late winter or almost

I have finished the painting I started from a quick sighting. It was a first time I used a photo for a simple reference, not as a crutch. It made carrying a small camera seem more useful. I may have more to do on this painting but it seems to work now. I like to show things the way they are, more or less. Sometimes a painting is just done. If I work too much, the spirit is lost. I might as well start again. I enjoy that delicacy actually. It is a difficult call sometimes to know when it is done.

Dinah and I go to a figure drawing group on Saturday morning. I made this drawing after quite a few warm up drawings. The model was elegant and perfectly formed. She was relaxed in her poses which I think shows in the drawing. I think there may be something here to work on so I taped the drawing up in the studio. Dinah and I love to eat lunch at Consuelo's taqueria on Amherst St in Manchester. My photographs are often less than great. I learned from Jim Braley, who designed this website, that I should prop them up against a white wall. This is done, but the studio lighting is a bit dark.
I spent the sunny afternoon of President's Day near the bus station doing a study of the scene in front of me. I may have to do a bit of touch up here too, but I will see that the next time I am in the studio. It was refreshing to be outdoors for so long solving problems of light and distance and shadows.

I have been thinking about the images that we see in fleeting moments. Light that plays off a surface or tricks the eye into thinking we see something in a new way. Light coloring life with freedom and reminding us of the insubstantiality of life. I snapped this photo with my handy little camera at a stoplight in the downtown as I was watching a beautiful light pass off a building. There was a sheet of ice crystals passing in front of a brick building.The sheet was lit up by the setting sun and obscured the heavy brick building. The image was quick. I thought it would be something to work out in a painting.
I haven't been very successful using my camera to capture images to paint later. The tiny image or the precise blocks of objects always discouraged me from pursuing the camera as a source.
In this case though, it is winter in New Hampshire and it gets dark by the time I leave work. I didn't have time to make a sketch but did so when I got back to the studio.
The drawing is in the left corner of this messy table. I have my palette as well as my oil bars out. I set up a composition in the drawing. Then I drew it on a mdf panel and painted an acrylic composition in off colors. I am working on this on with a few glances at the camera for a sense of the scene. I usually try to play with what is on the canvas to see what comes to mind as I develop the painting. I have this starting point and worked on it today so it doesn't look like this now.

February 1, 2009- The Concord Garden Club linked with an art show at the Kimball Jenkins Estate in Concord NH to put on "Art and Bloom." Patty Humphrey said it is an idea originated at the Boston Museum of Fine Art. With paintings as inspiration, the floral designers create arrangements. I was happy to have a small painting "Tree on North State Street, Concord" as a part of the exhibition. The painting was done in the early fall when color here in NH is striking. The sparkling quality of that one little tree with light behind it and around it was the intent of the painting.
At the show it was interpreted by Janna Cummings and her daughter Adelaide. I was impressed with their interpretation. I have attached a photo.
The opening was filled with an enthusiastic crowd.





On Saturday I went back to give a context for the show. I have attached a picture I took of the Kimball Jenkins Estate. If you want to see more from this interesting art school/gallery check out www.kimballjenkins.com.
My studio pal, Dinah Delaney, is in the foreground



Matthew Mead gave talk on Fresh Florals for Your Home on Saturday. Here he is viewing Nancy Young's interpretation of Tapestry by Kim Roth. His website www.Matthewmeadstyle.com may interest you for his aesthetics and interesting design ideas.






I have added a few other photos both of people there on Saturday and some arrangements. The interpretations were as varied as the art. Forgive my photography. I am a bit shy about asking people to pose and actually prefer to see people in action.

Sandune Details Utah "by Jeanne LaChance "
interpreted by Judy Matthews and Karen Royal

Waterlogged Hunter
by Caitlyn Cedarstrom interpreted by Rick Talbot cobblestoneflorist.com


Sticky Spring Snow by Thomas Hitchcock
interpreted by Lynn Ordway