Great Day in the Studio

Yesterday was a great day.  I prepped several canvas', varnished a few and painted two.  I just hope today is half as good!

Calliope Metal Mark Butterfly

6" x 12" acrylic on canvas sheet

March 5, 2013

Sheep Dip

In my early painting career, I painted this fun painting and hung it on my own wall.  A friend from work, Jackie Bridger, whom I have completely lost touch, loved it.  She asked me for it over and over and I realized that is when it is time to let one go.  I give most of them away now, but back then, I used them myself and giving one away was giving away my friend.  However, I've never regretted giving it to Jackie, I still believe that it was hers from the time she asked for it.

It has stayed on my mind though along with another I gave away under similar circumstances.  Maybe those first babies were just too dear?  So, I decided to repaint it, it has been 29 years after all!  The first one I painted was on a 16" x 20" canvas board.  This time, I want to paint it on a 20" x 20" x ¾ stretched canvas.  I will be giving Alex his painting soon (I hope!  If I can get that face on!) and I want to put the same size on that easel.  It has been nice as a decoration in the room.  But, I don't know, for practice or as another give-away, I first paint it on a 10" x 10" x 1½" stretched canvas.  It was pretty easy and I liked that!  Oh, by the way, the original I painted after was done by Sally Wildman and she painted it on a 42" x 48" with oil pastels.  Now that was a big undertaking!  I found it as a tiny clip in an art magazine.  I have not been able to find it on line although I have found Ms. Wildman.  She does not appear to have her own Blog but you can Google her and find a few paintings including mine!

Here is a bio about Ms Wildman (1939- ) :
Sally Wildman is a graduate of OCAD in the 1960's. The subject of her drawings are mainly everyday objects and animals seen through a whimsical filter. She is greatly influenced by a long love affair with rural environments in England and Canada. Using pastel, she finds there is a freedom to manipulate images by introducing a note of humour in a surreal narrative. Her work is included in many public and private collections including Dofasco, Xerox, Langdon Hall, Redpath and the Government of Ontario.

What I see in her work is much more detail and control.  They are beautiful fine art and I wonder why she would paint something as simple as this "Sheep Dip"?  Maybe, as her Bio stated, it was just a moment (on such a large canvas) of whimsey!

I'm going to post both my original and today's.  My observation is that my first one was better than todays.  I would like to think I've grown as an artist in 30 years, but it doesn't look like it.  I am grateful though, if could have been worse!  Always the optimist.  Here they are:

 Sheep Dip (1984)

16" x 20 " acrylic on canvas board

 

Sheep Dip (2013)

10" x 10" x 1½" acrylic on canvas
Sides painted Phthalocyanne Green (Blue Shade)

March 5, 2013

It's pretty nice ... and available!

Face Update

Well, I gave myself an idea in the first post.  His head is too big and that is where I must start.  Luckily, very luckily, I had not mixed the paint and had used Brilliant Blue straight from the tube with a little white knifed through.  I think it is good enough and maybe now, I can put a decent face on him and get rid of that goiter!

I mean, you can tell, if you know to look, but I think I can get away with it and move on.  His shirt collar is probably now too big, but I've actually seen men wearing them like this, and I suspect Kelly is a slight man based upon his sports prowess.

Back to work!  I'm stoked!

Difficulty with FACE

Well, I do have a couple I could post, but I'm struggling with a face on a large canvas.  This is a really special, to me, project.  I started it in 2009 when my only nephew graduated from college.  It has been sitting on an easel ever since.

I decided to finish it this week and all went well, really well, until I got to his face.  It is so bad, I have actually wished I knew an artist that could come over and paint in his face for me.

Finally, my wise daughter told me to slow down.  I didn't need to finish it this week, after all, it has been sitting on an easel for 4 years!

I'm going to show you my pitiful attempts at his face and you can see for yourself.

 

This poor guy looks like he is wearing a Freddie Kruger mask.  His nose has been amputated and his neck is enlarged with a goiter.  Oh dear, what a mess!





