Work in progress… flowers in vase

I’ve been working on this one off and on for a few days now.  I’m keeping the colors almost analogous, but the flowers want a bit of that orange in them.  This surface has a lot of molding paste texture in the background.  My next step is going to be excavating some of the texture with my Speedball lino cutter.  This will be my first attempt at this so wish me luck!  I’m in an experimental mood – why not? 

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I Don’t Think She Likes Me (acrylic, 11”x15”)

How wonderful it is to putter on a happy subject when I’m feeling down.  That’s what I did today and presto chango – the happiness of the subject & the bright colors lifted my spirits.  It might be temporary but it all helps, right?  

For those of you that are interested, the photo below was the state of the painting after the first painting session a few days ago.  I kept only the three main sunflowers and noted that the two smaller ones seem a bit in awe of the “big girl”.  They appear to be leaning towards each other and whispering.  So, now you know the crazy things that are running around inside my head, haha!  I quite enjoyed working the background transparently, then translucently and finally, in the upper right corner, opaquely. 

Thanks for viewing & have a great week!

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Camping at Three Sisters [acrylic on canvas, 12”x18”]

The last time I posted this painting was July 16th and it’s been waiting patiently on my list of “to do’s” since.  Today I puttered with it a bit and I’m liking it better for a summer painting.  As you can see from the “before” photo below, the mountains were pretty cold looking for summer.  When the sun is further north these mountains get quite a bit more warmth on them. 

I made it down to Wallace Gallery for a quick look at Brent Laycock’s landscapes exhibit and was amazed by the gorgeous color and  variety in Brent’s work.  Cheers!

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Elbow Falls [11”x15”, acrylic]

This is my painting Elbow Falls after the most recent tweaks.  I’m still playing with transparent/translucent/opaque acrylics.  Since the post on Nov 17 I have made the sky a brighter opaque orange & added some lights back into the rock face.  I’m really liking this one now – it is a great painting subject.  I look forward to a plein air session there next summer.  Cheers!

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Frosty [watercolor monoprint on BFK Rives paper]

Last year I used watercolor paint straight from the tube and plastic Yupo “paper” to build a monoprint plate of this snowman.  I’ve had it tucked away in my studio.  Yesterday I scrounged up a piece of BFK Rives printmaking paper and processed the print.  However, a quick read of my blog post from last March 16 would have been a good idea – I forgot to blot the paper before printing.  As a result of the extra water, this print is a little blurry…  it adds to the snowy feel though so I don’t mind it.  Here are the images:

Watercolor on Yupo plate         Print –muzzy as you can see!

     

This is what’s left on the yupo paper after the print. 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to my USA friends and family!

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The development of a figure painting… Swing Song again

Today I puttered on a couple of paintings including my violinist.  She’s been in the pile an awfully long time and, as I looked at the variety of photos I’ve taken of her, I can see some interesting developments.  So, here’s a look back in time.  

Today, after another 90 minutes of puttering, she looks like this:

The photo below was taken yesterday…  I was liking the dark band and vertical behind her but felt that the light and dark were too far apart in value.  Also, the transparent dark green paint was fighting with the absorbent ground and quite streaky.  I developed the sense of light on the figure and it’s now more dramatic. 

The signed version below had a very choppy background which I kind of liked at the time but I’ve since changed my mind.  I bought some absorbent ground a while ago and recently I decided to experiment a bit on this painting.  I put two coats of the stuff on the background and, once dry, I laid in very light transparent washes.  Once dry I added the dark green bands you see above.  WOW!  That’s some kind of interesting acrylic medium.  It absorbs so much that it’s almost like 300lb watercolor paper…  some interesting things happened with all the hills and valleys on the surface. 

The 3 images below are earlier stages and I show them to give some of the background of the paint.  There are so many layers on that surface now.  It all adds up to interesting!  You can see I’m struggling with the girl’s right hand and the placement of the bow.  From the first “oh, I see a violinist!!!” I’ve been struggling with how to get this thing to work.  It might not be much of a painting – ever.  But, it’s certainly been a good workshop for me.  Cheers!

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If You Could See Me Now [14”x11”,acrylic on canvas]

I’ve had another go at the colors on this painting.  Mostly I’m going back into this one to try to help me work through missing my brother.  This painting speaks to me of Chuck’s continued presence in our lives through the veil.  I know his spirit lives on. 

I believe that at times he is aware of what’s going on as part of “the great cloud of witnesses” cheering us on to victory in our lives.  He’s much more able to intercede on our behalf from there.  He’s also busy learning all the ropes up there and Kiya [she’s just coming up to her 2 year birthday] has got Papa on a steep learning curve I’m sure!  Lots of people to show him around to.  I can imagine how wonderful it was for him to finally hold that little one in his arms.  I can imagine him sitting around visiting with those that have gone before and enjoying their company. 

If I asked him if he’d rather be here with us I can imagine him saying “sometimes sis.  But, you’d be glad for me if you could see me now”.  Well, I am glad for him…  just not so much for the rest of us.  But, this week I promise to work a bit harder at entering into the Christmas spirit.  Have a great week!

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