Saturday, March 29, 2014

Pink Hyacinth

Working on a 16x20 canvas, spring bulbs with paper wrapping. I am interested in the folds of the paper, red on one side and pink on the other. I want to give the impression of the flower without showing each and every petal.



Friday, March 28, 2014

Monotype

My first printing effort in many many years! I joined in with a group being taught by Felicia Touhey, one of the wonderful artists at Beach Studios.
Preparing the ink to the right consistency with a spatula like tool, inking the plexiglass, making the image by scratching out, wiping out, basically removing ink in the areas you want light. Figuring out how much to remove must come through experience. 
Printing on gorgeous heavy paper that has been soaked in water, then patted with a towel, with a hand press. Carefully placing the plate on the press, aligning the paper correctly, then covering it with another protective paper, then the magic happens as it goes through the press. I was limited by other time restraints that day, but hope to try again one day!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Queen Anne's Square

An 8x10 study intended to explore a color palette I'm considering for a larger painting that I will be starting soon.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Inside

How nice to be painting in a room with a blazing fire, a cup of tea, a beautiful friend, looking upon this!  Loving Vermont.


Saturday, March 15, 2014

American Beech

Painting weekend in Vermont. Did this after coming in from snowshoeing!
It is so beautiful here.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Studio Input

I was painting merrily along yesterday and asked for (be careful what you ask for) some input from my studio colleagues and here's what I heard
1. It's looking like 2 different paintings, the chair on the right and the flowers on the left.
2. The upper right corner is too heavy and the bottom right corner pulls you out.
Now first, let me say, I asked for feedback. With it I have choices. Leave it my way or take suggestions. In the end, I just want a good painting! Note: they gave me all positive feedback first! I love being in a studio with such caring, talented, and generous artists who want and help me be a better painter!


Monday, March 10, 2014

Beginning of Yellow Tulips

I'm painting over an old painting, so first I sand the surface of the canvas, wipe off, then rub over it with a rag saturated with linseed oil/mineral spirit mix. I painted my initial layout using thinned down ultramarine and a #6 bristle round brush. This is the only time I really ever use a round brush! Mixing the values I want and not worrying too much about getting the exact color, I lay down paint in big shapes. Ok, that's all the time I have today!
16x20 oil on canvas

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Yellow Tulip Study

In the last class I taught, til we start up again in April, we worked from a simple table set up with the option of including the interior. My demo was of the plant, simplifying the chairs with red cushions in the background to very simple shapes.
The value structure give the composition boldness. And you know I like boldness! Painted with a knife on foam core. 
On another note, I am noticing ads on my blog and if I had the time right now I would try to figure out how to get RID of them, this is not what I want! Sorry!


Saturday, March 1, 2014

Spring Melt

A smaller abstract inspired by another painting. When each painting takes me to the next without undue angst I know I'm in the zone!