Undercolor studies

green flower study on red- 12x12 oil on paper

    I recall when I was experimenting with watercolor paint how I would do apple after apple study in front of a north facing window. I must have done 25-30 different apples before being able to teach myself a way to make them work. Unsatisfied with the results, I moved on to oil studies again with the apples but this time paying specific attention to the color and shape that made a deep crimson short round "macintosh" differ from a cad red, taller "red delicious" type of apple. The most fun to all these silly studies was not only could I name that apple on site but the challenge to find an apple I never met before.
    Much like the apples, I did flower studies on opposite and textured colored backgrounds for practice on how undercolors work in oil painting. I did a dozen studies last spring in a "share project" and enjoyed the practice of this series so much that I thought to consider picking it up again next winter. Then I found some flowers I never met before!!!  They were the elusive green flowers so difficult to find when you are practicing all colors of flowers on all opposite colors of background. Hence I got inspired to return to the series despite plein air season where the the majority of my production is outdoor ...'scapes. At least I am using natural light source instead of the studio lighting from last spring. I doubt that I will be as productive as 2 a week (like last spring) but if the unusual flowers keep sneaking in town... who knows?

New work exhibiting at the History Harbor Museum

The 15th Annual Juried Maritime Art Exhibition is held at the beautiful Harbor History Museum located on the historical Gig Harbor waterfront. The Harbor History Museum is honored to host an exciting venue for artists to showcase their maritime-themed works of art. This will be the fourth year the exhibition will be held at this location. The 15th annual Maritime show has accepted  a one of my paintings for the exhibition that displays from July 27 - September 14, 2014.

North Head Lighthouse

North Head lighthouse 9x12 oil on gessoboard

   It was a strong winded morning at the North Head lighthouse as I put on 4 layers of clothing and hunkered down to paint. I was able to wedge myself into a land crevice about 18 inches deep beside a fence which grew another 25-30 inches of tall grasses which helped to break the wind slightly. Still the easel and box stood vulnerable to the winds to where I had to hold the set up with half the hand often gripping the fence with a few fingers when the winds really kicked up. Not as bad as the admiralty lighthouse painting adventure but perhaps nearly as cold and exhausting.

Plein air in Purdy

Purdy bridge- 8x10 oil on linen

   Another cold windy summer day on the puget sound as I painted the historic Purdy bridge for my plein air outing. When built in 1937, the Purdy Bridge was the 1st bridge in the U.S. to utilize a reinforced concrete box girder design... ya learn something new every day.

Chambers Bay plein air

Chambers Bay golf course 8x10 oil on canvas

   This summer I have switched up my plein air formula. After the initial shock of going from maybe 15 colors to only the 3 primaries and a brown and a white, I then switched from gessoboard to cloth switching between linen and canvas. Then I tried a few stretched canvases that are gallery wrapped so I tried the "paint the sides" trick which is a little odd and hard to transport. Still I was able to get this fairly decent study overlooking the Chambers Bay golf course.

Working on site at the festival Saturday July 19th

 For those art enthusiasts, I invite you to come join us on  Judson Street
in Gig Harbor's Historic Waterfront District for the Summer Art Festival. Support your local artists, musicals and community events in an all day event that runs both days.  I have the pleasure of working Saturday in the Peninsula Arts League demo tent along side other talented artists to paint, chat about art and answer any questions you may have about all the wonderful things PAL offers the community. See you there!

Art in the Garden show... artwork of garden tours past

Gardeners of Gig Harbor are putting in the finishing touches to ready for the Gig Harbor Garden Tour (June 28th & 29th) where they share their estates of beauty with 100s of garden enthusiasts while raising money for the local literacy program. Community artists have been invited to come honor these incredible creations with their creative talents to work on site for the 2 day event. I will be looking forward to my 4th consecutive year as "artist in the garden" in one of 7 locations. Until then, check out the Art in the Garden show at the Kimball running through  June 30th- work from tours past.

So many lighthouses... so little time!

