SURPRISE IN PUGET SOUND

I think that with a blog I can show experimental pieces: if I had a web site I would need to have pieces that are finished. I see more possibilities with this image.

GURGLE 1

Monotype, playing with ink thicknesses and movement. I like this beginning. Not sure yet where to take it from here.

GURGLE PLUS

This is color on top of another background like Gurgle 1.

BRIDGE TO NOWHERE

Monotype, second printing on a Gurgle background. I find that the Charbonnel inks dry quite a bit darker
when dry.

SHADOWS

This was a Bill McEnroe assignment called Shadows, which I found very difficult indeed. I wanted to at least make an attempt to document the unrest in the Middle East that we see on the various TV nightly news programs. It lacks the energy it ought to have and if I had been there it would have been different. Very glad I wasn't there. Oil pastel and oil bar.

TREASURES TO COME

I go to a master class once a month, with a wonderful, inspirational artist, Bill McEnroe. The assignment during class, was to paint a landscape with any medium, changing colors every 2 inches. And the colors should not be realistic. This was done in under an hour, because I had to walk Mangus. Well actually, I think I just wanted to stop myself from diddling with it further. Gay abandon, once might say. So I came home energized to try it again.

FLYING HIGH

Dry pastel on green Colorfix paper.

BLUE YONDER

Another monotype experimenting with white added to the ink and limited mark-making.

FERRY IN FOG

The other day we had a break from the rain and it became foggy. We saw the Bainbridge/Seattle ferry appearing out of the fog and the light was magic. I had to see what I could do with a monotype. Not quite the feel I wanted but I am sure to try this again.

MANGUS

It is a bit difficult to paint a black dog, at least I think so. And anyway this oil pastel is more fun.

NUMERO UNO

This is my first monotype  using my new preowned etching press. Two printings. Since then I have started to experiment and have nothing I want to post, but I am not constrained by tradition.
By moving stuff around I have amazed myself by actually creating more room in my studio and still have room for someone to sleep. It is a fold out mattress that acts as a chair most of the time. So I now have room for 2 people to print at one time and that is really fun and very helpful to me.

Mangus

I do have to introduce you to Mangus. The last two dogs I rescued both had cancer, as it turned out. Now I have a very mellow 80lb dog who is supposed to be 2ish. Maybe more like 3. He is part Curly Coated Retriever possibly with Bernese Mountain Dog possibly but definitely he is a great dog.

TIDEPOOL

I was going to teach a short course on combining oil pastel with water color, so I thought it was time to experiment. I bought a canvas pad, that said it was suitable for all water media, mixed up some gouache and tried to paint it on the support. Not at all easy. I had to really work to get it onto the surface and I ended up pouring it, rotating the canvas so that the paint dribbled in patterns, and then I left it to dry. That was an effect I liked. While it was drying I took a Q tip and drew some of the shell outlines. Liked that too. Maybe this would work after all. When it was dry I drew with oil pastels. Mainly medium hard Erengi and finished with really soft Sennelier. I mounted all three on a dark blue board that is about 52x62. Fun.

TIDEPOOL

TIDEPOOL

THE SOUND OF THUNDER

The Sound of Thunder is a collection of acrylic paintings on paper. First of all I drew about 12 pencil thumbnails. These paintings were from the ones I liked most. I will never again paint with thick acrylic on paper without first painting a layer of Gesso. The acrylic was hard to put on and of course it dried very quickly and it was difficult (almost impossible) to match the original colors because they change when dry. I gather there are new acrylic paints which dry the same color as painted. I did enjoy the idea and may continue, using some more of the thumbnails.

SOUND OF THUNDER 1

SOUND OF THUNDER 2

SOUND OF THUNDER 3

SOUND OF THUNDER4

SARAH'S HUSBAND

SKETCH OF SARAH

This beautiful young lady wears Victorian clothes on a daily basis. The portrait group I belong to has been meeting for 8 years now. (hard to believe) Our fearless-leader saw Sarah in the grocery store, with hat and veil, and smart long skirt and crisp shirt, and asked her to sit for us. And so she did. This was the second pose for our group. I really liked the energy of my sketch and so I left it as is and started a new painting.

SARAH

Painting #2.  I am so glad I don't have to wear these clothes. Sarah's deportment makes me realize what a slouch I am.

NICOLE

Unfortunately this does not look like Nicole and does not do her justice at all. However, I think it is the best portrait I painted this year. The actual painting is warmer than this.

WISHFUL THINKING

When it was my turn to set up a still life I didn't want flowers, or fruit, or vases and I did want to think of sun and warmth! This is oil, 16x20, YES pad, as usual, with a little oil pastel on top. I could have done a lot more oil pastel, making the beach fade back and have more pattern on the towel but I like it as it is and don't feel like fooling around.