Warren Keating Artventures

New Series Of Route 66 Retro Neon Signs

2011-12-08T13:05:00.001-08:00

This oil painting is part of a new series depicting retro neon signs on Route 66. Combining my love for the Mother Road with my search for new forms to paint, I recently came up with this series.

"Apache Motel", 18" X 24" oil on panel is still available from my online gallery, KeatingArt.com. I'm sure that I'll be making more of these in the future; stay tuned.

Showing At The Affordable Art Fair NY

2011-10-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to have been invited by Zatista.com to be one of their eight exhibiting artists at the Affordable Art Fair New York. Here is a report on the exciting event on Wall Spin.

California Open Exhibit at TAG Gallery, Bergamot

2011-08-23T13:52:00.001-07:00

Out of more than 400 artists and over 2000 work were submitted to this show at TAG in Santa Monica. Jurors Katherine Chang Liu and Peter Mays found a high level of skill and imagination when surveying the entries. I was honored to be among one of the artists selected, and I was even more honored to receive one of the three Honorable Mentions in this prestigious exhibit. The 50 or so paintings chosen for the show can be viewed online or at TAG Gallery, 2525 Michigan Avenue, D-3, (Bergamot Station), Santa Monica, CA 90404 until September 2.

Mystery Collector

2011-08-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I donated a painting to the annual Los Angeles Art Association's Annual Auction. All three galleries featured member artists' art and some celebrity artists' works, including two silkscreens by Shepard Fairey, notable for his Obama Hope Poster and his street art.

40" X 30" "Parisian Man With Cap And Blue Duffel" was offered in the LAAA Benefit Auction

There was a live auction of a handful of the most notable pieces, and the rest were offered in a silent auction. Each was displaying a form for your bid, and many did not receive bids, including my large 40" x 30" "Parisian Man With Cap And Blue Duffel", until literally the last minute. Literally, as we were leaving, waiting for the valet, we watched through the window, as a hip looking young man with glasses wrote a bid on the form next to my piece, and as we got into our car, we watched the gallery director wrap the painting and carry it out the gallery. I was delighted to be able to raise some money for the gallery through this sale.

We only had a photo of my new collector, accidentally taken as we were photographing the exhibit. Fortunately for me, Los Angeles Art Association is very organized, and, a week later, they sent me his contact info, so the mystery was solved.

I mailed him a formal Certificate of Authenticity for the painting, as well as some "goodies", including a DVD about my work.

Latest painting and a video of how it's done

2011-06-29T15:05:00.001-07:00

As many of my collectors and fans know, I find myself on balconies and bridges, capturing video of people walking an overhead perspective. "Parisian Woman With Blonde Hair And Big Coat" depicts a woman walking briskly down St. Germain on a beautiful windy winter day in Paris. Occasionally, I also use video to capture my process, to share a look inside my studio with you on my YouTube Channel, KeatingArt, where I have over 20 time-lapse speed painting videos. Here's my latest, a large oil painting of an overhead figure and a video of how it's made:

The cool way to get my art for less than ten bucks, Turning Art, the Netflix of framed prints

2011-06-09T21:37:00.000-07:00

Here's an opportunity for my online fans and collectors that I am very excited to offer. Four new framed pieces of Keating figurative artwork per year for less than 10/month! Check out TurningArt, the Netflix of framed prints. By using my dedicated account, you can Save $5 on their $20 package and get a new Keating every month for only $14.99. Plans start at 9.99. Coupon Details >

"Out There" show

2011-06-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Keating Painting Chosen For "Out There" Show
Distinctive jurors Francisco George and William Escalera, selected this figurative work for a special exhibition presented by the LA Art Association & the City of West Hollywood during West Hollywood's Pride Month festivities, made possible by the City of West Hollywood Arts Grant Program and the Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission. June 10 to 17 at Gallery 825. Reception is Friday, June 10, 6 to 9pm.

11" X 14" oil on canvas "Two Men And An Umbrella"

I Have To Live Life In Order To Make Art

2011-05-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

Even though many ideas come from staring at my paintings contemplating the next step, I can't spend all of my time in the studio and remain inspired. Adventure on the road with my wife and daughter inspire my work and recently led me to paint this Contemporary Impressionist painting.

