Flamenco Dancer in White

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Flamenco Dancer in White  11x14  Oils on masonite panel

I was trying to get a mood of the dancer on a darkened stage with two spotlights illuminating her.  There is a spot light out of the picture to the right.

The photo makes the background look like light blue while it is in fact a mixture of green & red with a LITTLE prussian blue mixed in for good measure.   The background in the painting appears almost black.

Menton France - Hat on Garden Gate

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Menton France - Hat on Garden Gate  11x14  Oils on masonite panel

Another inspiration from Jilly Bennet's blog Menton Daily Photo! 

It appears that I have most things leaning to the left. What's that all about?

I tried to capture that the sun was casting a shadow onto the left front of the home while the right is shadowed.  Maybe I should darken the shadow?

France - Apricale -The Conversation - Two Men

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France - Apricale -The Conversation - Two Men  11x14  Oils on masonite panel

This painting was inspired by a photo on Jilly Bennet's blog Menton Daily Photo.

To create the stone wall, I used a painting knife for the first time then a brush to put in the shadows. All in all I think that the stones are believable. :-)

France - Menton - Creole Beauties

Creole Beauty 1
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France - Menton - Creole Beauties  9x12  Oils on masonite panel

Sorry about the photographs. :-(  

Thanks to Jell Bennett's blog Menton Daily Photo for taking such wonderful photographs and giving me permission to use the photos to make paintings.

I apologize that I can't find the posting in Jilly's blog of this young lady. Dang! 

 Part of the Creole Du Cap posts are here.

 The paint is still wet on these and I'll continue working on them when the paint dries.

Creole Beauty 2
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Creole Beauty 3
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Flamenco in Menton France

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Flamenco in Menton, France  15x24  Oils on masonite panel

From a photo posted by Jill Bennett on her blog Mento Daily Photo. The lady in Jill's photo is Isabel Cortes who is leading a class in the annual Gorbio, Frnace, Flamenco Festival. I did NOT attempt to capture Mme Cortes' image, but used her form as a basis to begin.

My painting is not yet complete, but I am posting it anyway! :-)  Sorry for the glare in this photo my camera looks for these glare spots! :-(

The panel is half of a larger painting 24x30 that needed to be "downsized".  The luxury of using masonite panels is that I can make the size smaller by sawing off a section.

Cowboy roping wild mustang

S O L D

Cowboy roping wild mustang  11x14  Oils on masonite panel

This was a fun painting to make. I didn't think that I could make a reasonably believable image of a horse. I've tried once before and it wasn't very pleasant to look at! :-)

I think that I've made a "REASONABLE" duo of horses and one cowboy. This was quickly done in about (maybe) three hours - I really don't know but it just came out of my brushes with only a few "ooopsies". (I usually have many).

By the way, in my painting the horse is gray, not bluish! I needed to get that said. :-)

Market Flower Vendor

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Market Flower Vendor  11x14  Oils on masonite panel

Another "EH!" photo from my naughty camera. ANYWAYYYYY. . . . 

This is from a photo I had in my computer files. I've long forgotten where it came from or when I downloaded it.  I do know (I think) that this was photographed in Seattle's Pike Place Market. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!  :-)

The original photo had much more floral detail in the background which, in my humble opinion, took away from the lady graciously making an arrangement for her customer.

Street Scene - Market Day

NOT FOR SALE

Street Scene - Market Day  17x24  Oils on masonite panel

I'm betwixt and between with this one. It's probably very obvious, but I have forgotten where I was going with it! :-)  It made sense to me when I began but I haven't worked on it for several days and . . . . .

Maybe you have a "helpful" suggestion? 

I have almost decided to just paint over it and move on with something else. 

Grain Elevator With Red Door

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Grain Elevator With Red Door  12x16  Oils on masonite panel

This started out as painting of "just a grain elevator" but then I decided that since it wasn't going to actually rain here that I would make a rain storm in a painting. And I'll pretend that it will rain any day now. (I also get up early for the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.)

This painting captures the grain elevator a few minutes after the rain storm has moved on.

I note that in the photo the building seems to be leaning to the left. I measured (with a ruler) the painting and the building really isn't crooked. I'll blame this on my camera! :-)

Flamenco Dancer In Red

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Flamenco Dancer In Red  14.5 x 24  Oils on panel

This is the best photo so far and I've taken MANY. Amazing, isn't it? :-)

I can't seem to get the focus in focus and the glare unglared in the same photo. This photo has been tweaked very much with Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 and it still isn't a good representation of the painting.  Enough whining, right?

I did some flamenco dancers a few months ago then this weekend I was browsing my photo files for an idea for a painting and came upon this figure who in the reference photo is one of several dancers on a stage. I think that the painting looks fine and I'll try to make a better photo from time to time. Until then I've started on one of two paintings of grain silos. Yup, grain silos. Go figure!  :-)

BTW, I make my "panels" using a Masonite panel on a wooden frame which is then covered with cotton canvas. This panel and one other were left over from cutting "standard" panel sizes from a sheet of masonite thus the wierd width of fourteen and a half inches.

