Barbara Safran Studios Blog

Update on Blogging

2012-01-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

I will be updating my new blog, http://safranundercurrents.blogspot.com frequently as part of my course work in the Master of Fine Arts program at the Art Institute of Boston. Please visit often to view the progress of my studio and academic work.

Update and New Directions

2012-01-08T10:54:00.000-04:00

Chikanekapeag, the Great Destroyer / Le destructeur

Acrylic on Canvas / acrylique sur toile 72” x 48” 2011

Swift Current, Water and Rock Diptych

Le courant rapide, diptyque de l'eau et de la roche

Acrylic on Canvas / acrylique sur toile 40” x 24” 2011

Swift Current, Rock Panel

Le courant rapide, panneau de la roche

During my visit to Grand Falls, New Brunswick this September, I became fascinated by the Falls in this community. After several heavy rainfalls, the Saint John River became a torrent rushing over the cliff face into the gorge 75 feet below.

Funnel Cloud / Nuage tuba

Acrylic on Canvas / acrylique sur toile 36” x 48” 2011

500 Megajoules

Acrylic on Canvas / acrylique sur toile 36” x 48” 2011

Inspirations Home and Abroad/ Chez moi et ailleurs

2011-08-26T11:29:00.000-03:00

AUSTRIAN SUNSET / LE COUCHER DU SOLEIL AUTRICHIEN

acrylic on paper / arcylique sur papier 24" x 40" 2011

The landscape in Austria is beautiful almost everywhere one looks. It has been manicured and carefully tended for centuries in ordered patterns. In this painting I worked with intense, complimentary colours to create the dramatic tension between the shapes and the light at sunset.

Le paysage en Autriche est beau presque partout où on regarde. On l'a soigné attentivement durant les siècles en rangements ordonnés. Dans cette oeuvre, j'ai travaillé avec les couleurs intenses et complémentaires au but de créer la tension dramatique entre les formes et la lumière.

FERN FOREST / LA FORÊT DES FOUGÈRES

acrylic on paper / arcylique sur papier 27" x 29" 2011

This forest in Nova Scotia impressed me with its lush carpet of ferns. I tried to express the primeval and timeless quality of the ferns and the undergowth. The dragonfly also represents the eons of time that both ferns and dragonflies have occupied this part of North America. This work has been influenced by the paintings of American artist, Alexis Rockman.

Cette forêt en Nouvelle Écosse m'a impressionnée avec son tapis luxueux de fougères. J'ai essayé d'exprimer la qualité éternelle des fougères et du sous-bois. La libellule représente aussi les longues époques du passé que les fougères et les libellules se trouvaient dans cette région de l'Amérique de Nord.

Cette oeuvre montre l'influence de l'artiste américain, Alexis Rockman.

New Work / Les nouveautés

2011-08-05T12:15:00.002-03:00

La Plage Crystal Crescent Beach

acrylic on canvas 36" x 48" 2011 acrylique sur toile 90cm x 120cm

The white sand and tropical blue water make this beach a wonder to visit along the coastline of Nova Scotia. The surf breaks against rocks hidden under water. In this painting, I have used conventions of traditional landscape painting, such as objects in the distance appearing smaller and less distinct, more brilliant colours in the foreground. Wolf Kahn's paintings have inspired me to use more intense pigments in the sky and the water.

Le sable blanc et le bleu tropical rend cette plage une merveille à visiter par la côte de la Nouvelle Écosse. Les vagues déferlent contre les rochers cachés au-dessous de l'eau. Dans ce tableau, j'ai employé des traditions de la peinture paysagiste; les objets loins sont représentés moins grands et moins distincts, les couleurs brilliantes se trouvent au premier plan. Les oeuvres de Wolf Kahn m'ont encouragées à utiliser des pigments plus intenses dans le ciel et dans l'eau.

