Best of 2013 2013-W52

"Which will they be?" I asked myself as I sat down to write this post...  paraphrasing Elizabeth II,  2013 is a year on which I shall not look back with undiluted pleasure.  Or to put it more clearly, parts of it kinda sucked for me and my brothers.  No need to burden you with the details; at least now the herculean tasks and the worst of the heartache are behind us.

Artistically, it was a pretty good year though.  Not necessarily in terms of what I made, but most definitely one of growth as an artist.  I accomplished many of my Art Resolutions, I finished some long-pending works in progress, and I blogged every week (with over 45 new works).  I hope to carry that momentum forward into the new year on all those fronts.  As you can imagine, it was difficult to narrow down the list to a handful, but here they are:  my Best of 2013.  (Re-)Enjoy, and Happy New Year!



This selection came from my efforts to work through a book on creative approaches to watercolor, written in Spanish!  So it was doubly challenging.  Some approaches (or, propuestas as they say in Spain) were a 1-and-done.  Others I explored multiple times and this painting was my second stab at propuesta 4.  I like it; I don't love it.  But, lots of people commented on it, so without further delay, we have "The Storm" from W09.

La Tormenta

After months and months and months of procrastinating, I finally pulled out this mixed media piece in June and took it from underpainting to finished work.  I love all the different greens of spring and summer...  and a good handful of them made their way into this undulating landscape from W24.

Peaceful Interlude in the Serpentine Grapery

My series Cats in Hats & Wigs picked up a few new entries this year, but dogs finally got their due in  a new series Driving Doggy.  Here's the first, from W15.  The first two may not be "best" on their merits — I painted them on my mother's dining room table while she was in hospital.  They're the last of my works she was able to enjoy.  And I think she took a little motherly pride in seeing that some of her artistic talent had made it into the next generation.

Driving Doggy I

Finally, we have the best of the Best.  I feel that in the second half of the year, I broke through to the next level of skill with the medium, eventually producing what I think could be my best executed work to date in W39.  I did a great job capturing her likeness (so says her daughter), and more importantly I feel I accurately portrayed the subject's joie de vivre.  Most exciting to me, I really pulled out all the guns in terms of technique and though not perfect, I only need one hand to count the flaws.  Now, as for the painting itself, I still have to work out some sort of custody-sharing arrangement with the subject!

An Artist, Poised to Laugh

Cut Bait 2013-W51

Before we get to today's posting, let's begin with a blast from the past.  Long time readers may recognize this puzzle painting from 2012.  You can read or refresh your memory on the subject in the blog archives (links to the left) for 2012-W37 and 2012-W44.

After a long dormancy in Maine, the effort to crack the puzzle is coming off the back burner and, I suspect, it will be solved in the next 24 hours.

So, put your thinking caps back on if you're still playing; you can expect a reveal of the answer in 2014-W01.  And with that, on to our posting for today.


The painting I started last week at Salon deWinchester is turning out a lot more fiddly than I thought (or care for!).  Rather than rush, I decided the painting and its accompanying post will have to wait for another time.  Fish or cut bait, they say.

Fortunately, in the gallery lurks another painting with a tenuous Christmas motif.  It might be my favorite in the Cats in Hats & Wigs series.  Sadly, tomcat doesn't seem to enjoy his festive hat...  but I hope all of you enjoy a wonderful and safe holiday.  Merry Christmas!

Rudolph

Updated: More Than I Could Chew 2013-W50

Between the early morning snow shovelling, and the early afternoon snow shovelling, and the late afternoon dogsitting and not to mention the very detailed painting that is underway but not complete, today's blog posting was destined to arrive tardy to the party.

Possibly not until Monday, I thought at first.  On more sober reflection, I decided to take my time with the painting and push it off until next week's posting.  Here's a teaser...  though it's not exactly who or what you think it is.

In lieu of a new painting this week, I decided to share the painting below, which many people have liked over the two years since it were made.  As I look out at the heavy grey skies and loads of fresh new snow, the wisteria seems especially inviting.

Wysterical,  2011

Team Dog 2013-W49

As I have said in previous posts, I like most dogs except for potentially lethal breeds with irresponsible owners.  Whereas generally I am at best indifferent to cats, be they housecats or (lazy) lions.  Cheetahs and jaguars are cool though.  Oddly, I prefer to paint cats.  I'll have to ponder why that is.

