Raw emotion.

Fragmented........splintered...............only love counts, everything else just floats around and around until it finds a resting place.......to be picked up once again by the most recent tide of ........creativity, emotions that once again become splintered , fragmented , raw.

Painting with friends

At the Palette today , never a dull moment.
Lots of action going on with sirens , at lunch the street was crawling with fire trucks .
And we kept on task, painting and sharing.
I love the time I spend at The Palette and Chisel.

Another challenging day, it went smoother in some respects and totally frustrating in others.
I worked my painting fast , just rolling along , until break.
Break is always a dose of reality.
I think I'm getting it, and wham!
I walk around and look at others.
Yes we differ in style , but the basics are the basics. Light , dark, mid tone , structure, shape, the whole basic speal .
But I do fell I'm on the edge of a break thru.

"Oil painting" At the Palette and Chisel, Muscles and more

Painting Jason for the second week.
2 different poses.

Challenging for both, model and Artists.

Working with North light is fabulous, but Sunday it was extremely obvious the hourly light shift.
The shadow pattern would change hour to hour, more obvious in the afternoon .
I first found it frustrating, but soon excepted it as a challenge.
This was really a good exercise for me in as far as structure , form , and confronting issues that I know now I have stuck in the back of my brain for whatever reason. Denial? Human nature and the brain can be tricky.
I can say this was enormous on many levels for me.

Windows, windows, windows !

Yes, I'm fixing my studio windows, it's not that they won't be fixed, I'm just impatient.
A good job for me to blow off steam. Rather than mess up a canvas.

But that sounds like fun.

I want my windows in before fall. The weather has been do odd.
I'm banking on a horrendous winter .

The weekend at the Palette and Chisel in Chicago

With the roar of jets over head from the Air and water show we continue to paint. Every once in awhile the noise makes us jump and the building windows feel like they will break.
We had wonderful good natured models.
This is Sundays challenge.

Professional Advice En Plein Air.

Reading American Artists Workshop issue. While in the Dentists office.
My own issue
Mastering Materials and Techniques
Page 46.

"Quick Facts to remember when painting En Plein Air"
"•sky holes in trees are darker than the sky around them
• The tops of trees are affected by " sky shine".
• Objects in the distance are lighter and cooler in color
• Trees, like people are identifiable by silhouette and structural anatomy
• the sky is not always blue
• Greens comes in great variety
• The direction of light should be consistent throughout a painting
• Sky and water painted with horizontal strokes gives the impression of depth
• Edges, light, and color handling communicate weather and time of day"

I would like to add ........

Think of the trees grass, leaves, trees flowers, etc as skin. Painting the human figure , translucent skin reflect and absorbs colors around. So don't just stick with greens.

The World is so colorful!!!!!!!

Happy Painting.

Love painting in my studio when it's raining outside.

Another glorious day of painting.
I found an old canvas, my second still life I painted.
My first was in college, acrylic on paper as an under grad at SIU in photography.
I had wanted to combine my photography with painting and drawing. At the time it was not allowed. So I would change majors every semester.
Yea I never graduated from SIU, even having enough hours for a masters.
But I did discover my love for painting.
I thought it was sinful, so indulgent , so fun.
To much fun, this couldn't be work, I continued with photography, lead me to FAU the SAIC for film / animation and drawing using pastels. BFA
My final film at Sheridan college in oakvile, Canada ( international college of classical animation) more self punishment. ( but so worth it to see your drawings move) I do miss it.
I rediscovered that thing called painting. im finally doing it.
Anyway I found the 2 nd still life I ever did. 1 st one was in 1976 this one was 1990s I hate to cover it but, I need the canvas.
This is the old, and the new that is going on top.

" oil painting" today

Set out to paint the Woodstock market.
I must of turned off my alarm? I'm behind an 1 hour or so from my schedule.
Then!
Road Construction , that time if year, I know I will appreciate it when the snow flys.
Listening to my favorite classical music in the thoughts to sooth my frantic self.
When I arrive my luck changes , a parking space, right in front of the outdoor seating, no need to put the top up on the Smart.
Had breakfast at Starbucks with some fiber friends, thought maybe they might be there.
Fun catching up on our lives.
We are around the same age, all have one parent left in various stages of aging.
Head over to the square, find Jennifer , whom I have been documenting for a few years.
More photos than paintings at this time. Sold some to help with the rent and to be honest the longer it goes on the better my paintings are.
Anyway, much to my surprise they are having a Purple Heart dedication celebration of life services.
At that point I decided just to photograph , I need practice painting from photos.
Tears for those who served and wounded and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice .
I'm against war, but it's a reality that we need these men and women.
Thank You for your dedication and service.
My thoughts and prayers are with those no longer with us.
My Uncle Clem who I never met is always in my heart!

I went back to my studio, worked on Alma, a dear, dear woman who works for Jen.

" oil painting" Plein Air farmers market Harvard, Il.

Yet another day of blistering heat and sun.
But what fun.
I spent more time talking than painting, I'm flexible , people had questions, have out a few business cards. Always a plus!
Today's problems , set up to close, canvas to small
Solution, move back and variety of canvas next time.
Bonus only 2 blocks from my studio , no early morning call.
Variety! The spice of life!

"Oil Painting" Plein Air at Emricson Park.

Thursday morning my friend and partner in crime decided we would paint in the park close for a quick paint do I dare say! It never is.
I won't get into the metaphor........ I have said many times I'm in love.... Nothing like being outside painting being distracted by our wonderful beautiful world.
A Crane, Geese, a fisherman, butterflies, fish jumping, beautiful sky, sun light breeze . People enjoying the park.
What more can you ask for!
I'm in love!
We had a wonderful morning in spite of the heat.

Working in the studio " Oil Painting"

Friday!
I chose to stay in today, work on a series that I hope will be finished next summer.

Maybe longer, I'm so addicted to Plein Air making it hard staying in the studio, I'm learning so much.

In the studio today I worked from a digital photograph I took a few years ago.
I started painting and photographing my neighbor as she set out to start a new career as a flower grower.
I worked for her one summer, in turn for photographing and being involved .