Throwing Pots..

I threw pots and played a bit with clay in high school.  So long ago and such a surprise that my hands didn't forget how to.  Was like embracing an old friend.
These are my first practice pieces with no real character to them, but its still been fun trying to manipulate the clay to obedience.  Playing in the mud legal like was a bonus too.  Several of the last pots were actually pretty nice.   A VERY welcome distraction while my studio is getting finished up.   Almost there. 

Pelican, Florida

Pelican Florida
5x7 Oil on Hardboard

  Holidays are winding down and though my studio is still in flux I'm trying to paint.  Its not the best place to paint right now, to much funky reflective light bouncing about.  So I have just been doing little paintings for now.

Pelican is an example of how the ambient lighting effects the palette.  He turned out ok but he is much orangery than I was expecting.  I'm not good enough yet to compensate when mixing.  Though compensation may not even be possible but, since I didn't read that book either, I think I'm going to give it a go.
Been in a bit of a "I hate everything I paint slump"  Even my drawing has been affected.  The painting 'Dancing In Light' is causing most of my discomfort.  What I learned from the handling of light and shadow really took me to a higher level in my painting.  Now I'm struggling to master what I learned.  Makes for lots of wasted paint and a grumpy little painter.

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!    

Re-do.. Till its done..

Shiprock
18X24 Oil on hardboard

Well its time to move on.. Getting tired of painting far away rocks.. ;-)  But the study, though a bit tedious, has been worth it.  I tried to show the immensity and distance.  Which meant that I was dealing with values that are very close.  Also that shapes are not well defined due to atmosphere.  So learned a lot from this one. Its signed and on the wall drying.
Studio is starting to shape up and I hope to be able to paint in there soon.

Dancing In Light

Dancing In Light
5x7 Oil on Hardboard

This one started out as a quick oil wash sketch.  I do these little ones as warm ups but usually never paint them.  This one was different.  He stared and whinnied at me all day demanding to be finished!  Well maybe that is a bit of an overstatement but its sure what it seemed like.  Since I had some left over paint on the palette I put a brush to him.  I'm a little excited that he turned out so well.  :-)

Oil Sketch- Horse

Oil Sketch
5x7

Been staring at this guy's reference photo for the last month and have him pegged for a large format painting.  Problem is I am a bit apprehensive on starting it.  Perhaps doing some smaller studies will help get me in gear.

Chapel Duet

Chapel Duet
5x7 Oil on Hardboard

Joe stayed up till 2am Thursday night to put up the walls so I could paint.  Didn't pick up a brush for the last three days.  Was busy getting ready for the Mid West Art Auction, so it didn't bother me until I got back from the show.  He had it up and heated for me today.  What a guy. :-)   

Oh... The show didn't go all that great with people not showing up due to the weather.  Worked out ok though as I still sold quite a few and got to really sit and talk to those who bought my paintings.  I hope they enjoy them as much as I did in the painting of them.

My contribution to this months Southwest Challenge.  Thanks for hosting Kay and excellent choices for the month. :-)  .  Hope to have time to do more.

Studio Re-do

Been itch'n to paint.. But the studio is in a bit of a flux mode right now, as you can see!  Started painting downstairs since I was going to work on bigger pieces.  Didn't realize that the basement would get so cold.  So hubby to the rescue.  He is finishing the downstairs and putting heat in.  Never really noticed the cold while I was painting, but when I took a break, DANG I was cold!  With getting ready for the Mid-West auction and show this week the itch was not to bad.  Think I'm going to have to take some watercolors up stairs.  Now if I can only find them!