Admirality Head Lighthouse- 18x24 oil

   Last year I visited Admiralty Head Lighthouse, hoping for a sunny day. Got the sun but 40-60 mph winds made the painting a challenge. The worst was "lawn mower guy" who 1/2 through the battle (against the wind), launched a sneak attack from behind/above covering  my fresh painted surface with grass cuttings. Back in Studio-G , I worked an 18x24 grisaille on mid gray canvas through the summer with white and left over Gamblin's torrit grey paint. This spring I added color in washes which gave the piece a very glowing look. The collection builds...

Look what just came ashore...

Point Wilson Lighthouse 18 x 18 oil

   After spending last weekend in Port Townsend where I was finally able to tour the lighthouse interior, I did again another paint study ( #6) of a lighthouse I visit annually. As I was zipping though the smaller 6x8 quick study it occurred to me that I had an 18x18 painting perhaps 80% completed that I began last summer. With the recent visit fresh in my mind, I decided to finish the painting .. oh wait, does it have to have the date on it? Nauh!!!
   Check back to see where it will be exhibiting this year... the image doesn't do it justice.

Fresh as an... Iris.

"Iris study" 12x12 oil on paper

   The newest thing to come off the easel is this flower study completed ala prima 5 days ago. It is the final work of a 3 month experiment I refer to as the 12"x12" project. The challenge was to format a collection of absolute guidelines in which to build a collection of works themed in one subject.
    I chose flowers to paint on complementary color backgrounds. Sometimes in portraits and other times in bouquets, I have created a dozen studies of flowers ranging from red roses on green backgrounds to violet irises against yellow doing a different pair of complementary colors each week. While I would like to continue this series (perhaps under different criteria) the practice will take sabbatical as the plein air season has begun and studio work will wane away again until winter. Stay informed as the news for upcoming art to be exhibited will be posted here.

New work exhibits at the Civic Center May 1st - June 15th.

Netshed show postcard

In all the silence, Studio-G has been pretty busy producing  new works for the Netshed Show. There are 2 large works that are companion pieces dealing in the theme of opposites. Using opposing colors (blue and brown) I pushed the graphic nature of relief printing with the yielding soft nature of painting. While both of the works focus on the strengths of architecture and texture so prevalent to such historical structures, they contrast the feasibility of their nature with the modern still life found in the contents of such interiors. One view is perceived from the outside looking in while the other piece is viewed from the inside looking out. Although they are very different  for all you fans who prefer my usual plein air work, there is a 3rd piece in the other style, oil paint on gessoboard.  It was a fantastic thought provoking project I had the pleasure joining for the first show of the year. Come enjoy the artwork my fellow talented community artists as we come together to commemorate these historical Netsheds.  Enjoy. 

Neshed#14 (Babach)
"Reflections, from the outside looking in"
24x32 -mixed media relief print

Netshed Challenge Show

 May 1st-June 15th

Civic Center 

3510  Grandview

Gig Harbor, WA

M-F 8am-5pm

Irish Spring?

Gr Pom study- 12x12 oil on paper

The last few months has been "flowers on stage" in the studio with a color rotation every 2 weeks. Since spring is officially in bloom everything seems to be getting a little greener- including the model rotation. I thought to find green cut flowers may be a bit of a challenge as I don't recall ever seeing any. I thought for sure I would be painting a carnation but alas I found 2 varieties: the palm green Pompon and a yellow green rose. Perhaps they were left over from St. Patrick's day but found these Irish eyes laughing...

Improovements over time

"John" 12x12 charcoal

After half a dozen portrait studies the last few weeks, I finally got a sketch I was pleased with in my 80 minute's worth of "face time". Nearing the end of a 45 page portrait book, I think about how limited I used to feel with such a short time to work. Now, a year or more later, I am beginning to believe that I can make something worthy in my minimal allowance.

Jim using the trois crayon method

Jim- 12x12 bk,wht & red conte on cardstock

   Jim is my 3rd victim to the procedure of "trois crayon" during my 90 minute modeling sessions. Although it is still a method that I am baffled by, this is actually the first time I have felt that there may be hope for success some day... and somewhere in all this, I believe I will enjoy the product.

