January 1, 2009: New Year, New Light and Video

I always think it a good idea to start day one of a new year with something that represents the plan for the whole year. This year my plan is for more light, more art and more videos! Watch a short video of my painting on the left appear like magic in this film shot from start to finish while completing Point Reyes Light. Best wishes for the New Year, Seamus

December 11, 2008: New Paintings, Open Studios and Painting Demonstration

This painting is a little figurative piece from a recent portrait painting session with the fun group of painters of the Taos Society of Portrait Artists. You can see a larger image of it on my website or the original at my studio in Berkeley, which will be open again this year during Berkeley Open Studios. The open studio tour continues this weekend and next, December 13 & 14 and 20 & 21 from 11am to 6pm. Along with this painting, I have a number of new works for you to see, as well as with my recently released Fundamentals of Painting DVD. And to keep things a little more interesting, this Sunday, December 14, I will be giving a free portrait painting demonstration from 12 to 3pm with artist Krista Augius modeling. So, if you are in the neighborhood, please stop in, say hello, take a look at the new work, and watch a painting in progress! Here are the details: Open Studios: December 13 & 14 and 20 & 21 from 11am to 6pm Portrait Demonstration: Sunday, December 14 from 12 to 3pm Made in the Shade

October 8, 2008: A Still Life, Taos Happenings

Blue, Cool!, 7" x 5", Oil on canvas

A little still life - I like keeping it simple!

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I have three events coming up this week in Taos that I'm inviting you to attend if you are in the area:

October 9, 5:30 - 7:30, DVD Party at the taos gallery

October 10 - 12, Portrait Workshop in Taos

October 11, 7:00pm, Interwoven Illuminations I, An Evening of Art and Poetry at the Rane Gallery

Just follow any of the links for more information or pass this along to a friend! Thanks!

Art Break, Art Workshops

Suzhou Canal, 32x16, Oil on canvas


32" x 16", Oil on canvas on board

I’ve been thinking a lot today that it would be a good moment for a little art.
You may recall that I painted a smaller version of this setting in Suzhou, China some time ago as part of the daily painting series. This time its larger and one in a series I’m currently working on entitled Passages. I hope you experience enjoyment from this work!
I also wanted to let you know that I have three weekend painting workshops coming up in October:

October 10 - 12, Portrait in Taos

October 24 - 26, Fundamentals in Berkeley

October 31 - November 2, Portrait in Berkeley

Just follow any of the links for more information or pass this along to a friend! Thanks!

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Full Moon II

36" x 36", Oil on canvas

Always something special about a full moon. I wanted to celebrate the new year with a new painting and a new format and decided to do so with this first painting in a series of medium scale works.

It has been a while since my last posting. The last quarter was a busy one for me with portrait commissions, workshops in Taos and Berkeley and art events. I have a lot planned for the new year.

As you probably noticed, I've moved away from the daily paintings as I want to explore new ideas in varying sizes, like this Full Moon II painting, which is based on one of the smaller daily paintings. I will continue to post more work and notes about it in future emails.

For the new year, I've updated the web site to make it easier to let you know about upcoming events and workshops as well as available paintings and prints as well as new videos. I welcome your comments on the new site.

Wishing you the best in the new year.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Portrait of Shirley II

8" x 10", Oil on canvas on board, commission

The second of three different portraits of Shirley.

I've been busy preparing for leading a number of painting workshops coming up soon. The next one is scheduled for the first week October in Taos at the Taos Art School. If you know someone who would enjoy spending a week in Taos working on portrait painting, please have them be in touch.

A Berkeley Daily: Shadowy Bridge, Guatemala

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

A few wires, a couple of boards, a lot of air and the long shadow of the

legs.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Hollow Tree, Guatemala

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

My daughter Emily brought me to this hot spring surrounded by hollow trees in Guatemala where she is working for the Peace Corps.

