In Progress: Junction

"Junction"(in progress)

48"H by 36"W, on panel.

(click for enlargement)

Not done, but I'm starting to believe that the final painting will strongly resemble what I've done here. The disk or bowl-shaped object in the center right has been replaced with a swirling cloud of yellow and reddish purple., which is the biggest change. The brightness of a few of the front objects has been toned down from a near-white to let them slip back a little since they were popping out like neon signs.

Gold Leaf

All I have to say today is that Gold Leaf, used to spruce up frames, is an attractive material with many good qualities. It is now part of my fingertips and nailbeds.

If a craft store in the area offered classes on how to use this material, I'd take them up. Then I would offer my services to a salon to bling the nails of people who desire a truly permanent look.

California State Fair

"Garbage"

48"H by 34"W, on panel. 

"Tumult"

24"H by 54"W, on panel. 

These works are on view at the California State Fair from July 14 through August 1st. For event information, please go to BigFun.org

Here's a shot of them when their frames were getting a final coat of polyeurethane:

I think that "Garbage" now weighs 70lbs with the mass of white maple anchored to the outside of it. "Tumult" is framed with some lovely Pacific Coast Cypress, which has a nostalgic yet suprisingly acidic odor.

Hubcap

"Hubcap"(in progress)

14"H by 14"W, on chrome plated steel hubcap.

(click for enlargement) 

 

In addition to the usual problem solving processes of composition and value, it's very problematic to paint on a round surface. I'm definitely not yet done with it, but it's an entertaining experience; this is the first canvas I've had that's capable of rolling away.

Juju's Front and Back

"Juju's Back"

9"H by 9"W, on panel.
(click for enlargement)

"Juju's Front"

9"H by 9"W, on panel.

(click for enlargement)

These are of a dog belonging to my Aunt, who I've affectionately named Pugzilla.  Her name is actually Juju, and she's an adorable wheezy pile of love.  I had to take my reference photos clandestinely, because whenever I showed that I was paying any attention to the dog she would jump up and practically convulse with joy.

Back from Mississippi

"Mrs. Winchester's Bedroom"

8"H by 10"W, on panel. 

(click for enlargement) 

This is a small painting I gave to my Dad last year. This is the first photograph of it that wasn't too terribly covered in glare, but there's still a shadow line down the right side from being in a frame.

"Tangerine Living Room"

12"H by 15"W, on panel. 

(click for enlargement)  

 

I gave this one to Dad this year.  He'll frame it in a week or so- I had to travel with it wrapped in wax paper to ensure that the few wet spots wouldn't create a enormous mess in the suitcase, so he'll wait a little while before cutting the frame to size and slipping it on. 

 

Had a great time in Mississippi, though it was really much too short. My husband and I went out for nine days, though the better part of two of those was spent almost exclusively in planes and airports. While we were there, I took pictures of three houses, two of which were new to me, and got in a lot of visiting with my relatives. I am also apparently delicious to bugs.  All anyone has to do when a mosquito swarm nears is stand near me, and all of the little bloodsuckers will be drawn to my vitamin-rich veins. 

So I'm very itchy now.

"Tip"(in progress)

11"H by 14"W, on canvas. 

(click for enlargement)  

 

 I like the chair in this painting but I think that the junk piled to the left needs some work. I had this desk in my posession and I left it outside my studio, in the parking lot, because hey- it was rusty and full of spiders. It disappeared overnight so I hope that the reference shots I have for it will be good enough if I want to paint it again.

Soon I'll update with photos of a hubcap I'm painting on for landfillart.org, it's exciting because it's my first attempt at a round surface. 

In addition, Tumult and Garbage have both been accepted to the California State Fair Art Competition. I'm riding pretty high for now.

Product

"Magnolia"

7"H by 5"W, on panel. 

(click for enlargement) 

"Granny Smith Apple"

6"H by 4"W, on panel. 

(click for enlargement) 

Been preparing for a trip to visit some family in Mississippi and driving myself a little crazy by painting every day. I'm actually happy to report that these two paintings took less than three hours each. I'm getting a lot faster with painting things that are right in front of me, which is great news. I stil get bogged down with questions of color in some items- reflected light is particularally hard to get right for whatever reason, but so far "faking it" seems to work pretty well.

I have some other paintings in progress to show, but the photos are very bad so I'll need to re-shoot the things in better lighting.