A New Blue!

The winter blues have competition!  While trying to find new electronic properties for compunds, the researchers at Oregon State University accidentally discovered a new blue resulting from experiments with Manganese Oxide. (See:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/science/24obpigment.html?_r=2)  Unfortunately, tubes of this new blue won't be hitting the art supply stores anytime soon.

Show: Main Line Art Center 72nd Anniversary Members' Exhibition

The Main Line Art Center 72nd Anniversary Members' Exhibition is especially interesting in that the wide variety of styles and mediums are tastefully displayed such that the exhibition reads surprizingly well as a unified whole. "Rose Trio in Turkish Coffee Pot" is the painting I submitted. The show runs through January 14, 2010.

Canvas & Linen Sampler

Painting surfaces can make the difference between a pleasurable painting experience or a frustrating struggle. Here is a great opportunity to try out five different kinds of canvas and linen. Check it out at Jerry’s Artarama: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/Canvas-and-Boards/Canvas-Pads/Ultimate-Canvas-Sampler-Pad.htm. This 6” x 8” pad contains two actual canvas pieces of five different brands, including Old Holland linen. One sample is clear primed linen—this holds some interesting possibilities. The product description notes that the samples are labeled on the back, however in the pad I got they were not. The front cover clearly illustrates them so it was easy to mark the backs myself. Let me know if you get them and what your favorite surface is.

Drawing--A Medium for These Times

Compared to all the paraphernelia needed for painting, drawing is a refreshing reminder of how little it takes to do our art. More often than not everything needed to draw is within arm's reach. With whatever paper and writing utensil is at hand, we are set to go. The disadvantage of archival unsoundness of simple materials ironically unshackles us from the burden of trying to create an outcome worthy of paper that will outlive us. And yet, even in its simplicity, drawing provides us the means to wrestle with the big questions of art.

Personality of a Painting

Like people, paintings seem to have their own personalities. Sometimes a successful painting produces a scrappy photograph; conversely, a scrappy painting might look stunning in a photograph. When I post paintings on my website I am always tempted to rate the paintings on a scale from "this looks much better in real life" to "this painting doesn't really look this good!" I don't rate them, this being subjective and all. Of course, paintings that fall toward the right end of this continuum often never make it to the website in the first place.

My urge to add one more piece of information about a painting doesn't stop with their photographs. When hung on the wall, I want to add to the painting's label "View from 18 inches" or "View at 7 feet" and put a piece of masking tape on the floor "Stand Here". Paintings have ideal positions to show their full power. Like people.

Studio Awaits

After many years of painting in a spare room, the dream of having a studio has finally come to be. The effect upon my productivity by having a separate space in which to paint has been the most profound benefit. The progress of its interior accoutrements have slowed along with our national economy, so there are no photographs of the inside yet. The building is a 24' x 24' former garage. Three pairs of French doors replace the garage door. With time I will convert the gravel driveway into gardens. Seen through the lush growth of summer, this view has lapsed into the quieter colors of winter. Many of the plants in the bed are dormant or in the greenhouse. I built the garden wall with bottles and mortar. Later, the bottle wall will be topped with flat river rocks. So, after many years of waiting the studio now awaits.