Thunderstorm, Sunset / Orage au coucher du soleil

acrylic on paper 32" x 34" 2011 acrylique sur papier 80cm x 85cm

In this painting, I have captured the drama of a sudden shower at sunset. The dark clouds moved in quickly with sheets of rain pelting the water's surface. I am experimenting with intense colours for contrast and emotional resonance.

Dans ce tableau, j'ai capté le drama d'une averse soudaine au coucher du soleil. Les nuages sombres avançaient rapidement, leur cascades battaient la surface de l'eau. J'explore les couleurs intenses pour leurs contrastes et leurs résonance émotionnelle.

New Directions

2011-07-22T19:31:00.001-03:00

Thank you for stopping in at my blog! I am changing its format from supplementary web site to open journal about my artistic interests and influences.

Lately I have been experimenting with different approaches to my subjects. I like using a sketchy outline and creating contrast with intense colours right out of the paint tube. It is a change from the nuances of watercolour. This seems to be a pattern in my work; I create a series of watercolours and then reach the logical end to the variations I can get excited about. Next, I turn to acrylics or oils, enjoying the brilliance and texture of the paint. I am simplifying my work, using quickly painted, sketch lines to begin a painting. Drama and contrast seem to be winning out lately over subtlety.

I have been studying the works of several contemporary artists. Hopefully I am learning from them and transforming their influence into my own vision.

My garden is usually quite a disaster in terms of weeds. However, I have been planting flowers which thrive on neglect and I do admire their tenacity. I have magnificent daisies and day lilies which have inspired me with their exuberance. The work of Claude A. Simard and David Hockney, both, have encouraged me to use colourful outlines and patterns to capture the flowers. This subject can be so hackneyed, I have aimed to use a sketch-like approach. Perhaps in the future, I will find a way to include psychological depth in a painting of flowers. My painting of daisies and lilies and my effort to capture sunflowers seem to be concerned mainly with growth and dramatic pattern. Photos will be posted in a few days. I am waiting for a bright day to take photos of the sketches.

I have also been looking at works by Wolf Kahn, landscape artist extraordinaire. I plan to make a study of complementary colours in landscape; easier said than done effectively. I feel an affinity to Kahn's choice of subjects and I marvel at his use of colour and simplified shapes.

There are also works by Alexis Rockman, his weather series, which I find very captivating. I have long been fascinated by the ever-changing skies visible in my part of North America. Fortunately, I have a large collection of photos I have taken from the air and from the ground of clouds in their various shapes, sizes and weather. I am planning a thunderstorm series based on the thunderheads I observed from an airplane while flying to Calgary, Alberta one summer. Perhaps the psychological drama of these clouds will become apparent in the final paintings.

Motorway, Austria

acrylic on watercolour paper 24" x 40" 2011

This painting refers to our recent tour to Austria with the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra. We were heading into the dark and the unknown, while up above us there was sunlight on a few high peaks! I enjoyed working with the yellow-orange and dark blue colour scheme as well as the challenge of simplifying the masses of the mountain and the plain below.

Snowscapes Series - Oil on Canvas

2011-03-08T15:20:00.000-04:00

Blowing Snow 16" x 20" / La neige soufflante 40 cm x 50 cm

Oil on Canvas 2011 / La peinture à l'huile sur toile

Deep Snow 16" x 20" / La neige profonde 40 cm x 50 cm

Oil on Canvas 2011 / La peinture à l'huile sur toile

Lately I have been painting with oils again. I enjoy the creamy consistency and the subtle blending of colours. The long drying time is something new to me. I hesitate to use any essences or thinners with odours as I am very sensitive to chemicals. The paints I am using are made with walnut oil which has little if any smell. I have been using large brushes, but on the third canvas I fear that I have fallen into the trap of fiddling with a small one. I will let the canvas dry for a few days and then go back to it. This will give me a chance to look at it in different lights and to decide what needs to be done to finish it.

