#113 "Couple of Cowboys" 14x11 oil on linen panel

"Couple of Cowboys" 14x11 oil on linen panel

Another in the western series. This is from a photo taken by Steve Clippinger.  I told Steve to keep em' coming! We're leaving for Arizona with my camera tomorrow. Stopping off at Pioneer Town near Joshua Tree and then spend the day hoping to get material for new western paintings. Heading for Scottsdale, AZ on Saturday and going to get a few shots of saguaro cactus along with some sunsets, rocks etc. We'll see!!!

#112 "Painting Linda" 20x16 oil on linen panel

"Painting Linda" 20x16 oil on linen panel



Please click the YouTube link below and select fullscreen.


https://youtu.be/15E7z3_ekCI
It's a one minute start to finish journey of my struggles with this painting.

I’m going to bare my soul on this one. How does the saying go? “The best laid plans of mice and men?” I’m not a trained artist although I’ve some great mentors and have taken a couple of classes. I have just enough information to make myself dangerous!

I’ve always wanted to do a portrait and really get into the detail that would include among others, value changes, skin tones, eye, nose and mouth detail etc.  I had a great photo of Linda that I took when we were in Hawaii a couple of years back. I thought it would be a fun project and a great learning experience. The photo was of Linda on Sunset Beach, nearing sunset with a rather turbulent ocean in the background. With that in mind, I set off to compose the painting. I placed Linda’s torso off a bit to the right leaving room for what I had hoped to be an interesting but not overpowering background. I didn’t want to compete with the subject.

Now, there are other issues with this painting and I’m aware of some of them. Let me say that I also see some major strengths and that I’m not discouraged. Rather, I’m more determined that ever to see the problems, learn how to solve them and move on! It’s a continuous learning process. I remember when I first started painting about eight years ago; I would not let myself get discouraged. I was comparing myself to some of the best. I would complete a painting and it would be a total wreck. Rather than beating myself up too much, I would say to my self, find one square inch that’s good. Or one brilliant paint stroke and focus on that!!! Pretty soon it evolved from one square inch to two and so on and so on….

Ah, but I digress!!! So, I composed the painting based upon the subject and the background I had chosen. After everything was in place, I did a rough painting on another canvas to see if the palette worked and the spacing was correct. In my inexperienced head, I thought it was fine. My goal was to make it soft and edgeless except in a few spots where I wanted the eye to head focus on. I started as you will see with the eyes, mouth and nose locations to get my bearings. All was going well as her face developed nicely. After I was far enough along, I decided to take a break from the face and move to the background. THAT is when the trouble began or at least I thought so at the time. Looking back, I might have been able to make it work but I got impatient. NEVER get impatient when you're painting! It's for recipe for disaster. In my head, once I started the background, the lines between the subject and the background would blend so that you wouldn’t see a defined spot where one mass began and the other ended.

Well, in a nutshell, it wasn’t working for me. I got too detailed in the sky, clouds and ocean. They really competed with the subject. So, I toned it down a bit. Something was still wrong but I couldn’t put my finger on it. It could have been a poor choice of background to begin with but more likely, inexperience as to how to tie it all in and make it work.

I decided to just remove the not so gentle Pacific Ocean! (Whoa! Think about that!) That space between the torso and the left side of the canvas was now blank and I just blended the blue. OK, so now I’ve got a real composition issue. What in the heck am I going to do with the left side of this canvas? At this point, the painting will have at least one major flaw and that would be composition, which is fatal for the most part. That said, I had too many hours into this painting to scrape it all together!

I contacted my good friend Victoria Gillerion for some advice. She helped me see a few things and I made some subtle changes but I still couldn’t solve the negative space problem.

One of the secrets of a good painting is to see to it that the colors of the palette can be found throughout the painting and not just confined to one area. This brings uniformity to the work. I had to get skin tones into the headband, hair and of course the background. Hints of all colors all places. I took several colors that I found in the skin tones, headband and hair and made a huge pot of paint. I then took my pallete knife and dipped into different colors and began slapping paint on the canvas. I really like the effect! The background was awesome as far as I was concerned BUT, it really didn't work that well with the subject. Why? It looks like two paintings to me, not to mention the composition error as a result of changing the background. It appears to be a well-done face/torso painted in one style “placed” on a well-done background painted in a different style. Why does it appear that way? I think it’s a colossal collision of the two styles, and a lack of knowledge as to how to blend the two, ending up with defined edges that separate the subject from the background. 

