"Red Up On"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

One of America's great abstract artists, Ellsworth Kelly, died last weekend at the age of 92.  In 2013, President Obama presented Mr. Kelly with the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor for artistic excellence.  This man was important.

I've roamed thru the Art Institute of Chicago a dozen times, barely noticing those six, large, colorful, geometric panels hanging high on the top floor of the American Art gallery.  They're titled 'The Chicago Panels' by Ellsworth Kelly.  To be honest, modern art doesn't grab me like realism does - only because, often, I don't understand it. And being an artist myself, that's a pretty shallow comment.

There's many important 20th century artists I've never heard of or paid little attention to until I read their obituary. After I read several moving obits about Ellsworth Kelly this week, so much made sense.  This man saw patterns in shadows, shapes and colors in nature and in life which he transformed into sculptures and paintings like no other.

Take the example of 'White Curve', which hangs on an exterior wall in the Pritzker Garden at the Art Institute.

Now look at one of Kelly's own photographs taken in the countryside in New York.

Now I get it.  Now I see it.  The red panel in my painting above, one of the six panels I mentioned, was inspired by the rich, reds of a cardinal he photographed while bird watching.  Now I get it.

By most accounts, Mr. Kelly was a delightful, warm, friendly, humorous, creative man who lived in the moment.  That should always be one's New Year's resolution - every day, every year - to live in the moment and  appreciate the beauty around us.  And never judge or dismiss what we don't understand.  We'd all be better for it.

Speaking for myself, I find it hard to appreciate vegetables and Indian food, hot summers, crowds, crowds who sing, performance art and Donald Trump to name a few - but life is long and I'm willing to learn, except for the Trump thing.

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy and Creative New Year ~

"Flower Child"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

It's been my observation that most young children are bored in art museums unless they happened upon a work of art that is familiar to them - like paintings of children, mother and child, or big shapes and bright colors - then they pay attention.   

It was no surprise to see a young girl seemingly mesmerized with the colorful, bold, modernist-style painting 'Le Tournesol' (The Sunflower) by Edward Steichen, which hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

Edward Steichen painted this in 1920, he was around 40 years old and had practiced painting and photography and most of his paintings were landscapes and portraits with very tonalist colors, muted, like his photography.  Steichen abruptly changed his style in his late 30's to a more hard-edged, modernist style and painted 'Le Tournesol', which was exhibited in Paris in 1922, with great importance - along with similar works of art by Leger, O'Keeffe and others who's styles reflected stream-lined forms and off-key colors.

A few years later, Steichen apparently had a 'crisis in faith' and abandoned painting, destroying any photographs and artworks in his possession (this one was sold and not in his studio).  He left New York and returned to France where he dove into gardening, raised sunflowers, photographed them over and over - studied mathematics intensely and painted small, abstract, geometric pieces.  He did eventually return to the US, his photography continued to be his passion and his legacy.  In 2006, one of his photographs sold for $2.9 million, what was then the highest price ever paid for a photograph at auction.

"Have A Look"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

I spent 6 long days on a larger painting and gladly moved on to baking cookies and enjoying the feasts of Christmas.  Hope you had a nice holiday too.

Painting larger throws me off.  It kinda burns me out.  I love painting small.

From the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC - a woman gets a good look at Rembrandt's 'Self Portrait'.

Christmas Wishes

Wishing you a peaceful, happy holiday.

not for sale 

Special Set of Note Cards Available

SOLD OUT

 

I created this note card for myself and it's so cool,  I ordered more in the event you're interested.  The front of the card features my painting 'Women In Gold' and it is blank inside.  The card measures 4-/14" x 5-1/2", printed on a glossy finish - sold as a set of 10 note cards with 10 white envelopes.

on that note.... I'm so pleased with the quality and the response, thank you all.  I'll be doing more in the future.

My 2016 Calendars Are Here!

My new 2016 wall calendars Inspiring Artists are SOLD OUT.

Progress and Other Stuff

That's right, I'm painting upside down.  And sideways.

I'm determined to not use my large stand-up easel - I prefer to sit - so I've been painting small portions at a time, working my way down.  It's a hoot.  And it's working.

The hardboard panel is 7 x 24",  I painted an acrylic metallic silver w/a dash of blue mixed in to get a cold ground color - the photos look warmer because of my lighting.  Like my recent painting 'Women In Gold',  I wanted a little shimmering showing thru the oils.

Just wanted to show my progress.

I also spent time completing a new book on my series ArtistZ,  now I'm waiting for my copy to arrive to proof it before I offer it for sale.  And I created a 2016 calendar - inspired by all my recent art history lessons for the series - included are the birthdays of many artists I love.  I think if you're an artist yourself, you'd like it.

