Painting demo at Kittery Art Association (Nov 15, 2017) 6:30 - 8:30pm

PAINTING DEMO KITTERY ART ASSOCIATION
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 (6:30 - 8:30pm)
8 Coleman Ave, Kittery Point, ME
I'm excited to be working with the Kittery Art Association again.  I'll be doing a studio painting demonstration this November, using a layering and glazing process borrowed from the Renaissance.  I'll be talking about the Seven elements of picture making and how we can rewire our brains to see like an artist.  This will be great fun, packed with information and good company.  Please contact the Kittery Art Association to reserve a seat for Wednesday evenings demo, November 15 from (6:30 - 8:30pm).
Contact: (207) 451 - 9384
http://www.kitteryartassociation.org
​CLICK HERE for my Layer and Glaze workshop.
CLICK HERE for my Studio 5 Day Intensive workshop

First ever BERMUDA Plein air workshop added for 2018

Winslow Homer

I'm over the moon at the prospect of our first ever Bermuda Plein air workshop that will take place in January of 2018.  Sneak away with us this winter for 4 days of painting in Winslow Homers playground.  CLICK HERE for all the details.

"ART of SEEING" Ogunquit, Maine workshop in the books!

You hadda be there....just sayin.

CLICK HERE to join us next time...

NEW CLASS ADDED (January 2018)

"Grit" (24x30") oil, Layer and glazed by Todd Bonita

BEGINNERS LAYER & GLAZING (Todd Bonita)
Jan 02- Feb 20, 2018 (9am - 12)  Tuesdays
Brush and Palette Art Center, 105 Post Rd. North Hampton, NH
 8 Weeks (Limit 14)  $360
This indoor class takes place at the Brush and Palette Art Center Tuesday Mornings and aims to simplify oil painting using a traditional layering process.  These classes are for beginners who have never painted before or have some experience but are looking for a simple and focussed understanding of the nuts and bolts oil painting.  Each class begins with a demo where we will explore individual steps from drawing to underpainting to color application.  Design, value, color and creative oil painting techniques and tools will be discussed and demonstrated.  With an understanding of these principles, students will be better equipped to meet the challenges of painting with glazes and layers, and thereby, better able to express themselves as artist.  Syllabus and supply list below. 
*(Tuesday, March 06, 2018, Snow Date if necessary)

REGISTER:
Contact Mary Vermeersch
Phone: (603) 778 - 0685
Email:  mary@brushandpalet.com
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www.Brushandpalett.com

NEW ART STUDIO

NEW ART STUDIO!
871 Islington Street (studio #A100). Portsmouth, NH
After exactly ten years in studio #224 at the Button Factory Artist studios, I will be moving to a new art space...Its only one flight down.  I'll be on the first floor of the Button Factory but with a new address entirely.  This is my new studio mate and co-owner of the space, Artist and Architect, Frank Hyer.  We just signed the papers this afternoon and made it official with a dram of single malt scotch.  We will likely host visitors as part of the Button Factory annual open studio event the first Saturday in December...but if we can pull it together, it would be fun to have a studio opening party...check back.

Late winter marsh, Rye, NH

Here is todays Plein air for the "31 in 31" Fundraiser.  Titled, "Late winter marsh, Rye, NH".  We are Completing 31 paintings in 31 days with fellow artist Dennis Poirier to raise funds for Ciara Brill, the 9 year old from Portsmouth who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  All the details are here:

  "31 in 31"

"Sunrise over the Shoals, (Odiorne Point, Rye, NH)" Plein air oil by Todd Bonita

"Sunrise over the Shoals, (Odiorne Point, Rye, NH)" Plein air oil by Todd Bonita

Here is my second submission for the "31 in 31" Fundraiser.  Completing 31 paintings in 31 days with fellow artist Dennis Poirier to raise funds for Ciara Brill, the 9 year old from Portsmouth who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  All the details are here:

  "31 in 31"

Part of this project means getting out there on the road and finding places to paint, meeting new people and having interesting life experiences.  On the early morning of this painting, just after 7am, I found myself painting in the lens of local seacoast photographer Sheila Reardon.  Its nice to meet people who are chasing the same things as you are.  For us it's light in and around the incredibly picturesque seacoast.  Here are some pics Sheila sent me from this mornings painting and photographing.  Thanks Sheila.

