Door County Painter Ram Rojas on the Creative Process...

Two new days at the Clearing… The painting moves forward, now with colors

Maintaining a constant overall awareness of the entire composition is the trick, as I apply a cool neutral medium green. I must move throughout the entire triangular composition, checking my values often by looking from as far back as the tiny balcony permits and by walking downstairs and observing from across the room.

On the second day I go over it all again, this time with a very interesting rich dark red, which is applied with various brushes and in different thickness, giving the work a splendid variety of tones. Add to this, glazes of the same green, cool over warm, over cool color and I get the effect of having used many colors while keeping tonal harmonies.

The mural is starting to look clearer and more colorful. I keep working mindfully with strokes and limited color; like using the same colors, one lightly over another, glazing or applying the same colors in an opaque fashion. Add to all this, the advantage of painting on a nicely textured surface, a benefit that I use to create some beautiful optical illusions.

I can get the appearance of six or eight colors and textures out of just two pigments. Doing this kind of magic helps me maintain that same mystical peace of mind possessed by this shepherd amidst his surroundings.

The warmth and friendliness from the classes taking place below continues to provide a source of inspiration as rich and versatile as the colors being applied. This week there was a class of textile/ fiber art conducted by Wendy Butler-Berns, a very intense and knowledgeable woman. She has a group of students that would have made Mertha Faulkner proud. Wendy’s husband is joining her, taking a class in the next room in botanical drawing and painting with another well-known artist and teacher, Kimberly (who shot the two photos included in the post – THX!).

I am working in the midst of such powerful, creative forces, put together by the sum total energy of all these people working intensely for a week. There is no question that it definitely influences my own performance in such positive ways. Of course, one of the most important ingredients enabling this environment to exist is the work put forth by Mike Schneider and the entire Clearing staff. They remain dedicated with honest intent to practice and maintain the Jens Jensen tradition of nurturing the soul with the arts and humanities.

And yes, there is another secret ingredient to the magic of The Clearing. (Not a secret to anyone that knows and loves this place.) It is the kitchen; providing three incredible meals a day, prepared and served with such care by people who are as nurturing as the delicacies they serve. All of this is helping me to bring Vladimir’s original pastoral mural back to life.

Latest News about Progress on The Clearing Folk School Mural

Last week was my last session of working on the Clearing mural without the use of artificial light.

So far, I have relied on the reflection of the light coming from the classroom below and in the afternoon, I took advantage of the wonderful glow of the setting sun coming from the tall west window directly across the room, to accentuate the halftone rendition.

Preparation of materials to be used in the next stage:

I have purchased some new paints, needing a couple of colors. The mural is still completely monochrome in  appearance. I also brought a couple of new brushes. So far I have been applying halftones with thick brushes (2½” size). I plan to take advantage of the fragile charcoal lines as they are originally applied, to create  subtle, warm and cold grays, by preserving them with paint extender and a bonding agent.

Classes underway while I work at The Clearing:

Once again, the atmosphere at the Schoolhouse building is contributing greatly to the development of ideas for a clear rendering of the mural.

Overhearing the watercolor class down below, conducted by Win Jones and Judy Barnewolt-Jones – two masters in their own right – seems to be boosting my own personal pursuit of artistic excellence, while I remain true to the fundamentals of the mural’s history.

I finally took a moment to pay a visit to the Workshop. This building at the Clearing is located a short walk from the Schoolhouse. I make my way through the forest, down a winding path to discover a c;lass underway, being taught by Sister Bat artisan, Gary Chaudoir. The students seem to be having more fun than anybody expected them to, while learning how to make stained-glass art. Gary has an obvious  keen awareness of the needs of each student as experienced in their pursuit of individual projects, guiding each one’s creativity in respect to their level of experience.

More on the making of the mural:

Soon, I will have more to report. New colors are going to be introduced this next week. The colors will begin soft and earthy. I am using a classic, limited and yet vibrant palette. This approach to color naturally suits this peaceful pastoral scene, reminiscent of the Flemish schools.

Some of these colors are pure pigment. This means that I must add sufficient additive for them to work well. Others are excellent quality acrylics of various brands.

One last comment, this weekend, I worked at the Kenosha Renaissance Faire, on a Plein Aire art event to benefit the Children’s Foundation. I found many similarities in the enthusiasm the participants have for this enormous event and our own respect and admiration for the legacy of Jens Jensen, a real Renaissance man. By ours, I refer to teachers, students and staff that benefit from their coming in contact with The Clearing.

