8 inch squared

 These are the smallest paintings I have ever done.  They measure 8"x8".  I really have been putting off painting in smaller sizes.  I have to say I really enjoyed getting two paintings done in the same day.

These images are super glary.  The paint is very wet.  One of the things I like about painting small is the power of the brush strokes.  Each stroke is so much more important.  I look forward to more small paintings in the near future.  I entered these in the LPAPA 8" squared show. "Color may be expressed through texture. "-Robert Henri

Under the Gazebo

I got down there early because I knew parking was going to be tough.  I couldn't believe that I got the very first parking spot.

I was able to set up without having to wait for people to move.  I remember getting kicked out once because of a wedding.  

It was so hot.  I was thankful that I could be in the shade for the four hours I spent painting.

The scene that I was painting did not give the best view of Rock Pile so I had to change up the focus of the painting.

Here is the block in of the painting and the general composition of the painting.

The following detail shots are intended to show the abstract nature of the mark making in the painting.  

A lot of pastelists blend their marks with any number of  techniques.  I am not a blender.  Color and shape are created by layer upon layer of marks.  Each mark placed over another mark to create the desired shape, color, and intensity.

The idea of shape being created by what it is and what it isn't.  The palm tree fronds are created by painting their shapes but it is also created by the shape of the air surrounding them.

The detail shot allows you to see the color of the underpainting and the grain of the panel running vertically.

Mixing It Up

 Lately I have been trying to get more painting out of every session.  About a month ago I completed 3 paintings in one sitting. It was 8 hours of pure concentration and effort.  The paintings were all plein air pastel on board.  Two of the paintings were 24"x36" and one was a 24"x24".  So most days are 2 paintings start to finish. No touch ups back at the studio.  The purpose is to develop fully expressed paintings without carrying them over to another day or finishing them in the studio.  The studio can become a crutch. 

 

For this session I started with this pastel on board.  It took me longer than I intended.  I put extra time into the development of the Blue Agave in the foreground.  I then painted a large gouache.  I just started painting in gouache in February. 

At The Muth

Very happy to have three new paintings on display at the Mary and Peter Muth Interpretive Center at the Newport Back Bay

The paintings will hang until January.

The paintings are as follows: In the Weeds 36x 36, On the Side 12x 24.and Morning Heat 12x 24