Love and Romance: Calliope returns

I've been wanting to do this blog's featured painting for a while now, but with the colored pencil show and the pointillism painting, my summer just blew past me like the leaves outside my window this evening.

A series of paintings or artwork around a central theme has been something I've felt the urge to do for most of this year. And the theme's been staring me in the face all the while. I needed to sit back and think about the paintings I wanted to put in the series. I hinted at it a few blogs back when I featured the painting entitled Romance. It's a painting that gets a lot of reaction. It's a theme that strikes a chord with everyone -- love and romance.

I've sketched out between 10-to-12 ideas, including the first one, Romance. I'm not sure I will do all of them. And, this past week, I came up with an idea for another one. So the final total will constantly be in flux. I hope that all eventually tell a story. One that touches everyone in their own way. (I will address that in more detail in a moment.)


In any case, I've actually been working on this painting -- Opening Night -- for about three weeks now. The first two weeks' work, however, has been more than a normal artist's sketch. I actually drew this painting to size (22 x 28) on Bristol board because I needed to get my composition correct. 

When I took it to my Monday evening class, however, I realized that if this was to be my "reference photo," then I better have an idea of what colors I wanted to use as well. Hence I spent the first two weeks of class painting my reference photo.

Opening Night - Reference

I can't say I plan to do all my paintings like this in the future, but it really helped in several ways. First, I had to establish my light source and how it affects my main characters. Second, it helped me to realize I had to adjust my proportions. The cars were entirely too small and I didn't like the tiered look from left to right. Also, the lines between the cars in the parking lot were too straight. Those needed to be angled more to enhance the perspective.

Third, the horizon line is too abrupt. A softer transition, I think, is better. Fourth, I lowered the curb line where the three dogs are. (Calliope is the dog in the middle, by the way). 

I also needed to do some color tweaking. The foreground pavement, I think, needs to be lighter than the background pavement. 

All paintings -- regardless of the medium -- are a matter of pushing and shoving and making adjustments. I can guarantee there will be changes made as I go along developing this painting. Last Monday, I transitioned the drawing from board to canvas and started the actual painting. What you see next is part of what I worked on in class (I started with a blank canvas) and what I have been working on this past week.

Opening Night - Phase 1

I'm still not sure if the cars are big enough, though I am certain the SUV on the left is. Also, I know that the VW in the middle and the red Ford on the right should be the roughly the same height. 

The three little white spots in the center are out-of-focus cars in the background. They may move. More will be added. I think a truck or a bus may go in the background along with some trees, too. 

The main image, however will not change and that's the man and the woman kissing each other in the parking lot as the three dogs look on. Well, two of them are watching. The third, on the far right, is part of my whimsy.

As an artist, you really want to get your viewer to relate to your artwork on a personal level. And the value of working on a piece in a class with other artists can't be overestimated. This painting touches everyone who has seen it so far.

It reinforced to me that I have touched upon a subject that everyone can truly relate to in some way. The reactions have been interesting to hear, especially when most of the artists in the class are women.

One said she liked the painting, but didn't like what it said. I asked why. "I have daughters that age." My response was, "Why does the couple have to be young?" She paused a moment and looked at the painting again and said, "You have a point." The artist comes to any painting with his or her point of view. The viewer, however, sees the image in their own personal way. Interpretation.

My favorite reaction was when one of the ladies looked at the piece for quite a while, then sighed and said, "Oh, to be in love again ..." 

The painting is not done. There's much execution yet to be done. A lot of pushing and shoving to go. But the "job" of an artist -- my purpose -- has already been accomplished. Touching my viewer in their own personal way. How do you relate to this painting? What does it mean to you? In what way does the story touch you?

By the way ... Calliope, whose owner is the male character, isn't quite sure what to make of this development.

Of Contests Part II

Just a brief posting this week ...

This past weekend, my painting -- Sailboat on the Pointe -- was named as the Greater Loveland Historical Museum Award winner. It is always an honor to be selected for any award in an art show, especially in the Greater Cincinnati area where there are so many talented artists living and producing in this community. This was a very nice honor, especially in light of the fact that I had won previously. As an artist, you always hope that your work has an impact on its viewer or viewers -- that it moves them, intrigues them, motivates or amuses them. A good friend, Monica Achberger, won Best of Show,


I spent most of this past week catching up on some business work (bills still have to be paid!). Though I did manage to resume attending one of the two weekly live sketch group sessions offered by the Cincinnati Art Club to its members. I cringe every time I see my final product, but I know that it's better than the first time I tried it. Progress comes in baby steps.

