More Pears

Had to paint those darn pears again.  They keep getting more character as they get overly ripe.  I found also that photoshop  is fun for quick changes.

Changes were just a couple clicks in image adjustments!

Partridge and Couple Pears

I borrowed some paints today because someone left fruit on the counter, ripe enough to eat but had to paint it first.  It isn't a partridge you probably know but tis the season.  Yesterday I said good by to one of my paintings but I know the new owners will give it a place of honor.

 

It's been a busy last two weeks, getting ready for the show last weekend, nearly finished cleaning out a storage room and now cat sitting for a friend. I felt really compelled to paint today and glad I had the inspiration. Thanks for stopping by and I'll get back into a regular blogging  schedule hopefully.

Edit: The owner of my painting met me at Fehrenbacher Hof  to pick up his art.

Sketchbook Select

I try to do at the minimum, five or six thumbnails devoted to color and design each week. I thought I would share some of those today.

I draw out some big shapes; think of repetition, tipping,variety, odd numbers, and simplify. I use gouache and a couple watercolors.  I try once in a while for angular and straight lines but I end up rounding corners.  Someone might say they see general figures but it is not intentional. They are just for finding new combinations for non subjective design.

Another Fine Art Friday

Painted today with some members of Portland Plein Air et el.  We were at Cathedral Park and the Fall colors were blazing.  It's lucky we suffered through less than ideal temps because by 4:00pm the winds struck and then the saturating downpour. Now I'm warm and dry looking at some of the pictures of the day. See more of the day here

Above painting was done at Cathedral Park

Re - Format

    I think I will try this previously horizontal painting as a square format next time I put it behind glass.  I unframed it last week because the non-glare glass was very dirty.  I had forgotten how much of the painting was being hidden under the mat and discovering the little tree on the left edge made the whole composition feel a little more like a secret garden. See the old painting below and tell me if the new format looks any better.  Today was super nice because while we were having our Portland Plein Air Painters meeting at O'Connors someone spoke to me about buying my painting hanging there this month! Made my day! Hope you too had something great happen today!

Exhibition!

Yesterday I had help hanging an exhibition of some old and recent work.

The location is on North Mississippi Street where a group of psychologists make their reception room available to invited artists.

I didn't know I was being screened till I got a call.  I am very pleased for the opportunity and hope to be able to announce the date for the open house while the work is on display for the next two months. Click on the images to enlarge.Thanks!

New Sketch Book

Go a new sketch book yesterday so I thought it should be Christened-nothing to scarey even if it is Halloween. Just some doodlings (Pitt Pen) and then some water soluble crayons. These crayons are my favorite tool for doodles and journaling.

Today ~ Fine Art Friday

Today I met up with a group of artists in North Portland, some I knew and some I didn't.  We were meeting at a cafe in a St Johns warehouse that was at one time the manufacturing location for Columbia Sportswear.  The building is now housing some art studios and miscellaneous offices.  After our coffee we had an impromptu paint in in Kat Sowa's studio! Lots of fun - See some more action shots of the afternoon here.

Corn Still Life

Painting out door still life in natural light is very satisfying.

 Mid point - Developing greens, warm and cool

Corn on the ranch was late but colorful.  I took a few ears up to the chickens every day so by the end of two weeks they would start clucking and running to me when I was within sight.