Last Leaves

Autumn's Fallen - oil on illustration board, 14" x 16"

I found this marsh warbler dead after it presumably hit a shop window in town. I don't think anyone saw me pocket it, but if they did, I'm sure it made them wonder. I don't normally do still lifes, so this is an unusual painting for me in that respect, but the bird was such a cool thing to have on hand to study, I wanted to compose a full piece out of it. The rugosa roses were the last blooms of the season, so, with the leaves and the bird, the whole piece is really focused on the beauty of things as they pass on. Perhaps this beauty represents a glimpse of the glory of rebirth? As far as the natural world goes, these kinds of things click into place so beautifully.

I hadn't mentioned it before, but I've been back at drawing room a few times since the end of summer. This past Monday yielded a few good drawings, and I have some others from weeks prior that I like. I'll post them here soon. You can always come by the studio to see these new things if you're in the neighborhood, of course. There's a First Friday coming up on the 7th, where I should have a few new drawings up. I'll make a more formal post about that later.

This weekend looks good for me to have some serious studio time, finally. Hopefully I can make some headway with either this one small work that I have set up, or the study for the larger figurative project I've been going on about. We'll see which I am in the mood for, I guess.

Color Study & FFAW

Color Study of Molly - oil on museum board 14" x 9".

This is from a 3-hour session. Another quick photo, sorry - there's glare coming off the wet paint. It is intentionally low contrast, though. You would think I would want a darker background so her pale skin tones would really pop, but I have a particular atmosphere in mind. I really didn't try very hard with her features or proportions, as you see. It's more comic-book scale here at 7 1/2 heads high or thereabout. Nevertheless, this is what I need for the bigger painting in terms of color. I wanted to work out the edge planes and flat light against the light neutral, as well as incorporate some of the atmosphere in the skin tones themselves. It was fun to do, and Molly is fun to work with. I hope to see her back this winter & I wish her the best in her cross country trek. I might need her anyway, should I run into trouble with the final piece.

Tonight is First Friday. Come by if you can!

More info at www.firstfridayartwalk.com

Still Sipping Summer

Chenin Blanc: Kettle Cove - oil on board 7.5" x 8.5"

Just got back this weekend from Long Island (Maine, NOT New York - which I still feel I have to clarify since I'm from the latter, originally) and it was just fantastic. Of course, we're thrust into real life right quick, and there's tons of stuff on various plates that we must spin like circus preformers. Nevertheless, the week away was well worth it: much wine was sipped beachside, and much swimming and relaxing did also commence. I will post more on it soon; I have a painting to scan. I tried for three, but rain and poor light caused two of them to flop. I nailed the third on our last full day, of course.

More soon. But, FYI:

AUGUST 1ST: FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
AT STUDIO BEREHAVEN
5-8 PM

I hope to see you there! I can only be in attendance until 7:15 or so, then my lovely wife Danielle will be there to close. She is far prettier than me, so I'm happy to have her there in my stead.

1st First Friday!!!

My lack of blogging activity is because I've been busy preparing for this!

Portland's First Friday Artwalk is always fun: a great opportunity for savvy art buyers, networking, and just a plain old good time to meet fellow art lovers. I plan to have a nice spread. If you know me at all, I will not skimp on the wine. Of course, there will be lots of art on display, the majority of which will be for sale! There are exciting new things, rare older things, and stuff in between. I'm even planning to have a print rack with some good, affordable giclees.

So, please come on by this Independence Day anytime between 5 and 9 PM and we'll toast to good art and a wonderful summer for us all!

For more excellent venues, visit www.firstfridayartwalk.com