tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41574752427769251242024-02-08T10:07:11.173-08:00The Gypsy ArtistNavigations from a creative realm.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-16364898543747721272016-06-29T15:34:00.001-07:002016-06-29T15:34:28.615-07:00Sketchbook: re-purposed/renewed and easy to make.<a href="http://urbansketcherstacoma.blogspot.com/2016/06/sketchbook-re-purposedrenewed-and-easy.html?spref=bl">Urban Sketchers Tacoma: Sketchbook: re-purposed/renewed and easy to make.</a>: I made my 1st sketchbook on a whim last month. It was part of an effort for the Artist Way task. I am trying to romance my muse into getting back to work<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixJaW9qgASA/V3RM4oa-fNI/AAAAAAAACfo/FXS50H-WWOk9IZez5faYK7GpQ33TTXgYwCLcB/s1600/4-15-16%2B053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixJaW9qgASA/V3RM4oa-fNI/AAAAAAAACfo/FXS50H-WWOk9IZez5faYK7GpQ33TTXgYwCLcB/s320/4-15-16%2B053.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
...- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-43833947696440242302016-06-21T16:06:00.002-07:002016-06-21T16:06:55.564-07:00Slow start solstice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIbrJYEB7DI/V2nGk6aeK1I/AAAAAAAACfU/bcTB7B_N7Y8ARrdHh0mfp2sQ6fObJ0Z7QCLcB/s1600/6-21-16%2B390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIbrJYEB7DI/V2nGk6aeK1I/AAAAAAAACfU/bcTB7B_N7Y8ARrdHh0mfp2sQ6fObJ0Z7QCLcB/s320/6-21-16%2B390.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Strangely by now I have more than 20 paint studies under my belt but this year has been very different to where I have not been able to do plein air painting at all. After many failed attempts, to jump start the art I made a venture to a new lighthouse of which I have never painted before. It was a painful recovery but I managed to rip off the bandages, face the dragon and battle my way through this 9x12 study.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-91133001789252779992015-12-27T21:30:00.000-08:002015-12-27T21:31:24.837-08:00No Pear Tree <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9Z2WRz-IAs/VoDHvMSloeI/AAAAAAAACWY/Qq-SshG95tA/s1600/pear%2Bon%2Bred2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9Z2WRz-IAs/VoDHvMSloeI/AAAAAAAACWY/Qq-SshG95tA/s400/pear%2Bon%2Bred2.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pear on Red"-9x7 oil</td></tr>
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The gypsy artist doesn't need no stinkin' holidays! I spent my Christmas painting this pear... no partridge, no tree, just a pear on a red towel.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-24607444448217231062015-12-06T22:23:00.002-08:002015-12-06T22:25:00.978-08:00The Renascence Man.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34mzXuF6skU/VmUkxVemFaI/AAAAAAAACV4/8flWtCRooQ4/s1600/edmonds%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34mzXuF6skU/VmUkxVemFaI/AAAAAAAACV4/8flWtCRooQ4/s320/edmonds%2B004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 x 12- conte'</td></tr>
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Took a trip up to Edmonds to draw the "Renascence Man" today. A great model but I was out of practice. Did this one in conte' which I have not done in 6 months and miss it.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-58785875045048645672015-12-03T18:59:00.003-08:002015-12-03T18:59:46.039-08:00Inkwell study<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bn2vp_BpOuU/VmEARTVYwiI/AAAAAAAACVM/6c2PUSu2y7k/s1600/cat%2Binkwell%2Bstudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bn2vp_BpOuU/VmEARTVYwiI/AAAAAAAACVM/6c2PUSu2y7k/s320/cat%2Binkwell%2Bstudy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11x14 watercolor and ink</td></tr>
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I did a short study of this black forest carved inkwell yesterday as a prompted exercise. Since I am not strong in watercolor I decided to use that medium with a little water soluble ink.<div style="text-align: right;">
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- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-28310238501792306472015-10-25T06:00:00.002-07:002015-10-25T06:00:57.840-07:00Return to the magic<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ljgpK-CYa4E/VbBRXFrznQI/AAAAAAAACKg/5w0wVIEXVqI/s1600/clothesline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ljgpK-CYa4E/VbBRXFrznQI/AAAAAAAACKg/5w0wVIEXVqI/s320/clothesline.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clothes line- 9x12 oil on gesso board</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dT1dvLhdtt8/VbBRq4u7GWI/AAAAAAAACKo/YXJ4vL28dZ4/s1600/wbar%2540gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dT1dvLhdtt8/VbBRq4u7GWI/AAAAAAAACKo/YXJ4vL28dZ4/s320/wbar%2540gate.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheel barrel- 9x12 oil on gesso board</td></tr>
