eventually's a myth, just do It

my newest mantra, "eventually's a myth, just do It." Thanks Ellie, you got me out of my procrastination mode/fear of ??? and back into the studio,... although now the laundry is piling up again.

untitled so far
20"x10" oil

Merry Christmas!!!!

work in-progress Oil 30"x40"

Today is once again in the negative wind-chill so I'm not plein air painting. Last year I decided it had to be at least 20 degrees for me to plein air paint. Actually, I'm having so much fun in my studio and at the Palette and Chisel Fine Art, painting in Chicago winter isn't as tempting as it has been in the past few years. Although I do love a cold gray day were the air is so chilled it looks almost silver. Now that's a good winter plein air day for me.

This painting is something I'm almost finished with in my studio. My source is part of a plein air study I did this fall and lots of imagination on my part. I think I'm too old to try to climb trees but this would have been a perfect one if I was ten.

Yesterday someone said to me that there are so few really great and inspiring artists. I have to emphatically disagree. I think we live in a time where there are so many wonderful and extremely talented living (and past)artists. The following is just some of my favorites -

David Leffel

Henri Fantin-Latour

Scott Tallman Powers

Clayton Beck

Karen Phipps

John Singer Sargent

Rembrandt

Jeff Legg

I like these artists because they just are not excellent with the mechanics of paint but their paintings move me and show much more than a copy of life.

It's minus 20 degrees windchill so why am I posting a summer lighthouse scene??? It's because I love being holed up in my studio with the sounds of the winter wind and sleet hitting my window. It's so nice and cozy in my studio. As soon as I can, I hope to be back outside painting the silvery winter air but for now, I'm posting something I tried to repaint from a smaller plein air study.

"Brave Heart" 40"x30" oil

My daughter's passion is her love of horses and writing (visit her blog, www.aspiredauthor.blogspot.com). So this painting is for her. She loves this horse called Brave Heart. I think he's quite awful as he has thrown her quite fiercely a few time, once destroying her helmet. But she loves him so what's a mother to do, ...besides move her to a different riding school which yes, I confess I did.

"Hero's at Zero's" 14"x11" oil

Trying to capture a teenage in paint, from life, is like trying to paint a toddler. They are never still even while watching t.v. But just like sketching with charcoal I find it really rewarding to sketch in oils, although it's hit or miss if the sketch becomes worth saving. Here's another in my blop series.

December 5 from 2-7. If you're near Chicago, come to the Beverly Arts Center for a one day art sale/fundraiser. Karen Phipps and I will be their with paintings as well as painting plein air near or inside the center.

Transmitted Light 12"x12" oil on linen

Now that Thanksgiving is over and thanks to my sweet mother-in-law, I've an extra 5 lbs to shed due to her amazing six homemade pies,... it is time to get back into the studio. I'm painting for a three person show which opens 2010 so my postings will be limited until I can finish a few large-scale paintings. But here is what I originally set up as a fabric study but once again realized that it's really all about value. This piece was extra tricky for me as the light flowed through the fabric in many areas as well as picked up various subtle tones from the back and foreground. I used a palette knife for most of the time but grabbed a sable brush in the end to calm down some strokes in the shadow. I think I could have used several more hours to answer more questions but I decided to stop with this one and be happy with what I learned.