Back to work for now ~

"Xun"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

For the letter X in my series ArtistZ,  I spent, I'm guessing, five or six hours researching and hunting an artist.  Google painters who's name begins with the letter X and you'll find hundreds of mostly Chinese artists, a small number of Greek and a handful of other nationalities.  At one point, I went to the New York Times archive, because I vaguely remembered the artist Sun Xun, written about several times in past few years and I found him.  Sun Xun lives and works in Beijing, he's around 36 years old, which is impressive given his wide range of mediums and amount of work.

Quite frankly, I don't respond to most of Xun's works, he has explored mixed media, animation, block printing, ink drawings and painting - and I zeroed in on an exhibit in 2012 titled 'These Years', a collection of mixed media oils that include still life, landscapes and figuratives, including my choice piece Waiting.   I just love the grey-green tones and the strong turquoise/aquas together.

A Little Blog Talkin'

The artist and blogger, Kelley Sanford, has included me in her 'Ask the Expert' series on her blog In The Artist's Studio on today's post - I talk a little bit about painting a series, how I decide on the subject and generally about painting.

Be sure to read her past posts - it's always helpful to know how other painters tick.

~ Thanks Kelley

Two Paintings Going on Auction

Just a head's up - these two paintings are in my studio and need a good home.

'The Reel Thing'

7 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

'The Chapel at Palmetto Bluff'

7 x 9"

oil on panel

sold

"Uglow"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

I absolutely love the figurative paintings by the British painter Euan Uglow - an easy choice for the letter U in my series ArtistZ.

Uglow's painting method involved a lot of measuring and mathematics, and those markings could often be seen on the finished paintings.  Taken from a biography of Uglow "his measuring process was laborious and time consuming to the point that Uglow himself joked that one model he began painting when she was engaged, was still painting when she got married and did not finish until she was divorced."

What I particularly love is how he painted color in blocks or areas, surprising any viewer with skin tones that include greens, violets, golds, reds, greys, etc.   He, like Lucian Freud,  has taught me so much about painting skin in a bold and realistic way. 

"Thiebaud"

6 x 8"

oil on panel 

sold

I don't remember exactly the first time I saw a Wayne Thiebaud painting - I'm guessing years ago I framed a print and it was love at first sight.  It was probably one of his fabulous dessert paintings - wedges of pie or decorated cakes.   It stirred up my creative juices, it made me want to paint again.   It made me want to paint with oils.  

Thiebaud's distinct style is paint laid on thick, as if he's really icing a cake with his paint brush.  You can almost see in your mind his process of outlining and swirling the brushstrokes.  I love that.  Besides his recognized plates of foods, pies, cakes, candies, ice cream cones, shoes, lipsticks and figures,  he has painted the most stunning bird's-eye-views of California landscapes, laying on the paint and colors in patterns that just perfectly harmonize.  He has painted cityscapes that defy perspective rules,  stretching San Francisco-like streets and shadows to an almost vertigo-causing image.  Just genius.

Wayne Thiebaud was born in Arizona in 1920, grew up in Long Beach, California - as a teenager, worked at Walt Disney Studios - essentially becoming a commercial artist until he was influenced to go the fine art route, like many artists I know.  In the 60's, an art dealer in New York grabbed on to him - during the Pop Art movement of Warhol, Lichtenstein, etc.  I read somewhere he didn't define himself as a Pop artist - he referred to himself as a 'traditional painter of illusionistic form'.  Thiebaud is nearly 95 years old and I think still paints.

If I could personally meet any living artist,  it would be Thiebaud.  I regard him as one of the most influential, brilliant painters of our time.  My great admiration for Wayne Thiebaud was an easy choice for the letter T in my series ArtistZ.

As for my painting, the young man is viewing 'Three Machines', which hangs in the de Young Museum in San Francisco.  I tried to paint in the same swirly, free, ebullient style as Mr. Thiebaud.

Check out more of Thiebaud's paintings here.

Hilton Head Art Auction This Saturday

I have two paintings in the Hilton Head Art Auction, held this coming Saturday - I'll include details below.  Auctions can be a rare opportunity to get an original painting for a really good price, you just never know.  The best way to play it, in my opinion, is to name your top price and roll the dice.

Here are my pieces in the auction,  both are framed....

'A Lot To Juggle'

8 x 10" oil on panel

sold

 'A Big Thumb's Up'

10 x 10" oil on panel

sold

"Sargent"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

I'm not sure there is a more perfect painting other than 'Madame X' by the American artist, John Singer Sargent.  His painting debuted in 1884 in Paris - critics freaked out and deemed it scandalous and immoral - too 'erotic' for their delicate (prudish) eyes it seems.  Even the family of Virginie Gautreau (Madame X) was outraged, particularly because one of the dress straps was originally slipped off her shoulder.  Sargent appeased the family by repainting the strap and kept the painting for 3 years - meanwhile moving to London and becoming one of the most sought-after portrait painters of the times.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City purchase 'Madame X' in 1916.

