La Luna - A Progression

 The idea for this painting started with the blue moon last August that was positioned over the pond near my home, casting a reflection. I painted several small study sketches of the blue moon using my memory to guide me in preparation of this larger version. I must admit that I am a "moon chaser", always looking forward to the next full moon and to be inspired for my next nocturn painting.

The beginning. A notan of thin Transparent Oxide Red paint established my composition. The surface is oil primed Claussens linen #13.

The moon and sky and an indication of the water was painted in next.

The photo here is a little dark. It took a long time to paint in the darks. I wanted to keep some areas with thin paint, yet make the darks still have form using warm and cools.

At this stage, I could see the end. The reflections in the water, and the foreground needed to be painted together and wet into wet.

Still making minor adjustments.

finished.
"La Luna", oil, 40x30
To be on exhibit during Art Prize 2014 at the Women's City Club in Grand Rapids. Art Prize opens September 18.

A limited number of giclee prints of La Luna, and a few small original paintings will be available at the venue's gift shop.

Thank you for viewing my art!

ARTPRIZE painting completed

Elements of Rock and Water, oil on linen, 40x60

Whew! I am finally finished. At least for now because I may still have to do some tweaking. The last stretch of finishing the sunlit rock in the middle and completing the water took at least 10 hours of very steady painting. It helped to make big piles of mixed colors and I did not want to stop too long for the color to dry out. I also tweaked the dry areas quite a bit by scumbling to lighten and gray down areas and glazing to darken and warm or cool areas.

This painting will be exhibited during ArtPrize 2012 at "THE SPOT", the Federal Square Building, 29 Pearl St., Grand Rapids. If you are wondering what ArtPrize is, check out the web site at www.artprize.org.   ArtPrize starts Wednesday, September 19. I will be there from 6-8pm on the opening day, Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 12-3pm, Sunday 3-6pm and the following Thursday the 27th from 12-2:30pm. Please stop in to say Hi!

Painting Progression II

Here I have included my palette as I worked on the sky and distant trees. I have actually progressed much more than this, with much of the time focused on the large rock. I just need to work a few more hours and will photograph and post my most recent progress.

Watch for the next blog....coming soon.

Painting Progression I

After a few small color studies and a larger pastel painting of my subject, I feel ready to start. My canvas is 40"x60" stretched, primed linen. I like the oil primed linen because it is smooth and the paint sits on top of the surface more than the acrylic primed canvas. I think the colors appear more vibrant. I started by toning my large masses.

The start - in my studio.
The pastel study is on the left, the computer monitor with the original photo is in the middle.

After some re-drawing, I painted in the sky and started the trees.

Look for the next blog. 

Art Prize 2011

"Sands of Time", oil on canvas, 30x40

My Artprize painting for this year, "Sands of Time", inspired by the dunes along Lake Michigan. Overtime, the shifting sand moves into dunes and valleys caused by winds off of the lake. Visitors walking on the dunes also have an effect on the fragile dune ecosystem. Plants help hold the sand, so care must be taken to tread lightly.

See my painting at Huntington Bank at 50 Monroe, next door to the BOB. It is hanging on the main floor, to the left of the front entrance next to the elevators. Please remember to register and vote for your favorite art works. There are about 1500 works of art within the 3 mile boundry in downtown Grand Rapids.See www.artprize.com for more information on hours and registration spots.