Récemment je crée des oeuvres avec la peinture à l'huile. Je réjouis de la consistance crémeuse et le mélange subtile des couleurs. Le séchage long est quelque chose de nouveau. J' hésite à utiliser des diluants dégageant de mauvaises odeurs car je suis très sensible aux chimiques. Les peintures que j'emploie sont produites avec l'huile de noix, ce qui n'a très peu ou rien d'odeur. J' utilise de gros pinceaux, mais sur la troisième toile, je crains que je joue un peu trop avec un petit. Je laisserai la toile se sécher quelques jours et ensuite, j retournerai. Cela me permettra de regarder la toile dans l' éclairage varié et aussi de décider quoi faire pour la finir.

Petitcodiac Resurgo!

2011-02-05T14:05:00.000-04:00

Turn of the Tide watercolour 16" x 24" 2009

Le tournant de la marée aquarelle 41cm x 61cm 2009

Belliveau Village Wharf watercolour 16" x 24" 2010

Le quai du Village Belliveau aquarelle 41cm x 61cm 2010

Kayaks and the /et la Petitcodiac watercolour 22" x 38" 2010

aquarelle 56cm x 97cm 2010

The Gates Will Open, April 14, 2010 watercolour 22" x 28" 2010

Les vannes s'ouvriront, le 14 avril 2010 aquarelle 56cm x 71cm 2010

The Head Pond Empties watercolour 16" x 24" 2010

Le lac se vide aquarelle 41cm x 61cm 2010

Sunset, West Riverview

2010-12-14T10:51:00.003-04:00

watercolour/ aquarelle 22" x 28" 56cm x 71cm Barbara Safran 2010 SOLD / VENDU

Passionate for the Petitcodiac!

The mudflats shimmer as the dying sun peeks through the clouds. The tide empties towards the Bay of Fundy, but the view is spectacular! I am pleased with the flow of the paint and the effects of light I was able to capture. It's a familiar sight from the Riverview Causeway.

Passionnée de la Petitcodiac!

Les vasières miroitent soleil descendant tandis qu' il brille entre les nuages. La marée se vide vers la Baie de Fundy, mais la vue est spectaulaire! Je suis contente de l'écoulement de la peinture et les effets de la lumière que j'ai réussi à capter. C'est une scène familière du Pont-Chaussée de Riverview.

PETITCODIAC RESURGO

2010-12-12T10:56:00.011-04:00

PETITCODIAC RESURGO by BARBARA SAFRAN

watercolour / aquarelle 22" x 38" 56cm x 97cm

The Tidal Bore rushes upstream in the Petitcodiac River. Le Mascaret se précipite en amont dans la rivière Petitcodiac.

“Resurgo” aptly describes the return of the Bore and the Petitcodiac River as portrayed in my new series of watercolour paintings.

The river has come back in force since the opening of the Causeway Gates April 14, 2010. The Bore sweeps the muddy banks, swirling its waves into constantly changing patterns. The New Moon and the Full Moon create the largest waves as the huge volume of water is compressed into the narrowing riverbed.

"Resurgo" décrit bien le retour du Mascaret et de la rivière Petitcodiac comme je l'ai peinte dans ma nouvelle série d'aquarelles. La rivière revient en force depuis l'ouverture des vannes du Pont-Chaussée en avril 2010. Elle est plus large, plus profonde et plus dynamique quand ses vagues surgissent en amont. Le Mascaret frôle les berges vaseuses, tourbillonnant ses vagues en formes qui varient constamment. La nouvelle lune et le pleine lune créent les plus grandes vagues tandis que le volume énorme de l'eau se comprime dans le lit étroit de la rivière.

The Fish Trap / Attraper les poissons

2010-08-08T09:50:00.004-03:00

Watercolour 16" x 24" aquarelle 41 cm x 61 cm

I have been privileged to see the team in action setting the nets to count the fish in the Petitcodiac River upstream from the controversial causeway. Two osprey fished just beyond us in the early morning light.

