Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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".

Thursday, November 10, 2011

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.


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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