Who Wants Leftovers??

Ok, I might be done with the BRAF Fund Raiser Sale but they are still chugging along til about the end of the first week in January. This piece above "Chubby Frosty" 12x12 is (I think) still for sale. Now I'm not shipping it but if you want it talk to them about shipping to you. I have just mailed out 99% of the pieces (one international left ) and the large free one and I am fresh out of time for the post office. Sorry. Here is the phone number for the BRAF 1 (207) 633 2703. They have about 9 pieces left of mine.

Merry Christmas, Merry Everything !

Reposting to go with the Holiday!  Also here is my new website http://danielcorey.com/  It's not done yet as far as images and its really just been started. I'm not going for a traditional website with just my work and nothing personal. After New Year look for updates. Merry Christmas!

I Won , I Won!!

Recently I have been drawing more and more so I naturally started looking at what is available for sketchbooks out there and found Stillman & Birn.. These are not your average sketchbook, archival quality and the particular ones in the above image (Beta Series) are 180# natural white with enhanced wet media strength.

Oh yeah, they are bound in the USA so I like that it's helping some employment here. We could use it.

So the post title "I Won, I Won!!" is because I did win. I "liked" the Stillman & Birn Facebook page and noticed they do a giveaway every once in a while. Well, I'm not sure how often to be honest but it seems pretty regularly. So a while back I signed up for one (just an email for notification) and lost. That didnt surprise me cause i always lose raffle type contests. So I noticed a new contest near Christmas time, I entered and won!! This image is what I saw when I opened the box. A nice presentation and very generous prize, a 7x7 and 7x10 Beta Series Sketchbook. Thank you Stillman & Birn!!

Here is a link to their site: http://www.stillmanandbirn.com/

I will share some sketches soon. Incase I don't post again before Christmas.. Happy Holidays!

A Couple Things

    Click Here to Buy Now thru Paypal after clicking to purchase please write a description of which one you would like. example "I would like the painting of the girl on the bottom of the middle row" or you can use the title that Sargent used "Egyptian Girl" After one is sold I will write in the comments if it has sold.

So first things first, i am calling it a day on the BRAF fund raiser sale. I will leave the paintings that are here up til the day after Christmas then they will be gone. I have raised some decent money for the BRAF and would like a little of my life back so I am done. So you have almost a week to decide if you want any of the pieces left posted here. Also Kyle has pieces for sale on his blog to benefit the BRAF. I'm not sure when he is calling it a day but I'm sure you can still buy whatever he has there advertised for the BRAF at the special low price. Thank you Kyle! your a stand up guy, great painter. Thank You to everyone who participated!

Last things last.. The image above are my 5x5" and 5x7" Sargent Studies. (on gesso board) These are for sale for $100 plus $15 priority shipping. These are not just studies but small paintings in there own right. I cropped them, interpreted the colors and simplified Sargent. I'm not sure how the image will work out when clicked on but if you're interested in one and want a good image emailed just let me know. Also if you purchase one, click the link above and in the area for special instruction describe which one you want, either by location on the board, colors or the title if you know them. thanks for stopping by.

  I will re-post my Snowman Painting Video just before Christmas.

 Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! If celebrate something else, have a great something else!

The Big Holiday, Big Painting Extravaganza..!

Here's the rules.. I always wanted to say that. Seriously though, here's the rules. The first person to answer the three questions right and be a signed up "follower" of this blog wins this 24x30" painting of Murry's Hill Landing. I will pay shipping in US. You pay if outside US. Fair? Fair.

Here's your three questions.reminder all answers are on this blog some old some new...

1. How many posts did I make on this blog in the year 2009?

2. What is my wife Raquele's Birthday? (this one is very important, she is a great woman.)

3. How many Fund Raiser Paintings are currently left for sale ? (As of the time of me asking this)

Good Luck! I Love you all equally!

Last Legs

So I just noticed recently that the announcement was posted on their website so I know it's ok to say it here.. I found out that I was invited to participate in this coming years Door County Plein Air event! This is great news, if you remember from past posts, I drove all the way there, painted and painted then didn't win the invite... Well I think either the work or determination paid off and I got someone's attention cause I'm going.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy painting!