40" x 30" oil landscape "Road To Paso Robles" depicts a trip through the mountains to the Central Coast wine country.

Dreams On Canvas Opening Night

2011-05-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Here's an iPhone video of opening night of the Dreams on Canvas exhibit

2011-04-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Looking for Keating paintings at the GEM show last Saturday. My wife, Lisa, shot this on her new iPhone.

First In A Series Of Smallish Figurative Paintings

2011-03-29T13:44:00.001-07:00

14" X 11" original figurative painting, "White-Haired Man Wearing Red-Striped Scarf In Paris", is the first in a dozen paintings that I am planning to paint over the next several weeks for the purpose of hanging them all together on a wall in a rectangular shape, portrait orientation, or maybe pick the six that work the best together and do a horizontally-oriented rectangle of six. more>

Newest Cityscape Oil Painting, "New Orleans"

2011-03-07T15:25:00.000-08:00

Inspired my recent cityscape commissions, I just finished this 30" X 20" oil painting on stretched canvas, "Above New Orleans, St. Louis Cathedral And The French Quarter", an original painting depicting an above view of the historic city of New Orleans and St. Louis Cathedral. more info

When My Studio Becomes A Video Game Theatre

2011-02-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

For the seminars series I host, I recently purchased a new projector. On rainy weekend days we move the family fun into the studio, push the wet paintings from the week before aside, and have a Mario Cart or Wii Sports bowling tournament in our make shift home theater.

New Commissioned Paintings: Baseball and Omaha

2011-02-10T16:08:00.001-08:00

An interesting commission can take an artist on a challenging, fruitful journey that sometimes leads his or her current work to a new level that it was trying to reach for some time. Such is the case with a recent commission at Keating art studio in Encino. A pair of paintings for a collector in Omaha, one depictin the skyline, and the other a day at the baseball field. Both contained complicated subject matter that didn't necessarily suit my current style, simple "figure on ground" paintings of people walking from above.

In these freshly painted, newly-commissioned paintings, editing and shape bending was more important. There were far too many size and plane changes to simply replicate the photograph in paint, some simplication and editing had to occur to keep the painting pictorially successful from a well-designed composition. The same held true for the baseball painting, as well. The values and details had to be held back to emphasize the contrast between the players and the field and use that contrast as a centerpiece of the overall form of the piece.

Both pieces are painted on heavy duty 36" X 24" canvases.

Warren Keating is an artist in Los Angeles, working in a studio in Encino. For more information, go to WarrenKeating.com.

Getty Center Girlfriends, New Figurative Painting

2011-02-05T17:58:00.001-08:00

This is a 14" X 11" figurative oil painting on archival canvas panel, "Getty Center Girlfriends". The inspiration for this artwork came from a visit to the Getty Center in Los Angeles. These two ladies were unwittingly captured on video walking at the museum and then painted on archival, canvas-wrapped board with a type of mark making that I have invented, Pixelated Impressionism, a signature style in which the expressive swashes of paint depict the moving pixels of the figures.

Latest Time Lapse Speed Painting Video Now HD

2011-01-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

After creating 20 time-lapse painting demonstration videos and getting 30,000 hits on my YouTube Channel, KeatingArt, I've upgraded my capture equipment and have done the first How I Paint A Figure video in HD. Let me know what you think.

KEATING Figurative Art Oil Painting Blond Woman In Paris

2011-01-07T17:30:00.001-08:00

20" X 16" oil on canvas, "Young Woman In Paris With Blond Hair" by figurative artist Warren Keating, is a dynamic, figurative painting from the award-winning Overview series , featured on CNN. It depicts a young woman walking down St. Germain, Paris, France as seen from the balcony at the Hotel Lutetia in Paris. The original art is for sale.

Inside The Studio: Couples Figurative Painting

2010-12-14T13:07:00.001-08:00

This is a large piece that I am working on that explores a new variation on my Overview series. It's a subseries that explores couples walking, as viewed from overhead. Some of the couples will be together and others will be strangers that happen to pass through the same space. I think I'm going to call this one "Best Foot Forward", but I'm not sure. When it dries, I'll post a good photo of it.