If we gave household pets the vote, then I'm pretty sure cats would overwhelmingly vote for republicans while dogs would vote for democrats.  (And, birds would be independent voters, because they're flighty.)

Suppose your dog were suddenly twice as tall as you.  He would still be your best friend... plus, you could ride him to the grocery store!  Now, suppose your cat were suddenly twice as tall as you.  He would eat you.

On a more serious note, remember that on December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States suffered staggering losses in an unprovoked raid on Pearl Harbor.  Nearly 2,400 servicemen and women were killed and another 1,200 wounded, along with nearly 70 civilians killed and 35 wounded.  Please take a moment today to honor the sacrifice they made for our great nation.

color study

Bleak Friday 2013-W48

Yesterday I read news of a mobster being fed to pigs by a rival gang.  Not sure when.  Being that they're animals, the pigs devoured him alive, undeterred by his shrieks (while they lasted).  Sorry for the horrifying imagery.  I also read the usual and customary stories about Black Friday shoppers and their behaviors.  Which reminded me of the first story, the one with the pigs.  Except I think the pigs come off a little better, especially as compared with one disgusting shopper I read about.

I struggled with whether and how to relate her story.  In brief, she ate a very hearty dinner on Thursday but must have forgotten that what goes in must eventually come out.  Thus early on Friday, while her part of the checkout line was still all the way back in Large Appliances, she needed to use the restroom.  Unwilling to lose her place in line, she used the clothes dryer next to her to evacuate her bowels.  That's correct.  P**ped.  Right there in the store, while in line, in a dryer.

A decade ago, the Black Friday phenomenon was a curiosity.  A relatively harmless freak show that I felt one should avoid witnessing first hand.  But in recent years, as the hype ratchets ever higher and behaviors become more extreme, Black Friday has become for me (and many) a disgusting spectacle that shows the worse side of humanity and our consumer culture.

The biggest irony is, almost none of the Black Friday "sales" are true bargains.  Retailers merely jack up the original price.  You end up paying the same amount that you paid a decade ago, but you've been tricked into believing you "saved" more.  Think about that while you struggle with the traffic and the crowds and the craziness and wait in line to buy yet another thing.  Wouldn't it be great if, instead of giving someone yet another thing, you found a way to give them a wonderful experience to remember?

Ah well, sorry for some of the images this posting may have conjured up for you today.  Let's cleanse your brain with this adorable kitten in a sock.  While you enjoy that, I'm not sure how I'll spend the rest of today...  I finished my Christmas shopping two days before Thanksgiving!

Kittybauble

Tom Turkey: In Memorium 2013-W47

After a spell of whattopaintitis, I recovered sufficiently to settle on a portrait of a noble bird that might well have been one of our national symbols instead of the eagle.  Tough break.  Instead of soaring majestically in election year commercials and appearing on things like money and our national seal, the turkey occupies a low-level ubiquity most of the year, only to be elevated to center stage on Thanksgiving Day.

Two observations and a story to follow:  let's start with one observation.  Turkey is terrible.  Not much flavor to speak of, and a disagreeable texture.  In my opinion, but an opinion which is shared by many.  Also, how does that bird stay so dry even when it is served in a liquid like chili?

A dozen years ago, I consulted over several months with a company that housed much of its workforce in a large office complex north of Hartford, on the Connecticut-Massachusetts border.  The place was a solid 20 minutes away from everything.  Management therefore had wisely endowed the complex with a lot of conveniences in a bid to keep people on the premises over their lunch hour.  Convenience store, health club, dry cleaner drop off, even a shoe repair service!  And an excellent cafeteria...  restaurant quality food if you asked me.  Early during my tenure, I was walking across the complex around 11am when I observed at least three dozen people queued for the cafeteria opening.  Turned out it wasn't a one-time phenomenon.

