Auction TODAY to benefit Lynn Hincks & Family

Today our community is coming together to help a local, San Anselmo woman, and mother of 3 young girls that attend Wade Thomas School in San Anselmo. Lynn Hincks partner, Matt Reagan, passed away unexpectedly last week. To top it all off, Lynn is currently in Stage 3 of cancer, and undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments this summer. Our Wade Thomas Community has launched a tremendous effort to help this family, including:

BBQ Dinner at Wade Thomas School
With Live Music and Auction
TONIGHT, FRIDAY, JUNE 13, from 6-8pm.

I am donating a painting of San Anselmo to the Live Auction.
The Bug at Montgomery Chapel, San Anselmo, CA

If you are interested in bidding on this painting, please come and do so, as it might go for a lot less than it's actual price($1,200.) ALL are welcome to join in tonight and have a meal and enjoy some music outside on the Wade Thomas Campus. Please come and have dinner to support Lynn Hincks and the girls.

Thank you!

-Colleen

Plein Air Today... Cow Track Ranch, Nicasio

Sunday, June 8, 2008
Heaven on earth tonight, at Cow Track Ranch, in Nicasio, CA. I painted plein air as part of the Art on the Farm series, with a group of about 10 painters today. It was just stunning, with 360 views of rolling hills, valleys, rock outcroppings and grazing cows. The ranch itself has a redwood barn, now greyed with age and covered with yellow lichen, that was built in 1871, as well as colorful antique tractors and rusted farm equipment from times past.

In the Studio Today...Jelly Hill Farm Details

Thursday, May 29, 2008
"Jelly Hill Farm" 24" x 36". Commissioned painting, with final details, including a birdhouse that my friend, Kate, noticed in the photo. Funny how I have been staring at this image for months, and I never saw the birdhouse. Takes a birder's eye to notice these things, I guess.

In the Studio Today... Jelly Hill Farm, Commission

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
"Jelly Hill Farm" 24" x 36", commission in progress. This is day 5 on a commissioned painting from a composited photograph. I am moving in to final details, and hope to finish this tonight.

Plein Air Today... Gospel Flat Farm, Bolinas, CA

Sunday, May 25, 2008
"Row the Boat Ashore", 11" x 14", o/c. I had the luxury of painting on a Marin Organic farm in Bolinas, CA this afternoon with the Art on the Farm group of plein air painters. This is a painting of a row boat on a duck pond, in front of the Bolinas Ridge hillside, at Gospel Flat Farm. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather to paint, and spend the afternoon with ducks, chickens, rabbits, a girl named Anna Rose, and painters in their element.

In the Studio Today...Ad for Marin IJ Newspaper

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I am working on a print ad to run in the IJ Weekend section, the first or second week in June. Along with 24 diverse and talented Marin County artists, I recently completed an 8 week course entitled "The Business of Art", which was granted to us by the Marin Arts Council, the Marin Community Foundation and the CCI (Center for Cultural Innovation).

In the Studio Today... Misty Farm; Day 1

Thursday, May 15, 2008
The first couple hours on a commissioned painting. 24" x 36".

In the Studio Today... San Anselmo Inn Show

Sunday, May 4, 2008
"La Vie en Rose", San Anselmo Inn in the afternoon light, plein air painted outside the Inn, 12" x 16", o/c.
This painting was started yesterday, at my first Marin Open Studio at the San Anselmo Inn. It was a warm, summer-like day in town,and there were lots of loquacious and lively visitors. My favorites were of course, the two Norwich(?)terriers, and their incredibly, happy owners. My work will be at the Inn most of the summer, along with fellow artist, Kate Peper, who does watercolors of Marin County scenes. Kate and I are both participating in this year's, Art on the Farm series, in which we paint at local, Marin Organic farms with other artists, and give back 50% to Marin Organic. Our show at the San Anselmo Inn is being run as a silent auction for two months(May - July 1), with 20% going back to San Anselmo business. Stop in and bid on a piece of art, and you may take it home in a couple months at a greatly discounted price. My prints and notecard sets are also available at the Inn for purchase.