This piece is from my recent travels and exploring of Brunswick and Harpswell. "Last Legs" 16x20".

Video Demo Fun

Here is a video of a larger studio piece(36x48") that i have done from a smaller sketch. This snowman was from our early for the season snowstorm recently. The bright green grass, fall leaves and snow is a great color combo that i havent had many chances to see. the warmer weather only gave this snowman a a few days but i bet he will be back one day....  Turn up the volume!!

 Oh yeah, if the music starts getting to you, just turn it down. I couldnt edit the video short enough or to match the music perfectly. I could really use good video editor.



On a Roll

Well, since the last black and white post seemed to help a few be inspired to put in some B&W work. I thought I would share one of my favorite value studies (6"x8") of recent. This is my attempt to organize values and see what I can get out of a simple scene. I really like it when brushstrokes seem to be cruising at about 90mph and missed their exit. And while focusing on composition and values, what I think is OK brushwork has crept in.

With all the value studying I have been doing lately I have also developed an admiration for less intense color harmonies. I am guessing we all go through wandering influences but it is no easy task being influenced by Russian impressionists and the likes of Fairfield Porter.. They are always arm wresting in my head.

Fun surprise planned for the blog and coming very soon so stay tuned!! !

Last thing, I stumbled upon a pretty cool app on iTunes called "Right Brain Price" this app will quiz you in its own strange way and measure the amount of your thought that is (I guess) controlled by right brain. Now the cool thing about this is when you think your doing really well you will find out that you should get certain ones wrong and in a certain way. Don't ask me?? Check it out, it's free.

Black and White

This is a quick Umber and White demo I did for a family member the other day. I thought I would share it here and prove that I practice what I preach about doing value studies. They are worth so much to me and I enjoy the shift in focus. If you don't already practice these then get going. Get off the computer and go move some values around.


"Art is not a study of positive reality, it is the seeking for ideal truth." George Sand

Prussian Blue and his Amazing Friends

This photo is a palette of colors that would satisfy most painters from strict black and white tonalist to wild colorist. The best part of this palette is that it's only three pigments! I know there are plenty of three color palette out there with mostly three comparatively weak colors and they cause a supposed color harmony. I believe that a color harmony should be found and related from what's viewed in nature not be bound by what pigments are used. Just sayin.

To me this is the limited palette that is usable and you can breath with, Cadmium Yellow, Quinacridone Red/Rose and Prussian Blue. Incase your wondering these in the photo are all RGH oils. I don't use them as much as I used to cause there prices went up.

Incase your wondering why I'm posting this info. In my classes which I'm hoping to get going again (now that summer has ended and locals have a little time to themselves ) these are the colors I recommend if people are buying for the first time or just want to stop carrying twelve too thirty tubes. Now I don't use just these three colors alone but I do usually use them as the base for my palette which I add a couple pthalos, ,an orange for convenience and yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the same reason. I think if you try these three you will see what I'm talking about and if you just add a color or two of your liking you would be all set in most all cases.

Maine Magazine

So do you remember my piece "Morning in Friendship"(24x30") from a few posts back? It was featured by Maine Art Gallery in a full page ad in this months (October) Maine Magazine. I am really excited by this as it's my first full page ad and Maine Magazine is my favorite of all the magazines about Maine and life here.

Yes, if you noticed in the pic, I bought two copies.... One for my Mom.

Incase you are wondering this piece is still (as far as I know) available at Maine Art Gallery in Kennebunk ME.

Last topic today, I am enjoying the change to my blog color scheme. I was never able to frame my pieces with white before so something has changed..?. I mean in my work not the blog.
Also on the top right, above the gallery links is my Facebook page, if you join it by clicking "like" you will see a bunch of photos/paintings (soon) that I don't put on the blog.

In Line

This is a piece I didn't get to post over the summer and it was off to a collector in Switzerland right after delivery to Camden Falls Gallery. "In Line" 24x30" was an early morning light piece that I think conveys that light better then I have done in the past. I just thought I would share it here.

