Monday, April 28, 2014

cloud study-

Tumultuous skies of late April make for exciting plein air studies.

Monday, April 21, 2014

warm trees remake

This painting began as a plein air study that never quite found its voice. See the study below- finished painting on top.
When I return from painting I normally place the board (onto which the painting is taped) on one of the sills in the studio. That way I get to live with it before making new marks. Usually, if I wait long enough the painting will tell me what to do.

This time the remake process began with smoothing out the lines and divisions so that I had more freedom to decide where the diva (center of interest) should be, in addition, where her supporting cast would do their job. That done, I sprayed a little Sennelier fixative so that I have a fresh beginning. I wanted the grasses to have a strong vibration that moved up the off center trees. I also wanted to lose the sharp melon colored border. The whole painting needed softness- less contrast. I later decided to have a delicate mesh-like peek-a-boo feeling in the grasses in the diva spot.
When you are no longer at the scene and do not use photo reference you are freer to look at your painting as an abstraction of color. Do you do your own remakes?

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

red tree 2 warmer palette




14x15 pastel


 I decided to play with the red tree and see what would happen when I make my palette warmer. In the meantime I am preparing a wood panel in order to paint much larger in oil: 36x36 vs the 15x14 you see here. The oranges are more a part of the grasses and trees. They replace the abundance of violets. I may like the first cooler one better. What do you think?

Monday, April 14, 2014

pastel demonstration: red and violet threads


red and violet threads, pastel 11.5x12
Saturday afternoon was my pastel demonstration at the Waverly Street Gallery. It was great to see so many people there! I decided to work on two different paintings. First, I showed how I begin a pastel and worked for about 45 minutes.For the second painting I demonstrated how I finish a painting, the thinking that goes into it. Most paintings need a "resting time" before finishing, therefore I worked with two different paintings. Above is the painting I finished at the demo.
For me, the unusual thing about this one was, I began with a used piece of watercolor paper that had black pastel all over it. I had begun a negative space eraser drawing and decided I didn't like its direction. Later, I wiped most of the black off, but it still left a very dark piece of paper. (I normally begin with white.) On a whim, I chose it to create a new color pastel.  I covered the black with large shapes of dark purple(tree and grass) and a lighter blue (sky areas.) After the shapes were massed in, there was a whole different feeling. The color rose out of the darker space. I rather liked working this way and will try it again this week.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

pastel demonstration and opening


Last night's opening reception at the Waverly Street Gallery was wonderful. I hope to post some photos when I get them. Today I will be giving a pastel demonstration at the Waverly Street Gallery. Please come if you are able...if not, you can look forward to my new video that I will post this week. My friend Coba made a  wonderful movie of my painting session on Tuesday. More about that later.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

filming


pastel, 10x9
This morning Coba came out on location with me for some plein air filming. The lake was beautiful with a thin mist and slight bud burst of pinks and reds. You can see the wetness of the paper. I tried to use that wetness to help the development of the painting.This is one that can easily feed a large oil- in the studio.
I will post Coba's video of me working within the week.
In the meantime- check out my facebook page- Hopefully this link will lead you to my artist page, instead of my time line.
Hope to see you at my opening-Friday, April 11.

Friday, April 4, 2014

thinking about sharp vs soft and my show


I apologize for my absence. I have been so busy getting ready for my upcoming show at the Waverly Street Gallery.  It gets installed tomorrow evening and opens to the public on Tuesday. The reception is Friday the 11th- 6-9PM. Please come if you can.
I thought I would  take this opportunity to post this painting- River Evening. It seems to be one of my favorites from this show. Why I wonder?
I think it is the use of a soft less focused space and the rawness of this pastel combines to create a deeper feeling. You see the drips, spills and smudges...in fact I think they make the painting stronger. More to the concept.
What do you think?