Just Plain Old Canvas

Something new...

Ok....... I'm dieing her...

Laura II

hhumph

laura

La Date

The Date

Open Figure Drawing

"Save My Studies"

A Portrait Decomposed

The path

Save My Studies

Last Figure Pastel....

Paysage.... et paix

Landscape..... and peace

Portraits, Portraits, Portraits....

The dynamics of the observer/critic

Photo Album: New Art

Photo Album: Pastel

Photo Album: Charcoal Drawings

Photo Album: Oils

Photo Album: Me...

Book List: Book List

Custom List: My favorite Artsy sites

Custom List: Albums I see fit for a collection

Sat, 31 May 2008 02:14:13 GMT

I had a wonderful experience this week...

A great local artist, Wendy Harris, agreed to meet with me down the road..

An old cemetery with fabulous vistas surrounding it..

I must admit, my wreck less efforts are not worthy of her patience..

Look up her work… simply wonderful…

Any hoo..

I enjoyed the hell out of my self.. and she was quite helpful.

This piece is rough, loose, and yes a little out of control, but hell it was fun..

What ever it may be seen as by others I see it is the first step down a new and wonderful road.

Life is not just the human form, personality, and us people, there really is a hell of a lot more…

It should be fun, and yes another road to wonder down once in a while…..

Peace to all of you who may wonder here..

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:53:04 GMT

where the hell is every one???

Here I paint and draw like crazy, and the silence is defening....

do i suck that bad?? or are you all to dam depressed and bored..??

Ok.... I'll break the silence..... I AM NOW A NUDE MODEL!!!!! and I actually have abbs!!

Not bad for a 40 ish old basterd eh?? ( if you missed that was Canadian)

So here we go the warnign.. If i do not see some serious interaction I will start spamming the shit out of all of you terds..

Paix....

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:57:52 GMT

It is now done... and I still like it.

Enough said

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 03:27:11 GMT

This is a pastel, it is unfrefined, unfinished, undone, and needs a lifetime of work.. but some how the damb thing haunts me.

I cannot explane how it follows me around the room but it does..

I guess it is a good thing...

But still i do not understand..

Mabey some day it will grow up adn become somethign good

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:47:57 GMT

I just uploaded Laura... The pastel does the model no justice at all.

What an amazing woman of beauty, confidence, and whit...

Neither pastel nor words can even begin...

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:24:52 GMT

J'ai téléversé mon dernier travail.. Cela a été une longue période depuis que j'ai partagé n'importe laquelle de mes peintures ou dessins, mais j'ai été à cela..

ce morceau a été fait, basé sur une 3 heure en s'assoyant et a fini des photos prises de cela le fait de s'asseoir.
C'est mon premier pétrole figuratif formel.
Je le vois comme une expérience et une répétition, mais je mettais vraiment toujours beaucoup d'uniques dans cela.
bien que j'aie apprécié le processus et l'aie trouvé tout à fait la réalisation, je m'assois encore une fois dans le doute.

II remercient mon modèle de sa patience et demandent à son pardon car elle est bien plus belle alors
ma peinture simple..

Je suis sûr que vous pouvez trouver dont "la Date" est vraiment tout.
J'espère que j'ai attrapé un peu de pour lequel j'arrivais..

Paix à vous tous...

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:17:01 GMT

I uploaded my latest work.. It has been a long time since I have shared any of my paintings or drawings, but I have been at it..

this piece was done, based on a 3 hour sitting and finished from photos taken of that sitting.

It is my first formal figurative oil.

I see it as an experament, and a rehersal, but i did still put a lot of sole into it.

though i enjoyed the process, and found it quite fufilling, i yet again sit in doubt.

I thank my model for her patience, and ask her forginess for she is far more beautiful then

my simple painting..

I am sure you can figure out what "The Date" is realy all about.

I hope I caught a bit of what i was reaching for..

Peace to you all...

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:18:45 GMT

I had a uniquely wonderful experience last night.

I belong to an organization that meets once a week for

Figure drawing. Last night the model was a woman with her

9 month old daughter.

At first I was worried. I know how difficult it can be to draw children and babies.

But once it started, I found my more loving the work more then usual.

Being part of, and trying to capture, the bonding process between mother and infant is

Indescribable.

Some times the magic of life is far more beautiful then the forms found in it.

J'avais une de façon unique magnifique expérience la nuit dernière.
J'appartiens à une organisation qui se rencontre une fois par semaine pour
Dessin de chiffre. La nuit dernière le modèle était une femme avec elle
9 mois vieille fille.