I will be trying to get my classes at Boothbay Regional Art Foundation going again now that fall is here and people have a little time for themselves. If you are interested please feel fee to email me (email can be found in my blog profile, I'm hiding it from the spam people) for info. Will also be doing a few posts related to the class so check back soon if that interests you. Thanks for stopping by, Dan

Knight's 49

Recently while scouting out a Painting location I spotted this 49 Chevy and had to paint it. The only problem was the best location to stand was either on someone's lawn or in the street. So I asked the owners of the lawn if they would mind if I set up my easel and they were great about the whole thing and to my surprise when I was close to done they inquired about purchasing this piece. So when they invited me in to discuss the particulars I was shocked to see paintings by some of my absolute favorite Maine artists on the walls. Besides the obvious positive of being able to sell my work I am still blown away with to be part of this collection and all by chance...

I won't say who the collectors are or the location but I will say that in there collection was Connie Hayes, Tollef Runquist and my main man Colin Page. I would say that's good Taste.

Cribstone at Lands End

This piece "Cribstone at Lands End" (24x30") has a bridge in the background with an interesting story. Well to me anyway.. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia.

"For many years, the residents of Bailey Island, Maine advocated that a bridge be built to connect their island with Orr's Island. The town of Harpswell, Maine, which encompasses both islands, turned down the request. However, when the Maine Legislature drafted a law allowing the state and counties to fund bridge construction, a plan emerged to build such a bridge. A contract was signed in 1926, with construction beginning on the Bailey Island Bridge in 1927 and finishing in 1928. The engineer for the project was Llewelyn N. Edwards, bridge engineer for the Maine State Highway Commission."

If you would like to see this painting in person it is in Camden Falls Gallery, Camden ME. Thanks for stopping by.

Proud Mary

So here is a 16x20" titled "Proud Mary" recently delivered to Camden Falls Gallery in Camden Maine. I am using this piece to paint a much larger studio piece and trying to refine the color harmony without abandoning what I found in front of the subject. Maybe if it works out I will share it here for comparison.



"Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart." Washington Irving

Barley Field Point

So yesterday I delivered a handful of late summer paintings to Camden Falls Gallery and this is one of three 24x30s that made the cut. While searching out my new neighborhood I came across Barley Field Point. This is out on what I believe is "Orrs Island". I will try to post some more from these excursions soon.

"The right use of color can make any composition work." (Fairfield Porter)

Beach Reader

Well we are done moving, finally.
I am writing this post from the buzzing local coffee house "Little Dog" in downtown Brunswick. A great little place that i think we will haunt while we are living here. Try the mango passion fruit smoothie!
This being the first morning that me and Raquele are able to do something other then pick up and drop off boxes. Again, finally!

The Boat Show

This coming Thursday the 18th of August is the end of the "Boat" show at Maine Art in Kennebunk. You might remember this piece from a couple posts ago. The one on the easel with the blank canvas then painted in the next post?? Well this is a better photo of that piece.

Moving update: we made it! Everything is in boxes and I'm drooling looking at my new skylight... Can't wait to put that to use and get back to work. I'll post a photo of that light soon.

Goodbye Bristol

Well the time has come to move on... This week we will be moving from the studio/apt in Bristol to Brunswick. The new diggs will be a smaller apartment right near the center of town. I will definitely miss being so close to the harbors i like to haunt but I am excited to paint some different scenery.
In preparation for this move I have been sorting thru the ridiculous piles of paintings and collected "stuff" from the few plus years we have been at this location. I have cut up well over two hundred paintings. And tied together way too many book.. Now just need to move it all..
This painting (Fat Cat Day Dream 30x40") is from last year and even though the photo is not great I decided to finally share it here. This image is a view of the door to my studio with my cat Choncho in the window watching the crows bounce and leaves skate across the yard.. I will miss this place.

Docked

This piece "Docked" 18x24" is from a new favorite spot that a friend showed me this summer. I love this area and always find a spark there that gets the brush moving! People always ask if you were stranded on a deserted island what would you bring. I'm gonna ask you, if you had a loaded easel setup and could only pick one place to be stranded, to paint, where would that be? Wow that is a paint nerd question.. Don't be lazy? Respond even if anonymous. Thanks for stopping by.