 To see Sheilas awesome seacoast Photography work, click this link here: https://sheilareardon.smugmug.com

Opening reception tonight, Friday, March 03, 2017 (5 - 8pm) Todd Bonita Gallery

A new painting still wet from the magical brush of Alastair Dacey. This will be part of our month long exhibition opening tonight at the Todd Bonita Gallery in Portsmouth. 25 Artist exhibiting new original works to raise funds for Ciara Brill, the 9 year old from Portsmouth recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

WHERE: Todd Bonita Gallery, 39 Ceres St. Portsmouth, NH

WHEN: Opening reception tonight, Friday, March 03, 2017 (5 - 8pm)

Exhibit runs through the month of March.

www.ToddBonitaGallery.com

"Birds returning north. (Rye beach shanty)"
Plein air oil by Todd Bonita

....and away we go...This is my first painting of the "31 in 31" charity fundraiser event.  Local artist (Awesome guy and helluva painter) Dennis Poirier and I will be painting 31 Plein air paintings in the month of March.  This is part of a month long event raising funds and awareness for 9 year old Portsmouth resident, Ciara Brill who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in December.  Funds will go to the family for their growing medical expenses and financial burden brought on by this recent diagnosis. 

For our part, Dennis and I will paint a painting each day of the month (Dennis will do 16 and I will do 15 paintings...yes, he's the heavy weight work horse!)...each painting is 6x8" oil and framed and priced at a fixed charity rate for this fundraiser of $300 each...50% of the gallery profit will go to Ciara family fund.  We will have an exhibition of all 31 paintings in the month of April at the Todd Bonita Gallery in Portsmouth, NH with an opening reception on Friday, April 7 (5-8pm). The show will run the whole month of April.  

There is a pre sale where you can purchase a painting before it's painted or simply buy them as they come off the easel.  We are more than half sold out at the time of this writing.  You can follow along on our website, click here: 

 31 in 31

Kids Art Exhibition, Saturday, Feb 18, 2017 (1 -3pm) Todd Bonita gallery, Portsmouth, NH

Kids Art Exhibition 
(Ciara Fundraiser event)
Saturday, February 18, 2017. (Public reception 1-3pm)
Todd Bonita Gallery, Portsmouth, NH
Join us for a weekend exhibition featuring artwork from more than 50 children (ages 12 and under).  Selling crayon drawings, sketches and paintings in support of our fundraising charity event for 9 year old Portsmouth resident Ciara, who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in December 2016.  Childrens art will range in price from 1 to 10 dollars or any amount patrons wish to donate.  100% of the proceeds will go directly to Ciaras Family.
​
​If you know a child artist who would like to participate in our exhibit,  contact Janet Riley at  jrattiganriley@comcast.net
One piece of art per child.  8.5 x 11" or smaller.  PAPER ONLY PLEASE. Crayon drawing, colored pencil, pen and ink, marker, pastel, collage, watercolor, tempera paint, acrylic or oil welcome.  All work must be dry, unframed and signed by the artist.  Drop off date Thursday, February 16 (between 9 - 5pm) or simply mail to the gallery to arrive before the 16th. (Mail to: Todd Bonita Gallery, 39 Ceres Street, Portsmouth, NH.  03801) Public reception 1-3pm on Saturday, February 18, kids, families and all are welcome.  Refreshments, treats and your good company.

You can learn more about Ciara and make a donation directly to the family through their  GoFundMe page:  Click Here.   
Click here for Ciaras updates on Ciaras Family Facebook page  

Dennis Poirier oil painting demo (Sat, Nov 12, (2-3pm) Portsmouth Gallery.