Casey 9/15/2005 - 8/6/2010

We had to put Casey to sleep this morning due to kidney failure and cancer.  A very good dog and a best friend to Melissa and me.  He leaves a huge void that will take a long time to ease.

We still have Simon (a boxer) and Bella (a miniature schnauzer) to help us in our grief.

9/25/2009

1/29/2006

Frog

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Frog   16x20  Oils on canvas

This is one of the "pet" frogs from Melissa's frog pond. The painting suggests that he/she is large, but it's pretty small. I'm not about to measure it but the rocks are maybe 1/2 an inch?

Water Lily

S O L D

Water Lily  16x20  Oils on canvas panel

This is the first (only) bloom in Melissa's "frog pond". The frog pond is our 50 gallon water element near her pergola on the North side of our house.

It's too dang H O T ! ! !

This is a photo of our indoor/outdoor thermometer. The big number at the top is the outside temperature while the number a the bottom left is the inside temperature.  The sending unit is on the wall of our patio - in the shade! The temperature has been triple digits for several days with NO RAIN!  Enough, already. This is 38 celcius, by the way.

The Guitar Player

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The Guitar Player  9x9  Oils on masonite panel.

This painting came from visiting the internet in a Flamenco website. I'm afraid that I've lost the URL for the particular website.

This painting would not photograph for me. The reflections and bright light in my studio were too much for my camera.  I even tried using a cardboard box but that didn't work.  I'll give the painting some time to dry then try again with subdued lighting.

The Hombre

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The Hombre  9x9  Oils on masonite panel

This painting came from my brain but it's probably (DUH) something that I have seen somewhere. I don't know where, though.

I don't know if this "hombre" is a rustler or a lawman or just a podnuh on a ranch. But with those squinty eyes he looks like one tough customer. :-)

Young Woman Smoking

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Young Woman Smoking  11x14  Oils on canvas panel

This was painting came from a photo in Jill Bennet's blog Menton Daily Photo.  I think that I will like this painting better after I make a few, small changes/modifications.

I'll continue trying to make a decent photo of this painting - until then . . . .  sigh.

Creole at Place du Cap 2

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Creole at Place du Cap 2  16x20  Oils on canvas panel

My apologies to Jilly Bennett's blog Menton Daily Photo. See and read Jilly's post here. This painting has been a struggle for me and I guess that it shows.

I think maybe I need to paint over it and start over. I'm not sure.

The Accordion Player

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The Accordion Player  12x16  Oils on canvas panel

AND another painting inspired by a photo from Jilly Bennett's blog Menton Daily Photo. See and read Jilly's post here.  While you're there, "browse" her other posts.

I've had this painting "completed" for over a week but keep going back to make adjustments.  Something isn't quite right, but what . . . . . ?

The Fish Monger

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The Fish Monger  12x16  Oils on canvas panel

Another painting inspired by a photo from Jilly Bennett's blog Menton Daily Photo. See and read Jilly's post here.  While you're there, "browse" her other posts.

I'm happy with this painting - for now. I want to glaze some of the background to "set it back" and perhaps put some emphasis on the fish up front.

Maybe not. :-)

Offering of fish

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Offering of fish  12x16  Oils on canvas panel

Yet another painting inspired by a photo from Jilly Bennett's blog Menton Daily Photo. See and read Jilly's post here.  While you're there, "browse" her other posts - really well done and very interesting.

I need to do something to something that's bothering me.  Maybe it's the reddish potatoes? They just don't make sense in this painting but did in Jilly's photo. I also want to change the blue basket.

7/19/2010 - DUH! I learned that the "potatoes" ain't! They're FLOATS for the nets!  AAAAAAUUUUGHHHH!

Boats in a foggy marina

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Boats in a foggy marina  12x16  Oils on masonite

This painting is taken from several reference photos. I'm not completely happy with this one - yet but for now I'll "let 'er be".







With some advice from Liz (Art With Liz) I added dark in the water under the boat. Looks some better - B U T . . . .   Thanks, Liz.

The Onlooker

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The Onlooker  16x20  Oils on canvas panel

The inspiration for this painting comes from Jilly's blog Menton Daily Photo.  This fellow in Menton, France is watching an outdoor wedding below his window.  I can't find the post in Jilly's blog! - aaaaah!

Man sitting in doorway

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Man sitting in doorway  16x20  Oils on canvas panel

I made this painting from a black & white photo that I saw in the National Archives website. The man wasn't as happy in the original photograph. The photo appears to have been taken during the US "great depression" and the fellow was probably wondering how he was going to take care of his family.

