1.   I selected this candid photo which I took in a caffe. I found this scene compelling because of the warm colors surrounding the girl contrasted with the light and cool colors surrounding the man. I have desired to paint a cafe scene for quite some time.



2.   Next I drew a rectangle in my sketchbook in the same proportions as my canvas and gridded the rectangle into thirds vertically and horizontally. This helps in placement of the figures and making sure that the focal point is in a visually appealing location. I skethed the scene in pen and ink in order to eliminate any unnecessary details and to translate the image into three main values--dark, middle tones, and light. You may use pencil or charcoal for the sketch and you need not include as much detail as I used.


3.   You may notice that I moved the teapot and sugar bowl in order to create a small still llife in the foreground and to add ambiance to the scene. I moved the figures closer together for more implied intimacy. I decided to include more of the paintings on the wall behind the girl and in the mirror because I thought the images were interesting and the colors related well in my composition. Notice how the diagonals of the tables lead the eye into the scene. I used the same gridding technique with watercolor pencils on my canvas to help with the transfer of the drawing onto the canvas. With all major decisions made before I picked up my paintbrush, the painting proceded smoothly. Here is the final oil painting.


Tavola per la colazione, oil on linen, 9x12, $500, Gallery East

I encourage you to begin to turn your favorite memories into attractive paintings by following these three steps.

Ruth Soller's oil on linen painting Horno de Pan Taos Pueblo won a Merit Award at the Louisville Art Association Members Show. Juror Dennis Pendleton said about this work,"This artist took a scene that is almost a cliche, and reinterpreted it into something fresh and new, in her own unique way. All the elements of the cliche are there, but the artist has inserted more--what she was thinking and feeling about them. This work is stylized to reflect the artist's mindset, and her strong point of view."

Ruth Soller's oil on linen painting Loveland Feed & Grain Mill won First Place in painting in the Lafayette Art Center Show. Juror Susan Lion said of this work,"Loveland Feed & Grain Mill shows a wonderful play of color, experimenting with the power of the secondary palette. Blue shadows compliment the hot tracks, rusty roof, and orange earth and its styllized clouds reflect the wavy shapes following the line of the railroad track--both an interesting turn from the tendency to make things "accurate". A strong, positive look at history without romanticizing the subject."

Ruth Soller's oil on linen painting Independence Day won the Best of Theme "Spirit of the Wind" in the Frederick Art Show juried by Pat Dall and Nancy Wylie and hosted by the Frederick Arts Commission at the Bella Rosa Clubhouse.

1. Piazzale Michelangelo. From this hillside you have splendid views overlooking the Arno, the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and all the beautiful golden toned, red tile roofed architecture of Renaissance Florence. You may also view the expansive villas built by the nobles of Florence.

2. Galleria dell’ Accademia: Michelangelo’s David. This is the most beautiful and moving statue I have ever experienced. Michelangelo chose to carve David poised in expectation, focus and concentration immediately before David felled the giant Goliath with only a strap and five smooth stones. David fully trusted that God was on his side and that He would prevail.

3. Duomo. Each city’s largest church is called its Duomo or Cathedral. Florence architect Filippo Brunelleschi made it his life’s work to build the world’s largest dome to cover the cathedral. The work was completed after 16 years of construction in 1436. The Battistero or baptistery has three sets of bronze doors designed by Andrea Pisano and Ghiberti.

4. Galleria degli Uffizi. This museum contains superb Renaissance sculptures and paintings from the 15th Century to 17th and 18th century European artists including Rubens, Canaletto, Van Dyke, Caravaggio and Rembrandt. I was particularly amazed by the rich, pure colors of Doni Tondo (c1505) by Michelangelo, a circular portrayal of the Holy Family.

5. Piazza della Signoria. Florence’s most famous square contains the Neptune statue with bronze water nymphs adorning the fountain.

6. Ponte Vecchio. This 1593 bridge crowded with forty silver and gold jewelry shops is one of Florence’s most famous landmarks.

7. Piazza Santa Croce. The Franciscan Gothic church of Santa Croce contains the tombs of Michelangelo, philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli, composer Gioacchino Antonio Rossini, and scolar and humanist Leonardo Bruni. You may visit the monastery leatherworking school which provides students training to produce the fine leather goods renowned in Florence.

8. Santa Maria Novella. This church was established by Dominican friars in 1221 as a small chapel Santa Maria delle Vigne. Architect Leon Battista Alberti blended existing Gothic elements with new Renaissance features when he completed the intricate marble façade in 1458.

9. Museo Nazionale de Bargello. This fortress-like structure was built in 1255 as the government headquarters and later in 1865 became a National Museum of Italy.

10. Il Porcellino. The city emblem is a bronze statue of a wild boar. It is believed that if you rub the nose of the boar it will bring you good luck and ensure a return visit to Florence.</div>