Struttin' his Stuff - Giant Blue Heron

Blue Heron - Strutting, 6x6, oil, available

 I did 3 sketches from life of this Blue Heron, as he hung around the beach in Pensacola FL a few years ago. He just kept walking back and forth and up and down! One sketch I cannot find, it was pen and ink- very different from this pencil sketch and the other is much like this one below, except the legs are too short in it. :-0   Finally did this small oil painting. It was intended to be submitted to the Randy Higbee 6x6 show in December, but it wasn't where I wanted it to be by the deadline. I have had this post sitting here as I tried to find the pen and ink drawing, but alas, I have given up. 

The colors of this bird, though 'blue,' are really quite varied. Such an elegant creature!

pencil sketch

The Pears have it

Last week a bag of little red pears were on a manager's special of $.97 for 3 pounds! How could I pass that up? The first thing I did with them was to do some continuous line drawings. I started doing continuous line drawings because it is a good reminder to look at what you are drawing not at what you are doing so much on the paper. I had done some eggplants and clementines the week or so before and had so much fun doing them, so I am trying to do some every day or so. 

Here are the pear sketches. As with the eggplant, I ended up doing a painting. Each of these sketches takes about 5 minutes or so. No more than 10. So really no excuse not to do something every day.

#1

I don't always add the shading but it helped to keep my pencil on the paper to do so with this set up.

#2

I thought I had done more than one from this perspective, but I only have one. I know I thought about it. It gets the creative juices flowing to play around with the set up.

#3

I did lift my pencil to do the solo pear but otherwise each section was done without. I dumped these out on the table to see what it would look like.

#4

The drawings lead to this little 6x6 painting. Which was great fun to paint.

#6

Then I sliced them all up and dried them~ dried pears are the best and still so beautiful.

New Little Studies - winter fruit

It has been too long since I have paid much attention to writing a blog post. I am not one for making excuses so I won't start now. I do have a possible explanation, however I don't think anyone is really interested in that!

Suffice it to say, I am here, it is a new year, and I hope to be back at my easel more than I have been this past year plus. Everything seems to be taking longer as I have worked on a number of paintings all year and can't seem to make much progress as in getting them done. I was able to get some small studies done over the holidays and it really was a struggle at the start to compose from life. It started with fruit my sister had thoughtfully brought with her from her yard in southern California. Who knew that is all it took to get me motivated? I am going to try and remember the order I painted these, but don't hold me to it.

Lime Persimmons, 6x9, oil on canvas, available

My sister had brought with her limes, lemons, and persimmons. I picked this lime as it still had a leaf attached. I believe I painted this first as the limes were going to someone else. As I painted the leaves visibly dried before my eyes. I tried to do them in a limited time frame although I did not set a timer as I would normally do when going for a quick sketch. There is an under painting showing through as I paint over old paintings. I don't paint this small normally anymore, but the size is perfect for doing these exercises.

Persimmon Pair, 6x6, oil on panel, available

Still trying to get that leaf in before it broke off, I did another little painting of a couple of persimmons. Two is what worked for the square format. I still used the same blue mat board and red rice paper to offset the orange. 

Stacked, 9x6, oil on panel, available

I wanted to see if I could stack the persimmons as there enough to pick from to find what might work. Who would have thought a smaller one would be on the bottom with the largest in the middle, but that is what worked. No toothpicks or other assistance needed. Just wanting to have fun as I got to know persimmons as a subject. 

These were all painted over old paintings. I don't usually do well with allowing the layers to come through but this time I did as I worked quickly trying not to think about anything much. 

Next my sister had brought home some pears to put in the pear walnut salad we do for Christmas Eve dinner so I had a new subject to paint, and I have always enjoyed painting pears.

Pearishable, 6x9, oil on linen

The Bartlett's refused to stand on their own, so reclining it was to be. I propped the one on top of the other for visual interest and to get a circular composition going. I changed to a purple paper and the wood from the table for this one. This was my sister's favorite of those I did while she was here, so it went home with her. It was a gray day out and so the light is more subdued in this one.

