Bucket-Fulls

9x12 pastel

I haven't worked in pastels since taking Margaret Dyer's workshop in March. I got a few ampersand boards (which I really like) and I got some more colors as I needed some more interesting dark colors. And since I've been working away diligently on my June show, I thought I'd take a break and play with pastels for a bit. This is a work in progress, but its coming along. My favorite part? His ears! :-)

This weekend I am heading for our Texas coast with Plein Air Austin folks for a painting retreat. It will be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to some interesting new subjects to play with as well as all the camaraderie of hanging out with a bunch of accomplished artists.

Catch and Release

10x8 oil on paper
$125 including priority shipping (US)
sold

I've been trying to come up with a new way to create paintings for my blog again - for art collectors on a budget (and aren't we all these days, really?) I just can't paint those little canvases though. I find that they cause me to tighten up which could not be more frustrating for me. I've done 'sketches' on paper before and I like the results and the room to be expressive.

The paper is 9x12 and I am taping off the sizes I want to paint so there is a white border around the painting. The paper is substantial enough to stand up to the paint, its coated, acid free and it has a slight weave like canvas. While the works are larger, they aren't going to compete with my gallery work. I'm limiting myself to 30 minutes on these, and I can't tell you what a great exercise it is for me. A digital timer is the best tool in the studio. More on that later.

And finally, here are some fun ideas I've found while surfing the web for those of you who buy small paintings or my works on paper and want to display them creatively and cheaply.

1. Clipboards

2. Wooden hangers

3. Clips

4. Or you can easily get a ready made from with glass any home decor or craft store

Day Glo

6x6 oil on panel
sold

This was also sent to Castle Gallery a couple of weeks ago and it sold during their opening reception. I just now realized that its very much about complements. I know I am drawn to things that are 1. very strongly lit; 2. colorful; and 3. interesting perspectives... but I didn't notice this was very much about complements; something that we played with in our monthly challenge last month. I know some of the others continued to play with a limited palette using complements since that exercise. I am thinking of using a limited palette maybe for this summer. As I travel, it will be good perhaps to have less to carry and less to fuss over when I want to get a quick sketch at the beach.

The work of Kevin Weckbach comes to mind when I think of someone using a limited palette and complements really well. His work is wonderfully fresh, loose and unique. Check him out.

Art to Heart '08

Bucket Brigade
12x12 oil on panel

I thought I'd make a note about an upcoming art auction where the above painting is going.

The event, Art to Heart, is to benefit Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center in Wilmington, NC. And the young ladies who founded the program are two sisters, one of whom has a rare heart condition and recently had surgery to correct the problems. To give back to the children's hospital where she had her treatment and raise awareness for the recognition of Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome, they are having what may turn out to be an amazing art auction. So far nearly 100 fine artists have contributed work for the event which is to be Friday, November 7 at the Balcony on Dock Street in Wilmington.

Heart problems run in my family, so fundraising efforts to increase awareness and treatment both for preventable and genetic heart health issues are close to home and I couldn't say no to these young women's efforts. Its ironic that I sent the painting today, and tomorrow I am going in early for a test on my heart to check for a leaking valve or other issues. One never knows.

Catch of the Day

5x7 oil on panel
$100 + $11 s/h - sold

These are the same girls from yesterday. My neighbors actually. They play, and therefore offer me poses, frequently. The background is my own doing. I am trying to not be as literal with my settings... the people are the focus. This particular pose didn't invite much surrounding information anyway, but I hope to be able to simplify better on some more complicated scenes like restaurants. I think I have been daunted lately by the amount of information in such scenes. This painting felt good; I finally felt like I got my stride back as far as laying down my paint.