The Cookout

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The Cookout  16x20  Oils on canvas panel

From a photograph from the blog of Jemal Kasradze

"Georgia - Between Caucasus and Black Sea" (http://jemalkasradze.blogspot.com/2010/06/witchcraft.html)  Mr. Kasradze makes really wonderful photos that are posted by Irina Rekhviashvili who (no surprise) is a very talented artist! See her work at http://irinapictures.blogspot.com/

I think that I'm happy with my painting but I'll probably "need" to fix something later! :-)

Early Morning Golfers

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Early Morning Golfers  12x16  Oils on Masonite Panel

These golfers are the first out on this morning. The time of day is supposed to be just after sunrise with subdued light and a little ground fog here and there.

I've been glazing the background trying to deepen the dark shadows under the trees and I have more work to do.

I also want to sharpen up the golfers, they seem to be blurry (NOT my camera this time!)

Creole Festival Dancers

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Creole Festival Dancers  12x16   Oils on Masonite Panel

These ladies (and one guy in the left background) are an "unofficial" part of a larger group in the Fête du Citron in Menton, France. From a photograph by Jilly in her blog Menton Daily Photo.

Where's The Delivery?

Where's The Delivery?  16x20  Oils on canvas panel

This guy was hired to repair the stucco on the building walls but his materials that he ordered last week haven't arrived.  (He's thinking naughty thoughts about the delivery person.)

Irises

Irises  12x16  Oils on Masonite Panel

These irises are in front of our house. The window is where my "studio" used to be in the front bedroom. The shingles aren't really blue - artistic license going on! 

Chef On Break Before Dinner Hour

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Chef On Break Before Dinner Hour  12x17  Oils on stretched canvas

The chef is taking a break before the dinner rush speaking to two of his friends.  It's almost dark and the lights are beginning to be turned on.

I will probably darken the darks a bit more. But for now, I'll call this one "finished"!

Yellow Tulips - Rookie Painter Challenge 5

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Yellow Tulips  12x16  Oils on gessoed panel

This is my entry into the ROOKIEPAINTER blog Challenge Number 5.

I don't do flowers very often and maybe this painting will illustrate why. I not totally happy with it (am I ever?) but there comes a time when I need to just STOP and leave well enough alone.

I'm looking forward to the next "challenge" - I THINK!  :-)

Really, it was fun to make this painting and explore new stuff. 

It seems that my camera is being naughty once more and focusing on anything but the subject I'm photographing! It has the "automatic focus" and I've not learned a way to override that.  Maybe if I were to read the manual?  hmmmmmmm

Lost in the moment - The Sax Player

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Lost in the moment - The Sax Player  16x20  Oil on canvas panel

Another case of I don't know why or how this happened!  Something I saw obviously but DUH I sure don't know where or when.

Anyway, I'm trying to capture the musician hitting the high note and holding it, concentrating, grooving, whatever it is that saxophone players do when they squint their eyes closed while they're making their music.

This is definitely a Work In Progress - I need to think about that face and the music that he's making. Maybe he's backing up George Thorogood or Bruce Springsteen or Sheryl Crowe!

My next step is to look at photos of saxophone players and see what a saxophone REALLY looks like! Maybe I should have already done that part?  Ya THINK?

One Last Piece of Bait - The Fisherman

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The Last Piece of Bait  12x16  Oil on masonite

This came from Jilly's Menton Daily Photo blog. Her blog is a wonderful source of inspiration for me or anyone looking for well done photographs of the region of France where she lives.

I had helped set up our Spring Art Show here is Rogers, AR and came home "inspired" to do "something" painterly. So I browsed Jilly's blog and saw this guy fishing. I believe that he's baiting the hook with his last piece of bait before he calls it quits and buys a Big Mac and fries for his supper.

Exercising the pony

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Exercising the pony  12x16  Oil on masonite

I think that I saw something like this in a TV program or video on the internet - honestly I don't know where the vision for this painting came from. Maybe it was indigestion. Doesn't matter, it was fun to try to paint it.

I think that I shouldn't do animals. I get "close" to being accurate in proportions but there's  s-o-m-e-t-h-i-n-g wrong s-o-m-e-w-h-e-r-e.  

I rode a horse one time - fifty (YES 50) years ago. I decided then that I preferred cars. Still do.

First Place in the Rogers (Arkansas) Art Guild Fall Art Show!

First Place in the Rogers (Arkansas) Art Guild Fall Art Show!  May 3, 2010

My painting of a Creole Dancer inspired by some photos in Jilly's Menton Daily Photo blog received the First Place Award at the Rogers Art Guild 2010 Spring Art Show & Sale today!  Woooo hooooo for Jilly and me!  See the original posting here.

Trust me when I tell you that the painting looks MUCH better in natural or "good" lighting. The lights and yellow walls made everybody's photos look funny.