Door County

This piece (16x20") is from my recent road trip out to Door County WI. I painted this while on the front porch of the Inn I was staying at. The heat was something that I wont soon forget and this particular afternoon the shade on the porch seemed like a nice place to get a painting in.
So at the dock side quick paint in Door County (my main reason for driving 2900 miles) I had decided before leaving Maine, that a 24x30" piece was the kind of excitement and challenge I wanted to set for myself. Go big and then go home was my motto. Ha! Anyway, the piece turned out, not so great and I did not win the invite back next year. I know, bummer for sure. The good news is I met a ton of great people and a handful I am sure I will keep in touch with for a very long time. I even got a few paintings that are heading for frames and hopefully an invite back for just being the guy who went for it and wants it the most. I will show some more of the paintings in the near future. Thank you Door County had a blast!

Updates over Breakfast

In case any of you were wondering, I made it to Door County! It's lovely here. Worth the trip for sure. I am writing you this as I wait for breakfast at a nice homestyle restaurant named "Pelletier's". Omelets here, gotta wrap this up!!

This Saturday coming, July 23 this piece "South Bristol" 16x20" will be one of 10 pieces included in Maine Art Gallery's "Boat" show.

Cape Elizabeth Preview

Here is a sneak peak preview for my loyal blog-ites of the 24 x 30 I just painted for the Cape Elizabeth Paint for Preservation. The area is so beautiful a must see for anyone in the area. This is Pond Cove.

Realities

So here is that finished piece I promised. This piece will be the largest of eleven paintings I will be showing at Maine Art gallery's "Boat" show. The show opens this coming week in Kennebunk ME.
As the photo shows this day was absolutely perfect. The only part that was real tough was when a boat would pass by, that dock piece I was set up on would knock into the pier behind it. If you were not paying attention like say you were wrapped up in a painting you would lose your balance and it would snap you right out of focus. Fun.

Possibilities

This week coming is gonna be an interesting one to say the least. First on Sunday July 17th I will be participating in the "Cape Elizabeth Paint for Preservation" paint out here in Maine then I am off on a road trip to Door County Wisconsin for a paint out there. Now I'm not part of the invited artist list but I intend to be part of the quick paint event and have the possibility to earn my self an invite for next year. So wish me luck!

I will post the finished painting soon in my next post.

Pemaquid Pickett

Recently I was invited to be the 2011 guest artist of the Pemaquid Gallery. This is Maines oldest organized group of artists and is located right in the Pemaquid Point Light State Park. I am really enjoying the chane to show my paintings of the area and hang some of my personal favorites. They actually let me decide what goes where. Crazy.

The above piece "Pemaquid Pickett" 16x20" will be available soon.

There will be a link to the gallery shortly up in the top right of the blog.

Sinking Ship

This Piece "Sinking Ship" 16x20" was painted recently at Parsons Creek Farm. Sinking Ship is not out at a gallery yet as it is still drying but I want to announce a new gallery relationship! Maine Art Gallery in Kennebunk ME has a beautiful, uncluttered, multi-floor, naturally light filled showroom. You can click on their name or I will have a link to their site on the top right hand side of my blog header shortly. I recommend going in person though, the show room is really that impressive.

Happy Independence Day!

On the Fence

Here is a shot of my easel and a piece on it that I painted yesterday. I'm thinking the palette shot is one of my favorites when they are shared online so here is my contribution to that. This piece was my reaction to a perfect day. It was low 70s, slight breeze, painted at one of my favorite locations to go to every year, Lilac Cottage. Topping it all off the street name there is " Summer St" Doesn't get much better.

Painting Painters

Here is a piece (20x16")I painted recently of fellow painter Carol Palmer. This was painted while Carol painted, moved and even put up an umbrella eventually. I feel like I got more out of this piece then I originally asked for. I love when that happens.

