rochelle / Materials / Paintings / Watercolor - 05/21/2012

A new direction

Painting from life

I am thrilled to report a new direction in my art. Back in art school I used to really look forward to my painting from life classes. I love the immediacy of standing there and painting what you see and feel from another human being, right on the spot. It's amazing to me that there would be a class full of students, all painting the same model, same pose, each ending up with a totally different interpretation. Everyone's painting was different, because everyone's experience is unique and individual - even when the stimuli are as controlled as a single person sitting in a single pose for 3 hours time.

No opportunities

I've not had an opportunity to paint from life like this since I was in school - nude models aren't exactly knocking on my door (that's probably a good thing...) But I've always had it in the back of my mind that if I'd ever find this opportunity again, I'd jump on it. Well, the opportunity presented itself through a brilliant artist I met recently, Piotr Antonow. He and I are currently in a gallery show together in Chicago and he does these remarkable, large scale, colorful, energetic, abstracted nudes. Stunning work, I am blown away by his talent. On meeting him and discussing his work he has now invited me in on the live model sessions he attends 1-2x a week.

What joy!

Finally the opportunity has presented itself, and I am having a ball. A third artist is also working with us - Marina Nemtseva - and between the three of us we present three totally different points of view of the same model, same pose. This is just like I remember from art school. Cool!

I thought I'd show an example of this. Below is an example of two paintings I did during last week's 3 hour session, and also an image of Piotr's painting done of the same model at the same time. Alas I do not have an image of Marina's painting because I didn't have the idea to write this blog until a few days after she - shockingly - destroyed her painting! What?! Bummer! it was really cool! I guess she must not have liked it! (I'll have to be faster next time.)

Susan at the Window - original acrylic painting by Rochelle Weiner

Susan in Glowing Light - original acrylic painting by Rochelle Weiner

Nude in Natural and Artificial Light by Piotr Antonow

acrylic paint / acrylic paintings / Art show / Bristol paper / By Rochelle / Materials / Painting from life / Paintings - 04/06/2012

Accepted into IWS national exhibition!

I'm over the moon! I was just informed that my painting, "Jealousy in Red Gloves" (see below) has been accepted into the Illinois Watercolor Society's national exhibition! I've been told that nationally rated artists submit paintings to be in this show every year, so to be one of 60 selected for competition is a major honor in itself! Woohoo!

This painting is one of a series I'm developing where I use discarded antique photos to inspire a painting. I will be showing rest of the series in May in Chicago, but "Envy in Red Gloves" will be displayed that month at the IWS show. Tentative name of this series is "Discarded".

Information regarding the show coming up in May:

IWS 28th National Exhibition

May 4 – June 1, 2012
Reception: Saturday, May 5

Judge of Awards: Donna Jill Witty, AWS, NWS, TWSA-MS
Demo by Donna Jill Witty at 1 PM

The Next Picture Show
113 W. First St., Dixon, Illinois 61021, 815 285 4924

Art competition / Art show / By Rochelle / Discarded series / Paintings - 03/17/2012

Portraits make incomparable gifts

Last month I was commissioned to create a double portrait. My new client wanted to give a very special gift to his partner. This man had lost his mother years ago, and even though his father has since remarried, a family portrait of them still hangs in his father's house. She was a very special woman who is greatly missed. My client photographed the framed image last time they visited his partner's father and commissioned me to make a portrait in time to give as a birthday gift. I was really pleased with the finished product and even more pleased to hear how the gift was received. Thank you to my new clients! You made my day!

Here is the note my client sent me:

Rochelle-

Today was (his) birthday and the unveiling of your work. He loved the painting! Words cannot do justice to his overall reaction, but know it was an awesome feeling. Now comes the daunting task of finding a place worthy of this piece but I'm sure it will be on display shortly.

Thank you again for a wonderful job – giving him the gift of his parents, memorialized in watercolor, was awesome. You were truly a pleasure to work with and I knew you were the right person for the job – the fact that this project excited you from inception made me confident I chose the right artist.

I've attached your work framed... I hope you like.

I do like! great choice in frame! Thanks again!

By Rochelle / Materials / Original portraits / Paintings / Portraits from photos / Watercolor - 03/15/2012

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