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

Cherry Blossoms - beginning - 36x36 A work in progress

Cherry Blossoms - beginning - 36x36  Oils on canvas

 WORK IN PROGRESS - Day 1 -  3/31/2010

 I've roughed in the areas of sky or leafy background behind the upper part of the cherry tree.  I've also begun the little creek or lake at the bottom.

It's going faster than I thought that it would. I've only done one painting as large as this. I finally remembered that I would do better (maybe) with bigger brushes than the ones I was using.  DUH!


Tomorrow I'll continue making the cherry tree limbs. 


WORK IN PROGRESS - Day 2 - 4/05/2010

Well, it today wasn't "tommorow" as I said it would be. I built fifteen (15) picture frames during the days in between the fist post and this post .  (Cut, glued, nailed, sanded and painted those frames.)

TODAY I "grew" more limbs, branches, blossoms and etc.  I ahve also been fiddling with the area beyond the shore line of the lake and am feeling better about that part.

The blossoms seem to be going well. Sure is a LOT of pinnnnnnnkkkkkkk!  :-)

The grass at the very bottom needs some fertilizer - or something! Maybe some varying grasses heights and colors?

Almost done, though!

The Antique Dealer - Menton France

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The Antique Dealer - Menton France  18x24  Oils on canvas panel

Another painting inspired by Jilly's Menton Daily Photos. This fellow is an antique dealer sitting on one of his pieces looking a "bit" displeased with something. Maybe it was the last meal he ate, maybe there are no customers. Maybe, perhaps, who knows?

I think that his eyes are kind but his mouth reflects some disappointment(s)?

Children Sitting On A Park Bench

S O L D

Children Sitting On A Park Bench   16x20  Oils on canvas panel

Image updated 3/31/2010

These two are intently watching something in the grass. I wonder what it is?  :-)

I'll glare at this one for a while - I feel the need to make more showdowy shadows! The light is coming from the right but the children's shadows don't show that clearly - if at all.

I took a break from making canvases and frames to make a painting.  My palette had some two-day-old glumps of paint on it so . . . .   Surprisingly some had not dried at all and some were completely dry!  I dislike wasting paint, but I like to have enough on my palette that I don't have to find the tube then squeeze out some more.  Half the time I don't know the name of the color I'm using at the time anyhow!  Much of what I do is straight out of the tube - for instance the boy's shirt is four or five reds with Gamblin's Radiant Magenta as the lightest "red".

3/31/2010 - UPDATE - I darkened the "shadow" side of the foreground objects - the children, the tree and the trash container.

What have I been doing, anyway?

I haven't made a post to this blog in a while because I've been posting to my "studio blog". I've been "building" a 36" square canvas and four (4) custom picture frames.  I need to go to the "lumber store" and get more wood to make a few more frames.

I heard from a "reliable source" in one of my art clubs that one of the art-show judges considered "gallery wrap" paintings to be unfinished and shouldn't be shown in a show/exhibit.  So . . . . I'm putting frames on my gallery-wrap canvas paintings for the art show(s).  I guess that I don't mind too much.  I'm not a fan of gallery wrap paintings myself, but they seem to be popular in magazines & such. 

Whatever!

Happy WARM Tuesday

Today we had temps in the low 70s F and almost all of the snow is gone!  Hoorah! I was busy making a 36"x36" canvas for my daughter's painting.  I cut up a 2x4 piece of lumber to make the stretchers. The idea is that I'll take the canvas off of the stretchers for mailing when the painting is finished, dry, varnished and etc. Sounds like a good idea - we'll see.

The last of the snow! That's the rain barrel that jumped out and kicked me in the leg for no reason! The barrell with 60 gallons of water frozen solid and it JUMPED and hit me! Amazing!  :-)

Me in the sizzling heat of 73 F making the 36x36 canvas. :-) 

73 is hot when the temperature 2 days ago was freezing and 5+ inches of snow! 

Good grief!  More photos in my Art Studio Blog.  

(I was smiling - the photo just doesn't show it)  Really!

First days of Spring - Snow, then & now

Sunday March 21, 2010. At least 5 inches of snow on the ground (and everything else for that matter).!

I cleared a path across the deck to get to my studio.

Tuesday March 23, 2010.  0 inches of snow on the ground. 

There are a few "clumps" of snow here and there on the ground and on the North-facing roof tops. The ground (lawn) is moooshy soggy. And the mud sticks to the bottoms of our shoes - good for making bricks, maybe?

Cherry Blossoms Study #1 - Study for Work In Progress

Cherry Blossoms Study #1  11x14  Oils on canvas panel

Study for Work In Progress.

This is an 11x14 "sketch" for a painting for my daughter. The final size will be 3 feet by 3 feet on stretched canvas.  I didn't have a "small" square support/ground to work with, so I used one of my canvas covered masonite panels.

Question to knowledgeable artists:  is a canvas panel called a "support" or a "ground"?  I looked at the Golden Paints.com  web site and I interpret them as saying that a "support" and a "ground" are essentially the same thing only different.?!  Aaaack!  I'm assuming that the support is the material to which ground is applied.  Then my oil paints are applied the the ground that has been applied to the support.

