Man Contemplating

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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A new day, a new painting. This one just seemed to flow off the brush. Only two tubes of paint used and I am thrilled with the outcome. Thank you, Don Fiddler, for allowing me to use your wonderful photo.. You are a photographer, extraordinaire!!

In Your Face #1

10 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

NFS

I enjoyed doing this so much, I think I'm going to do a series. I've painted this man before a few times and just keep getting drawn back to his wise and worn face. Is it sadness?...maybe...or just the passage of time. Whatever it is, I keep wanting to get closer. So...Number 1 of my series "In Your Face".

Dog Toss Ballet Redux

6 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

Painting with my 'peeps' at Goose Creek Studio on Saturday, this was the outcome. I fixed up the water a little when I got home, but I'm leaving it as is. A quick study in oil. A very fun day!

The Thinker

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

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A young man at the National Gallery getting information about one of the painting that interested him.  In the distance is Andrew Wyeth's "Looking Out, Looking In."  His position really reminded me of Rodin's sculpture, "The Thinker."  Thus, the title. 

I'm ready for this exhibit now.  I've got my 16 paintings and thought I'd be tired of painting them, but have found that I want to do more.  They are extremely fun for me and very Zen-like.  I forget everything else and plunge ahead, enjoying every stroke.

Reading the Posting

 

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8 x 6 Oil on Archival Board



I've been doing a lot of commissions lately and felt the need to paint this man once again; something totally different.  I painted him a while ago and have always loved his "Charlie Chaplin" look...  Really a silhouette.   It's always good to change things up every now and then.  Now I go back to the commissions with a new passion.  I really love doing them :-)   I consider this little painting a warm up.  Actually, each painting is a warm up to what's next...Right?!

Foodie

6 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

I have painted this man before in pastel, but I thought it would be fun to paint him again in oil.  I think he is one of my favorite subjects to paint.  I'm not sure why, but I think it might be the intensity he had at the buffet table.  He obviously takes his food seriously.  I caught him at one of my art show opening receptions and have seen him a few times since.  The odd thing is that he is usually wearing similar clothing and is usually at the buffet table when I see him.  I've grown attached to this man, stranger though he may be :-)

Quality Time

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

Sometimes things just work out, and this painting just happened to "appear."  I think it had something to do with a passion for painting it.  There are days where I go into the studio to paint, but don't have a real desire to paint what I had planned.   Instead of forgoing the subject on hand, I forge ahead.  These paintings usually don't excite me when I'm done.  Not always, though.  Sometimes I get a wonderful surprise.  I really like this painting!! 

An Ahhh Moment

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

He's sitting and taking it all in.  This must be a "Life is all good" moment for him.  Just looking at him made me stop and take a deep breath.  This is a quick study which might become a larger painting at some point.  I say that a lot and never seem to get to it.  There are always new and exciting things to paint so I never to go back and re-do; but it's always an option. 

On another note, I recently watched "Tim's Vermeer."  If you haven't seen it and are interested in Vermeer, it's a must.  Totally fascinating theory of how Vermeer painted.

Well, thank you for stopping by.  Hope to see you again soon :-)

The Pastry Chef

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

Some paintings seem to flow off the brush and others are real work.  This one just seemed to appear the way I had envisioned.   Creativity comes in many forms, and baking is certainly an art form.  Many do it, but not everyone creates a mouthwatering masterpiece.  Whatever this turned out to be, I'm sure the attention he gave it made it wonderful :-)

Sunday Morning at the Park

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This should be called "Fast and Furious Study."  Limited palette (except for the kite), and limited time.  I really like this one.  I think it has movement and atmosphere.  I could have gone a lot further and given it a "finished" look, but that wasn't my intention.  I was trying to zone in on the two figures and what they were doing.  These exercises are really helpful for me, and I'm enjoying the process.  It's a very free feeling to paint like this once in a while :-)

Punakhan Man with Walking Stick

 

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

Someone said "Make it colorful!"  I think I achieved that, don't you?  For me, this was a study of an interesting face.  It's like a puzzle.  I paint in sections and love to see the image begin to take form, and finally look back at me.  I'm not sure if it's approvingly....It's always a challenge and a learning experience.

A Man and His Guide

8 x 10" Oil on Gessobord

This is my son and the Bhutanese guide that was with them during their trip.  This was painted from a photo taken by my Daughter-in-Law.  I so enjoy her pictures and look forward to her Friday photo blog (KK's Photo Friday) as well as all the other pictures she sends.  As I've said before, she has an artist's eye, and I can always immediately visualize a painting based on her photos. All sorts of colors pop into my mind.  It's so great to have a folder of possible paintings waiting by my easel.  I have to admit, this is one of my favorite paintings right now. 

Huffing and Puffing

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This man must have wisely listened to Michelle Obama's message about getting up and moving.  He was running the marathon and getting into shape.  He should be an inspiration to all the couch potatoes out there....

Busy Night

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

 

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This waiter was trying to make his way through the crowded restaurant carrying two cups of coffee without a tray.  He obviously had practiced this, however, I wondered at the time how much coffee remained in the cups.  He had this determined look on his face.  I painted this figure and was pleased with the results, but was not at all happy with the background.  After much experimenting, I found a technique (if you could call it that) that I was really happy with.  I have to admit, I love to play around and discover new and exciting things.  That's what it's all about...in everything we do.  Will it work again??  Who knows!  One can only hope :-)

Street Musician with Reflections

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

I have painted this man a number of times now.  He was playing on the street in Charleston, SC, on my first visit to the city, and was there again the next time we went (which was years later.)  I'm not sure why, but I never lose interest in painting him.  My first attempt was in pastel...This time oil.  Some street performers don't allow people to take their picture unless they are paid.  This man was really interesting to talk to, a great musician, and very nice about having his photo taken.  I hope he will be there the next time I go.  He's becoming a tradition :-)

The Chef

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

This started out as a study for a larger piece, but for some reason I'm always excited about how these fast pieces turn out.  I think I like the 'rough' edges....I'm not quite sure why.  Loved this man in his chef uniform, and I must say his food was outstanding!  He tended the coffee bar as well.  My type of guy  ......

Grand Central Down Time

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8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

The lighting at Grand Central Station is so incredible!  Everything glows, which made this man's vest really jump out.  He tucked himself in a corner against a wall to check his cell.  What I was going for here was to paint this as though the viewer was just walking by.  I thought about straightening out all the lines, and decided to give it a little tilt as the viewer would have as he/she passed by.  I should have called it "Askew."

The Thrill of Shopping

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

Men loved to shop, don't they?  Smart stores will put a few chairs out for men being dragged around clothing stores by their spouses.  This man was twiddling his thumbs and gaping at the ceiling, probably wondering if his partner was kidnapped...Possibly hoping for that outcome...

Herb's Moment of Zen

5 x 7 Oil on Linen Board
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Here's Herb, an avid fisherman, Blue Bird genius, and an all around nice guy, fishing in a quiet cove at Smith Mountain Lake on our friend Jim's boat.  If you go out during the week, you pretty much have the lake to yourself, and it doesn't get much better than that!  All you hear are the sounds of summer...the water lapping, the birds chirping, the fish jumping (never near your line), and an occasional Great White Shark circling....only kidding!  Here's my Ode to Herb.

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

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8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This was a fast painting done while gallery sitting at our art co-op.  Whenever I am rushing to get somewhere there always seems to be roadwork, and I always seem to be on the long end of the waiting line of cars.  I'm pretty sure this man was pretending that I wasn't there.  The line of cars coming in the other direction went on forever.  It's quite possible that he was sleeping on his feet :-)