Self Portrait revisited [oil, 12”x9”]

I had another go at this self-portrait today.  I used the same canvas but set up the lights differently this time so that I could eliminate that awful shadow from my glasses.  I also worked at restating the neck, which had been too short [for me] and decided to attempt a more cheerful, less concentrated and grumpy, expression.  I like it better now although it might be a bit too yellow still.  It’s better than looking bruised as I did on May 16th.  Here’s the before picture so you can see the difference.  Cheerio!

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Draw [oil, 12”x9”]

Picking up is the only answer for this player…  Note to self:  dominoes are nasty subjects for a “quick” still life painting!!!  But, still better than dabbing at nicks in my walls – FAR better.  Cheers!

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May Showers [oil, 9”x12”

I just had to get out of this house today…  packing and reorganizing seems to be the theme at our place right now.  It’s been inspiring to reorganize my art room and find all kinds of ideas that I’ve jotted.  All are now safely stored away in a much more organized fashion.  My art accounts and invoices are also.  Phew! 

So, to reward myself for all that hard work I grabbed my gear and headed to the park on the ridge in the community of Tuscany.  Set up is so fast with my BestBrella and my Alla Prima pochade box.  I was looking west towards the Rockies and the clouds were rolling towards me.  I expected rain before I finished so I was hustling to get started.  That’s when I discovered that, although I remembered the all important mosquito repellant, I’d left my medium pots at home.  No walnut oil nor thinner to help with paint control. Too late for that – I sketched in quick and grabbed my palette knives.  Consequently, this painting is thick.  I basically slathered the paint on with my knifes and used a bristle brush on most of the sky – it was amazing how fast those clouds were moving!  But, the distinct line of dark was constant like this for a long time.  It didn’t rain on me but it certainly was raining at Springbank Airport.  Eventually the wind picked up enough that I had to collapse my umbrella but I kind of like this painting – LOVE painting with the knives [loved the sale at Curry’s too]! 

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Self Portrait in oil [11”x14”]

I painted this on Monday at my oil class…  just me, a mirror, and 5 colors of paint.  The overhead light is not attractive – the shadow of my glasses is quite awful but the exercise was to paint the shapes and values that one sees.  I think I kind of got a likeness at least and the light/dark areas on the mouth and chin are definitely working to describe the contours of my face. Cheers!

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Scrapescape 1 [oil, 9”x12”]

This scene repeats itself over and over again all along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  I had a bunch of paint left on my palette at the end of my painting session yesterday…  second day for some of it and I needed to clean it up and resqueeze for next painting session.  I used my palette knife throughout this painting.

Here's a question for my oil painting friends...

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Absolutely Art – May 14 – Haysboro Community Centre

You’re invited to the FCA Calgary spring 2011 show “Absolutely Art”, This Saturday from 10am – 4pm.  I have four pieces in this show and my first ever Honorable Mention for Lift My Eyes.  I’ve included a preview of my pieces and prices below.  There will be ~100 pieces of quality, juried art in this show – come one, come all!

Lift My Eyes, Acrylic on 36”x24”x2” gallery wrapped canvas.  Sides are painted so it can be hung as is or framed.  $800

Farming 101, Acrylic on 18”x24”x2” gallery wrapped canvas.  Sides are painted so it can be hung as is or framed.  $425

Counting Sheaves, Acrylic on 14”x18” canvas.  Framed in matte black.  $250 

Royalty, Watercolor, 10”x10” matted and framed in German Silver.  $190  

Cheers! 

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Mari, Mari… [oil, 12”x9”]

I did this little still life on the deck today.  The deck has the added advantage of a big umbrella and lots of space to spread out the junk.  It also royally ticks off the neighbor’s dog who barked 50% of the time I was painting.  Just another uncontrollable to practice blocking out if I want to learn to plein air paint. 

I also say “little” still life sarcastically b/c I bought a bunch of 9”x12” panels and that’s all I have right now.  Hmmm, there are some really good reasons plein air painters use tiny canvasses.  I will be rectifying the situation asap.  But, it was gorgeous today and I was outside.  So, it’s all good… cheers!

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