J'ai eu le privilège d'accompagner l'équipe qui range les filets où on compte les poissons en amont du pont-chaussée controversé de la rivière Petitcodiac. Deux huards pêchaient proche de nous dans la lumière matinale.

Petitcodiac Voyage Opening/Vernissage

2010-06-14T20:26:00.004-03:00

Here I am, very happy with the attendance and the comments at the opening of my 'Petitcodiac Voyage' show at the Moncton Public Library. Me voici, très contente de la présence et des commentaires au vernissage de mon exposition à la Bibliothèque Publique de Moncton.

Sylvie Mousseau interviews me for L'Acadie Nouvelle. Sylvie Mousseau m'accorde une entrevue pour l'Acadie Nouvelle.

A bird's eye view of the exhibition area. Voici une vue d'en haut de la galerie.

New Web Site for Barbara Safran Studios

2010-05-16T11:48:00.003-03:00

Hello everyone! I am happy to announce new content on my web site for Barbara Safran Studios. I have refreshed all of the files and I have included some new pages for my digital images and my theatre workshops. Please visit often!

Bonjour à tout le monde! Il me donne du plaisir d'annoncer le nouveau contenu de mon site web pour Barbara Safran Studios. J'ai rafraîchi tous les fichiers et j'ai inclus plusieurs nouvelles pages à propos de mes images numériques et de mes ateliers du théâtre. Veuillez visiter souvent!

Barbara

View of Coverdale United Church/ Vue de l'Église Coverdale United

2010-04-27T09:05:00.003-03:00

Watercolour on paper/ aquarelle sur papier, each panel 22" x 28" / chaque panneau 56 cm x 71 cm

The view from the Salisbury Road across the Petitcodiac River has always intrigued me. Here the current runs upstream past the Coverdale United Church at the corner of the Turtle Creek Road. The fertile fields of the dairy farm nearby benefit from the river's proximity.

La vue du chemin Salisbury à travers la rivière Petitcodiac m'a toujours intriguée. Ici le courant coule en amont devant l'église Coverdale United au coin du chemin Turtle Creek. Les prés fertiles bénéficent de la proximité de la rivière.

Canada Geese / Les bernaches

2010-04-27T08:45:00.004-03:00

Watercolour on paper/ aquarelle sur papier, each panel 10" x 16" / chaque panneau 26 cm x 41 cm

Canada geese enjoy the banks of the Petitcodiac River in early spring as the last snow of the seasons melts and drains into the river. I find these large birds very amusing, even though they are noisy and messy!

Les bernaches aiment les rives de la Petitcodiac tôt le printemps lorsque les dernières neiges disparaîssent et coulent dans la rivière. Je trouve ces grands oiseaux très drôles, même s'ils sont bruyards et ils laissent des déchets derrières eux.

Tidal Bore, Winter / Le Mascaret, hiver

2010-03-16T12:18:00.003-03:00

The Tidal Bore comes in by the Gunningsville Bridge in February. A cold mist was hugging the ground as I waited for the Bore to arrive in gentle ripples.

Le Mascaret arrive par le pont Gunningsville en février. Un brouillard froid touchait la terre en même temps que j'attendais le Mascaret en petites vagues douces.

Cattails / Les roseaux

2010-02-04T09:48:00.007-04:00

Watercolour on paper/ aquarelle sur papier, each panel 16" x 22" / chaque panneau 41 cm x 56 cm

Take a better look at the left hand panel of the diptych. Regarde le panneau à la gauche du diptyque.

St. Anselme Marsh / Le marais à St. Anselme

2010-02-04T09:43:00.006-04:00

Watercolour on paper/ aquarelle sur papier, 16" x 22" 41 cm x 56 cm

Take a closer look at The Marsh/ Le marais St. Anselme.

Voici une vue plus proche de l 'oeuvre The Marsh/ Le marais St. Anselme.

