10 x 10
CHAIRITY AUCTION

Potty Chair

Most of my paintings from the Jazz Vision exhibit plus some Berkshire winter scenes (about 20 paintings in all) have moved to North Adams…see them at PUBLIC Eat+Drink…a very funky restaurant located very close to Mass MoCA, which is just about one of the coolest places in the world. Food is GREAT, ambiance fabulous and staff wonderful…. my paintings feel right at home there. Go see! And tell Jared that I sent you!  Show is up until March 2017.

Here are a few photos. If you want to know more about the individual paintings, click Jazz Visions.

My procedure for Painting a House Portrait

• Photo Shoot – if property is local, I will walk the property with the home owner and take tons of reference photos. I will take photos close up and distant and even some of the abutting property. I like to encircle the home to get the “feel” of the home and the surroundings, even if I am only painting the front of the home. Sometimes I return to take additional photos if the exposure is not right during the initial photo shoot. I like to see how the shadows fall; they give life to a painting.
• Things we discuss…
  • Possible perspectives for the painting. And “orientation”…such as a wide “landscape” view, or traditional shape. Often the homeowners know exactly what they want, others are open for ideas;
  • What to leave in, what to leave out, what to add (dogs, trucks, etc.) as well as trees to move, shrubbery to “grow” or trim;
  • Season of the painting, and if the home owner would like gardens in bloom and they are not during the photo shoot, it’s helpful to me to have some photos that were taken earlier. Same if the home owner wants a snowy scene and it’s not winter… client photos help, but I can also use my imagination and do some research as well if that is not possible;
  • Time of day – early evening paintings in winter are stunning, also, during any season the lighting is always more attractive in early morning or afternoon…just not when the sun is high.

• Drawing – I then study all of the photos and do a drawing based on our discussion and the reference photos. It is often a rough sketch, sometimes more defined. The purpose is to make sure we are on the “same page” … also this is the time when you can change your mind about things…decide to move or remove some trees, make the barn look a little closer etc. Once all decisions have been made, including size of your painting, and you give me the “go-ahead”, I will proceed with the painting.

• Painting – I scan the final version of the drawing. I then am able to resize it to the painting size and print it on large light-weight paper.  I use this as a template for the painting. Because watercolor paper is delicate, I do my original drawing on drawing paper. I then transfer the image by hand using graphite paper, and I try to transfer only the parts of the drawing that are critical to have correct (placement of windows, doors, driveway etc.).  Other things like the trees and shrubbery, I try to do freehand as much as possible.

• Techniques I often use: masking fluid to keep the whites white and pristine, salt to create funky textural effects. Products I use: I typically paint on 300 lb Arches watercolor paper, slightly off-white. Because of the weight of the paper, it does not require stretching. I use a variety of professional level tube (mostly) watercolor paints.

Recently received some wonderful press about the Jazz Visions Show. WNPR.org in Connecticut interviewed me for an article that came out on August 10. Thank you to Owen Mcnally for the great article.

http://wnpr.org/post/marguerite-bride-portrays-jazz-life-watercolors-exhibit-massachusetts#stream/0

Also….

Check out the August issue of The Artful Mind … article begins on page 53.

  JAZZ VISIONS
August 5-27, 2016

Duo Exhibit
Jazz Performance Photography by Lee Everett
Watercolors by Marguerite Bride

Opening reception  Friday August 5, from 5-8 pm

Special silent auction on one piece signed by Dave Brubeck to benefit Berkshires Jazz.  Click for Details.

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
25 Renne Ave,  Pittsfield, Mass.
Gallery hours are 11 am – 4 pm, Wed – Sat
or by appt with the artist.

Click here for preview of watercolors and more details about the exhibit.

Show comes down on July 27th. Don’t miss it!

Click here for  a preview of some of the pieces I will have in this show.

For hours and directions: oldchathamcountrystore.com

June 3 – July 27, 2016 –  Old Chatham Country Store and Gallery, Old Chatham, NY. This is a “duo” exhibit I am doing with  fabulous abstract artist, Karen Jacobs with a  Berkshire theme. It will be a lovely mix of abstract oils and watercolors…we will each be contributing about 10-12 original pieces. The opening reception is Sunday, June 5,  3-5 pm. Visit their website for hours, menu and directions. And if you cannot make the reception, do stop by for lunch!

July 30 and 31, 2016 – Church on the Hill Annual Fine Arts and  Handmade Craft Fair at Lilac Park, right in downtown Lenox, MA. This is a weekend show, rain or shine, free admission. Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday. There will be a pancake breakfast and a luncheon both days. Breakfast starts at 8:30 AM and lunch starts at 11:30 AM. Be sure to mark your calendars! This is always a bustling event!

August 5 – 27, 2016 – Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield, Mass.  “JAZZ Visions” –   This is a duo show I am doing with Lee Everett, jazz photographer extraordinaire. Lee and I have been involved in the jazz scene for many years…he as a professional  photographer, I as a painter. This show will exhibit approx 15-20 pieces (each) of our original works. Most of my paintings are watercolor on canvas…inspired over many years by the Pittsfield CityJazz Festivals, Newport  and Montreal Jazz Festivals, New Orleans and NYC jazz scene, plus some portraits of performers. Additionally, there will be a framed fine art reproduction of my original watercolor “The Master’s Hands” signed by Dave Brubeck himself (at the 2009 PCJF)….proceeds from the sale of this piece will benefit Berkshires Jazz. There were only 3 signed, and this is the last one. The opening reception is set for Friday, August 5, 5-8 pm during the August Pittsfield Arts Walk. 

August 20 and 21, 2016 –  Stockbridge Summer Arts & Crafts Show. My second year  in this juried show….it was great fun last year plus I got to visit with many old friends. This is a free event. Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Main Street, Stockbridge, Mass…..you can’t miss it, and you shouldn’t.

November ’16 – March ’17 – PUBLIC Eat & Drink, North Adams, Mass.  Solo exhibit of my original paintings in two rooms of this funky restaurant in downtown North Adams. One room will feature many pieces from the Jazz Visions exhibit on canvas, the other room will feature many of my traditional watercolor paintings (matted behind glass) of Berkshire winter scenes.  Check their website for hours, menu and directions.

Additional events may be added.

     Looking for something really special for that new baby in the family? How about a painting of the alphabet created with items that are specifically created to match the nursery theme and interests of the parents. Into sports? Animals? Vehicles?
     Here is a painting I recently created … it is 20″ x 16″ in watercolor on a stretched canvas. I put a layer of rough gesso on the surface to look a little like graffiti on a wall. When finished I  sprayed it with a matte finish that made it permanent. It was then framed in a white floater frame…no mat, no glass….lightweight and adorable.

     There are lots of different ways to do this…many different options and some really fun details that you will be involved in choosing. Be in touch if interested…..I’ll create this heirloom for that new baby in your life.

Just click here for all the details.