Dan Schultz Fine Art Blog

One of my painting demonstrations is currently being featured on some great instructional websites. Click the links below to check it out.

CreativeSpotlite.com

ArtInstructionBlog.com

RedEasel.com

There is still space available in both of my upcoming July outdoor painting workshops. These are my only two scheduled workshops for 2008, and July is a beautiful month for painting outside. Register now!

I thought I’d share a couple of recent plein air paintings from a short trip Sarah and I took in southern Colorado. We stayed near Westcliffe and did some painting between Cañon City and Cripple Creek. Both paintings are currently available for sale at my studio. (Click on the images to see closeups.)

Howard/Mandville Gallery in Kirkland, Washington, is preparing for their 36th Anniversary. To help celebrate the event, they have planned an exhibition and sale that will include new work from all of their gallery artists, along with work from several invited artists. As one of the invited artists, I will have three of my paintings available at the show, including my newest painting At the Gate (pictured), Iris Garden and Staircase. The show will open with a special preview and reception on Saturday, June 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Visit the gallery’s website at HowardMandville.com for further information and for a full list of participating artists.

With over 4,000 square feet of gallery space, Howard/Mandville Gallery offers one of the largest collections of fine art in the Seattle area. You’ll find over 50 regional and nationally acclaimed artists who show with the gallery on a regular basis, including works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and bronze.

Sarah and I just returned from a trip to the Northwestern U.S. where we did some painting. The photo is me painting on Lake Washington in Kirkland, Washington. 

And below is a photo of the finished painting, On the Lake. I’ve also just posted several other new paintings on my recent artwork page.

Iris Garden   ·   Oil on Linen   ·   26 x 38 inches (image size)

This is a new painting that I recently finished and photographed for the website, but haven’t yet added to the recent artwork page. I’m currently planning to use it for an upcoming show. Click on the image to see closeups, or click here.

My painting Bathed in Sunlight will be included in the 2008 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils. Only 200 paintings were selected from over 2,000 submissions for inclusion in the show which will be held at Dana Gallery in Missoula, Montana. The opening festivities are scheduled for May 2nd - 4th, 2008. Among many events during opening weekend, renowned artist Ramon Kelley will give a demonstration of his painting approach on May 2nd, and a lecture and presentation about J. W. Waterhouse will be given by Peter Trippi, Editor of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. Many of today’s top artists are included in this show and it promises to be an exciting event.

Oil Painters of America was founded in 1991 by Shirl Smithson primarily to focus attention on the lasting value of fine drawing, color, composition and the appreciation of light. As a beginner or a master painter, the feeling of tremendous satisfaction that came from capturing that special moment, realistically and spiritually, was a bond that united us all. Another strong motivation was the observation that traditional drawing and painting skills were not being taught in the colleges and universities. OPA, with Shirl leading the way, became the voice for renewed understanding and appreciation of representational art. Through newspaper articles, radio talk shows and numerous magazine features, OPA’s mission was presented with many examples of outstanding artwork. Fortunately, the message was heard as evidenced by the increased attendance by collectors and the general public at the major art shows and galleries throughout the country. Large museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago have assembled exhibitions by traditional artists like Mary Cassat and Edgar Degas. They have opened their doors to sellout crowds.

Sarah and I attended the opening reception for the 17th Annual Colorado Governor’s Invitational Show last weekend at the Loveland Museum in Loveland, Colorado. Several of the other artists participating in the show also attended along with the many collectors who look forward to the event each year. There is still time to see the show which will be on display at the museum through May 18th, 2008 (admission is free).