Calliope returns

 

For those of you who are familiar with the dog, Calliope, that I have featured in a previous painting, you will be happy to know that he is making his return in the next several weeks! So stay tuned. The sketch for the painting is done and there have been some tweeks here and there. I still need to attend to a couple of details such as spending much of the last couple of nights working out "light" issues. 

When I'm satisfied with the progress of the painting, I will begin to post it as it develops.

Contests and such ...

I was more than a little bit surprised to learn that I took second place in this year's Colored Pencil District Chapter 119 show! What an honor! Especially considering that I finished behind one of the people I most admire in colored pencil, John Smolko, who is also a member of our local chapter.

If you have been following my blog over the last few months, then you probably recognize the piece -- 324 --that took the award.

The show will continue throughout the month at "The Barn" in Mariemont, OH ... also the home of the Cincinnati Women's Art Club. The show runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept 22 and Fridays from 5-8 p.m.

324

More to the Point-illism ... 

As promised, below is the finished product of the pointillism painting -- Sailboat On the Pointe --  that I have also been working on over the last 6-7 weeks. I entered it in to the Greater Loveland Historical Society Museum show. If I failed to note this before, the acrylic painting is a pretty big piece at 30 x 40 inches, unframed. The Awards reception will be this coming Saturday (September 14) from 2-4 p.m. at the Museum on 201 Riverside Dr. in Loveland, OH. 

Sailboat On The Pointe

I entered and won this show three years ago and the winning piece of award featured below was purchased by the Museum and is on permanent display there.

That piece was done in scratchboard, which, while I don't do it very often, is one of my favorite forms of artwork. 

Stolen: Porridge Made from Scratch

Detailed close-up

As you can tell from the detailed breakout, this is another one of those tedious projects that I often find myself doing. But, much like the pointillism painting, I find doing scratchboard to be very relaxing.

This year's show will run on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 14 through October 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the Museum center in Loveland.

A grand afternoon

After dropping off my colored pencil artwork this morning for final entry in to the Cincinnati CPSA chapter show (more on that later) ... I spent the afternoon doing what I do every year when my grandchildren "invade". We paint!

For five-year-old Tabitha, this was her third painting endeavor and we decided it was time to actually attempt a painting of something more than just having fun with paint on a canvas. For three-year-old Zoe, however, the painting was all about getting "violet" on canvas. (I said nothing about my penchant for violet-purple shading!!!).

Fortunately for me (and her mother, my daughter, Marisa) we split this year's painting project in to shifts. Zoe, being the youngest went first.

(Left) Zoe selects her favorite weapons from among my arsenal of acrylic paint brushes.  

(Right) Art is serious business.








But then there is that moment when everything comes together and -- IT'S MAGICAL!!

And, finally, there's a masterpiece! For a thing of beauty is a joy forever. (Grandfather was particularly impressed with the bold strokes and the fearless impasto work).





After a quick clean-up, it was Tabitha's turn. As noted earlier, we decided to embark on a painting of her choice. Since she wanted to paint her favorite animal -- a zebra -- it was quickly changed to her choice of fruit. An apple or a pear. The apple won out. I had her actually draw an apple on the canvas board just as she would a normal painting. Then the painting began after she selected what colors she wanted for her background.

(Left) Obviously, grandfather was absorbed in the process that Tabitha employed.

(Right) Of course, getting paint on your hands is a source of much consternatiion.






(Right) Grampy explains 
the importance of light.






The final result showed Tabitha's grasp of light source AND her first signed artwork!

All and all, a grand afternoon!!

CPSA Show on Friday

The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America (Chapter 119) will hosts its annual chapter show at the "The Barn" -- home of the Cincinnati Women's Art Club on Cambridge Avenue in Mariemont.

This year's show chairman, Katherine Thomas (see link to her enjoyable blog) deserves "props" for the great preparation she has done for this year's show. The opening night ceremony runs from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6 and well worth attending.

Pointillism ...

