The joy of painting

One of the joys of painting is being involved with a piece. You think of little else. Unfortunately, that means you forget to take photos of it in progress to share on your blog!

So, this morning I scanned my lioness and cubs painting. In my rush to scan it before varnishing it and running it to my framer I did not realize I had missed part of the lioness's tail in the scan. She does have more tail as shown in the previous blog.

Table Manners

8" X 18"

Original Oil

There is a back story to this piece. Just as the sun was coming up, we came across a pride of lions with a zebra kill. Most of the lions had had their fill and moved off a pace. This lioness and her three cubs (only two here) were feeding at their leisure. What the lioness soon realized is that the kill had attracted a number of hyenas. More and more hyenas began to appear and started moving in closer. They would approach as far as they dared then sit. In a minute or two they would move closer.

The lioness finally decided to move the zebra carcass closer to the main pride. The cubs thought this was a grand game as they lunged and ran after their breakfast.

A way of looking at things

As a wildlife artist, I have a certain way of looking at the natural world. Things that others might find disturbing are for me part of the circle of life.

Wondering how much of this rubbed off on my nieces, I had a chance to find out when my four nieces and nephew visited with their families at Christmas.

I had to smile with the reaction of the first two nieces who saw the turpentine wash of this next painting. In unison my 8- and 13-year old nieces said, "That is so cute!"

 

 

Yeah, 3 lions ripping into a zebra carcass is cute. At least, we think so.

Finishing an "artsy" piece

Happy New Year!

How do you decide when a more "artsy" painting is finished? When a piece is a departure from your usual style, the answer is not as clear-cut.

I have been glazing the zebra using liquin throughout the painting process. When is it the last coat? Several days ago I thought I was finished but when I looked at the painting the next evening, it needed just a little more oomph. One last dark glaze on the heads and I put my brush down.

This was a fun diptych to paint. It will be going to my next show, Safari Club International in Las Vegas February 5th - 8th. I am curious to see what reception it gets. Each will be framed separately using the same moulding.

Emergence (working title) - Zebra I + Zebra II

Original Oils

Each 36" X 15"

More Layers

I've added another six+ layers, mostly in the blue and purple hues.

In the meantime, I have been drawing several other pieces to work on while I wait for each layer to dry. You'll see some of those interspersed with these two pieces.

A good book

When I head on a trip I like to have a book to read. Rarely do I have the leisure time to peruse the various offerings at my local book store ahead of time. This means that I am usually grabbing a book at the airport and hoping I will enjoy it.

The latest "grab" was on my trip to Spain. On a quick layover in Seattle I found the novel The Art Forgery by B.A. Shapiro. I was so busy on the trip that I had only 30 minutes to start it but I did dive into it on the long flight home from Amsterdam to Seattle and on to Spokane.
 Wow. Really a very fun read for an artist or one who likes art.

And, it inspired this next set of paintings. No, I am not going to forge a Degas.

There were some interesting techniques mentioned and it was the extensive use of glazing which grabbed my attention. What if I were to employ glazing throughout a painting? (I rarely use any medium in my painting, preferring to mix directly from the tube and paint wet-on-wet.)

I checked out Gamblin's Galkyd Gel but opted for the old standby, Liquin. Mixing a little paint in with liquin, I have been adding layers of paint. They dry enough for me to add a layer in the morning and then one in the evening.

Below you can see the beginning of these pieces. Each painting is 36" X 15."

The zebra were first defined with my standard raw sienna - burnt sienna turpentine wash and now have about 8 layers of glazing (with 20? 30 to go?) The background colors were mixed directly from the tube and applied with no medium.

Arctic Blast

     Most of the country is in the grips of an arctic blast and Spokane is no exception. Even on a bright sunny day, the thermometer outside does not pass the 10 degree threshold. Scarves and hats are necessary accoutrements for any outside endeavor (even walking over to the studio!)

In light of this brisk weather, I have a new painting to share.

Blizzard
8.75" X 12"
Original Oil

Below the surface

     My two weeks on the Big Island of Hawaii afforded some of the best snorkeling I have ever experienced. There were more green sea turtles than ever before. Watching them feed in shallow water never grows old.
     I was also in a bay snorkeling with 50 - 60 wild spinner dolphins. Hard to keep your distance when they kept swimming up to you. What a thrill!

Here's looking at you, kid.   (Linda and saddle wrasse)

The sun is shining here in Spokane and the temperature is almost up to 18 F. Quite a change.

Stay tuned for some new paintings.