Asia Pacific Culture Center's New Year's Celebration

   This week I went to a new years party. There was a parade, music, dancing and many oppertunities for an artist to sketch a very vividy colored variety of unfamiliar things like traditional costumes and instruments. As was mentioned in the opening, "It was stormy outside but once I came indoors and became part of the event it was sunny and warm."

komono- watercolor study 6x9

Yellow Rose Portrait (working in series)

yellow rose study oil on paper 12x12

I am experimenting working in series with flower portraits in a square format. I did a few oil studies on paper this month with an emphasis on yellow subjects. What I learned... it is tricky to mix the shadowy side of yellow (Greenish? Grey? Blue? Brownish?) but even trickier when the light comes through the petals. Furthermore while roses slowly open during their session, daffodils crumple and darken toward a more warm yellow in the light and daisies raise and (mainly) lower their petals with no logical pattern to predict and paint and they dance quickly.

Destination Harley Davidson- Fife



oil study in progress 9x12



My travels took me to Destination Harley Davidson this week to sketch then I returned to do a paint study in oils the day after the superbowl. The music was great (classic rock) and the cafe made me a very tasty roast beef sandwich for lunch. Special thanks to PT (previous owner) and Matt (sales associate who gave me permission) and of course the bike that inspired me.



Hawk Fever in Fife

"The Hawk Hog" watercolor study 6x6

In my travels yesterday, I went to Harley Davidson store in Fife where I came across an extrordinary oppertunity to witness a functional "work of art" and combind efforts to do good in the community. For full story go to: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Built-Motorcycles-Other-Seattle-Seahawks-Official-Theme-Motorcycle-Auction-for-Charity-/121262394884?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c3bcd4e04&item=121262394884&pt=US_motorcycles#ht_3993wt_1105 Although I didn't know much more then that this motorcycle was being auctioned off on Superbowl Sunday, I did take an hour to sit on the floor and do a watercolor study right there on site. The more I observed and appreciated the motorcycle, the more I wanted to spend more time with it but having my Superbowl supplies (Blue Max Meat's "Beast Mode" sausage) waiting in the truck with ice packs and 3 more stops along the way, I was only able to do the small study. Being an artist that works from life (not even carrying a camera that day) I asked if I may return Monday to do a painting of the bike and was told if it wasn't being crated for shipping then I could come so like the Seahawks, I got a 50/50 chance. If nothing else was a fantastic oppertunity to spend an hour with this incredible creation. Go Hawks!

New efforts on old techniques



"Billi" 12x12 pastel, charcoal and conte

    Upon returning to weekly portrait sessions, I have decided to attempt trois crayon. Experimenting stages have brought my technical abilities to do a portrait in 90 minutes to a minimal. This effort required another hour of working from memory. Unfortunately it also detoured the effort from realism and light years from my comfort zone.

Bon Voyage 2013

I was fortunate to be invited to a potluck to watch the holiday "Parade of Lights" from a friend's marina this season. Creative me thought, 'How cool would it be to have a boat shaped spice cake for the event?' Come midnight the night before he was cool enough to frost so I thought that I would just slather a little cream cheese frosting (colored blue) for the water and lay in a bit of spot color for Christmas decorations but one thing led to another and come 4:30 am I had the cake completely decorated with Christmas lights dangling the side and gingerbread boy for a figure mass. Strangely when I saw the pictures from the parade they all turned out blurry... kinda looked like the frosting on my cake. Creativity... it's not just for the studio anymore so hence my last "project" of the year.

 

Abundant Harvest

sunflower study #9-oil



   It has been a "different" autumn as I have had a large loss in my life this past summer. I believe with the approach of winter it is far easier to match the mood of gloom with the greying weather. Yet my lifestyle doesn't have much allowance for depression so I medicate... heavily... with sunflowers. Here are a few more of the now dozen sunflower studies thus completed this autumn. If it weren't for running out of available fresh cut sunflowers, I could easily see a series of these.-G.A. with another study on the easel as I post.

Sunflower study #10-oil

Small Works Sale Sets Sail at the GH Boatshop Nov. 15th

  

"Sailing the Jolly Santa"
4x5 inks on paper

   The last show of the year (in which I will be selling work) opens at the Gig Harbor Boatshop November 15 through Dec 30th. I will be selling 5 new small works for the holidays accompanied by 9 other artist's work in varying mediums for this show. Items priced to move so get them before they are gone!- G.A. wondering 'Is it dry yet?'

Tricks or treat?

What would an artist's workplace be without a little sense of humor? If you don't see much work being posted I'm blaming the mascot. You see this time of year keeps me so busy that I find my muse has her hands tied... err- something like that. Some call it trick or treat but while 3 of my shows close at the end of October another will open in mid November. Treat yourself to a little shopping in the harbor.... before the other holidays- last show of the year!!!

I spy...coast to coast



Coffee drive through
lighthouse Washington



So I was heading towards deception pass from La Connor (out in the tulip capitol farmlands of Skaggit county) when I came across this corner coffee drive through at a light between farmer John's 50 acres and brother Jim's 100 or so acres. It was the only light for miles and perhaps the last stop for gas until you hit the small town. Apparently filling up the car's tank isn't the only octane those country folks stop for.

Car Wash Lighthouse in Florida

   I believe this is the most comical non lighthouse I have ever found. While seeking out a Starbucks in Florida my GPS took me to a home depot... never could trust those navigators and their "recalculating". I asked some pedestrian's if they could guide me accordingly to which they guided me through the strip mall and low and behold... I found a lighthouse! Eventually I made it to Starbucks but as I always say, "Sometimes it's not the destination that matters so much as it is the journey getting there.