"The Soloist" 24"x24" oil on linen

Back in September 21 I posted some of the things I think about while painting. Actually, I wrote that around my studio I have these yellow post-ums with reminders. Since then some of you have shared yours with me which has been so great and hope more of you will do so as well. So here are a few more of mine little notes. Many are not original ideas but taken from art books and artists.
*SIMPLIFY (I tend to noodle and dabble)
*create simple flat masses
*shadows first, they hold down the lights
*background, is used to create the halftones
*a brush stroke has a beginning and an end

"Jazz Note in the Limelight"

About two years ago I started a series of expressively free flowing figure paintings. Posted today is from my series called "Jazz Note." This series is both plein air and studio paintings. They began because of my interest in the effect of artificial and colored lights.

This painting was created in my studio from one of my favorite models. She has a vivacious personality and a willow thin pixie like figure. She loves to bring a variety of costumes and "interesting" music for posing. I let her have free-rein once I turn on the spotlight(s). Her body language language reminds me of musical notes on a page.

"Jazz Note in the Limelight" oil on linen $995.(framed) will be shown at City Art Gallery, NC.

"Tea with Lemon" www.hong-sammons.com

Lately I've retreated into my studio more than plein air painting because I've been thinking about, in paint as well as in my head, about some of my notes posted around my studio. One thing milling about is what makes art good. There are so many many different ideas on this subject I would love to hear your thoughts.

I find still life's a great opportunity to pursue some of these qualities which define art for me in undisturbed solitude. For this set up, I was really trying to push creating form from shadow and light but also some of the impressionists ideas of color patches. (6"x12" oil on linen)

"Pub Stop" 8"x6" oil painting

This is one of my favorite pub corners in Bucktown because it looks more like an old fashion corner shop. Maybe it was at one point in time. Can you believe I forgot to put in the type on the front sign?

oil sketch

12"x9" Oil on linen mounted on hardboard

This is an oil sketch I did for my class to demonstrate a way to begin using a more alla prima method. I didn't intend on finishing it but now that I see it posted I think I will. I'd like to play up the contrast between the onion skin and the smooth metal surface.

Today is the opening for the Palos Plein Air exhibition at the McCord Gallery in Palos Heights, IL. So if you're in the area, hope you can stop by - www.mccordgallery.org. They will be showing three of my plein air paintings painted in different Palos forest preserves.

"Thing Finding"

So maybe I can't blame it on the canvas totally. I think in the end besides fighting the cotton duck (see post Oct. 10. 09) my design a.k.a concept, a.k.a composition wasn't strong enough. No problem, back to the drawing board or rather, easel.

16"x20" oil on horrible to paint on acrylic primed cotton duck

"Adornments 2009" exhibition and sale

20"x16" oil on gallery-wrapped linen

10"x20" oil on gallery-wrapped linen

8"x8" oil on gallery-wrapped linen

"Adornments 2009" is an exhibition of diverse original arts. The opening is this Friday night in downtown Hinsdale. If you're in the neighborhood I hope you can pop by. These are three paintings which I have hanging for the show at a reduced rate since the proceeds support the Hinsdale Art Center.

I have recently started teaching at this art center and am absolutely loving my time there. The staff is supportive, knowledgeable, and so friendly.

Andersonville Arts

Friday night the Plein Air Painters of Chicago had an opening with over 35 paintings of Andersonville, a Chicago neighborhood. The Edgewater Historical Society asked our plein air group to show our paintings. This unique neighborhood was originally mostly Swedish. I have participated in this exhibition for the past few years and yet continually make paintings at this particular intersection. I find each corner so unique in nature and story so that it's been a constant source of information. To date, I've made six paintings of this area and have discovered I'm not yet finished. Today I'm showing just a few of my thoughts and impressions of my corner. Each painting is 12"x9" Oil on Linen and is for sale. Proceeds go to support the Edgewater Historical Society.

blame it on the canvas

I've been working on four larger still lifes (16x20) and a large studio landscape (60x50.) It would probably have been more prudent had I finished one thought before beginning another but after seeing Michael Van Zeyl demonstrate several different block-in methods I just had to try them all, at once it seems. Today I'm showing two in progress. The first is almost finished. The one with the horse should be done but I'm faulting the canvas. Normally I paint on Claussens #13 double oil primed linen which I love. The paint flows off the brush with a nice light touch and lays where and how you want it too. The piece with the red horse is on cotton duck. YUCK, YUCK, YUCK!!! I felt like I was painting on blacktop. Like a stubborn child I fought with it all day. I think with the effort I spent trying to make this canvas respond the way I expect from Claussens, I could have nearly finished the painting.

on another topic,

The ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids, MI was a wonderful and fun experience. Apparently 17,000 artists entered with 1100 acceptances. The art and styles and how art is defined varied greatly from tradition figure paintings, landscapes, photography, sculpture etc to very funky - bike converted into a port -0-potty. All attendees can vote on their favorite piece. The openings were very well attended. I stood near my painting for five hours constantly meeting and greeting people. I would definitely like to be part of this exhibition again.