I am quoting a portion of the Khan Academy's summary about 'Madame X', because I think it's so very well said -  'The painting - which debuted to severe disparagement but is today treasured as a masterpiece beloved in the history of Western art - is but one example of an artwork that gradually evolved from epitomizing the condemned to the celebrated.  Much of a work's initial reception is based upon society's tastes, standards of etiquette, and values of the era, and as these attitudes shift over the decades, the public may begin to look at older paintings with new eyes.'

There isn't a single painting that Sargent created that doesn't bring me to my knees - so it was an easy choice for the letter R in my series ArtistZ.

                         FYI - 

 

When Forgery Isn't a Crime

I watched a fascinating documentary last night about the art forger, Mark Landis.  It is part of the series POV on PBS - titled Art and Craft.   Artists should find this story and documentary compelling, but I think anyone would really.

The synoposis as described on PBS's website:

'Mark Landis is one of the most prolific art forgers of the modern era — and he isn't in it for the money. In the last 30 years he's copied hundreds of pieces, from 15th-century icons to works by Picasso and even Dr. Seuss, then donated them to museums across the country. When a tenacious registrar discovers the ruse, Landis must confront his legacy and a chorus of duped professionals intent on stopping him. But Landis is a diagnosed schizophrenic, driven since his teens to escape "the life of a mental patient," and ending the con isn't so simple. A cat-and-mouse caper told with humor and compassion, Art and Craft uncovers the universal in one man's search for connection and respect.'

I just had to tell you about it.

Read about Art and Craft here, where you'll find your television schedule or the link to stream it.

"Qi"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

A new addition to my series ArtistZ - and I will say, the hunt for an artist for the letter Q wasn't easy.  I narrowed it down to three painters and chose the one that spoke to me - Qi Baishi.

Qi Baishi, a Chinese artist, born in 1863, is one of the most famous contemporary Chinese painters who could paint nearly every subject matter and is best known for his flowers, birds, insects and fish.  It is said 'he mastered the ability of suggesting the essence of his subject with a few, brief strokes.'  Which is why it appeals to me - it is very Zen.

"Daily Exercise"

8 x 6"

oil on panel

I intended to post this new painting on National Dog Day a few days ago, but in my life, every day is dog day. 

Don't forget to take your dogs for a long walk.  It's good for everyone.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Klimt"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

Choosing a favorite painter for the letter K for my series ArtistZ was tough - I love Frida Kahlo, Wolf Kahn, Kandinsky, Klee, Franz Kline.  But there's something about Gustav Klimt's works that blows my mind.

The famous portrait of Klimt's close friend and patron 'Adele Bloch-Bauer' (also known as 'The Woman in Gold') took 3 years to complete in 1907.   There's a current movie titled Woman in Gold about the true story of Maria Altmann, the niece of Adele Bloch-Bauer, who fought to reclaim the ownership of the painting that was stolen by the Nazis during the invasion of Vienna.  A remarkable story.

The painting is a collage of oils and gold-leaf applications and I played with a metallic copper ground color and mixtures of gold and copper oils to bring out the effect.  You can see little bits of the ground color shimmering throughout my painting - a bit hard to see in the image above. 

"Hopper"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

I'm happy to resume my series ArtistZ  today - and it was hard to choose between Hopper and Hockney for H, my choice came down to the artist who always inspires and blows me away.  Edward Hopper has been one of my most-influential painters - his settings, his feeling of solitude, his color harmonies and his light.  Oh the light.  

To choose a favorite of Hopper's is nearly impossible for me.  I can say I've experienced the iconic 'Nighthawks' a number of times in the Art Institute of Chicago and every time it's a fresh look.  Aside from the numerous parodies done of this masterpiece and the fact it is one of the most recognizable artworks,  it's really a brilliant composition that moves me every time I visit it. 

A Conversation with Antrese on The Savvy Painter Podcast

I am a huge fan of The Savvy Painter Podcasts and I was honored to be interviewed by Antrese Wood, who is great at hosting artist interviews and she's an artist herself.

If you're interested in listening to my recent talk with Antrese, click here.  You can also subscribe to The Savvy Painter Podcasts on iTunes.

"Chagall"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

I'm coming back to life and painting again.  Yay.

Continuing with my new series ArtistZ - a woman standing in the blue light of one of Marc Chagall's 'America Windows' in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Chagall makes me happy, calm.  The paintings can be complex, with movement and scenery and music playing.  My favorite painting of Chagall's is 'Lovers In a Red Sky'.

"Bacon"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

A new addition to my series ArtistZ - featuring one of my favorite paintings by Francis Bacon.   It's tough to pick a favorite of Bacon's, I suppose this piece has a figure sitting and I often paint that subject.  And I dig those colors together, the mustard-gold, navy blues and that neon green in the top third.