Join us for an afternoon with a live oil painting demonstration by local Plein air painter, Dennis Poirier. Dennis Poirier grew up in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The colors, sights, and sounds of the busy port and fishing fleet inspired Dennis. His earliest memory is of his father drawing his portrait. Dennis says his parents always supported his art and that gave him confidence.
Dennis began to paint and soon became a part of the long line of Cape Ann’s contribution to American impressionist painters. He feels proud and fortunate to be part of the Cape Ann legacy. 

Dennis began his studies in high school and then went to Butera School of Art in Boston. He returned to Cape Ann to become the first student studying the Atelier System with John C. Terelak and Ted Goerschner at the newly formed Gloucester Academy of Fine Arts. Later he moved to New York City to study at the Arts Student League winning the Charles J. Romans Memorial Award at his very first national exhibit at the Allied Artists of America Show. 

He treasures his time, memories, and inspiration from artists Don Stone, David A. Leffel, John C. Terelak, Salvatore Fortunato Grasso,Tom Nicholas and Paul Strisik. This will be a blast, hope to see you. Refreshments, treats, arts and friends.

www.ToddBonitaGallery.com

"Doggin it" (6x12") New Giclee (Win this giclee, raise funds for GPO)

"Doggin It" (6x12") Limited edition, signed and framed Giclee on canvas.

New Giclee
Raising funds for Greenland, Central School Parents Organization. Win this giclee for $5 and support my kids school.
I love my kids, the small New Hampshire town we live in and the school my son goes to; Greenland Central School.  The Greenland Parents Organization is raising funds for their program, as little as $5 will enable a chance to win this (6x12") signed and framed, limited edition giclee on canvas titled, "Doggin It".  How can you not get on board with the GPO mission:  "To insure that students have the opportunities to grow and develop as caring, active, enlightened citizens and civic leaders."...Simple as that!  Here is a link to the GPO web page where you can show your support and buy a raffle ticket to win this giclee or one of their other items in the fundraiser. CLICK HERE
                           

Title this Donald Jurney Painting and it's yours!!!! (Jurney Fellowship Benefit)

"Title this Painting" (8x12") oil on wood panel by Donald Jurney

Be part of the creative process and submit a title for this painting.  If your title is chosen, it's yours.  The painting is (8x12") oil on wood panel,  painted by living master, Donald Jurney.  It retails for $2,400. It comes as shown in a beautiful, custom, handmade frame by PS Art frame in Providence, Rhode Island.  An unbiased, non-affiliated judge will chose a winner on October 30, 2016 and the winner will be announced on Halloween.  Winner announced on my website: www.ToddBonitaGallery.com.

$20 Per Chance

100% goes to the Donald and Kim Jurney traveling fellowship.  The Fellowship provides one grant per year to an emerging or mid-career artist, working in a traditional representational manner, for painting or study in Europe during the year following application. The award to the winning Fellow is $5000

WHAT:  TITLE THIS PAINTING and WIN IT!!

WHERE:  The painting is on display at the Todd Bonita Gallery.  39 Ceres Street, Portsmouth, NH. (Across from the Tug boats)

HOW:  $20 Per chance.  Write your title, along with your contact information, Send it with a check for $20 made out to Donald Jurney and mail to: 

Todd Bonita Gallery.  

39 Ceres Street, 

Portsmouth, NH 03801

.....OR, come to the gallery in person and submit your title.  Cash, check and CC accepted.  You may also phone in your title with a credit card, feel free to call (603) 819-9100.

WHEN:  Contest ends October 30, 2016.  Winner announced Halloween (October 31, 2016) on my website: www.ToddBonitaGallery.com....and here on this blog as well.