So, I got out the paint and tried again.

He is better, but just not something you'd really want hanging on your wall.  You know what I mean?

I wish his face was smaller, but I began the background 4 years ago and cannot rework that now.  Or can I?  Think I'll take a look at that!


This is when Mary Ellen said, slow down, Mom!
Hos did she get so wise?

I am going to continue to work on him.  Who knows, maybe something will work if I keep at it!  And maybe not.  There are no guarantees when it comes to painting and every artist has a barrel full of rejects.

Thanks for looking.

Babar Sher Desire

In 2009, I began a series of Lions I called "Babar Sher".  Babar Sher is an Urdu word for lion and I liked that.  This was to be the last of that series, but I wonder, when you let 4 years go between them, can it still be called a series?  Oh well, a series it is and if I ever feel like it, I will add to it!  So, here, without further ado, is #4 of a series of four.

Babar Sher Desire

12" x 16" acrylic on canvas board

March 4, 2013

I thought it would be fun to see them all together, so here are the rest.  The one called simply Babar Sher was not part of the series but was the "prototype" that started me painting them in the first place.

Babar Sher (Urdu)

Babar Sher Crimson

Babar Sher Grande

Babar Sher Fierce

BTW, today's Babar Sher's name came about this way.  I wanted to name it after my dog Stella.  That brought on the idea of "A Street Car named Desire".   I mean, what else could it have been?  I've always felt bad that the Blog is named after the other two, Erin and Annie.  I had had them about 6 years when I started the blog and they were already my faithful friends.  It was only after the Blog was started that Stella came to live with us and therefore, she was left out.  Frankly, the name of the Blog would have become a little awkward anyway, Ha! Ha!  So, there you go Stella, you have a painting in your honor now.

Christmas in July!

This is a painting I started in 2009.  I found a photo of George Clooney and decided to try to paint him as Santa Claus.  I'm not very good at portraits and especially with acrylic verses soft pastels.  Anyway, I did his face and then stopped.

Maybe I should have left it at that, but I'm trying to "clean-out" the half finished work that sits in the studio and takes up space.  I mean, what are you supposed to do with them?  Actually, the correct answer is:  BURN THEM!  That it the advice given by experts when it comes to your pieces that are just not up to the quality you want to project.  Every artist has them, in some cases, many of them!

So, what I did was use Thickener, which I love to use for some reason, and thicken the white paint to make all the fur on Santas hat and coat.  It is very thick and will take at least 5 days to "cure".  I hope it stays thick, it makes it look like fur.   But now, when I look at it sidewise, the white looks so stark compared to his face.  I don't know, am I ever satisfied?

Here, see for yourself!  Actually, let's NOT try to count the flaws this poor guy has!  Maybe if it were Christmas, he could inspire someone!

 Santa #2

11" x 14" x ¾" acrylic on stretched canvas

March 2, 2013

Now tell me, would you have known this was George?  Ha! Ha!  I'll say one thing, that REAL GEORGE is ONE HUNK of a GOOD LOOKIN' MAN!

One Minute Paintings

No, I didn't actually paint these in one minute, but I did do them all in one day.  There is an artist that posts to Daily Painters Gallery and she often shows what she calls "1 minute paintings" then sells them for $60.  If I were charging that amount, I'd darn sure tell someone it took me all day to paint!  Just kidding!  But these didn't take all that long and frankly, they aren't that good.  I stewed about what I could do to them great and finally decided not every thing needs to be great.  Someone will want a little token or memento of my work, a toss-off, if you will.  Someone will want a fly - who knows?  Anyway, here are a few "flys" from a day spent in my studio!  I got interested in painting them as my "son-in-law", Ron, just loves them.  Actually, I've had several people act really interested in them, so...

