ART - OIL PAINTING - COMMISSIONS - LANDSCAPES - PORTRAITS - STILL LIVES - ANIMALS - TRAVELS - TEXAS
Monday, November 9, 2009
Finally Finished - "Niece With a Pearl Earring"
If you'd like to see my original blog post, click here. I think I was able to achieve a glow (something I was concerned about after the first go around), but I won't be any so bold as to say it can compare with Vermeer's glow. I did knock out the straight black background with more colors than you can imagine by viewing on the Internet. That was kind of fun. You can learn a lot by painting a study after a master from long ago, but I think this one will be my last for a long time (if I ever do one again). I have too many of my own ideas I want to execute and learn from.
This has been sitting on my shelf for a week now and as I will often do, I like to live with a painting for a few days before I proclaim it officially "done." The only thing I'm trying to decide for this one is whether I will give it an antique glaze to tone down some of the colors and give it more of an "old world" look. Feel free to let me know what YOU think.
(I get a kick out of thinking of her ancestors, long after I'm gone, fighting over who gets to inherit this painting of her).
"Niece With a Pearl Earring"
14"x18" oil on canvas, NFS
Monday, November 2, 2009
"Headed Home"
"Headed Home"
8"x10" oil on canvas
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Yeehaw!
LIFE- Saddle Up
"It's all good," as the saying goes. I had so much fun creating "Saddle Up." Maybe I subconsciously did it more for myself and the judge saw that.
I put a lot of symbolism into this painted collage. I thought about cowboys and life and when I mixed them together, I chose a variety of objects which worked together to portray a universal message.
- The bronco rider is a symbol that my father would often draw when he would sit down and doodle on a piece of paper. For me, the bronco rider represents a great deal of the strength that was in my father, the old-time, hard-working, cowboy, not afraid of a challenge, honest and ‘WSIWYG.’ "When you fall off, you get right back up and ride again." The bronco rider in the sunset is a tribute to that and is what inspired the rest of the painting.
- Boots 2 Heal required that there be boots in the painting – I painted my brother’s boots. These are a little more scuffed up than his original boots. You gotta have good boots!
- The bolo tie is one that my father wore frequently. I like the fact that this is an Indian piece of art and for me it gives a nod to the importance of the spiritual life.
- The spur is painted from a very old sterling silver spur that my Uncle Jack wore as part of the Long Beach Mounted Police. Uncle Jack’s horse was named “Golden Splendor” and I think that’s appropriate to the painting.
- Cowboys loved playing cards and so does my family. Three aces are present, the Ace of Spades is covered by the Ace of Diamonds; but the Ace of Hearts stands out – it’s the most important, signifying love.
- The pocket watch represents time, of course, and is reminiscent of the watch that my grandfather always carried. I had to paint it from memory. I chose not to show a face on the watch because none of us know how much time we are given on this earth. The bandana was my father’s.
- The horseshoe is about “luck” and placed upwards so "the good luck doesn’t run out.” Cowboys can be pretty superstitious, can't they? I remember lots of horseshoes at the top of door frames when I was growing up. The only time luck does us any good is with card games, the rest is all grace! Wouldn't you agree?
- The rattlesnake belt was my fathers. Poor rattlesnake! The belt symbolizes how the evil that threatens our lives can be overcome.
- And lastly, the coffeepot. Much debate went on in my family about the coffee pot, but the artist won out. The boys wanted me to put a revolver there. I know it may have looked better, but I couldn’t do it because while guns may have one time been necessary to a cowboy’s life, I don’t think a good cowboy would let their guns define them. I chose a much gentler approach, the old, beat-up, campfire tarnished coffee pot. Every good cowboy needs a cup of coffee to start his day. I know I do.
I may not have had the opportunity to share this painting with the wider audience of the contest itself, but I'm sure glad that I have this blog so I can share it with you.
LIFE: Saddle Up20"x24" oil on canvas
Monday, September 21, 2009
There's A New Sheriff In Town
The main requirement in all art submitted for the show is that there be "boots" somewhere in the artwork. I completed 2 entries, the first of which you see here of my boys, painted from a photograph taken on Fort Bend County Fair Day when they were little guys. I super-imposed them onto a photo I had taken a couple of years ago of a horse in the yard of a historical site in Richmond.
Honestly, I had so much fun with the title, it gave me lots of creative enthusiasm as I painted. One surprise for me was how few paint strokes I was able to use to get it to look like my son on the left. For someone who agonizes over every little paint stroke when I do portraits, this was a welcome diversion from the norm.
I'll let you know when I hear whether my entries make it into the show - it would be a real honor - and I'll also be posting my other entry which was a true labor of love.
New Sheriff In Town
14"x18" oil on canvas
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Point Lobos State Reserve - California
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Schilo's Delicatessen - Take A Big Bite
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
French Quarter - After Morning Shower
For those of you who haven't visited NOLA recently and wonder about the condition of New Orleans and specifically the French Quarter after Hurricane Katrina, we found it to be beautiful with a sense of much fresh paint and spirit restored. I was able to capture many great images which I hope to turn into paintings.
