Shawn's Weblog

Shawn Demarest — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:12:02 +0000

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

Shawn Demarest — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:05:03 +0000

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

Shawn Demarest — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:27:50 +0000

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

Shawn Demarest — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:43:48 +0000

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

Shawn Demarest — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:15:05 +0000

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…

Shawn Demarest — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:18:17 +0000

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

Shawn Demarest — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:21:06 +0000

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.

Ostalgie continues, experiments with family

Shawn Demarest — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:08:56 +0000

I’ve continued working with the “Ostalgie” plates. Another Ostalgie print (the fourth). I’m also hoping to bring some of this color/multi-plate technique into my images. I experimented a bit with the “Family” plate I’ve shown here.

Incident at the Beach – editioned!

Shawn Demarest — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:17:25 +0000

Incident at the Beach has joined the ranks of the editioned. Wahoo! Thinking a small edition of 10. I also pulled a monoprint from it – it may go into the “Creep Show” at the Night Light Lounge. Yes, I was asked to show some prints because they are rather creepy. And, I was able to bring this plate to a close thanks to my new best friend, ZAcryl hard ground and an airbrush. I’ve also attached a pic of the Family monoprint I’ve entered in the Family Show at Launchpad Gallery.

Ostalgie continues…

Shawn Demarest — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:04:51 +0000

After printing Ostalgie 1, I thought I’d like to try something similar but without the chine colle. So I aquatinted similar shapes on a plate, and printed with that. That layer wasn’t dark enough, so I ran it through again, but messed up the registration (this was after about 9 previous layers of stripes, text, ovals, more stripes…). But, I liked the way the overlap looked, so I made a second oval plate that overlapped the ovals (are you still with me?). Anyway, I’ve continued playing with these – takes at least 2 hours to print each. And I’m not sure about the black ovals. Learning a heck of a lot about color and etching. Having a really, really good time. Also played with layering strips on the Family etching with oil paint (on sealed print).