And finally, thanks to Tim and Sue Stone, friends from The Clearing, for the visit they paid to my studio with their large group. I also enjoyed joining them to attend the related glass demonstration put on by my friends and neighbors, Jeremy Popelka and Stephanie Trenchard at Popelka Glass Arts. Next time, I will have more exciting projects and different styles of painting for all to see.

Another couple of creative days at The Clearing Folk School

I am again making progress on the mural. The Schoolhouse Building at The Clearing is always inviting and filled with art talks, painting, music, poetry and much more.

You may wonder what this has to do with the mural. Well, it has much to do with inspiration, the mood, quality and feelings I experience while I am at work on the project. Also, it refreshes and sharpens my rendering to discuss the project, to explain the process and to answer any questions that the students, teachers or friends may have while observing the work-in-progress.

Also in the schoolhouse, a pastel painting class took place. Sandra Place of Santa Fe, NM was the teacher. And once again, I found her words and her exchange with the students to harmonize with my work so well. It makes me want to paint with others more often. And I am picking up my pastels.

I haven’t found an environment so close to an atelier, since my days in Florence, Italy.

The mural scene itself is now completely outlined and basic darks and lights define it. More attention will be paid to tonality this week. With a fixative agent, which is mostly used as a color extender, I will go over my initial charcoal composition. Using large brushes and broad strokes, I will begin redefining and strengthening the masses and tones. Then, I will proceed with very limited use of color at first.

At this point, the piece reflects all the calm of its figures and surroundings. Lines can do that, even before the halftone drawing is completely developed. Subtle harmony with lines, arabesques, plums, diagonals of all thicknesses and density, begin recreating a story on the wall.

I was specially fortunate to spend time with Wisconsin’s Poet Laureate, Ellen Kort – also a dear friend and a tremendous influence on my creativity. Her poetry class can be heard in the background as I work, doing their own creations, soft but so powerful. I feel their influence on life as similar to that of the butterfly-effect on the universe. The doll you see here is also another way Ellen expreses poetic action.

And during breakfast, I got talk with wood-carving teacher Bob Guge from Sleepy Hollow,IL. His enthusiasm and joy to be teaching at The Clearing makes him an automatic friend. I appreciate them all coming to see the mural and commenting so honestly. I am including a few pictures. Talk to you soon.

Blessings,

Ram

Door County Artist, Ram Rojas Exhibition Opening in Appleton at Harmony Café Fox Valley, July 16

Enjoy an evening of fine art, refreshments, an artist’s talk and live entertainment by singer/songwriter Debra Hadraba.

Muralist and painter Ram Rojas will exhibit a retrospective collection of his paintings at Harmony Café Fox Valley in Appleton, opening with an artist’s reception on Friday, July 16 from 5:30 pm ‘til closing (10 pm). Rojas is known and respected for his works in several genres that include on-site murals, studio portraits, landscapes and spiritual art derived from his love of eastern religions. He calls this show an “autobiographical display of my interests and passions.”

Ram (pronounced rah-m) was born in Caracas, Venezuela. At 14 years of age, he was selected from among students at Venezuela’s National Art Academy to travel to the United States along with other young artists from Europe, China and Australia to study at the Academy of Vedic Art in Los Angeles, CA. While he was there, an international publishing company took note of this very-disciplined young artist. His masterful pieces became a regular addition to their books and magazines covering a wide variety of interests. He sought further classical training in Europe where he studied Old Master’s works, living and painting mostly in Florence, Italy.

His work continued to appear in multi-language publications around the world; illustrating history, religion, art, mythology, philosophy and science books. Ram’s publishers sent him on an educational tour of India where he studied ancient cultures, techniques and theory of Asian art. Rojas eventually returned to the USA to continue his studies at Barnstone Studios in Philadelphia, where he consolidated his diverse, worldwide experiences with the universal principles of design, anatomy, composition and color theory. Following the completion of his studies, he moved to California where he focused on classic representational art and portraiture.

“Over the years my art has undergone an evolution derived from the places I have lived and studied in and the surrounding historic and philosophical influences that those different cultures have brought into my focus,” says Rojas. ”This show will provide an opportunity for my fans and friends to see glimpses of the path I have travelled and how it has affected my work.”

More than a decade ago Ram Rojas discovered Door County, bought and restored a classic home in Sturgeon Bay and established his studio there. He has been painting on canvas and walls ever since, including a mural in the Walls of Wittenburg project and a current work underway at The Clearing in Ellison Bay. Rojas will present an artist’s talk followed by a Q&A at 7 pm on the evening of the Harmony Café opening.

