out to pasture

6"x6" oil

So I revisited the cows in snow piece from a week or two ago. Wanted to strip it down. With what I've been learning with application lately I knew I could keep it loose. What I learned immediately was that the cows had to go. Out of the painting I mean. I fell into the trap of subject over composition. The Jungian snow cows worked from last year because of the motion dynamic. These cows were just piggin' out. Not very dynamic. So boom, they're out to pasture. I would like to have spent more than the 20 minutes I had on this but a painting friend is coming over that I haven't seen since the shows. We shall enjoy dinner and conversation. I suspect I'll revisit this piece soon.

rites of passage

6"x6" oil

the sketch

the tools

24"x24" oil/canvas

The finished product. One of my greatest lessons in life has been to let myself look like a fool. Show your total bombs. Talk like an idiot. Be crazy. You'll be rewarded, I promise...............

bridge work

8"x10" oil over a painting

If you ever decide that life is too easy, start painting bridges. Here's a tip. Throw all reality out the window! Engineers have their purpose and artists have their own. To deconstruct engineers work! Take it back to it's vibration. Ok, excuse me for getting all hermetic. Color vibrates as do we.



14"x11" plein air

This is the piece I did 2 weeks ago plein air. I think it holds up. Again bridges are a painters nightmare. So I paint them frequently. It's been a tough year to travel. So many of the bridges are under construction. It's like going to the dentist or orthodontist. The collective unconscious has to be hating bridges these days. I still like them. And hey, they bridge the gap.

too loose le trek

I'm completely engrossed in this childlike endeavor. I might do these things all winter long. Or, I might quit in a week. Maintaining focus on direction is difficult. Just what is my goal? Am I interested in color relationships or shape relationships? One thing is for sure, the idea of just painting a picture is a very distant thought. It feels like new terrain. Structure has entered the picture. I'd post some of my old psychological metaphor pieces but alas they are no longer. All's fair in love and war........... I killed them.........

finding form

So as I explore the depths of my unconscious a few things reappear. Obviously, landscape dominates. I keep wanting to put in structures but keep wiping them out. Already I'm forgetting the color theory part and regressing to form. The top center piece is close to the "goal". Pushing the boundaries of color. Joseph Albers is the latest influence. Always has been but is showing up big time now. I'll be pushing the 4 colors reading as 8 next.

You may see in the bottom set I'm fascinated by giant windmills. I've done paper collage of the same subject and now they show up in paint. You may also ask yourself "why does he speak of himself in third person?" The answer "because that is how I see my "self"."

36x28 oil
as promised. Art students league work from 1999. Just for fun, here's insight as to where I'm coming from.

36x23

24x30

going vertical

I've added a vertical element to each low horizon line piece. Painted over the original pieces. It's nice to be digging into the psyche again. Who knows what will be next. I've scrubbed out so many alterations. A sense of freedom is apparent.

subtle variations here. I like the direction things are going. But I tend to change very rapidly!

More of the same

all 6"x6" oils

Hang with me folks. These are preliminary studies with a rather large goal in mind. I haven't even got going yet. I'll post work I did at the art students league 15 years ago soon. You'll see I was playing with color then too. Albeit in a different fashion. Adding some angles to suggest landscape in these. I'm still playing with temperature and have to say I need to do better. I'm not mixing much with these. Mostly only adding white and, or mixing another primary to get orange for example. This set is supposed to be strong direct sunlight. indoor photos make these things very innaccurate. We've been blessed with great weather but I need gray light for accurate photos of the work.

This set represents backlight with only the midground being cool. I'm trying to avoid shadows whatsoever so backlighting becomes increasingly difficult. I'm shooting for the bare

minimum. It's tough to hit.

My favorite from tonight. I don't expect everyone to get this piece. It speaks to me though.

color theory and temperature

all 6"x6" oils
New studies considering color theory and temperature.The top set represents a sun from behind view. Cool sky, warm midground and foreground.





This set represents a backlit scenario. Warm sky and foreground cool midground. Of course I've left out many options. They are to come. This needs to be built up gradually. Not sure how all monitors will see the color temps but will post more exact colors in the next few posts. Tomorrow I'll change horizon line and flip flop sky colors. You may or may not be amazed at how " natural colors" are not important.

more cows in snow

24"x24" oil

Revisiting a favorite subject of mine. More cows in New York state winter. Photo'd last year. They're feeding on the hay bales.

Since I've changed my painting style(no longer premix color, just start with a value sketch and mix with brush, apply) I've been noticing exciting compositions popping up immediately. Makes me think I don't need near as much "subject" in the picture plane. Very minimilist approach, but hey, thats what currently seems to grab me. I used a huge brush on this and will continue to do so. Change is in the air and this time it's got nothing to do with politics.

What in tarnation am I lookin' at?

11"x14" oil

Who doesn't love an image of a backlit concrete manufacturing plant in November that is painted in a fashion that no one in their right mind or even left could possibly recocgnize it as such? ok, 99.9% of people would be about right. I like it but I'm an oddball. It could easily be read as a still life. I use the term "easily" loosely. I like multiple interpretations. I'm a Libra so there better be more than one. Arranging shapes and playing with light.........I'm a kid again.

