Box Me In? [acrylic, 11”x15”]

Last time I listed some issues with this painting:

1. reintegrate and add interest to the top right shape
2. resize the intervals on the left side
3. take a proper photo [last time I took it at night with artificial light]

After referring to my viewfinder design [small image above], I added the small slices in the top triangle and the central shape.  I also added a curvy wedge shape to the top right to make that shape more interesting.  I missed the boat on that bottom shape – too many lines and it’s too big but I will live with it for a while before I make any more changes.  Enjoy!

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Box Me In? [acrylic, 11”x15”]

Step 2 – as it sits right now

The inspiration for this non-objective or abstract painting is a 1”x1.5” viewfinder design cut from a large newspaper image.  I like the patterns of lights and darks and I’ll keep the 4 large shapes while playing back and forth with the details.  I’ve got some work to do to reintegrate and add interest to the top right shape.  I will also need to resize the intervals on the left side…  they’ve become equal and boring.  After that I’ll take a proper photo and repost. 

Step 1 photo below.  The surface is 300lb watercolor paper which had been sealed [with 2 coats of Golden acrylic gel], loosely painted, given up on, and then covered with one coat of gesso.  You might expect that the first layer of paint would be insignificant but you’d be wrong.  As the acrylic paint dries [which takes a very LONG time], the surface layers melt into those below and the result is a very unique surface.  If you enjoy working your way out of chaos, you’d like this way of painting…  Enjoy!

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Chinook [acrylic, 16”x20”]

We’re home from Mexico and I’m back into the studio.  Rather than dive into my Mexico reference material, I’m finishing up some paintings that have been waiting for me. 

We get some bizarre clouds here in the foothills.  The skies are big – Montana’s got nothing on Alberta, that’s for sure.  This painting is roughly based on a photo I took of one of those big skies.  I worked on the sky first and just today I painted the foreground snowy hills. 

  Wishing I was still in beautiful Bucerias…. Tengan un buen dia!

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Sayulita [5”x7” ink & watercolor]

We visited Sayulita on Saturday to watch the surfers and see the local Saturday bustle.  It is about a 40 minute ride on the local bus service – FAR advanced relative to Calgary’s transit system.  The seats were comfortable and softened the bumpy roads somewhat.  We had a lovely walk on the beach, in fact the guys in this sketch could be Ron and Stu contemplating renting a board, jk!  The sea was very rough on the outer shore so with red flags flying we were very careful.

Later we enjoyed watching the Huichal ladies in the plaza making their colorful items for sale….  Mexico feels wonderful, safe and warm.  That said, we are being very cautious while we enjoy!  Hasta Luego!

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Floral reworked… again [acrylic, 22”x15”]

These flowers are still evolving.  Today I turned many of the flowers opaque blue and blue/green.  I like that color but I’m unsure how I feel about the yellow now.  I get new ideas when I view a thumbnail of a painting.  Between that and living with the changes for a while I hope I’ll eventually get this one finished!  Next steps…  deal with the yellow – move it around OR lose it, add one or two [?] more tulip leaves over the left middle.  After some time and distance I’ll give it another whirl.

The pic below is from the last posting on this painting in early December.   

The weather here in Calgary is wintery and perfect for leaving behind!  I’m excited to be  Heading off to Puerto Vallarta for 10 days next Wednesday Can’t wait!  Hasta mañana

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Self-Portrait tweaks

Slight tweak to move the pupil further right and darken the shadows in the eye area.  Better but I may need one more glaze on that left eye.  Eventually…. 

New changes…  eye moved left A LOT!!!  Now my left eye is crossed – sheesh!  I also reshaped the glasses with the bridge further down my nose.  It helps a bit but it’s still pretty long.  Hmmm…

Second post…  Jan 22.  Better, but the wall eye is definitely not working. 

First post…  Jan 20.

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Golden Hour [acrylic on 16”x16” gallery canvas]

 This started out as just some warm colors on the canvas which I intended to use for another cloud painting [see below].  But as the paint started to run and flow, trees began to appear.  I cooperated and the result is Golden Hour.  Hope you like it!

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