by Deb Perugi | Mar 31, 2020 | Books, Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Commuity Education, Newton Open Studios, Workshops
I had a lot planned this Spring. This weekend I would have been in Newton Centre at the Newton Open Studios weekend show. I was also scheduled to teach Cold Wax Medium classes for Newton Community Education in April. Then, in June, I was to hang a month long show of my paintings at United Parish of Auburndale. Suddenly, that very busy Spring and Summer has turned into other sorts of work because of the Covid 19 Virus.
I subscribed to a three part online Cold Wax class by the authors of the Cold Wax bible, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts and Conversations by Jerry McLaughlin, Rebecca A. Crowell. I’m looking forward to spending seven hours learning about new techniques and practicing in my home studio. But, this will have to wait a week or two while I help a Globe colleague layout a 160 page book about a South Boston Village and its history. This has been a nice distraction and it feels good to be employed.
A hello to everyone and hope that you are all well and you and your loved ones are safe. Hopefully, this summer will bring a safer environment.
by Deb Perugi | Feb 19, 2020 | News, Newton Art Association
This month I was the Artist of the Month in the Newton Art Association newsletter. The article focuses on the Oil and Wax Painting I have been teaching and painting lately.
by Deb Perugi | Jan 31, 2020 | Uncategorized
I ‘m excited to announce I will be exhibiting in a new location in the Newton Open Studios this April 4 and 5, 2020. The space for 15 artists is called “The Centre” and the address is 1294 Centre Street right in Newton Centre. I have a lot of new larger work to display and will probably bring a few smaller pieces to have on hand. The work is all painting in Acrylic on canvas and or Cold Wax Medium and OIl on board or paper. There is much to see! Come join us!
by Deb Perugi | Jan 31, 2020 | Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Commuity Education, Oil Painting, Workshops
I will be teaching Cold Wax on board (or paper) in the upcoming Spring session at Newton South High School. Classes start April 2 and end April 30. Thursday each week for four classes total. (No class April 23) The time is in the evenings, 6:30 to 9:30 pm. I taught this class the first time in Marlborough for three session at the Post Road Art Center and for five sessions last Fall with Newton Community Ed. This class is designed for beginners in cold wax or art in general. I review the basics of color theory, design and mark making. Beginners to cold Wax can purchase a kit from me that includes cold wax medium, paper, rubber spatula and several paint sticks. Oil paint and acrylic paint is also recommended. Find out more at newtoncommunityed.org.
by Deb Perugi | Oct 23, 2019 | Arts, Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Commuity Education, Workshops
This Monday we started a five week class on Cold Wax Painting at Newton South High School through the Newton Community Education Program. Class starts at 6:30 pm and runs until 9 pm. Come join us! Cold Wax medium is provided by the instructor (me) and there is a list of other materials to bring. Check it out at the Newton Community Education website. It’s not too late to join us!
In this class we are learning about what Cold Wax Medium is and how to use it. There are a lot of materials and tools involved in the stages of the cold wax drying process. We are also covering Value, Design and Color so that artists can improve their art skills as well as learning the medium.
by Deb Perugi | Sep 14, 2019 | Awards, Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Art Association, Shows
“Doors and Ways” cold wax and oil diptych won an award through the Newton Art Association on Monday. The party and ceremony took place at the Newton Public Library where the art exhibit is hanging. The award, the Mollie L. & Henry Schoenberg Award was juried by John Kasbohm, owner, of Atelier 564 in Newton.
by Deb Perugi | Sep 4, 2019 | Arts, Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Art Association, Shows
Today a myriad of artists showed up with art work in hand to add to the yearly Newton Public Library Show. The show opening is on Monday at 8 pm and all are invited! There are three rooms displayed with paintings and sculpture: The large gallery room, a middle room and the library entrance hallway. An art hanging committee of ten people (including me) stayed three hours to arrange the pieces, hanging them on clips and spacing and labeling them accordingly. My diptych, “Doors and Ways” is in the main room. See attached photos.There are always a few who label their pieces wrong, like me, and the typist has to make another few labels. Thanks, Carole Slattery!
by Deb Perugi | Aug 23, 2019 | Cold Wax and Oil, Photography, Travel
I was editing my Perugi Studio Website and placing photographs. This involves going into the media folder and picking out the images. I noticed a photo I took on a trip to Italy three years ago that clearly inspired one of my recent paintings, Arches. The place and image must have been in my subconscious. The photo at right was taken at the Florence Leather School in 2016. The Cold Wax Painting was made in 2019. Take a look and see what you think. Here is the painting and photo:
by Deb Perugi | Jul 21, 2019 | Cold Wax and Oil, Workshops
Doors and Ways by Deb Perugi
This is finally happening this Monday at 1:30!!
