Painting Snowmen In Summer And Honoring Tara!…Plus Groundbreaking News

Dear Bergsma Friends,

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

I trust all of you have had a great summer and are ready for the changing of the Season.

We had a celebration for Tara…who has worked for me for almost 13 years!

She and 17 other Bergsma Employees from over the years gathered together at my home for Tara’s WEDDING SHOWER…
CONGRATULATIONS TARA!

Jody Bergsma and Tara McKee

We had a fantastic time and all wish Tara a lifetime of Happiness!

Bergsma Employees past and present.

Tara is the head of my Art Department and does all the graphics for my company.

She is a great employee and friend.

From left to right: Sydney, Jody, Alicia, Tara and Kelly

Now, on to this week’s lesson…
***PAINTING REDS***

At Bergsma we get ready for Christmas early…

We need time to get all the products made and distributed to our Bergsma Dealers (See our Website)…and this year I was in the mood for more Snowmen.

Why not have a cup of joe nestled under a Bergsma throw. (Heather says-ha ha) Our Showroom Fairy, Kelly is modeling our NEW SNOWMAN FLEECE. They just arrived!

Follow some of these simple tips and you can paint snowpeople too! (We’re trying to be P.C around here)

As always…Mix up plenty of paint and start with the pale colors first.

You will need to mix a shade of teal and blue/violet to create your snow.

Use water washes first and place small amounts of color at the bottom of each shape to indicate shadows in the snow.

I used a small amount of the red to create pink cheeks in the snowmen.

By the time this painting is finished, the pink cheeks will just about disappear.

Now you are ready to tackle the background.

Wet on wet washes give a feeling of trees in the background…slightly out of focus.

You will mix all your mid greens, dark greens and purple grays. They need to be ready, because when you paint the background you will only have a few minutes before the paint dries.

Feel free to use the above images as reference material for your own paintings.  Even when I was in art school we copied paintings in museums. By looking at them, you will learn more than expected.

Now…THE EXCITING PART.

I love painting bright color…you will too!

First mix up a rainbow of shades of yellow, orange ,red and burgundy.

You will need all of these to get a good deep red.

I used Naples yellow, Burnt Sienna, cadmium orange, Vermillion, Perylene Maroon and Alizarin Crimson.

Begin each red and orange shape with a pale yellow wash and begin building the colors.

To make the carrot feel round place the dark reds on the bottom and finally place a small amount of burgundy in the corner.

Even snowpeople need their veggies.

***GUESS THIS WASH…

If you can tell me what this wash is I will send you a signed copy of the snowmen!

Do you have the answer? Email Heather at wholesale@bergsma.com. We will reveal our winners on NEXT WEEK'S blog post.

Good luck***

Now back to the lesson…

Place the reds in such a way that your composition is balanced.

RED must be painted over the snow…if you try and add the pale blues later the reds will run into the wash and make pink edges.

Painting in my style is a bit like putting a puzzle together…all the little pieces fit and Voila..you have an image.

Now I add the blacks.

If you look closely I used purple/burgundy in the black washes to give them highlights.

Note the shadow washes have now been added before the final touch…

Snow is the last detail!

Mix up white titanium gouache and dab in your snowflakes.

Some will be big and others small…vary your size and on some of the big flakes place your six pointed crystals.

Fini!

This is called… UNDER THE MISTLETOE.

***

GROUNDBREAKING NEWS…LITERALLY!

I am giving a thumbs up to my Neighbor Marvin Pullar. (See him working the CAT)

I finally received my permits to break ground for my new house.

Three years ago my house burned down and I am finally ready to rebuild.
This is an incredible reason to celebrate…

As a matter of fact…

We're Good To Go! Thumbs Up!

Now that Marvin has given me lessons on his big equipment I am ready to help!

I will be digging all weekend!

Have a fantastic Labor day weekend and as always…

Happy Painting,

Love,

Jody

P.S….Do you think I need a license to run one of these?

Seattle Gift Show And Drawing The Snow People

Hello Dear Blog Friends,

Last Thursday, the 20th of August, I went “Underground” to the Seattle Gift Show.  Five days inside the Seattle Convention Center to meet and greet with some of our best wholesale customers.

These store owners are the wonderful people that bring Bergsma to you in your area.

Maybe you will recognize some of these friendly faces. Feel free to click any of their photos. Each are linked to their websites.

