Dot Courson Fine Art Blog

Sometimes it is difficult for an artist to communicate verbally to non-artists. Like the retired airline pilot I was talking to on the phone today. I was describing waves and beach colors in terms like "warm and cool colors" and "atmospheric density at the horizon", etc. It was clear that these descriptive terms were confusing him. I followed up with an email and images to help explain. Sea Birds © 2016||Dot Courson   I’ve noticed that  with every ocean or body of water there are defining characteristics of atmosphere, light and colors that set it apart from all the other waterside settings around the same time of day. Sunrise Sunset ©2018| Dot Courson The Gulf Coast is soft and light in warm and cool pastel colors and usually has smooth elegant waves. Also, one views the water from a beach or up on beautiful sand dunes near sea level at (eye level) and it feels like the horizon is very wide. Coast...

A collector from Chicago wrote me today asking for more detailed information about another one of my works. I've never met her, she bought one of my paintings years ago in a gallery that represented me at that time. Her questions made me wonder if others would like more information about me and the inspiration behind my paintings.  I know my work is contemporary in one sense.... but it comes across as nostalgic as well. That is an unusual combination these days. It's only contemporary in the way that I paint. It is ALL nostalgic scenery and I do not make excuses for painting what is real to me and my life. It is who I am.. I OWN the fact that I paint in a way that expresses my personal narrative, my internal story, and what a scene feels like and personally means to me. Here is my note back to the collector about this painting today: Pathway Home 12x24, Oil ©2018|DotCourson Dear _____, Was just thinking about you after emailing you the larger sized image you reque...

Just home form the Southeastern Plein Air Invitational in Gadsden, AL. that was March 28- April 1, 2016.  Here are some photos from there: Photo credit John Billingsley Upcoming this week... This week I'm headed to the Women Painters of the Southeast's show in Abingdon, Virginia to be the awards judge for the annual exhibition there at Art Depot. Looking forward to seeing the works selected for this show for the first time! There will be over $10,000 in awards to be given out I hear- so I'm very excited and truly honored to serve this year. You are invited.... I will be doing a painting demo on Saturday, April 9th the morning before the awards show. Hope you can come! Dot Courson  is our Judge this year and will be doing a demo/talk on  Saturday morning, 4/9 at 9am . Those interested please contact Susan Yates at 276 628-9091 to sign up. Reservations required. The fee for the demo is $50.  Recent Studio Work... Here is my last commis...

I have two art blogs...   It was not planned...  Grab a glass of sweet tea and pull up a chair. Here is how it happened: First I had a website is with FASO and it's at www.dotcourson.com . For many years there was not a blog associated with it. Then FASO administrators added a place for BLOGS- so I made that my main website. It is at  www.dotcourson.com/blog. Here's the latest blog post there: Having my new blog with my main website very convenient-  but it's leaving behind YEARS of blogs that I've done here on blogspot!  You are currently on my blogspot site with lots of older blogs (Notice the archived files from past years on the right.) Actually I manage a 3rd blog! It's about  Plein Air Painters of Mississippi  that I started several years ago to post Mississippi events because there are lots of Plein Air events in our state and no central place to post them. The limiting factor to blogging anywhere quit...

I recently taught a workshop on landscapes and wanted to share a few slides with you...   I LOVE teaching! I taught here in Pontotoc in January.The group was great and we had fun. Thank you to all the attendees.  Jackie helped me welcome 14 artists form TN, AL and MS. My next workshop is in Greenville in May with the Delta Art Association. Hope you get to come! Here is a link to details. Here are a few tips straight out of my workshop handbook that I use when I teach. I love to share, but all images are my paintings, and therefore are copyrighted ©2013  Dot Courson Workshops. So feel free to use and share these- I encourage it as a matter of fact! -  but I require you attribute the painting and slide images and painting to me please. : ) Value planes. ©2013 Dot Courson Arial perspective. ©2013 Dot Courson Movement in painting. ©2013Dot Courson Please leave comments below. I love hearing from you!  Happy Painting! ...

Amish Paintings:  This is an Amish child in Pontotoc county Mississippi, learning to drive a team of horses. I named it "Allied Education." as the Amish are home schooled until the 8 th grade, I hear, because they learn only to do their life's work.I read a court case in TN that stated that once. Around here the Amish have several saw mills. Also they sell fresh vegetables and homemade jams, etc. All done on wood stoves in the blazing hot summers. They are sweet folks!  I have prints of this (Amish Driver) for sale... 8x16's for $ $50 each unframed. Contact me if interested. A few weeks ago I had friends from out of town here and took them to see our Amish country...It's really interesting to see this place! Here are just a few of some oil paintings of the Amish that I have done: 12x16 Available- $ 350 Unframed.  Sold Sold Sold Amish Road (Study) ©Dot Courson   AVAILABLE   - Oil - $300   ...

Here are some figures and little portraits of family and others that I have done over the years and thought I would share. Something different since I usually paint landscapes....All images ©Dot Courson...