Path at Willow Creek – Study

Path at Willow Creek - Study, Oil on Canvas 8" x 10"

A few weeks ago, I was preparing for a demonstration. I used a 6″ x 8″ plein air sketch from last summer as my guide. The scene is along a path in Rock Cut State Park. I sketched and blocked in the design prior to the demonstration. I over prepared for the event (not necessarily a bad thing) and never got to use this start.

The other day, I finished a large painting and had an hour or so before dinner and then my watercolor class. I grabbed this canvas and worked quickly to finish it. Fun when you just let loose and go a little wild.

Watercolor ’12 Regional Exhibition – St. Charles

Ceramic Sentry, Watercolor on Arches 140#CP 21" x 14"

Two of my watercolor paintings, Ceramic Sentry and New Day at Spring Creek Farm, have been accepted into the Watercolor ’12 Exhibition. The competition/exhibition is sponsored by The Norris Gallery, St. Charles, IL. The exhibit will be held March 3 through April 21, 2012 at the gallery.

Update March 18: Ceramic Sentry received an Award of Excellence at this exhibition.

New Day at Spring Creek Farm, Watercolor on Arches 140# CP 21" x 14"

Candle and Teddy Bear Redux

Candle and Teddy Bear, Oil on Canvas 14" x 11"

As we move from autumn to winter, I find that I am spending more time in the studio. Over the summer and early autumn I spent more time outside and tended to neglect housekeeping  in the studio. A week ago, I  decided that some organization and clean up was in order. In the process, I opted to clear the studio of a few paintings. A few “clinkers”. Paintings that I realize are not good enough. About couple dozen such works.  The nice thing with oil paints is that you can apply gesso over old, unsuccessful works and start afresh. For now, each evening before leaving the studio, I grab a few paintings, apply gesso and leave them to dry overnight. Within a few days, I will have less inventory of paintings and a greater inventory of “blank” canvases ready for me to paint.

As I was clearing out the clinkers, I came across this work. I created this from life last year during the Christmas season. Before destroying this work, I decided to take some time and play with it first. A few touches of paint to the front side of the table. Brighter, more intense colors to the ornaments, greens and candle. Then, darken up the background. I have attached an image of the original design for your comparison.

Candle and Teddy Bear - Original

Rockford Fall ArtScene 2011

Rockford Fall Art Scene

Friday October 14 from 5:00 to 9:00pm

Saturday October 15 from 3:00 to 9:00pm

My works will be on display up in the studio loft at Bennie’s (126 N. 1st Street, Rockford).  I am one of  twenty-nine artists displaying our works at Bennie’s for this event.

Nearly two dozen of my original oil paintings are hanging on display and available for purchase.  My display also includes a number of smaller, unframed works. Paintings range in size from 6″ x 8″ through 24″ x 30″. In addition to my paintings, my popular packs of note cards will be available. Look for my display in the room at the northeast corner the loft.

Support your local artists, it’s easel to do!

Apple Study February 2011

Apple Study February 2011, Oil on Canvas 8" x 10"

I created this study at one of our Eagle’s Nest paint sessions. I was happy with the apples but was not satisfied with the background.  I set this study aside for a few weeks until I decided to play with the background by utilizing the complimentary green to help set off the red of the apples and cloth. The alteration met with The General’s approval.

Butcher Block

Splash 81103, Watercolor on Arches 140#CP

During April, a few of my works will be on display along with those created by The Eagle’s Nest Painters at The Butcher Block, 216 W. First St. Dixon Illinois (815-284-1204).  Being  springtime, it was decided that we should exhibit paintings which depict spring and flowers. My contributions to the display are a few of my Splash watercolor paintings.

Splash 81110, Watercolor on Arches 140# CP

2011 WSA Exhibition

Handle This, Watercolor on Arches 140# CP 14" x 21"

I received confirmation that my original watercolor painting, Handle This, has been accepted into the 70th Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama Exhibition. This exhibition will be held May 15 – July 8, 2011 at the prestigious Tennessee Valley Museum of Art in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

Regional Survey of Art 7

A Riesling, a Pinot Noir and a Blend with a Naughty Name, Oil on Canvas 22" x 28"

My painting, A Riesling, a Pinot Noir, and a Blend with a Naughty Name, was selected for a  Second Place award during Friday nights  opening of The Regional Survey of Art 7. The exhibition is hosted by The Next Picture Show in Dixon Illinois and runs through April 5, 2011.

Coffee Pot and Snowman

Coffee Pot and Snowman, Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

I received an e-mail from an Eagle’s Nest friend. Although a few members of the group were in warmer climates, a couple were still here in the snowbound north. They were going to get together to paint and asked if I would be able to bring some items for a still life set up.

On Thursday evening, I packed and readied my painting supplies then started to figure out a still life plan. I started with a small brass candle holder and candle. I started to seek out items to pair with this item. A cloth, an apple, a brass tea kettle. Nope, that candle holder doesn’t work. How about this holder. Nope, now that pot doesn’t work. About this time my wife joined in on the fun. I wish that I could accurately recall the full range of items and combination’s which we assembled that night. The various candles and holders. The various dishes, coffee cups and dinner ware. The nick-knacks, including a small duck decoy and the snowman. There were many workable set ups, but ultimately, I settled on this still life which I felt was within everybody’s capability and likes.

Friday morning, we set up and started painting. I was just starting to block in my painting when I stepped back to look and did not like what I saw. The design was not good. Grabbed a paper towel, some solvent, a few swipes across the drawing and a few moments later, I had a toned canvas and a fresh start. I moved fast hoping to finish before we broke for lunch. Did not make it. Needed a few minutes after lunch to finish up.

Merry Christmas

Candle and Teddy Bear, Oil on Canvas 14" x 11"

I had one last chance to paint in our family room for awhile. Helen begins her winter break after school lets out today. After today, Helen will be busy with all of her preparations for Christmas and I don’t wish to get in the way.

Painting from life rather than from photos becomes rather addictive. There is a certain immediacy that takes place and a feeling of a fleeting moment that necessitates a need to be swift and sure with your decisions and brush strokes. I find that my works created from life seem to have a greater feel of energy to them. So once again, I will set up a still life.

In looking for elements to use for this set up, I retrieved a small stuffed teddy bear. We purchased the bear with the thought that it would add a nice touch to a still life painting, some day. That was several years ago. In the meantime, the bear has been sitting. Waiting. Finally, the time had come to put the bear to use.

It is interesting to look back at my sketches, ideas and the moments of inspiration. In some cases, I get the inspiration and move quickly to paint the element or scene. In other cases, the muse is there, but not ready. I compare it to making a good stew or soup. Sometimes it just takes awhile before it is ready. It may take awhile cooking, before it is ready. Just like a homemade soup, the aroma is there, tempting you to do it now. But you wait. You revisit the idea. You add to it. You play with it. You contemplate it. Eventually, hopefully, the time comes to do it. Sometimes, the anticipation, much like the meal, much like Christmas, makes all the work and waiting worthwhile.

I executed the sketch with a warm color. I worked the bear in a mono-chrome block-in (I used the same warm color to create a value study of the bear). I blocked in the remaining elements, then started to finish off the painting moving from background to foreground. By the time I got back to adding the fur to the bear, the monochrome wash had set up and was tacky enough for me to work the fur in more of a drybrush manner. I was having fun with the bear. I needed to be cautious and not to get carried away with the technique (toilet seats – my students know what I mean).

Once again, I finished my painting and got everything cleaned up and put away before Helen got home from work. Now, time to have that homemade soup. I think that should be ready by now too.

Merry Christmas.