Yes the easel really is that big compared to her! Lol

Parson's Porch

This piece was painted recently at the same location as the last post. When all cylinders are firing I really like try to keep it abstract for as long as possible and yet still be recognizable. Maybe, keeping it abstract is really keeping it real..?.

Parsons Creek Farm

This is a recent piece ( Parsons Creek Farm 11x14") was painted at my Aunt and Uncles home/farm nearby. I went for the flowers that were in bloom but ended up painting the scenes that captured my attension and wouldnt let go.

If you are heading down east this summer and would like to sit in on one of my Plein Air or indoor painting classes they are very affordable and I would happy to have you. Contact Boothbay Regional Art Foundation at (207)633-2703.

Patty's Seafood

This piece (8x10") was painted recently at one of my favorite summertime only seafood stops. Pattys Seafood is right on rt 1 in Edgecomb ME. One of the best lobster rolls in Maine and good prices to boot. I didn't get to have anything as I finished up just as they were opening and had to move on..

The Painter of Mud

Recently I traveled down to P Town in hopes of talking with a couple galleries and meeting up with some painting amigos. I am happy to say mission accomplished on both fronts. This quick 6x8" painting is of my friend and fellow painter Frank Gardner. Frank is having show of his latest and greatest work this Saturday at the Addison gallery in Orleans MA. If your in the area check it out its worth the trip. I promise.

If you notice the title of this piece is "The Painter of Mud" this is not a knock on Frank's color choices it's because he is working on a project inspired by Charles Hawthorne's Mud Head paintings. He started a new Blog (linked form his blog) just about these Mud Heads. I would post the link to it here but I am blogging from a mobile device.

Where's my book?

This piece "Where's my book?" 18x24" was a demo I did recently for my weekly painting class. Our focus was keeping color interesting through relationships and also talking about keeping value judgements so that the masses would stay together as much as possible. This piece will be available at a gallery near you soon. Well, maybe near me.

First Class too the Life Boats

This is a demo piece from the painting class I have been teaching at Boothbay Regional Art Foundation. One of the lessons when we are doing Black and white work is if you are gonna break up a value mass..make sure it's worth it. In other words if you are painter that says "I like details" make sure those details are worth breaking up the big statement your piece makes from a distance. I'm big on simplifying at the moment so that's my angle. Let me know if you like seeing stuff from my class or if you are interested in attending some classes.

The spring sale has ended early due to the overwhelmingly positive response. I think that is what shut down blogger for a couple days.... Yes I'm kidding.

Frosted



Frosted, 9x12" available



    Here is one of my favorite pieces from my painting sessions at the Bristol Dam. "Frosted" 9x12". If you click on the image, the detail should be pretty sharp. Finally after two years of taking blurry photos..... Thank for stopping by.

Odds and Ends

Recently I started teaching through the Boothbay Regional Art Foundation in, you guessed it, Boothbay Maine. For now the class is just an intro to oil, focusing on being comfortable with medium and figuring out what you want to say with it once you are comfortable. The Plein Air Classes will be starting in late spring. All the classes are really affordable and you can drop in a week if you just happen to be here for a week so please contact BRAF @ (207) 633-2703 or visit their site http://www.boothbayartists.org/  for more info. 
This piece is a 6x8" of a little slice of life that caught my eye inside Paul and Pharr Schulenburg's studio. Its titled "Pharr's Side"

Snowly Moley

 I was right!! At the end of my last post I stated that because I was talking about spring that snow would come again.. Not only was I right about it but for being smug we have had  three different snow storms since then. One storm was nice enough to deliver almost a foot of snow. Free.

  There are a few more snow paintings to share here and this one is from before my recent advance in photographing my work. Some subtlety is lost. It is a 24x30 titled "Blizzard Road Bristol Dam" and was painted a couple months ago when we received the first installment of our three foot plus base of snow...

Did you know that the original spelling of snow when translated was spelled "S-N-F-O-W..?
 Then, my ancestors right here in the North East, New Englanders ... Changed it to S-N-O-W...
 Because they were tired of the F in Snow..........

 OK,  read that last sentence out loud.

  I wrote that.. thanks for stopping by.

