"AWAITING TEA" 6" X 6" Oil SOLD

You are not seeing double at all. It's just me. After the last post I put the painting on the counter where I do much of my work. I find "living with" a painting for a period of time allows you to look at it more objectively. Something bothered me about the painting, and I had to let it simmer in my head for awhile. It finally came to me that there was too abrubt a change in values between the lemon on the right and the shadow on the table. Consequently, I darkened the lower part of the lemon to more gradually blend in with the shadow. I also modified the values on both lemons to create a rounder appearance. I think this change helped the appearance of the lemons. We live and learn.                                                                 

"NEWTON'S FALLOUT" 6" X 6" Oil SOLD

Those of you who have seen my work know that this style of painting for me is definitely a "new frontier" area. I have been trying to paint in a looser style for quite some time now. The transition has been very hard for me. You have heard me mention before a wonderful artist whose works I admire greatly, Lorraine Shirkus . She, too, has been working toward "freer" paintings, and I'm in awe every time I look at her art. What she does with texture and lost edges is exciting. While her color usage is phenomenal I have a long way to go in that area. She uses a lot of neutrals to emphasize the bold colors she likes. Her skills are certainly something to aspire to. As for my humble efforts here, I'm still digesting the results, and at this point all I know is that it was loads of fun to do.

                                                                            

"LUNCH BUNCH" 6" X 6" Oil on panel

This set up had a single light source which made for interesting reflections. Not sure about the warm yellows in the grapes. Perhaps a softer, cooler yellow would be a better choice.                                                                            

"ALL ALONE AM I" 6" X 6" Oil on panel

  I have been inspired lately by the works of  Lorraine Shirkus  in her efforts to paint in a looser style. This goal has mirrored my own for quite some time. It is difficult for me to give up the need (compulsion?) to render subjects closely to their actual appearance. I think that has to do with the fact that it's "safe." If you paint something as it actually is (with a little originality thrown in) it seems logical that it is then "correct." Where I fall down in my attempts to break these bonds of exactness is that uncertainty it might look like mayhem. Will the colors I use work? If I just imply a leaf, for example, will it be successful? If I lose edges will the viewer understand?
I know, also, that I do not "play" or experiment enough. I tend to want to bring each painting full circle and have a completed, ready-to-hang piece each time. I watch my grandson (age three) paint, and his primary goal at this point is the process...the testing of materials and technique - the "What happens if I...?" I think I need to go down his road more often. 
All this being said, I am pleased with the onion above. It has more of the spontaneity I've been looking for.                                                         

"CURBSIDE SERVICE" 10.5" X 15" Pastel

Every year, as most small towns do, we have a festival with a parade, art show, food booths and musical entertainment. Lots of people turn out for all the events, and there are photo ops everywhere. This young woman sat curbside at the parade with her cell phone in hand. I loved the way the sun caught her bright yellow shirt and I couldn't resist doing a painting of her. I especially had fun with the sidewalk colors - a combination of neutral grays with hints of the colors in her clothing.

More time has passed since my last post than I would have liked. I kind of hit a big, tall wall - two painting prospects for which I had hopes ended up wiped off. I kept thinking, "Tomorrow I'm GOING to get it!" Three tomorrows went by and I never "got" it, so I decided it was time to put the caps back on the paint tubes and take a break - which I did. Some retail therapy, some fresh-cut flowers, a couple long walks and a lunch with friends was refreshing and supplied a new energy. I'm hoping that this new week will bring some positive momentum and progress.

"SOMEDAY SAILOR' 8" X 10" Oil on canvas

Who knows what might be going through this little boy's mind as he looks at the opening to the bay from the harbor. Exploration? Fishing? America's Cup?  Weekend sailing? Dreams are often born early.