Archive for March, 2008
« Previous EntriesBright spot in the garden
Monday, March 31st, 2008
It’s mostly overcast today, but the Iris is a bright spot in the garden.
Bluebonnet Season
Sunday, March 30th, 2008
It’s Bluebonnet Season again! The Abstract below is not typical of my work, but when studying any subject it’s enlightening to see it from different perspectives and try many styles; it’s very liberating for an Illustrator to paint Abstracts, or an Abstract Artist to try illustrating once in a while…switch it up!
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Bluebonnets - 24 x 36 inches Acrylics with "box-frame"; painting extended out 2" onto frame * see 'First Snow' for an example of a box-frame. | |
| $550.00 |  |
Redbuds in bloom
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
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Redbuds ~ Dry Pastels on charcoal paper ~ 14 x 11 inches with white double mat and white classic-style frame, total size 26" x 22" | |
| $550.00 Framed | |
Emerge
Monday, March 24th, 2008
Above: this morning’s emerging Myrtle leaves, an addition to the Heart Shapes in Nature series.
Upcoming exhibitions:
1. Polypore Fungi is on exhibit at the VAST 40th Annual Spring Exhibition in Denton, Texas April 10 through May 29, 2008. Opening Reception Thursday, April 10th 6:00 - 8:p.m. at the Meadows Gallery 400 E. Hickory, Denton.
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Polypore Fungi - 58 x 41 x 2 inches Acrylics and modeling paste on stretched canvas. | |
| $1,500.00 Framed | |
2. Firewheels, 18 x 24 x 2 inches Acrylics - Texas and Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, Texas April 26 through May 24th, 2008. Opening Reception Sunday, April 27th 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
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Firewheels - 18 x 24 x 2 inches, Acrylics on stretched canvas. Painting extends out onto narrow frame. | |
| Framed $550.00 | |
More garden whimsy
Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
Adding to the whimsical garden sculptures of root systems, here are The Twins.
Myrtle At The Zoo, March 10 - April 2
Friday, March 21st, 2008
April 2nd - Myrtle at the Zoo - Crepe Myrtle branches and seed-pods - 20 x 34 inches Acrylics on stretched canvas. Finished, at least for now…it’s good to have a sort of practice-painting like this once in a while, but enough work on this one. I discovered a few things, primarily the technique of dripping paint down the front, which I’ve tried in previous paintings…but here was able to use it, re-energize, and take the work in an unexpected direction.
Beauty and the beast
Saturday, March 15th, 2008
I couldn’t resist buying a deep-yellow Calla Lily at the local nursery, then while out pulling weeds and transplanting, a large slow-moving beetle crossed in front of my trowel.
Mockingbird ritual
Thursday, March 6th, 2008
Mockingbird mating flight ritual - 10 x 10 inches pencil, eraser, paper
Last night it was especially noticable that the Mockingbirds have started their mating season. Pronouncing himself at the highest peak on a rooftop, the male mocks other birds’ calls, repeating each call 3-4 times, ad-lib style, but if you listen for a while there’s a recognizable rhythm. Then in a ritual flight dance he flies up a short distance and does graceful flip in the air, flashing the white wing stripes, back to the perch and repeats the pattern over and over.
After listening to them quite a bit, there are some that have a larger repertoire of calls and a louder, determined, clearer song…I’m guessing that those are the most mature and attractive (because if I were a female Mockingbird I’d choose them first!).
WIP - Crossing Borders
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
Work In Progress: Crossing Borders - Thousand Islands skyline, New York / Ontario border - 5 framed panels each 26 x 11 inches - Oils sculpted with palette knives…will finish with Acrylics when completely dry, probably in about 6 months. Above: playing with the vision using digital pen.
Oil and Water - never the twain shall mix? This work will challenge that, and experiment with crossing those borders. I think the oil resisting acrylics should make for some interesting effects and textures; the places where there are layers, dips and holes should fill nicely with acrylics. If I’m not pleased or the idea isn’t working I’ll finish it using oils, but I’d like to give this idea a try.
Below, click on thumbnails: A few details of the panels as they are now at Stage 1, layered with palette knives on the lower half, mostly with black; intentions are for the black to show through in the finished pieces, and to contrast with bright colors applied over top when dry - see you in 6 months or so with this one!
Snow
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008
75*F a couple of days ago, and snow last night.