Pear Trio, 6x8, oil, available

One more before the pears became salad for our consumption. The Bartlett's still refused to stand up. A stubborn pair. Different lighting on this one which brightens up the study and adds reflected light onto the paper. This is the only one of this group that was done a clean canvas. Very different feel.

There are two more but I forgot that I hadn't taken their photo yet. So, another post to come to follow up to this sojourn at my easel to have a bit of fun.

Save the Date - Holiday Show - Dec 4, 2021

 

New Year

First, I want to start off by sharing with you two recent responses to my work. The first came from the judge for the November to ART MUSE online juried contest. One piece I submitted was Marbled Water. Here is what I received as a finalist: I like the unusual viewpoint and the variety of shapes that come together in an  abstract design. The suggestions of seeing through the water and the reflections from the hard edged buildings are very well described. Nancy Tankersley

Marbled Water, 30x30, oil on linen

The second came in an email this morning from a friend and collector who now lives in Vermont. Her brother-in-law teaches color at the Parsons School of Design in NYC. Here is what she wrote: Dan is a professional artist who teaches color at Parsons School of Design. I always enjoy his comments on our artwork. He loves your work, the light you get, the precision. This trip he particularly enjoyed looking at your painting of the cattle and horses and dog crossing the road in Wyoming. I can't remember exactly what he said but he loved the way you used colors and asked me to tell you how much he likes it!

Cattle Crossing, 12x24, oil on panel

It is always gratifying to discover how much your work impacts others. For someone who teaches color to comment so positively on my use of color is high praise indeed! I attribute it to John Singer Sargent. He is my inspiration.
With the holidays and family from out of town visiting etc I haven't had much time at my easel this past month or two. I have done another little 6x6 to show off today. I took the photo reference at the end of the hollyhock season. I think I needed a little color and hope for Spring.

Hollyhock, 6x6, oil on panel

Along the Arno

Along the Arno, 6x6, oil on panel

This is not my normal style but for some reason this little scene called for something different. And it is hard for me to paint this small anymore where once it was very comfortable.
The texture comes from two things. I gessoed the panel with a paint roller which gives it a kind of knobby texture to begin with. And second I had painted this scene already. Then decided I didn't like it so painted over it again. I do like the painted over effect so I am happier with the newer version. I also decided to use colored pencil instead of trying to paint the lines I wanted.

The story here is about the buildings. I do love the way the buildings in Italy are orderly yet jumbled. Florence has a lot of hills so it almost appears as if buildings are built upon buildings. The flower boxes are ubiquitous as well. It is one way to add color and get your hands in the dirt in a place with very little garden space.

A Beach Trinity

Beach Trinity, 6x6, oil on panel

I liked this little vignette I saw on a beach in Florida. That it included the dog was a bonus. I am glad that he was somewhat connected to the sea grasses as I did like the family group of three.

This being a simple little composition, I tried to maintain that without getting too involved in details.

The Hideout Teepee

I am a bit behind these days; I am sure the break is as welcome for you as it is for me!

The Hideout, 8x8 oil

Last Saturday I went out plein air painting again. Oh my. Will this become a regular thing again? Who can withstand the call of being in the beautiful outdoors doing the one thing you love even on an off day?

It was a new location for me, being almost to Castlewood Canyon off Parker Road. Called Hidden Mesa Open Space (part of the city of Castle Rock). I saw so many great scenes I would have enjoyed painting on my way back to my car! I must remember to pay more attention when out scouting for a scene to put to canvas. So much to think about. Be that as it may, I did find a a little spot to sit for spell and did this small sketch. I discovered this little lean to someone had very meticulously built at the base of these willows. I don't normally like to sit when painting plein air but it was necessary this day so I wanted to focus on something close up and not a broad landscape view. There was a picnic bench nearby and a trail where some one or a number of people must come here. It is not seen from the main trail that takes you back to Cherry Creek and the walk along the mesas. It may not look that big from this sketch but I would think two kids or one adult could sit in there comfortably. I did  not go in to see the insides.