Now Appearing On Modern Art Prints Site

2010-12-01T08:30:00.001-08:00

I recently was informed that my work was featured on TheModernArtPrints.com in the Oil and Acrylic section. This is one of those neat not-for-profit sites, created by an art lover, that links you directly to the individual artist's portfolio of inexpensive prints of their original artwork. This gives an opportunity for the low-budget collector to find some inexpensive wall art.

Christmas Card For A Private Investigator

2010-11-15T11:36:00.000-08:00

Inside says: "Even as a child, Jim was a great P.I."

Every year, for the last twenty or so years, I have been creating a Holiday Card for Benchmark Investigations, a local Private Investigator. The idea usually centers around Christmas or New Year. I uploaded some of these from past years, check them out: Holiday Cards For A Private Eye.

Just painted a little Maui landscape

2010-11-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I have to take a break from the large, figurative works and whip out a fun, little landscape for sale super cheap on eBay auction. This 14" X 11" original Hawaii landscape oil painting on canvas panel, "Crashing Waves On The Kapalua Coast In Maui" depicts a beach in Kapalua, Maui a short walk from the Ritz Carlton, Kapalua.

Latest Time Lapse Video: How I Create A Figurative Painting

2010-10-22T11:11:00.001-07:00

This video goes inside my studio to show the creation of this original figurative oil painting, step by step, in both time lapse format and stop-motion animation, so you can see how I paint these Pixel Impressionism oil paintings. This is a brand new painting being created in the video, and has not been titled For more information on my art, go to http://WarrenKeating.com or to browse my art for sale, go to http://www.KeatingArt.com

Why A Figurative Painter Paints A Landscape

2010-10-14T16:45:00.001-07:00

Several years ago, I was at the Lucien Freud exhibit at MOCA of his vey large figurative oil paintings of large, ruddy people, when I was relieved to find a room full of landscape paintings. I found solace in the fact that I was not the only artist with duel obsessions, torn between the figure and the landscape. The landscape so much more malleable, the figure so impactful and narrative. For now, I offer you a new original oil landscape of a golf course in Wailea. Some may call it romantic or nolstagic when compared to my figurative paintings, they may find this particular golf landscape too Classicist, but I just can't resist the urge to paint them, and my collectors of this genre of my work, love having them. How can that be bad?

To check out all of my landscapes, go to my Landscape Gallery.

Inside The Studio

2010-10-11T19:51:00.001-07:00

This is the figurative painting that I'm working on, right now, in the studio. The original oil on canvas is 11" X 14" and it depicts a man with an umbrella, carrying a suitcase passing a bellman, walking in the opposite direction in the bottom of the painting. I based this piece on some reference that I got in 2009 from the balcony of my hotel room at the Hotel Lutetia on St. Germain in Paris. These people in Paris are depicted in my signature Pixel Impressionism style, a type of Contemporary Realism that depicts motion through painterly rendering of video pixelation.

Overview Original Figurative Paintings On Exhibit At Pasadena ArtWalk

2010-09-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

I was chosen as one of the thirty participating artists in the Pasadena ArtWalk to take place at Colorado & El Molino in Pasadena's Playhouse District on October 9th from 11am-5pm. In addition to the 30 juried artists on display there will be free museum admission, a gallery walk, art chats and entertainment. I will be in exhibit space 30, close to the corner of Green and Molino. It is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there.

Lifeguard Station Santa Monica on exhibit at Orange County Center For Contemporary Art

2010-08-28T11:57:00.001-07:00

24" X 18" original oil landscape painting of Santa Monica beach will be featured in OCCCA's exhibit, Santa Monica, The Art Of Summer, September 4-25. Opening reception is on Sept. 4, 6-10pm at Orange County Center of Contemporary Art. Please stop by and meet the artists and see this comprehensive exhibit of contemporary art on the Santa Monica theme curated by Jeffrey Crussell Executive Director, Crussell Fine Arts with Pamela Grau, Crussell Fine Arts Exhibition Director accompanied by a critical essay by critic, Rob Mintz.