I took several colors that I found in the skin tones, headband and hair and made a huge pot of paint. I then took my pallete knife and dipped into different colors and began slapping paint on the canvas. I really like the effect! The background was awesome as far as I was concerned BUT, it really didn't work that well with the subject. Why? It looks like two paintings to me, not to mention the composition error as a result of changing the background. It appears to be a well-done face/torso painted in one style “placed” on a well-done background painted in a different style. Why does it appear that way? I think it’s a colossal collision of the two styles, and a lack of knowledge as to how to blend the two, ending up with defined edges that separate the subject from the background. 

For now, the painting will remain as is. It is quite the journey and the more I know, the more I find there is to know... it's a never ending quest! 

Update! March 24, 2016

I'm not a trained artist. I have learned thru some study (certainly not enough) but mostly a lot of trial and error.  I recognize when things aren't right. Where I get stuck is how "right it." I knew the painting was unbalanced but wasn't sure what to do. I consulted with my good friend C.w. Mundy. We discussed the painting. Just as I suggested earlier, there were two major issues. First was a clash of styles. Secondly, the balance issue. 

To solve the first issue, C.w. suggested that I take the palette knife to the face!  Well that scared the heck out of me immediately. I do like the way it's painted, BUT it can't work with that background. Taking the palette knife and altering the style will significantly change the style to more of an impressionistic painting IF I can do it successfully. Major challenge there!!!

The second issue is balance. C.w. sent me a drawing of how tI might solve the balance issue. 

The idea here is to match the dark values found in the hair and place them in the two forms seen here. The first would be the shape in the upper left and the second would be the area that is formed along the left hand side of the painting. I would match the values with a series of similar  strokes from the palette knife. If successful, the painting then will then become unified.

Have to thank C.w. for his input! Pretty cool being able to consult with one of the best! Now the rest is up to me.

#111 " Three Pieces of Fruit" 8x10 on linen panel

"Three Pieces of Fruit" 8x10 oil on linen panel

I went to the studio today all excited about painting something really different. I got there and ...... nothing! So, instead of wasting my day, I decided to do a quickie. That's supposed to be an hour or less but I probably spent a little more on this one.  Painting from life is such a good exercise and keeps me honest so to speak. Not what I intended for today but it's what I got!!!

#110 "Day Ride" 11x14 oil on canvas

It's seems like months since I've been able to grab a day or two to paint in my studio. Actually it has been. After returning from Indiana, and no major responsibilities, for a few days, I decided to see if I remembered which end of a paint brush to use! My intention was to paint a bridge. I ended up with my first attempt at western art.

I was introduced to western art by some of the very best. When I came to California back in the early 1970s, I was surrounded by amazing musicians and artists. Of course, CW Mundy was my best friend and pickin buddy. We had made our way out west not on horseback but in an old VW. Probably not a lot more comfortable! If he wasn't playing his banjo, he was painting. I watched him for hours and hours for years and years, never imagining I would ever paint anything. CW's peers were Frank Locklear, Jim Vincent, Kent Butler, Steve Hills and others. All of these mentioned were such talented artists. But the leader of the pack was Donald "Putt" Putman,  http://stellargallery.com/artists/putman/index.htm  Putt as he was affectionately known, was the master. His art was and is still collected by serious art collectors everywhere and is displayed in some of the finest galleries in the country.  CW and all the rest for the most part looked to him and studied under him. As musicians and friends with Putt, he invited us a couple of times to come to Scottsdale, Arizona to play for the opening of his show. For payment he would do a water color of us. These remain some of my prized possessions.

Here we are in April of 1973 in Scottsdale, Arizona. That's Cw Mundy on the left, me in the middle and Frank Locklear on the right. We're playing out front of a gallery for Putt. That's one of his paintings in the background. My oh my...

Putt had a studio in Hermosa Beach on PCH and later went on to open a coffee shop on Hermosa Avenue with his wife Bobbie next to the old Hermosa Theater. Putt would paint right there in the coffee shop/resturaunt, often using his numerous western props and a live model. Putt later moved to the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and passed a way in 2007. He was as nice as he was talented. In addition to the two paintings below, both of which were painted of me as a result of playing music for him, I have several other original water colors and signed prints. They are a treasure!

So Putt, all these many years later, please let me say thanks... thank you for your amazing talent and ultimate influence in my life.

Me and my Martin D35

Now, back to "Day Ride." I ended up with this very fun painting of a trail ride. I found this photograph from a Facebook entry by a fraternity brother named Steve Clippinger who is this amazing artist currently living in Palm Springs. Steve has a horse named Darrma. Steve and Darma ride Indian Canyons several times a week. He often takes pictures of his adventures. I'm still waiting to see if this is a photo Steve took or one that was taken by one of the group.

