I have had a great couple of months.

Later tonight I am flying to Mexico, San Luis Potosi, to guide a plein air workshop there. I think it will be a great week.

Last month I have a lecture about the revolutionary and innovative individuals that were in the orbit of artists that painted the nude. About 25 people came up to me afterwards and exclaimed that they had never made those connections before. Those comments were great compliments. The lecture was shot on Video, and I will let you know when it is available.

I started a major painting project with a great model. The charcoal study below, 19x25", is still a work in progress. This is for a life size canvas. The painting will have a very dark background and he will be in a very bright light. The idea, is that the black background will be a metaphor for the black hole of nihilism. The brightest light will be on his heart (passion), and I will accent his forehead (thought), and his eyes (sight). I will keep you posted as it develops.

I am going to do my best to work four major paintings over the same period of time, this still life, Himalayan Flight being one of them.  Right now, at this period in my life, I am approaching my art in a particular way, and it good to get it out at once. I believe these four works, will have a kind of similarity.

I am really happy to be back working on Lovers Jumping. My eye's vision about the painting is very clear. I will be developing the under painting to high level of finish, then overlay the color.

This is fairly large still life, 21/2x31/2' I will enjoy finishing it.

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For the last 6 months I have been hosting a figure drawing group on Sundays. It has been wonderful meeting all the artists, and drawing the model every week. Here is a photo from yesterday.

I also have a couple of drawings I did from the group session and some I am working on privately.

That is it for this month. Next month should be interesting as I will have some of my plein air paintings from Mexico!

Michael Newberry
New York, August, 2008

newberryworkshop@earthlink.net