Jean Claude Denat de Guillebon 1935-2009

RIP Jeanne Claude.

Oil on 8x8 canvas panel

Over the river & through the woods!

I've been painting with the Columbia Art Gallery's small works show in mind. This painting came out pretty much how I had hoped it would. I'm not certain I will submit this one..the fun of deciding which pieces to take to the gallery can't happen until all the possible paintings are lined up. It is then when it becomes clearer if a painting isn't quite "there". I am so much better at editing my work than I was a few years ago. I remember distinctly being very confused about which painting was better or worse than another. No objectivity. I would have my neighbor come over to tell me! He is not a visual artist per se....but he works in wood and he has a good eye. One time he asked me what an object was in one of my paintings. Oops! move that one to the do-not-take stack. Even though I do not feel as befuddled about which of my paintings are stronger/weaker I might still ask him over..just to see if he agrees with me. Do you have a friend who is your "art barometer?"

Tree tops

Who was it who said that there is "pain" in the word "painting"? So true! The last three PAINtings that I have done (not pictured and never will be) are in the reject pile. My reject pile gets higher and higher! Don't you dislike investing time and effort in something that goes dreadfully wrong? Yeah. Me too. I am happy enough with the concept for this painting. A new vantage point always makes me feel better. (I know my friend Lora Fisher would give this painting the thumbs down... because it features a flying bird. We all have our biases...so Shhh. Don't tell her).

oil on 8x8 canvas panel

Ms. Leftover..a figure on Wallis Sanded Paper

I wanted to paint something today (of course!), but I had time constraints. I dashed out this "made up" female in leftover paint onto a piece of leftover Wallis Sanded Paper. Did you know that Wallis Paper (generally used for pastel) accepts oil paint in a very interesting way? Be careful if you try it..use some bristle brushes you don't care about..the sanded surface chews them up some. It's worth it though..the effect is favorable. Her flesh is kind of green (because I only used the paint I had out). Well, I like her anyway..and her heavy lids. She looks like someone who is serious...but on the brink of a smile. Maybe she's smug about being an unusual ochrey-green.

Western Tanager, an Oregon bird

I don't often paint subjects from the animal/bird kingdom. I wonder why. Well, here is my attempt to rectify the situation! This is the Western Tanager (painted from a photo reference). I did not get it's pretty head near red enough! Western Tanager's are members of the cardinal family. Despite my struggle with red, I enjoyed painting this guy...(yeah, we know he is a GUY because the female is plain). I can improve this painting later (after it dries). I am very optimistic that I can get him to a point where I know I did him justice!

Oil on 8x8 canvas panel

The Pause

This is a study. I really like a lot about it...but as always I will look at it again after a day or so and decide then whether or not to develop it further. I might tighten this up or paint it again with some changes. It has possibilities. I think what I like about it is that it seems romantic, but not overly schmaltzy. Do you agree?

Oil on 9 x 12 canvas panel

(In additional news...Yesterday I participated in Katharine Cartwright's Twenty minute challenge. Fun! You might want to see about joining in too. Here is the link: Twenty minute challenge).

Obliterating old paintings..Mrs. Pittock becomes a Taxi

A couple of years ago I participated in a show at the Pittock Mansion. I had anticipated doing a portrait of Georgiana Pittock for the exhibit, but it didn't pan out. It was a pretty good start, but I wound up abandoning her in favor of Mr. Pittock. (Good move! My portrait of him won first prize!) Today I was anxious to paint over something and poor Mrs. Pittock was selected. I'm finding that obliterating old efforts is devilishly fun. I can't help but notice that taxis have cropped up more and more in urbanscapes. Well, no wonder! Yellow taxis are devine. Goodbye Mrs. Pittock, Hello Travis Bickle. Scroll down for the transformation. And if you don't know who Travis Bickle* is..I'm including a hilarious remix of the famous scene at the end of this post. (*Travis Bickle was the main character in "Taxi Driver").
(Click images to enlarge)