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Here are a few raw pieces from the plein air session at the Watrin farm this summer. There is never a lack of something paint worthy there and you can almost smell the fresh baked cinnamon rolls coming out of the oven. Such great energy this place has for me (and all those who visit) whenever I come to paint!- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-34934116760092083722015-08-04T23:23:00.004-07:002015-08-04T23:23:45.226-07:00sunflowers on blue<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NImaXWuyFmI/VbBTFn-k8RI/AAAAAAAACLE/YAG-l-lezjc/s1600/sflwr%2Bon%2Bblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NImaXWuyFmI/VbBTFn-k8RI/AAAAAAAACLE/YAG-l-lezjc/s320/sflwr%2Bon%2Bblue.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers on checkered cloth<br />5x7 Casein</td></tr>
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Trying to get a chance to work in Casein, I did this study on clayboard at the art fest in the demo tent. Although it is only my 3rd attempt to work in this medium, I don;t feel as though I have the understanding of how this works just yet. That and the weather was so hot (90s) that the paint was drying faster then I could lay it down. My favorite part was the refracted blue stripes inverted in the vase.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-42912782703551922242015-07-30T16:28:00.003-07:002015-07-30T16:29:37.386-07:00New medium... casin.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCEXGYZ2RzA/VbBTcXbO_hI/AAAAAAAACLM/5kbXq8EpzFw/s1600/sflwrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCEXGYZ2RzA/VbBTcXbO_hI/AAAAAAAACLM/5kbXq8EpzFw/s200/sflwrs.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
Not quite gouache, not quite acrylic, not water(color) and not oil... I'm trying Casin paints. Actually anybody who know me would say, " It's just another excuse to start a new sketchbook." I must admit... I was romanced by the paper (and format) before I took up the paints; the secret's out! This particular sketchbook I am doing quick studies of flowers- fun! Since this is my 2nd attempt to paint in the medium, the verdict is still out as to whether I plan to adopt this medium into my artistic arsenal.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-90678432190823521262015-07-22T15:08:00.000-07:002015-07-22T15:08:21.741-07:00Airport adventures<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9esKoStyWyw/VbAPwBB5R5I/AAAAAAAACJI/58ox_OpdR14/s1600/AV%2Bfuel%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9esKoStyWyw/VbAPwBB5R5I/AAAAAAAACJI/58ox_OpdR14/s400/AV%2Bfuel%25231.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AV Fuel #1-4 x 8.5 <br />gouache on watercolor moleskin paper</td></tr>
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Recently I have become more involved with the efforts of an artist named James Gurney. About a month ago I was gifted with a book about sketching that was written by him. I've always known who he was (visited his blog a few times) but never delved too deeply in his artistic input. Then a week later I was directed to his blog on a post about a book he was reviewing that I have read twice. Days after that I was again directed by another friend to something else he was involved in and I thought, 'Okay 3x in 3 weeks, somebody is trying to tell me something,' so I took a deeper look.<br />
Longer story abbreviated, there was a challenge to paint in gouache of which he was showing many fine examples of realist artists who used this medium- I was intrigued. Then he threw out a theme for the gouache painting challenge (gas station) which got me inspired so I tried gouache for the 1st time in these two back to back studies... on the tarmac of the airport.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i4WaxsR0ztM/VbAP4pr5nwI/AAAAAAAACJQ/1jYc3crBHC8/s1600/AV%2Bfuel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i4WaxsR0ztM/VbAP4pr5nwI/AAAAAAAACJQ/1jYc3crBHC8/s320/AV%2Bfuel2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AV Fuel #2- 4 x 8.5 gouache on watercolor moleskin</td></tr>
