New Look

Here is a last look at the portrait before I hop on a plane. I thought it was time for a new look here on my blog to loose the printed background and separate content. I like this template from Google. This morning I have been preparing to leave watering bougainvillea, ornamental jade, and other plants that will probably get rain here on Mother's Day but they are dry right now. Hasta Luego...I have to finish packing my bag.

Pastel Portrait Painting in Progress

Just taking a short break to take care of tasks and refresh my vision. I am very pleased with the first sister's expression. I spent quite a bit of time on just her eyes. I am working left to right even though I have my handy Mahl stick (it is actually an old pool stick). I do not want to slide my hand across their fair skin with unwanted marks. I clean my pastels as I work to keep unwanted colors from contaminating other areas.

Rambling

I just read the article Faux feminisim: Is comtemporary art paying too much attention to work that should be ignored?By Tom Lubbock Thursday, 8 May 2008 The Independent Arts and Architecture. It is funny how he starts off with purple hatters who by joining all of the red and purple groups totally miss the point of individuality in the poem, yet I can't knock 'em for daring to have some color and fun especially if breaking free of their norm. Although my only view of Lassnig the artist he discusses is from the photos included with the article, when I clicked through the images I am sure if I had looked in the mirror I would have seen my quizzical face followed by my trying to be in her thoughts and I giggled outloud.

I note Lubbock here "praising her for doing things ("depicting... inner
sensations") that painters have been doing for ages.
I mean, what was that guy called? It'll come back to me eventually. Pablo Something-or-other. "

Reminding me of how I often quote Picasso, "Artists are all thieves." Once I got over the initial defense in being named a thief I purely understood. In my study of artists and travels I adore those AH HA moments like when I was in Spain at the mosaics of Park Guell by Gaudi and suddenly saw what Dali saw and understood his inspiration. I'll have to make notes as I find these experiences increasing. Alyson Stanfield and Robert Genn advised recently in blogs or newsletters on continuing to be educated in art history. When I locate the exact articles I will include a link, sorry my friends. I believe it was Alyson who said how so often artists take claim to "unique" work and how the use of that word is so unfitting especially if an artist would have been aware of art history.

In reading more I came across "An Auction of New Chinese Art Leaves Disjointed Noses in Its Wake" by By DAVID BARBOZA Published: May 7, 2008 Art Section in New York Times It is amazing how at all levels there is deception, broken promises, misleading outcomes where the person responsible comments about the artists “They’re riding the wave”. Catching waves of PR is nice, yeah but sometimes even sugar can't cure a bitter lemonade. OK sour note or not, like Looney Tunes, That's all folks. I must paint.

Pedrero paints "Rosabellas"

With my vague understanding of italian I am calling these lovely girls Rosabellas for beautiful roses. Earlier I was calling them Bellasrosas, till I googled and I will research a little more so I have it perfect. I see them as beautiful roses, tender, glowing, lovely sisters. I used the word paint however to be technically correct I am drawing using pastels. Pastel artists interchange draw and paint. The International Association of Pastel Societies defines this in an interesting way;

Q.
What is the difference between a pastel drawing and a pastel painting?
A.
When visiting a library or galleries, you will find pastel paintings often lumped with pastel drawings. Hopefully, as the knowledge of the medium continues to grow, this view will change. You can draw with any medium — oil, acrylic, pastel, etc. But drawing is about line, while painting is about shape.

I was before a board in a final discussion of my grant proposal when one of the curators told me my grant was incorrect in labeling my pastel work as painting. "Pastel is a drawing medium." I explained IAPS and other pastel organizations guidelines explaining how the paper is filled it is a called a painting, when it is linear and not filled it is a drawing. The response was "Pastel is a drawing medium, final". Well I did get the grant regardless of my unconvincing defense.

Invisible Forces of Nature

Absolute Arts has a listing of an exhibit "The Invisible Forces of Nature" that resonates with my artist statement. Their description is more scientific speaking of thermal dynamics, gravity, and electromagnetism. I also like their use of the title "Master Designer Nature", as a mentor. "The Invisible Forces of Nature" 2008-05-02 until 2008-05-25 will be at St. John’s College Art Gallery Santa Fe, NM, USA . I know I will not be making it to that exhibit so if you get there please post a comment telling your response and experience.

My month is filled with wonderful family events, a birthday today, a college graduation on Mother's Day, travels up and down the east coast, and afar. Yet I dipped into a bit a of melancholy yesterday over a rejection notice. I am trying to bury it and the finances entwined with it to move on to NEXT. I have been on all ends, judging and communicating the diplomatic not this time and opening that "unfortunate" letter. I am presently the Image Master for the Arts Worship Sabbath scheduled for October at the City Arts Factory in Orlando. The images will come to me, I won't be judging but people will get a not this time note from me. Here waits MAX A. MILLION, my traveling companion and cutest puppers ever waiting on my Keens to go for a walk - good idea walk it off.

Orlando Sentinel Picks Pedrero, Steel and Jones

Orlando Sentinel picks the show I am part of as one of the best events around Central Florida
Read about it here in their link:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-dontmissevents,0,1374394.story

WOOO HOOO!
BTW It was such a fun opening last night! I made new aquaintences and collaborations. Ela Steel and Vicki Jones are wonderful artists. Although Ela is from Canada she now lives in Texas and came in to OURLANDO just for the show.

Cindy with her portrait "Soldier and Son"

Robin, You are truly a wonderful artist, you have captured my son
and grandson perfectly. Thank-you so much, Cindy

Mother's Day son and grandson portrait by Pedrero

"Soldier and Son"
18" x 24"
pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes
Robin Maria Pedrero
May 1, 2008
I am pleased to present "Soldier and Son" seen here on the easel in my studio. Cindy can enjoy her portrait of her son and grandson in time for Mother's Day.

Bay Two at Mills Park Pictures and Podcasts

It's a triple post day with more on BAY TWO.

Here is a podcast. Way back on the wall between the interviewer and Kat you can see one piece I have in the show titled "Beyond".
www.wtfthepodcast.com
http://blog.wtfthepodcast.com/2008/04/25/wtf-the-podcast--bay-two-part1.aspx

ALSO here is a slide show (the first frame has my painting "Ripples in the Pond")
http://www.eventsatmillspark.com/slideshow.html

Pedrero paints soldier and son

This is my view as I work on this portrait of a "SOLDIER AND SON" in my studio. You can see my laptop to the left with the medals enlarged on the screen. I use my laptop when I am working from photos as a hands free magnifying glass. To honor our military in my own way I choose to give away a portrait to a military family. His mother was selected in the drawing. This young father is presently serving our country. The family provided me with their own images. I am working from several photographs in lieu of a sitting.

Dandelion Communitea Cafe features Robin Maria Pedrero

Crimson Haze
pastel
Robin Maria Pedrero
My work, along with art by Ela Steel and Vicki Jones
will be on display for the month of May at
Dandelion Communitea Cafe in Orlando, Florida.

Opening Reception:
Thursday, May 1st (9pm - 11pm)
Dandelion Communitea Cafe
618 N Thornton Ave
Orlando, FL

If you’re in the area stop in see the show and experience some great organic food!