more painting

I've done quite a few new paintings recently. I haven't uploaded much to this blog but the above painting is representative of the newer work. I have also recently posted at Saatchiart.com/mteter73.

Avocado Painting

I am starting a new series of still life paintings. This one is oil on panel, measures 12*12.

Won 2nd Place!

I entered this painting along with a sculpture in the annual "Artists who Teach" show put on here in San Antonio by the San Antonio Artist Educator's Association. They did a great job with the show and entries, lots of good quality artwork. This painting won second place. I appreciate the award and the judge's comments about my work. 

Ustina Finds Redemption

 

This painting was inspired by the novel, "Laurus", by Eugene Vodolazkin. What an amazing book. I couldn't put it down as I was drawn into medieval Russian world. The author created a fabulous work of art. The painting is my interpretation of the character, "Ustina", a tragic figure for who the main character seeks a journey for her redemption. The novel is thoroughly religious and speaks to the religious mindset and worldview and makes no apology for it. It is very understandable for those who retain and know Christian spirituality, particularly Orthodox spirituality. I wanted to portray the character in a spiritual and iconographic fashion with a mix of my own style and modernism. I figured it would be fun to work mainly in cool blues for the face and oranges, reds, and brown for the contrasting background.

Olive Oil and Egg

Another quick painting. I attempted this scene from life a few days ago and failed. I just did not have it in me to take on all of the greens, ambers, and other colors in the olive oil bottle. I think this one worked out fine and I am pleased with the color work and the lighting. This was from life and the colors turned out much more realistic than from working from a photo. The still life was set up near a window to allow natural lighting to hit the objects. The background is my daughter's blue shirt.

I haven't painted for the last few weeks as I have busy catching up on other things. I did however recently paint this small painting. It is from a photo snapped while driving (probably not very safe). I tried to capture the quiet peace of dusk. The sun and the wonderful colors fade quickly illuminating the landscape with all of its peculiar shapes. The edges are soft and blend together.

Painting Fast and Small

Stacked Cups and Egg, 6*6

Light in the Alley, 5*7

I've been painting fast and on a small scale recently. I've been inspired by the "daily painting" movement that many painters have subscribed to. It certainly is a good way to gain skill, but also a way to sharpen one's artistic eye, always looking for beauty and uniqueness in the world. There is so much good, and praiseworthy material to be found! But you have to actively look for it and not let the darkness in. I like the idea of the setting evening light falling on the back alley, illuminating trash cans into objects of beauty, causing a pathway to be for just a short time.

Crucible

I recently finished this painting keeping with the unique still life theme. I setup the scene in my garage against the unpainted wall. The vase is a find from an antique store. It was small, delicate and had an interesting color and reflecting qualities. The wood "chunk" that the vase is sitting on is a block of Brazilian cherry that I intended to create a carving from. That hasn't happened yet but test carving marks were made on the edges. I wanted to create a sense of atmosphere and ambiguity in the background. Is it a wall or some sort of landscape? I titled the piece "Crucible". The intense red of the platform of wood, the turbulent background caused me to think of such. The work is to be entered into an upcoming "Artists who Teach" show here in San Antonio.

Some Daily Paintings

These two paintings were quick observational "studies", each taking 3 or so hours. This type of technique has become appealing to me lately; kind of like plein air painting, done on the spot with quick decisions as opposed to longer studio paintings where decisions are planned and paint is mixed in a sort of long ritual. Both are valid methods used to achieve different ends. I do like the spontaneity and life of the quicker observational work, these both measure 9*12. Let me know what you as the viewer thinks of them.

A Few More

Recent Paintings

I've dove right back into painting again. The last three months I have been able to produce at least 11 works. New found inspiration, and a desire to turn out artwork has led me to interesting avenues within my art. I have begun to appreciate still life subject matter and have enjoyed painting from life, where an artist truly begins to sharpen their skill and see with their own eyes. Not that photography doesn't have a place in the making of good art. Just because an artist uses a camera as an aid does not mean they are not skilled or justified as a real painter. The final image is of concern. Does it carry artistic and creative value? Or is it boring, repetitive, and have the air of copying someone else's ingenuity? I hope my newest work has some of that newness and vitality. 

A New Commission Completed

I've had this commission to compete for some time now, an oil painting of a fruit still-life. I set the "models" up under an interesting light source and took some reference photos. Then I created some painting sketches on Corel Painter to get the feel and composition I might want to use for the painting. When working in acrylic or oil I usually begin by starting with a quick pencil sketch followed up by an oil sketch, usually with burnt umber and mineral spirits. Then I start blocking in the forms. I like to keep it very loose in the beginning and then work into the details. For this particular painting I wanted the the composition to be loose, quick, and full of brush strokes and energy. The texture of the paint is important for this style as well. Please feel free to comment and critique the work.