Still Life Workshop: Fantastic!

I couldn't have asked for better students for this past Saturday's still life workshop!  They did an incredible job.  I thoroughly enjoyed being with other artists.  I learn from them as well.  Here are some pictures from the day.

Having a Ball This Year

Had a great time at NAMTA seeing the art manufacturing business from the other side.  I enjoyed doing the demos for UArt.  Below is one I started at the trade show and finished up this past week at home.  It's a pastel on UArt paper.  24 X 18.  There is something about pool balls that I really enjoy and I suppose it's the fact that they are really colorful.  Having done portraits for so many years, I really enjoy a colorful change of pace.  Off to the next one!

Mixing It Up

Piece number two for the small works group show.  Creating this painting made me realize how complicated the mixing of color is up close.  I had never really paid much attention to the very subtle gradients that form between colors on a palette not to mention how many little sparkly highlights exist in wet paint.

Pastel of Pastels

Pastel on board.  20 X 17.

Sometimes it's nice to change it up and paint something that isn't a variation on tan, peach, brown, beige or white as it often is when painting portraits.  Throwing some tissue on my drawing board with a few of the pastels I used to create this piece seemed the perfect remedy.  It all seemed so simple at first until I realized how much I had crumbled the tissue.  That just created a lot more detail work than I had anticipated.  No matter, I like a challenge and this one certainly provided that!

Image Distortion-Marbles Magnified

Pastel on board.  26 X 10.

For many months now I wanted to include a beautiful magnifying glass that belongs to my mom in one of my paintings.  I finally remembered to ask if I could borrow it.  I've always loved marbles; I am fascinated by what happens to the light as it passes through them.  What better opportunity to get a closer look at the flowing swirls, the little air bubbles, and the distortions?   

A win! Outstanding Pastel in Bold Brush Painting Competition

It never hurts to get a "thumbs up" for one's art, right?  The Bold Brush Painting Competition for September sponsored by FASO is the first national contest I have entered...ever.  And what do you know?  The painting "Sweet Escape"(above) was chosen in the category of "Outstanding Pastel" which made for a nice day.  Thanks, FASO.

Three Amigos

Finally, I had the opportunity to work on a still life piece that had been calling my name.  I'm still not completely settled on a title, but someone suggested "Three Amigos" and so far it's my favorite.  This oil on canvas painting measuring 30" X 24" will soon be available at Ober Anderson Gallery in Kirkwood, Missouri.  I invite you to come in and see it in person.  The live version has a different impact from the smaller online image.

Marbles

Marbles.  Aren't the shadows they cast fun?  I think so.  Pastel on Uart Pastel Board.  Roughly 18 X 10.  I'm on a roll...

Get to the Point!

How about a very large and colorful pastel painting?  This one is 36 X 24 unframed...though it is being framed as I type this.  Pastel on Uart Pastel Board.  Love that stuff.  Finally, a still life that isn't edible.

The Art of Fine Dining

It seems I have a food theme going here!  Oil on panel.  Roughly 6 X 18.

New York, Old York

I confess.  I ate part of my still life set-up.  Oil on panel.  Delicious subject.

Office Party

Howdy!  Working feverishly on some still life paintings for the gallery.  This one is an oil on panel, 18 X 18.  I will never paint circles again.  Argh.

Late Summer Artwork

Recently, I had the opportunity to create another piece for the Rams.  This one (top) was to honor Marshall Faulk's HOF induction.  Other recently completed works:  A local circuit judge for the city hall and a fun still life.  I had painted this still life setup before but not nearly this large.  It measures 24 X 36 and is available my new gallery.

Above Top: "Odd Ball" Pastel, 24 X 18.
Above: "Captain Picard" Oil on panel. 14 X 18. I'm hoping to get Sir Patrick Stewart to sign this.

New Still Life-Zest Appeal

In advance of the grand opening of my gallery with Daven Anderson, I have been working on some still life paintings. I'm so used to working on commission and even with the gallery will continue to do that but I think I need some other paintings on the wall. This one is an oil on gallery wrapped canvas. It's large, measuring 24 X 24. Not sure what to call it yet. Maybe "Zest Appeal".

Watercolor-A Step into the Unknown

A friend inspired me to try watercolor for the first time in decades (except for the occasional house portrait). Above are the results of two very large paintings. I didn't realize what I had been missing all these years. Watercolor is so freeing!

Orchid

Here is a pastel I completed recently. Loved all the differing shades of white and white shadows. What a completely divinely created flower.

32

I could NOT think of a title for this, at least not anything entertaining. I'll sleep on it. In the meantime I just titled it "32" for probably obvious reasons. This is a very large painting so seeing it online is misleading. It is an oil on panel and is 40 X 25. Each billiard ball is about 10" in diameter. I have been wanting to paint these for months and finally got around to it. It really was a blast. Now if I could just find a buyer who might want it for a rec room...or hallway...or bathroom...or den...or kitchen...

My Middle Name

Well this is my final painting for my gallery show tomorrow. It will be hanging at child-hand level and is still a little bit tacky. Yikes! I really am a Starbuck's addict even though I drink decaf and "Starbuck's" really should be my middle name. This is on a deep cradled hardboard and was done in oil. It measures 12" X 12". I'm looking forward to seeing some friends tomorrow and hopefully making some new ones too!

Iris

I have to fess up I know almost nothing about flowers and I frequently bring about the early death of any flower within a mile from me. I understand these are some variety of iris (perhaps you can tell me). I found them at my sister's house, growing like weeds in her yard. Go figure. The only things that grow in my yard ARE weeds! Plant killing aside, I thought the flowers might be fun to paint and darn it, I haven't painted flowers in...well...I don't know how long. It's been a long time. This is another oil for my gallery show in May. 7 X 5 on prepared panel. Have a great day!