Prespring Voodoo

red rose study 12x12 study in oil

With an abundance of warm weather and sunshine comes inspiration of plein air painting yet the great outdoor is not quite ready for painting. So Studio-G has had an invasion of flowers. This month has seen yellow rose, daffodils and now red roses... THEN it snowed. I'm wondering if the groundhog saw his shadow or all these flowers jinxed the weather to remind us winter is still in full swing.

Feb 8th snow on Bhouse



Superbowl Sunday Spirit

Harley Davidson "Hawk Hog" -watercolor study 6"x6"

GO HAWKS!!!

Wrapping up the year

As the train rolls out of "Holidayland" to conclude the year, I want to thank all those establishments (The Kimball, The Hub, Gig Harbor Boatshop, History Harbor Museum, Key Bank, The Lodge at Mallard's Landing, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Tacoma Community College... ect) who offered their generosity in supporting the arts and exhibited my work throughout the puget sound; it has been an honor. I also want to thank my audience who have shared their enjoyment and comments through attendance of the exhibitions and purchases of the artwork. While 2014 has many wonderful designs on the (drafting) table for art projects, it will be a "studio year" which means less alla prima and more sustained creations. In addition to the more time invested projects "Studio-G" will not be participating in the frequency of exhibitions that 2013 witnessed. On occasion there will be entries to update progress or other side projects but it has been in my audiences best interest to begin these 2 larger projects. Stay tuned for more... from Studio-G.

Deck the halls as the studio goes into quite a few silent nights.

"Charlie" 12x12 charcoal

As the holidays approach, the artwork refrains from decking the walls with portraits of "Charlie". Although there is much creativity outside the studio (there's more than one way to light a tree) the more serious sessions of study take a sabbatical for a few week. Concluding the modeling sessions for the year is "Charlie".



Sunflower #12

"In Memory of Paul"

   As we advance in life it becomes more and more dificult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed- Vincent Van Gogh





Gig Harbor Boatshop: New work showing Nov 15th

"All is Calm, All is Bright"
5x7 Pen and Ink Washes

Holiday artwork displays at the Boatshop's gift shop in Gig Harbor this season as 9 local artists come together to offer their "gifts" of creativity to the community in a small works collection ideal for unique indulgences. Got that special somebody that has everything? Maritime paintings might just be the thing to deck thier walls this season with a wide assortment of 45 different works to choose from. Hurry down before the selection dwindles. Sale goes Nov 15th-Dec 30th: Gig Harbor Boatshop 3805 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, WA 98335 (253) 857-9344 Hours:Daily except Wednesday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog... the scare hare!!!

...WASN'T IT ?!?



It was just an innocent little bunny...



I Can't tell you how many times I have been out painting on my own, far far from home, catching those last moments of possible daylight when... there is a rustling in a patch of dim detail not far from where I am packing my supplies to go. Quickly I reach for the (palette) knife and scrape my poison (cadmium) onto it's concealed tip! The other hand fumbles for the pretty poison cocktail (linseed oil and damar varnish with a bit of English turpentine) and I know I'm ready for anything!!! Out hops the most dangerous marauder of all... a cotton tailed wabbit? As I put down the lethal weapons and pick up something to shoot the intruder (my camera) I witness the glowing eyes as the warning from Tim of spam-a-lot heeds before the moment of regret "He's got a vicious streak a mile wide!" ---I back away slowly.