Au début j'ai été inquiété. Je sais comment difficile il peut devoir tirer des enfants et des bébés.
Mais dès qu'il a commencé, j'ai trouvé mon plus d'amour du travail plus alors ordinaire.
Étant la partie d'et essayant de capturer, le processus de bonding entre la mère et le bébé est Indescriptible.

Un chronomètre la magie de vie est beaucoup plus être

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:44:00 GMT

The portrait of me is done...

One handsom chap I must say ;)

To see it goto:

http://savemystudies.blogspot.com/

I am not sure when it will be auctioned off.

I have to say, it is a hell of a drawing.

Rob is a fanonimal artist.

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:00:11 GMT

The Four Orders of a portrait…

A portrait is a work like all good art, which directly interacts with the viewer. I see that how it interacts indicates what I will foolishly call its order. The order of the work is mostly determined by what kind of questions it makes the viewer ask, and what kind of reactions does it initiate.

The First Order: Resemblance/Reality – The work will trigger thoughts like, “That looks like him”, or “That really looks like him”, or if you don’t know the model, “That looks realistic”. This order usually requires a relation with the subject in order for it to be satisfying to the observer.

The Second Order: Intrigue – This order transcends the requirement of personal familiarity with the subject. It may or most likely will include the First Order. Now the reactions that are being triggered in the viewer are more complex. “Who the hell is that, there is something about him that keeps me looking”, “What is that smile all about, I wish I knew what she is thinking”, “There is something about that expression that I just can’t stop thinking about” or “That person has got to be a …. “.

The Third Order: Technique – This order is an extension of the of all other orders. The technical approach of the work is what sets it apart. The viewer asks questions like “How did he draw a perfect resemblance using so few lines” or “I don’t understand how she used those bizarre colors and still made it look so real”.

The Forth Order: Personification – This is when an artist converts an abstract idea, into a reality for the observer. The subject matter becomes personal to the viewer. The artist may approach social issues, every day experiences, or experiences that the viewer will never have the opportunity to personally encounter. Examples are a portrait of a street person, a child playing at the beach, a bartender in a rough neighborhood of a big city, a demonstrator consumed with anger and hatred, or a starving child in Somalia. In this case reality has other ramifications.

I believe that the more orders a piece has used to its end, the better the piece stands on its own. For example a piece the was executed using all four orders will most likely be a museum piece or one we call “Masterpiece”. You don’t need to know the subject, but you will be locked into a relationship with the piece, because it consumes your attention. Its depth gives you plenty to digest. The experience transcends time. As you grow, it takes on new meaning for you.

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:47:43 GMT

Piece by piece, step by step, I slowly creep towards better work.

The path is formidable. It is long, and it is exhausting.

In the work I do every day, I start to see improvements in form,

sometimes improvements in color and management of values.

At times I see better and more expressive lines.

I just can’t seem to pull them all together at the same time.

It is amazing how much effort goes into drawing a good figure study, and how much harder it is to draw a good portrait.

Of course I need to say, that is effort is for a “good” drawing, not a great drawing, or even one that could be hung with a price tag.

I guess that my one and only saving grace is my love for the path.

Not giving a dam about how far off the goal is, or how long it will take to get there.

The simple love of wondering along my path, and enjoying the woods on the way.

At least there are improvements along the way. That helps.

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:29:23 GMT

A good friend of mine, is working on a series of portraits.

He is pushing through, abandoning commissioned work, and drawing simply and solely for the artistic sake of drawing.

Once you do not have a commission that you are trying to satisfy, you are free to express yourself how ever you see fit.

His new work shows this freedom, Big time!!!

Please check out his work, it is inspirational!!

http://savemystudies.blogspot.com/

btw.... when he starts the official campaign, if he does not sell a piece, he is

going to destroy it in one horrible way or another..

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:31:52 GMT

Last night I uploaded a pastel that was done last week.

It was drawn using a live model, in an hour.

I got to tell you the model was wonderful. Her body was

one beautiful shape and line after another.

I could have sat there all night.

Of all the stuff I do, figurative work is absolutely my favorite.

What else in life could be more beautiful then the human form.

I hope my love for the subject matter shows in my work.