Jody Bergsma and Pam Hoksbergen at the Seattle Gift Show

These beautiful gals all came dressed in shades of RED …”Repetition With Variation” – One of my best art motto’s! I met with them at the Busch & Slates Showroom at the Pacific Center.

From Left to right...Mary Zogg my Oregon B&S Rep, Mary, Heather, Debbie, Jody Bergsma, and Mindy. These gals have a fine gift store called the Hen's Tooth...Because Grandma used to use the saying..."Scarce as a Hen's Tooth". Their store is in Bend Oregon.

These wonderful girls , Sarah and Shana run Arts West Unique Gifts in Factoria Square, Bellevue, Washington.  They have been best friends forever (BFF) and even had their babies around the same time.  Their store has carried my work for 20 years. It was established by Sarah’s mother Georgia.

Jody Bergsma with Arts West Unique Gifts!

Gigi Gelfin buys for Ben Franklin in Monroe, Washington. They have stocked Bergsma for 15 years. Thank you Ben Franklin.

Gigi and Jody. Ben Franklin Monroe loves the new Moose Blanket.

I was honored to take one of my best accounts in the U.S. to dinner last Monday night, to Il Fornaio in Seattle.

Cheryl has run Crystal Books and Gifts in Grand Junction, Colorado for 20 years…She first purchased from me when she was just a girl

Thank you Cheryl!

From left to right: Pam, me, Cheryl and Steve

Kathy Fuller of Market Gifts in Randle, Washington blessed me with a new kind of watercolor paint to try. (See the tube in my hand)

Primateks by Daniel Smith Inks. These are a special watercolor that combines different granulating minerals in a pre-mixed formula.

I can’t wait to try them.

Jody Bergsma, Kathy Fuller of Market Gifts and The Paint!

Now onto this week’s lesson

***TIPS FOR BETTER DRAWING***

This week’s goal,after returning Tuesday from Seattle, was to complete the remaining sketches for the October shows.

DRAWING ESSENTIALS:

1) Good reference materials. Google is awesome, books, personal photos and magazine cut-outs all work.

2) Light Table. You can obtain one of these at any art supply or drafting supply store.

3) Pencils of different hardness and a white eraser.

4) Good sketching paper for your final drawing. I use copier type paper for the initial “thumbnail” small sketches.

Jody Bergsma at her light table with reference materials, paper and pencils.

Drawing is like writing. Good technique requires drafts and editing. This happens best on the light table.

The original “thumbnail” sketch is placed on the light table first and your good drawing paper goes on top of that.

Because of the use of a light table, you can see through both layers.

This allows you to edit your work and improve it.

My first revised drawing is done with a 3H pencil (fine line).

You can see in this photo below, a side by side comparison of the 3H next to the HB pencil (darker line).

HB is slightly harder than your typical #2 yellow pencil.

The harder the lead is the finer the line.

I typically use only a 3H and an HB when drawing.

This close up allows you to see what I see when I am using the light table.

I only loosely follow the base sketch as I revise. This is very noticeable near the females eyes.

Now the sketch is finished and ready to be transferred to the watercolor paper.

Place your watercolor paper on top  of your finished dark pencil line sketch and trace it.

Finished Sketch entitled "Under The Mistletoe"

FINALLY, you are ready to paint!

YOU CANNOT SKETCH AND ERASE ON WATERCOLOR PAPER

(Erasing will ruin your expensive paper)

I also completed two other drawings this week…

I only have a few more drawings that I need to do for the October shows.

If you look closely you can see the two types of pencil hardness.

Many of you know that I have horses…and I love them.

I never tire of drawing these beautiful creatures.

I will finish three more drawings this weekend and start painting next Monday!

***Class Dismissed**

This week I end my blog highlighting three of my retail customers. I’ve met so many wonderful people over the years.

***Honoring Donna Hogue***

Donna Hogue has been purchasing bolts of fleece from us. We decided to find out what she’s doing with this much fleece!

Through the magic of email…here’s Donna’s story…

Donna Hogue

“Since 2006, I’ve made some 1,200 Throws Of Love for the Wounded Warriors Battalion, East at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The project grew out of a statement made by a wounded warrior.

‘The wool blankets issued by the Marines is not only heavy but scratchy…’

This project has expanded to include the Texas Fallen Heroes Gold Star Families and Wounded Warriors at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

I do these throws in memory of my husband, 1st Lt. Robert E. Malone, who was killed in action in Vietnam.  Every throw is given with a notation of that and a prayer.

