"Caught"

12 x 3-7/8"

oil on panel
sold

Since I've been back to painting, my last three - a museum scene, shadows on a tiled floor and this fish - all have something in common.  They've all required intense concentration.  Intentionally to get me focused again.  That helps me get back to work.

Brett cleaned up and sharpened my palette knives for this new piece.  Palette knife painting is freakin' hard.  It takes the ultimate self-control.  It kinda drives me nuts, but practicing is a good thing.  A fish has texture and I thought this subject would be perfect for this exercise.  And frankly, second to dogs, I love painting fish.

Here's a close-up.

"Unwrapped"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

My appreciation for the multitudes of colors in a fish.

"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.

"All Of Me"

12 x 4"

oil on panel
sold
 

I had one more long panel, perfect for my sardine.  I've painted the head, the tail and the head and now I get to do the whole fish.

I signed it lightly, underneath the fin on the bottom right so it can be displayed horizontal or upright, which looks cool too.

a closer view of the left half

a closer view of the right half 

"Heads & Tails"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Can't get enough of these cool, iridescent fish.  I admit I won't eat fish but I love to paint them.

"Sammy"

7 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

A glistening, iridescent sardine I named Sammy.

"Soy Soak"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Back to painting and feeling a bit rusty after a week away from the brushes - I warmed up with this little still-life of California sushi rolls, soaking in soy sauce. Also the current challenge for other artists on my Different Strokes From Different Folks blog.

"Fish Head"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite

sold

Continuing on with the alphabet, F is for Fish Head - admittedly something I never eat, but find it a beautiful subject to paint because it includes every color in the rainbow.

"A Tunic and a Tuna"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

This scene is from the American Art Wing in the Art Institute - a gallery that has a bit more dimmed lighting overall, and strong spotlighting on the art and it's personal space. It does make for a striking visual, especially accenting the woman's grey hair and the patterns on her long blouse. I really like the overall feel of this piece.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Waterworld"

7 x 7"

oil on masonite

sold

It was a nice change, to paint a different scene than the usual. It made me think about the beach and the ocean blues as I was painting this small piece - a result of my recent visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It was also nice to capture a father and son moment.