In the Studio Today...MARIN OPEN STUDIOS, May 3rd; 11-6

Dear Friends and Art Enthusiasts,

In just one week, you will start seeing these posters in downtown San Anselmo. It is my first year, participating in Marin Arts Council, Open Studios. The San Anselmo Inn has graciously welcomed me back for this event. The rest of the San Anselmo artists will be showing their work in open studios the following weekend. I have created a MAP of all San Anselmo Artists. If you would like a copy of this, please pick one up at San Anselmo Coffee Roasters, San Anselmo Inn, Ross Valley Winery, or Barton's Bagels. Please look for the green basket with pink writing for the San Anselmo Artist Maps. You may also click on the map here and print the jpg file yourself.
Please don't miss this show! Here are some of the great things you will get to be a part of if you stop by, any time, all day....

1. I will be out on the sidewalk near the San Anselmo Inn, oil painting at my easel, plein air all day! Kate Peper, a local watercolor artist, will be painting plein air, watercolor paintings as well.
2. I am having a 50% off sale of all my older works from this year. Feel free to make me an offer on anything you are interested in at this time, as I am looking to clear my inventory so I have more room for new paintings. This is the only time, all year that I am able to offer my work at such low costs, as there are no commissions taken for Marin Open Studios.
3. I will be hosting a silent auction of a select group of paintings at the Inn, Saturday only, with bidding starting as low as $100. At the end of the day, the highest bidder will be called and notified of their top bid.
4. 10% of ALL sales made this day will go to YES Foundation, to support Ross Valley Schools Music and Art education.
4. Refreshments and treats will be available through out the day.

Please come by! Mother's Day is May 11th... Local art is a great gift! Looking forward to seeing you on the 3rd.

-Colleen

Plein Air on Location Today... Fairfax Fresh Farm, Fairfax, CA

March 30, 2008
"Lone Lemon Tree by the Big Rock",
Fairfax Fresh Farm, Fairfax, CA 11" x 14", o/c.
Easel out on the hill just before the sun went behind the hills. Plein air for 2 hours during an Art on the Farm painting group session. I will add more details to pop out the lemon tree and the rock with lichen in the forground.

In the Studio Today... Paradise Produce; Session #2

March 17, 2008

"Before the Spring Plow"; Yellow Mustard at Paradise Valley Farms, Bolinas, CA. 2008. o/c 11" x 14".
Session #2 on this little canvas, started plein air at the farm last week.

Plein Air Today...Paradise Produce, Bolinas, CA

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
"Before the Spring Plow", Yellow Mustard fields at Paradise Produce, Bolinas, CA 11" x 14" o/c.
Photo of me painting today, by Deni Wetsel. Deni is one of the organizers of this year's Art on the Farm show, in which 25 plein air artists will visit several Marin Organic farms to paint, with a portion of the proceeds of a Fall show going to Marin Organic.

In the Studio Today...Nicasio Fence; Session #4

Saturday, March 8, 2008
"Nicasio Fence Post with Orange Lichen"... or the longer title would be:
"Xanthoria Lichen: The wedding of Algae and Fungus; Old Fence Post near St. Mary's Church, Nicasio, CA" 5 feet x 3 feet. Today, I painted the edges of this thick canvas with a deep combo of blue, red, brown... I added more detail to the fence posts, and I fixed a tree on the left side, in the background, to make it appear set back further. I was hoping to add more details in the grasses in the foreground, but this is scheduled to be hung Monday morning, and I am afraid it won't be dry in time...

