12.31.2007

Small Comfort



'Because it's Not There' is a Reason Too, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

12.20.2007

Small Comfort



All I ever wanted to do, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

12.18.2007

Small Comfort



Wasps have Wasp Waists, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

12.11.2007

from 2005



Game Suspended, oil on wood panel, 11.5 x 7 inches

11.30.2007

An Egg-in-the-Box



I've been doing some framing lately. This is Downcast Egg which was first posted here and is also a part of the banner above. The frame measures 26 x 22 inches (outside dimensions) which leaves about 2 inches of linen liner showing between the canvas and the wood of the frame. The wood is clear pine rubbed with many coats of white pickling stain. The canvas is floated on the liner so its sides are clearly visible. It's signed on the lower right-hand side. I might change to signing on the bottom side in the future though.

11.29.2007

Another Demo




oil on unstretched canvas, 16 x 12 inches

This is a teaching demo I did yesterday - a study of a head using photo reference and six colors to create likeness and form.

11.28.2007

Paper Airplanes



Poodles, oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inches

11.22.2007

Paper Airplanes



Some Day, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

11.18.2007

Paper Airplanes



It wasn't obvious - he left his work, in the street, to come tell us - the entrance was around the corner, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

11.17.2007

Paper Airplanes



On Off , oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

11.12.2007

Paper Airplanes



She didn't have to - It took Time and Distance to come Down to our Platform - The Subway wasn't coming - She showed Us where to go Instead - Who knew, oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inches

11.09.2007

Paper Airplanes



You Should Lie - You Don't Want to Tell Anyone this is Your First Time [in NYC], oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

11.06.2007

Paper Airplanes



We are all Nine Meals from Barbarism, oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inches

11.05.2007

Two by Two



Teacups Series, oil on canvas, 2 x 2 grid of 20 x 16 inch paintings, October 2007

There's a new painting on the easel today. On the flight back home, somewhere over Ohio, I think, the glider was exchanged for a paper airplane. It's a good thing too. The white paper with its folds and wings diffuses the light in amazing ways. There are curves where I'd never expected and places for light to bounce. While the initial layer is drying, I thought I'd show you how these four look grouped together.

11.04.2007

The Blogger Show @Agni Gallery - Opening Night

The Blogger Show @Agni Gallery by James Kalm

Saturday night I got to look behind the scenes when James Kalm covered The Blogger Show at Agni Gallery in the Lower East Side. That was pretty cool.

I also met a lot of the Blogger Show artists whose blogs I've been keeping up with - that was even cooler. It was really quite amazing to connect faces, voices and art with their respective blogs. In every case, I was not surprised with the person I found myself talking to. The combination of a great group of artists, a beautiful exhibit and consistently strong work was simply - the coolest!

11.01.2007

Up . . .



Toy Glider Sketch 3, ink on paper, 4.5 x 6.7 inches

I just read Chris Rywalt's latest post. It sounds like the show is up at Agni Gallery now. Chris, his wife, Dawn, Stephanie and John spent the day there hanging the work for The Blogger Show, NYC. I feel very grateful to all of them for all of their hard work.

I need to be up early tomorrow so I can be on time to see Tracy and Doug. I'm so looking forward to that - and to seeing many of the other Blogger Show artists and their work. So - good-bye for a while to some of you - and hello to others.

Up and Away



Toy Glider Sketch 2, ink on paper, 4.5 x 6.7 inches

10.29.2007

six times two little studies


six little drawings and their mirror images

10.28.2007

an assortment


teaching demos from the previous year, various sizes, oil on unstretched canvas or panel, 2006-07

The demo on the lower left was done yesterday - a study in white. That one and the fish were done inside - the remainder, outside.

10.27.2007

sketch . y . thoughts

Toy Glider Sketch, ink on paper, 6.7 x 4.5 inches

When deciding where to attach the thread on the balsa glider, I had my first clue that this object will be different from all the others. Depending on where the string is attached, the angle of the glider implies a certain type of motion. And that's the major deviation here. All of the other objects seemed to be motionless save for a barely-perceptible optical-sway. This one comes with a definite direction - an orientation the others lacked. The pitchers might have been associated with a rotating-pouring motion but they more or less stayed in one place. I'm wondering if these gliders will need more room to "move" in?

10.26.2007

Re-Arrangements

It's getting crowded with paintings here. The time has come once again to decide which ones will stay, go into storage, be destroyed (I'm ruthless, I know,) or go (three favored, dear and smallish ones) to new homes.

