forsythia, continued
So many layers to go!Blog
So many layers to go!Spring has sprung
Despite the mess in the backyard due to construction of the Happy Shack (aka the manshed), it's hard not to feel my heart lift when I look out on the new growth bursting forth. The middle season daffodils are in full force and the late ones are coming right along, the redbud is in it's glory and the Japanese cherry nearest the construction site is sporting a few blossoms- pink popcorn on the ends of the branches. The crabapple is just about ready, the hyancinths are heavenly, the camellias are at varying stages, and the forsythia, well, the forsythia is a golden cloud on both the west and east fences.
I'd originally thought this portrait should involve yellow maples to set the tone, but am glad I waited till last week to shoot the references.
Wave
Lousy light, fourth day in a row. A little more work on this piece while waiting for the sun to come out. Maybe tomorrow?
a blonde, a brunette and a redhead...
Ugly weather these last few days- makes for less than optimal working light in the studio and hinders progress on fine tuning. I can start a painting in bad light, but it's difficult to finish one if it's a piece that's all about the details. So- not wanting to fight mother nature, I hauled out the big brushes and the knives, and a large canvas that had an image I was not satisfied with and went to town on a painting where the bad light and the pentimento wouldn't matter. Felt good to loosen up as well- played Moby (Play) and Beck (various) to get the gears greased.
So here's the start of it. I took the reference pics last summer in the Outer Banks- my daughter(the blonde) my niece (the redhead) and a friend (the brunette) were a walking opening line throughout the week as they climbed the lighthouse, went to the donut shop, played mini golf. The favorite activity that week in August seemed to be facing down waves, and waves we had- the surf was wild. They would tripod themselves and wait for big ones, and success was gauged if no one was knocked down, out, or over. The three graces. Couldn't but smile watching them.
I did a lot of wave studies after that beach time and what I learned is coming in handy- I can get right to it and not dither about analyzing the way the colors change (and change they do)- and hopefully that will all translate into being able to work loose without loss of quiddity.
I did a lot of wave studies after that beach time and what I learned is coming in handy- I can get right to it and not dither about analyzing the way the colors change (and change they do)- and hopefully that will all translate into being able to work loose without loss of quiddity.d'Art 19th Annual Mid-Atlantic Art Exhibition
Tonight's the opening of the Mid-Atlantic at d'Art, located in the Selden Arcade on Main Street in downtown Norfolk. The receptions starts at 6 and runs till 8, awards at 7. Tapas, wine, conversation and an eyeful are on the menu. The show will hang until April 17th, and is open to the public every day except Monday- you can check the d'Art website (www.d-artcenter.org) for more of the particulars.
It's a "regional" show that seems to have gone wide- I understand there were entries from 17 states, and that those included Washington, Maine and Florida- not so far away in the great scheme of things, but not exactly mid-Atlantic. I like it. Anyhoo, I've one piece in the show- "robin's egg", and I'm looking forward to eavesdropping on what is said about her. F. Lennox Campello juried the show.
Picking up the reins
February was a runaway month- so much energy heading in so many different directions that I felt like I was on a runaway wagon. Still, all told, progress was made, and now it's just time to pick up the reins, and steer the coach home. I've started with Joh's portrait- I had a chance to meet his parents and get some up close and personal input on the actual piece, and after letting myself cool down on the painting for a few weeks, I was able to see it afresh and bring it home yesterday. Here's the "before" the "after" and a detail.
