Work in Progress
Getting closer....little by little. Below are days 21 and 22 not included in the blog before because I was out of town when I did them.
Work in Progress
Getting closer....little by little. Below are days 21 and 22 not included in the blog before because I was out of town when I did them.
Work In Process
Work In Process
Day 17 Strada Easel Challenge
This time...I gave myself a little break from that dang-nab shawl and focused on the kettle. Next, I’m going to resort to using an app to think of better options for the rest of the shawl. No matter how I rearrange the still life, the patterns in the shawl are just not falling the way I want them to.
Work In Process
Day 16 Strada Easel Challenge
So, there has been some progress made on the shawl...but it still has a ways to go.
Work In Process
Day 14 Strada Easel Challenge
Working on the other half of the painting. I don’t usually work this way but in this case, it keeps me from being overwhelmed by that darn shawl in the background. Still a lot to do. Hopefully I can persevere through it. I’m trying to get the detail in without being too photorealistic. I always shoot for painterly yet detailed.
Work in Process
Day 14 Strada Easel.Challenge
This side is almost done.
I now remember why I sat this one aside. I started with a black background...because that’s what was in my set up. Then, part way through I decided it really needed something to bring the three objects together besides a black background. Fortunately I had a colorful shawl that fit the bill...unfortunately, it added a tremendous amount of work to the piece. Like 2020, it was dark and overwhelming. As I progressed, the piece became too busy and the folds in the shawl was becoming too distracting. Lesson learned, be sure of your composition before you start. 😊 As painful as it is, I’m planning on cropping the painting into a square format (my favorite format)...and only including the left half of the teapot. Why, you might ask? Because the focal point is intended to be the shaft of light falling across the shawl and onto the tabletop, highlighting the sugar bowl, edge of the teapot/steam and flowers. The curve in the teapot handle will gently guide the eye from the top right corner of the piece down toward the light (at least that’s the plan).
I don’t know why, but during the winter months I wake very early (like, 3am today) so, I’m done for the day having put in 4-6 hours already). In fact, I see a nap in my near future (after Benny gets his dog walk in).
A Work In Progress
Silver Creamer and Cuties
6x6, oil
Day 12 Strada Easel Challenge
Practice makes perfect right? Well in this case, perhaps it looks like silver a bit more than in previous versions...or maybe not...but it was a fun exercise anyway!
Jewel Tones6x6, oil
Day 11 Strada Easel Challenge
These little jewel toned liquor glasses are some of my favorite ones (not that I have a lot of liquor glasses)...but, the painting itself didn’t meet expectations. For some reason the oil paint just didn’t want to go onto the canvas...so, like some paintings...I’ll probably paint it again.
A Bit of Berrries
6x6, oil
Avacado Sunrise
6x6, oil
Silver Sugar Bowl
6x6, oil
Day 8 Strada Easel Challenge
Once again focusing on reflective surfaces in a super small still life. I purchased this little silver sugar bowl (I think it’s a sugar bowl) in Arizona. I considered polishing it up before painting it, but the greenish patina was kind of charming. I’ll polish it later and paint it again.
Silver and Fuji
6x6, oil
Day 7 Strada Easel Challenge
Continuing with still life using a little wooden box...this time again, setting it up on top of the box to accommodate the bowl of fruit and focusing more on adding color. I just love painting reflections. 😊
Thinking Outside of the Box
6x6, oil
Day 6 Strada Easel Challenge:
Today I needed color! While dealing with shingles...and watching in disbelief as radical protesters stormed the Capital building...I just needed to go to a happier place! That involved searching for items that would make a happy colorful still life. So here you go! The beauty of painting is being able to go into “the zone”...where pain is dulled and the political rhetoric of the day is muted. May God bless and re-direct Americans towards a more tolerant peaceful existence.
Amber Glass
6x6, oil
Day 5 of the Strada Easel Challenge:
I loved the way the amber glass was reflecting off the back wall of this little wooden box. I'm giving myself a couple hours to crank something out each day...but I hope to refine this piece in the coming days. I'm going to have to square-up this box going forward since the canvas is square (the painting looks as though I couldn't paint a straight line) but,s maybe that's the funky nature of these still lifes. For now, I'll call it finished.
In The Zone
12x15, soft pastel
This piece has been brewing in my head for awhile. Finally, there was time in 2020 to give it it's due. I know what it's like to be "in the zone". It happens every time I paint. You lose all sense of time and place because you are completely focused on the creative task at hand. I knew that was the case for this gentleman too. I was drawn to his music as well as his state of mind.
He was playing a beautiful classical guitar piece at the Farmer's Market a couple years back. I love classical guitar music....and, I especially loved his "TIP" bucket. I can still remember the scene...strong light was pouring over him from the alleyway, tons of people were chatting at nearby restaurants, and there was the fragrant smell of fresh breads and intoxicating scents of fresh cut flower. In all the cacophony, he didn't seem to notice as he focused on the gentle music flowing from his guitar. Simply put, he was "In The Zone".
Pot In A Box
6x6, oil
Shell-ter In Place
6x6, oil
Day 3 of the Strada Easel Challenge:
These pieces are considered studies...since they don't possess all the realistic details I would typically paint into a scene such as this (and they're painted with oils)...but they are a lot of fun to play with! On the side, I am also painting in pastel...a more laborious juicy piece during the Challenge. Keeping the pedal to the metal when it comes to artwork (housework?...not so much, but then we are tidy folks anyway) 😎.
Yep, 2020 Was Epic!
Following are 2020 paintings that didn't get a fair shake. My routine was disrupted by the pandemic and frankly I succumbed to just going with the flow for most of the year. These were late summer and early fall paintings including a few plein air pieces.
Early Dawn 6x12, pastel
Feeling Boxed In
6x6, oil
The Last Bloom of 2020
6x8, oil
Day 1 of the Strada Easel Challenge: 2021 Is Here!
I'm not sure the world has ever been happier to start a New Year as it is this year. Of course, we are certainly not out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic in which we have all found ourselves. In fact, the pandemic rages on...it's never been worse. Our hospitals are full and struggling still to help all those who are in need of medical attention...whether COVID related or not. I heard a statistic today that 1 in 11 Americans have it or have had it. My grandson Tyler had a mild case from attending college. My grandsons Zack and Brian currently have mild cases, thank the Lord. And, we suspect my daughter's farm family in Washington state had early cases of it last spring...before testing was widespread.
The world has lost countless lives whether from the virus itself or as a result of it and it's impact on our healthcare system, our mental wellbeing, and the world's economy. Mankind is reluctantly united in a way we have never (in my lifetime) been united...to fight the virus, to get an effective vaccine, and to recover economically. But, most importantly, too recover our sense of freedom.
Oh how we took for granted the simple things in life! Now, we have to stop and consider whether we can visit our families and friends, go out to restaurants, movies, concerts, sporting events or fly on a plane. Even though our odds of surviving are quite good, most people are doing what it takes to both bolster our economy while at the same time staying healthy so we don't inadvertently spread the virus and further burden our healthcare system.
COVID19 has by now touched every family I know. Fortunately most have gotten mild or moderate cases and slowly recovered. Some have been in ICU yet thankfully survived. Several friends have lost loved ones and a few of my virtual friends have lost their lives.
Mankind has weirdly adapted to the uncertainty and heartbreaking reality of COVID19...yet we all yearn for the day we can return to the world we once had. So, in a way, we celebrate from afar, a new year...with new hope that 2021 will be better than 2020.
May God bless us all and help guide us to healthier and happier days ahead!