This is my first award in a independently judged "real" art show and I am VERY VERY pleased to have received this prize considering the other works in the show.

Day Laborer - Coosa Valley, Alabama

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Day Laborer - Coosa Valley, Alabama  9x12  Oils on Masonite Panel

I saw a photo similar to this in the National Archives website that "told me" that I needed to make this painting . I got this far in about three or four hours over two days.

I might make a larger version if the mood strikes me.

The white rectangle on the side of the building is (should be) a sign of some sort. The space needed something and a window near the stairs didn't make sense to me.  AND I need to straighten the "sign".  :-)  Perspective, perspective perspective.  Sort of like gravity - it doesn't stop.

If you see yourself or your work and you do not want it to be here, please send me an email and I will remove the post.

May 3, 2010 - updated photo.

I think that I improved the perspective on the notice but the printing leaves something to work on - in another time.

I'm beginning to like this painting!

Menton France - Old Man Reading Newspaper near archway

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Man Reading His Newspaper   17x24 Oils on canvas panel

This painting is inspired by two of Jilly's Menton Daily Photos.  The man walking through the arch and the stariway on the right is one photo "Up Down and Roundabout". The gentleman reading his newspaper is from another photo "Old Wall, Old Man".



 April 21, 2010  -  update.

I did some of my fiddlin' - put the other leg of the bench in, and put the vertical things in the hand rail (what are they called anyway?).

Menton France - Creole Mass #1

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Menton France - Creole Mass 1  12x16  Oils on canvas panel

Another painting inspired by Jilly's Menton Daily Photo blog pages!

Jilly has this knack for making photographs that are interesting, colorful and show Menton, Frnace in such a wonderful light.  The people and are so colorful that I could make paintings from her photos without end.

I'll call this painting done although I may return to it to "play" with those beads around her neck! :-)  Fiddling, fiddling - leave it alone, already!

Outdoor cafe - Triangle of Light

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Outdoor cafe - Triangle of Light 18x24  Oils on masonite

Another painting inspired by Jilly's Mendon Daily Photo blog. This is a composite of three of her photos.

The couple on the left and the fellow standing under the umbrellacame from Le Martina.

The background and the three young men on the right came from Triangle.

I'm struggling with the gentleman sitting at the table on the left. What's new?

 April 21, 2010 - update.


I did a few things - most importantly (to me) making the man's head larger (the man sitting in the left of the painting).

Cropduster dusting

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Cropduster Duster  17x24  Oils on masonite

I've done farming scenes before but when I saw a photo of a cropduster, well I had to make a painting. I don't particularly enjoy making landscapes (everybody does landscapes) so I hedged a bit and put in an airplane.

Still some work to do on the airplane itself then make the suggestion of spray coming from the sprayer doo-dads under the plane wings.

The unusual size (17x24) is a result of measuring three times and still getting it wrong at the saw. "Only" an inch off!  I could have been more wrong - and have.

 April 21, 2010 - update.


I gave the airplane a propeller - it isn't a jet after all!  I also put a light cerulean blue glaze on the mountains and the far edge of the field..

 April 24, 2010 - update


I put rows of crops in the field that the plane is dusting. It wasn't a lawn, for crying out loud! The rows are neatly done - Farmer Brown saved some money on the plowing so that she/he could have the field sprayed today. :-) Isn't art fun?

Menton France - Creole Dancer 1

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Creole Dancer 1   12x16  Oil on canvas panel

Inspiration for this painting came from Jilly's Menton Daily Photo blog. Jilly's blog contains page after page after page of wonderful and colorful photographs. Beautifully done and with informative descriptions and interesting "smaller" photos.

I have a bit more to do with this Creole dancer then I'll put it in a frame and call it DONE!

 April 21, 2010 - Image update.


I wanted to put more shadow on the right side of the lady's face - I'm not sure that it worked.  dang!

Friends Relaxing in a sidewalk cafe

Friends Relaxing In a Sidewalk Cafe  18x24  Oils on canvas panel

Work in progress - April 7, 2010

This painting came about after looking at many of Jilly's posts in her Menton Daily Photo blog.  This painting is  combination of several of Jilly's photos - four, if you're counting.

This is a first "rough draft"; I have more work to do with the people. The restaurant seems OK now I think.  But the people . . . . .   ?

 Work in progress - April 8, 2010

I made a "few" changes to just about everything; the people, the mirror the doors to  the restaurant blah, blah, blah and blah.  The waiter (wait person?) still seems to be more of a mannequin than a person, though. I am beginning to be pleased with this painting.

I need to have the lady in the red sweater resting her elbow on SOMETHING instead of just hanging in the air!  Dang! 

Another few hours and I'll stop putzing around with this painting.  Enough, already! 


FINISHED - April 11, 2010