Halloween Post

8 x 10

I tried to keep the shapes big, the values clear, and not fuss too much with detail in this painting of the refuge. I think that I have spent too much attention to the extreme ends of light and dark values and not enough with the midtones.

Every painting is an opportunity to learn something new. Next time around I will focus more on the midtones and see what happens.

Since it is Halloween after all, here's an interesting scientific discussion about what makes our spines tingle when we are frightened! BOO!

On my honor, I will paint only what I love

8 x 10

Only paint what you love. That will be my new motto. I've tried to paint what others want. What my family wants. What my friends want. What the gallery owners want. The result: bad paintings and a frustrated artist.

But, when I paint what I love, the chances are much better for a good outcome. I feel excited and curious about exploring my subject. The light intrigues. The colors sing. I feel right. Intense and focused and present.

Here, again at the wildlife refuge, hearing the sandhill cranes trilling, the geese gossiping, and the mallards chuckling because they always get the joke. Yes, here I am happy. I love this place.

Autumn Gathering

8 x 10

Light on an October tree

10 x 12
pastel on Wallis Museum

Bewitched

This morning, as I got ready for my morning meeting of the Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters, I packed a few extra supplies. You can see them in the lower photograph. Drawing board. Box with various papers. Box with drawing implements. Long black haired wig. Witch's hat. I had an idea, a surprise for my group.

I am grateful to all of the good sports in our group. I suggested that we could take turns modeling and drawing one another as witches. All in good Halloween fun. We laughed a lot. I practiced looking wicked, but only managed to look mischievous. Sigh. You can see many of the results in the top photo. Click on the image to see an enlarged view.

Speaking of witches, that reminds me of the iconic Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz." Any other fans out there?

Cast Shadows at Aurora Gallery

(click to enlarge)

October Sky

As the morning passed, the sun strengthened and broke through the fog. The air was still wet and the surfaces of every blade of grass and leaf glistened in the sporadic sun breaks.

The golden trees lit the scene like torches.

(Click images to enlarge.)



10 x 12
under painting

Foggy Refuge

This morning it was cool and damp. The fog clung to the hills like wet towels. My favorite wildlife refuge was covered in gray and the sound of the train going past was muffled by the moisture.

While talking art with a dear watercolor artist friend today, I promised that I would show the under painting of this piece. Missing the gum arabic, the pigments in dispersion I use function just like watercolor without filling the tooth of my sanded paper surface. I paint vertically with a large round brush and let the drips happen as they will. I really love that part of the painting process!

Here and there in the finished painting, the under painting peeks through, getting a word in edgewise.

Trees against an evening sky

12 x 14

Walk on the Beach

12 x 14