Tumbler Fly

Acrylic on 5" x 7" canvas Board

March 1, 2013

Hot Shot, Hamma Hamma River

Created by Dorsey Campbell

Acrylic on 3" x 5" canvas Board
March 1, 2013

Streamer Fly

Created by Davie McPhail

Acrylic on 5" x 7" canvas Board
March 1, 2013

Final note:  Yes, I did state that the middle one is on a 3" by 5" canvas board.  I found that pitiful little board in some stuff recently.  The "stuff" was from the 1980's when I first began painting!  The price on the back is 29¢.   I never thought I'd use it, but darned if it didn't work out pretty nice!  I wonder, if I was to buy it today, what it would cost?

March is on My Mind

I'm so glad it is March.  I don't know why, but it just seems like it is a good thing, this March!  I'm looking forward to lots more painting.  I'm getting familiar with my studio again.  It is amazing what wonderful supplies I have to work with.  I'm excited every day to see what I can do!

BeeKeeper

Acrlic on 16 x 16 x ¾ on cradled wood panel

February 27, 2013

I worked on this one for several days.  It was such a joy to work with this cradled panel.  I really like painting on wood and would choose it over canvas any time.  As I replace my inventory, I will try to add more of these.

Here is something kind of weird.  I went to see my doctor today and while in the waiting room, picked up a photography magazine.  It had an article on beekeeping and guess what photo was included.  YES, one of my two reference photos on the same day I completed the painting.  Kind'a weird don't you think?  You know, why I sat where I sat and picked up that magazine, I had taken a book after all!  I was excited, maybe I could get a photographer reference but there was none.  Too bad that a photo can make it to the internet and be used in magazines as well without siting who took the photo in the first place.

Wire Hanger Series

Wedding Dress No.6
Acrylic on 11x14 Pannelli Telati panel

February 23, 2013

 Thought I'd mix it up a bit and add one short wedding dress to the mix.  The lace on the skirt is made by thickening the paint and placing a palette knife at tiny intervals to create the layered look.  I envy the real artist that can simply paint lace.  I cannot so I do it the only way I can think of.  Perhaps that is what is creating my own style.  Well, that makes me smile.  That is what it is all about.  Getting the job done.

ME's Birthday Card

Birthday 39

6x6 acrylic on canvas board

February 9, 2013

This is the birthday card I gave to my daughter Mary Ellen for her 39th birthday.  It was fun to make it a "card" and I even made an envelope, too!  I have one of this girl myself I painted in 2009 I called "Friday the 13th".

This has always been one of my personal favorites.  I thought what fun it would be to do this little girl for any date I want to commemorate!  

Poster art

Piper

After Nick Orsborn

Acrylic on 11x14 Pannelli Telati panel

February 23, 2013 nfs

There are so many things I love and elephants are one of them.  A few years ago, I was perusing the internet for them and came upon this fun little poster by Nick Orsborn.  I just couldn't resist giving it a try!  This sweet little canvas is not for sale.

I can't believe I haven't been painting often.  It is so rewarding to accomplish a canvas.  I'm walking around smiling and my family is proud of me.  In fact, so am I!  I hope this lasts.  I've given most of my work away and I need a new catalog of good stuff so I can give that away, too!  Remember, I don't like to give something away unless someone tells me they want it.  That is who I want to have my stuff!  I'm hoping Amina tells me she'd like to have Stavanger, Norway piece.  It is still available!

Say good morning Beckie!

Pretty Eyes, my sock monkey

Pretty Eyes #1, #2 & #3

Acrylic on 6" by 12" canvas sheets

February 22, 2013

I was a young child when someone gave me this sock monkey.  I thought his eyes were just about the prettiest things I'd ever seen.  Hence, his name, Pretty Eyes.  I can't say why, but he sits on one of my drafting tables where I paint.  I actually painted him once before in a painting called "Pretty Eyes and Mouse go Fishing".  I have photographed him in various positions and hope to paint him many more times.

A New Wire Hanger

Wedding Dress No.5
Acrylic on 11x14 Pannelli Telati panel

September 19, 2012

I really need to get back to this project.  I'm hoping to paint 10 in the Wire Hanger Series.  I've got several background boards ready.  So... What Are You Waiting For?  BTW, this one turned out pretty nice, I like it!