I really enjoyed doing this. I used a palette knife on the rocks to give them the presence they deserve. I like the way the horses and their riders kinda fade off in the distance, a little dust kicking up along the trail. This is my first ever attempt at western art. The western landscape just provides so many opportunities and while it seems that western art isn't really "in vogue," these days I guess I'm not either. That said, one of the wonderful things about getting a little older, and being an artist, I can just paint what the heck I want!

So yippee ki ya! Here's to the wild, wild west!!!

Bing Crosby, along with a group that includes Martha Raye, Bob Burns, Louis Prima, Roy Rodgers and the Sons of the Pioneers, perform a rollicking "I'm an Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande)" in Rhythm on the Range (1936).

Still gonna paint that bridge someday...

# 109 "My Romance" 11x14 oil on linen panel

"My Romance" 11x14 on linen panel

My long time friend Larry Bridges is completing his album, "My Romance." He sent me a photo and asked me if it were something I'd like to paint. I "think" it's finished. Pretty happy with the results now that I've spent some time with it. 

I've had a difficult time photographing this one. Can't seem to get it into focus and the skin tones aren't represented as they really are. Will probably try again later after I look at if for awhile longer and make any changes that I feel are necessary.  I'm extremely happy with the logs! They were done entirely with a pallet knife to give it real texture in contrast to the overall relative softness of the remainder of the painting. 

When Larry's album is completed I will attach   an mp3 of the title track. 

Worked from this photo

Palos Verdes Art Center

Linda and I enjoyed a great evening Dec 4, 2015  at the opening reception of the 2015 Palos Verdes Art Center Holiday Art Show. I was honored to have had two of my paintings, #106, "Fruit and Brass" (shown here) and #108 "BB and Lucille" juried  into the show and both will be displayed in the main gallery until January 3, 2016.  If you have not experienced the beautiful gallery at the Palos Verdes Art Center, now's a good time to go!

Palos Verdes Art Center

Dinner at the reception.

#109 "Tea Time" 8x10 oil on linen panel

"Time for Tea" 8x10 on linen panel

 Wow! Not what I expected!!! As an artist you're supposed to know the end result BEFORE you start. I must admit, not so with this painting. Using my Grandma Schuyler's teapot and my antique clock (and an apple from Vons) I set out to do a very loose painting. As usual, my left brain dominated.  Hate it when that happens!!! That said, I love the composition of this  painting and the palette. I painted in all the shapes and values as I always try to do. This time.... I let it sit over a couple of nights. Today I came back to it and this is what I saw. VERY happy with this one. When it dries I will take it back to the studio for some ever so minor tweaks. This was fun!!!

#108 "BB and Lucille" 20x16 oil on linen panel

"BB and Lucille" 20x16 oil on linen panel

I decided to buy a decent easel. Like most things, if you have the right equipment, it just makes the job easier! This new David Sorg studio easel does just that. It also allows me to easily paint using larger canvas sizes. 

My first painting on the new easel is a 16x20 oil of "BB and Lucille." I thought I would include a couple of shots of the process. This painting was perhaps my greatest challenge so far. I certainly didn't realize it until I started slapping paint. I did it upside down which helped. There were so many challenges so I tried to solve them one by one. Each day I took it home and looked at it. Each day something bothered me so back I went. I think this will stay as is. One thing I can say, I can tell you things I didn't do wrong for a change! I'm overall very happy with it but it's always a quest for something better. It's a sickness!!!

Day one

Day two

Day Three Morning

Day Three Afternoon

#107 "The Point" 8x10 oil on linen panel

"The Point" 8x10 oil on linen panel

Picked a picture perfect day to sit out on our dock and do a little plein air of the view. It is very difficult to paint green. I learned a few tricks from Scott Christensen last April in our work shop in New Harmony, IN.

#106 "Fruit and Brass" 11x14 oil on linen panel

Back home again in Indiana and have had a couple of opportunities to paint. This was done in my good friend Victoria Gillerion's studio at the Stutz Building. We always seem to get together and paint a couple of times while I'm here. CW's studio is right around the corner and of course he dropped in for a critique of both our works. He wanted me to bring the painting back to his studio the following day as he felt it had potential to be a very fine painting. The following day we set the painting on his easel and both took the time to critique it and decide what finishing touches I should add. I've taken two photos of this painting and neither correctly show the paint stokes, values and colors accurately so I will have to wait until I'm home to photograph it again. Until then, I'm very excited about this one!!!

Victoria now works part time in a framing shop and we decided I should spend a little extra for this one.

