On The Job

Finally finished! This is a pastel, 8 1/2" x 14.

A new workshop

I recently spent a week in Scottsdale taking a class in Trompe L'oeil. It is a form of art, which it's name implies, that "tricks the eye". In other words, my painting here, done in class is all painted. It is supposed to look like all of these elements are pasted on the board. It is a painstakingly slow process, but so much fun! Our teacher, Jay Davenport, was patient and a very good teacher. I don't think that I have ever taken a class where I was told to go tighter with my detail! This genre of art takes years of practice and hours of study to pull off. I don't know when I will be able to finish it, but I will post the final result when I do.
You can see some of Jay's work at his website www.jdavenportart.com. He will be teaching at the Scottsdale Art School in March of next year if you are interested in learning this method.

End of the day work...

I did my first streaming video from my studio today working on this painting. I was overwhelmed by the questions and viewer participation! Working on a detailed painting like this is not unlike watching paint dry, but I was happy to see that it was fun for people to tune in and watch. I hope to finish it tomorrow. Now...for a title...

Streaming live from the studio

www.ustream.tv/channel/from-the-artist-s-window

Click on the website and watch me paint live from the studio. Sign in and ask me questions!

Working Class WIP

My newest work WIP (work in progress). I took this photo of a young cowboy in South Dakota driving cattle across the Cheyenne River. I zoomed in and in until I got this close up of the two, I could not believe how much detail my new lens could get from so far away. As an artist, not a photographer, I can not express enough how important your equipment is. I do not take artistic photos, but I depend on my photographic equipment to capture things that I might miss looking at the big picture. If you plan on pursuing a full time career as an artist, do not skimp on your camera and lenses if you are able. I do not do many paintings from life other than landscapes, but when it comes to animals and western lifestyles, my best friend is my camera. I never knew that I would make this picture so intimate, but thank goodness I had such good reference.

Having said that, I also have to say, do not depend on your photographs to make paintings for you. Be sure to keep the "artist's eye" and keep the spontaneity of making the most of your reference photos and imagination.