Learning Watercolors

The past few weeks I have been learning how to use watercolor paints. I have never played with this medium before and I have really been enjoying it. There will be many more of these paintings coming up in the next few weeks that I am very excited to share. I am also preparing to start a figure series, in oil paint. I will be posting the entire process on my blog here, and I am so excited to share. 

13th Annual MINUMENTAL

Every year at the New Hampshire Institute of art students, faculty, and alumni are invited to submit art to the annual Minumental exhibition. This exhibition is the perfect place to find a small gem because everyone can submit a piece as long as it is no larger then 4x4x4. This exhibit runs from February 2, 2015 until February 18, 2015.

 This year I submitted a 2x2 inch self portrait. This drawing is in pencil and ballpoint pen.

I also have the piece I made for last years Minumental, which is a linoleum woodcut. 

Wrong Brain Brrr Fest!!

This Saturday 1.31.2015 Sonny's in Dover, NH will be hosting BRR Fest. In the day time there will be an art and record sale, as well as live art, and tarot card readings! In the evening there will be live local music from the bands Rick Rude, and Lilith.

BrrrFest poster art by Jordan Holtz and Sam Paolini

Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1514466165444980/

In addition to live music and art there will be a contest for the design of the Wrong Brain tee shirt. Grand Prize $50.00 and two tee shirts..The design will be chosen by vote. 

 Wrong Brain tee shirt contest poster by Sam Paolini

Original Poster art by me, for Wrong Brain Tee Shirt Contest

This is my submission for the tee shirt contest. Come down and check it out, and vote for you favorite tee shirt!!

Hope everyone stays dry, and warm during Storm Juno 

Painting a Process...

Here are some photos I took of the steps I took to make these paintings. From Start to finish.

1) First I come up with the concepts, and do some preliminary sketches in my sketchbook

2) Then I do compositional studies

3) Once I have chosen the compositions then I do a more complete drawing. 

4)Then I am ready to transfer the drawing on to the board. First I prep the masonite with Gesso, then I transfer the drawing onto the board, and outline in ink.

2) Then I add value to the painting by putting a solid color and wiping away the highlights.

FINALE! Addition of COLOR :)

Fall Semester Works

Winter break is coming to an end, and with spring semester starting in a few short days I figured it was about time to upload some photos of work that I did last semester. I am looking forward to getting my ass back into gear! Hope you enjoy : )

Mixed Media/Collage

Pussy Riot-Oil on Board

Mixed media collage

Raya's Portrait-Pastel and Gesso on paper

Chalk Pastel

Figure from three views-oil on board

Recent Works...Figure Drawing

I am working on a self portrait for my Figure painting class. The image on the top is the underpainting in yellow ochre. The image on the bottom is a bit more finished but still a work in progress. I am hoping to recreate the phenomenon where when you see someone yawn you cannot help but yawn yourself.
















































I also just finished a pretty large drawing of my love Christopher noodling on his guitar. The drawing is on gessoed paper, in chalk pastel. I am pretty content with how it came out. There is a picture of the whole drawing as well as a detail of his face.                                    

One last drawing I did from life in the studio was also in pastel.

College, it happens slowly then all at once...

So I have not posted in too long. I have been super busy with school, and have had a hard time finding the time to post.

I have a lot to share with anyone who is interested.

The Pawtuckaway Takedown festival was so amazing. Thank You to everyone who helped organize it. It didn't even matter that it ended up raining. I only took a few photos because my phone died, I wish I could have taken more.

In school this semester I am focusing on honing my drawing skills. I have been taking figure drawing, as well as figure painting.

The last thing that I wanted to mention on here is