I particularly enjoyed focusing on the fence post and the lichen, and as I was posting this, I found some great information about "fence post lichen", apparently a species that is threatened by modern fence posts. Nick Riddiford who leads groups to explore flora, fauna and lichens on Fair Isle, one of the British Isles writes:

"I draw your attention to a conservation issue which I am not sure anyone has recognized. The lichen encrusted post has become an endangered habitat. Modern fence posts are “treated” to last longer. The sensitivity of lichens to chemicals, and pollution, generally means that it takes many years before colonization takes place – by which time the fence posts have probably been replaced. We should be doing all we can to conserve the “old fashioned” posts so that the habitat and their lichen community are not lost for ever. I do not suggest that we return to untreated posts, but I would urge all who are replacing posts to consider retaining the old posts– perhaps as a feature in the garden if leaving them in situ is not a feasible option. " (February 2007) Link to Fair Isle and Nick's articles

In the Studio Today...Tiburon from Angel Island; Session #2

Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Tiburon from Angel Island 16" x 20" Second day working on this painting, which I started plein air on Angel Island this Sunday.

In the Studio Today... Tiburon from Angel Island; Session #1

Sunday, March 2, 2008
Tiburon and Mt. Tam from Angel Island 16" x 20" o/c
Plein air start- about 45 minutes only, as we had to race back down the hill to catch the 3:30pm ferry back. Looking foward to having more time to do this again. It was a gorgeous day!

In the Studio Today... Session #3; Cyclist at Old St. Hilary's Church, Tiburon, CA

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
"Cyclist at Old St. Hilary's" 16" x 20" Started yesterday as a plein air painting in Tiburon, CA. Added final details in the studio today, especially around the church windows.

In the Studio Today... Session #2; Plein Air Painting Old St. Hilary's, Tiburon, CA

Tuesday Evening, February 12, 2008
"Cyclist at Old St. Hilary's" Tiburon, CA o/c 16" x 20"
Session #2 working on this painting, adding some details, including a cyclist that peaked into my plein air scene today, and sailboats that dotted the landscape.

In the Studio Today... Session #1; Plein Air Painting Old St. Hilary's, Tiburon, CA

Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Old St. Hilary's Church, Tiburon, CA 16" x 20" Day 1 of plein air work, blocking in the colors. The fog started to roll in at about 1pm, and it was warm and sunny with no wind. Great views of San Francisco and sailboats coming about from this special spot.

In the Studio Today...Session #3; Nicasio Fence

Sunday, February 10, 2008
"Nicasio Fence" 5 feet x 3 feet, o/c.

In the Studio Today...Session #2; Nicasio Fence

Thursday, February 7, 2008

In the Studio Today... Session #1; Nicasio Fence

Wednesday, February 6, 2008
5 feet x 3 feet canvas, "Nicasio Fence". This is the start of a huge painting for my show at the Tiburon Library in March. The Founder's Room is large, with vaulted ceiling, and great light. It is rare to have the opportunity to show a huge painting, almost mural size, and I really wanted to force myself to do this for the challenge. So, here we go... I started blocking out the colors and shapes in this today. The fence itself is weathered and covered with colored lichen and rusted, barbed wire. It will be a great foreground subject in front of the rolling hills.

On Location Today...Plein Air Faux Pas on Ring Mt.

Friday, January 18, 2008
I took this photo today, on Ring Mt. in Tiburon, CA, just South of the eucalyptus grove. Pictured is artist, Kate Peper, creating a plein air watercolor of Mt. Tam. To the left of Kate is my empty easel... We hiked all the way out there today and got ready to set up and I realized, after double checking my supplies when I left the house, I'd forgotten.... A CANVAS! First, "Plein Air Faux Pas" of 2008.... Say that 10 times fast. Oh well, "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you"... right? So, I spent an hour or so photographing Tiburon and San Francisco from the area just below the Eucalyptus Grove, East of Turtle Rock. It was the wrong time of day to capture Bay Views, as it was too bright. I guess I needed some sort of filter, and I am not a professional photographer, so I take my bad photos home and fix them in Photoshop. Here is one of those from today...and, for future reference, a plein air checklist...

In the Studio Today... San Anselmo Inn show is on!

