New Work and Work In Progress

I know that most people only post their finished work, but if I did that, you'd only hear from me about once a month. So, here is one finished work and two in progress:

Outdoor Photography

I took this photo just a little while ago, when the sun was behind the houses across the street. I find it interesting how many more blues show up in the daylight than when I took the other picture last night in my studio with a flash.

My New Rug

I went upstairs to look at my painting and decided to photograph it while I was at it. So, now you can see my new rug! Not only is it pretty and cushy, but it doesn't bunch up and I haven't tripped over it at all! What a nice improvement from the floor mats that skidded all over the place. They're still under the rug, but the weight of the 5x8' rug keeps them in place. It was a bear to haul from the house, up the stairs and roll into place; my back reminded me of that yesterday.

Lots of palette knife work today. I doubt very many cactus leaves escaped paint today. It's becoming more cohesive in its form and style and hopefully nearing completion.

I was standing on a swivel stool to take this photo. I like to challenge my balance, I guess, because earlier this week I stood on a kitchen stool to hang a painting.

Agave Changes With More To Come

This is what I got done on the weekend, but I have since worked on it two more days this week and find every time that I'm bringing it closer to what I want. It has photographed very light on the right because of the lights in my studio. I'm going to invest in another standing light and bulbs to even out the lighting. The changes I made were to increase the values on some of the agave leaves and make the wall darker with a more orange tone to it. And the pavement on the right now has a more golden hue. And, as always when I'm working with a palette knife, all areas of the canvas got a little attention. I'll try to photograph it tomorrow so you don't have to guess. I'm feeling closer to the end each day.

Almost Done

I just realized that I haven't updated Pierre in quite a while. It's oil on linen and the light bouncing off of the canvas and paint is driving me crazy. I need to search out a good photo editing tool to help with that.

Anyway. About Pierre et Ballon de Football...it is nearly done. When my painting instructor says that, I get a little heart flutter. But, when he says things like, "Have you considered contacting some galleries?", I get something more like heart palpitations. So, I'm thinking that "no" should be the answer for now. In fact, I've promised myself that I'll wait until after the first of the year so I can just concentrate on gallery paintings and getting faster and better at what I do. I just have this little feeling that some of the control that I feel now with selecting my subject matter and how I'm going to go about portraying it may get compromised by showing and selling. And if that doesn't change, it's very possible that the pace will! And I love going at my own pace, choosing to paint on whatever painting suits my mood that day, no deadlines or commitments. Just a little old hippy painter.

One thing I might want to change back on this painting is the highlight that was on his sock. Noel had me take it out because it didn't fit with the light, but I've analyzed it and realized that I needed to move the soccer ball a bit, so that the highlight makes sense. And I think the highlight is something worth fighting for. It gives definition to the area around his feet that I find important. I could be wrong, but it feels like the right plan.

I'll miss this little guy. Sami is going to give me his mother's email address and I'm going to send her a *good* photograph of this painting. It's my desire to give it to his family in thanks for having Sami there this summer, but I'd prefer to feel her out about it first. I find that sometimes people can be very weird about the gift of a painting. And this one, she'd be obligated to frame herself because I think shipping this to France, alone, will be pretty costly and bulky without a frame. I hope the offer is well met.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

I painted for 5 hours yesterday and feel like I got the light key spot-on, but wonder why this piece doesn't sing to me. Is the palette of reds and greens too limited? Maybe the weight of the composition is too heavy on the right? Is it too Photo Realistic?

All I can say is "GRRRRR!"

"Angelic Pumpkins"

I had the best time with this painting. Doing a white study is always a good idea. It really trains your eye to see all the tints, tones and shades. To the point that I was actually continuing to do it for the rest of the evening, painting things with my eyes. I love that!

"Angelic Pumpkins" oil on board 12x12