Just a sketch

What a tree! And a lovely day. Finally got outside for a bit. I'm working on a number of projects but no photos yet. So this will have to do for now. It is an enormous cottonwood tree at a rest area between Alpine and Ft. Davis. A favorite spot!

Back to real people!

Jan is a dear friend who agreed to model for me. Such patience! This is on 18x24 tinted paper, done in graphite and white charcoal. Sure enjoyed working from a live model again!

Horny Toad?

"The Poetry of Things" is a 9" x12" oil on linen board completed for a show celebrating the horny toad. Since I couldn't get one to sit for me, I decided to do a still life with the sculpture of the lizard. The title actually comes from the title of the book in the piece.

Art Opening

Not a human portrait...but....

My very first backhoe! 18"x24" colored pencil on paper. Portrait commission work takes odd turns.

New stuff

Since the last posting, I've worked on a sign painting (with preprinted paper border), an oil sketch of Wayne's son and I've rehung the gallery wall after feedback that it was too much stuff.

Now Showing

I have recently been accepted into the CatchLight Art Gallery in Alpine, TX. As this is a co-op gallery, I get a portion of the wall space and will be working a couple of days each month. I am in the company of the best of the Big Bend!

Saturday, January 9th, will be my first opening reception as a member of the gallery. So if you are in Alpine, stop by and see us! 5-8pm.

This photo shows the current display of my work.

Latest Commission Work

This painting of Paige was delivered to her grandmother before Christmas. It was originally supposed to be a gift, but "Oma" was considering keeping it. "Paige" 10"x 12" oil on linen canvas

Delivering

Ok, it wasn't nine months, but the delivery date is Thanksgiving. Probably could have worked on it for another year or so...but here it is.

A & A getting close

Making progress on the form painting. Changed the background orange to a slightly yellower color. Still refining and refining, but it is looking better.

Albert & Adam

Continuing the form painting. Still struggling with the jackets and shirts.

More on Raven

Found this drawing from the spring session at the Ryder Studio. Thought it would be a nice change from my current portrait work.

Graphite pencil and white charcoal on toned paper. 18" x 24"

Starting the form painting - challenge

I've started some of the form painting, chosing the large block areas first. Since the background is going to remain an unmodulated orange, I started there, then the clothes. I still need to work on the finer details of the fabric. Started work on the hair for both, so I could work a bit on the edges with the orange.

Challenge Wash-in

"Wash - in" of painting. A full color work using oil paint thinned with solvent. A bit like a loose watercolor. Albert (left) will have different glasses, so they are not really detailed. Adam chose the background and clothing for the father/son painting.

More on Challenge

"Inked" in over charcoal drawing with diluted oil paint. Then wiped charcoal off.

Continuing with the Challenge

Drawing in charcoal on canvas.

A New Challenge

Started work on a commission of a double portrait. One of the models is an installation artist and has particular ideas about background and what they are wearing. So I will be trying to balance my opinion with his. This is the poster study for the piece. I will be doing some work from photo, but will get the models into the studio at least once a week. Will keep you posted!

Yippee!!!

"Raven".............."Randy".................. "Cherished"

I entered these three pieces into a regional art show put on by the Kate Hoffman Art Association. Saturday, I was thrilled to learn that "Raven" received 3rd place and "Randy", 1st place in the Portrait Category. "Cherished" got 1st in the Still Life Category. AND.... "Randy" was judged Best in Show. Wow! guess those classes paid off!

New Still Life Poster Study

Taking on a real challenge.

Cheap Model

Decided to try a self portrait....can't beat the price. Tried to keep smiling. Obviously couldn't do a 75 hour pose.

This Little Piggy

Finished the still life. Just a few favorite items. Could be "conceptual"....art, music and the funds needed. But it was just some stuff.

Got Distracted

While working on my latest still life, I received some beautiful roses. Couldn't really do a full painting, so I tried a larger poster study.

Still Life Poster Study

We are back in Alpine, TX and I have started a still life painting. Above is the poster study. Anxious to see what happens to my work outside of class.

Portrait Drawings

Thanks Krista for use of your time at the studio. These are the works from the latest drawing class. Wayne, Lori, Maribou and Nova.

Drawings from the Studio

Randy, Maribou and Raven....some of the studio staples. Randy is on toned paper all are in graphite. All 18" x 24"

More Posters

Poster studies (color studies) 5" x 7" of Raven, Rose, Still Life and Wayne.

Poster Studies 2009

Finally photographed all of the poster studies I did since February. Didn't realize it was so many! These are all 5" x 7" and done in oil.