figurative art Archives - Page 2 of 2

Three Graces

Working on the landscape elements of this painting has been a way to escape my current health issues. I know from experience that once a health issue crops up, it is easy to get caught up in negative thinking and lose my equanimity. So, I am going to make a concerted effort this time to not start thinking the worst. So far, I have come across a bad doctor, an equally bad cardiac unit of a local hospital, and some truly kind and caring medical professionals. I have to have faith that I will come across more of the latter and not the former as this journey continues. Maybe the Three Graces can help guide me.

Two drawings

in charcoal on canvas. The beginnings of two paintings, with many corrections already, and many more to come.

Charcoal drawing on canvas, beginning of untitled painting, 24 x 30 inches (in process)

Charcoal on canvas, under drawing for Three Graces, 30 x 40 inches (in process; Sammie the puggle in foreground)

Today’s work

I love where this painting is taking me; I worked today on the sky, and mountains and moved two figures up and further back.

Ballet, or The Evil That Men Do, 4th day, oil on panel, 11 x 14 inches

Slow painting is better

for me. If I rush, I may miss important details. The painting contains the process, through lines, forms and subtle color combinations. Each carries their own complements and discordant elements. All parts of the painting are in motion: lines, planes, areas of color. Nothing is set in stone, but constantly evolving. The learning is in the progression. Each new stroke or value leads me forward. I don’t want to force these, so I am letting each time I work on the painting be the impetus for me to study, meditate and then put brush to canvas, or in this case, panel. The images below are the first sketch and the 7 times I have worked on the painting thus far. I also include three of the progressions. To be continued…

Two Men with Lilacs

oil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches (in process)

A Beautiful World (in process)

of color, specifically the color of skin. My hard work and almost obsessive attention to subtle color and value changes are worth the effort. I have used other methods to create a world, however at this time this process is right for me, and how I wish to express what is beautiful. In a noisy world, it is especially gratifying to create something wonderfully nuanced.

Mentorship Class

I am taking an inspiring course with the insightful artist Elody Gyekis who is mentoring a group of us to take our work to the next level. The monochromatic and color studies have been painted in the last two weeks while the portraits were completed prior to the class. ‘Cat’ won an award at the 93rd Juried Show at Phillips’ Mill. The award presentation was an awesome highlight of an otherwise difficult year.