Bristol Mint

      This piece "Bristol Mint" (30"x40") is one of the few survivors of the great war of 2010-2011 winter. This war took place at my easel and many tubes of paint are gone, resting peacefully (and empty)  for the freedom of my brush stroke...
 Seriously though I must have used a gallon of white this winter and have a coffee can full of brushes that are paint frozen solid and worn or just worn. All this waste and usage seems quite worth it when you get that one you are really proud of.. This is one of those pieces.
 I would love to hear what you think of it. 

  Even though we recently received a gift of about 4 inches of snow I am confident that spring will start any time now and boy am I ready for it. I am sure because I wrote that, we will get snow again.... thanks for stopping in.

January Shanty

This lil piece (6"x8") was painted about a couple months ago but as i write this......yes, it is snowing. Most of what had built up has melted and the mud has taken over. The landscape is a little tough to paint if your into postcards.

I couldn't decide on today's quote so two it is!!

Quote1: "Real painters understand with a brush in their hand ... what does anyone do with rules? Nothing worthwhile."  Berthe Moriset.




Quote 2 : "Do not worry about your originality. You could not get rid of it even if you wanted to."  Robert Henri.

Frosted

 Here is a piece from a while back. As you may be able to see here I have really been trying to work on my paint application and I really am enjoying the feel of a loaded brush. try it. If you click on this image and then again you will see what i mean.
  Anyway,  I will be posting a bunch more now that hibernation has ended and the snow is melting. I am also looking into doing a proper websitesoon. So if any of you have recommendations, warnings or just something you think I should know, please chime in. Thank you.

Quote: "Nature is a dictionary; one draws words from it." Eugene Delacroix

Ding of the Jelly Jar

    This past weekend was the reception for the Creative Convergence shows at the Addison Gallery in Orleans MA and the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Back to back openings, one Friday and one Saturday can really help inspire you to work even harder to elevate the level of your work. I personally feel like i have been  on a non-stop spiral staircase of attempted improvement. Not that I'm constantly getting better but pushing to go up and up even if i am sometimes standing still. If that doesn't make sense then I will talk a little about the inspiration for this  painting.
 This piece may look like just a jar and a spoon but i really tried to get the "ding" of the jar. In other words, I wanted the jar to look like if you picked up the spoon and struck it you would be able to imagine the "Ding" of the Jelly Jar.. I have always thought, If you look for something different you will find something different.

Snow Day Bouquets

1. 18"x24"

  So it has been snowing up a storm here in Maine lately and from what i see on the weather channel, everywhere else too.  This is an 18x24" I did recently while the snow was falling.  Hope you like it.

Snowballs

It feels like forever since my last post.. How many times have you read that on a blog?
  This is a piece from a few weeks ago. I was painting with a couple friends Ian Bruce (keep an eye out for Ian) and Colin Page . If you go to Colin's website journal a couple weeks back you will see his great painting from this day. As we all painted, if the wind blew even a touch it would send a dusting of snow on your canvas or palette or both! We had a great time even with freezing feet and random snow deposits...

Here is the new video, finally released after much clamor in the art world :)  Creative Convergence Video   I am interviewed a little and reveal a top secret about seeing color and variations of within a mass.. I was punished severely by the gang for letting this cat outta the bag but its worth it, I share. enjoy.

This video is also being shown at the Cape Cod Museum of Art to coincide with the Creative Convergence show that runs through the end of February at Addison Art Gallery and the Museum. See it if you can.

Signed, Sealed (varnished) and Delivered

Green Harmony 8x10

This piece "Green Harmony" 8x10" is one of the four pieces delivered to Cape Cod recently. Two went to Cape Cod Museum of Art and two to Addison Gallery in Orleans MA for this years Creative Convergence show. I'm not sure if I have clearance on this but let me be the first to start the rumor that there was a documentary filmed about us during this years trip and even though i am a little weirded out by the prospect of being in a video I am pretty excited to see the finished product.

Here is a link to Addison Gallery

Www.http://www.addisonart.com/CreativeConvergenceCapeCod/default.html