Plush

Plush, 10x20"

Here is a 10x20" Figure titled "Plush". This piece is available for my Demo price, one third of normal in my Etsy Store/gallery. Link is in the upper right hand side of the blog or HERE. I am moving again and will be posting a few larger pieces like this one to hopefully make moving a little easier. I hate moving.

To Frame Or Not To Frame?

Bounty available

Bounty framed available

Bobbing

Bobbing framed available

Roasting available

Roasting Framed available

Well Here are three more pieces that I added to my store/Gallery today. I have shown them normal cropped and with a Silver Plein Air style frame. If you are interested in any of my work in the store framed like this please contact me thru the store and ask about pricing. It will be very affordable and I will even ship them priority USPS til New Year for Free if you purchase your piece framed. The link to my Store/Online Gallery is in the upper right hand corner of my blog, labeled "Etsy"

In case you didn't notice on the right hand side of my blog is my new Video Widget. The first video or only video depending on your browser is my Holiday Paint Demo.If you haven't seen it yet, I hope you enjoy. Happy Holidays & Thank you for stopping by

Buoy Bunch

Buoy Bunch Available

Something I would love to share with you all is a new app I came across and is probably for Apple and Android but I only know of it in its Apple form. The App is suspiciously named "Color Schemer". (Get it, suspicious, Schemer??)  With this app you can take your favorite photo or any photo in your Photo Library and chose up to five colors from the photo. placing all five colors in your "Color Schemer Library" as a harmony strip for later review. At first I was getting all the master works i could find and putting them through this app but then I started taking advert images and other great photos for a spin. I was amazed when i saw the color harmony involved in a soda ad. Have fun and let me know what you think of the app. Seriously, chime in. It gets kinda boring with no responses.. just saying.

Here is a recent addition to my Etsy Store/Gallery "Buoy Bunch". Most all pieces here are priced pretty  low. Some are sketches others are pieces that I have used to figure out problems with for larger work. All have definitely been an experience to remember.
 One other thing,  all the watercolor pieces since being added have had their price reduced by 50%. here is the LINK .

EasyL Tips

Disclaimer: I am in no way compensated for my Easel ramblings. Nobody sends me easels, easel parts or anything. Seriously easel manufacturers why you so cheap?

 Ok, this post I want to show you a couple of tips for EasyL users. These few things are just to make life a little more streamlined. The EasyL model pictured is the largest of the three, I believe it's title is the "Versa".
 I have a romantic affection for my French easel, a utilitarian admiration for my Gloucester easel and a functional addiction to the EasyL.  Can't shake it, its that useful. I have painted as big as 24x36" on an EasyL and that was my old 11x14" version with the smaller panel lip and a bungee cord. Get a good tripod or keep the one they sell there nice and tightened up and these boxes can do everything. Just sayin.
 So, the top image shows two tips. First and most obvious is the brass shelf they sell. Depending on how you arrange your paints this can be stored inside the box. I don't think they meant for this bit it's a nice surprise one day when I was trying to pack up from a days work. Also, you can see all the paint in the brass tray. That is from when I was trying out keeping the paint off the palette and only mixing there. Wasn't for me.
 Second little tip in the top image is the palette cup. This is the bottom of the mini brush wash jars sold at Guerrilla Painter (for about $2-5?). It fits perfect when the lid is shut and I put a small amount of black duct tape over the top third of the opening. (black duct tape is much classier than silver) that way when I pick up my pochade my remaining medium doesn't spill out all over the place.
 Now this last tip, seen in the lower image is the brass hook supplied with every EasyL sold. Since I first dropped my first brass hook in the snow and barely found it, I have bent one half of the hook around my brush washer. This way, I never lose my hook. These hooks fit French Easels, Beauports, Take It Easels, Open Box M and Alla Prima Pochades. So considering a decent brush washer should last you most of your life, go ahead, crimp it!
 One other kinda tip (I just thought of and don't have an image) is carrying your EasyL. I shorten all the legs and leave the tripod attached. If I need to put it down a minute I just open the legs up without extending them and viola, it's like a suitcase with legs. This is really handy when moving from painting to painting within walking distance. This tip may only work for taller painters.. Being 6'4" I hit the legs on the ground some times.  I'm sure this puts stress on the tripod mount BUT it's so handy and I've never had a problem in all my Plein Airing adventures.

Snow White

With Winter knocking at our door here in Maine snow is sure to walk in once the door is open. So I thought I would post about one of my recent white tests. in the first image from left to right is Gamblin brand, Artist Grade White, new Fast Matte white, and finally Sketching grade white. I placed as equal (as i was interested in making it equal) parts ultramarine blue and each white. the results are interesting because the Fast Matte. is sold in same exact price range as Artist Grade.. Hhmph. that is strange as the pigment load is equal to the Sketching grade oil, almost identical.
 So to describe texture difference I will say the Fast Fatte is stiffest, then Artist followed by Sketching.  Artist and Sketching are pliable and creamy. The Fast Matte is almost too stiff to be useful without medium and its lower pigment load takes most medium use off the table..  Hope someone finds this info useful.

Just Enough Time To Help Out.

   Woo Hoo! My new ornament came in yesterday and I love it!
 This ornament is part of a fund raiser to help out a Nephew (Jakob) of a buddy of mine. Maybe you have heard of him , Colin Page?  Nah, didn't think so.  ha! Anyways, JAKOB is just learning to walk and needs help due to a brain injury at birth. So to help out with equipment and treatments you can purchase some nice Christmas ornaments or just donate to help his family out. OR Both.. Here is the LINK. He is cute as a button and from what I hear, a total inspiration to be around. Raquele and I are cheering for you Jakob!

  A little on the ornament besides being stylish and slick, is a hefty ceramic of some sort. You can tell its of good quality. Not one of those painted foam things from a chain store. There should be plenty of time to order, receive and hang on your tree.

Color Color Co Color

Against the Grain approx 6x8 avail

Life Color 6x8 avail

The top piece here "Against the Grain" is still drying so If you would like it, I would like your patience to make sure it is safe  for travel.
 Both of these are available in my online Store/Gallery. In case you haven't read the previous posts these are all specially priced pieces for the holiday season. If you would like to look around at my available the link is in the top right with my normal gallery links selection. thank you for stopping by.

Light, At Least That's Still Free

All The Light, avail

Low Light Roller avail

 OK, two more 6x8s for your consideration. These are at special prices for for the season. some better than others but all are at least half off normal prices. These posts will disappear soon. So if you are considering it, chop chop.. here is a link to my STORE / online gallery. I now have 30 pieces available on those virtual gallery walls.