I’m happy to know that we can be of benefit to other people by what we do - like Emily’s work in the Peace Corps. I wish for more of this. Read more about Emily.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Aquatic Park

4" x 5", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

From an early morning visit to a park close to the studio in Berkeley.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Portrait

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, commission

From blank to portrait of Shirley - fun what can be done with a little bit of oil paint and a canvas. This commission had an interesting twist: it is the first of three different portraits, one for each of her children. Wonderful idea Shirley!

A Berkeley Daily: Background

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, commission

A little background makes a big difference.

A Berkeley Daily: Details

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, commission

I seem to recall some phrase about details and a character from another realm that resides there.

A Berkeley Daily: Fill

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, commission

The subject begins to emerge.

A Berkeley Daily: Build

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, commission

Build the structure - a little like sculpting.

A Berkeley Daily: Wash

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, commission

One of the best things about working with oil paint is its latitude of application: even works like watercolor.

A Berkeley Daily: Blank

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, commission

Oh, oh! No paintings for a while and now this! He must be read more....

A Berkeley Daily: Tangents

6" x 4", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

Another painting of a still life arrangement from a recent workshop at my studio in Berkeley.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Three Scallions

4" x 9", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

Painting of a still life arrangement from the recent painting fundamentals workshop at my studio in Berkeley.

A Berkeley Daily: Three Lemons

12" x 5.25", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

What to do with three lemons? Make a painting.

Last one (I think) in this series of larger framed paintings.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Purple, Green, Apple

11" x 6.25", Oil on canvas on board

Some fun with fabric and fruit.

One more in a series of larger paintings framed in a shadow box.

Missed getting out paintings recently - busy with the portrait and fundamentals workshops and a few portrait commissions. More paintings on the way!

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Three Onions

11.25" x 6.25", Oil on canvas on board

Three onions painted with a knife - painting knife that is!

Another in a series of larger paintings framed in a shadow box.

Second workshop this week: Fundamentals of Painting.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Enver

11" x 9.5", Oil on canvas on board

A study of my good friend Enver.

I'm giving two workshops over the next two weeks: Basics of Portraiture and Fundamentals of Painting.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Lemon Still

11" x 6.5", Oil on canvas on board

A lemon on a sill.

Another slightly large painting - this one is 11” by 6.5” and framed in a shadow box.

I’m giving two workshops over the next two weeks: Basics of Portraiture and Fundamentals of Painting.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Taos Porch

7.5" x 10", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

A scene near my studio in Taos. I’ve decided to vary the size of the paintings a bit (along with the price) just to keep the blog new. This one is 7.5” by 10” and framed in a shadow box .

I’m giving two workshops over the next two weeks: Basics of Portraiture and Fundamentals of Painting.

A Berkeley Daily: Tree, Sunset, Guatemala

6" x 4", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

What is it about the earth turning away from the sun that is so fascinating?

I will be busy giving two workshops over the next two weeks: Basics of Portraiture and Fundamentals of Painting. Still may get in a painting or two!

A Berkeley Daily: Grey, Red Apple

4" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

Color, grey and a mysterious column!

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Lamp Shade, Antigua

6" x 4", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

After painting this, everywhere I walked all I could see were the shadows.

A Berkeley Daily: Near Todos Santos, Guatemala

4.25" x 6.75", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

The countryside between Todos Santos and San Martin in Huehuetenango is quite spectacular.

A Berkeley Daily: Bamboo Redwood

6.25" x 3.25", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

It surprises me that bamboo grows right alongside redwood.

This weekend - June 9 and 10 - I'll be exhibiting new work at my studio, along with invited artists Sarah Berkeley, Heather Chou and Johanna Atkinson as part of East Bay Open Studios. If you are in the area, please come, see the art, meet the artists and tour the Sawtooth Building where another twenty-five artists will also be open.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Hills, San Geronimo

6" x 4", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

I love seeing - and painting - the designs in nature.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Herminia, Study, Guatemala

5" x 6.25", Oil on canvas on board

A small portrait study of Herminia from San Antinio Huista, Guatemala.