As luck would have it, Deanna Wood, author of Artist, Emerging, posted the following invitation recently. I'm happy to say, I was one of her first three commentors. So, as promised, here is my invitation to you:

Pay It Forward (via Deanna, via Sia, via Sandra via Camilla, via Bibbi and so on) - here are the rules:

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

When you leave your comment, please also do one of two things: leave your post address or e-mail it to me.

11.08.2007 update: Congratulations to Tracy, Susan and Nat for being the first three commenters and taking part in Pay It Forward.

10.25.2007

A Teacup and More


Without, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

The "more" in the post title is a bit of good news about this blog. I hope you don't mind me sharing it here. Marion Boddy-Evans selected stillifes as one of her favorites on About.com's Painting site:

There are an incredible number of blogs out there. . . the intention of this collection is to share the ones I enjoy . . . dealing with art, painting, and creativity. . .

[ s t i l l i f e s ] A blog written by still-life painter Mary Klein, who says in her artist's statement she follows "a tradition of looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary". Which is certainly what you get with her paintings of "common-suspended-shadow-less objects immersed in continuous pools of color", aka still life objects hung up with a piece of string against a colored background . . .

Thank you, Marion, for this honor.

10.24.2007

easy . to . fly



I remember these from years ago. Some had "rubber-band motors," some rubber-band-on-a-stick catapults and, like this one, some were simply meant to be thrust by hand. None cost as much as this one, though. They were 15 to 20 cents, if my memory serves me. (I'm just now realizing there's no longer a "cents" symbol on my keyboard. When did that happen?)

My plan now is to finish the latest teacup painting while I steal glances of this glider suspended nearby.

10.20.2007

A Teacup full of Ambiguity


A Teacup full of Ambiguity, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

Changing Colors


Keeper Palette, oil on panel, 2.5 x 10 inches, 2004-2005

The burning bush (Euonymus alata) outside is starting its autumn blush. It'll be the last flourish of color this year. In a week or two, until next spring, the outdoor colors will be a far more subtler thing.

The colors I paint with are a simple group. Above is an image of an old keeper palette which shows them at a glance. When I start to see and paint I think of them more as temperatures and emotions. Towards the end, I aim for a more universally understood language. If I think too hard, they become combinations and permutations:

n_C_k = n!/(k!(n - k)!)        n_P_k = n!/(n - k)!

So I try not to think too hard.

10.18.2007

Adventures of Kleenex Ghost


It's been a big week for Kleenex Ghost. As you can see by the itinerary below, she's traveled all the way from the middle coast to the great city of Pittsburgh - and in only two days' time. She's resting now at Digging Pitt Gallery where she'll stay for a while. Edward Winkleman made a kind mention today about the show she'll soon be in. It was a bit overwhelming with all of the attention. But I think she'll be OK - she's in excellent hands.


10.17.2007

Happening 10.17.07


a new work in progress, 20 x 16 inches

10.16.2007

Bio


Askance (self-portrait, detail), oil on linen, 14 x 11, 2003

In addition to the work that will be on exhibit at the upcoming Blogger Show in New York, there are plans to put together an exhibition book for the public to view. Inside will be copies of the participating artists' bios, resumes and thumbnail images. These last couple of days I've been looking through my saved documents and putting together current ones for this show's exhibition book.

10.15.2007

Daylight after Dark

advert from the 1936 catalogue of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours


It was a dreary one today. The days are getting noticeably shorter now. There's a little more light coming inside due to the fallen leaves but on an overcast-drippy day like today you hardly notice it. I've got various lamps and lights that I use in the studio when I need to. I'd rather not, nothing beats daylight to paint in. But this time of year you can't avoid it.

10.14.2007

Looking Within



Looking Within, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches


10.12.2007

A Little Bit More About

. . . Juan Sánchez Cotán.

To add to my previous post; more about Cotán from Sybille Ebert-Schifferer's book, Still Life: A History:

"His pictures are almost hypnotically fascinating because of their calculated composition and rigorous concentration on a limited number of objects. Sánchez Cotán was an educated man, and well informed about the mathematical research being carried out by his countrymen."

