A Vase a Day...

Doing this one a day paintings of the same subject using very different approaches reinforces what I always tell myself: Paint what you want to see, not what you see.

Developing a painting, Series I

I'll begin by saying how much fun I've had over the last three days painting the same still life over and over. Here is tonight's effort. About two more ten-minute sessions in the morning should do it.

The Latest

This one came about out of frustration with the painting underneath. I had tried to fix it by adding more when the whole time I needed to subtract.
"White Painting #7" 48x48 oil and wax with metallic pigments.

"Yes, It Goes With Your Sofa"

I am thrilled to be opening a new show at Paul Schatz Home Furnishings in Eugene this Friday.

Moving Hand

I have thought for a long time that it would be a good place to show work that allows people to see it in place as it were, associated with things in their houses.

Turning 70

My book of secret 

thoughts.

Oldies but Goodies

I am often surprised at my reaction to my own work. I paint every day and often take work that was stuffed into the storage room and rethink it. I may have to bring it out for the show. It will be finished. 

"Dervish" 

Such was the case with this one a few months ago, but I think I put it back in storage.
This one resides at ShelterCare in Eugene. It seems to be a favourite among both clients and staff.
Personally, I would take a toke and THEN look at it.

Moon Jar is on display at ShelterCare in Eugene

These were painted for the same show at the Coos At Musem. 26 paintings that were done in a panic (long story) were about Vessels,

Tea Bowl

they named the show "Transported", which I thought to be quite an appropriate title.
I died in a train wreck when I was 16 and twice more in a VA hospital in "94 and I have always considered the body as a mear vessel for the soul, energy, and intellect. These paintings were energized by the need to tell that story.

Blue Bowl, in the collection at Coos Art Museum

Sometimes I surprise Myself

Working this painting for the last few weeks has given me a real opportunity to do some self-analysis, in a good way I hope. My instinct to do things fast, from what I see in my mind on the canvas to "done", in less than a month, or a week, or even a day, did not kick in in time for this one to escape my paintbrushes.
It started out as a sister to "Hot Coffee in the Desert" and became itself, became aware, then demanded immortality.
 I could not come up to the studio and leave her untouched. The balance was just a bit off and I tried and tried again to pull the eye back. I thought I had it but every time I would go away for 

an hour she would right herself and I would have to paint.
It became a ritual.
 I would turn her to the wall and work on two or three other paintings, then turn her about and behold! Off balance!
 Today, yes, today I went upstairs early this morning and turned on my lights and there she stood, balanced.

"Ok! OK! I swear! No more changes!" he yelled as his other muse pulled him away from the panel. The painting had haunted him for weeks and a few days ago he proclaimed triumphantly "Done!" 

How Dare You

Barking Owl II

Night Owl

and so tonight as he comes up the stairs and begins to work on the Oregon Wine LAB entries to benefit the Raptor Center, realizes there is more energy to pull out of this work.

 He begins to play with gold leafing for the owls and realizes some random marks made earlier in the day, (OK OK a tiny bit of Blackest Black from Stuart Semple) may have a purpose.

The movement of the painting can be seen as either elevating or descending, depending on the mood or attitude of the observer. 

And the addition of the gold leafing gave him an excuse to use the gold leaf.