Two Keating Santa Monica Beach Landscapes Chosen For Crussel Fine Arts Book

2010-08-06T20:41:00.001-07:00

The work in this book, Santa Monica, was derived from our Bloomingdale’s Santa Monica Open Call, which was developed by Crussell Fine Arts as a democratic means to search for art. The search was open to any and all artists no matter their experience or representation. The artist’s identities were concealed during the process until Bloomingdale’s made their final selections to purchase work for their new Santa Monica stores permanent collection. From over 1000 submitted works, Crussell Fine Arts selected 187 of the most outstanding pieces for this book that reflected the theme of the West Coast, the city of Santa Monica and the Southern California culture.

Following the publication of this book Crussell Fine Arts organized an exhibition of 50 selected pieces to appear at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art.

24" X 18" Santa Monica Lifeguard, original oil painting on canvas

The art presented in this book is for sale with current updates reflecting availability on our website at CrussellFineArts.com/santamonica.html.

I Know That I've Arrived; I Got Mail Art From Myth Mara

2010-07-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

Much to my surprise, I received this thought provoking, beautiful piece of collage in my mailbox, today:

front

back

Artist Mara Thompson has taught me a lot about the world of Contemporary Collage. I am humbled by her ability to communicate so masterfully and sensitively in word/image.

Thank you, Mara, for telling me to watch "How To Draw A Bunny", and for sending me this postcard.

I Won The Video Contest: How I Use Utrecht Art Supplies To Combine Video And Paint

2010-06-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

I was just notified that my how to video won the Utrecht Video Contest. My prize is $1000 gift card to be used to buy art supplies from my local Utrecht store or at Utrecht.com. Yeahhh!

Utrecht Art Supplies wants to see videos of artists working with their materials, and is willing to give up a $1000 to the best one, so I thought I'd give it a shot. For more info about me or my work, go to WarrenKeating.com.

Going To Art Openings

2010-06-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

Since I live and breathe by the Internet, you would think that I have a hard time getting out to the real world, and you'd be exactly right, although, once I'm out, it's hard to get me back home. I had just such a hard time last Saturday when I left a party going on at my house to go to the Artists' Reception for The Happening Gallery's Summer Fine Art Show, when, in fact, the show was the next Saturday. I should have known when I got a parking spot close to the gallery. Oops!

Mara Thompson "March 2010, News 2010", now showing at Happening Gallery

But, there's a silver lining, despite the fact that I missed the cool people and great treats that Happening serves up at their openings, I had unobstructed access to all of the excellent art in this great little show. I was immediately drawn to Mara Thompson's works. I consider myself a friend of this wonderful collagist, so I've seen a lot of her work on Facebook and on the Internet, but they are about 100 times more powerful in person, so I was ecstatic to see the pieces that she had hanging in this show. I've learned a lot about collage and assemblage from Mara, and it was a delight to see the real life texture and surface of some pieces that I had seen many times, but only as .jpegs on the internet. I guess it pays to get out of the house, even if I didn't get free reception wine and desserts from Locanda Positano.

Also inspirational to me was Rachael Rendon's work. A fellow Paintographist, Rachel has managed to convert the anomalies of flash and motion photography into photorealistic pieces unlike anything you've seen before. I also enjoyed Natalie Gray's abstracts; she's a master at layering color, and William Reynolds Green's sparse highwayscapes appeal to just about anyone who has taken a road trip or appreciates really good narrative painting.

Don't spaz like I did, last weekend, check it out NEXT Saturday, June 12th, 6-9, Happening Gallery, 4047 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Meet Me At Affaire In The Garden Art Show May 15 & 16 at Space 242

2010-05-13T10:03:00.001-07:00

Beverly Hills CA. My latest series, Overview, has been selected by the jury to participate in this spring's Affaire In The Garden Art Show. It's like an open house, but featuring the my latest series in a exceptional atmosphere for viewing art. With gourmet delights, a Wine Garden and crafts to entertain the kids while you look at the works of 200 artists selected from all over the world. I checked out some of the other artists after I received notice that I was chosen, and it was quite intimidating. There are some excellent Contemporary artists in this year's show.

Come buy and visit on May 15 & 16 10am-6pm. For more info go to Affaire In The Garden web site.

New Oil On Canvas Featured In Best Kept Secrets Of Los Angeles

2010-04-21T16:45:00.001-07:00

This 40" X 30" original oil painting landscape on stretched canvas, "View Of Pacific Palisades and P.C.H. From Santa Monica" by Warren Keating, depicts this Southern California beach and Pacific Coast Highway with the Santa Monica Mountains, California Coast and Pacific Ocean in the background.

