"Father and Son" farm life, oil painting

There is an interesting book in the studio called "Farm Life". It documents in black and white photos, the life of a farm family through two generations. The photographer and author lived with the family on and off during the life of a boy until he grew up, married and had his own family. I have looked through this book many times and find it not only a fascinating account of one aspect of American life but an inspirational source for painting subjects when I have forgotten my images and can't go outside to paint.
I added the painting in the drawing phase. Charcoal thinned with turps.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Daily Painters Studio Tour

The awsome artists on "Daily Painters" website are all going to post a picture of their studios. You can check them out by clicking on the Daily Painters widget. This is mine. Most of you have already seen the studio that I work from most of the time ,if not you can go back a few posts to see the Knowles Studio. This is my small studio at home which I get a lot of use from also, it's just hard to back up from a painting when you only have about 5 feet to back up and that is when the studio is clean, which it never is.
This is the most interesting feature of my studio. The cats private bathroom, designed by me to exhaust all cat box odors and paint fumes from the painting area. On the other side of this hole, which is cut through the wall of the house, is a plywood box containing two large litter trays( we can go about 30 days) with one of those window fans set on top to suck out the fumes. I leave it on low 24/7 and it works great!......Thats Rosie's butt...she loves her "Kittie Kan"!..........oh and I did not pick the drapes......

"Chev. Truck" and "Mt Rainier" finished, oil painting

Got to go back to this farm last week. Last year in November, when it snowed I got several successful paintings from the Bledsoe farm in Poulsbo on Pugh Rd. This year it was after our first snow. This truck was parked in the same exact position as last year so I painted it again from a different perspective.12x16, oil on stretched canvas $250.00
I finally finished the Mt Rainier painting, I decided to add a car for interest . I still havn't figured out if it is coming or going...... This could reflect metaphorically on the artist.......

1....the obvious...I don't know if I am coming or going..

2...I've had a mountain top experience and am now headed for the valley....or I've been in the valley and am now headed for the mountain....or my cars out of gas and I'm coasting to the gas station....

3....I didn't do a very good job on the car..

But the best thing is to let you ,the viewer tell the story.

18x24, oil on stretched canvas, $450.00

"Dock light" Bainbridge Island, oil painting

My job does have it's advantages. I get around a lot and always carry my camera with me. So when I can't get out to paint there is always a library of photos to pick from. This one is out on Bainbridge Island. 8x10, oil on panel, sold

" Fog Delivery" country landscape, oil painting

Just a quiet scene I wanted to get down on canvas before I lost the feel of it. I go down this road alot in the mornings on my way to get gas. Its one of those magical valleys that hold a thousand paintings of every mood depending on the light... 8x10 oil on masonite panel $135.00

" Behind the Hansville Store" oil painting, urban landscape

Another painting from the Hansville area. There is alot of cool stuff behind the Hansville store. About a mile down the beach from here is the Point no Point lighthouse. 14x18 oil on stretched canvas, $300.00

"Road Sign" Mt Rainier, updated

Got the day off today...yippi-ki-yea......because......well check out the picture of the studio below. That about says it all....and then behind that came...torrential rains and high winds.... The gov. declared the whole western side of the state a disaster area. Homes flooded, bridges out, roads closed. I feel actual pain when I see these homes flooded out because I was one of them several years back. Fortunately they replaced a culvert under the road that was the culprit and it swallowed all the water this time, P.T.L.

Anyway, I got to paint today and I worked on the Mt Rainier piece. This is one of those paintings that looks alot better in person. I also did a couple more to post later.Sold

Update on the "Crows" monotype....I guess you really need a printing press to do these except Leigh told me that some artists used steam rollers back in the 60s and huge paper. Also she said you can use ordinary oil paint and then a cloths pin for rolling but it won't look the same........By the way this print is about 9x12 , one of a kind (mono)type, $75.00

We ended up with about seven inches of snow before the monsoon hit. A one day winter wonderland.

" Road Sign" Mt Rainier , oil painting in progress

Cutting over to Port Orchard from Belfair on Lake Flora Rd. I had to pull over and take a picture of Mt Rainier. It was awsome with the last light of day illuminating the snow on top of the mountain. 18x24 oil on canvas , paiting in progress . Sorry for the poor photo image.

" Crows" monotype print

Thought I'd post my first monotype print. This was done from a photograph taken on Bainbridge Island at the Texico station. A favorite spot for working guys to get their lunch during the day. If it's not me , sombody is throwing out french fries ,potato chips or something for the seagulls and crows. I always get out my camera and try for pics of crows with attitude.

Monotype printing is easy, you just roll out some ink on a plexiglass plate and then wipe away the highlights. I'm already thinking of images that would be good for printing. SOLD

"Mikes Auto Repair" urban oil painting and Model study

This business is located under the 11th street overpass in Bremerton. I went by there again this week and they had spray painted the whole building... doors ,trim ,windows,... everything.... a kind of baby poo yellow ..So glad I got this painting before they did that. 18x24 oil on stretched canvas $450.00
Well I found a figure drawing class on Bainbridge Island. It will be good to get back to painting the figure...thats the best practice... I'll try to post what I do there. My first two paintings went to my friend Todd and I forgot to get pictures.