The Marsh / Le marais St. Anselme

2010-02-04T09:13:00.006-04:00

Watercolour on paper/ aquarelle sur papier, each panel 16" x 22" / chaque panneau 41 cm x 56 cm

The marsh at St. Anselme is a vast expanse of wetland. Cattails and reeds turn various shades of gold and brown while the trees along the marsh's edges turn from green to orange and yellow.

Le marais à St. Anselme est un marécage vaste. Les roseaux changent en teintes dorées et brunâtres lorsque les arbres tournent de vert à orange et jaune.

The Irish Families Monument/ Le Monument des Famillies Irlandaises

2010-01-22T13:51:00.007-04:00

watercolour on paper/ aquarelle sur papier 16" x 24" 40.5 cm x 61 cm

Those who walk along the river in Moncton, NB will recognize this monument to the Irish families who have helped Moncton become the vibrant city that it is today. The family names have been inscribed on the stones for future generations.

Ceux et celles qui marchent par la rivière à Moncton, NB vont reconnaître ce monument aux familles irlandaises qui ont aidés la ville de Moncton devient aujourd'hui un centre plein de vie. On a inscrit les noms des familles sur les pierres pour les générations de l 'avenir.

Diptych-Dieppe Marsh/ Diptyque-Le marais Dieppe

2010-01-21T13:45:00.011-04:00

This is the best I can do for the moment! C'est le meilleur possible à ce moment!
Look at my previous posting of the Petitcodiac Marsh. Regardez les commentaires précédents du Marais Petitcodiac.

Dieppe Marsh1 and 2/ Le marais à Dieppe 1 et 2

2010-01-21T13:29:00.010-04:00

Try to imagine these two paintings side by side to form a diptych! The painting with ducks forms the left side of the diptych while the sky line of Moncton forms the right side. I will work on creating an image of both together which the blog will accept!

Essayez d' imaginer les deux tableaux à côté l' un et l' autre pour former un diptyque! Le tableaux avec les canards va à la gauche lorsque le tableau avec la vue de Moncton va à la droite. Je travaillerai à créer une image des deux tableaux ensemble que le blogue acceptera!

The Pheasant/ La faisanne

2010-01-13T11:30:00.002-04:00

The first snowfall covers the Petitcodiac River and the marshes beside it. This pheasant ran across my view as I painted the watercolour from my car. I have seen her before in the same area waddling along in a hurry. The clouds were changing every few minutes, so I had to work quickly.

La première neige couvre le rivière Petitcodiac et le marécage à côté de la rive. Cette faisanne a couru à travers ma vue pendant que je complétais cette aquarelle dans mon auto. Je l' ai vue autrefois dans le même lieu déambulant rapidement. Les nuages se transformaient chaque cinq minutes, alors, je devais me dépêcher à finir.

September Grasses

2010-01-10T08:48:00.003-04:00

The wild marsh grasses were beginning to turn golden and russet last September. I had to adjust my palette with different yellows, reds and browns. Even the green hues had changed since early summer. Gusts of wind tossed the reeds in different directions. The shadows were longer as the afternoon sun was lower in the sky.

Ducks in the Reeds

2010-01-02T09:47:00.001-04:00

Last summer I was walking to the end of a trail by the Petitcodiac and I discovered a secluded spot where I found ducks nibbling plants and fish in the water at high tide. These two were curious enough to approach me, but they flew away with great flapping when I moved my paint brush too suddenly! I could hear more quacking in the reeds and later a vee formation of ducks appeared above me.

Welcome to my studios!

2009-09-15T09:31:00.002-03:00

Lately one of my studios has been outdoors by the banks of the Petitcodiac River, a fascinating tidal waterway with some of the most extreme tides in the world. The 'Chocolate River' is known for the reddish-brown silt in its waters, but I have discovered many other reflections cast from its surface while painting watercolour landscapes. I have been exploring the walking and biking trails along the river, with my backpack of art supplies and my drawing boards.