ON THE EASEL

WIP 36x48"  oil on heavyweight canvas

I have to stop working on this and get back on track with work due soon, but I keep putting it off. Keep promising myself...one more day and then it's back to my regularly scheduled program. I'm thrilled that the Dreads have eased up some and am feeling much better.

I so appreciate your patience with me as I work through Tim's loss. Writing about my feelings on my blog helps so much, however I don't want it to become a pit of despair. Your comments of support and caring mean so much and I will be forever grateful for every syllable.

This painting is a beast! So much detail and me so impatient. I promised myself I wouldn't post it until it was completed but looks like I lied. At least now maybe I can put it aside and get back on my deadline work, but I'm so looking forward to getting it to the "bright work" stage. There are so many subtle shadows and highlights to do that I think will really help it sing...I hope.

I've wanted to paint asparagus for so long but I've seen so many really amazing paintings of them I wanted to try something different. I bought three bunches of really beautiful stalks and placed them on light gray backdrop paper, trained the spotlight on them, stood on a step stool and snapped away. I thought at first that the shadow gave them a "line up" kind of feeling but I think it adds an interesting touch and a feeling of "movement", as if they're all milling about not knowing what to do next.

We could never use the proper words for anything and somehow asparagus morphed into sparrows ass. I can hear Tim now..."Would you like some sparrows ass with the salmon tonight?" Oh my, yes, please!

We'll see. Thanks for dropping by.

MOSES BOTKIN CHALLENGE June

"Old Red"  20x20" oil on linen
©Suzanne Berry


This months challenge subject is "vintage." I had sepia tones in mind, lace, Victorian accoutrement and the like but the only thing vintage in our house is moi! So it was off to the Stock store again to purchase some reference. I didn't see anything that resonated except old red here. Remember dialing, the sound it made? Talk about dating ones' self.

Anyway, I'm feeling better and so appreciate the kind comments left on my previous post. I'll be getting to my thank yous this weekend and so appreciate your patience.

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend and these works of "vintage" art:

"Old Hotness"
8x6" oil on canvas board
©2013 Diana Moses Botkin
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Brown Betty"

Julie Ford Oliver Guest Artist this Month

 

 

 

"Absinthe"

20x16" Pastel

©V.N.Ross

http://www.vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/

THOSE CUPS

Those Cups  5x7" oil on board

It's been a while. My apologies, I hit quite the little grief bubble there for a bit. Plus the Dread Mahockiss reared it's ugly head again and I was stripped of any creative ability whatsoever for a week or so. If you've been a follower, you'll recall that the Dread Mahockiss is the name I've given to those stretches of time when one feels abandoned by their muse, has completely forgotten what to do with a paintbrush and avoids even being in the same vicinity of a blank canvas.

Funny, I thought all that nonsense would be a non-issue after losing Tim. It took a while but it's back. Yes, I know it's all in my head and my choice and I should ignore it and was sure I would when and if it reappeared...but... Not!

I'm sure it's a reaction to the new studio, showing up for work each day on time and staying until quittin' time. I think I needed to miss working again if that makes any sense. Whatever, not going to spend a lot of time whining about it. What? Oh...too late! Sorry.

I found this in the store room, half finished. I remember trying to paint alla prima on board and post the same day and I also remember the state that little exercise put me in. What a brat! I'm still not feelin the surface, at all, but it's done. Guess I'm still in a mood, I'm not happy with it, but then that's normal for me.

If I sound a little pathetic I apologize. Spent the second of what will probably be more than a few wedding anniversaries, without himself. It. Sucked. Big. Time. But I had wine and a lovely conversation with him. I must say, I'm still not used to him being this quiet!

But, that said, still I know I have so very much to be grateful for. Our time together was magical and will be again. The boys are just incredible and so much company and I've made so many new friends, here and online. And I want to keep myself a vibrational match to all the good things I imagine, so I climbed out of the pity pot and am on solid ground again.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the beginning of summer.

Happy Anniversary Northport! You are loved and missed so very much.

MOSES BOTKIN CHALLENGE May

"Really?"
12x16" oil on linen
WIP

Remember when you planned to study for a test and you blew it off until it was too late but told yourself... I got this! Well clearly, I ain't got this. I so should have started last week, I so could have had fun with this. But, I can go back to it when everything dries.

In case it's not obvious, this months' challenge subject was "rodents", chosen by group leader Diana. A fun one I think. These "mice" reside on one of my end tables, standing watch over a framed photo of Tim and I. I saw them in a Pottery Barn catalog as decoration for Halloween. I thought they were adorable and bought them for everyday use. I have no idea why they spend their day looking at a photo of us, but they haven't complained so far.

Also, I am a sucker for anything with feet—bowls, cups, creamers, condiment holders, pajamas. I saw these online and couldn't resist. I think they'll look better when their done. The reflections really aren't working yet. And, I finally decided to use a less toothy surface but wasn't all that thrilled with this linen. But, I didn't let the first layer dry before trying to finish up, so when I go back to it later I'll be able to tell.

