Lisa Ober has a new website! You may want to switch your hosting!

I'm pretty cheap when it comes to paying for website hosting and design.  I understand that professional web designers who do a great job deserve every penny they get, but I update my website so frequently that I cannot justify paying to have someone do it for me.  For many years I have maintained my own website using various companies with varying degrees of success.

Enter Weebly.  It's the perfect tool for artists, photographers, or anyone wanting a professional looking website that can be up and running in about 5 minutes...including e-commerce sites.  For FREE (basic site) or at a REALLY great price (bells and whistles) they offer a drag and drop website that does everything I could ever want a website to do.  It is SO easy to use.  It's entirely customizable.  It is optimized for mobile and even has an app allowing you to edit your site from your mobile device.  I have never seen anything like it.  So I have just made the switch.  Check it out and I think you will agree.  Here is my new site:  Lisa Ober's new website.  Let me know if you decide to give it a try!

Here's a little screen shot:

New Portrait and New Surface!

I have an artist friend who has been working on new mounted linen panels and I was lucky enough to try one!  Now I'm hooked.  They are beautifully made and very smooth--as I was hoping.  Here is my practice piece on the new board, a portrait of my daughter in oil.  18 X 18.  Now I need to get more panels from my friend!

New Piece Part of Small Works Show

Grafica in Webster Groves, Missouri (see previous post for address) is exhibiting small works from the artists in my art group, Art Group 360.   This is just one of the 7 pieces I have in the show.  It's a great show!  All of my pieces are oil on panel and measure 6 X 6.  I've stuck with the theme of tools and items found in my studio.  Lots of colorful items.

Art Group 360 Opening Reception May 31st, 2013

I hope you'll join me!

Opening Reception for "Multiple Choice"

May 31

Grafica Fine Arts  7884 Big Bend Blvd.  Webster Groves, MO  63118

Small works (12 X 12 and under)

6 different artists:

John Dean

Lisa Ober

Steve Morris

Janet Fons

Marie Donato

Linda Smith

Still Life Workshop: Fantastic!

I couldn't have asked for better students for this past Saturday's still life workshop!  They did an incredible job.  I thoroughly enjoyed being with other artists.  I learn from them as well.  Here are some pictures from the day.

Having a Ball This Year

Had a great time at NAMTA seeing the art manufacturing business from the other side.  I enjoyed doing the demos for UArt.  Below is one I started at the trade show and finished up this past week at home.  It's a pastel on UArt paper.  24 X 18.  There is something about pool balls that I really enjoy and I suppose it's the fact that they are really colorful.  Having done portraits for so many years, I really enjoy a colorful change of pace.  Off to the next one!

Heading to NAMTA! Come say hello.

Next week I will be at the NAMTA trade show checking out all the new art materials.  It's going to be like visiting a candy store!  I'll be doing demos all three days for UART.  They make the most amazing pastel paper/board.  If  you are attending, please make sure you stop by the UART booth to say hello!

Workshop May 25th If you know of anyone who is interested, please share the information below.

One Day Workshop with Lisa Ober Saturday, May 25 - 9am-4pm If you have ever wanted to learn how to create detail with pastels, this is a workshop for you.  On Saturday, May 25, Paint Saint Louis and I are planning a one-day still-life workshop.  This "hands-on" workshop will show you the creative tricks and techniques I use to create my paintings. The workshop will be limited to 15 artists so everyone gets plenty of personal guidance. I will provide the U-art paper.You need to provide your own pastels, a ground cloth and easel. There are tables if you prefer to work flat. You will have the choice to work from a real still-life set-up or from a photograph. It's an all day workshop at Garry McMichael's studio, and includes snacks, and one of Diane's famous healthy lunches.    Price for the workshop will be $110.  For more information please contact: Garry McMichael (314) 773-4112 garry@imaginagrapher.com

Tidbits

Adding to my small works collection for a show in May/June at Grafica.  About 6 more left to complete so I have a nice square display.  6 X 6 oil on panel.  

I loved creating a painting of this little girl in pastel.  She had such a sparkly personality!

24 X 18 pastel on board.

Mixing It Up

Piece number two for the small works group show.  Creating this painting made me realize how complicated the mixing of color is up close.  I had never really paid much attention to the very subtle gradients that form between colors on a palette not to mention how many little sparkly highlights exist in wet paint.