"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.

Private Interior

I've been making a lot of horrid messes this past week both in my studio and outside with my plein air efforts. These are the only two pieces I feel are "blog-worthy." But I'm not going to stress about it and after I finish my mega mug of java I'm hitting the streets to try try again.

Here's my/Churchill quote of the day, "out of extreme complexity emerges extreme simpicity."

One of my former roomates use to wisely say, "keep it simple stupid." The stupid part may sound harsh but she directed at herself. But with my many different subject matters; still life, plein air, figures, portraits, I do think it's important to simplify the shapes.

plein air musings plus

The following are some pieces I did outside of my studio. I'm still working on the theme of painting- that -which -normally -doesn't -get -a- second -thought but, I find particularly beautiful.

"Blu Where There Shouldn't Be"
6"x8" Oil










On this morning the weather went from sunny and warm to dark and rainy to sunny and, well you get the picture. It really wasn't the best idea to pick reflections on those conditions. Again I struggle with getting too expressive and loosing the bit of form which gives the viewer a clue as to the fact that it is reflections in water and not purely an abstraction painting.







"River North" (Unfinished)
The sun was out, it was warm for the first time in weeks and weeks so instead of finishing the piece I was distracted by the day.

okay so this isn't a plein air piece but she is "musing" about something.

12"x9" head study in oil w/ a limited palette

I love quick sketch in oils. This is one of my favorite models. She's long and lean with a pixie-like personality.

12"x6" oil on linen NFS

"On the Dance Floor"

I painted this from a small "blop" painting and added more of the floor because I wanted to show the dramatic sun-spot from the large window. I'm a bit concerned that I elongated her body a bit too much. What do you think?

11"x14" oil on linen

"Spring Fling" group exhibition

The City Art Gallery in Greenville, North Carolina(http://www.cityartgreenville.com/) has been representing my figure paintings for the past few years. This year several of my lastest works will be included in their group show. This is a sample of some of my paintings to be exhibited. The show opens April 2, 2009.

The first and third paintings were first oil sketched, on location, on tiny canvases, 6"x8" -8"x10" and then later repainted on larger canvases in my studio.

"Night Shimmers" oil 30"x24"

"Swwwish" oil 24"x12"

"Buddies oil 12"x12"

(The gentleman holding the bag wasn't happy that I painted him. But in the oil sketch he looks like a blob)

These paintings are also shown on my website, www.hong-sammons.com

"Dana"- oil study

My favorite and most challenging subject to paint is portraits. This is a 4 hour oil study. I wish I had had 40 hours. Besides trying to capture a likeness, I wanted to capture the glow of her youthful skin, the feeling of structure- bones, muscles, life, and interesting brush strokes, attention to edges, correct values,... When I get frustrated at my progress I remind myself that it's all a beautiful journey and to enjoy the process.

12"x9" Oil on Linen

Value Study (Claudia)

Once again I painted from life at the Palette and Chisel during their open studio session. This model held a very difficult pose. She crossed and bent her legs and arms. The awkward diagonal thing is part of her arm with her hand tucked under her hair. I think I did better with the values today but I'm not happy with the semi-stiff dough figure. Guess I'll just have to keep going back. It's a journey...

14"x10"

Oil on Linen

portrait study-"John (the Baptist)

(the whitish flecks on the surface of this painting are shards of glass. A lamp broke next to my painting. Once the painting dries, and if it's something I want to save vs. scrape away, the flecks of glass should wipe away clean. A tip for plein air painters in case you should ever have wind blow gravel etc. onto your finished painting.)
This young man posed for a group of us this morning. I need more time, as usual, to finish this portrait study particularly in the highlights.

10"x8"
Oil on Linen

I've been doing a lot of quick sketches, in oil, using various models. I'm trying to get a believable gesture as if I caught life as it is happening. These studies have been helpful painting figures in my plein air street scenes.

12"x6" Oil on Linen

head study stage 1 & 2

This is a head study painted in about two plus hours in a workshop conducted by an amazing young artist, Marci Oleszkiewicz. The image with the clip is after about 45 minutes during which time I was just trying to get the correct value relationships while thinking about the anatomy. The remaining time was spent trying to flesh out the head but continued to check my drawing so that I wouldn't distort the face. I need a lot more time to bring this piece to a "finish" so here sits another unfinished head study. But I so loved working on this. What a challenge.

14"x11" Oil on Linen

"Turquois Hoops"

one last time,...
Worked more on this figure piece but know it still has so many more wonderful little things to bring out but I think I've exhausted my ability to do so. When I started, I was primarily concerned with getting the drawing correct and establishing the big shapes. I'd like to continue this kind of study from life.
20"x10"
Oil on Linen

head study part 2

I woke early to paint on this head study before everyone woke in my house. I've been painting fast and furious for several different exhibitions. It's been really nice to slow down and search for all the subtle little passages. This morning I worked from a photo which I took of this model. It was really different going from life to working from a photo. Also, I used rags and soft sable brushes instead of a palette knife. I hope to get the model back to finish this piece.

20"x10"

Oil on Linen

head study

Today I started a portrait study. Unlike most of my previous paintings for this blog, I'm not concerned with taking this piece to a complete finish in the time I have set aside for "painting in a day". Instead I focused on value and form. I'm using a minimal palette of colors, rags, and brushes. I hope to keep developing this piece but will probably have to finish it from a photograph.
20"x10"
Oil on Linen

"Summer Secrets"

www.hong-sammons.com

This was painted during the model's break. She sat very quiet with her headband over her eyes which was contrary to her energetic salsa music and poses.

12"x6"

Oil on Linen

www.hong-sammons.com

My favorite subject matter is painting people doing their normal activity and trying to capture their gesture.

12"x6"

Oil on Linen

($99.)

"Shabby Chic"

12"x6"
Oil on Linen
($145.)
website: www.hong-sammons.com

Trying to catch a bit of daily life as it flies by me while plein air painting near an intersection.

"Keeping Cool"

Using my son and his friends has been a great way to work on capturing life as it happens. Some people call it "expressionist" I call it my "loosy-goosy" style.

I'm out of town so this may be my last post for a few days

12"x6"

Oil on Linen

($145.)