And without further ado, more rodents...

Pink Squirrel
12x16" pastel
©Vicki Ross
http://www.vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/

Of Mice and Lego Men
5x7" oil on hardboard
©2013 Diana Moses Botkin
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/ 

and please welcome our newest member, the very talented Julie Ford Oliver...

Mr. Beaver at Home
6x8" oil on Ray Mar canvas board
© Julie Ford Oliver 2013
http://juliefordoliver.blogspot.com

FINALLY!

Catherine (detail)  18x24" oil on canvas
SOLD

Finally! I know I said that already. This is the commission that Tim brought home for a co-worker for me to do maybe as long as a year before he left us. Thank you Helena for being so kind, patient and understanding and giving me as much time as I needed to complete this.

I had done a pastel painting of Catherine's sister eons ago and their father wanted a portrait of Catherine as well. The other portrait, painted on 18x24" pastel paper was difficult to match on canvas and in oil. I painted the canvas black and then sort of matched the Canson paper the other portrait is painted on. When doing portraits in pastel, I often left the paper as background, an effect I really liked.

I did the first portrait so long ago that this little girl is all grown up, married and just produced a little girl of her own. Celestial speed up indeed!

Morning Walk 2 In progress

48x36"  oil on heavyweight canvas  WIP

When I began this painting I wasn't sure about the possibility of translating the subtle melange of color on the boys coats since they were lit from the front and totally in shadow behind, save the bits of light caught on their surrounding fur. I was mistaken! This view, as it turns out, is much more interesting a view, in terms of painting it, than the original which had them in full sunlight! So many colors...lavenders, teals, ochers...and so, so, inspiring! I think I've gone a bit bushy for Pug coats so I might calm them down a bit, but I'll see how it goes.

I'm not sure where it will end up but I thought I'd post it at this stage because I just know that Tim would be adamant that I stop now. The road is much lighter in the reference and I'm still undecided how to treat it as it looks completely different than the road in the first painting, but again, I'll see.

What is interesting is that I'm being patient and building up layers and trying different techniques with my big furry brushes. Standing up close it seems ridiculous to just start smushing a somewhat dry brush about but when I step back and squint, sometimes it works!

Apologies for their little bums, but from the leash point of view....well...there they are!

SLEEVE DRAWING

12x14" charcoal on paper

This drawing is so old, it was done for the sleeve of an album! A vinyl album!! Waaaaay before it was cool to buy vinyl again! Found it among the stuff from the "art closet".

I was part of an ad agency started by one of my fellow designers at work, and a band that was popular in our area asked him to design the album art. I was tapped to do the illustrations. I remember being terrified...gee what a surprise...but was surprisingly satisfied with the results. There are about five other drawings that might or might not be safely hidden away somewhere but I remember this being one of my favorites. Clearly, the problem with hands is present...his head dwarfs his digits...but I like the overall feeling and line quality.

I'm finding a new state of mind evolving from the practice of showing up for work each day in the studio. It's so weird having something you wished for most of your life but only because something else you wished for most of your life is gone. And I don't mean that in any maudlin, tragic way. Tim might not be visible, but I trust my instincts, he is here...he is most definitely here.

This studio space is doing a lot for my confidence in surprising ways. I find that I'm much neater and respectful of my space and supplies. I try to get all my chores done before it's time to report to the studio and if I don't they're done afterward. I show up showered, shiny and ready to work. I work for four to five hours and actually take brakes to refresh the senses. I wash brushes and put things away only at the proper quitting time. And so far, once a week the space is properly cleaned, from dusting to washing the floor. Who knows? Someday I might become a real professional!

I'm also devoting time to really learning to play guitar better. Admittedly, I'm one of those hackers. However, learning just enough to impress is no longer working for me thank goodness. I've spent a fortune on DVD, CD and online lessons, why not take advantage of them instead of hiring someone to come and show me how well I might be able to play one day if I work at it? 

I'm finding that in both creative endeavors, concentrating on the art and the music and not the personality making them is keeping all the old voices and doubts very quiet. And oddly enough, after a day creating, practicing and reading, when I walk through the house that sense of sadness is gone. I feel Tim so much closer on the days that I contribute to the fullness of my life than on the days when I'm choking the life out of the remote and wondering why I didn't stock up on pistachio nuts and white wine. Have you tried Cupcake Wine by the way? Two words. Angel Food. I'll say no more.

Got another "Morning Walk" almost done. Stuck on the road again. In this reference shot the road looks so different. I'm wondering if I should attempt to translate what I see or fall back to the treatment of the road on the first painting. We'll see. Also finally finishing up a commission that's been here so long the client gave Tim the reference to bring home almost two years ago!

How wonderful would it be if he were here to take it back?