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<br />- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-81050139346653281082015-06-01T23:07:00.002-07:002015-06-01T23:24:11.930-07:00Skansie Netshed 1st plain air of the season<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2PVdGRg5bg/VW1Gi2WqmMI/AAAAAAAACBc/sW0w-QHnxGE/s1600/PA%2BAvalon%2Bstudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2PVdGRg5bg/VW1Gi2WqmMI/AAAAAAAACBc/sW0w-QHnxGE/s320/PA%2BAvalon%2Bstudy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skansie Netshed paint study 6x8</td></tr>
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It was a rocky start to the 1st plein air event of the season but I simply "kept calm and painted on" as the cliche' goes for other instances. It was a local event but a good opportunity to shake off the bad habits of not painting regularly and get back to it. More travels for the gypsy artist through out the summer- stay tuned!- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-26559540834933293312015-05-11T18:02:00.002-07:002015-05-14T21:49:20.755-07:00Freighthouse square interior<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wY-RjTY4zH8/VVFPRn4cczI/AAAAAAAAB9o/iAz-RkUlF9g/s1600/usk%2Bfreight%2Bhouse%2Bsq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wY-RjTY4zH8/VVFPRn4cczI/AAAAAAAAB9o/iAz-RkUlF9g/s320/usk%2Bfreight%2Bhouse%2Bsq.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frighthouse square 7x11 watercolor</td></tr>
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I finally had the pleasure of discovering this funky menagerie of shops in Tacoma which reminds me of Olla Padrida in Dallas or Pike's Market in Seattle. Maybe every cool little city has a place like this? Anyway so upon late arrival I took residence in the food court where the railroad light kept company with a gumball machine. 'What an unlikely pairing,' I thought and made it the subject of my drawing. I hope to return and enjoy the unusual scenery this summer.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-49784697785044805392015-04-10T22:07:00.002-07:002015-04-10T22:23:34.670-07:003D project to be auctioned Summer 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-thlGYDfI0bY/VSiqBKmkxSI/AAAAAAAAB80/9Tl5br32iGg/s1600/owl%2Boar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-thlGYDfI0bY/VSiqBKmkxSI/AAAAAAAAB80/9Tl5br32iGg/s1600/owl%2Boar.jpg" height="95" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Owl (I'll) go with the flow"<br />
48" wood, acrylic, molding paste,<br />
leather, glass</td></tr>
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The owl paddle is completed and soon to be on display in Gig Harbor this spring. It goes to auction at the Yacht club this June around the time of the Maritime Festival. The sculpture depicts the facial feathers of the great grey owl floating down the stream as the owl's head looms overhead.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-66852827940437292282015-04-02T19:00:00.002-07:002015-04-02T19:00:36.082-07:00Sketchbook Project Wanders to New York<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7BD-CrILC4/VR3wowfJRjI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/oswJcrBLlvk/s1600/DSCN5086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7BD-CrILC4/VR3wowfJRjI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/oswJcrBLlvk/s1600/DSCN5086.JPG" height="320" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Artist's Tools"<br />8x10 pen & ink</td></tr>
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Here is a drawing from the narrative creation project that I recently completed for the sketchbook project. Although the story begins in pen and ink, it travels through many different mediums both in black and white and color across 32 pages of funky fun... you know how my artwork can be! Even though the book will reside in Brooklyn's library, the worlds largest sketchbook collection, they will also be digitalizing the images and put online for your viewing pleasure... more info to follow. For now I leave you with a teaser... the artwork of page one. Enjoy!- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-85546483839550562732015-02-17T17:04:00.002-08:002015-02-17T17:04:37.045-08:00Johnny's Dock not what I expected<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5qHAHjkVgw4/VOPh1FgEDCI/AAAAAAAABzc/0SWu0INXZBg/s1600/johnny's.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5qHAHjkVgw4/VOPh1FgEDCI/AAAAAAAABzc/0SWu0INXZBg/s1600/johnny's.JPG" height="400" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine sifter at Johnny's Dock 7x9 watercolor</td></tr>