Finally ... I think I have finished my pointillism painting and will feature it in a blog later this week or early next week. I just need to put my signature on this piece and I'm still debating whether to do it in pointillistic style or just straight script. Any votes for one style or another will be graciously appreciated!
 

 

 


 
 

Into the frying pan with Georges Seurat?

For the last several months I have been alternately bemoaning/lamenting the tediousness of colored pencil. I finally finished both the pieces I have been working on since the first of the year and I am -- at last -- able to put a brush in my hand.

So what do I do? . . . For that, I turn to this week's art history lesson and introduce Georges Seurat. The French painter born to a rather well-to-do family grew up in the late 1800s. And though his life was tragically brief -- he died at the age of 31 -- he is acknowledged in the art world for having two major impacts. First, Seurat, along with close friend Paul Signac, are regarded as the founders of the Neo-Impressionistic movement. Seurat, moreover, is acknowledged as the founder of the style of painting known as pointillism. (Some art historians lump Neo-Impressionism and Pointillism as one development).

Pointillism, or as Seurat preferred to call it -- divisionism, is pretty much what it sounds like. A pattern of points or dots on a canvas arranged to form the colors. Seurat used whole colors in dot patterns so that when you stood back from his work, the colors would blend visually. He did not mix his colors on the palette, but let the colors "mix" themselves on the canvas. He generally worked on large canvases and, coupled with the fact he did not live long, his body of work is small in comparison with many of the painters working in Europe during the same time.

His most famous work is A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, which I have posted here:

I must admit the style intrigues me and, if you think about it, Seurat was way way ahead of his time. For what he did back in the late 1800s is not unlike what we do today with pixels. Afterall, the color we see on this computer screen is nothing more than a gazillion pixels lined up next to each other to produce the image.

I am getting long winded (again ... sorry), but the point (pun intended), is that the first painting that I have started that I know I will finish is being done in pointillistic style. So, after all this time of noting how tedious colored pencil work is, I am now doing point after point after point on a big canvas (30 x 40).

But, believe it or not, I have found it to have gone much more quickly than I thought it would; and, secondly, the process has been very calming -- almost Zen-like. I understand why Seurat tended toward larger canvases. The bigger canvas is necessary in order to provide the viewer's eyes a greater opportunity to blend colors.

With that in mind, the following is the progression I have made with the pointillism painting I have been working on. This is being done with acrylic paint. (The fact that this is lengthy is primarily because I can't get the blog to cooperate in lining up the images three in a row. And if someone can explain to me how to do this more efficiently I will be in your debt forever).

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

Image 6 - As of 8/27/13

Since the painting has to be turned in for a contest by Sept. 10, then it will be done by then! And, quite frankly, at the rate it is progressing, I should be able to finish it with time to spare for more noodling, tinkering ... and adding a few dots here and there.

I will explain more about the contest for the Loveland Historical Museum in my next blog posting, which -- hopefully -- will be next week.

Is it finished yet?

As an artist, that's always the million dollar question. When is a painting done? 

Some artists say that a painting is done when they are sick and tired of working on a piece and that's that!

Some artists are never done. I remember taking a visit to the Frank Frazetta museum in 
East Stroudsburg, PA back in 2007. This was like going to Valhalla for me. Frank Frazetta was my idol when I was growing up and, still to this day, if i could draw an iota as well as he did, then I would say I've accomplished something as an artist. He was the best.

Guardian at gateway to Frazetta Museum

In any case, Frank Frazetta was in his home that day I visited, but was not taking visitors as he was still dealing with the effects of a stroke. His wife, Ellie, was tending to the museum that day and since we were the only visitors, we got to spend nearly two hours talking with her and discussing her husband's artwork.

Frank Frazetta Museum

At one point, she said she didn't allow Frank to come in to the museum alone anymore because he would see something in one of his pieces of artwork and take it down off the wall and start re-working it! Some of his paintings then were valued at more than a million dollars. Hence, an artist really is never done with his work. There's always something more that can be done.





That being said, I'm not sure my two colored pencil works are finished yet to enter in to the September DC Chapter 119 show. 

Marin

I continue to work on Marin, though I have to admit I'm pretty close to finishing her up. There's some details and things that still have to be done, such as adding some cool tones around the corners of her mouth. I also need to consider making the left side of her face a mite bit darker in order to have her hair pop out a bit more. There's some darkening, too, under her jaw line. Her hair that comes out in the upper left, I think I need to make the background a bit darker as well so the hair comes out a little more.