CR 519, 6x6, oil on panel. Available

In my pursuit of keeping things simple, here is a small version of the county road I have been painting the past few weeks. I have so enjoyed working with this simple subject. I like roads anyway, which is not new, but I enjoy the ribbon effect of the county roads throughout the mountains. The colors in this landscape were stunning.

On a Wing and a Prayer

6x6, oil on panel, available

My first thought when I saw this scene was 'Drive By Religion.' but that seems to trivialize not only the church but religion which I don't want to do. So I am thinking 'On a Wing and a Prayer.'  We were on our way to Rome from Montepolciano and I was intrigued that the road would curve around the old church. I believe the name of the church is 'Madonna Regina della Pace.'  My translation of that is the Reigning Madonna of Peace. I am up for correction if anyone knows Italian, which I do not.

I decided to do this one in a small format to work out the shapes. I thought the shapes fun and worthy of playing around with. The whole church is local tone (in shadow) while the landscape around it is in full sun. As is usually the case, when I see the painting in a photograph I start to see things that I had not noticed before. In this case, some of the patterns are repeating that I did not consciously think about. I am happy with that!

Randy Higbee Gallery 6x6 juried show

Pelican Study, 6 x 6 on panel

I got word Monday that I had one painting accepted out of the 1400 submitted into the Randy Higbee annual 6x6 juried show in California. I submitted three myself. I fell in love with the brown pelicans in Florida as they are so different from the white pelicans we get here in Denver. The first time I saw one dive into the Gulf was thrilling. They are such powerful birds. I also loved the way they congregated together near a ferry crossing just hanging out having a chat and an occasional dive. I think they were really hanging out waiting on the fishing boats...This is one of many I plan to do of this majestic bird. 

Pears - for the fun of it

Pears in Blue and Green, 6x6, oil on panel

Pears in Red and Green, 6x6, oil on panel

Remember back in January when I signed up to do the 30 paintings in 30 day online challenge? Well, this week I had these two charming pears in the fridge and I painted them on two different days before work. That was one of my goals for doing the challenge; To see if I could paint before or after work during the week. I don't even mind if I don't do it often, but it is nice to see I can get to my easel if only for 30," from time to time during the work week.

Recently, while reorganizing in my basement to find room for some new canvas's I ordered, I came across some very early oil paintings. So early that they are painted on cardboard. We were cautioned to not spend money on high end supplies while doing the basics. It was our first foray into color after using only black and white while learning values. They have been kept all these years because I really liked them at the time, and believe it or not, I still really like them. They are simple in shape and color but they work. Finding those old paintings made me want to paint simple shapes and color for the fun of it and so voila. Here you have it.

Also while cleaning up for above said new canvas's I realized I need to have a studio sale. It is time to clean house. There will be small studies such as these pears as well as plein air pieces and other studio works. I will keep you posted.

Ploffskin, Pluffskin Pelicans Three

Oil on Canvas, 6x6

I was going through all my little paintings from January (30 paintings in 30 days) and I came across this one that I did not end up posting because I did not like it at the time. My opinion has changed since I put it away a month ago. For what it is, a quick study, it has something going for it. It has three values for a local tone painting. The composition is good. It is obvious a storm is brewing. I think I was frustrated by the slick surface on this one and the paint sliding all over the place. I gave up on the rolling waves and took the white caps out. Sometimes I roll with it and other times it just seems to be a struggle. This would have been day 16 as I segued from Storm Brewing to this one as they were taken minutes apart.

Park Along the Bay 22

Park Along the Bay SF, 6x6, oil on panel

Squeaking by to Day 22 in the 30 paintings in 30 Day challenge! Keeping to a simple subject so I feel like I am accomplishing a painting and not just a block-in. This is right near SF bay on a very wet drizzly day. The rain had stopped for awhile but it was only a matter of time before it began again. We were in San Francisco to see the Impressionist Pt 2 from the D'Orsay Museum in Paris. It was Pt 2 because it was the second of two exhibitions on loan from the D'Orsay while it was undergoing renovations and it was the later "Impressionists" as they moved on to other directions. So the show included VanGogh, Bonnard and Vuilliard among others. Pt 1 had the more typically known names associated with the impressionists. We could only go to one and I wanted my husband to see these later names. He had never seen a VanGogh in person before. He was suitably impressed.