You (Bergsma) might like to know that in August 2007, I made 34 throws of Jody’s eagles that went to the Honor Guard and pilots of the late Lt. Col. James Ayre, who was brought home from Vietnam after 37 years missing in action.  These throws were sent in honor of then President George W. Bush. The President learned of this and both Mrs. Ayres and I were invited to the White House to a Christmas Party. I then made 62 of the Jody Bergsma Eagle Fleece Throws to the pilots who service Marine One.

After my trip to the White House, I did a display of my trip and donated one of Jody’s eagle fleece throws at a state convention of the Texas Federation of Women, in Austin Texas. The throw sold for $400.00. ( The same throw) was given back to auction (off) again for $1275.00 to go to The Wounded Warriors Battalion.

Jody’s Eagle fleece are all over the United States, including personal ones to former President and Mrs. Bush.”

Donna Hogue with Bergsma Fleece Blankets and the letter she includes with each one donated.

*** Donna we are all greatly moved by the love and generosity you have shown to those who have bravely served this country***

THANKS FROM ALL OF US!

***Lanette Rugis***

Today, I signed books for Lanette Rugis, a Boeing Exec.  She was buying  them for the Renton/Skyway  Boy’s And Girl’s Club. www.positiveplace.org

She has collected for years and loves the blog.

Thanks for your support Lanette!

Last but not least, Sophie Kuzeja has an incredible collection of Bergsma Originals.

We went to dinner last week at one of my favorite French restaurants…Le Pichet!

Much gratitude Sophie!!!

Many thanks to all of you for your caring, sharing and support through the years!

Have a blessed weekend,

Jody

Art With Heart Inspirations And Painting Dragons

Dear Blog Friends,

I am excited that some of you are feeling inspired by the blog and have begun your own art careers!

I had a special visit in the showroom from two budding artists…Tala did the hummingbird  and Phyllis the Shasta Daisy. They are very proud of their work and are excited to come to the weekend art class, this fall, to be held on my ranch. (Watch for more information to come!!)

Jody Bergsma with Tala and Phyllis MacLuan from Eugene, Oregon.

Phyllis chose yellow-green and contrasted it with several shades of lavender. (Opposite colors). She painted each petal individually and created a very pleasing result. (Repetition And Variation).

So simple, yet so beautiful.

Before we start today’s class…Phyllis reminded me of  a tip I blogged about some time ago…Glass Palettes.

I use a glass sheet for a palette instead of the white plastic type that you usually find in art stores.

Phyllis uses the glass palette as well.  She loves the easy clean up and the fact that the glass does not stain like the plastic does.

Glass palettes are great tool for watercolor artists.

Now on to this week’s lesson…

***PAINTING DRAGONS***

I finished the fairy and dragon this week.

I had painted the backgrounds of all the fantasy paintings at the same time.  This creates harmony between the group and also helps with drying times, because salt sprinkled washes take longer to dry than regular washes.

Work your paintings from background to foreground, from light to dark.

The salt works especially well when you use stain watercolors mixed with minerals.

Here I used cobalt turquoise, cobalt violet, sepia, burnt sienna and Winsor Blue.

Winsor Blue is a stain, while cobalt turquoise is a mineral. All cobalt hues are minerals.

In this next phase I added more light green (sap green) to the wings and body of the dragon to warm up the composition.

Note: the ends of the wings compared to the first attempt.

To finish the painting, I added reds and purples for the opposite colors.

See the ends of the wings again and the tips of the feet. This is how you can build the deeper hues and create contrast.

Yellow-greens and purples are great opposite colors for nature scenes.

Applying the, highlights, shadows, detail work and appropriate contrasting colors to edges of your fantasy characters, also help them pop out from their mystical backgrounds.

***

I leave you this week with another tip…Make time to take time with friends.

I met with two of my best friends last night for a “Girls Night Out”.

Anna Schaad (Raven Fiddle Productions), Jody Bergsma, and Erin Baker (Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods)

Raven Fiddle Productions

Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods

I will be at the Seattle Gift Show this weekend. If you are a Bergsma Wholesale Customer, I hope to see you there. Please click below for details.

Seattle Gift Show

I look forward to seeing you.

Happy Painting,

Jody

Painting Fantasy Hair, Contest Winner and Knotts Berry Farm

Dear Blog Friends and Painting Students,

Hello from sunny Santa Monica!

