Bernie reaches goal... 500+ paintings!

I started painting seriously in late 2004 with the encouragement of several cyber artist friends at Wet Canvas. In 2007, artist friend and mentor, Mike Rooney, challenged me to paint 100 paintings in a year... I took him up on his offer and haven't slowed down since. This summer I surpassed a goal I set for myself in that same year... to paint 500 paintings. I reached my goal in June 2010 and gave my 500th painting to my middle daughter for her birthday. I hope you enjoy this video of 150 of the 500+ paintings I've painted to date. Thanks for your patronage and encouragement over the past several years.
Bernie



Youtube link: Selected Paintings by Bernie Rosage Jr.

Bernie attends Mike Rooney plein air workshop...

Several OOPS members (myself included) recently enjoyed a one day workshop given by artist and friend, Mike Rooney. Mike taught us the Cape Cod style of painting which is colorful and FULL of light. We went through various exercises, watched him do a plein air demo, and then painted ourselves. The style was very challenging for many of us but it was a breath of fresh air to be taken out of our comfort zones and learn something new. A special thanks to the Council for the Arts for subsidising and organizing this awesome workshop!

Mike Rooney giving plein air demo...

Artists present were:

Bernie Rosage Jr.
Mitchell Morton
Dean Remington
Karen Crenshaw
Kass Patselas
Pat Boni
Ann Lees
Bonnie Rogers
Susan Cheatham
Pete Moffitt
Laine Francis

Barbara Bear Jamison

Bernie's Ramblings: Self Taught or NOT...????... Kudos to my Mentors!

Most of my collectors and peers know that I am self taught... but to be honest... that is not a fair assessment. I would be more accurate in saying that I am self-motivated to be taught.

For example... I glean from the masters... old and new. I read books about painting almost daily... my favorite book BTW way is "Alla Prima" by Richard Schmid. I am in constant contact with artists from around the world through the Wet Canvas online artists community and other sites. At these online artists cafés as I call them... I have made many friends and gained several mentors. One of my dearest friends and mentors is artist, Larry Seiler. I submit my work for honest and helpful critiques and have learned what to take from them and what "not" to take. I also like to surround myself with local artist friends like "OOPS"... a local plein air group where things are more personal.

When time and location permits I like to attend workshops and have learned a wealth from them. Another mentor and friend, artist Mike Rooney, has helped me grow through his awesome workshops.

One of the ways that I have learned the most is by instructional DVD's. Demos where I can actually see the artist at work sharing his/her thoughts and techniques. I can watch these video demos as often and whenever I want to... very convenient for a busy artist like myself. My favorite plein air demos are the plein air series put out by Richard Schmid.

The "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market and is one of my favorite ways to express myself. It's the art of painting everyday subjects from life is such a way they almost come alive. When it comes to my "painting a day" love of still life the one artist who has helped me grow more than any other is Hall Groat II. I purchased Hall's first two DVD's.... VOLUME #1 and VOLUME #2... and was very impressed by his simple yet thorough approach. My work was already selling by this point but after studying the demos and applying some of Hall's techniques my work jumped up several notches and began to sell for higher dollar amounts. My style is different from Hall's... after all... I don't wish to copy his work but glean from it and let it help mold my own. What I have learned from his DVD's is worth 10 times more than I paid for them. I understand Hall is up to VOLUME #20 as I write this... may just have to pay Hall's site another visit. To top it all... Hall has become a dear cyber friend and mentor and has been very approachable and helpful to me every step of the way on my journey... my Artistic Release!

Click HERE... to see some of my "painting a day" works.

Most of all... I have learned the most about painting from PAINTING! All the resources and mentors listed above would be for naught if I didn't apply the paint to canvas...

Kudos to all my mentors!

Bernie Rosage Jr.
Artist

Check out Hall's various sites and blogs: http://www.oilpaintingdvd.com/

Just received the Arte y Pico Blog Award

I am humbled and encouraged by this nomination and receiving the Arte y Pico Blog Award from one of my favorite artists and personal mentors, Mike Rooney. It means so much to be chosen by ones peers to have "what they think" to be an art blog worthy of recognition. Thanks Mike.

The info about the award and how to receive it are listed below.

My Top Five favorite art blogs, based on their inspiring work and their blogging styles are:

Larry Seiler
Dawn McKelvy
Marc R. Hanson
Hall Groat II
Lori McNamara

FYI...The Origin of The Arte y Pico Award and Rules if you choose to accept.

You might be interested in the origin of the "Arte y Pico Award"

The designer of the award puts it like this..."The Arte y Pico Award has arisen from the daily visits that I make to many blogs which nourish and enrich me with creativity. In them, I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain and enrich me day to day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few."

The Rules:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award through creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogger community, no matter of language.

2. Each award should have the name of the author with a link to their blog.

3. Award winners have to post the award with the name and link to the blog of the person who gave them the award.

4. Show these rules and the paragraph (above) explaining the awards origination.