May 23, 2014

Remembering angles. Sometimes I forget how effective layers of hatching and crosshatching can be in a pencil drawing to create the illusion of volumes in space. Building up line for highlight, midtone, and deep shadow means that all of a sudden I have a sharply turned form.  Trees are a good example of this process, and I have also included drawings created through the practice of Zentangle.

March 11, 2014 - Abandonment Project

The Art Abandonment Project ... I just found this group on the net and it seems there are 7,000 Artist participating with yet more to come.    The group suggests that you Create something for the joy of making it, and then leave it for an unsuspecting person to find--be it on a shelf at the library, a park bench, a table at a coffee shop or anywhere a stranger might stumble upon it.   I have created my first piece that I plan to abandon tomorrow .... I think I will staple it to a light post in Fredriksted.

 

 

 

January 10, 2014 - Sandcastle on the Beach, Frederiksted

Monet also said: “It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.” “When you go out to paint, try to forget what objects you have before you, a tree, a house, a field or whatever. Merely think here is a little square of blue, here an oblong of pink, here a streak of yellow, and paint it just as it looks to you, the exact color and shape, until it gives you own naïve impression of the scene before you.”     Then add some people to the scene.  

 

January 9, 2014 - Watercolor

Watercolor is the very best medium for painting water because of its delicate transparency and its freshness.  It is majic to watch what ahppens as the colours blend on a wet surface or a raidly scrumbled brush expresses the vibrancy of shimmering color on the ocean surface.  Or when a few touches of a dark tone suddenly transform white paper into the bottom of a crashing wave.   Because water moves fast, there is something sartisflying about painting it fast.  It is nore than an impression...  it is an inner vision and it becomes an expression of myself.  

January 5, 2014 - Happy New Year

With new knees I can now continue on...

Photo by Jenny Keith
 

November 9, 2013

November, the beginning of the holiday season, is always the time of year when I feel really inspired. New ideas pop up, collaborations can be on the horizon, and I seem to look at my art-making with fresh eyes. To get the most out of this feeling when I am in the studio, I always try to be prepared and stocked up on my go-to materials so that nothing will slow me down. Perhaps it is just another reason to spend money and blow my budget, but love searching out a new technique.   New art products are incredible and plentiful.   This piece finished off with pastels.

 

July 18, 2013

Recently, I read that In order to get people's attention, it's necessary to be recognizable, and it's just not possible to do that with a portfolio that's all over the map stylistically.   It is recommended that an Artist create a body of work by deciding on a style, subject matter, palette and value range, completing at least 15 pieces.   Working on Waves 

 

June 20, 2013

It rain all day yesterday so worked in the study, painting the ocean blue

June 13, 20113

Here on the island, the Royal Poincianas are all starting to bloom.   This is my most favorite time of the years for we also have a burst of yellow butter flies, humming birds and of course the surgar babies.....

June 3, 2013

I am taking a webinar class - draw along with Kenneth Vloothuis, 5-week sessions. It is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.    This is yesterday's work a charcoal sketch copied from original work created by Sargent.   

May 31, 2013

In wrapping up a busy travel month, I finally got to Sprat Hall for a paint out.   Great House, Horses  a Peacock and chickens filled my day.

 

May 15, 2013 Dreaming

Today, I am a daydreamer; a sun-gazing; water-drawn; card-carrying member of the Cloud Appreciation Society. Well, I don't really have a card. But I can't go outside or look out the window without seeing what the clouds are up to. Here in my senior years, I still look for shapes within them.   Do you see the tiger…..? 

May 8, 2013

Showing and selling stuff at the Blue Mutt this month and realized that fish are very popular.... so had to get busy back in the studio and paint some.

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April 29, 2013 - Diving

It is so special when your dive buddie is a professional photographer.  Quite frankly modeling is not my thing so these photos become even more significant for Jenny got the shot with my eyes wide open!

April 28, 2013

I have a brain block when it comes to titles for my paintings, so many of my titles are simply stolen.   However, I feel a title should significantly relate the work to a viewer.   I recently sold a piece entitled, VOLKA ON THE ROCKS (a sail boat racing in a crashing sea).  So I am thinking the best titles should allow for free association, so the viewer can make his own connections with the art.  A single word often will do it; such as:   surrender, jubilation, thunder and so it goes   

   

JUBILATION   

 

THE BEAST

 

 

April 23, 2014

Just finished my self portrait.... a reflection of last night's dream

April 9, 2013 - Rock Reef

rock reef is looking good

March 23, 2013 - Sting Ray on Rock Reef

ROCK REEF RAY

February 17, 2013 - Bret's Workshop

 

 

 

March 4, 2012