Studio (outdoors) Closed

"Summer's end" 6x8 oil on linen

The next 2 days will be spent (if all goes well) en plein air but then the gear becomes retired until April. As many know I like to spend the closing of the summer with my homage to Van Gogh by finding a mammoth sunflower and doing a portrait. Having "circumstances beyond my control" I sort of missed the sunflower season in all my usual haunts so I spent a few weeks with cut sunflowers (no mammoths) painting from natural light... not quite the same but--- I'll take it. Then a fellow "fan of Vinnie" told me of a small waning few in a small community garden on Fox Island. I was due to meet my plein air group for what would be the last session of the season on Thursday but pale weather and looming deadlines for the show created from this group had turn out to be poor. Uninspired by the settled gloom of a grey day at a site I have painted twice before I waited but nobody showed up so I snuck over to the rumored sunflower stash and low and behold I found my summers end model. By the time I had set up and the drawing roughed in the clouds parted and my monster mammoth glowed as only they know to show.

One time showing

"The Enchanted Cottage" 16x20 oil on canvas

   Studio-G is proud to represent 1st place with  "The Enchanted Cottage" (one of 6 new pieces) for one show only at The Lodge in Gig Harbor. Come see the talented works of the local artists in this collection of plein air efforts showing through the end of October.

3rd annual En Plein Air opens Oct 5th- new work exhibiting

    The summer is finally coming to a close which means many local artists will be hanging up their sunhats and returning to studio to work. Fortunately those of us that have been working en plein air will be sharing many of our creations at The Lodge. Come join us with a glass of wine for the reception...
RSVP at The Lodge at Mallard's Landing for
 Saturday Oct 5th 2-4pm.

PAL members show at the Kimball-new work

Fall Member’s Show

September 30th through October 28th at Kimball Gallery. Peninsula Arts League members are showing their new creations in the comfort of their local coffee house. I will be exhibiting a new oil painting "Bench with a View" a studio piece completed this summer. Drop in out of the flash flood 50mph winds and treat yourself to an expresso and good art. 

Pratt Fine Arts Center Showcases Big Prints: New work, fresh from the studio.

Going Big!!! After spending the last 8 weeks in the Pratt printmaking studios, I am honored to be showing one of the 30x40 serigraphs from those sessions called, "Images of the South" on display through the end of the year along with a collection of 5 other artist's who took the challenge with a 34"x48" screen.

Two Waters Alliance Juried Members Show Opening September 6th

Key Center Library is proud to be hosting the Two Waters Alliance Juried Members Show from September until October 30th. There are 34 fantastic pieces of artwork by it's members in all mediums and styles. Look for 2 pieces from Studio-G displayed in the conference room within the library. The Key Center Library is open six days a week. Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Key Center Library 8905 KPN Lakebay, WA 98349 253-548-3309

11th Annual Open Juried Show- new work showing

The Peninsula Art League invites you to join us at the opening reception of our 11th Annual Open Juried Exhibition. This year’s show features works by 90 artists from across the nation, representing a variety of media. Many of these artists will be available to discuss their work at the reception and opening.
Friday August 30th from 6-8pm at the History Harbor Museum in Gig Harbor.

Peninsula Art League Member Show- new work exhibited. Working on site at the Art Festival

   I have the pleasure of working in the Peninsula Art League Plein Air/Art Demo tent during the festival this year where I have chosen to work in a drawing media on a still life that I will set up in the tent Saturday ~ 10am to 4pm. Feel free to stop by and watch the artists working on various works in a variety of mediums, listen to some live music or check out one of the 125 vendors selling thier creative work at the festival. There will also be a 2 day exhibition of Peninsula Art League Members inside key bank where I am exhibiting a new painting from this years plein air season- artist reception is at 6 pm.

The 29th Annual Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival July 20 & 21, 2013 Saturday ~ 10am to 6pm; Sunday ~ 10 am to 5pm on Judson Street in Gig Harbor's Historic Waterfront District . . . . . .

125 artists from throughout the Northwest will be showing and selling their work at this year's festival. We'll also have a variety of food vendors, live music and lots of art-making activities for children thanks to the nice people at Arcadia Montesorri School and Curious By Nature Preschool. And if you'd like to try your hand at some sidewalk art, wander down to the waterfront and "Chalk the Harbor."