10.11.2007

A Recent Remark

Someone recently remarked that my work reminded her of the Spanish painter Juan Sánchez Cotán (1560-1627.) From wikipedia:
"Sánchez Cotán was born in the town of Orgaz, near Toledo. He was a friend and perhaps pupil of Blas de Prado, an artist famous for his still lifes whose mannerist style with touches of realism, the disciple developed further. Cotán began by painting altar pieces and religious works. For approximately twenty years, he pursued a successful career in Toledo as an artist, patronized by the city’s aristocracy, painting religious scenes, portraits and still lifes. These paintings found a receptive audience among the educated intellectuals of Toledo society. Sánchez Cotán executed his notable still lifes around the turn of the seventeenth century, before the end of his secular life." - from wikipedia on Juan Sánchez Cotán
One of Cotán's most famous still lifes is titled Quince, Cabbage, Melon and Cucumber (1602, in the San Diego Museum of Art). It depicts the named objects hanging by strings in such a way they appear to create coordinates on a cartesian-algebraic arc. You can see an image of this piece online at the San Diego Museum of Art's excellent IMAGE gallery - as well as zoom in on details of an enlarged version.

edited 2/2/2009 to add links to the SDMA.

10.09.2007

u p c o m i n g

Excitement is building here for an upcoming group exhibition of which I feel very fortunate to be a part. It’s called The Blogger Show – a groundbreaking effort made possible by the vision, perseverance and dedication of John Morris – artist, arts activist and gallerist of Digging Pitt Gallery in Pittsburgh.

The Blogger Show will take place in four separate venues and in two different cities. It will "showcase the work of over thirty artists whose common interest is in clarifying artistic discourse through their blogs.” You can read more about the show here in an article by Bill Gusky of Artblog Comments.

Below are locations, dates, receptions and exhibiting artists of The Blogger Show listed by venue:

Digging Pitt Gallery
4417 Butler Street
Pittsburgh PA 15201
November 10, 2007 - January 12, 2008
Public Reception: December 8, 6-9 PM


Digging Pitt Too
45th & Plummer Streets
Pittsburgh PA 15201
November 10, 2007 - January 12, 2008
Public Reception: December 8, 6-9 PM


Panza Gallery
115 Sedgwick Street
Millvale PA 15209
November 10, 2007 - January 12, 2008
Public Reception: December 15, 6-9 PM


Agni Gallery
170 East 2nd Street, Storefront #3
New York NY 10009
November 3 - 30, 2007
Public Reception: November 3, 6-9 PM

10.07.2007

China Cup all in Blue


China Cup all in Blue, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

This is the painting pictured on the easel from two posts back. The model belonged to my grandmother, Clara.

(edited 10.08.07: image reuploaded after this piece was repainted and then rephotographed)

10.06.2007

An Outdoor Sketch - 10.06.07


The Marsh Creek in October, oil on unstretched linen, 6 x 10 inches

My friend and I painted out this week. I was positioned at almost creek level while Gloria was on the foot bridge right behind me. This is my effort - a little piece to catch the feeling of the marsh's last green.

10.05.2007

Happening 10.05.07


Here's what's happening in - and out of - the studio today:

A 20 x 16 inch canvas is on the easel with the beginnings of a china teacup painting. The still life stand is about 12 feet tall which allows for plenty of room to get a good view, adjust the lamp, change backgrounds and stabilize the object to keep it from spinning.

The oak tree is just starting to lose its leaves while the maples have already let half of theirs go. The squirrels are still busy burying acorns but the hummingbirds and monarchs are long gone.

10.01.2007

A Post Script



Many thanks to all of you for stopping by over the last two months – most especially to Eva, Steven, Susan and Tracy for your comments and kindness.

Best wishes to those of you celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries this year. In particular - Eva -10th last month - - and Susan - 25th a week from yesterday.




Robert, May 1977

And last, but most essentially, thank you Robert – for photographing all of my work on this blog, for your never-ending support and for thirty wonderful years. I love you.

9.30.2007

Thirtieth


Thirtieth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.29.2007

Twenty Ninth


Twenty Ninth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.28.2007

Twenty Eighth


Twenty Eighth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.27.2007

Twenty Seventh


Twenty Seventh, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.26.2007

Twenty Sixth


Twenty Sixth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.25.2007

Twenty Fifth


Twenty Fifth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.24.2007

Twenty Fourth


Twenty Fourth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.23.2007

Twenty Third


Twenty Third, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.22.2007

Twenty Second


Twenty Second, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.21.2007

Twenty First


Twenty First, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.20.2007

Twentieth


Twentieth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.19.2007

Nineteenth


Nineteenth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.18.2007

Eighteenth


Eighteenth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches

9.17.2007

Seventeenth


Seventeenth, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches