No black ink

I printed some night shots of a coyote we saw in the Headlands for use as reference, but the printer had run out of black ink. I ended up with these strange coyote-like creatures in sort of photo negative environments. Here are process shots from a few painting session.

Work in progress

Spring Open Studios

Spring open studios is happening this weekend in the mission! Please join me at my beautiful new space at 1890 Bryant to see some new work and lots of other great artists. Eight studios are participating, and the forecast calls for great weather. More detail below.

1890 Bryant (btwn 17th and Mariposa), Studio 212
Friday, April 23, 6-9PM
Saturday, April 24, 11AM-6PM
Sunday, April 25, 11AM-6PM

map of participating studios

Introductions 2010

I'm pleased to announce that my work will be included in a group show at Artzone 461 Gallery. Please join me for the opening of Introductions 2010: New Artists & Fresh Work. Details below.

Introductions 2010: New Artists & Fresh Work
April 17 - May 30
Opening reception Saturday, April 17, 5-8PM
Artzone 461 Gallery
461 Valencia (btwn 15th & 16th), San Francisco, CA
415-441-8680

Gallery Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday, Noon - 6PM
Anytime by appointment

Visual Aid Spring Art Auction

I have a small painting in the Visual Aid spring auction. "Epson Clouds" is oil on canvas and 12"x18". It's based on an image run through our old printer. The printer produced the streaks, imperfections, and extra atmosphere. Info on the auction below.

Spring Art Auction benefitting Visual Aid programs for artists with life threatening illnesses.

Thursday, April 22, 2010, 6-9PM

Chronicle Books, 680 Second Street, San Francisco

Call Visual Aid at 415-777-8242 or email julie@visualaid.org for more info.

Some experiments

More progress

Solo Show at Visual Aid Gallery

I am happy to announce my solo show Light Conditions at the Visual Aid Gallery. Please join me for a reception Thursday, March 4, 5-7:30 PM. Details below.

Light Conditions

paintings by Heidi McDowell

Exhibition: February 4 - March 26

Gallery Hours: 2-6PM, M-F, or by appointment

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 4, 5-7:30PM

Visual Aid Gallery, 57 Post Street, Suite 905, San Francisco, CA

415-777-8242
http://www.visualaid.org/

From Visual Aid:

"Visual Aid presents a solo show of oil paintings by Heidi McDowell, the inaugural exhibition of their new gallery in the historic Mechanic's Institute Building.

At first glance, it's clear that McDowell's tender paintings of clouds and blurred California landscapes are inspired by German romantic paintings. Evidence of the paintings' origins as digital images becomes apparent upon closer inspection. McDowell paints the lens flares and digital artifacts that are aberrations left behind in the making of a visible image (often overlooked or discarded as "mistakes"). When incorporated into her paintings, these details situate the viewer within the space of the painting and add a layer of complexity to the work, further clarifying and enhancing the experience of specific light conditions."

Figures

Two new paintings. Above, the start of a painting of my mom on a trip to Helsinki. Oil on canvas. 36"x24". Below, Katja's mom looking like a rock star. Oil on cardboard. About 9"x5".

Work in progress

Larger

Process shot of a larger version of the tiny painting. It will get billboards and telephone lines off in the distance. Oil on canvas. About 36" long.

Tiny

Tiny oil on cardboard. 3"x6"

Experiments

The top painting is 22"x30" and was painted only with a palette knife. The bottom one is 28"x40" and has a way to go still.

New work

Just started these little paintings this week. More work to do on the clouds in both paintings and on the trees and ground in the lower painting.

Mission Open Studios

Mission Open Studios happens this weekend. While I am not officially participating, my new work will be on view, and you can find me in studio #148 Friday evening, Saturday morning, and late Sunday afternoon. Hope you can stop by.

Art Explosion Studios

2425 17th St. @ Potrero

Friday, October 9, 7PM-11PM

Saturday, Ocrober 10, 11AM-6PM

Sunday, October 11, 11AM-6PM