Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope

16"x16"

Oil and Cold Wax on 4 Panels

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I don't think Kaleidoscope has been shown here before.  She was quite a challenge.  I never knew doing 4 panels that had to go together somehow could be so hard. One day, one panel would be wonderful but then the other 3 didn't want to work.  The next day, the whole direction of the painting would change.  Then they would be vertical.  Then horizontal.  Then they would just sit for weeks.  I think I almost wore them out changing colors, patterns, textures and lay out of the panels.  Finally, the 4 individual panels morphed into Kaleidoscope.  I knew I was happy.

Kaleidoscope is about to be delivered to her new forever home.  BB has had her for a few months and finally found the perfect spot.  Once again, I am happy, and also, sad to see her go.  I know I can always to to visit her at BB's house in Dallas.  Kaleidoscope is hanging out in good company.

Growth #5 Delivered to her new forever home

Growth #5

30"x30"

Oil and Cold Wax on cradled panel

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Growth #5 in her new forever home.

A dear collector of my art (let's call her BB) challenged me to enlarge Growth, the painting on the cover of 30 + Some.  BB had the spot in her dining room all picked out for it.  We measured and decided a 30x30 would be the perfect size.

I immediately ordered the panel.  I was committed. I was scared.  Could I do this?  

I knew I had to do some experimenting to see if I could enlarge a 5x5 into a 30x30.  Now you understand why this is Growth #5.  There were a lot of incremental size increases and experiments with how to work the texture.  The only thing that remained constant through all 5 paintings was the color pallet.  Even with that constant, all of the paintings are really different.  This is part of the joy of working with no drawing.  Things just happen.  This is how a series of paintings happens. 

So, yesterday, Growth #5 was installed at BB's and everyone is happy!  

  

Every time I deliver a painting, it is an odd feeling, like having a friend move away.  Or my friend getting a new girlfriend.  Something like that. 

Thank you, BB, for giving me this challenge and trusting me to paint something you would love enough to add to your wonderful collection.

  

  

Southwest #3

Southwest #3

36"x12"

Oil and Cold Wax on 3 panels

$900 framed

This painting depicts some of the many textures and colors that I associate with the southwest.  I see things that started out newly painted many years ago.  Since then, it has been worn away by Mother Nature.  Sort of like all of us….changed by Mother Nature over a long period of time.

It is 3 12x12 paintings bolted together and framed in a floater frame.  

Growth #4

Growth #4

16"x16"

Oil and Cold Wax on Cradled Panel

$500

Oh dear, it has been too long since my last post.  Please forgive me.  I really have been busy painting and not just eating bonbons.

Growth #4 is one of the things I have been working on.  Several months ago I was challenged to  enlarge Growth, one of the paintings I did during the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge in January.  Going from 5"x5" on gessoed paper to 30"x30" on a cradled panel….yikes!  I guess you can say I have been sneaking up on it.  First I did a 6"x6" and then this 16"x16".  The final version should be finished this week!!!!

Rockwall Art League Demo

Somersaults #1

12"x12"

Somersaults #2

12"x12"

I did it!  My first oil and cold wax demo.  The Rockwall Art League ask me to demo for the group for their April meeting.  The turn out was amazing!!  

I had the idea that I would start a new painting (Somersaults #2) at the beginning of the demo, let it sit and dry a little while I talked about the materials and tools.  Then, I would go back to it and do a little more on it.  To close out the demo, I wanted switch out and work on the painting (Somersaults #1) I had started at home and add a few finishing touches to it.

As the saying goes - The best laid plans…. You know how it goes.  The top part of Somersaults #2 turned PINK.  I knew I had to let it dry before going back into it.  So, I told the group that it was not ruined and promised to finish it.

So, here are Somersaults #1 and #2.  Purposefully, not identical but still a pair. In the spirit of the pink, I left tiny bits showing, too.  

I am still considering if they will be framed individually or  bolted together or even if they will be vertical or horizontal.  I need to live with them for a while.  

Thanks again RAL!

Lake Moods #2

Lake Moods #2

20"x16"

Oil and Cold Wax on Cradled Panel

$650

I live on a hill over looking a lake.  Truthfully, it is a pretty boring lake but the skies can be very dramatic.  This painting started out being clouds but I kept telling myself "so what."  When I started adding the dark side and the red shapes, I started saying "oh, goodie!"  For me, sometime, too much organic stuff needs some good hard edges.  It add some spice.  

This painting and 2 others will be in the Rockwall Art League's Spring Membership Exhibit on May 2-4 at The Harbor. 

Canyon Wall

Canyon Wall

36"x18"

Oil and Cold Wax on Panel

$950

I thought I would show something a little different today -  Canyon Wall hanging in my foyer.  This is my main location for "trying out" art.  The natural, indirect lighting is just perfect.  Plus, it is a great location in my house to view whatever is hanging from different angles, at different times of the day or just to catch a view out of the corner of my eye.  A lot of paintings have been tested here.  Some pass the test and others get more work.

Canyon Wall has passed the test!  Next week it will be going to the Rockwall Spring Membership Exhibition at The Harbor.