Artist blog about abstract figurative oil painting and contemporary collage. Discussion about painting in the studio and the creative process of painting abstract and impressionistic oil paintings.
"Baylands: Late June" is a painting I painted today in my studio. This is a 9"x12" oil painting on mahogany luan panel. I referenced an earlier work from late May that was on a 9"x11.5" panel. Colors used were: ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, carbazole violet, transparent red oxide, hansa yellow orange, cadmium orange, cadmium yellow light, cadmium yellow orange, cadmium green, and titanium white.
I'm working out the figure on this collage. I lengthened the left leg, as it was not 'working' previously. I added the chair seat and legs, as well as the structure for the window. Mostly, though, I'm working out the big shapes and the dark/light pattern. Lastly, I'll work on the edges.
I started a new figurative collage a few days ago. The figure is sitting on a chair and looking out a window. I'm playing with the light/dark pattern, weaving the black throughout the picture. At this point, I'm working on the large shapes; later, I'll come back in and refine the edges and interior shapes.
I always wanted to be an artist. I love the materials of art: the firmness of a hog bristle brush, the creamy thickness of oil paint, the texture of bark paper, the smell of plaster. I love stepping into the mystery of creation; not knowing what is going to happen and being astonished by the image that emerges. I'm drawn to exploring the reaches of the
imagination and the orphaned off parts of the self. I like to see what bubbles up from the unconscious mind.