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So I go to this restaurant thinking 'burgers, fries... laid back joint to grab a bite and sketch'. When I go in I discover it is waterfront wall of glass surrounding the entire dining room with formally dressed tables which all have different bottles of wine at each table- a great place for a rainy day sketch outing. So with all this overwhelming detail out the windows (I only have 2 hours to sketch) I turn inward to the open kitchen portion with stoves, vent-a-hood and their "Best of..." paraphernalia beside the fantastic wine pouring contraption. Although I could not exactly get that nice high contrast glass feel on this study, it was fun to play with the shape.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-53744259660940405622015-02-17T16:47:00.000-08:002015-02-17T16:47:06.269-08:00Portrait in color...beyond trois crayon!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSED9qKrfhs/VOPeQaD-sFI/AAAAAAAABzQ/W1QX5mcRhEw/s1600/jerimiah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSED9qKrfhs/VOPeQaD-sFI/AAAAAAAABzQ/W1QX5mcRhEw/s1600/jerimiah.JPG" height="295" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Jerimiah" 12x12 conte'</td></tr>
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This portrait was my effort to try something more than the conte' sticks. It can be difficult to get detail with the conte' sticks unless you waste them down to produce an edge or just randomly make marks of less precision by the squared stick's side edge. Yet I was gifted conte' pencils and actually tried them after chunking in the mass and was pleased with the results.The best part is the model with his "pony bun" looking like a samurai soldier with the Asian writing in the background which was not planned at all.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-89900081404254146252015-02-17T16:29:00.002-08:002015-02-17T16:32:14.783-08:00Venturing out to Meeker Mansion...100th post!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjbL7gAYj6Q/VOPYnP70EdI/AAAAAAAABzA/1iF7UARS0ZI/s1600/meeker%2Bmansion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjbL7gAYj6Q/VOPYnP70EdI/AAAAAAAABzA/1iF7UARS0ZI/s1600/meeker%2Bmansion.JPG" height="244" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeker Mansion's Kitchen 7x9 watercolor study</td></tr>
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Traveling to Puyallup bought about a fine place to sketch as I joined about 25 other artists in rendering the historical home known as Meeker Mansion. It seems right since this is my 100th entry, to make it an antique (100+) place. We were allowed free reign on two of the three floors to sketch what we liked so of course I had to go to the edge and find a place where the sign reads "no entrance". After the efforts and a spot of lunch I went wandering the antique shops of Puyallup, or as I call it "prop shopping" for my still life set ups. I scored on finding an Aladdin's lamp for a reasonable price and brought him home.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-83644190918030771572015-01-31T17:25:00.000-08:002015-01-31T17:25:37.007-08:00Superbowl bound 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7k-wHJpEJbc/VM19932r6YI/AAAAAAAABwQ/4fYgIfEle-s/s1600/Hawkcroc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7k-wHJpEJbc/VM19932r6YI/AAAAAAAABwQ/4fYgIfEle-s/s1600/Hawkcroc.jpg" height="194" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #0b5394;"> <span style="color: lime;"> Just gearing up for the presuperbowl sunday here with a new "hawk"pot and some "Beast Mode" treats... skittles in 3 different varieties. We got ya covered Marshawn, now go have some fun with the boys and rumble that Arizona stadium with all your bad-boy selves. GO HAWKS!!!</span></span>- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-65608392425385064322014-12-04T00:52:00.001-08:002014-12-04T00:52:23.626-08:00Robbins workshop in Puyallup<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhT8ysQgZxM/VIAes2Br4mI/AAAAAAAABvQ/2oA-6WufPDc/s1600/L1040286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhT8ysQgZxM/VIAes2Br4mI/AAAAAAAABvQ/2oA-6WufPDc/s1600/L1040286.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still life in workshop</td></tr>