Thursday, January 17, 2008
My show is officially up and running at the San Anselmo Inn. I want to thank Karlyn Good for her assistance in hanging my show, and Julie and Peter McNair for hosting the show at their lovely establishment in the Tea Room. Julie has offered to serve a cup of tea and a pastry to those who drop in to see the paintings. Please call ahead at 455-5366, if you are dropping in for tea. You may also make a reservation for their Sunday Afternoon Tea, which includes sandwiches, scones, and live music. Finally, we are planning an evening reception, the second weekend in February; Friday, February 8th, 6-8pm. Please save the date if you would like to join me for the artist's reception at the Inn for wine and hors d'oeuvres.
This show was made possible in part by a grant from the Marin Arts Council and the Wendy Gruber Fund for Artists.

In the Studio Today... San Anselmo Inn Show

Thursday, January 3, 2007I'm preparing to hang this month's show at the San Anselmo Inn, a week from tomorrow, Friday, January 11th. Please stop by in January or February to see my paintings. No need to be staying at the Inn to view the paintings... You can visit their French Wine Bar, Wednesday through Saturdays, from 4-9pm, or drop in for Sunday afernoon tea, sandwiches, scones and live music,3-5:30pm. Click here for tea reservations.
This show has been made possible in part by a Grant from the Marin Arts Council and the Wendy Gruber Fund for Artists.

In the Studio Today... Holiday Art; "Kirigami"

Happy Holidays, Everyone! I am taking a break from painting to be with my family for a couple weeks, and wanted to share some snowflake Kirigami we made at a tree toast this month, and some "how to" information, so you too can have fun making some snowflakes this winter! Here is a page from a booklet I have from a kirigami kit (great holiday gift for all ages, btw... the kit is called, "Unfold the Secrets of Kirigami, by AITOH). Order kit online at Dick Blick Art Store...And... for some even more advanced patterns, here are a few additional links for inspiration:
•  Kirigami on Flickr  (by lizabubba)
•  Amazingly Ornate Scenes in Kirigami by Vermont Artist, Cynthia Emerlye

Have fun! Back with more painting in the new year.  Keep creating!

In the Studio Today... Album Cover Session #5

Thursday, December 6, 2007
Still working on this commission... I decided to paint the sides "black", although, no black was used in the painting of this painting. I still mix my own "blacks" from phalo blue, alizarin crimson, burnt umber and other combinations... Still not perfectly happy with the band member faces, but I hope they are close enough to be acceptable. Scroll down to see the work in progress... Once again, it's the back side of the cd/album insert for the Black Crows, "A Southern Harmony & Musical Companion" done in oil on a 24" x 24" canvas.

In the Studio Today... Album Cover Session #4

Wednesday Evening, December 5, 2007
Okay, I am frustrated on this painting...I am having a horrible time doing the faces/portrait part of this. I have reworked many of the faces way to many times, and I feel that they will never quite look like the actual people. I realize now why I love landscapes so much... they are more forgiving to paint- if an angle is a bit off, no one really knows.

In the Studio Today... Album Cover Session #3

Wednesday Morning, December 5, 2007
Commission from album cover: The Black Crows, "Southern Harmony & Musical Companion". 24" x 24". I added more details in faces and on clothing, in the background as well. I do not draw on my canvas first, nor do I project, so I paint like a sculptor, and just keep carving out changes until I think it looks close enough to the original with out looking too much like a photo. I like to leave brushstrokes loose in the background, so it looks like a painting. See previous 2 sessions below.

In the Studio Today... Album Cover Day #2

Tuesday, December 4, 2007
I added more details today, including starting in on the faces of the band members. This is a commissioned painting, 24" x 24", of a cd/album booklet photo from the Black Crow's, "A Southern Harmony & Musical Companion".

In the Studio Today... Album Cover Commission

Sunday, December 2, 2007This is the start of a commissioned painting of the back side of a cd/album; a photo of the band members of the Black Crows. The album is called "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion". I am reproducing it on a thick canvas, 24" x 24". Yes, I do commissions of all types! Stay tuned to see how this turns out over the next couple weeks.

