Painting in Process--Byways Cafe

11"x14"

Oil on Board

I've been working all weekend and today on a couple more paintings for a my show in October and this is one I started today. The other one--well, I'm not sure what's going to happen with that one! I've been having a hard time painting these past few days--just seems like things really aren't flowing very smoothly! I can think of a few reasons: 1. I'm stressed about wanting to have new work for my show that I am really happy with so I'm doing a good job of psyching myself out, 2., I'm trying to work larger and that just seems to be alot harder with some of these pieces, and 3. I have a good-sized illustration job I need to be doing at the same time as I'm getting ready for my show and it's kind of hard to concentrate! I want to put good energy to that, too. One good thing about all this, though, is when I finally get to the point where I have to say, the heck with it--I'll do my best and it will be what it will be! As my dad sometimes says, "let it go, Louie, let it go!"

"The Red Skirt"

12"x9"

Oil on Board

NFS at this time

This is of Laura when we visited Mockingbird Gallery here in Bend last week. I love to paint her--she's so interesting to watch--comfortable in her body. This doesn't do her justice, but I am happy with the painting--except I might decide to soften that diagonal line that leads your eye out the bottom right corner! I had a tough time with the color--trying to choose a palette that was like the scene itself, but it just didn't work. I simplified it to a couple of cad reds, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, white. It's amazing to me the range of colors you can get with those. This painting is for an upcoming show.

"Airborne #2"

36"x24'

Oil on Canvas

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Finished! (I think!!). I didn't get a very good picture, so had to crop the photo too much and so this is a little slim on the left side! The color is pretty accurate, though. All in all, I am pleased with how the horse and rider stand out against the background, and most of the painting in general. Such a difference when painting so much bigger than 6x8 inches!

painting in process

36"x24"

OIl on Canvas

This is a painting I'm working on for a show in October. I'm afraid the little paintings are going to be few and far between for awhile as I prepare for the show and finish work on a good-sized illustration project. Since starting my blog last October, most of my painting time has been taken up with the small pieces, so it feels a little daunting to be doing these larger. Also, though, it feels like it's time! I couldn't get a photo of this without glare tonight, so hopefully, the next will be better!

"Clouds Over Fort Rock"

5.5"x8.5"

Mixed Media Drawing on Bristol Board

$100 US + $10 domestic s/h

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This is another drawing from not too long ago! It is of a place that feels out in the middle of nowhere here in central Oregon. And I'm not making the clouds up! One thing kind of neat about the place is that the area used to be under water and not too far from this particular rock formation is another one with caves where 9,000-year-old tule sandals were found! Also, this is the only place in my life where I have seen a horny-toad, as we called them. . .

"When the Rabbitbrush Turns"

8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Mixed Media Drawing on Bristol Board

$100 US +$10 domestic s/h

My days are a little too full right now with teaching, illustration work and getting ready for a show, so I am bringing out some pieces from not so long ago, but that I haven't posted. This seemed to me to fit with the Daily Painter Gallery's month-long celebration of this beautiful planet. This drawing is actually a compilation of images from my memories as I have hiked around areas of central and eastern Oregon. The rabbitbrush (or chamisa) turns an amazingly intense yellow in the late summer and early autumn here--a sight I am grateful to see every year!

The drawing is done with pastel, graphite and colored pencils and is "fixed"(!).

"Path Through Painted Hills"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$100 US plus $10 domestic s/h

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Another scene from the Painted Hills area of Oregon--this was painted in February when the colors were rich against the grey sky. A place like this that feels so like it has nothing to do with technology--or human beings for that matter--really puts things in perspective for me. It makes me remember that this existence--that of the earth and all that lives in and on it--is no less precious, vital and important than we are.

"Earth's Tones, Painted Hills, Oregon"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

$100 US plus $10 domestic s/h

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This painting is a small celebration of an amazing palette of nature. I grew up here in Oregon, but it wasn't until I was closing in on 40 that I even knew this place existed in my home state. It is one of three parts of the John Day Park system which shows a wide breadth of the physical history of this area. By the way, this is a re-post from February.

