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Sunday, February 22, 2009

#9 Greg and His Strat



This is my first attempt at doing people! This is my son Greg playing in his band, "Retro Transit Authority." www.retrotransitauthority.com The focus of this painting is primarily Greg's stratocaster..... the long curving black of the guitar against his shirt that has a very light value to it. The big lesson I learned on this painting was to NOT be tempted to make Greg's face, "look like" Greg. It would detract from my light/dark value contrast. The bass player in the background was alot of fun. Basically, all that is painted is his face, neck area, both hands, and his guitar...... all against a blackish background.

#8 Point Vicente Lighthouse


This is a 5x7 of the lighthouse at Point Vicente in Rancho Palos Verdes on a calm, clear morning. www.palosverdes.com/pvlight/ This was my second attempt at this painting. My first was very similar BUT, it was fractured. My ocean was too dark as was Catalina in the background. This painting is better in that regard. Tried to show the early morning light hitting the side of the lighthouse. The painting was completed in 2/2009.

#7 Hermosa Beach Lifeguard Stand


This was my first attempt after working with CW. I did a little of the marbilization process that CW taught me. Painting was completed in January of 2009. I like the sky, sun and foreground. If I did it again, I would really play down the "wave action." The lifeguard stand might be a bit edgy.

#6 Painting with CW...



In November, (2008) I was once again in Indiana. CW CWMundy.com invited me to paint with him. Needless to say, I was excited but somewhat "intimidated." CW put me at ease and we proceeded to paint side by side. He just told me to do what he did. I learned so much that day, just as he said I would. I learned his technique of, "marbilization," how to mix pots of paint and how to, "load" my brush among other things.

He got me to focus more on values and shapes as opposed to the actual subject matter. A lesson learned but the implementation of which, still seems to elude me. I understand it, just can't do it well........I am trying to incorporate the, "lessons" I learned that day. It's a slow process for sure BUT, I will get it! Thanks CW for a great day spent with an old friend!!!


#4 and #5 Paintings of paintings


These are two paintings from paintings..... I did this in an attempt to see how others use color, brush strokes etc.  It was suggested that I do this before I start painting from my own photos. It was a great suggestion as it gave me some confidence and early on experience. They are 9x12s and were completed in October of 2008. My mom has the one on the left framed and hanging on her wall.

#3 My first attempt at a landscape...


My third painting was my first attempt at a "landscape." It's the Pt. Vicente Lighhouse in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. I liked some things about it BUT, it was too fractured, proportions of tree to lighthouse were not correct and my "ocean" horizon was way off..... I am trying to paint, "loser," trying not to be so literal..... if I can learn that lesson, I will progress. I went back and tried to fix it...... BIG mistake...... the painting no longer exists.........! I didn't and still don't have the ability to rehabilitate a painting after most of the work is done. Trying to recreate the values with new paint is a skill I don't have yet. Plus, I tried to "overthink" it. I created a monster and really messed it up. However, I will attempt this one again. I wished I had kept it in it's original form as shown here. It was what it was... Painted in October of 2008....

#2 Yellow Flower


Painting #2 is a 5x7 of a yellow flower. It's the first painting I did after working with Victoria. I painted it from a photo that I took several years ago. I liked the yellow, green and darkness of the photograph. This little painting took me 8 hours! I think it will always be special to me because of what it represents. ....Kinda like it. ...... It was completed in Sept of 2008.

#1 My first painting... August 2008



At the ripe, "young" age of 62, I decided to try my hand at oil painting. In August of 2008, I was fortunate enough to be invited to paint with a good friend who had encouraged me to try something I had always wanted to try but, NEVER in a million years thought I would.

Linda bought me an easel for Christmas, 2007 and it sat in the closet for months. I really didn't think I would ever use it.

While in Indianapolis last summer (2008), we decided to go to an exhibit at the Stutz building where Victoria Gillieron had a couple of her paintings displayed. Afterwards, Victoria, Lou, Linda and I went to her studio. I decided to purchase one of her paintings. In the process, Victoria suggested I come to her studio and paint with her! She knew of my "secret" desire as she had assisted Linda is selecting an easel.
The following week, I joined Victoria Gillieron: http://www.victoriagillieron.com/ at her studio in the Stutz building. Victoria was also a student of CW Mundy, a very close and long time friend of mine. CW Mundy's art can be seen at: http://www.cwmundy.com/

I spent 7 hours in her studio that day. Victoria would come by take a look, offer some advice and then go back and sit patiently while I threw paint at a canvas for the very first time. When I was done, I had my very first oil painting. It was very exciting and changed the way I saw the world and everything in it! Thanks Victoria!!