Rhubarb

This is a painting done from Google Street Maps at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia.  I started it for a Virtual Paintout Challenge a long time ago.  I'm working on lots of paintings that I started and never completed as well as some new ones.  I am happy to say, I've done 14 canvas' in February!  Here is the Rhubarb Restaurant.

Rhubarb Restaurant, Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

16 x 20 x 2.5 acrylic on stretched canvas

Completed February 11, 2013

Days Gone By

Jacksonville Zoo - 1970

Acrylic on 11x14x¾ stretched canvas

Painted December 2011

Wire Hanger Series

Wedding Dress No.1
Acrylic on 11x14 Pannelli Telati panel
Bkg using Golden Cobalt Violet Hue & Red, Gold & Violet Interference

Wedding Dress No.2
Acrylic on 11x14 Pannelli Telati panel
Bkg using Scarlet soft body and Golden Gold Mica Flakes (Small)

Wedding Dress No.3
Acrylic on 11x14 Pannelli Telati panel
Bkg using Golden Micaceous Iron Oxide and Taupe soft body

Thought I'd try painting again with a set of 12 wedding dresses. Here are the first three.

Here's a Fun One

Flo's Little Pinky
after Thomas Anfield
acrylic on 6x12 canvas board

When we were children, my sister grew 7 inches in one year. Naturally thin, she appeared to have really long arms. Beverly was the first grandchild and our Grandmother Flo nicknamed her Pinky when she was born after her favorite painting Pinkie, 1794 by Thomas Lawrence. Beverly went by that nickname until she was a teenager at which time our father told her she would regret being called Pinky dressed in a business suit. She says that was some of the best advice she ever got!

Anyway, every summer we would visit the grandparents in Kansas where Flo and our mother would often sew us pretty cloths. After Beverly's growth spurt, Flo was afraid Beverly would become self conscious about her height so when the measurements were made for our new summer frocks, Flo insisted to have her own measurements taken and whispered to our mother "What ever Pinky's arms measure, make mine 2 inches longer!"

It has been a family joke for over 50 years now that when something need to be "reached" for, Beverly can best do the job with her "overly-long" arms!

This was a problem I never shared! Please visit Thomas Anfield to see his wonderful monkeys, dummies, figures and pop art.

Last of Cousins .... for now!

Over the Threshold - Kathryn & Mark
acrylic on 8x10 canvas board

Fancy Fish
acrylic on 9x12x.75 The Edge canvas

The first painting was given to my cousin David's daughter Kathryn. She married last November on her father's birthday - nice tribute!

The second painting was given to my cousin Ted.

I hope all the recipients of the 6 paintings liked them. You just never know when you give something - actually true with any gift, not just a painting. The bottom line is a wonderful quote I've lived by for many years: The Gift is For the Giver! Not much else you can do unless someone "asks" - I like that when it happens!

Something for the girls...

Olivia's Baby
acrylic on 6x8 canvas board

Lambie

acrylic on 8x6 canvas board

Earlier this month my cousin Debbie told me she and her husband and three boys were vacationing with her two brothers and their families and her mother in Garden City, SC and if I got a "wild hair", join them. After a decent three hour delay from the time the offer was extended I called to accept. They were going for a week and as it was a seven hour drive for me, I determined the least amount of time I could go for was two nights and one day. I really did not want to horn in on any more of their time than would take for a really good visit. I learned a long time ago everything to be said would be done in four to six hours but with the long drive, that was not possible. She seemed really delighted that I was coming and so was I.

I had not seen Debbie and her brother Ted since 1986. They both live in South Carolina and I had never met their children the oldest of which just graduated from high school and the youngest was seven! The third cousin David and his wife were coming from the Dallas, Texas area and I had not seen them since 1993. I had not see their mother, Aunt Joyce, since 1995. It was definitely time for a visit.