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:16:14 GMT

Dernier week-end j’allai campant, et j’allai seul. C’était bon, tranquille, et nécessaire. C’était un état parc, et e’était complètement plein mais Je trouve paix. L’intention état pour ascensionner la ravine, et peins un majeur paysage. J’étais y dernier ressort, et je trouve quelque bon emplacement, et je regardai un peu. Ensuite je peignis un étude (référâtes à mon dernier huile) des un photo j’ai pris. J’ai portai mon engrange, et j’ai appris apprendre bonnes leçons environ plein air peignis. J’ai complétai une 61 X 91 cm canevas c’est décent. Avec travailler, quelque jour, et pour un jour, je venue a jouir est.

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:14:36 GMT

I went camping last weekend, alone. It was nice, quiet and necessary. Though it was in a state park, and completely full, I found some peace. The intent was to climb the gorge, and to do a major landscape. I was there this spring, and found some beautiful spots, scouted around a bit. Back then I actually did a study (see my last oil) from a photo I took. Any way, I humped up too much crap, took my lumps, and learned some valuable lessons about open-air painting. Over all I wound up with a 24 X 36 canvas, that is sort of decent… I think that with some work, some day, most likely only for one day, I may come to like this piece.

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:46:05 GMT

I have been working on Portraits.

I have been focusing of a pretty cool exercise....

mirror self portraits, using ground charcoal, and erasor, and my finger.

The image is a wee bit eary, but interesting.

I am forced to focuse on shapes, their value, and realations to each other.

The first two where ok, and i have learned a lot about my self.

I am going to do another, but this time, drill down and nail the

relational aspects of proportion, and alignment in a

gross but highly accurate manner.

then once i have this general image rendered, I want to

actually use a sharpened piece and sharpen that image.

I will upload some of the work when i get a chance.

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:05:22 GMT

I find the psychological dynamics of the whole thing amusing..

the interaction with people is funny.

People who never have tried to do any work are usually very nice, appreciative, but still un-enlightened about the technical aspects

People who have in the past but don't any more or never really worked at it are reserved, and interact with a piece by comparing it to their interpretation of their own capabilities. Its not "I like the line, and how it gracefully captures a hip in a...." It's "thinking: I can draw better then that, saying: your color sucks, ...." they are defensive and more combative.

People who are skilled, usually balance constructive criticism with positive reinforcement. The balance is what is interesting..

They sweeten the comment if they are worried about sensitivity, or if they are bold or not worried about hurting you, they go ahead and fire away.

The worse critic of all is me. Every time i pick up a brush, a pencil, or a pastel, I am consumed with angst. It is hard to make the first stroke. I am always convinced that I am completely incompetent. After the first lines are drawn, i feel worse. Only ignorance and hard headedness keeps me at it and eventually something that can be perceived as decent emerges. Then the struggle to go far enough with it, and to be able to eventually wash your hands of it. What ever comes of the piece, I always return to a disgust of it. It may happen as i complete it, or later on, but my contempt for my inabilities turns me against what I have done. The only thing that saves all of my work from destruction is the knowledge that others see less of the flaws then i do, and they can actually enjoy a piece i have done.

Sat, 31 May 2008 02:03:44 GMT

New Art

Pompey Center

Pause Between Sets

Pause Between Sets (Detail)

Laura II

Laura

The Date

Orchid

Orchid close

IMG_0964

IMG_0961

More Photos...

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:54:33 GMT

Pastel

More Photos...

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:53:24 GMT

Charcoal Drawings

More Photos...

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:36:08 GMT

Oils

Dutch

Topsail

House

Lindsey

Nude

Jenna

A Morning At Arlington

Arlington detail 1

Arlington detail 2

Arlington detail 3

More Photos...

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:30:14 GMT

Me...

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!cid_001901c5dae5$169bc380$E754AEBD@DELLPC1

IMG_0106

IMG_0631

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:15:50 GMT

Tue, 01 May 2007 13:07:37 GMT

My favorite Artsy sites

Olga's Gallery
A pretty good collection of artists works. Wish i had this when i was a kid.
Daniel Greene
What can I say..... Mr Portrait
Susan Lyon and Scott Burdick
Great Oil paintings and some demo's
Absolute Arts
The galleries of many artists
Dick Blick
Art Stuff
Cheap Joes
More Art Stuff
The Met
What more can I say

Turbon & Sword

Tue, 01 May 2007 12:59:58 GMT

Albums I see fit for a collection

The Wall
Pink Floyd's Modern Opera - Amazing piece of literature
A Band of Gypsies
Jimi at his rawest, hotest, and most out there
Bethoven's 9th Symphony
I see this (though KC Casum may not agree) as the Number One Hit of the Millinum