Thursday, October 6, 2011
Lately I have been painting small paintings...8x10. 9x12 and 11x14. Not my usual format at all but galleries want smaller paintings in hopes of selling for the holidays. Since I am most comfortable painting large to very large works I find this format most challenging.
You'd think smaller means easier or at least quicker, right? Well no. It takes the same amount of planning and designing your composition, deciding what you want to emphasize in the painting...is it light, color, mood or subject etc. In other words creating a painting instead of copying a subject or being literal.
Smaller might mean less paint and a little quicker execution but I find it harder to paint small strokes with brush or painting knives than the big swooping strokes using your whole arm and shoulder, like I do when painting large. They both take concentration and energy. The biggest challenge for me is to not overwork paintings because they can become very stiff. My favorite works are the ones that flow and are spontaneous.
Here are some of the newer paintings that are being exhibited in various galleries for this season. Hope you enjoy them.
You'd think smaller means easier or at least quicker, right? Well no. It takes the same amount of planning and designing your composition, deciding what you want to emphasize in the painting...is it light, color, mood or subject etc. In other words creating a painting instead of copying a subject or being literal.
Smaller might mean less paint and a little quicker execution but I find it harder to paint small strokes with brush or painting knives than the big swooping strokes using your whole arm and shoulder, like I do when painting large. They both take concentration and energy. The biggest challenge for me is to not overwork paintings because they can become very stiff. My favorite works are the ones that flow and are spontaneous.
Here are some of the newer paintings that are being exhibited in various galleries for this season. Hope you enjoy them.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Exhibit at Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum thru Oct.1,2011
In 1987 while taking a workshop in Taos...several artists and I founded the Oklahoma Society of Impressionists. It has gone on to be an active organization representing Oklahoma artists who paint in the Impressionists style. Since I live in Washington State I don't participate in some of their exhibits but am happy to be a part of the show "Pure Color" which is currently showing at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum located at 1400 Classen Drive in Oklahoma City. (405) 523-3213
Here are 2 of my paintings in that exhibit.
Geranium oil 24x20 inches
It is wonderful to have some warm colors...like red... to focus on and enjoy painting. This makes me happy,particuarly after a usual Pacific Northwest winter filled with cool colors like blues, grays and greens.
Summer Evening oil 24x30 inches
The boats and harbors here are among my favorite subjects. They offer constantly changing abstract shapes in the water and reflections. In addition to the challenge of painting boats without sacrificing
their important elements completely yet not wanting every little detail, rope or line to take away from the
painterly style I like. This painting was painted at Pt. Hudson in Port Townsend using oil and painting knives. I love the feeling of the light on the water and the warmth it brings to this work.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
California Vineyard 24x30
This was painted with painting knives and lots of thick juicy oil paint. Starting with a sketch in thin oil paint I then build the painting from thin brush work up to thicker knife work. I like the way it feels to use the thick paint and the vibrant clean color this makes possible.
This particular painting is not available for purchase because it was a wedding gift for dear friends.
This particular painting is not available for purchase because it was a wedding gift for dear friends.
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