Recently on Facebook I had seen a painting owned by Mary Ellen Bitner that her cousin had painted. I spoke to Mary Ellen about it and said "I wish my cousins would give me a painting"! Oh, be careful what you say because I immediately realized I was the one that needed to give my cousins a painting!

So, for the next 3 days, I painted 6 canvas'. I choose the largest and most detailed for Debbie, Ted and David. Then I wanted to do something small for the 2 little girls, Annabelle age 10 and Baylee age 7, Ted's children. I did consider painting something for Debbie's three sons, ages seven, fifteen and seventeen, but I did not really have time and honestly do not know anything about the interests of young men.

Finally, David and Sally have 2 grown daughters, Kathryn just got married and Kristina who is my Facebook friend. Again, I just didn't have time so painted a wedding photo of Kathryn and her husband Mark as a type of delayed wedding thought. Sally was so excited and said Kristina would also want a painting of mine. She was joining them at the end of the week but we missed each other. Since Kristina has been my FB friend for a long time now, I kind of know her anyway, and therefore will try to paint her something special.

OK, long story getting longer - but not much. I had a wonderful time. I enjoyed visiting with each of them. I really think we have reinforced our adult selves and they are now in my heart for the rest of my life. My Aunt Joyce is a real character and we had a grand visit. I'm sure she will find a little canvas coming her way, too!

The real surprise was my cousin Ted and his two daughters. I only met Ted as a young child, he is one year older than my daughter. He became a fine man and I completely enjoyed him and his beautiful daughters. The youngest, Baylee, adopted me within minutes - or maybe it was me who adopted her company. We shared a room, stories, cooking and even traded toothpaste so we could know what each others tasted like! I had not chosen which painting was for which girl but tried to paint two of my favorite animals and not make them completely childish. I showed them both to Baylee who was completely interested and when I told her I had a painting of a pig named Olivia she asked for the pig. Absolutely, if someone wants a certain painting of mine, it is already theirs!

Starting again...

May-En Pottsburg
8x10x.75 The Edge canvas

Pitiful? Absolutely! I'm only showing it because it taught me a lot. First and most important, DON"T TRY PORTRAITS WITH ACRYLIC! Maybe with the right lessons or a ton of failed attempts, I could get there. I did like my acrylic of Diane Sawyer and one self-portrait but mostly they have been dismal failures. However, I felt this one had elements of things I've observed in the last months of studying. Another interesting finding was on the first day, I thought I was finished and liked it. I can't remember now what I wanted to re-work but was really reluctant to do it as I was afraid I'd not like what I changed. It was so much better that I had to laugh that I had thought I was done. Goes to show what I read artists saying all the time: how to know when to quit. I guess you could just keep going and going not unlike the energizer bunny. In my case, that would probably have been a good idea, but this is where I finished!

Nigrini Brown
8x10 acrylic on canvas board

I have long admired artist Michèle Nigrini from Rosendal, Free State, South Africa. Her use of color fascinates me. I painted big blotchy splashes of color under my painting and then "tried" to let the color float up through the painting. You can see I didn't come anywhere near the color use that Michèle accomplishes but I did see a looser style for the first time. It was a fun project, I'd like to try it again sometime.

Michèle Nigrini - 2008 Elke Dag Se Berg

Little Metal Mark Butterfly 1 of 2
8x8 acrylic on canvas board
In my normal "tight" style

Little Metal Mark Butterfly 2 of 2
8x8 acrylic on canvas board
Attempting "looser" style

The above 2 painting were done side by side. My goal was to really loosen up. As you can see, I really did not accomplish anything. I did, however, study butterflies and decided to concentrate on Metal Mark's. There are so many species, you have to start somewhere!

Lilina Metal Mark Butterfly
8x8 acrylic on canvas board

This was a beautiful butterfly on a white flower. I liked the way it turned out.

Cecil Irving is back!

CECIL IRVING IS BACK!!!