The first two weekends of June - 2, 3 and 9, 10 - I'll be exhibiting new work at my studio, along with invited artists Sarah Berkeley, Heather Chou and Johanna Atkinson as part of East Bay Open Studios. If you are in the area, please come, see the art, meet the artists and tour the Sawtooth Building where another twenty-five artists will also be open.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Across the Street, Guatemala

6.25" x 4.25", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

Geometric abstract? Just across the street looking out my front door in San Antonio Huista, Guatemala.

The first two weekends of June - 2, 3 and 9, 10 - I'll be exhibiting new work at my studio, along with invited artists Sarah Berkeley, Heather Chou and Johanna Atkinson as part of East Bay Open Studios. If you are in the area, please come, see the art, meet the artists and tour the Sawtooth Building where another twenty-five artists will also be open.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Three Jars, Midday, Guatemala

6.75" x 4", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

The same subject in earlier in the day: subtle and fascinating differences.

Three Jars, Evening, Guatemala: Painting by Seamus Berkeley

5.5" x 4", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

They were just hanging like this in the patio of Byron and Emilio.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Mango, Dusk, Guatemala

5" x 4.75", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

An experiment in painting during the last moments of daylight.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Mango, Afternoon, Guatemala

4" x 6.25", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

I really enjoyed the colors of those mangoes - this time in afternoon light.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Mango, Morning, Guatemala

3.5" x 6.25", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

Surprising amount of color in mangoes, especially early in the morning.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Red Geranium, Blue Wall, Guatemala

6.25" x 4.5", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

I noticed a lot of blue paint on the walls in Gautemala.

A Berkeley Daily: Sombrero, Guatemala

4.5" x 6.5", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

Yes, this is right-side up. The light was most fascinating as it was reflecting off the street just outside the door.

A Berkeley Daily: Banana Shadow, Guatemala

5" x 3.5", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

There is a lot to see in shadows.

I've been asked what happened to the daily painting blog over the last month or so. Well, I was on a trip to visit my daughter Emily, who is working there for the Peace Corps (read her blog). Whenever traveling, I always bring my paints and a read more...

A Berkeley Daily: Bougainvillaea, Guatemala

6" x 4", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

Bougainvillaea in San Antonio Huista, Guatemala.

From a recent trip to Guatemala.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Portrait of Ian Moore

10" x 8", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

Portrait commission of author Ian Moore.

In addition to these two upcoming workshops, Fundamentals of Painting and Basics of Portraiture, I’m scheduling portrait work for the second half of the year and into 2008. For more information about commissioning a portrait, please contact me.

I will write more in the next posting about my recent painting trip to Guatemala.

A Berkeley Daily: Portrait of Ashley

(Watch a video of this painting in progress by clicking the image above or follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo-YWLSmvVM)


7" x 5", Oil on canvas. Sold

A portrait painting of Ashley.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, click here.

A Berkeley Daily: Portrait Study

6.5" x 5.5", Oil on canvas

Portrait study for a commission of author Ian Moore.

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait, click here.

A Berkeley Daily: Kumquats

4" x 6", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

(Watch a video of this painting in progress by clicking the image above or follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQhfd_aT2oU")

Four kumquats from the Berkeley Farmer’s Market.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Pitcher

6" x 4.75", Oil on canvas on board, Inquire.

Light and shadows on a white pitcher.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, send me a note.

A Berkeley Daily: Tea and Poetry

5" x 4", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

Tea and poetry - a nice combination. For more about the Poetry Flash review visit Poetry Flash.

If you are interested in acquiring this painting, click here.

A Berkeley Daily: Meta Still Life

5" x 4.75", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

Two onions and a wine bottle. Who would have thought of this for a still life?

A Berkeley Daily: Victoria’s Vase

4" x 5", Oil on canvas on board, Sold

A still life in a landscape setting.