watercolor, 2017
A portrait of my sister in better times. She's been fighting cancer for three or four years and was this week admitted to Hospice care as there is little more any of us can do for her.
Update: Susan lost her battle early this morning (Friday, Jan. 27).
watercolor, 2016
available, 11"x15"
From a Google Maps Street View image acquired but not used during Virtual Paintout's Napa Valley month.
watercolor, 2016
available, 9"x12"
Another "sporting" still life. Again, quick and easier than I expected. I wasn't sure about some of the color and lighting effects. But, I'm very happy with this one.
watercolor, 2016
available, 11"x15"
This is from a shot taken during our one decent snowfall last year. It happily breaks one of the cardinal rules of composition -- actually, almost two. 1) There's a heavy line running up the center of the painting. 2) the horizon line also is in the center of the space. The second problem is easy; the actual horizon line is mitigated by the curved line of the tree line. The first problem is ignored because of the graphic nature of the image. Not all images conform to rules (and why should art have to?). Besides, everything else about this image follows other rules like leading and unity. There are five leading lines pulling the viewer into the painting. The line the tops of the trees make against the sky mirrors the tree line on the ground. There's also unity of color in that only four colors were used.
So, breaking the rules is OK if you have a good reason and the image calls for it.
watercolor, 2016
nfs, 9"x12"
This is a portrait of my late brother-in-law attempted in the loose, impressionist style I've been chasing. Frankly, I think this is the most successful portrait/figure I've done in this style. It has it's issues, though very minor. But it's right on target and the things I would change are greatly outweighed by those that are just right.
watercolor, 2016
available, 11"x15"
A loose view of the front of the little Baptist church in Danbury, NC. I wasn't sure about the warm light reflected back into the shadow areas of the eaves and under the porch. But it works pretty well. The reference photo was taken very early one June morning, a nice contrast to January's usual chill.
watercolor, 2016
available, 9"x12"
I decided to continue a sporting theme after the success of Lady Bug last week. Right now it's just fishing lures and duck decoys, but I might expand to other subjects when I get tired of ducks and plastic "fish." These are fun to do. At this size I can complete one in a couple hours. I'm also seeing a welcome fusing of realism and impressionism in spots, the "calligraphy" and "suggestion" many more accomplished artists talk about. Another interesting rabbit hole to head down.
And, if I don't see you again before Saturday, have a happy new year!
watercolor, 2016
available, 9"x15"
Hardly the festive, seasonal subject matter most people are doing this week. Just a little still life of a fishing lure. This was a quick, fun way to burn a little time and it turned out quite nicely. I'll probably do some more of these.
I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!
watercolor, 2016
available, 11"x15"
I've done a few neon signs in the past. Most of them -- the successful ones, anyway -- were done large and as realistic as possible. So, I wasn't sure about doing this one only 11"x15" and allowing some leeway with edges and color and blooms. My biggest problem when I'm in the painting process is not standing back and looking at the "big picture," or considering the painting as a whole. I'm always too close looking at and painting details. Part of impressionism and loosening up in general is taking in the big picture, suggesting instead of showing. Precise detail painting is "showing." Suggesting is about giving the viewer the idea of a thing and letting them fill in the details. That's the place I'm going. It's funny how a realist painting with plenty of what look like details reminded me of this. But, some of those "details" actually are just suggestions, a mark here, a dry-brush stroke there.
mixed, 2016
available, 11"x15"
Virtual Paintout is in Montenegro this month. This is as close as Google Maps Street View gets to this small church on a hill at the center of an island. But I liked the view with the walled dirt road leading in.
watercolor, 2016
available, 11"x15"
This is from a reference photo I took in Charleston last year. I'm beginning to think I should have taken more shots of the horse-drawn carriages. To me, at least, they seem quite dynamic in these otherwise fairly static streetscapes.
watercolor, 2016
available, 11"x15"
An early morning scene behind a building in downtown Salisbury, NC. I was scheduled to take my daughter to breakfast one morning and went early to grab some photos of Salisbury's paint-ready downtown. I wanted to go loose, but I'm afraid I might have gone too far to the Primitive/Amateur side of "loose" on this one.
