Cityscapes in Gouache Workshop, Pride recap, Alameda Paint Out events!
We’re leaving behind a busy Pride season and going into the rest of a busy summer! In this month’s newsletter I have my next workshop (this Saturday the 19th!), I’m looking back on Pride events and installations, and I’m looking ahead at this year’s Frank Bette Paintout. At the end you’ll be rewarded for reading with a picture of my cat, Ruby!
My next workshop is coming right up! This is an in-depth, intensive workshop that will cover my painting process from choosing a subject, to composition, block in, and final strokes. On the way we will discuss color theory, value, and atmospheric perspective, as well as philosophy and attitude. You’ll go home with a 15 page packet containing the full curriculum to keep you going after the class, your own set of gouache paint tubes, a pallet, a paintbrush, and a finished painting!
The workshop is on Saturday, July 19, 11am-4pm. Space is limited, so sign up now!
By the way, you can save on the ticket fees by getting yours in store at 1490 17th st, or over the phone (415-433-2724)!
This was a huge pride month for me and my paintings. I painted a pride window mural, put up an installation of prints and paintings at Chartreuse, and hung an entire wall of paintings at the Frameline VIP lounge .
During the first Friday Castro art walk, I realized that you could see my work at the beginning (Chartreuse), middle (window at FAVE Brand), and end (Queer Arts Featured)!
My Castro Blade Sign Model, Vogue Nocturne, and Castro Hill Nocturne all appeared with paintings from all over the city in the Frameline Film Festival’s VIP lounge. Pop over to last month’s newsletter to see those pieces in detail! Queer Arts Featured furnished and decorated the space, and asked me to fill an entire wall. It’s rare for me to see this many of my paintings up together at once, and it was exciting to debut the model. You can now find the model, the two nocturnes, and prints of the nocturnes at Queer Arts Featured and see them for yourself!
Make sure to stop by Chartreuse (at Church and Market) as well, where even more paintings and prints are still on display, including the Roxie Nocturnes from last month.
Christopher Tradowsky was also in town for Pride Month, doing readings of his novel Midnight at the Cinema Palace, which I’ve already recommended here twice because I love it so much. He was interviewed by fellow novelist K.M. Soehnlein at Queer Arts Featured, and I captured the moment as well as some quotes from Christopher in my sketchbook:
Just before the parade, I managed to catch a view of the Pink Triangle on Twin Peaks.
Looking ahead, I am delighted to again be part of the annual Frank Bette Paint Out in Alameda! Forty painters come from all over the country to paint the Victorians, the views, the ships, and everything there is to see for an entire week, and then throw a big exhibition. Some of my favorite artists are participating, including Mila Kirillova, Karen Fiene, and Danny Folkman! Come out on Saturday, August 2 from 10-5 at the South Shore Center to see it all!
June’s CROONERS was particularly poignant, cathartic, and defiant. Some videos from that and previous shows are up on the Fancypants Instagram, but there’s nothing like being there in person. Celebrate Pride every month of the year with us, coming up next on July 27th. I’ll meet you at the door!
Lastly, I have a combination reading and listening recommendation for you! In Midnight at the Cinema Palace, one of the characters is seen reading a book by MFK Fisher. I had never heard of her but was curious why Christopher would choose that. I listen to a lot of audio books while I’m making models or painting, so I looked first for a way to listen to one of her books. Instead, I found an audio recording of a play: I Was Really Very Hungry, from LA Theater Works.
MFK Fisher is known for writing about food, but she’s no restaurant critic. She’s a memoirist, her prose is sensual and evocative, and she describes both strange and simple foods beautifully. She has an off-beat sense of humor. The play was a highlights reel, hitting some of her best stories and quotes from her writings and journals. You can buy the recording directly from LA Theater Works, or, like I did, see if your library’s digital catalog has it available to you for free. After listening to the play, I am now halfway through Gastronomical Me and looking forward to reading more of her work!
Thanks for reading my newsletter! As a reward, here is a picture of Ruby, being helpful as always!
While you await the next newsletter, you can check out my website to see my portfolio of plein air paintings, still lifes, block prints, figure drawings, tiny model houses, murals, and you can also find information on commissions! Please feel welcome to email me (just respond here!) and ask about any ideas you have that aren’t covered on my commission page, I’m always willing to discuss.
Stay tuned for next month, and let me know what you’d like to hear about in the newsletter in the future.
-Nathaniel J. Bice
he/him