Commissions

I've been working on a commission 

for a marketing company that wanted three small paintings 

representing the Cape,
to be used in ads for the company that makes the famous
Cape Cod Bracelet.

"The Cottage" 8 x 8 

 

"Heading Out" 8 x 8 

"Meet And Greet"

8 x 8  

The creative director had found three paintings of mine 

 on line that I'd done 3-4 years ago, 

and he wanted me to re-create them. 

This was a bit of a struggle as most commissions are,

but I'm glad the client is happy!   

I'll keep you posted when the ads "go live". 

Non-fictional Painters

We have a brave group of painters in my 

"Expressive Approach to the Figure" 

class and I'm challenging them 

with all new exercises. 

This week we painted the figure using black and white images

using "made up colors". 

(any color combination other than what would be expected

ie. blue skin tones) 

WHILE KEEPING THE VALUES CORRECT. 

This is a daunting task for those of us who are 

"non-fictional" painters.

(have difficulty making things up and 

generally paint what they see)   

I did this quick demo

from this image

This exercise is meant to free you from being so literal.

It becomes more about design and 

making an expressive statement.   

Some of the inspiring class work:

NOTE:

This exercise was adapted from a course I took with 

Melinda Cootsona 

called "Own Your Own Colors".

Some of the photos we used are reference photos 

from that class. 

Composition Considerations

The 13 week Composition class
"Look Here, Don't Look There"
 I've been taking with
Mark Daniel Nelson
is ending this week.

We've been talking about leading the viewer's eye 

around the painting intentionally or  

"manipulating the viewer's expectations"

My intention was to bring you to the girl's hat, 

then to the light on his hat (surrounded by that dark shadow),  

then up to the flag that points you back the main hat! 

NOTE: 

 I'm somewhat new to thinking this much about 

designing my paintings. 

It's confounding and thrilling. 

Summer's Here!

Summer is the time to 

"stop and smell the roses."    

This morning, I started teaching a summer class 

at North River Arts Society 

in Marshfield Hills.

 Walking down the street for an iced coffee at the General Store 

before class is real summer treat.  

And I get to bring Cello, who's been coming so long,

she waits for the students to arrive.   

NOTE:

I didn't get any images from the first class.  

Too busy talking! 

After class, some of us went over to see 

The Coastal Quilt Artists Show next door. 

Another treat! 

I'm hoping to explore, experiment, 

enjoy, and embrace everything 

that comes my way this summer. 

Happy days ahead. 

Progression

I was recently invited to participate in

"Local Landscape" show at Charles Fine Art

 in Gloucester, MA.

I was inspired to re-visit some reference material

 gathered during my residency there two years ago. 

"Miss Sandy" 

16x 16 

oil 

 The Gloucester Harbor is one of my favorite subjects. 

Progression: 

The first version

After I posted this in my on-line class for suggestions,

I lightened the value on the water towers, 

toned down the red horizontal line, 

adjusted the sky color and 

added the yellow slicker

for a focal point. 

Here is the Procreate version were I worked 

out the changes ahead of time. 

NOTE: 

Digital versions always seem more exciting and eye catching! 

I guess that's because, well, 

they're digital. 

(Lit from behind)