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It was all work for the artists at the Elizabeth Robbins workshop in Puyallup as we worked on daily still life set ups after a morning of demos. There is nothing like watching a master artist work her talents to reveal the magic of flower painting before your very eyes. She was generous in answering questions, long in patience and made it look so easy. Sigh, now it's time to do the homework. As I always say, "You don't get any better just going to the workshops" for those who just like to float from workshop to workshop.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-65060247713179169772014-09-06T00:23:00.001-07:002014-09-06T00:23:23.624-07:00The value of studies<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3QxeXHhdLY/VAqyHlqGwRI/AAAAAAAABss/cvIW5f-c0MQ/s1600/value%2Bstudy%2Bpaint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3QxeXHhdLY/VAqyHlqGwRI/AAAAAAAABss/cvIW5f-c0MQ/s1600/value%2Bstudy%2Bpaint.JPG" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> value study-4x5 oil on canvas</td></tr>
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So as we get more "practiced" in our craft as artists it is easy to forget where we came from. Yet it is the strength of the foundation that builds us to be better artists.<br />
One thing I am animate about is drawing on a regular basis. It keeps the perception sharp, the hand and eye coordination in sync and the practice of value scales finely tuned. Yet even in painting this practice needs to be revisited.<br />
Since I am about to begin a commission piece I thought it best to do a few preliminary practice runs. So 12.5% scale is a value study to flesh out the composition as well as the values.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-19454959469626384212014-08-25T22:55:00.000-07:002014-08-25T22:55:20.948-07:00Water shed... a plein air inspiration.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwUvoOOdcJ8/U_vyXiskM7I/AAAAAAAABqw/Q9GVUjpkx58/s1600/water%2Bbuckets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwUvoOOdcJ8/U_vyXiskM7I/AAAAAAAABqw/Q9GVUjpkx58/s1600/water%2Bbuckets.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">water shed 6x8 oil on linen</td></tr>
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I had the pleasure of painting in Marion's garden a little while ago during a plein air event I co-facilitate for Peninsula Arts League. Incredible garden really but I was most drawn to a sweet little collection of water pitchers outside a small outbuilding... perhaps enough to do a full fledged painting as I will discover when I return this week for another visit... "if the good Lord willin' and the bees don't sting".- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-88120878166602587362014-08-20T23:29:00.001-07:002014-08-20T23:36:12.201-07:00Lil' companion piece- "Bird seeds"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RPFbyaw6-zg/U-7-sPhBgKI/AAAAAAAABpg/xicpHkOoVdk/s1600/6owl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RPFbyaw6-zg/U-7-sPhBgKI/AAAAAAAABpg/xicpHkOoVdk/s1600/6owl.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Birdseeds"- 6x6 acrylic, felt marker, seeds</td></tr>
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In follow up to the previous multi-medium piece on texture, I created this 6"x 6" companion piece on white board. In this challenge instead of using a bold sharpie, colored pastels and acrylic paints on the brown of the board, I narrowed it down to pen, acrylic paints and seeds. Although this image does not do justice to the dimension of the seeds worked into the owl's feathers and beak, the mix is intriguing. Now I contemplate whether to finish the piece in acrylic mediums to play with matte for the tree and gloss for the bird seeds. Hmmnnnnn...- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-58415155646285690172014-08-15T23:41:00.001-07:002014-08-15T23:41:26.068-07:00Work in progress-texture<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLuCSBEwML4/U-7m7rtHlXI/AAAAAAAABpA/v-gHwfSttrk/s1600/12owl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLuCSBEwML4/U-7m7rtHlXI/AAAAAAAABpA/v-gHwfSttrk/s1600/12owl.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sharpie marker on cardboard</td></tr>