Last weekend, I visited my friends there and signed at Knott’s Berry Farm. (Photos to come)

It was so great to run on the beach.  I felt like a real Californian!

This next week, I will be at The Seattle Gift Show. For more information about the gift show, contact Heather at wholesale@bergsma.com

Sometimes I wish, I could be a "California Girl"!

Before we have this week’s class, I would like to share with you the winner of our very first watercolor contest!

Our winner is: Sarah Prior of Spokane Valley, WA

Sarah Prior...Winner!

Look how Sarah chose Cadmium Yellow and Cobalt Blue to be her opposite colors. Her greens are made by mixing those two. This is a very dynamic color scheme and composition.

Sarah will receive a $100.00 Gift Certificate to the Bergsma Gallery. We highly encourage her to use it here at the gallery during our studio tour and open house. We will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday the first two weekends of October!!!

Congratulations again Sarah on a beautiful painting!

I encourage all of you to participate next time we have this kind of contest….

Now, it’s class time…

***How To Paint Fantasy Hair***

Painting glistening hair is easy once you know this great technique.

Mix several shades that you would like your hair to be.   In this case, I am using Burt Sienna, Winsor Purple and Sepia.

I wet the entire strand with water, then add a light wash of Burnt Sienna.  I place the mixed Purple and Sepia in alternating areas.

First wash.

You must wait for each strand to dry, before you paint an adjoining strand.

Adjacent washes.

You can see a sample of a single strand of fairy hair below.

Sample-single strand of hair.

Her hair is comprised of just this repeated technique.

This is approximately 15 separate washes. Patience is required.

I used the same hair color in the fairy’s wings to tie the piece together.

Almost done.

Here in the final stages, you can see just a few added strands and details to give the hair a carefree wispy look.

Really healthy hair shines and this method can make your character glow with life!

You can notice that I have added more color to the entire painting.

***Next Week’s Lesson…Dragons***

Like I mentioned earlier, I was in California last weekend and was able to visit with some great people at Virginia’s Gift Shop, Knotts Berry Farm.

Here are a few of the photos

On my left, Priscilla and Patricia...Sisters...and on my right, Wayne and Debbie, who have been collecting from me for years... Thank you for your loyalty!

Dixie and Cheri...Also long time collectors!

Nicole...A new acquaintance.

Edith Avrin came on her Birthday to visit Jody Bergsma. She turned 83 on Saturday. Happy Birthday Edith! She too is a collector.

Claire, Robyn and Julie...Julie is wearing a Jody Bergsma shirt! Thanks Julie.

Wayne Wilson and his family Argeri , Mia, and Rachel visited from Wyoming. He owns Wyoming Shirt and Gift and says he has carried Jody Bergsma's Art at Yellowstones' East Gate for years. Thanks Wayne!

Kris won this Dolphin Poster and says she has never won anything. Congratulations Kris!

A special thanks to my Rep Chuck, and the buyers Lorna and Christine (from Knotts) who have supported me for so many years.

If you do not see your photo above, please email Heather at wholesale@bergsma.com, she will get me to send it to you next week.

Thanks to everyone who attended and I look forward to the next visit.

I close this week’s post with a special thank you to Josanne Lovick, who let me stay with her at her Santa Monica Beach condo. Josanne, is a childrens’ television producer at BLT Productions of Vancouver.

Josanne Lovick and Jody Bergsma at Shutter's Hotel/Restaurant on Santa Monica Beach.

Thanks everyone for participating in my blog,

Happy Painting,

Love,

Jody

Fantasy Couple…Jody In California…Art Classes With Jody

Hello Friends,

I will be at Knott’s Berry Farm this Saturday… I would love to see you!

I will be signing your purchases from Noon-3:00pm at Virginia's Gift Shop.

Now onto this week’s lesson…

***PAINTING FANTASY***

In last week’s lesson we talked about salt water washes and the great effects they bring to fantasy art.

This week, I will complete my fairy couple composition.

I began by mixing up a few colors I would be using in the wings.

Four shades of yellow-green and five shades of brown-purples.

I put salt in a few selected areas of the wings.

I am repeating the shades of grayed purples that I used in the background washes.

At this stage, I knew I needed to warm up the colors to create foreground. I gathered up some courage, took a deep breath and added REDS!