It's all about light and making sure the contrast brings the drama to the image. 

It's also called, by some, more noodling. Most people I've shown this to already think it's done and finished.

324

The same holds true for the power boxes, which in my last blog episode was "Untitled." It now has a title -- 324.

This one, though I signed it so I could see where I wanted to put my signature, needs more work. The shadows on the wall bother me and I will definitely need to make them darker. Also, I have to make the pipes look more rounded. Some of the boxes need to get darker or warmer. Others need to get cooler.

Again, people who have seen photos of 324, have really liked it. In fact, a colleague of mine at work has already expressed interest in purchasing the piece. (Keeping my fingers crossed on that one).

So, to answer my question at the start of this blog, I will answer without an answer. It's done when I think it's done. And it's a good thing it's not "when I want it done." I was ready to end Marin about four weeks ago. But the extra work has really enhanced the piece.

When they are done (finally done), I will feature them one last time. 



 
  

Calliope knows the truth

A good friend of mine, a former studio mate, came to visit me on the opening night of my guest appearance down at the Pendleton Studios in downtown Cincinnati. She asked me about one of her favorite paintings and why I hadn't put it up for the show. I told her it wasn't for sale. That it was in my private collection. But I did print out a postcard copy of it that I was giving away for free. She took one, of course.

Romance

I really don't take the best of photos of my work, but the painting she was referring to was a piece I did last summer called Romance. 

I suspect another reason why I don't put it out for display is that the painting itself is simple, probably a bit crude. But the story it tells, at least to me, was something that may appeal to many of us. At least, I know it did or does for my friend who came to visit last week.

It is really a simple story, too, as the title suggest ... Romance. And, yes, it is a part of all our lives at some point or another. Maybe more than once. 

When you find that special someone, he or she can put the stars in the sky. Even the dog, Calliope, knows the music in their hearts can light up the sky. And once the stars are in the sky, they never really go away. Calliope knows that too.

What happens from here, no one really ever knows do they? I suspect the couple will reappear in another painting down the road. I'm thinking that painting will have more of a realistic twist to it. And, I think, Calliope will make a reappearance again too. 

If you get the chance on the July Final Friday (July 26), I will be back at the Pendleton Studios (Studio 221) where Dawn Dwyer has been kind enough to share her space with me. Hopefully, I will be able to be there for a while. 

SECOND SATURDAY -- I will be sharing a small space at the Loveland Art Studios beginning this coming Saturday, July 13. Water colorist and Cincinnati Art Club signature member, Nancy Sullivan, has graciously allowed me a wall in her studio on the first floor the the building. Studios open from 6-10 p.m. this Saturday!

Works in progress ... 

 

Why do I do this to myself? Colored pencil was my first introduction to "color" and while I have had some success in the field, I don't truly consider myself a "color pencil artist." The medium is so darned difficult. It's unforgiving and you better know where you are going before you even attempt to go there. The map best well be set for you to follow.

Marin

That being said, I'm feverishly working on two colored pencil pieces that have to be completed and framed before the September 3 turn-in deadline for entry in the local Cincinnati District 119 annual show.

The portrait, Marin, I believe some of you may have seen in a previous blog and, believe it or not, I have actually made significant progress on it. Unfortunately, I have only had time to spend working on this once a week. On the very positive side, I have had the outstanding wisdom of Ken Buck to guide me through this endeavor. Ken, who actually judged the local CPSA show last year, is one of Cincinnati's truly gifted artists and one of the finest art teachers I've had the pleasure to work with over the years. He knows color and how it works better than anyone.







The second piece I have been working on in just the last week and have made excellent progress. Again, the artwork suffers (at least I hope it does) because of my lack of skill in photographing my work. (Set it on an easel, shoot a picture. Anything more complicated takes up time that I do not have right now.) And now that I look at it on this post, it looks crooked too. It's really not!

Untitled

Now I just have to finish them ... sigh ... 


This year's District Chapter show will be be held at The Barn -- the Cincinnati Women's Art Club in Mariemont. It truly is a special venue, despite the name of the facility. Opening Night reception will be Friday, Sept. 6 from 6-9 p.m. Make plans to see this show. The chapter has some exceptionally gifted artists who produce amazing artwork.