WHAT ELSE:  The Donald and Kim Jurney traveling Fellowship.  For more information on this $5,000 traveling artist grant, CLICK HERE

WWW.TODDBONITAGALLERY.COM

Donald and Kim Jurney Fellowship ($5,000 Artist Grant)

The Donald and Kim Jurney Traveling Fellowship 
My good friend and art mentor, Donald Jurney has been an incredibly generous man for as long as I have known him.  He has always shared his artistic knowledge and time with so many artist.  I am proud to call him a friend and honored to share the news of his latest gift to the art world; along with his equally generous wife Kim, they have just launched The Donald and Kim Jurney Traveling Fellowship. 
The Fellowship provides one grant per year to an emerging or mid-career artist, working in a traditional representational manner, for painting or study in Europe during the year following application. The award to the winning Fellow is $5000. The painter need not be a landscape painter. The funds in the award are intended to defray costs of travel both to and within Europe, and to help to defray costs of lodging, meals, and art materials, etc.
CLICK HERE to go to the web site and apply, donate or learn more...

Dennis Perrin Solo Exhibition at my Portsmouth, NH Gallery, Thursday, October 6 (5-8pm) 2016

Artist reception: Thursday October 06, 2016.  (5-8pm)
First Friday Art Walk Opening: October 07, (5-8pm)
Artist Gallery Talk: Sunday, October 23, (2-3pm)
We are very excited to host the oil paintings of living master, Dennis Perrin in his first solo show in too many years. Dennis Perrin can best be described as a painter of light as it illuminates and describes the subject.  His style is a unique blend of brushwork and design best described as Painterly Realism.  Perrin will feature more than fifteen new oil paintings in our exhibition room throughout the month of October.  Join us for a special V.I.P. collectors Artist reception preview on Thursday, October 6 from 5-8pm.  We will also open our doors the next evening for Portsmouth's First Friday Art walk (5-8pm)...Dennis will also offer an Artist Gallery talk on Sunday, October 23, from (2-3pm).  Hope you can join us.  Exhibition runs the entire month of October, 2016

39 Ceres Street, Portsmouth, NH 

www.ToddBonitaGallery.com

Keepers Dory (24x36") oil on linen"Keepers

"Keepers Dory" (24x36") oil on linen.

This has been on the gallery wall since April but just getting around to taking a photo of it.  A painting from Monhegan that started as a plain air and eventually became this studio work.

Title this painting winner results!

"Title this Painting"...Oil by Todd Bonita 

On May 03, we concluded the month long Alastair Dacey benefit, "Title this Painting" competition with guest judge Bruce McMillan choosing a winner from over 70 entries.  Bruce is an accomplished Children's book Author and Photo-Illustrator with over forty-five published books to his credit.  He is also a Poet, Painter and all-around Creative Renaissance man.  We felt his unique combination of visual and language skills made him uniquely qualified for the task.  The titles were written on the outside of an envelope with the contestants names written on an enclosed card so that Bruce could not see who submitted the title.  This kept it anonymous and legit.  It was fun to watch Bruce narrow it down to his top five:

Top 5 (Alphabetical order)

Between Going and staying by Jenny Greenleaf

Dog Overboard by Karen Romagna

Morning Dory by Suzie Sauer

Orange you glad I didn’t paint a banana by Paul Noel

The Mooring After by Avory Resca

.....and then his top 2: Morning Dory by Suzie Sauer and The Mooring After by Avory Resca.

He waxed and wained and reasoned out loud, making a case for each title until finally....

 "The Mooring After" by Avory Resca 

from St. Croix Island was chosen.  Congratulations to Avory.  I love the title.  Thank you Bruce McMillan for your sense of humor and good will...Bruce's Website HERE

Thank you to everyone who submitted titled and contributed to the Alastair Dacey benefit.  It was a huge success because of you and your warm hearts, thank you sincerely.  Just for fun, here are just some of our favorites from this competition....

Punkin Seed by Sara

Caramel Ripples by Susan

The way home by Heather and Marc

Norweigian Wood by Keller

S.S. Alastair by Pete and Deb

Untitled by Susan (heheee)

Sunnyside Up by Heidi

....Also noteworthy, there were four submissions for "Serenity", Three submissions for "Tranquil" and Two submissions each for "D'oro Dory", "Old Yellow", "Mellow Yellow" and "Awaiting".  Great fun, thank you again.