Brown-reds to start and then I built up from there.

Remember to paint light to dark and subtle to bright.  Vibrant colors, like red, will bleed when you place a wet color next to them.

The bright red and green dress really did warm this composition up!

I am showing you a shot of my nearly finished painting next to the same palette, with many more colors added.  My oil painting teacher, Barbara Sternberger, would be proud of all the colors available here.

Barbara Sternberger, "Get out the paint and USE IT...Don't be afraid to waste paint!"

The rewards of having so many great colors at your immediate disposal is in the results.

I finished this morning by adding the shadows (Can you spot them?) and the fine lines that create the hairs and body markings.

I love how this turned out!

I think I will call it, “Love Is The Only Thing That Is Real”

What do you think?

I wasn’t the only one painting at the ranch this week. Audra came by for a session, but not until after she attended a kids art show on the lawn of our public library.

Audra Hitz was very popular at the show and sold a lot of her work.

Audra and I were working in the studio on a painting of a parrot.

She is a joy to work with!

***Art Classes With Jody!***

We are starting to gather a list of people interested in a Saturday workshop at my ranch.  Please let Heather know if you are interested.  Email her at wholesale@bergsma.com.

Have a great weekend!

I am off to pack for another trip.  See you in California!

Blessings and Happy Painting,

Jody

P.S. Next week I will be sharing the winners of our first watercolor contest!!!

Painting Fantasy…The Salt Washes…Jody Signs In California

Hello and Happy Hot Summer to all my Blog Friends!

I came home from a trade show in Phoenix at 122 degrees in the sun…Yikes…to a cool 100 degrees at home!

It was great to be back!

***PRIZES FOR WINNERS***

Finally, all the contest winners will be receiving their 8 x 10 prints. I signed each one individually and they are on their way to you.

Enjoy and thank you for your patience!

***THIS WEEK’S LESSON…SALT CRYSTAL WASHES***

This week I looked into different types of salts that I could use in my paintings.  I chose four kinds to experiment with. Two were coarse and two were fine grained salt.

This experiment may reveal that Size Does Matter...

Here are what each of the grains looked like, corresponding to the bottles above from left to right.

Each one of these will create its own unique texture in a wet watercolor wash.

The first one (left), Morton Coarse, was what I was looking for. It was just right!

To create a very magical feel, perfect for fantasy art, prepare a wash and then when it is almost dry, sprinkle the medium coarse salt onto the surface.

The salt dissolves into the wet wash and pushes the pigment away from the concentrated saline solution.

This is because of a law of chemistry…”All the particles in a wet solution will be equidistant from each other in that solution.”

Below, you will see the effect of the salt after the wash had dried and the salt had worked its magic.

Salt creates an effect that would be impossible to make with a brush.

More magic…

I used salt in this dragon's wings and breast plate.

This is to show you the size of the actual salt crystals used.

I will be finishing these paintings this week.

If you have a chance…try this fun and rewarding technique!

Also, please welcome new product to our Bergsma Website:

Travel Mugs

Click Here To See The New Travel Mugs

I worked on finding this product for an entire year. The tumbler is good for both hot and cold drinks and now in our green conscious society, how better to carry a refillable drink holder. (It has a top that you click shut and seals in your drink) FYI – Most Bergsma images are available on a tumbler, even my new paintings!

Again, thanks to everyone for your participation in my blog world and  for helping me with titles, ideas and your friendship.

I will be signing in California next Saturday August 8th at Knott’s Berry Farm…maybe some of you can visit!

Thank you! Hope to see you in person soon!

Wishing you all the best and happy painting,

Jody

The Secrets Of Painting Fantasy Figures And Why Is Jody Digging A Ditch

Dear Readers,

Heather here! Jody had to break away to an appointment, but she left me with both exciting and interesting photos from her week.

She sure knows how to keep life interesting.

There's nothing that keeps you awake in the middle of the night like digging a ditch.

Jody had an eventful Wednesday.  Learn more about that later in the blog.

In the meantime, here is what Jody is painting this week.  She has started two fairy pictures.  Both are being painted using the following colors.

This is it folks. The extent of the palette used in both paintings.

Jody provided me with an over view of her process before she had to dash off.

When painting flesh, start each area with a white watercolor wash. This, in the end, will create luminous skin.

Mix up enough paint on your palette to use on the entire figure or figures. Jody uses mineral paints when painting flesh. Mineral paints "stay put" in the areas you want them to placed. Unlike stains that travel on a white watercolor base wash.

