The Next Wave, 24 x 34, oil
A storm front is moving through this morning. Where is my next step, my next cup of coffee, my next wave? Who will throw my ball?
This piece took time to evolve. This is the challenge of a gray day with muted colors but lit by broken pieces of sunlight. The grays (not really gray, btw) provide the backdrop for the salient colors to glow.
Saranac River, 7 x 10.5, gouache
Every Memorial Day we open up camp on our island in the Saranac River, in the Adirondack mountains. It started wet on Friday, but Sunday cleared up. Between watching the kids swim and a Hairy Woodpecker feeding its young in a tall birch, I did some gouache sketches. Gouache is like watercolor but more opaque, if you want it to be.
Meera and Evy, gouache
The swim hole is a rocky point on the island facing southwest. The benches made from fallen trees, bark stripped, with a backdrop of cedars on the water's edge, offer a warm seat in the Spring sun.
Cormorants, 8 x 10, oil paper
I'm continuing to experiment with the oil paper, doing a series of cormorants.
Afternoon, 28 x 42, oil
A late summer afternoon. The beach people are each in their own shared worlds, glimpsing neighbors and wondering, or completely engaged in the present with no thoughts at all. There are still a few hours left before the rest of the world begins to creep back in with the tide, lifting them back home.
After the sanding stage (below), I built up the layers of water surfaces, letting underpainting through for optical mixing. Figures were added to round out narratives and composition. Colors were done and redone to adjust hue, value, shape, depth. This piece was challenging. Some are harder than others to develop, to get them to the point where they begin to tell me what they want.
Two Skimboards, 8 x 10, oil on paper
The last couple of weeks I've been (among other things) experimenting with Arches new "Oil Paper". It's like watercolor paper (thick and heavy) but is designed for oil paint, and there's no prep (gesso) required... I love it. The paper soaks up a lot of pigment so the colors are really rich and deep. I've done 5 little sketches so far.
Cooling Off, 8 x 10, oil on paper
Kayak, 8 x 10, oil on paper
Gull, 8 x 10, oil on paper
Two Labs, 8 x 10, oil on paper
Afternoon, detail
As of last week, I have been building up the surface and figures. Here's a detail after (left) + before (right).
Afternoon, 28 x 42, oil
I started this awhile ago and the paint was pretty dry, so I thought I'd rough it up a little with the orbital sander before getting back into it. Again, I start most of these on site, and this is an example of that. More to come on this one.
Here's a video montage of "Noodle" construction (52 sec):
Noodle, 40 x 40, oil
Since the last version, the sand has been layered, and a little damp at the water's edge. Many adjustments have been made to figures: colors, highlights, shadows, consistencies. Two figures (heads) have been added to the top left, and a signature at the bottom right.
Noodle, version 5, 40 x 40, oil
I've added a new "figure", the pink ball. It adds a focal point and plays with the more subtle yellow ball (in my head anyway). The other major progression here is the water which has been completely layered again with lighter values and toned down color, except for the waves. There is a new wave too. (Note, this photo's a little dark at the top - just a snapshot.) Next I'll be layering the sand and continuing to revise colors in the figures.
Noodle, version 5, 40 x 40, oil
Version 5 fleshes out many of the figures.
Noodle, version 2, 40 x 40, oil
Here's a start on "Noodle"
Being There – 28 × 42 – oil
I have 3 pieces in Plenty, the 6th annual holiday show at my new gallery 13FOREST.Opening Reception Fri 11/22 7-9 pm
13FOREST 167A Massachusetts Avenue Arlington, MA 02474 781.641.3333 www.13FOREST.com
Monday, the final day of the tour, was another beautiful, fall day. Traffic was a little lighter, but the total weekend traffic was great, exceeding the June tour. Thanks to all who made the trip, and to those who could not, remember you can still come anytime, just give me a call ahead. Christmas is coming!
Sunday was a very busy day with 64 visitors coming through for the Tour. Looks like another beautiful day today for the finale. I'd say yesterday's comment of the day on my paintings was "mischievous". I liked that, and agreed.
Had 46 people visit my studio yesterday, including folks from DC, NH, and all over MA. I have my coffee and am ready for more today and tomorrow. The feedback has been great, especially on "Tapestry" (the paint's still drying). Lots of smiles when people step into the studio and look around.
Tapestry – 40 x 40 – oil
Tapestry is finished for this weekend's Studio Tour, October 12, 13 and 14. Plan your tour now! Download the brochure and map of 23 artist studios at http://capeannartisans.com/
Mid-July – 20 x 20 – oil
Ah, the heat of July. There's only one place to be.
Tapestry will be finished for the Studio Tour, October 12, 13 and 14. Plan your tour now! Download the brochure and map of 23 artist studios at http://capeannartisans.com/
Tapestry, version 1
Tapestry, version 2
Tapestry, version 3, – oil on linen – 40 x 40
Sandbar (2013) – oil on linen – 24 x 36
The sand moves every day, like the weather, presenting a new landscape. It can never be replicated.