In addition to being an artist, I am also a journalist; I just painted this piece for an article that I wrote for a new HomeAway internet campaign, Visitors Guide To Los Angeles: Best Kept Secrets.

Meet The Artist at Dreams On Canvas Exhibit, May 1

2010-04-07T14:32:00.001-07:00

I have been selected as a Featured Gallery Artist in the annual fundraising and art event, Dreams on Canvas, scheduled for Saturday, May 1st at the Four Seasons Hotel, Westlake Village. I will be at the event, from 6-9 pm on May 1st, in the Gallery Store, selling three new little paintings, created for the store, as well as participating in the larger exhibit of Featured Artists.

"Paris Tourists In Red" 24" X 24" original figurative oil on canvas will be on exhibit in the Four Seasons Gallery from April 17th - May 12th. For more information, go to DreamsOnCanvas.org.

7" X 5" "Getty Sandal Girl II", original oil on canvas panel, framed will be on sale in the Gallery Store for only $200! Two other smaller works will also be on sale for that low price:

Hope to see you there! For more information, go to DreamsOnCanvas.org.

Last Month's Painting Marathon

2010-03-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

With the economy the way it is and the art market a bit flat, I've been experimenting with smaller-sized paintings, different subjects, etc. I took a break on the figurative works, and started making some less expensive landscapes that I could sell quickly in my Ebay store. Last month, I pretty much made a painting a day; here is a slide show of some of the results of that experiment.

Latest Time-Lapse Speed Painting Video

2010-01-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

Here is a look inside my studio, a time-lapse video of "Man Walking With Cell Phone", a large 48" X 36" oil painting of a man in Paris walking on St. Germain talking on a cellular phone. For more information, go to http://www.WarrenKeating.com.

"Getty Sandal Girl" Wins Again!

2009-12-15T10:51:00.001-08:00

This time 48" X 36" original oil on canvas, "Getty Center Sandal Girl" was chosen for SCORE VIII, a prestigious show open to all artists that are residents of Southern California, juried by Artist and critic Diane Calder and showing at Valley Institute of Visual Art. The exhibit opens January 10th with a reception from 2-5pm. For more information, check out the ArtSlant listing.

Ms. Calder is a member of the International Association of Art Critics,and writes reviews, mainly for ArtScene, a monthy magazine and online source featuring work shown in and around Southern California.

The Valley Institute of Visual Art (VIVA Art Center) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the visual arts in the greater Los Angeles community. Through exhibitions, education and outreach, VIVA provides artists with the opportunity for critical exposure and public appreciation in a professional setting. VIVA is not intended to be a museum or a commercial gallery. Rather it functions as a municipal exhibition space offering a comprehensive look at the vibrant and vital visual art scene in the region. In addition to a lively schedule of exhibitions, VIVA offers an exciting and diverse program of demonstrations, lectures and workshops. For more information, please visit our website at www.vivaartcenter.org.

This is the third time that "Getty Center Sandal Girl" has won an award. Hopefully, it will win one of the awards that will be given at the reception, but nonetheless, it's an honor to be chosen for this exhibit.

Warren Keating is an artist living in Los Angeles. His work can be viewed and purchased at KeatingArt.com. Fine Art Prints of his work can be found at KeatingArt.imagekind.com. For more information, go to WarrenKeating.com.

I'm Finished Painting The Mural At The Library

2009-12-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I started painting a mural at the new library at my daughter's Elementary school.

click to enlarge

I finished it this weekend, starting from left to right:

My daughter, Lisette, is on the right.

These little guys are too cute. The one on the left is the son of some friends down the street. They are stoked that he's in the mural.

I'm not sure how they picked the kids, other than the fact that I made sure my daughter was in the mural, but I heard that the parents of this little girl were honored that she was chosen. It's fortunate that it looks just like her!

This one is my favorite. It doesn't have some of the "bells and whistles" of the others, but there's a directness and focus to the brushstrokes with which I am very happy.