 

GH Garden Tour- Canterwood



"Shoes on the porch" 9x12 oil



I came. I saw. I returned and I painted- while I melted!!! Record breaking temperatures found me spending the afternoon with my back to the sun at a Canterwood estate. The scene was so inspiring that it practically painted itself. Special thanks to the Wimber host and hostess for keeping this scene preserved until I could paint it.

14th Annual Juried Art Exhibit- exhibiting work. Working on locations all weekend.

   Another day, another oppertunity to enjoy the beauty of nature. This weekend I will be painting at Eddon Boat Shop http://gigharborboatshop.org/ as well as Blue Willow's annual Lavender Festival http://www.bluewillowlavenderfarm.com/Blue_Willow_Lavender_Farm/

   If you prefer to see finished work, come to 14th Annual Juried Maritime Art Exhibit at the History Harbor Museum July 20-August 25 2013 where I have the honor of exhibiting with some great artist's vision of all things marine. Artist reception is Friday 19th, hope to see you there.

The Mocking Fountain

   When attending a plein air event 2 weeks ago, I was looking for inspiration. Many times had I been to this particular location painting so I was looking for a new challenge when I saw it... a green water fountain. No not a water fountain painted green but rather a mossy fountain for people to drink from... it was too unusual. Not intending to plague my precious landscape observation time, I turned my back on the little fountain to again paint a scene which was poorly lit- not something I saw as inspirational.

"Mocking Fountain" 6x8 oil on linen

    On breaks I glanced at the mocking fountain that screamed of sarcasm. It was far more distracting than my subject, yet I studiously continued the study of repetition. Maybe 2 hours later I finished the  'scape (glad it was small) and scoffed at the mocking fountain but it was the model that got the last laugh! The more I looked the more  I saw the beauty in it's geometric harmony of composition enhanced by it's blue/green subject against it's yellow red background. The time invested in my mocking fountain was personally one that "made" the outing worth while.

Studio-G's first studio biggie.



Saltwater State Park 18x24 oil on canvas

      SO different from  working on location, I just finished my first (larger) studio painting in over a decade. Almost a trial if you will, I discovered many new ways to work. I worked from my on location 9x12 paint study the first 2-3 sessions before putting it aside to let the piece become its own work. The final sessions I worked the painting for believability and some sort of balance/harmony in the piece.

Fox Island Garden Tour... Artist in the garden

"Dana's Garden" 9x12 oil on panel

  
Last month I had the pleasure of enjoying an estate for a few hours working as what I refer to myself as "artist in your garden". Although the day was threatening rain and overcast most of my working session, it did not diminish the beauty of this well loved estate nor the 100s of viewers that attend this event each year. Next stop... Gig Harbor- for the tour of course!

Studio-G weekend working GHGT

   This year I am scheduled to be painting at 3 gardens during the Gig Harbor Garden Tour. If your on the tour stop in and watch the paint dry: Sat 10-1 @ Garden #3, Sat 2-5 @ Garden #6, Sun 10-3 @ Garden #2. Images to be posted soon. Catch me if you can!

Did somebody move my car?

1930 Dussenberg 12x18 graphite

   Okay, its my own fault for lack of time, but (sigh) "Bummer!" I was working on a sustained drawing of weekly visits to the La May's to draw the Dussenberg with no less than 12 hours invested. I got busy with other work and wasn't able to return for 3 weeks and when I returned- I didn't see my car where I left it... at the top of the Ford collection. Apparently somebody moved my car to make room for another in front of it. The nerve of the driver of that other car parking in front of mine!!! Just like a real parking lot.

   Needless to say, the perspective's changed, the lighting has changed... The good news- I'm done with the drawing. Further more when I went to look for my other car the 1914 Cadillac that I left parked on the 1st floor, not only was it also moved (same place different position) but my bench had been replaced with still another car. Sneaky little museum giving us variety. I'm just finishing drawings left at right- by chance. That will teach me to stay away too long! Now if I can just get the museum to put the hoods down on all those cars I saw last Thursday... I think it is a Father's day weekend special thing they are doing.

