Lucky Hats

 

   I normally don't do specific paintings for specific shows... I find it can be distracting... but when one of our local art groups decided to do a Pop Art show for its members, I thought it would be a good chance to step outside of myself and see what could happen.

  Lucky Hats, a 40x16, oil/canvas, is a nod to the style of one of my favorite painters, Wayne Thiebaud... whose early works of commercial items of mass culture, including his paintings of cakes and pies, are associated with the Pop movement. I kept in mind Thiebaud's use of strong and definite shadows, bold color and loaded brushstrokes, while making sure my own interest in reflected light played true. It may not be apparent in the photo here, but there are a few edges that have a touch of the glow I am after in some of my recent paintings, as well. Maybe I didn't step completely outside of myself with Lucky Hats, but far enough for a learning experience. I am pretty sure there are no soup cans in my near future, but cowboys hats... heck yeah!

Red Cabbage

SOLD

This 8x6, oil/linen panel was an exercise in getting the brilliant colors of the red cabbage before it became cole slaw for lunch today. I used several reds to get there... Quinacridone, Cad Red Medium, and a little Alizaron Crimson, but I think it was the rogue and long forgotten tube of Magenta that made the difference. I must think about bringing it into my pallette more often.

Shadow Dancing

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                            SOLD

With this 6.5x15.5, oil/linen panel, I chose to revisit the subject matter of a previous painting, but in a different format with a few changes. I have also changed my palette a bit since the earlier painting and this version reflects some of those additions/substitutions. The "new" colors I am using include Prussian Blue, Cadmium Red Light, Quinacridone Red, Terra Rosa (all Gamblin), and Winsor Newton's Green Gold. The Green Gold has been an interesting color to use, especially when mixed with a little Cad Red Light.  Here, this mixture is in the shadowed palm fronds and was used as an underpainting in the foreground.( There is no Terra Rosa in this painting, I use it mainly when working on flesh tones.) I am also finding variations of this mixture useful in flesh tones... it seems to give a radiance I felt was missing before. Oh yeah, sorry about the title of this one.. it's a little quirky even for my standards.

Golden Moment"

9x16, oil/linen panel

Catch Of The Day

Private Collection

18x16,oil/linen December 2007

Fast Food Romance

     This 20x20, oil/canvas was done in the studio using photographs I took in Provincetown on a sunny September afternoon. Seeing this couple in conversation amidst all the action of the signs, cars and great effects from the sunlight and shadows, I felt the scene had all the makings for a painting about recognizing the beauty of our everyday moments.

     Fast Food Romance is on display in an exhibition here called Art Explosion , sponsored by Arts United, where it was awarded Judges Recognition in the painting category.

No Hurry

             

                                                                     8x10, Oil/Canvas

      Watching this man rowing by my painting spot the other day, I was taken with his calm and contented wake. As he was taking in the early morning glow, I was reminded of my own quest to be present and aware... or maybe he was just trying to see what I was looking at...

     

Wet Paint...

                                                                         SOLD

    This little crab seemed determined to hold his ground until I whispered two little words..."Crab Cake"... then he wasn't so brave... For this 12x12, oil/canvas I tried out a different medium in the studio today. It is a mixture of gamsol, stand oil and dammar varnish. It gave a nice smooth feel to the paint and kept it feeling fluid with no stickiness or drag.