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I don't normally show the progression of a piece unless I find the journey worth sharing. So I am in a "share project" and developing a criteria based exercise. The theme is "Texture times three". The challenge is to use 3 mediums, specifying a foreground middle ground and background, and use the 3 primary colors in a split-complimentary piece.<br />
On a 12"x12" piece of cardboard (Because if you mix the 3 colors you get brown) I used white to sketch out the big shapes. Then I dropped in sharpie marker to mark some darks and begin to establish texture feel to remind me to keep thinking texture...<b> texture</b>... <b>texture!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxiMYftZ0zY/U-7m_kJ4x9I/AAAAAAAABpI/Tn52Tt4_WG0/s1600/12owl2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxiMYftZ0zY/U-7m_kJ4x9I/AAAAAAAABpI/Tn52Tt4_WG0/s1600/12owl2.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adding in arcylic wash and pastels</td></tr>
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Then I mixed a thin blue acrylic paint wash to color the tree intermediately with medium and soft edges for the texture as I gradually roughed in the white of the trunk allowing the blush (brown of the paper to peak through. I did the same with orange (complement to blue) for the inner bark gashes before working to the bold solid orange of the eyes. Finally I broke up the background with blue and white pastels mainly in soft edged mass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVh11SL2BEk/U-7nEHLzfyI/AAAAAAAABpQ/gmu3b9AdvWA/s1600/12owl3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVh11SL2BEk/U-7nEHLzfyI/AAAAAAAABpQ/gmu3b9AdvWA/s1600/12owl3.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rendering the owl with acrylic and sharpie</td></tr>
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The remaining mass efforts were to drop in the range of oranges to blues in the body of the owl with acrylic paint. Meanwhile I adjusted the values and edges of the remaining sky and tree with pastels and washes. Although I could work the piece more to relieve the contrast, I believe that the mission has been accomplished and the criteria met.<br />
- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-72338629644503588282014-08-09T22:16:00.000-07:002014-08-09T22:16:54.472-07:00They growing out so fast!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMQpmFt2cFk/U-LlPd7NqrI/AAAAAAAABm4/sCHHKjn7frI/s1600/sunflower3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMQpmFt2cFk/U-LlPd7NqrI/AAAAAAAABm4/sCHHKjn7frI/s1600/sunflower3.JPG" height="291" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunflower #7 2014 6x8 oil on linen</td></tr>
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Amazing what a few days will do to a flower. Nearly unrecognizable from the last entry, the petals have fully opened and the center almost fully bloomed to hide the green center.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-56689775510254956632014-08-06T19:31:00.001-07:002014-08-06T19:31:35.237-07:00Good company<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_RzY--UoTk/U-LiTAstkwI/AAAAAAAABms/qEb7eAUJcE0/s1600/sunflower4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_RzY--UoTk/U-LiTAstkwI/AAAAAAAABms/qEb7eAUJcE0/s1600/sunflower4.JPG" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunflower #6 2014 11x14 oil on canvas</td></tr>
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The sunflowers<b> paint on</b> with this 5 pack in the new green vase. Early in their bloom the centers lay a nice directional green pattern within the straw colored texture surrounded by the raising buff colored outer circle. There is much to learn about these flowers.- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4157475242776925124.post-39001095052285583922014-07-27T22:52:00.000-07:002014-07-27T22:54:53.781-07:00Sneaky lil lilly<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fvvF2K8u1BM/U8zJKEk8DdI/AAAAAAAABkA/ZLH5Yiomyh0/s1600/lily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fvvF2K8u1BM/U8zJKEk8DdI/AAAAAAAABkA/ZLH5Yiomyh0/s1600/lily.JPG" height="290" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilly post arrangement 12x12 oil on canvas</td></tr>
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It was a lovely lone Lilly I added among the remaining flower arrangement that had past it's peak. While pulling faded blooms, I snuck in the yard cutting that only had a day left on the vine... smelt up the entire sunroom-wow!!!- Featherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12705626427438508241noreply@blogger.com1