Dirty Palette Knives, Liquin Container and Paper Towel

 

Dirty Palette Knives, Liquin Container and Paper Towel 

6" x 6" oil on 3/4" gesso board

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The irony of this painting is that I realized how much I needed those palette knives after I got started...

I was about to paint a boring, safe arrangement - an apple and a silver cup - when I saw my dirty palette knives and grimy container of Liquin (painting medium) sitting on a paper towel that I had used to clean brushes, lit by the cool winter light. I'm a sucker for an unarranged or unplanned still life, so I dropped the apple and silver cup.  

This was a tough subject - there is so much going on in that tiny scene. I always get sucked into thinking a painting is going to be easy, but I should know better by now. The more I learn about painting, the harder it gets. 

Table Mountain Pines

 

Table Mountain Pines

18" x 18" oil on canvas

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While I’ve done the Furnace Mountain hike near Harrisonburg, VA, and JMU, the photo this painting is based on was taken by a friend of mine. I hope he lets me use more of his photos—he’s great at capturing the places I love.

Subtlety is hard to achieve with oil paint. Straight out of the tube, the colors are extremely saturated, so I had to tone them down without letting the painting become chalky. It’s a tough balance, but I love the softness and simplicity that came from it. This painting gives me the same feeling I get when I look out over a mountain valley.

Green Vase with Glass Vile and Flower

 

Green Vase with Glass Vile and Flower

12" x 12" oil on board

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Great title, huh? I attended another weekend painting workshop with the great Jon Redmond, this time focussed on still life. Jon had us pick a simple setup just to practice the techniques he was showing us, so this is what I scavenged from the Wayne Art Center supply closet, which was packed full of old bottles, vases, cups, trays, fake flowers, fabrics, etc.. I'm not even sure what the little yellow glass is - maybe an old perfume bottle? 

I've heard this before, and Jon said it again, but painting is really about learning to see. Jon is one of the greatest painters alive today, and his vision is unreal. I WAS able to see most of what he saw, which was encouraging, but he can instantly spot a a value or temperature or perspective that's off while it takes me considerably more time if I see it at all. But, I guess that's what happens when you spend your entire life painting and working with other artists who are the best in the world.  The more I can do that, the better I'll see. Jon said my painting was, "well done."  I'll take it!

Berkshire Barn

 

Berkshire Barn

6" x 6" oil on board

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This is based on an image from a recent trip to Western Massachusetts for my great Aunt Jane's memorial service. Her ashes were spread in a beautiful hemlock forest not far from the barn. She was a great lady, and I'm glad I was present to help send her on her next adventure.