Remember Jody is only using 5 colors in the entire painting. Amazing!

Wide Shot.

Look at the sizes of some of these washes.

You can see where Jody has laid the mineral paints to create shadow and contrast between the two figures.

Jody was late to our meeting today because she HAD to finish these figures. She explained that once you've mixed your palette for flesh, you must finish those washes immediately. Because if you come back to it later, your process may have changed. That would result in an odd and inconsistent looking figure.

Jody will have more for us next week on these two fairy paintings.

The following composition is now finished and product is being created. Please welcome, “It’s A Delicate World”

It's A Delicate World. Coming Soon to Bergsma.com

Now back to the events of Wednesday night….

Jody is having the  gate to her property replaced.

Right after this photo was taken, while digging a ditch for power lines, the water main was hit and burst!

That was at 8:00pm. Out came the reinforcements! Thank you Brian Cronk and Issac Welch! Jody said that Issac is an excellent plumber. He was at Jody's property within 20 minutes after she called.

There's nothing like working by torch light, in a ditch, at midnight. He's got Dragon power.

They repaired the break in just four hours.  Great job everyone!

Here is Jody and Ken Miller of Steel Magnolia Hand Crafted Metal Working. He's building Jody's gate. The water main is fixed!

Click: Steel Magnolia. Hand Crafted Metal Working.

I leave you today with a photo of Jody with Carol and Jim Hitz (of Audra Hitz fame/family)

Many thanks go out to the Hitz Family for all their assistance and the loan of their Kubota! Here's Jim and Carol Hitz.

More to come from Jody next week,

Have a great weekend and try to stay cool and safe!

Heather

Sasquatch Sighting In Yellowstone National Park?

Dear Friends… Good Morning from Yellowstone National Park!

I am having a great time touring, this national treasure, these last few days and signing at the general stores within the park.

Yesterday,  I paused to get a photograph of native bison.

Within the park, these bison and other creatures are free to roam.

They really are magnificent. People come from all over the world to see one of our bison in the wild.

Imagine being this close to such an amazing animal!

The park is famous for “Bison Jams”!

I was waiting in traffic for almost an hour, wondering what was happening and then the answer came…over the hill, trundled an old bison, walking in front of traffic.

Bison? or Sasquatch? Either way, we aren't going anywhere

The bison zig-zagged through stopped cars and passed mine on the right.  Be prepared to WAIT..everyone stops for photo ops. of the wildlife.

As you can see...

I stop..

for bison!

My last personal appearance in the park was in the Yellowstone General Store at Fishing Bridge on the east side of the park.

I am happy to share a few photos of some of the great people I met of the past three days.

Jody Bergsma at Fishing Bridge General Store

Jill Binette is one of Yellowstone’s marketing specialists. She did a fantastic job displaying my work and creating a great space to meet visitors and fans alike.   She created this large quilt by using pieces of the sea pattern fleece panels that Tara in my Art Department designed for Sykel Fabrics of N.Y.

Jody Bergsma with Jill Binette and the Fantasea Quilt. Thank you Jill!!!

Click this link for Bergsma Fleece Blankets.

Visitors picked out prints and asked me to personalize and sign their purchases.

The Coldwells from Texas. Their girls are beautiful!

Melissa and Sarah Newman with her little brother. Sarah picked one of my eagle prints as a gift.

Doug, Judy and Bill Matlock, enjoying a family holiday

Savannah and Shirley Neal. Savannah is 7 and loves writing and drawing.

Sandy and Kathy were my hosts at the store!  Sandy is a retired Airforce Co. and is the manager of this store during the Summer months. Kathy is in charge of the Apparel Department. They were wonderful to work with and made me feel very welcome.

Check out the fireplace in this store!

My last customer of the day…

Marlys Baker is from Tennessee. It has always been her dream to visit Yellowstone. Congratulations Marlys!

My close encounter with bison.

Goodbye from Yellowstone.  I hope you have a chance to visit soon. There are 10,000 reasons or more to experience this and our other amazing and precious national parks!

Blessings to all of you and I begin painting lessons again, next week!

Jody

***Bellingham Showroom Alert***

This Saturday July 18, 2009, our showroom will be open from Noon to 3:00pm.

If you are in the Bellingham area, come on by!