Monday, September 6,2019, I’ll be teaching a three week class on cold wax painting at Post Road Art Center in Marlborough. Randi, Post Road’s owner, is so excited she is taking the class with us. Cold wax is a medium that mixes with oil paint, making it somewhat stiffer but with a butter consistency. It dries faster than oil paint alone and allows for scraping and incising when it is partially dry, resulting in a mixed media effect. Come try this new painting experience!
by Deb Perugi | Jun 6, 2019 | Cold Wax and Oil, Newton Open Studios, Shows
Summer Selective 2019 is Newton Open Studio’s 7th annual summer juried show. This year’s juror is a regionally-celebrated artist currently showing at a retrospective at the Danforth: Newton resident Lois Tarlow. Tarlow has chosen 32 works by 14 artists, creating a exciting showcase of the wide-ranging themes and media that contribute to “discussion” in Newton’s art community.
Gallery reception will be held at NewTV on June 12, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Come enjoy the art, talk to the artists, and enjoy wine and cheese at NewTV’s facilities.
https://newtv.org/about/art-galleries
by Deb Perugi | Mar 26, 2019 | Arts, Cold Wax and Oil, Jewelry, Newton Open Studios, Oil Painting, Shows
On April 6 and 7, Newton open Studios will open artist doors for free. Come pick up a map at Eastern Bank (1255 Centre Street) located in Newton Centre. Carol Stoltze, Martha Doolin and I will be setting up our canvases, drawings and jewelry and we would love to get a visit from you! We are very close to Starbucks, so stop in for a coffee and a browse! We will be there both days from 11am – 5 pm.
For more information go to https://.newtonopenstudios.org.
by Deb Perugi | Jan 8, 2019 | Oil Painting, Workshops
I’ve seen paintings crop up at shows with the label “Cold Wax” which interested me because I always wanted to learn encaustic painting. Encaustic is also known as hot wax painting, and involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid or paste is then applied to a surface. There is a learning curve with it, especially because it can burn you. And it requires specialized materials. Not so with cold wax. You do need a few new cans of this and that but it is easy to set up and use.
See my first cold wax paintings here. One of my teachers at Concord Art took a class with Pamela Caughey who has a You Tube video on how to start painting with cold wax. This was all I needed to get started. You will need a wood panel, acrylic and oil paints, cold wax medium and clear gesso. It is a process of mark marking and layering, which will pull you out of your old habits and be free. The marks are added with graphite and acrylic paints. The clear gesso is then applied to provide a base for the wax. Mix the wax 50/50 with oil paint and apply with rubber tools and spatulas. You can cover areas and be selective about what you keep and what you cover. Go to cold wax paintings.
by Deb Perugi | Aug 11, 2018 | Oil Painting, Plein Air
While I was in a week long plein air class at Truro Center for the Arts, I noticed some of the students using a pochade box. It is an artist easel and supply box that mounts on a tripod. Since I have a Bogen Tripod from my photography days, I decided this was the perfect solution. I was tired of hauling around a portable table, easel and box to do my painting, especially on hots days in the summer.
I did a bit of research and ordered the medium Sienna pochade box online for $158. I liked it but it was too small. I sent it back intending to buy the large version. But at $188, I was a bit hesitant. Fortunately, I hesitated long enough to come up with another cheaper solution.
A few years ago I purchased a used artist box (including some paints) for $20 at a flea market. I’ve been using that along with the metal easel with expandable legs and table, etc. Too many parts. The more I looked at this box, the more I realized it had every feature I needed. It has a place for paints and brushes, of course, but also four slots for 12 x 16″ art boards (larger than the Sienna medium box would accommodate) and paint palette, which slide right into the grooves in the top. That will carry one or two wet paintings and a cleaned up palette back to the car. The only option missing was being able to slant the box top back to angle the board while painting. I discovered if I use the bottom of the case to secure the board, it should be fine. But how to secure the box to the tripod?
I knew from my research that you could buy a tripod attachment plate from an art supply store in the UK for a little over $10. I screwed this right into the middle of the bottom of the box. As I feared, the screws are too long and came through the bottom, so my husband used a rotary tool to cut off the excess. Now I can add paint tubes without worrying they will get pierced by the screw points. It’s important to keep your materials at a minimum. Not more than six or so tubes of paint and brushes to keep the weight light. Additional materials can go in an old back pack. So, back pack, box and tripod and you are good to go! Happy painting!