This was my most difficult "couple". They were not originally walking together in the video reference; I had to put them together by hand. Plus, I started painting them after two long days of squatting before the mural, knees creaky, legs burning sore.

Fresh after five days off, I painted these two to start which would hopefully be my last day, working on the mural. The direct brushstrokes are making the movement that I am pursuing in my work; I even like the drip on the bottom left.

I will admit that I struggled with this one, difficult shirt, tough likeness.

I started this one towards the end of day three with my confidence shaken by fighting the face on the last one, but somehow I managed to pull it off. I wasn't sure if the days' work was a disaster or not until I saw the finished mural the next morning. The creation of movement on the front leg/foot in this figure makes me happy.
Warren Keating is an artist living in Los Angeles. His work can be viewed and purchased at KeatingArt.com. Fine Art Prints of his work can be found at KeatingArt.imagekind.com. For more information, go to WarrenKeating.com

2009-12-01T09:29:00.001-08:00

"California Coast: Lifeguard Station 13" original oil landscape painting http://ping.fm/1WXyO

20th Annual Christmas Card for Private Eye Funds Local Artist and Protects Landlord

2009-11-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

I've been creative-directing, illustrating and designing a Christmas Card for my friend Jim Zimmer at Benchmark Investigations since I was in Art School, and I graduated from Otis Art Institute in 1989. A couple of years ago, I created a post with some of my favorites, if you want to check them out: 17 Years Of Christmas Cards For A Private Eye. This year, I made these pencil drawings on 100% rag vellum for the cover and inside:

cover

inside card

It would be difficult for a small business to justify the full cost for a custom-illustrated Holiday card. I charge Jim in part cash/part barter. For more than a decade, I accrued the barter without using a penny, but some time a couple of years ago, things started to happen in life as a result of some of my investments and acquisition of rental properties, and I've become very thankful that I have access to Jim's services. Even after I invoice him for this one, I still owe Jim a few bucks for all the things that he's done for me. As one gets older, it becomes much more useful to know a great P.I.

How I Reproduced the Artwork: The image was photographed with a Canon D60 under color-balanced lights, using a polarizing filter to cut any reflection off the shiny graphite in the darker areas. I used to scan these drawings, but I actually found that I get a wider range of tonality if I photographed them, using the RAW setting on my digital camera. Remember to bracket, as subjects on white paper tend to underexpose as the automatic metering wants to turn the white to 50% gray.

How To Suddenly Build An Art Fair Booth for Under $300

2009-11-10T14:48:00.001-08:00

Ahheee!!! I just found out that the Ventura Arts Festival will not have walls between the individual booths as previous stated by the organization behind it, so I had to come up with a Art Festival booth. I ran to Ebay, as I do in most crisis, and found a canopy with walls for under $200. After many sketches, I finally arrived at the conclusion that a couple of the lightest, widest door blanks that I could find, hinged at a right angle would complete my display. Luckily, the biggest stick of track lighting in my studio is a self-contained unit with a switch and a plug, so that went right into the canopy frame most easily.

Here’s a photo of my constrict in this working sketch, as I figure out the signage:

Instead of paying $50 for a banner, I paid $5 for a 20" x 40" print (with the sign printed in two 10" X 40" halves to match the 40" foamcore) and $5 for a 40" X 30" sheet of foamcore with some left to make a back support for the 80" sign.

Mad Magazine Sergio Aragones & Sylvia White have selected artists for Ventura Arts Festival a cozy, tented affair

2009-10-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

"Getty Center Sandal Girl" 48"x36" oil on canvas by Warren Keating

Juried by prominent L.A. art scene curator, dealer and art consultant, Sylvia White and noted artist and Mad Magazine illustrator, Sergio Aragones, the Ventura Art Festival will be an exclusive, music-filled feast of original artwork from accomplished mid-career artists from throughout California. Eschewing the crowds of many outdoor art festivals, this tented affair charges a nominal admission of $15 (includes free drink ticket) to ensure an intimate group of serious art lovers and collectors. A spectacular collection of 20 mid-career fine artists from througout California will be on hand, displaying their works in this wonderful setting. Live jazz music will be playing and food, beer and wine will be available. For more info on this fun cultural event, check it out at VenturaArtsFestival.com, or go to Mission Park on Main Street in Ventura on November 14, 11am-6pm.