We are open on Saturdays by appointment only. Please contact Kelly at bergsma@bergsma.com no later than Thursday, to accommodate your visit.

***                                                          ***

Painting Lizards And Yellowstone Park Signing Dates

We interrupt this scheduled blog for an important announcement…

***JODY BERGSMA SIGNING AT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK***

Please visit Jody on July 15th at the Canyon General Store from 12:00p-4:00p

and July 16th at the Fishing Bridge on Yellowstone Lake from 12:00p – 4:00pm

Jody In Yellowstone! Click here for park information.

***SEE YOU THERE***

Now…back to you Jody…in the studio

Dear Blog Friends,

What a great summer we are having in the N.W.!  Besides the fantastic

weather, I was able to experience a life long dream of creating my first

abstract oil painting.  This week we had our last class and put our

work, from the 9 classes, up on the wall for everyone to critique.

This was the moment of truth. I felt like I was five.

These paintings are a takeoff from my earlier watercolor abstracts, but now in oil.

One of Jody Bergsma's watercolor abstracts, "Island Sunset"

I will be jointly showing my early watercolor abstracts and oil abstracts at our fall show.  The weekend of October 3rd and 4th and the weekend of October 9th and 10th at the gallery..

Stay tuned for updates!

My daughter, Jessi Bergsma,  was also put on the hot seat!

Oil Paintings By Jessi Bergsma

This was our last photo...Painting on each other. Teacher: Barbara Sternburger, on the left.

Barbara Sternburger, is a very famous artist.  She shows her work once a year in Portland, OR and sells out everytime. We were privileged to have her as our teacher.

***

This week, I decided to tackle my painting of the lizard at Delicate Arch.

You can see that the reference material I was using was very small.

This is Delicate Arch in Moab and is my reference photo for the rock formation.

I worked the two photos into my composition and picked a color palette of browns and turquoise blue.

Repetition And Variation strike again. Remember, I'm only using a brown and blue palette.

Note the blue in the shadows of the rock match the blue used in the rest of the painting.

The lizard is also brown and blue.

I've introduced orange into the composition to create the needed contrasting opposite color.

At this stage, it's time to add shadows...

See the subtle, but important difference the thin shadow washes create?

Finally, I mix the white opaque watercolor for the details.

I used a very fine tipped brush for the last of piece of this painting puzzle.

Cleaning up the rough edges and adding highlights is very rewarding. It just makes the piece feel finished.

My art teacher said, "...You know when a painting is finished when it no longer needs you..." That is what these lines say to me.

The title, “It’s A Delicate World”

I close this week with warm wishes to time spent out experiencing the beauty of this world, but also time well spent amongst friends…

My Daughters' Mid-Wife Winnie MacNammara and friend Bobbi Vollendorf.

My dear friends: Sheila Goodwin, Francesca Tolchin and Douglas Tolchin from New York...my second favorite city next to Bellingham.

Next week, I’ll be sharing photos with you from Yellowstone National Park. If you are interested in more information about my signings there, please email Heather at wholesale@bergsma.com.

Have a gorgeous weekend,

Jody

Jody Wins Awards At The INATS Show!

Dear Friends,

Happy 4th of July!  I hope all of you have a great weekend with family and friends!

I wanted to share some photos of my recent show and some of my new customers that I met in Denver at the INAS Trade Show.  The first night, I won two awards at the opening ceremony dinner for “Best New Products”!  The Mailable Mini’s were given the prizes.  My friend Patrick Dumont joined me at the table and is holding up one of the awards.

We fit a lot into a 10 x 10 booth!  I was busy all three days writing orders for stores that want to carry Bergsma products.

My neighbors at the show were Crystal Tara.  We are negotiating for a license to create fantasy t-shirts and tank tops.

Jody Bergsma, April & Dennis

Here I am with my Denver representative Brent and customers Teresa & Pamela writing an order in the “office”.

Teresa & Pamela of Pathways wrote the biggest order at the show!  Thanks girls!

Lisa & Shawn Devra from The Emerald Chalice in Ohio.

Tiffany Lemay is from the Realm Mystical Shop in Victoria, B.C.

Vonnie Capazo of the Heaven & Nature Store in Pennsylvania.

Here I am with Scott & Kalah of Gifts From The Angels.  They are from Roswell and are hoping I will paint some aliens!

So… I will be back to work next Monday and the painting tips will continue!

Happiness and love to everyone,

Jody