Old World Charm in the French Quarter
11"x14" oil on canvas
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hurricane Preparedness
There was debate in our family during the painting process about whether females have horns, and come to find out they do. I thought only steers had horns, but apparently it depends on the breed. (?) You can tell I'm no ranch hand. I didn't know much about longhorns at all before painting Mama, other than as a mascot for University of Texas.
Longhorns as a breed faced extinction as of 1927, until the US Forest Service saved and bred them exclusively, along with a few dedicated ranchers. Apparently they have quite a knack for surviving in harsh climates and are often bred with other cattle to enhance the health and viability of other breeds. Other longhorn facts from Wikipedia:
- Texas Longhorns with elite genetics can often fetch up to $40,000 or more at auction with the record of $160,000 in recent history for a cow.
- Most breeds of cattle fall into either beef or dairy. The Texas longhorn is a beef animal and is known for its lean beef, which is lower in fat, cholesterol and calories than most beef.
I felt a little under pressure to finish their longhorn before the hurricane season arrived - I didn't want to show up on their doorstep without the promised longhorn. So far, all's quiet on the Gulf and I hope it stays that way. (But I am looking forward to seeing Mama's portrait framed and hanging up at the ranch house).
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Keeping One Eye On God
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Antiques U.S.A
Texas has some wonderful, old downtown areas, and I love to try and imagine what it might have been like 50 or 100 years ago to walk down these same streets. I admire the dedicated individuals who have worked so hard to keep the historical evidence of small town America at hand.
I sometimes paint with a group of friends in the upstairs room of a local gallery in our hometown which overlooks the downtown historical district. For years now, I have looked out at this charming little antique shop that sits at the corner and have wanted to paint it. I am always pausing to admire the American Flag painted on the front of the building.
Having finished another painting the same day, I finally decided to grab a blank canvas and give it a whirl. Typically, I paint from photographs so this was a switch for me. I did, however, take pictures with my camera just in case I second-guessed anything after I got home.
I wonder if the man shopping with the woman was happy to be antiquing or if he was hoping she'd had enough so they could head home? Or maybe he was the one who enjoys antiquing?
"Antiques U.S.A."
8"x10" oil on canvas
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Not So Mellow Yellow
Monday, May 18, 2009
Quick Sketch - New Orleans
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Birthday Sunrise on the Bay
My sister sent me a photo last year of the sunrise on her birthday and I had held onto that photo for awhile, finally deciding it was time to tackle these fabulous clouds. I used every color imaginable in this painting, but you don't notice it until you get close.
I thought that was appropriate for a painting entitled "Birthday Sunrise." It's like God threw a party in the sky in celebration.
Here's a detail of the clouds to give you a little better idea of how many layers went into these clouds. The layers were more due to dogged determination to finally get it right than anything else. I'm sure there are artists out there who can whip up beautiful clouds in the skies in no time, but I'm not one of them...yet.
I'm still searching for my next sky photo to tackle. (Photographer friends, that's a hint for you!)
"Birthday Sunrise"
36"x36" oil on canvas, gallery- wrapped
Friday, April 3, 2009
Schilo's Delicatessan, San Antonio, TX
What first attracted me to the original photo was the brilliant colors outside the window. Only after admiring the colors did I notice the man at the table. He was secondary to the original intention for the composition and that's the way I tried to paint him. I think he must have been a regular, he would turn and observe everyone who came in the door.
I have to say, it's nice to paint a person where I don't have to struggle for the likeness. Since I'm not trying to paint a specific person, I can just enjoying finding out who my paintbrush wants him to be. He reminds me an awful lot of my friend's dad, but it wasn't intentional.
I have another Schilo's painting on the easel which will be called "Take a Big Bite." You can imagine what that's about!
"Lunch Interrupted"
12"x12" oil on canvas
Friday, March 13, 2009
Psalm 36:9 - One True Light
What finally sealed it for me was when I looked at the photo for the umpteenth time and decided what I really liked about it was the fact that the lighthouse wasn't lit and the light in the picture is generated from the sun. I thought of the guiding lights in my life and what inspiration they are to me and yet, nothing can replace the "One True Light" that guides our lives.
Further research led me to a history of this lighthouse which was made automatic in the 1960's and actually stays on 24 hours a day (so it is lit in my photo). Apparently there was talk about taking it off automatic to limit the hours it was lit and there was quite an uproar. People demanded that it stayed on continuosly. Now, I like that even better because even though the lighthouse is on, it's outshone by the light of the sun.
Psalm 36:9
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
"Psalm 36:9 - One True Light"
12"x12" oil on panel, sold
Monday, February 16, 2009
Alone But Not Lonely
"Alone But Not Lonely"
18"x24" oil on canvas, $400+S/H
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Sneek Peek
There is a sort of elation about sunlight on the upper part of a house.
(Edward Hopper)
No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.
(Edward Hopper)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Different Strokes
I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing how different artists will express themselves through various media while using the same reference photo. This week, I decided to join in on all the fun and this is my resulting painting.
I love visiting San Francisco and driving by all the colorful Victorian homes, dreaming what it would be like to actually live in one.
If you are interested in seeing the various artists' interpretations, be sure to click here to go to her blog
.
"Pink Ladies"
9"x12" oil on canvas, $150 + S/H