Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun and paint

January 9, Willamette Sun

February painting by the river, in the sun, life was good today. This is a 16″ x 20″ painting, oil on hemp. It was my third time painting at that spot, on this canvas. The first was a quick dash of thin paint before packing up – the second was during a mostly cloudy day, then today, today was sunny – so I painted over just about everything. Feels like I’m beginning to get my painting groove back.

Toward the end of my time there, the water was reflected on the underside of the concrete beam. I hesitated to paint it, thinking it would look strange, and heck, it wasn’t there a minute ago – but I pressed on, and did. I quite like it now.

Love In Print – “Seeking Neptune”

Seeking Neptune

Just finished this wee print (about 4″x4″) for an upcoming Love themed show. I really like bringing text in to my work – its in a lot of my paintings (just hard to see) and in more and more of my prints. This was created with aquatint and reverse letter stamps (pounded into the plate one by one). The print is a bit rough, but the feeling was also a bit rough. If you’re interested in purchasing, let me know. I have a series of 5, and 40% of proceeds benefit p:ear (www.pearmentor.org). $80 unframed.

Back to printmaking

About 2 years ago I made my first collaborative etching with Portland artist, Chris Haberman. I didn’t know him well, but after seeing his work, I realized I could make a really fine etching from one of his drawings. And, it turned out beautifully. I just finished my second etching with him. Basically, I hand over a plate with a hard ground on it and an etching needle. He draws, and I do the rest. While it is a collaboration, the image is 100% his – so I suppose it is also a kind of “assist”. I worked on the image over this week, and began printing the edition yesterday.

The first image is a monoprint – I made it while debating how to go with the aquatints/shading.

Almost painting 'in' the Willamette

Taken with my phone. Oh, its not a very good quality pic, but it makes me happy when I look at it. It was a great day – and exciting when the tide rose (I didn’t notice) then a boat went by and its wake left my feet wet, and the legs of the easel in the water. This was taken after I moved to higher ground. I enjoy how unexpected things happen when painting outside. Keeps me on my toes.

Art in Hand

Oil painting for Portland Art In Hand. Biggish.

Working on a painting that will be the King of Spades in a card deck. Organized by Art In Hand. 54 Portland artists, and the sale of the painting will support a non-profit. Enjoy the challenge – and within graphic design parameters. Hard to stop working on it. Hoping the next time I dive in, it will simply ‘be done’. Based on a photo of a local Portland Mega-Creative and friend. Know him?

Sunny day on the Willamette

Sun in November

I returned to the same spot under the Marquam bridge. The last time I was here I decided to return to paint the view looking straight across, under the bridge. The day was great, mostly sunny, and I had a few hours to paint. The shadows change dramatically as the sun moves, as I finished, yellow entered the picture. Feeling very drawn to continuing painting along the Willamette.

Paintings for the Big 100 Show

Persimmons

Spock and the Pear

Willamette Memory

I’m one of 100 artists participating in an extavaganza this December. Each of us are painting 20 small paintings (8ish x 8ish). Everything sells for $30, one night only, cash and carry. Will be a blast – many emerging artists, proletariat artists, artists like me who enjoy a challenge and chance to stretch, and more. If you go you are absolutely sure to find some gems. I’m posting a few of my favs. All in oil. Click here for more info

Painting on the river

Flat Light Willamette

Painting below OMSI – right on the Willamette river bank, rocky and hidden. I experienced the rising river tide, and I lost a friend who crashed on the rocks. My 1/2 size french easel broke when the wind coupled with pansy hardware dashed it onto the ground, breaking the wood. The angel of Craigslist heard my cry, and nudged a NE painter to sell the old french easel sitting forlorn in the basement. I am sincerly digging my new easel and am enamored with its much better hardware and voluminous storage.

This is 16″x20″ which is a great size to paint outside on. Three painting sessions (the last with the new easel). When the sun was out, the reflections/colors were more varied, contrasted and colorful – but I finished in a flat light. Found another view, of the bottom of the Marquam bridge that I’ll return to paint soon. A bit challenging staying warm. Painted on primed hemp.

Fate intervenes…

November Downtown

I began a painting along the Willamette river yesterday. The day was overcast, but not raining – and occasional peaks of sun. I headed home with a painting that was unresolved, wondering when I’d be able to go back. The one nice day remaining in the week (today) was filled with various obligations. Luckily, the delivery people were not only late, late, they were good enough to let me know ahead of time! A window of 3 hours suddenly appeared, and I got my ass moving, knowing I would really really regret not being out in this glorious weather. Those of you trying to balance family life and, well, anything I guess, will be able to relate. It was good to be painting (more like constructing) downtown buildings. The water was a great challenge (paint the water without painting the water! In other words, don’t think “water” just look for colors and shapes, a cool mental exercise). I’m feeling okay about this one – mosly glad I made it back – and finally got my funky person down to the river to paint! Oh, I also used a pretty limited palette – white, ultramarine blue, cobalt turqoise, sap green, quin red, transparent red earth and indian yellow. I paint with Gamblin (Graham ultramarine).

Oily

Back to painting. Will swing back and forth between plein air and etching over the next few months. A gorgeous, sunny day today. Finally back painting in Ladd’s Addition. Posting 3 latest paintings. First is a memory of all of the yellowness – especially the way I feel walking under a yellow tree, with yellow leaves coating the ground. Painted on an old painting from the spring. The next is a Sauvie Island painting. Intermittent sun meant that this one didn’t quite come together – I had planned to return, but there was no time/sun – so it stays. I did like the way I was beginning to capture some of the colors. And last, today’s painting from Ladd’s Addition. Mostly sunny, and the thick colors toward the end were quite fun to lay on.