Commission.

COMPLETED

Continued Balance

48" x 48"

After painting in the xenoliths(see my last blog post) the reflection detail was applied to the painting.  Then my signature on the bottom left area of the painting.

Commission complete.  Painting delivered and installed.

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More Commission.

More and More Painting

I found myself painting below the surface during this past week.  Clear tones of Pthalo and Aqua, mixed with white pigment brushed onto the canvas to create the beginning of the underwater portion of the painting.

 

The definitive dark line separating the above and below aspect was bothering me so I worked on lightening this part of the painting by giving it layers of texture in lighter tones. 

The base or bottom of the lake with light patterns became the next aspect to lay in.

This is how the painting looks as it sits on my easel today. Now for detail work both above and below the surface. Check back...more and more and more to come.

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Commission Continued.

Lake Tahoe Boulders

It was a productive week in the studio, working on this Lake Tahoe Rock and Water commission.

 The boulders are beginning to take form on the canvas with the use of a limited palette.   This could be considered under painting, or laying down basic pigment colors, because eventually there will be glazing over these rock forms that will add additional color which will give these rocks a luscious form and texture.

For now, the rocks grow and change.  And there are a few minor changes to come, however this is the progress so far. Compare the image above with the image directly below to look for a couple minor changes that cause the balanced rock to move forward in the composition.  Can you see it?

And now look at the image below to see how the addition of a little lighter pigment on the rock below the balanced rock lets the eye see a more rounded form.

There is already another slight change, to show you next week, so come back.  The install date for this painting is coming up quickly, so I am running back to the easel.

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Commission

And So It Begins

 In all actuality this commission began a couple months ago with kayak trips out to one of my favorite spots on Lake Tahoe to sketch a variety of locations to present to the customer.  They selected a composition inspired by a huge balanced boulder in a small cove off Crystal Bay Point.   

After additional presentation of the palette the actual painting begins. 

This is how it happens:

The big (48" x 48") canvas is coated with white gesso.  

The first pigments go into the palette.

 I typically paint from top to bottom and left to right, and that being the case, after the composition was sketched onto the canvas the sky was painted onto the canvas.

As of this morning this is how the canvas looks. One of the boulders has begun to come to life.  There are hours and hours to spend in front of this canvas, so check back to watch the progress.

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Fence Post Cactus II.

The Beginning of the Second Canvas

 You recall I am painting a triptych (three canvases that will hang together) of Fence Post Cactus, or plants that look or fit that general description, and that I completed the first canvas.  So now, here is the beginning of the second canvas.

It's a Browningia hertlingiana....quite a mouth full.  These magnificent plants which live in the dry valleys of Peru grow to 33 feet tall.  Substantial.  I particularly like the faceted look of the plant parts;  like little jewels.

This Browningia hertlingiana has wickedly spiky, sharply pointed, long thorns to protect those little jewels.

It is a slow process to brush on each thorn, but it is rewarding to see the plant come to life on the canvas.  First the thorns go on and secondly the shadows they cast. After the addition of a few minor high lights,  it will be time to begin the third canvas.  

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Thankful For Art

The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.
Friedrich Nietzsche 

We have passed through Thanksgiving in the U.S. when we spend time thinking about situations and people surrounding us that bring us joy, happiness, and thoughtfulness.  We then give thanks and express our gratitude.  Those of us who create acknowledge our passion, desire, and ability to make something where there was nothing before.  As artists we also realize and honor the torment under which we live, well, maybe.  Personally I am comfortable, sometimes, and greatful for the torment.  If it weren't for this torment I might not take the time to create.

The constant torment of what to create, how to create, when to spend the time, questioning the result, desiring acceptance of the work.  The questions go on and on, endless in fact.  Everyone who is successful conquering the torment has embraced it, used it to push their work forward and knows it will return over and over again.  It's the plight of the artist, but one for which we should all be thankful for it is a tool and part of who we are and part of our ability to create.  

beginning the background on my newest painting

the background painted in with high and low lights and a great deal of movement

the prickly pear paddles begin to appear

close up brushing the pigment onto the canvas

the painting as of today....loads more to do

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Artist's Statement

If you are an Artist,

You are frequently asked for an Artist's Statement.

Not only can you be asked for a statement about your work in general, but for a statement about a group of work or an individual work.  The other day I was asked to describe my work in one word.  I chose BOLD.  That seems to sum up my composition. 

The Big Split

48x36

3500.

Currently Exhibited at Vista Gallery in Kings Beach, CA

I might have chosen DRAMATIC.

Golden Boulders

48x60

6000.

Currently Exhibited at Village Interiors, Incline Village, NV

I thought about STYLIZED.  And CONTEMPORARY entered my mind.

Serenity

16x20

650.

Currently Exhibited at Vista Gallery, Kings Beach, CA

Or even COLORFUL.

Three Birds

36x36

3500.

But in the end I settled on BOLD, as a one word description. Taking it a little further my description becomes:  

Bold, colorful, representational paintings presented with contemporary stylization.  

The process of distilling a description of your work into one word helps with the process of creating a succinct, understandable description.  Give it a try.

To contact me click HERE

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Art Commission Installed.

Another Commissioned Painting

Done, Delivered, Installed!

It was inspired by small, lush palms that grow in the yard of the new owners' home and it's titled:  Palm Paradise.  

The palette for this triptych, the blues and greens primarily, were selected to make a visual statement, to allow the painting to move forward off the wall.

Typical of my style, the subject is stylized and the composition is bold.

The new owners, who now count eleven of my paintings in their collection,  exclaimed:  WE LOVE IT!  And they have commissioned another.  An even dozen sounds good to me!

To contact me click HERE

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