Instant gratification

  


Hobbie- 12x12 charcoal

 There is a term we artists use when we can do a work in one session and it turns out fairly well. Because I do more sustained work that can take 20-80 hours from concept to completion, there is something to the "one shot" work that allows little more than the allowance a model affords. Hence is a portrait of "Hobbie"- 90 minutes of actual model time to execute as much information as I can while working from life.

Uptown Art Walk Collection

 

Come enjoy the fantastic works that my coworkers and I  will be exhibited throughout the month at Gig Harbor's newest shopping complex:

June 1st-30th Art Walk at the Uptown

Come view local artists' work at these participating shops:

Bella Kitchen and Home

Coldwater Creek

Cutters Point

Gig Harbor Film Festival

The Garden Room

Jamba Juice

J. Jill

Julep

Massage Envy

MultiCare

Soma Intimates

Studio Six, the Salon

Teaching Toys Too

Tickles Salon

Uptown Eyes

FOX PAW exhibiting at the HUB: showing new work...it's about time!!!

"Illusions of Time" 18x24
Silkscreen 4 color handmade print

   Brand new artwork "Illusions of Time" a triptych fresh out of Studio-G will make its debut amoung a few of my other printmaking pieces in the Fox PAW group show running May 31st through July. The show includes a wide variety of artists working in varied mediums and styles. Come on out June 19th, Wednesday at 4 pm –6 pm as a reception for the artists will be held at the Hub 203 Tacoma Ave S. Tacoma WA 253-683-4606.

Gig Harbor Boatshop featured artist:Just in time... for the Maritime Festival.

Studio-G on site painting
 "The One That Got Away"

   For the 3 years I have been painting en plein air, I have made Eddon Boat Dock one of my regular places to visit each summer. This year is no exception but with added extras! In correlation with the Maritime Festival Parade in Gig Harbor ( June 1st), I have a collection of maritime themed paintings to go on exhibit through the month of June. In addition to this artwork I will be painting "on site" during the month (exact date TBA). So if your looking for a party enjoy the day long maritime festival and be sure to stop in at the historical Boatshop to support local business.  

June 1st-30th

Gig Harbor BoatShop at Eddon Boatyard

3805 Harborview Drive
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 857-9344
Hours:Tuesday through Sunday
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
http://www.gigharborboatshop.org/home.html



"The One That Got Away"
 9x12 oil on gessoboard



Take a breath... now back to work!



bench with a view

    After much work last month (5 plein air studies of various lighthouses in under 4 weeks), I took a few days to regenerate. Okay I was actually at a lighthouse but with a view like this sometimes you have to put down the paint brush and breath it all in.
   Although it will take much of the summer before this new body of lighthouse paintings will show, work from Studio-G marches on! Next on the roster for exhibition will be "Fox PAW artists" group show opening May 31st at the Hub in Tacoma. Details to follow...

Studio-G: growth spurt

point wilson LH (18x18 & 9x12)... in progress

   This year a handful of midsized landscape works will be created in Studio-G. My customers and places where I have show have suggested/requested that I go beyond my main stay/affordable 9x12 "little jewels" size. Shortly after the economy folded, I sized down my artwork significantly to a more affordable size both to work in as well as for sales. Although I did sell a 28x36 last May, the smaller works are easier to finish, store and sale which in turn keeps me creating a larger variety for the public.

   Begining in June larger (16x20+) works will be finished and exhibited during the next 6 months as a trial run as well as a to feed a craving I have fought to "go big" for some time. Postings for these works will be mentioned here so... Stay tuned!

Eat, Drink and... breath easy

      Engagement #3 for artwork from Studio-G was the most festive of openings as it was a celebration towards transition. This engagement is the last major collection of work scheduled to exhibit for the year. There will be future shows where new work will be shown but most of them are group shows.

    In the mean time I will be dedicating most of my time to working outside the studio en plein air to create a new body of work which will begin showing this autumn. There are many engagements already on the summer schedule for painting as well as a few projects yet to be revealed from both the studio as well as the drawing board so stay tuned to keep up with the latest postings and creations... from Studio-G.