"Arts in the Woods" 07

I remembered to pull out the camera on Saturday. This is an oil painting of a sketch that was posted a while back.
Lots of folks came by on Fri. and Sat. We sold many paintings and had a great time talking to all the people that were touring all the studios.
Out of my comfort zone painting in front of lots of people and working on portrait and figure work.

"Arts in the Woods" and Veterans Day

Sorry for the lack of blog entries lately. I'm sitting here amazed by my own stupidity. I spent the whole day yesterday just having a blast talking with folks, selling paintings, prints and cards..Then I went over to fellow artists Tom and Dave Layton for an excellent dinner before we went to an opening show at Westsound Acadamy for artist illustrator Richard Jesse Watson......... www.richardjessewatson.com and I did not take one picture to post on my blog. I even did a demo painting and didn't get a picture. So..... nothing today but some great links to check out.... but don't worry I'll get lots of pics today.

Good friend and great artist Derek Gundy illustrated a video for Vietnam Veteran and musician Blind Albert. Check it out and say thanks to a vet this weekend! http://www.artistsedge.com/gallery.html

Thinking about painting, pencil sketches

I have been super busy getting ready for "Arts in the Woods" plus my regular job and other responsibilities. Funny how work gets in the way of all the stuff you want to do. But..I have been thinking alot about painting, working out compositions in my head and doing pencil drawings of ideas. Also what I call dry painting. Thats when an artists paints in his head when you can't actually paint on canvas . You think of the colors and palette you would use, what you would mix and what mood you would set. Hope to be back painting soon.



"ARTS IN THE WOODS" Nov, 9th, 10th and 11th at the Knowles studio on Noll rd. Thats Fri., Sat. and Sun. from 10am till 5pm . Go to the Cultural Arts Foundation website and click on Arts in the Woods for maps and info http://www.cafnw.org/

Trinity Parish Church, Seattle churches

Sometimes it takes me awhile to get my brain wrapped around an idea. I have had these pictures of Trinity Parish Church for over six months now and I am just getting around to working out some paintings. I did a photo shoot back in April for a commission painting and now I'm afraid they have forgotten about me. My procrastination began when I couldn't decide how to compose the photo that really stood out into a good painting, so I just set the whole project aside. I finally realized that while it might have been a good photograph it was not going to make a great painting and moved on to this image which I think works better. Sold

Portrait oil painting, farm life

A quick sketch on the butcher paper covering the drawing table at the studio. From an old farm book.

Oil on paper, 8x10 $95.00

"Arts in the Woods" Nov 9th,10th and 11th.....Open studio tour at the Knowles studio in beautiful Poulsbo. Click on http://www.cafnw.org/ and go to "Arts in the Woods" for more info and maps.

"Crossroad" oil landscape painting

Early morning headed to Indianola on Gunderson Rd. I don't advise stopping in the middle of the road to snap pictures on dark mornings unless you have a red flasher on top of your car.

6x6 oil on panel $95.00

Don't forget " Arts in the Woods" Nov. 9th, 10th and 11th , 10am till 5pm at the Knowles studio in Poulsbo. Located on Noll rd. Click on " Arts in the Woods" on the Cultural Arts Foundation website at http://www.cafnw.org/ from there you can down load maps and info. Hope to see you there! SOLD

ARTS IN THE WOODS, North Kitsap Studio Tour, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 9th,10th and 11th

For those of you who have inquired about my next show, it will be an open studio tour in Poulsbo called "Arts in the Woods" I will be at the " Knowles Studio", Leigh and Jim Metteer's beautiful studio on Noll road. From Bainbridge you can turn right on Noll rd off 305 and follow it till you see the studio signs for Knowles studio. If you are in Poulsbo head up Lincoln Hill till you come to Noll rd and turn right.
This is last years set up for Arts in the Woods. This year joining Leigh and myself will be Dave and Tom Layton, photographers Who have travelled widely in other countries doing portrait, landscape and nature work.
I will be demonstrating oil and watercolor painting and there will be cards and reproductions of the works available
Leigh will most likely be working on the printer doing linotype or monotype printing.

Chicken, 6x6 oil on panel

No story on this chicken painting except as soon as I painted it....It sold....kinda cool....

sold

The Flower Vendor, Pike street market, Seattle

I worked about four more hours on the face of the vendor and I think that will do it. Now I'll set up the painting and live with her awhile, see where I need to make some final adjustments.
sold

The Flower Vendor, Pike Street Market, I.P.

I worked all day, about 8 hours straight through on this painting today and it is almost finished. I am happy with the whole painting except the face of the vendor which is the focal point and key to the entire piece. hopefully I can put the spark of life into this painting that will make it exceptional.....stay tuned

The Flower Vendor, painting in progress

Lets see, alot has been happening that has kept me from painting besides painters block and the fact that my mom got run over in the Albertsons parking lot by another senior citizen who apparently could not see over the dash board of her car. bad news is mom sustained a broken left wrist and right foot but she gained a new friend.

I did get a chance to get some new photos while showing my cousin Sandy, her hubby Rich and my aunt Bea around town last week.