#105 "Copper Pot and Fruit" 8x10 oil on linen panel

"Copper Pot and Fruit" 8x10 oil on linen panel

Well it's been awhile. I've really been in a rut and haven't found time to paint!  Seems I can't get to my studio lately! Found some time this week and decided to do another still life. After the plein air class last April, I was totally discouraged. I didn't complete one satisfactory painting the whole week! Looking back, I can see a couple of things that I would have changed. First of all, I used my alkyds. They are fine in the studio but outside, they dry too quickly for me. I'm slow which is another reason I have trouble. dIn a still life, I control the environment. Plein aire.... not the case! I need to practice over and over outside in order to "get it!" Hopefully I will make myself do it.

The reason I say all of this is because, when I'm in a rut, I go back to creating a simple still life. There is nothing like painting from life. I get to think about exactly what I want it to look like, compose it carefully, choose my key and then lay out my pots of paint. Usually 2 or 3 pots that I will use for my values. In my studio, lighting doesn't change and, clouds and shadows aren't moving etc. like that!

I've practiced with fruit quite a bit. This time I decided to add a copper pot that I found in a thrift shop in Palm Springs last February. The biggest challenge here for me was to make sure I drew the pot correctly! The pot had a handle and a spout. I never did paint in the handles but I did have the spout. After looking at it I decided that the spout added nothing so... with a few strokes of the brush, gone!!! Once I felt I had what I wanted...the fruit was pretty easy and I was off to the races!!!

The second biggest challenge was creating a combination of values and colors that gave the impression of copper. For my first attempt, I'm very satisfied. I bought a few other copper pots etc. that day. I have a feeling I'll be doing more!

#104 "Waiting Patiently" 11x14 oil on linen panel

"Waiting Patiently" 11x14 oil on linen panel

WORK IN PROGRESS!

This is a piece I've been working on. I've spent a lot of time just looking at this painting in this state. I have some ideas and I think some big changes are to come. When I get back to this piece, much other than seated lady and one dog will be eliminated. The background will be come dark. This piece has demonstrated to me what NOT to do. At this point, it's merely a project for experimentation.

My high school classmate, Julie, rescues Schnauzers. We are friends on a social media site. One day she posted a photograph that just caught my eye and I thought it would make a fun painting. I'm going to look at this one for awhile and may go back in.

I love the way two of the   Schnauzers are sitting there waiting to see if anything might be coming their way while one just couldn't wait. I wonder if they got a table scrap? I'll let you know if I find out!!!

#103 After "Purple Forest" by Paul Jean Martel. 12x16 oil on panel

This painting is based upon a painting by Paul Jean Martel, called "Purple Forest." Martel was a post impressionist born in Belgium but later moving to the US. He died in 1944. His works are gaining notoriety in the  art world. Interestingly enough, his daughter lives here in Palos Verdes and had the opportunity to meet her. I took a class today offered by local artist, Rodolfo Rivademar. We first visited the exhibit, discussed technique etc. and then set to painting. I really enjoyed doing this painting and felt like I captured the spirit of the original.

#102 "Three Pieces of Fruit" 5x7 oil on canvas

"Three Pieces of Fruit" 5x7 oil on canvas

Taking a workshop tomorrow so I went in to my studio to get some supplies and decided to do a quick still life of three pieces of fruit. The reason I really like doing these is because of the shadows and the ability to control the composition. Composition is always a challenge. Probably will go back in and tone down that reflection on the green apple and a couple of other minor adjustments. 

This was really fun! Looking forward to the works shop, Reimagining Paul Jean Martel (1879-1944):

A painting workshop with California Art Club member Rodolfo Rivademar.

This is my first workshop ever and I'm nervous but excited. In April I travel back to New Harmony, Indiana for a 4 day work shop with Scot Christensen. 

Will be taking this workshop and can't wait! Plein Aire is a real challenge for me.

http://www.christensenstudio.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=40189&Akey=72569C3T

                                                                           
For information regarding purchase please go to:
http://jim-cahill.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

                                                                            

#101 "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" 11x14 oil on linen panel

"It's 5 o'clock Somewhere"

Back to my studio! Not much to say about this other than I set up the still life, photographed it, gridded it and then painted it up side down from the photo while having access to the actual still life. Not sure if that's allowed, but I did it anyway!

For prices regarding this or any other piece go to:

http://jim-cahill.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Hawaii Paintings #98, #99, #100

Just spent an amazing month at Kawela Bay on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii with friends and family. We rented a beautiful old home and guest house. The home was the first home built on the north shore and that was in 1908! The owner, Marilyn Radzat http://wwwmarilynradzat.blogspot.com is an internationally known artist and her north shore home reflects her eclectic tastes. They have managed to maintain the original integrity of the home. It is located just a few miles from some the the worlds best surfing spots. We spent hours at the Pipeline watching the worlds greatest surfers catch up to 20-30 foot waves! Saw John John Florence win the Volcom Pro 2015 contest and Kelly slater's perfect 10.. Such amazing atheletes. It was the perfect month of rest, relaxation and I feel very fortunate.

