Mar 3 - More Details on the Polo Ponies OIl, 16 x 20

The "Color Punch" begins to show up now! The difference between this stage and the earlier one may be minor in square inches, but it is major in pulling the color design toward the finished state. These few brush marks on the backs of the horses bring out the message of light and value difference (also color temperature difference) that need to happen to make this painting work. There is still much more to do, however seeing these few brush marks may help to show how the Color System works. There is no lighter value than the sunlight on the gray horse. There is no stronger edge (or will be) than the topline near that horse's tail.

If there is a strong edge elsewhere, it will be compromised by little value change, no temperature change, or act as a subordinate "supporting" edge in the design, and not be as important.

I've put a smaller image of the prior stage to show you how much those marks change the dynamics of the design of the painting. Suddenly there is "punch" whereas before it was just a nicely coming along painting.

When we as artists want to control where the viewer's eye goes, our tools are straight from the design box. Here I'm using value change, edge hardness and temperature difference to force your eye to go to that horse, even thought the rest of the painting may be visually interesting. While I continue to paint from this important step, I will be ever mindful that the gray's back as my focal point. No edge or contrast will be as strong as that area. Now on to finish this beastie!

There are still spaces in the Florida five-day workshop in May (first week--GORGEOUS time to be in Florida!). Please contact Kathie Camara if you'd like a spot in the Color Boot Camp, where you'll paint along with me for five fun and full days of learning in Central Florida!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Sep 20 - Continuing the Chicken Girl

I mentioned that this painting is falling off my brushes, and it certainly seems so tonight. I've been working on some of the color notes in the girl's dress, the three lower chickens and the white bird. I'm especially pleased with how the light is coming through the tail on that one, and included a detail image of that part of the painting so you can see how it is done. Cools, with yellow ochre and then going to the warms where the light actually is on the edges. Fun to do! That Color System makes it easy. Who would have thought to put the ochre there? And yet it works.

I've been listening to the Rolling Stones. Somehow soothing to reach into one's past and listen to the beat of those (now) ancient rockers--connecting a lifeline to survival mode. Painting is an escape, a return to knowledge and certainty for me. "Let me please introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste...."

Too bad there isn't a horse in this painting, I might think it ought to go to the American Academy of Equine Art show. I'm having so much fun making GOOD paintings lately.

Here's the detail shot of the unfinished white chicken. You can see how I first put in the larger color notes to hold down the shapes. Of course, the shadowed sides are the Cool Box, and the sunlit edges are from the Warm Box in the Color System! I'll come back and put in the blends, calligraphic marks, and wrap this painting up in the next few days.

My love for painting is only superseded by my gratitude for my dear and close friends out here in cyberspace. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me--you are very special right now!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2009 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Aug 24 - Portrait of My Father

It had to happen. I'm finally ready to paint my father, and I will do so and also share with you some powerfully profound news. But first, the portrait. My dad passed away at age 91 from melanoma. Cancer, in its most insidious form, snuck up and took a man who could play golf and do 18 holes with the goal of "playing his age"--and he did, too, at least in his 80s.
Electrical engineer, ham radio operator, gentle yet strong, dry wit, wonderful provider as a career Naval officer, he tolerated my tom-boyish nature and patted me on the head when I did well.
It has been tough to live up to his expectations, but now I am the artist I need to be to start this 12 x 24 inch oil of him relaxing with an empty glass. "The sun's over the yardarm" in evening light. This is the initial drawing, over a toned warm ground of Australian Red Gold.

The profound news is that my husband was diagnosed last November with stage four cancer (inoperable). I could not share that with you and carry you on that journey--it would have been far too painful--until now. Today, and as of mid-March, he is cancer free. His success in following NON-TRADITIONAL protocols needs to be shared with the list, the world and hopefully other people will make similar choices to extend their lives and live well. I'll be sharing what he did, the web links and our story as I unfold this painting of my father. Had I known what I know now, and had my Dad made the choices that my husband has, he might be celebrating his 102nd birthday--he was that healthy before melanoma struck. More tomorrow.

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2009 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.