I have loved this mans work and just over a year ago, he quit blogging or posting on Daily Paint Gallery. But I am so happy he returned. You know how you get attached to your "friends" and I have a terrible time letting anyone go, so I am especially happy Cecil is ... this is difficult to phrase, I don't know what caused him to take a leave, so I don't know what to say ... I'm just happy you are (probably) well and (hopefully) happy and (joyously) painting! I think that covers it!

Please drop by his blog - Cecil Irving - American Aritst - and see his beautiful work.

I have 2 of his paintings, I wish I had a dozen!


FLOWER
5x7 oil - 3-11-09.


THE GYPSY
5x7 oil - 12-9-08.




Now to get my own house in order...

I'm thinking about it!

Tom Waits - Little Trip to Heaven

I must be the last person to hear this song, but man ... am I in love with it!

It is here for me - I want to listen to this over & over! BTW, GRAPEFRUIT MOON is right up there with it!



I'm dancing, swirling, twirling ...

Life is good...............

Pretty Eyes and Mouse Go Fishing

Pretty Eyes and Mouse Go Fishing
acrylic on 8" by 6" canvas board

I've been painting, Mary Ellen wanted a couple to send to her Dad and Step-Mom for Christmas. I offered - told her she could consider them commissions since she does so much for me! This one I painted with her Dad in mind, he is a fisherman. But after it was done, knew "Pretty Eyes" wouldn't be his thing! It is mine, however! Pretty Eyes is my sock doll from my childhood. And I love mice, so lucky me! Also, in case you wonder, the green hangy-down stuff is supposed to be a weeping willow!

Think I'll try to paint a few more soon - and post too! I miss it! Thanks for looking!

Painting in July...

Night Shop
after Jennifer McChristian
acrylic on 18" x 24" canvas board

This is a copy of a painting I really admire by Jennifer McChristian. I love attempting to copy a painting but it has such negative connotations. It isn't nearly as good as Jennifer's but it was a fun exercise for me. My brain is empty and if I didn't do this, I wouldn't do anything at all. I'm hoping to get back on my stool and paint regularly. Please visit Jennifer's website and enjoy her beautiful work, you won't be sorry.

I plan on giving this to Ron, my daughter Mary Ellen's boyfriend. Ron says just 2 more years and they can be common-law! Well, I think you have to live together to get that title, but he is a wonderful person and I love him for being so good to my daughter. Ron recently lost his Father who had an extensive work shop. So did my own Father. I'm sure that is why I was drawn to this painting.

I won Chubby!

I must have really wanted this little guy because I procrastinated for a while before logging into Steve's Globspot to see if he had selected the winners yet. OK, I thought, you didn't win - but the odds are much less than the lottery I thought - but so what, it sure is fun to play the game! I read along first to see who's names had been selected, Athos, Porthos and Aramis, names of the Three Musketeers, by Art Wench were the winners. I have to confess, I've only heard of Aramis, probably because it is a popular mens cologne! What's that say about me?

Reading on, I could hardly believe it when I saw beckielboo - I mean, I had to read it about 3 times before I could believe it! Gotta' go now, I have to let Steve know I've decided upon Chubby!

If you haven't already, go visit Steve Worthington's Globspot to see his work and his humor!

Oh, almost forgot to tell of the amazing coincidence. My previous post, announcing Steve's contest announcing his 100th blog post was also my 100th blog post!

Steve Worthington rocks

I am a big Steve Worthington fan. I first came across him when I started seeing mouse paintings by some of my favorite artists. Being the curious person I am, I investigated and found a really interesting person and a phenomenal sculptor.

To celebrate his 100th blog post, he is having - another - contest to win a mouse sculpture. Well, I really love his mice - my friends know how I feel about mice, so I have to do this.

Sprightly & his friends

He is looking for names for his 3 new turtles. Proudly, I was the first with suggestions!
And we get to guess twice! My first entries are "Uno, Pesky & Snapdragon". Wish me luck, but better yet go there yourself, read the rules and enter. If you win - good for you, but please tell me! Go to Steve Worthington's Globspot ... NOW ... What are you waiting for?