Had the opportunity to do a couple of paintings. #100 "Wine Time" is my wine glass sitting in the sand with the base buried and the water approaching.  Wine is something we indulged in believe me!!!

#100 "Wine Time" 11x14 oil on linen panel


#99 "Pipe Waves" is an impression of the large waves that rolled up at the Pipeline. Their awesome power was hypnotic.

#99 "Pipe Waves" 8x10 oil on linen panel

#98  SMALL STUDY "hors d'oeuvres"  represents the hours of food preparation that was spent by some amazing cooks/chefs etc. Believe me, I was not one of them but sure enjoyed the fruits of their labor. I did a bit of kitchen duty.  I will use this little study to create a larger version of this subject matter. 

#98 "hors d'oeuvres" 8x10 oil on linen

Iconic Views and Remembrances

Our House for the month on Kawela Bay

Kawela Bay Rainbow from our deck

The Master

Wine on the deck before dinner

Amazing dinners night after night with great friends!

It was just as good as it looks!

Kelley Slater's 10 at the Volcom Pro 2015 held at Pipeline

Huge waves hitting the reef out front. You could hear the distant
roar all day and night. At the house, mostly what you'll hear below.

Did some of this!!!

#96 & #97 "Women of the Maasai Mara"

"Women of the Maasai Mara" 12x24

This is the second and the largest so far of the, "Women of the Maasai Mara." paintings. This 12x24 oil on canvas depicts a group of eleven Maasai women from a photograph taken while on the Women Like Us Foundation trip last June of 2014. I'm not sure which of the women on the trip actually took the photo but when  I find out I would like to add her name to this post. It was that photo that certainly got my attention as I looked at it over and over, visualizing exactly how I wanted this subject to be portrayed. My goal was  to "pop" the colorful dress against a dark background to display not only that color but also the design. 

I think there is a second trip back to Kenya being planned and who knows, maybe I can go along!

If you would like a brief glimpse into the Women Like Us Foundation's trip to Kenya,  

                                                 

                                                                     Click here -->  http://youtu.be/a8oQgfNzdXE

"Women of the Maasai Mara" 5x7

9/14 Every since my wife Linda returned from her humanitarian mission to Kenya with the Women Like Us Foundation, I've been fascinated by the very colorful dress of the women in many of their photos. I've decided to experiment a bit and see if I can capture some of that vividness. I really hope to do more of these women and do them in various sizes. This 5x7 was my first attempt.  The boat in the foreground was built and given to Linda by some of the students in one of the schools they in which supplies delivered. I thought it added to the overall ambience of the small painting.

#95 " On the Turnagain Arm" 8x10 oil on linen panel

"On the Turnagain Arm"

My sister Deb Carlson and her husband Jim live in Alaska. I've visited many times. Each time I'm blown away by the beauty. No other place I've ever been compares. Deb and Jim have 5 acres in the woods outside of Cooper Landing, which is about 100 miles south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. They have a great log home they built in the 80s along with several other buildings that serve different purposes. My favorite is the green house which sits in the garden. Jim and Deb prepare salads from the garden while salmon sizzles on the griddle. Complete with fine wine... It just doesn't get better!!!

This particular painting, "On the Turnagain Arm" is a spot between Hope and Sunrise, Alaska. They are situated on the Kenai side of the Turneagain Arm. They were both boom towns during the gold rush. Now, only Hope, a town of 180 survives. It was a cool, cloudy day with occasional light rain. The Turnagain Arm was so filled with atmosphere. We stopped and I caught this particular view looking up the Turnagain Arm. The next day I set up my paints. As I was painting, I noticed a large painting leaning against the wall. I walked over and saw that it was painted by my Grandma Clara (Neupert) Schuyler in 1914! exactly 100 years ago when she was studying art and music at Valparaiso, University. Got a big smile on my face...

I am extremely happy with this painting on many levels! 

Here's a brief video of some of the highlights of my recent trip to visit my sister Deb and her husband Jim in Cooper Landing Alaska, June 2014

Fresh Sockeye Salmon on the griddle!

Sockeye Salmon at Russian River Falls

Grandma Schuyler's painting from 1914

Sister Deb slaps on the paint in the green house!

The greenhouse and raised bed gardens.

Grandma Schuyler's Bell at the entrance to the garden.

Painting at Thumb Cove