In the studio

In my stash of canvases I found three 16"x20"x1"  that I had primed with venetian red gesso.  There are times when I like to work on more than one canvas at a time and do a series of similar subject matter.  I can use the same colors on each one as I proceed through my layering and glazing process and it is fun to watch three paintings evolve at the same time.  On these three I have started with a simple composition of shapes and line.  I have blocked in the shapes with opaque color that I will glaze over with many transparent layers as the paintings progress.

I will post photos of the completed paintings when I finish them.  It will be interesting to compare these preliminary images with the finished product.  In my canvas stash I also found six 11"x14"x1" primed with black gesso and I will be doing a series of tractors as soon as the drawings are complete.

Random Thought 4

In my search for serenity, I have found that I  must be at ease with who I am, where I am and what I have today.  On the days that I am not comfortable with any one of these things I find it much harder to produce good art.

"Tree Line"  acrylic  12x12

Let's make good art today.......

Special Delivery

One of my duties as an artist is to ship and or deliver paintings to the galleries that represent me.  Today I will be delivering six paintings to the Roby King Gallery on Bainbridge Island about a fifty mile drive from here.  I will be participating in a group show that will be opening there on April 5th.  For most deliveries I like to bundle my paintings for easier handling and safer transport.  I stack them, according to size, face to face and back to back with strips of foam core for spacers.  I then wrap them together with stretch wrap (the neatest tool since the invention of duct tape!)  It is quick and easy and they are now better protected and much easier to cart down the street or up and down the stairs to my studio.



I also use a wrap around the edges of some of my finished studio paintings when in storage.  It gives a little protection to the corners and edges and helps cut down on the inevitable road rash that just suddenly appears after they have been hung and rehung at various shows and gallery walks.  But alas, even after careful handling and stretch wrapping  the bruises are still most likely to show up on the paintings that need to be delivered asap.

Random Thought 3 ......What will I do?

I have come to the realization that my life is not so much defined by what I will do as it is by that that I won't do......

Newest Painting

Quite often I am asked to do a commission and this one I just finished for clients of the Childhood's End Gallery  in Olympia. They gave me a couple of  ideas after looking through my  coffee table book and it quickly started to take shape.  I used my layering and glazing technique extensively throughout the painting and some areas have over 20 applications of glaze.  From inception to finish it took just under a month to complete and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

"Hillside Orchard" 20"x 54"  fluid acrylic on 12 .oz gallery wrapped canvas

Over the years,  I have listened to many different opinions from fellow artists about doing commissions.  Some make their living by them while others have only horror stories to tell.  Personally, I enjoy doing them and think that to stretch my imagination and capabilities is always good.  So far I have only good stories to tell.  Any thoughts?

Random Thought 2...... pursuing perfection

After a couple days of creating on the computer instead of the canvas I have given some thought to the idea of  "perfection."   Salvador Dali said:  "Have no fear of perfection, you will never reach it!"  but then Oscar Wilde thinks: "It is through art, and through art only, that we can realize our perfection."  o.k, but I kind of like Michelangelo's quote:  "The true work of art is but a shadow of divine perfection"...  and alas, I think some truth lies in this comment by Gustave Flaubert:  "Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything."  What do I think?  Well.......My conviction is that pursuing perfection is my noble goal but the ability to really  #%$*  things up in the pursuit of it seems to be my gift...........

Saturday night gallery walk.

 Our monthly first Saturday gallery walk always turns out a loyal crowd of art lovers so for the month of March I am showing some of my newer paintings at the Spice and Tea Exchange here in town. It is a great new business and they have an 18x26 foot loft for showing artwork.  We gathered a nice crowd from 5:30 until almost 8:30 p.m. and I enjoyed chatting with old friends and some interesting  new people.  A fun Evening!





When in Port Townsend you must stop and sniff the spices at The Spice and Tea Exchange  and give me some feedback on my newest paintings.   Jon and Judy, the business owners  have a wealth of  spice and tea knowledge  and  will keep you well informed and  entertained.