Casey Baugh workshop

untitled

12" x 24"

oil on linen

I recently attended a workshop by one of the best young artists of today. Casey Baugh, who at a very young age is already nationally recognized as one of the leading figure painters of our time. I had a great time learning with seven other students as we painted and watched Casey paint throughout the week. I have discovered that workshops are the best way to kick-start my painting when I find myself in a creative "block" or "slump."

Johnnie Liliedahl

I was saddened today to learn of the passing of Johnnie Liliedahl. I first met Johnnie through the Society of Decorative Painters when I attended a convention and saw that what Johnnie was painting was more in line with the direction I wanted to take my artwork. Several workshops with her led to improving my skills and techniques and knowledge on many levels. She was a tirelessly giving teacher and so diplomatic when it came to her critiques. She was always serene and dignified and ever ready to answer any question. She gave her students her all and, with her husband and soulmate, Ralph, provided art education to many who would not be able to obtain it in other ways. She will always have my respect and admiration. Rest in Peace, Johnnie.....we will miss you.

"Honorable Mention"

"Serene"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

My very first juried exhibit! The Arts & Design Society of Fort Walton Beach held its opening reception this evening for "Face to Face"-- an Exhibit about Portraiture in its Many Forms.

Out of 78 entries, I was honored with the First "Honorable Mention" by judge Sue Carol Knight. I am absolutely thrilled with this award and so humbled by all the fantastic artwork that was on display. There were watercolors, pastels, oils, acrylics, photography, china paintings, mixed media, ceramics, carved concrete.....It was unbelievable. Getting to hang out with other artists and seeing in person what they're creating here on the local level is fascinating! I look forward to getting more involved with The Art Center (as it's also known) and promoting local art.

Back to Work

8" x 10"

oil on panel

Just a "relatively" quick study for a series of figure paintings I'm contemplating....using a very limited palette of white, yellow ochre, cad red light, raw umber, transparent oxide red and ultramarine blue mainly because I'm running out of paint. Got to order more!

Painting of me by Pattie Wall

A pastel painting of me done by an artist friend, Pattie Wall. Be sure to check out her wonderful blog at Dust off the Butterfly ......

Twilight Beach

12" x 16"

oil on canvas

Living so close to the beach, one would think that you would go there very often, but that is not the case. I did, however enjoy the evening represented by the above painting when my oldest brother and his family came down for a visit. The colors are changing rapidly, the breeze caresses your face and the waves gently lapping against the shore all come together to seem like the earth's natural rhythm. Heaven on Earth.

Stone Tortoise

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

I liked the way the brass dish reflected up onto the glaze of the pot and all the different textures of the stone, the kiwi, the rug, and the glaze on the pot.

New Painting

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

I had a painting facing the wall in the studio I wasn't happy with and decided to put it out of my misery. Tore the canvas off the stretcher bars, removed the staples, tossed the offending canvas into the garbage heap where it belonged, and stretched nice, clean, white untouched canvas over a still viable skeleton in order to give it new life. I am pleased with the results thus far. I have painted this jug before, but not with this much lucious color. I added the kiwi fruit for a change, because I've never seen kiwi in a painting, only in tropical drinks. Kiwi are hard to paint, maybe that's why I don't see them much in paintings. Time will tell if I'm able to pull this off. If not, I'll have a smoothie with kiwi, lime and strawberry. They're sitting in the fridge waiting for the next painting or fruity drink.

Young Girl

8" x 6"

oil on canvas

New Painting in Progress

12" x 16"

oil on canvas

Started this one recently, seriously thinking about switching out the trumpet flowers for hibiscus....

Niece

12 x 9

oil on canvas

Ok, I couldn't wait any longer.......Happy Father's Day, my baby brother!

Do-Over!

5 x 7

oil on canvas panel

8 x 10

oil on panel

Girl with Cat

8 x 8

oil on panel

Artist Deb Sterk

9 x 12

oil on canvas by Deb Sterk

Deb is a painter I became aware of through Aaron Lifferth's blog. She is a an artist in the Pacific Northwest whose work never fails to amaze me with her wonderful use of color and brushwork. I am honored to own one of her paintings that I have hanging in my office in my studio to inspire me daily. It is a 9 x 12 study of a wave, deceptively simple, yet complete in the form, color and feel of a wave breaking just off the shore. Some may feel that it is counter-productive to feature another artist on one's own blog, but we each have our own artists and friends that we look up to. Deb has graciously allowed me to give her my space today and I am proud to showcase her work. I admit I'm hooked on her wave studies! Check out her art on her blog at http://dsterk.blogspot.com/

Oh, and don't miss her
"Spring Plow"

Simply amazing.....Thank you, Debby!

Dark Horse (In Progress)

12 x 16

oil on canvas

Sometimes easy, sometimes, not! I am fighting with a small sculpture of a horse. I don't expect to completely win. This entire painting will be much darker in general. My plan is for the horse to be partially emerging from the shadows. That's why the title of this painting will be "Dark Horse," although he/she looks very light right now. Somehow, I suspect this horse is male. Go figure. The best-laid plans "Of Mice and Men;" or women, as the case may be.......

New Studio

The lengths to which we will go to get something "working" for us! I'm not a tall person, but in order for this particular easel under these low (8 ft) ceilings to work for me at eye level, I've taped a scrap piece of wood under the canvas and placed my set-up onto a box on top of the tallest piece of furniture I could find in the place. I actually sawed off a good 15 inches from the center post of the easel so that I could raise it to it's highest height and have

the still life at the same level as it will be on the canvas.

I'm working with only the light from the spotlight and I have it shining on the still-life set-up, my canvas, AND my palette all at once. It looks as though I'm working in the dark, but once my eyes adjust, all the values and colors are the same on every surface and it's much easier to judge the differences in both. For me.

16 x 12

oil on canvas

I started this painting today, and seeing as how I enjoy "progression photos" as well as the next person, I decided to, again, post a painting in it's progressive stages. Thanks for reminding me, Phoons! This shot was taken with only the light from the spotlight on the still life set-up (no flash!) and since I was concentrating on the painting and not the photographing thereof, it is a bit blurry. Or maybe it was just me and all that squinting. Looks like an apple. Smells like an apple. Tasted like an apple....

Spring

11 x 14

oil on canvas

Clock & Lemons

16 x 20 

oil on canvas

Almost there...

Part IV

Little by Little

Trying to paint and pack up the studio at the same time doesn't work. But, More on that later!