Graphic Design & Photography Services

I work as a Print Production artist, specializing in organic and natural foods and sustainable products. If you would like to hire me for print design, presentation graphics, web graphics, or photography needs, please email me. I do not currently build web sites, but I can get you set up using SquareSpace.com and help you put graphics into your site. I manage changing digital content and create graphics for websites that are already designed. I have CMS experience adding content in Joomla and Wordpress. I have basic HTML and CSS knowledge. I license my paintings and photographs. Please contact me for your fine art licensing needs.

• C.Proppé Design Portfolio

In the Studio Today... Wendy Gruber Auction

Saturday, November 10, 2007It was my great pleasure to attend the Wendy Gruber Auction last night at the Mill Valley Community Center. Rick Klein, Wendy's husband, presented me with the first Wendy Gruber Career Development grant. I also met some very renowned Marin artists that I have admired for some time, including Chris Adessa, and Kay Carlson. I look forward to using the funds to frame my work for my next shows in Marin County, at the San Anselmo Inn and the Tiburon Library. I will also purchase a backpacker easel, additional supplies for painting plein air, and promotional postcards to advertise my shows. Thank you, Marin Arts Council and the friends and family of Wendy Gruber.

In the Studio Today... Wendy Gruber Career Grant

Friday, November 2, 2007
It is with great pleasure, and humble gratitude that I wish to thank the Marin Arts Council and the Wendy Gruber Foundation for honoring me this year with the Wendy Gruber Award; a grant for career development in the arts. Although I did not know Wendy, she was an award winning, beautiful and young, plein air artist who lost her battle with Leukemia just last year. Wendy wrote, "I want the grasses I paint to keep blowing after the piece is finished". I am honored to be able to keep blowing the grasses with Wendy in spirit.

Please read more about Wendy and the auction organized by her family and friends to raise funds for the Wendy Gruber Artist Fund, which supports grants to artists, such as the one I am receiving from MAC. You may attend the auction or bid online in the next 6 days... online bidding closes this coming Thursday.

Wendy Gruber Artist Fund Auction
November 9, 2007
6:00 -10:00 pm
Mill Valley Community Center
180 Camino Alto
Mill Valley, CA

Absentee Bidding Closes
November 8, 2007 - 5:00pm pst

Ticket Reservations
Limited seating. Tickets sold at the door based on availability only.
To Purchase Tickets
Call 415.435.7081 or Email artauction@wendygruber.com

In the Studio Today...MALT & October Landscapes

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
What a busy month! I thought the kids going to kindergarten would provide more painting time, but as it turns out, this is a time for parents to become involved and volunteer in all kinds of school events. One of the most spectacular field trips I have ever attended was in Petaluma, at the Spring Hill Dairy Farm and Peter Pumpkin Patch. Perfect day for painting, but I took lots of photos for future reference.

My latest business efforts this month have included a very small show at the last Sausalito Art Walk of the season, followed by application to MALT's Ranches and Rolling hills art show for 2008. I learned today that my plein air painting from Fairfax Fresh Farm sold at the event to the owner of Sol Food in San Rafael. What an honor! The GREEN restaurant has purchased one of my organic farm paintings at a GREEN event. Truly verdant business all around.

In the Studio Today...Mt. Tam; Session #3

Saturday, October 6, 2007
"Mt. Tam, from Corte Madera Creek" 16" x 20"
This started as a plein air painting yesterday, Friday. It has been reworked in two more studio sessions. I enjoyed this composition with the rocks in the foreground, as the two rocks echo the shape of the two mountains; Mt. Tam and King Mountain in Larkspur.

In the Studio Today...Inverness Sky; Day #2

Monday, October 1, 2007
"Inverness Sky" 24"x 36" o/c
Day two on this large painting of Inverness and the old Pt. Reyes boat.