just a little tree practice

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Sandy Delta, oil on 8x8 canvas panel

At the Coast

I like to put a figure in here and there. For a scene like this, I've learned that it is best to keep the figures to just a few strokes. I'll probably go back into this and add and subtract a few things.

Painting, Celeste Bergin, At the Coast, oil on 12x9 stretched canvas

Contrast

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Northwest Afternoon, oil on 10x10 canvas panel

Sketching at Starbucks

I went to the Lake Oswego Festival of Arts today (great show!) ...and I took a break at a Starbucks,  taking up residence for a little while in cushy leather chair to sneakily sketch some people. Isn't it nice that Starbucks provides such nice seating and interesting people to draw. I like the Pitt pens that I bought recently.

Now what about YOU..did you have a good Sunday? Were you involved in anything artful today?

(Top & Bottom Photos) Sketches: Celeste Bergin, People at Starbucks, ink on 6 x 9 paper

Ironworker

The Oregon Iron Company was a vital part of early Lake Oswego. This painting is my homage to the iron industry for the Lake Oswego Festival of Arts Visual Chronicle Exhibit. June 24, 25 and 26.

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Ironworker, oil on 18x24 canvas panel

Thursday!

Painting: Celeste Bergin, In the Gorge, oil on 6x6 canvas panel

Portrait

Sometimes, when I don't have all my paints laid out, I like to paint with just Raw Umber, Ultramarine Blue and white. It's a satisfying exercise and from time to time I've let things like this dry and add color in glazes later. Great fun! What is especially nice about this is that there is no pressure. When we think of things as "only an exercise" and we use just 3 colors, well, there might be rewards. (Photos with steps below)

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Portrait, oil on 11x14 canvas panel

1. Rough in general shape

2. Continue placing largest shapes

3. Refine shapes

4. Put in darkest darks

5. Add lights and mid tones

6. Add absolute lightest lights and highlights and restate some darks...finished!

"Clue"

I painted this interior today..and in the very end I threw in a figure. Suddenly the scene felt a little like "Colonel Mustard in the library with the lead pipe."  I may or may not develop it further.

Oil sketch: Celeste Bergin, Whodunit, oil on 9 x12 canvas panel

Sauvie Island

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Sauvie Island, Oil on 12x9 canvas panel

Happy Father's Day

Today I delivered my painting to the Lake Oswego Festival of Arts Chronicle for next weekend. No painting for me today, so I thought I'd share this photo from the day I swapped out a replacement painting at the Blue Kangaroo. Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there. I hope you had a good day!

Saturday!

 I did some framing today and painted a color study from a previous color study. (It's more of the "less is more" idea). 

Color Study: Celeste Bergin, Cut Flowers, oil on 12x12

Unfinished truck

I started this  ...but I didn't really have the time to finish it.  (Update: I'm putting it aside....may revisit in time!)

Oil sketch: Celeste Bergin, Unfinished truck, oil on 12x 9 stretched canvas

Wednesday--!

An oil sketch (again..with limited palette) Just for practice

Oil sketch: Celeste Bergin, standing female, oil on 9 x 12 canvas panel

Tuesday~!

"Less is more III" I'm continuing my limited palette series (white, cadmium yellow light, cadmium red, Ultramarine blue & cobalt blue).

In other news, today I sold The Ballerina. I love when a painting finds a new home!

Monday!

Happy Monday! Today Carolyn, Carrie & I got together to celebrate Carolyn's birthday. We went to lunch and then (as is our tradition) we sketched at Carolyn's table. To see our results... go HERE.

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Yellow & Red Roses, oil on 8x8 gessoed wood panel

Limited palette ...(plus cobalt blue) oil study

Less is more, part II! (white, cadmium yellow light, cadmium red, Ultramarine blue & cobalt blue).

Oil sketch: Celeste Bergin, Reflections, oil on 6x6 gessoed hardboard

Limited palette plein air

Less is more! (white, cadmium yellow light, cadmium red and Ultramarine blue).

Painting: Celeste Bergin, winding road, oil on 8x8 canvas panel

Friday Oil Sketch

Oil Sketch: Celeste Bergin, Boudoir, oil on 12x9 canvas panel

Cafe revisited

I believe that I can fully acknowledge that I am a sucker for high contrast situations. This is a painting based on a previous painting.

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Cafe II, oil on 9x12 canvas panel

Wednesday--!

Oil Sketch: Celeste Bergin, Daisy on the sofaback, oil on 12x9 canvas panel

Tuesday~!

Painting: Celeste Bergin, On the island, oil on 8x8 canvas panel   Update (SOLD)

The endless project

<-----I have this endless project of sorting books and other things in hopes of someday having a "central" place for information. What is comical is that all of my art books are not even represented here, those are in my bunker studio space.  Part of me would like to put this all of this on the curb together with a giant free sign. I'm in the market for a Kindle.
The bad news from the day is that I've misplaced my good Sony camera. I fear I inadvertently put it in one of these zillions of boxes. Luckily I have a spare, but the good Sony is my favorite. You know what?...all this calls for a chocolate croissant and a cup of Joe!
How was YOUR Sunday? Did you get a lot done?  (Top Photo) Painting: Celeste Bergin, Thunderbird, oil on 16x20 stretched canvas)

A painting from a previous painting

I painted this from a previous painting...I wanted to do another version of it because I enjoyed it's festive appearance.

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Party Bouquet, oil on 9 x 12 canvas panel

Summer

Oil Sketch: Celeste Bergin,  Happy Valley, oil on 8x8 gessoed hardwood  Update (SOLD)

Black, White & Alizarin crimson

A painting with simple shapes and only Black, White & Alizarin Crimson

Oil sketch: Celeste Bergin, Untitled, oil on gessoed hardboard

Wednesday--!

Painting: Celeste Bergin, Carnations, oil on 8x8 gessoed hardboard