Oil Painters of America

Oil Painters of America
19th Annual National Juried Exhibition

My painting Flamingo Dance was chosen from over 2500 submissions to be included in this year's National Oil Painters of America show. The Exhibition and sale will be held at the Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ from April 30th - May 31st, 2010.

According to Oil Painters of America, "Entries are narrowed down to the top 200 paintings resulting in an exhibition that reflects the exceptional art and beauty being created by today’s finest representational artists."

I feel honored to have my painting included. This is also the 2nd time I have applied for the National show and the 2nd time a painting of mine has been accepted.

Ursus Maritimus

Ursus Maritimus

Original Oil

9.5" x 17.75"

After painting grass..... and more grass......, it was time for a water piece. I almost enjoy painting water as much as whatever subject I place in it. There are so many moods to water from streams, to waterfalls, ponds, lakes, and oceans. The slighest variation in atmosphere can drastically change the color and feel of water.

And the title? The scientific name for the polar bear, the Sea Bear.

Finished

Splendor in the Grass

Original Oil

13.5" X 23"

Still more grass

While grasses are not my favorite thing to paint (give me water anyday), I think these are doing what I wanted. The loopy-over ones (very technical term) interspersed with the straight angle-y ones seem to be doing the trick in creating a feeling of depth.

More grasses

I have used a variety of colors in the grasses. They may be hard to see but sap green, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, raw umber, naples yellow, paynes gray, and ultramarine blue are being used in all sorts of combinations.

More on the Pheasant painting

Here I have finished for now with the pheasants and am moving on to the grasses. With the amount of detail in the birds, the grasses need to have detail and structure also. (grasses are not one of my favorite things to paint.) These will be especially tricky. While I want the grasses to "read" well, they must not overpower the birds. A too confusing background will diminish the painting as a whole. A too loose background will end up with a painting that does not feel unified.

Stay tuned.

Happy Groundhog Day!

You may not have time to read this today as you are preparing for your Groundhog celebrations.

However, on this very special day as you are gathering with family and friends, I hope that not only will the day be all you had anticipated, but that it will also be a safe occasion for you. Too often we get carried away with the excitement of an event.

Sometimes I have a hard time concealing my utter glee at a whole day devoted to an animal. Whether or not he sees his shadow, it is hard not to think of the joy felt by everyone on this occasion.

Maybe we should have more days like this. How about August 9th devoted to the Roadrunner (beep, beep) or October 27th in honor of Pepe' Le Pew (that romantic skunk.) I might even support a day devoted to Miss Piggy (the day after Thanksgiving?)

Have a Happy, Safe, and Fulfilling GroundHog Day!