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/2015/01/thirty-paintings-in-30-days-day-twenty_22.html

Pelican Study 17

Pelican Study, 6x6, oil

I have jumped to day 17 as I am tired of messing with day 16's painting. After two days of trying to get a photo worth posting I refuse to spend anymore time on it. The painting was the first in a series of pelican studies; it is of 3 pelicans standing on 3 posts along the beach. I want to do these studies to work towards a bigger piece I have in mind. In the 10 days I was in Florida this past November I never got tired of watching this amazing birds. We get the white pelicans through Denver twice a year but I can never get as close to them as I was able to the brown.

Problem to Solve -13

Problem to Solve, 6x6, oil, $150

Done early this morning; I like the energy of this, which is what I am working towards. Keeping it simple. This subject seemed appropriate for the 13th day. I may do more birds this week. I have a seagull in mind. 

http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/2015/01/thirty-paintings-in-30-days-day-thirteen.html

Mustard Fields and Summer Art Market

Mustard Field, 8x8, oil on linen

Here is another little square painting, although this time a bit bigger than the 6x6 I have been doing. This piece seemed to need the extra room since there is more going on in it though I did try to keep it simple. It was an overcast wet day at my in-laws who live near Sacramento, and we were out walking around the property. This field was an orchard the last time we visited, and though I miss the fruit trees, the field of mustard has a certain charm to it. Lots of spring green-gotta love it.
I was attracted to this scene because of the way the mustard gave me that nice slant from left to right which then leads you to the house, right dab in the middle (a no-no!) but the rolling hills bring your eye back down. 

Went to the Art Student's League of Denver's Summer Art Market Sunday mid-day. It was a great day for it after Saturday's scorching 98 degrees. I did not see any art being carried off which was disheartening. I had not been to SAM since it has been opened up to fiber artists, and the change in in having the tents only on one side of the street. It makes for a longer walk, but it was much nicer. You could actually see into the tents and get a long view on some of the art instead of being squished, pushed and shoved. The quality of the art seemed overall improved as well. Fair prices, but I fear the buying crowd that goes to SAM wants bargain basement prices. That is especially hard on the artists now as the cost of the booth and space has doubled since I last did the market in 2010. I did see what I would call mass produced tiles and other small objects that can be sold relatively inexpensive, which also undercuts what a painter can do. The whole point of this art market is to support the visual arts and when you are competing with "art" that is mass produced, it is not a level playing field.

Surfer Girl

Surfer Girl, 6x6, oil on board

Here is another in my series of 6"x6" paintings. I so enjoyed painting the beach scene at Half Moon Bay, CA on the Pacific side I went through my photos from Florida to do a scene from the Atlantic. That little speck off the end of her surfboard is someone in the water.

Easter Sunday on Half Moon Bay

Easter Sunday Beach Walk, 6x6

I took this photo while we were in Half Moon Bay, CA visiting our niece this past Easter. It was a cool and breezy day, but there was still plenty of activity on the beach. I have switched to this smaller format for the time being as I felt I was getting bogged down in my larger paintings lately. I needed to have some sense of accomplishment and the smaller format, while it has its own challenges, allows more room for that. I got 5 done last weekend, this is one of the better ones. It is simple in its composition and color structure, which is suitable for the smaller format. I do see a few tiny fixes that need to be addressed now that I have looked at it for a week. The footprints in the sand in the middle left hand side distract from the over all viewing experience due to the fact that they are all similar in size and shape. They need some variety and to recede. ie they are too static.

I have discovered an auction site online for artists; similar to eBay but strictly art. I would like to give it a try but want to start with small paintings. With that in mind I had my husband cut a stack of 6x6 boards. This is my second attempt to paint in this format, as I started last fall with the intention of submitting to a show in California that is devoted to 6x6 inch format. I did not submit to that show, so I have those paintings ready too. I am using just birch boards as the surface so again, it forces me to lay thick strokes down. Once I get my account set up and running I will post the link here with a view of the corrected painting. See you then!