So . . . . . what is the thing called that I frame (maybe) & hang on the wall? 

A PAINTING! (DUH!)

What is a Ground?
Historically, a ground is a surface specially prepared for painting by applying a layer of paint of even tone in preparation for further painting techniques. Acrylic Gesso can be used as a ground in the true sense, or a layer of gel, medium or paint can also be used for this purpose. With the availability of so many suitable products, a ground can be very specifically tailored for the requirements of the artist. 

What is a Support?
The term "support" refers to any material onto which paint is applied. Canvas, wood, and paper are common painting supports, but the types of supports used for artwork are very extensive. Cave walls and animal skins were among the first supports. Plaster frescos and wooden panels later became prominent, which eventually gave way to linen and cotton canvases. Modern supports such as polyester canvases, AcrylaWeave® and Syntra® panels will most likely succumb to other advancing technology. The search for the ideal support is perhaps a never-ending quest, and is very much influenced by the types of materials available at the time. 

Henri Rests A While

Henri Rests A While  12x16  Oil on canvas panel

This painting of Henri is another really wonderful from the blog Menton Daily Photos by Jilly.

After reading Jilly's narrative accompanying the photos of Henri I think that he's a guy that I wouldn't mind "hanging out" with.  There is another photo of Henri on "his" page that I might attempt but his expression in this photo spoke to me.

Thanks, Jilly for letting "us" look at your world!

I thnk that I'm not going to do any more with this, but . . . .   I think maybe his eyes need some attention.

Having a snow morning!

Snowy Sunday March 21, 2010 morning!

That's my studio in the back yard. There is four (4) inches on the ground (roofs too, I suppose). I think that it's a safe bet that I won't be going to my little studio very soon today!  :-)

Melissa's vegetable garden in the back yard. We almost put some onion sets in the ground but decided to wait until after Easter.

Looking south down the street in front of our house. Very pretty to look at.  The snow has covered the street since I took this photo earlier this morning.  I had to use my "snow shovel" to grope for the morning paper in our driveway. FOUND IT!  And thanks to the carrier delivery person, it was completely dry! 

Having a snow day - March 20, 2010!

Yesterday afternoon the mid-afternoon temperatures were in the mid 60s F.  About the same time today, SNOW and temperatures in the low 30s F.

4 PM Saturday

A dusting of sleet & hail

5 PM Saturday

1/2 inch fluffy snow on top of the sleet & hail. Very slippery.

The dogs like to eat the snow.  Go figure. They also like to run then put on the "brakes" so that they slide.  I don't encourage them.

Theme Day: Changes

Theme Day: Changes  12x16  Oils on canvas panel.

It's funny how "we" find wonderful photos to give us inspiration to make a painting. A blogger friend made a watercolor painting from a photo image on the blog built by "Jilly" where I found the photo for this painting. The website is Menton Daily Photo and contains beautiful images and descriptions of the subjects in and in the area of Menton, France.  The subject photograph blog post for this painting is Theme Day: Changes.

I could probably touch up this painting here & there, but NAH! I'm going to leave it alone, relax & enjoy Jilly's blog posts from Menton, France.  This is probably as close to being in France as I'll ever get!

The Eyes

The Eyes  9x12  Oils on canvas panel

I "found" this photo in "Georgia - Between Caucasus and Black Sea", the blog of Jemal Kasradze

Mr Kasradze is a professional photographer in Georgia, Russia and does (in my humble opinion) beautiful and thoughtful photography.  I'm confident that you will agree after you visit his web site.

 

Woman Outside in summer

Woman Outside In Summer  20x25  Oils on canvas panel

Image update 3/31/2010.

I have some work to do, but thought that I'd post the painting anyway!  I need to let the paint dry then I'll put in shadows and do some glazes.

Overall, though I'm not totally unhappy with what I've done so far.

3/31/2010 - Wednesday afternoon.  Although I had done all that I am going to do with this painting, I made a new photo just this afternoon for this update. 

4/7/2010 - couldn't help myself - I had to "fix" some things.  NOW it's finished!

I'm not sure that the title of this painting makes sense, even to me.  There she sits wearing a sweater, a blanket over the back of her chair and a jacket on the other chair.  Maybe it's early Spring?

Bouquet on Piano

Bouquet on Piano  9x12   Oils on canvas panel.

I saw this bouquet in a YouTube video and paused the video enough to make a sketch! I honestly don't remember the subject of the video; a comedian I think.  The sketch was something that the dogs growl at it's so bad. I put the sketch in the recycle box.

I know absolutely ZIP, ZERO, NADA about flowers but these looked pretty and that's enough for me. I'm garden-challenged and am not allowed to pull weeds in our gardens at home. 

High Desert Adobe

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High Desert Adobe   9x12  Oils on canvas panel

I made a watercolor painting (a sad thing) and liked the subject better than the watercolor painting.  So I made a painting with oil - in my comfort zone.

It needs "something" but I'm not sure what. I'll put it aside and the "fix" will come to me - I hope.

 March 17, 2010 Update


I stared at the "original" painting and came to the conclusion that the roof was crooked in relation to the building - so I fixed the roof! I also darkened the building shadows and glazed the distant mountains & any shadow with Cerulean Blue.  I'll keep this!