Real Artist Exhibits In Fascinating Virtual World Of Second Life

2009-10-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to some comprehensive articles in ArtCalendar Magazine about the virtual world Second Life, I’ve discovered one of the coolest things that I’ve seen in a while.

For those unfamiliar with SL, it’s a virtual world with a micro economy where you can do just about anything with amazing realism. Residents use Linden dollars to buy and sell things ($L1000 = $4.16US). There are many artists and entertainers that are making some good real world dollars in Second Life, and a SL virtual real estate developer has been reported to have made over a million in real U.S. dollars selling real estate and buildings on second life.

Lisa and I playing music on the beach in Second Life

Originally, I was attracted to it for the publicity and marketing opportunities, but nowI am completely blown away by it, and have fallen in, definitely for the next couple of days. I’ve already built a portfolio book and have gotten commitments from four galleries to do a show in the near future, so I’m on my way. I just have to remember to refrain from spending too much time “inworld” flying around and having fun.

Creating a virtual assemblage of my paintings in Second Life

I have collectors all over the world: France, U.K., Luxembourg, Netherlands, and throughout the U.S. and Canada, many of which have never been to a show of my work at a gallery. SL presents a mind-boggling opportunity for them to come to a virtual show, see the latest work, chat with the artists and other collectors and have some great virtual cheese and wine.

KeatingArt Bartavelle a.k.a. Warren Keating is an artist living in Los Angeles. On Second Life, he maintains a gallery of his current paintings at Omni Market. In Real Life, his work can be viewed and purchased at KeatingArt.com. Fine Art Prints of his work can be found at KeatingArt.imagekind.com. For more information, go to WarrenKeating.com.

Painting Ripped In Two, Doubles in Value!

2009-10-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Original figurative painting “Le Gran Pere” was sold for $500 at a discount as part of a package deal to an international customer via my web site, KeatingArt.com last December, but was irreparably damaged on its journey when the Luxembourg Post accidentally dropped some heavy equipment on the box, ripping a 3” slash on the left side of this horizontal oil. The piece, depicting a grandpa and child at the beach painted from above, started a series of paintings that would later become the award-winning collection of works exhibited under the title Overview. Now, it was a broken, torn mess, sitting in my studio upon its return from Europe.

Troubled by the loss and fueled by an unfaltering passion to create, or just plane craziness, I took the torn canvas off of its stretcher, cut off the torn half of the piece, mounted the remains on Masonite and framed it in a frame that was found in a pile of trash in an alley behind an out-of-business gallery.

A good friend was organizing an event for the Hollyrod Foundation at the time, so I donated the piece to benefit individuals suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and provide support for their families. In addition to founding celebrities, Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete, Michael J. Fox was on hand for the event where the remaining half of the same work that had been demolished in transit sold for the highest bid of $1100, more than double the original sales price of the entire painting, before it was damaged.

Sometimes I Need A Break, So I Do An Over-The-Couch Painting

2009-10-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I like to take a break from my painting figurative works for my Overview series, and I paint something completely different, usually an OTC (over the couch) painting. Famous painter, Lucian Freud did the same thing. I went to an exhibit of his figurative works at Los Angeles MOCA a couple of years ago, and there were several landscapes also shown. The backstory read that he used the landscape as a respite from his large, meaty figurative oils.

I finished this one last night. I'll probably get $500 for it on Ebay before Christmas.

Keating Painting Wins ArtSlant Showcase

2009-10-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

One of my latest pieces, “Bellman, Hotel Lutetia, Paris” won the ArtSlant Showcase for October. The original figurative oil will join the other works in the Painting section for the year. Each Showcase winner will go before the Gallery Panel for review and judging and the top Juried Winners will be selected for the Golden Frame competition, which will be held in March 2010. I’ll definitely let you know how it goes, either way; it’s an honor just to be chosen for this group. There are some great paintings in the Showcase this year. If you’re interested, here’s my ArtSlant profile. Thanks for reading this post, helping me celebrate.

Warren Keating is an artist living in Los Angeles. His work can be viewed and purchased at KeatingArt.com. Fine Art Prints of his work can be found at KeatingArt.imagekind.com. For more information, go to WarrenKeating.com.