Rojas will present a talk followed by a Q&A at 7 pm on the evening of the opening.

At 8 pm he has arranged for St. Paul singer/songwriter Debra Hadraba to perform some of her latest songs on stage. Known for her work as a founding member of Braveheart Women Global Community, she has just released her first experimental multi-media CD, which consists of 7 original songs, 3 e-books and more than 20 of her zany video performance pieces and animations. The Harmony Café will provide drinks and snacks at the opening and there is no change to attend. Ram Rojas’ paintings will be on exhibit throughout July and August.

“I welcome the opportunity to show my work at this ideal spot,” says Ram Rojas. “Much more than just a café, Harmony invites the entire community to gather in friendship with great food and entertainment.”

Harmony Café Fox Valley is located at 233 E. College Avenue in Appleton, Wisconsin. They are open Monday through Wednesday from 7 am – 9 pm; Thursday through Saturday from 7 am – 10 pm and Sunday from 9 am – 8 pm. For more information please call 920.734.2233 or e-mail: harmonycafe@gwicc.org.

Painting the mural at The Clearing – Preliminary Drawing

As philosophical as some of my ideas might sound, I find it impossible to separate them from the visual subjective aspect of my art. I keep a folder for every large project that I execute. It includes everything from material costs and suppliers to related contacts, experiences, benchmarks on progress, references and conceptual ideas on the subject, etc..

Following the grid, I trace a charcoal preliminary rendition on to the wall. Sometimes I rub off some to create the “sffumatura,” a classical effect employed by the old masters in their tonal renditions. In other areas, to further extend certain tonal masses, I apply a liquid extender/fixative over the charcoal, using a large brush. The effect is what Renaissance artists called “chiaroscuro.” It results in producing a very deep halftone drawing.

The longer I paint, the more aware I become of the influence the moment itself has in painting with experience, technique and style – especially in the case of a public execution like with this mural. I am finding such a charge of positive ideas and enthusiasm by working while the watercolor class is taking place or taking a moment to listen to what the poets have written in their retreats or discussing composition and nature observation with the photography class or with the bird-watching group. I feel like I am at home here.

The Clearing – Thoughstream

Painting a Mural at The Clearing, Day 2

This is my second stay at the Jensen Center, around the middle of May. Staying at the school is very calming. It clears the mind so the project ahead becomes the focus.

These are notes written during those periods, about the purpose of the mural:

Since moving from northern Door to Sturgeon Bay my community involvement has gotten stronger. My artwork naturally started reflecting new interests. I am viewing the County as a whole and it inspires me. And what I end up producing is a direct result of experiencing life here.

All these thoughts are running through my mind, as well as memories of the Walls of Wittenberg project – where a town is being revived with murals. This revolves amidst accepting  the invitation to recreate the work of artist Vladimir Rousseff in a mural at the Clearing’s Schoolhouse Building .

I am working and two students ask if it would be OK for them to practice. A lifetime dream of mine comes true: painting to Brahms performed live.

Painting a mural at The Clearing in Ellison Bay – Day 1

I am compelled to begin  sharing notes about my work in the Schoolhouse Building, by confirming that every previous idea and feeling I have had for twenty years about this school are absolutely true. The respect for nature’s teaching and overall integrity of The Clearing  makes it suitable for learning with an open mind, presenting unlimited possibilities.

In my travels, maybe a couple of places come close to providing such a desirable environment where art can grow like the wildflowers, appearing now all over our beautiful peninsula.

• First visit:  Basically assess the project’s goals, the wall, consider materials, timeline, etc.
• Other practical matters to expedite progress:  Study the wall surface and proportions. The angles from the viewer’s perspective. Being on a second partial flat with rail. How much light will directly reach surface and how close to public is this wall ?

Fortunately, the director, MIKE SCHNEIDER compiled valuable historic data about the project. This research work usually ends up being part of my preliminary response to the value and depth of the art piece.

I also must decide best props and lighting.

And, in this case,I must decide the best way to trace the line drawing on to the prepared wall:

After a small inner debate, it was clear to me that rendering a small sketch, to feel the mood and get familiar with the composition, would provide a nice piece to grid over. Then I could replicate the same grid on the triangular wall to scale (14 feet high by 24 feet wide at bottom).

In other words, the old fashioned way.