"The Old Flesher Farm" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board
$100 US plus $10 domestic s/h

I posted this painting in January, but had to spend my art time with illustration work today, yet still wanted to offer something in keeping with the Daily Painter's Gallery for August: A Tribute to a Beautiful Earth, Celebrating and Conserving Our Planet. (To see other artist's comments and artwork that relate to this theme, click on the Daily Painters. com link.)

When the idea of conserving our planet comes up, no matter the immensity that word "planet" contains, my first frame of reference is to how it was when I was growing up. What comes to mind for me is living out in the country on a farm, clean air, good and plentiful water and a peacefulness that was just a part of being in a rural area. It is sad to see that all changing in the very place I naively thought it never would. Farmers, native peoples, fishermen and biologists have been struggling the past number of years against each other because of lack of water. A whole way of life is changing as corporations drive the small farmers out of business because they can't afford to compete anymore. My hope is that part of the celebrating and conserving our planet will be in the realization of the importance of sustainable local economics where people have jobs to do that are integral to their communities.

"Docking at Friday Harbor" (sold)

8"x6"

Oil on Linen-covered Panel

$100 U.S. plus $10 domestic shipping

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This was a stop on a ferry ride from Anacortes, WA to Sydney, Vancouver Island. I was struck with the shadows and the design of the scene and the abstract possibilites of it. It's another subject I'd like to work larger on. It's amazing to me how difficult it can be to not try to put in every little detail! I love it when a brushstroke just says it--and hopefully I will learn to leave it alone when it does!

"In The Practice Ring" (sold)

12"x12"

Oil on Board

$375 US plus $15 domestic s/h

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This is another painting I hope to have for a show in October. It's about finished--I'll have to wait to find that out--seems like I can't see it very well anymore! I was looking at some reproductions of Degas' racetrack paintings and was inspired by how he used color and his compositions--not that this approaches his, but it feels like another step in the right direction.

"Warming Up" #2 (sold)

16"x20"

Oil on 3/4" Cradled Board

$525 US inc. s/h

I went to work this morning hoping to finish this painting and for some reason picked up a palette knife and started working on the sky area. Before I knew it, I realized that I was going to go through the whole painting with a knife. I don't think I've done a painting with a paletted knife since the 70's! I have a painting I did around 1968 with a knife and I think I have this voice inside me saying that a palette knife paintings is just "so-o-o-o '60's"!!-- no disrepect intended to those who don't have that tape playing in their heads!

That said, I love that it's gooey, the paint stands up and I finally got texture. (Click on the painting to see a close-up) I also liked how it made me less concerned with being so precise. It was fun to do--will I do it again? The jury is out on that one! I would welcome any comments!

"Tobey & Friend"

3"x5"

Ink on Paper

Once again, duty calls and no time to spend at the easel today! So after a romp with the puppy, I took advantage of his quiet time and did this sketch. He looks kind of sad in the drawing--that, however, is the fault of the artistf!

Still in Process

Well, yesterday and much of today was filled with illustration work, so I haven't been able to spend much time painting! I plan to keep working on this until it's finished rather than start some little pieces because I find it hard to go back to paintings if I have to leave them for awhile. Hopefully I can finish this tomorrow.

I don't think I am unusual in this: it seems like I have a whole slew of paintings in my head waiting to be brought to life and it is so hard to slow down and work in "real" time. By the time I'm half finished with one, often a part of me is on to the next. I think that might be one reason I like doing the little paintings--I love finishing them and being able to move on.

Painting in Process

16"x20"

Oil on Cradled Board

I need to be working on some things for a show, so this will be one of those paintings. I was hesitant to try this composition with the subject leading off the picture plane, but am curious to see if I can make it work! We'll see!