Note: One more item for a faster set up is a quick release tripod attachment. Just get one that is made for your brand of tripod.
by Deb Perugi | Jul 19, 2018 | Oil Painting, Plein Air, Travel, Workshops
New paintings and photos from the workshop with Christopher Volpe to be posted soon. What a week! Here is a sneak peek!
by Deb Perugi | May 17, 2018 | Newton Art Association, Oil Painting, Shows
“Deeps Woods” was finished just in time to be included in the Newton Art Association’s New Member Show. It will be held through the month of June at the Nordic Hall, Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham Street, West Newton. The public reception is Saturday, June 2, from 3pm to 4:30pm. Unfortunately, I can’t make the opening, as I will be celebrating a 30th wedding anniversary with my husband!
by Deb Perugi | Mar 18, 2018 | Oil Painting
I’m very excited to be part of the Newton Open Studios again as a painter on April 7 and 8, 2018. It is their 21st year. It is one of the largest and longest running open studio events in the region: 165 artists and craftspeople at 50 locations all across Newton! 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday April 7 & 8, free.
I’ll be at Eastern Bank in Newton Centre with Carol and Fiona Stoltze. Check out their lovely jewelry and leather goods at http://carol.stoltze.com/ and http://fionastoltze.com/. The bank is located right next to Starbucks!
by Deb Perugi | Dec 18, 2017 | Shows
The Newton Art Association is holding its 2018 James King Bonnar Show which runs through January 2. I’m a new member and I wanted to get to know some people before the show, so, I volunteered to help hang some of the art. It is being held in the New Art Center in Newton, Massachusetts. My 16″ x 20″ painting, “Trees Out Front” is displayed there. Hanging an art show is very rewarding and tiring! My partner and I hung over 22 paintings in about three hours. One entire side of the room plus a few more….
At right, I am at the James King Bonnar Show. The best part is seeing the painting which is still hanging at Newton Art Center. It looks good on my wall at home, so perhaps that is where it will stay.
Another show I participated in is in Marlborough at Jorie Designs, located on the Old Post Road, Rte. 20. Three paintings of mine were accepted into the show. “Orange Fruit”, “Emerson’s Field” and “Through the Trees”. Jorie is also selling crafts and Jewelry, including some Paterostri pieces. Be sure to stop by! Jorie is an artist herself and is a delight to visit with.
by Deb Perugi | Oct 18, 2017 | Travel
Travel is always a great way to get out of your zone, catch some new views and get inspired! Last week my husband and I went to Ireland, our very first trip to the Emerald Isle. Note that the “first” is emphasized. We plan to go back! It was a rush of a week, visiting four cities in 6 nights. We spent one night in Kilkenny (the craft capital of Ireland), two in Killarney (where the RIng of Kerry beckons), two in Galway (music non-stop), and the last night in Dublin (Temple Bar party town!). Some of the best sites and landscapes I have ever seen can be captured on the Wild Atlantic Way, (“wild driving” way you mean!) between Killarney and Galway. On that route, you can stop at the Cliffs of Moher for a well deserved rest from the frenetic driving. Note that the cars have the driver seat on the right side and you drive on the left of the road. It’s a nail biter! But the views are worth it. Next time, stay a few days in one spot and venture out with your camera and sketch pad. Your tired husband driver will thank you!
The Playwright Pub
Kilkenny
Southwick Brewery
Kilkenny
Rock of Cashel
Countryside
Foggy Cliffs of Moher
Wild Atlantic Way
Waterville
Small village life
by Deb Perugi | Oct 18, 2017 | Arts
Arts Matter Day is October 27! The arts drive our economy, enhance education, and help build vibrant and connected communities. Arts matter in Massachusetts. Join thousands of other supporters in showing our elected officials that arts, culture, and creativity matter to you. Go to Mass-Creative.com/arts-matter and sign up!
by Deb Perugi | Aug 7, 2017 | Arts, Travel
A few weekends ago we visited my daughter in her new apartment in Brooklyn. She suggested we head over to the Brooklyn Museum and see what was there. I immediately homed in on a Georgia O’Keefe exhibit which was well worth the small entrance fee. The show called “Living Modern”, focused on the evolution of Georgia as artist, painter and fashionista. She was spare in a very elegant way, as evidenced by her clothing. Fashion students definitely need to see this show.
Some paintings were there that I had never seen. Photographs of her as well. But there was something that really caught my eye. She was very interested in Japanese style and woodblock prints. A book there displayed the words “NOTAN” on the corner of a chapter page. “Notan” is the art of sketching the darkest areas of a photograph, so that an artist can determine the blackest tones of a painting before they begin. Many artists who fail to do this can get lost before they begin. I learned this from a Mary Gilkerson, a landscape painter in North Carolina, who I discovered on Pinterest. In one of her blog posts, she taught us the term “Notan”, and when I repeated it in a painting class the next day, no one had heard of it.
So, here, randomly at a Brooklyn Museum exhibit, on a book, I see this word, and it blows my mind. Anyway, check out the exhibit if you can. You will be rewarded in ways you would not expect!
