Landscapes~~Oil Studies

When the Geode Gallery sent out the flier regarding my art show, within twenty minutes of sending it, the gallery owener received a phone call from an interested buyer regarding one of the works on the flier.
Wicked Cool and Wow!!
I met the prospective buyer at the opening. She had decided against the one she saw on the flier; the size wasn't right for where she wants to hang it, but expressed strong interest in a commission piece.
Sooooo...
The pieces below are oil studies for a larger work. Which I'll do regardless of whether or not the buyer decides to buy one or not.



TOGETHER



TOGETHER II



LONE


Each piece is smallish; about 8 x10 to 10 x 12. They're oil on panel and I used photo references after a visit to a local park. I know the park well and stayed for an hour or so taking shots. I prefer plein air painting, but for many reasons these had to be painted in the studio.

I came across an interesting article in The Artist's Magazine (Sept. 2009)about composition and design. The writer and artist; Ian Roberts, has outstanding reminders and pointers about achieving strong and dynamic compositions. I thought about the article as I worked on my thumbnails--working with value.
I worked on simplifying the compositions and for these pieces the buyer is interested in a 'dreamy' look; so I worked more with glazing than I normally do.
I enjoyed tinkering with the figure/ground relationships and found the areas where the light shows through the row of trees really captivating. This has always intriqued me, the abstract shapes made by the holes between trees; how the shapes are indistinct..the way light glows through from behind.

The opening at the Geode Gallery Friday night was lots of fun. Lots of people came, the night was warm and clear with a full mooon. The moonlight reflecting off St. Theodosius church next door was glowing.
The Geode Gallery is the building that was featured in the scene of The Deerhunter in which Meryl Streep worked in the market.
Most exciting is that the large painting I'm standing next to in the photo above sold before the show opened. A great way to start an exhibit!

Because They Are

because they reflect lovely

Who does she think she is?

Opportunistic cat. With the studio in a state of preparation for an upcoming show, sweet little Junior Kitty, a.k.a. "Schnook" used the canvas that is being flattened (I hope) for the perfect napping spot---for the last few days!

(Isn't it annoying when canvases warp? Darned humid Ohio weather!)

Sparkles and Shadows

a morning walk, sunrise
the spiders were busy



my daughter and me

What have I been painting lately... on a cloudy August morning and sketchbook inspiration.

okay, so there's plenty to look at here.
it was one of those clouds hanging heavy over the trees and earth kind of misty mornings.
i was hoping to go out and do some plein air painting but the weather kept me in. i was staring out the studio back door wishing i could go out to paint.
just looking out.
it started with a quick study (not shown) then led to another.



then another.



then this big one. 36 x 48. it's striking in real large life. i wish the digital photos conveyed how they feel like the atmospheric cloudiness of the day.



this is a sketchbook scribble paint drawing which



led to this.



i bought this canvas at a yard sale when i was in Chautauqua earlier this summer. it was already painted on and heavily textured, 36 x 36 in size. i had some fun messin' around with the surface texture--scraping away areas and adding my own lines, shapes and textures.

i call it Flight. i think of my mom and dad, not that they fled but are in flight, beautiful flight.

Art Studio Coming Along

Our Barn/Studio is in the 2nd phase of construction! Vinyl siding is going up as I post.
The above photo shows the great view from my neighbor's yard.

Below is the inside view from what will be the back wall of the studio looking out to the back yard.





This view is from the side yard looking at the long wall, left half is barn and right half is studio.

More pics to follow of the outside completion! This winter we'll finish the interior, the plan is to move in next spring!!!