I jumped back into painting with this ambitious (for me) 28x22 inch stretched canvas of a flower vendor at the Pike street market in Seattle. This one will take awhile but I got a good start on it today while waiting to take my mom to the doctors.

This is Aunt Bea from Perry Ohio. Seems my week was full of fiesty seniors. We had a great time!

"The Manure Spreader"," Boat Haven Painters", " Dalias on the Deck", oil landscapes,marinescape and still life

This plein air painting of the "Manure Spreader" kinda sums it up for me this last week. Painting has been such a struggle for some reason. I think I'm gonna step back and take a breather for awhile. ....11x14 oil on panel done down on Big Valley road at the Veterinary clinic.. $200.00
Saturday down at the boat haven in Port Townsend. This guy saw me painting , came over and said, " Hey if you like to paint I'll give you a job", and tryed to hand me his respirator. 8x8 oil on panel, $135.00
These dalias on my deck just keep drawing me in. I can't help trying to paint them even though I don't want to....10x8 oil on panel $135.00

Boarded Up

These old fishing cabins in Hansvill will soon be gone , replaced by development that will probably include condominiums. It's nice to record some history before it disapears

12x9 oil on panel, $200.00 SOLD
Saturday we took the train to Portland to view the Rembrandt exhibit at the Portland Art Museum. In this painting Rembrandt paints a self portrait as the apostle Paul. Many of the dutch masters were represented in the show. Interesting to see how many of the paintings had a moral lesson hidden in them through means of symbolism or were biblically based.
Heres the crew who went down, from the left Jim, Leigh, Karen,Claudia, Mike and me. On the train back when we were all wiped out and hoping for sleep they let a group of about 20 ladies having a bachelorette party on our car, still I slept through most of it except for some really loud war whooping or whatever.........

Warm Dalias

I'm pooped. I'll tell ya about my weekend later.. 9x12, oil on panel Sold

Field Study in Oil

Trying to get to the essence of my subject here, one hand holding the brush the other tearing my hair out.

8x8 oil on panel $125.00

From the Fuel Dock

I got an unexpected day off today so packed up the old red van with paints, thermos, etc. and headed into Kingston. They have a quiet little marina there by the ferry dock. The morning was perfect with beautiful light.

White Lilys in Watercolor

This time I worked out the composition in watercolor. I think it is more balanced with the blossom at the base of the blue vase. I've got this still life set up on my back porch. As long as the lily's last, and they seem to last a long time, I will keep trying to paint them.

14x14 watercolor on Arches hot press $100.00

No Cigar

You know the saying "Nice try no cigar" Thing is I got these lily's blooming late in my garden. They have to be painted but how? Tons of artists from O'Keeffe on down have painted these flowers in every conceivable composition. This is the best I could come up with. I've considered scraping ,splattering, flipping(as in my Frisbee pile), bottom line, I'm just not done with this painting . Something has to be done. I'll figure it out........stay tuned.
The only one enjoying this was Rosie...... Gimme a cats life.
The opening of the Washington Academy of Music show was alot of fun. not a huge turnout but I sold a painting and had a good time jamming with Derek from Artists Edge. These guys are jazz musicians playing for the show.

Daily Coffee Bar

I've been stopping at this coffee stand for like 15 years . Its got a convenient spot to pull up your big truck. This is the view if you were sitting in the cab. Then you can hop out grab a cheesey dog for breakfast pack it with lots of relish,ketchup and mustard so you get all the food groups that make up a healthy meal .Oh ya throw in a Dr Pepper and a Snickers . Then cruise in for the daily fix at the daily coffee bar...mmmm thats livin! 8x10 oil on panel $125.oo sold
Meet Jolynn, along with her business partner Satara they own the Daily Coffee Bar. I love her smile! Hey JoJo!

Pear on Paper

I've been sick all weekend. I can hardly hold my head up. Heres a little 4x4 sketch in oil I did right on the paper of my sketch book

sold

Rose Hip

I did this little 3x5 study on Sat. Something about rosehips that I really like. Their form and color,the thorny stems... Just an excellent fruit to paint.. Are they fruit?.. I munch on them sometimes because they are high in vitamin C but the taste and texture is like partical board.

oil on masonite, $75.00 Sold

Back to the Studio/ Camp High Rock

I set up a still life for today's painting. It was hard changing gears after focusing in a completely different direction for a week. All in all it was a pretty good effort and I think I'm ready to get back into my painting routine.
Feels good to be back in the studio. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of Leigh playing her mountain dulcimer. She was playing and singing while I worked on my painting. A perfect day!
This is boys cabin 2, Me and my posse from Camp High Rock. We had a great time camping in the Cascade mountains. We played games, swam in Rim Rock lake, did craft projects, hiked wildcat creek. Had campfire skits,songs and devotions and mostly had a blast! From left to right, David, Daniel, Nathaniel, Bobby, Erik, Martin and my co counselor, Joe... and me.
I'm praying these boys will continue to grow in their faith and trust in Jesus. Here's Erik and Daniel hiking up Wildcat Creek, our most favorite thing to do at camp.