By the way, to see this view drive or fly to Harrisburg, Pa. and park in the Troegs brewery parking lot. Turn around and if the sun's in your eyes, whammo,there it is! That's the key. Burnt retinas. But do it soon. Troegs is moving to Hershey. Ahh yes, the chocolate factory................

walkin' the tracks

11"x14" oil

Spent the morning strolling around the train yard taking photos. Was prepared to do some plein air but it was too tough just to get to the area. (I saw security paying some attention). Loaded up with photos went to the river and did a plein air piece that may or may not see the light of day. Currently, I'd throw it in the fire but a few glances keep me from doing so.

I've been looking at Nicholas de Staels work again and again it blows me away with his simplicity and strength. Incredible. I did this one not trying to mimic or even thinking about his work. About 3/4 through I saw I had left some unrealistic happenings apparent. But when I completely unfocus it makes sense to me. Upon first viewing I find visual interest. For me this is what matters.

otsego lake

24"x24" oil

Mark Twain had his Mississippi river. I have the Susquehanna. I live right beside it. I grew up with it. I ate crayfish out of it(crawfish to my Louisianna friends). Granted not far from three mile island so I'm probably lucky to be alive. Not glowing yet. I love the river. This piece happens to be Otsego lake in cooperstown NY. This is where the Susquehanna's east branch starts. It's so cool to live down here on the banks and be able to go to camp and see this lake.Where it all starts.

My recent work has been done differently than my usual stuff. I used to always premix all of my colors and tweak as needed. I'm now just diving in. Creating a big slurry and throwing it. No palette knife, imagine that. The result is less texture but I'm finding interest in the result and a bit of freedom from time constraints.

oh yeah, another studio shot. I am the most unorganized person on the planet. I'd lose my body if my head wasn't connected to it.

Capitol Dome

12"x12" oil

This is not in any way a response to the election. I paint the capitol frequently. I can almost see it from my studio (Harrisburg PA). This is a backlit view but my photo tunes down the light from behind. So I'll blame the camera for the latest darkness over the capitol. I paint, like jazz, classical and any weird music you'll never hear on the radio. Obviously, I'm not a right winger. Pennsylvania just elected one for congress. It took us until a few years ago to be able to buy alcohol on Sundays(Rendell, our current and leaving govna')had a few likes other than Philly cheese steaks) and you still can't buy anything other than beer in a "convenience" or grocery store. I dread what Toomey is thinking of going back to. Ok, I promise not to mention politics ever again on the blog.This is supposed to be about painting, self torture,struggle, conflict and survival. I just did this painting and I see it is completely about the election. I'm thankful I have a roof over my head and the furnace works.

oops. posted all images backwards. Not only that but blogger has switched me to a presentation that I can't seem to change. At any rate I tweaked yesterdays piece and reposted and here is a shot of my disaster area studio and a a few shots of tonights piece through developement. I like the mirror reflection. ps. when working from a laptop, environmental conditions can be very nearly replocated. My schedule demands it, so I say it is so.

upstate new york

11"x14"
So while doing this one I went through what alot of artists go through. I contemplated changing my whole direction. I really only wanted to show a certain key of light. Particularly with this scene. I probably could have done 3 colors and felt more satisfied. I feel ok with the piece in the mirror and perhaps will figure out my latest feelings towards painting. I've been doing this long enough to never trust my mind. I'll just paint on..............

The skies have it

5"x7" oil

My glass is neither half full nor half empty. It simply contains 1/2 of its potential volume.

The weather isn't getting better or worse. It is changing due to changing conditions.

It's election time. Seems to be lots of money for adds. Rock the vote...............off to the kitchen to fill my glass.

Happy Halloween

11x14


HAPPY HALLOWEEN

This is a pumpkin I carved out with a palette knife a few years back. In fact, I think it was my first blog post.
Back from Pittsburgh. I reshot the gray day paintings in better light so you can see them a bit better on the post 2 days ago. Tom now has the west end view piece so couldn't reshoot it. May or may not paint tonight. At anyrate, I'll be sure and cast a spell....heeeheeeheeeeheeeeheeee

west end overview

11"x14" oil plein air

Wen't to the Pittsburgh overview park. Great spot. A couple photographers there. I could only paint around noon time so no interesting light. Just tried to get Pittsburgh skyline. Most cityscapes boil down to a few essentials. The challenge is finding them!

Pittsburgh gray day

both 5"x7" oil plein air

The day was rather lackluster for painting. Cloudy, cold and windy. Held these 2 in my hand while painting. My friend here want's a painting showing the traditional view from the westend lookout. Will try tomorrow. It's supposed to be sunny. These are from settlers cabin park.

My friend here is an abstract painter and I will be attending his opening tonight. Congrats Tom! Now get online!

Ommegangs backside

11"x14" oil

This is the brewery viewed from the rear. It's such an interestingly designed structure. I fought tooth and nail with this one.

Off to Pittsburgh for a few days. Will be plein air painting there.