One of the first artbooks I bought, years ago, was of Francis Bacon's work - I was very into the illustrators Brad Holland and Marshall Arisman - both painted strikingly-dark subject matter, a bit eerie, perfect for illustrating dark stories.  Those years I dreamed of being an illustrator.  Bacon was very much the same vein, but his compositions and large blocks of color around figures, his distorted figures, his macabre, nightmarish works really grabbed me.  

This painting by Bacon featured in my painting is one of many studies of Peter Lacy, whom Bacon had a tempestuous relationship with until Lacy's death in 1962.

Right On!

"A Community United" Benefit in Charleston SC

The Charleston food and beverage community is honoring the victims, familes and congregation of Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church with a gathering bringing together the people of Charleston.

The event 'A Community United' will be held at the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel on July 9th.

Robert Lange Studios has organized an auction of about 90+ pieces of art - all donated from the artists.  100% of all proceeds will be donated in 9 equal portions directly to the immediate surviving family members.

I have donated "Retirement Benefits".

sold

~  Thank you and Peace to All

"Emanuel A.M.E. at Dawn"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

Before I began heading home early in the morning, on my last visit to the beautiful city of Charleston,  I pulled over to look at the colorful, glowing sky and the church steeple of Emanuel A.M.E..

I suppose I painted this peaceful moment to make myself feel better.

"X"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

I have to tell you - figuring out the X in my series  A to Z  was mind-boggling until I started focusing on the X as a pattern rather than a word.   

A glass ceiling projecting patterns and shadows on the floor while a young woman sketches in the Sculpture Gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

"Patience"

8 x 8"

oil on panel 
sold

The simple pleasure of finding a shady spot with a companion.

"Volumes"

4-1/4 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I got a little carried away with this new addition to my series A to Z - an avid reader pouring thru the volumes in a bookstore in the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia.

I spent the entire day on this - chalk it up to a mellow, rainy day and having on a couple of excellent documentaries I highly recommend - The Other One, the Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir and Pete Seeger: The Power of Song.

"Tee Off"

6 x 8"

oil on panel
sold 

Golfing by the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea.

"Honing In"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

A pro golfer honing in on the path to the hole.

"Net Earnings"

7-1/2 x 9"

oil on panel
sold

A new painting that features on of my hero artists, Winslow Homer.  A young lady is viewing Homer's  'The Herring Net' in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Retired"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Ah...... the good life.

A new addition to my series A to Z - a man and his best friend enjoying the sun and sand and a good book on Hilton Head Island.

"Nocturne"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

One of these days, or nights, I'll travel around and take photos for a long-desired series of nocturne paintings.   This new piece is an addition to my series A to Z.

From a quiet alley late at night in Savannah, Georgia.

"Industrial"

4 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I'm back to painting in my spankin' clean studio - with this new addition to my series A to Z.  I played with a different technique, using a white ground rather than black,  painting different values of a grey-umber then scratching and washing and wiping out areas.   I love it.

From the industrial district outside of Seattle, Washington.

"Hot Dog"

7 x 4-1/2"

oil on panel
sold

I loaded on the paint with a palette knife for texture and richer color - very fun to do and good practice.  My palette is empty and that's a sign to take a break and give my studio a good spring cleaning and watch some baseball.  Preferably with a hot dog.    I'll be back soon with the rest of the series.

A new addition to my series A to Z - a Ballpark hot dog with mustard and relish, just the way I like it.

"A Visit to the Rabbi"

6 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

A quiet visit with Marc Chagall's 'The Praying Jew', which hangs in the New Modern Wing in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Sunday Best"

8 x 10"

oil on panel
sold  

A woman dressed for such an occasion as 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte'.   George Seurat's famous painting can be seen at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.

"On a Lark"

9 x 11"

oil on panel
sold 

I have my personal favorites in the Art Institute of Chicago - 'The Song of the Lark' by Jules Breton is one of them.  A picture says a thousand words...

Back when the movie 'Monuments Men' was premiering, Bill Murray, a part of the cast, opened up during a promotion gig about the painting saving his life.  You can read about it here.

Please click here for a larger view.

"For the Love of Monet"

10 x 10"

oil on panel
sold 

A woman reading the details of Claude Monet's 'Irises', from the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Please click here for a larger view.

"Drive"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

D for Drive - a golfer practicing his chips on a driving range on Hilton Head Island, an addition to my new series A to Z.

"Crossword"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

C for Crossword - a weekly obsession of mine to complete the New York Times Sunday puzzle, at least by the following Sunday.   This new painting is part of my new series A to Z.

~ Happy Spring

"Beach"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

This addition to my new series 'A to Z' could be Boy in a Bathing Suit at the Beach.  I simplified it.