Every Wednesday by 11, people would be lined up early for Turkey.  And all the trimmings.  To me, it was shocking that people would line up for first crack at a meal that I was happy to eat once a year.  A meal that they could —and evidently did— eat every week!  Crazy.   And p.s., there was plenty of turkey and et cetera still being served every Wednesday at 1pm when I went to lunch.  I just don't get that obsession.  When I was young, turkey wasn't so common and thus it was kind of a big deal the one time a year when you did see it.  In retrospect, I think we savored the idea of a rare treat rather than its actual and tenuous flavor.  Maybe that's what drove those workers to their Wednesday queue.

Meanwhile, this Thanksgiving, I'll be eating a shredded Turkey from a Puerto Rican restaurant (better, still not great).  Although it's been a year with much sadness for my family, I still realize how very fortunate I am and how many things I have to be thankful for.  And while I'm taking a moment to be grateful, I'll be busy shovelling stuffing into my mouth because let's face it, that's what Thanksgiving dinner is really all about.

I hope your bird is moist-ish, your stuffing delicious; and all the other side dishes: may they be plentiful and at least warm if not hot.  I hope, as you give thanks, that you sit in the company of friends and family.  And most of all, I hope you have the good sense to relax at home on (especially) Thursday & Friday... instead of joining a frenzy of crazed shoppers fighting over the same crappy sale items as last year.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey Lurkey

Rerun 2013-W46

I was unproductive at Salon so I went way back to mid-November of 2010 for a painting to show you today.

When we first started up Salon deWinchester, I hadn't painted for five months.  No surprise to find myself a little rusty; I undertook the first few Salon works as warmups — not good-paperworthy.  About a month in, I confidently busted out the very best paper for the painting below.  If mypetchicken.com is to be believed, he's an Old English Game Cock though I did use my artistic license on some of his coloring.  He was followed by several paintings which you can now see in my gallery as the Cats in Hats & Wigs series.

But back to our rooster friend, I still like to look at this painting and what's more, I like to reflect on how much I enjoyed the experience of making him and the cats.  I once read somewhere that happiness isn't something you experience, it's something you remember.  I'll think about that another time... right now I'd like to relax and turn control over to my birdbrain.

The Duke of Edinburgh

Calm Beforehand 2013-W45

I just practiced some figure sketches so Salon deWinchester (check out the art there) was relaxing today.  Yesterday morning I paused to reflect on how this week has been a bit of a lull.  No celebrity hysteria. No looming crises of government, no big news stories gripping the nation.  We had no elections or referendums in Chicago.  A couple of overcast and cool days.  All in all, not much happening.  And I like it! 

In two weeks time we'll head into Thanksgiving week and the crazy toboggan ride that is the holiday season.  I try to dodge much of the madness but even so it cannot be entirely avoided for 8 solid weeks.  I'll have a couple of airport journeys to navigate and several nights on a very cold air mattress...  in all a fair trade to spend Christmastime with some of my family.  Way before that, I will have gotten my (only two nephews to buy for) shopping done early after which I do my darnedest to just enjoy the fellowship and goodwill of the season.

As I often write in cards, I wish you a peaceful holiday season.  Although personally, I'm hedging my bet and making the most of the peaceful moments we're having now!
 

figure sketches

It's "Picture" Dammit 2013-W44

Ask most people to name that book/film where the guy stays young while up in the attic a painting shows him growing old and in decay, they will answer without hesitation The Portrait of Dorian Gray.  But, it's The Picture of Dorian Gray...  hope you didn't make it a true Daily Double!  They say there are no new jokes, just the same three jokes being eternally retold.  I suspect the same is true of many elements in Western Culture including narratives — so you have to credit Oscar Wilde (in his only novel) for coming up with a completely original concept for our soul-selling Mr. Gray.

In contrast to Wilde's memorable story, in Chicago our Halloween was not exactly one to remember...  cold and rainy all day.  Just a couple trick-or-treaters made their way up my porch steps and consequently I have a lot of mini tootsie-pops to get rid of.  I'll solve that riddle later.  While we're still in the afterglow of Halloween and the delayed-until-tonight parties, I thought it might be fun to paint myself as Dorian in the manner of the most famous version of his portrait.

It hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago, by Ivan Albright from the 1945 film, and it's quite a painting to behold.  Interestingly, the uncorrupted original was made by Henrique Medina, then as filming progressed Albright overpainted the decay and corruption elements to produce the final work we know today.  Fun fact:  for a time his daughter-in-law was former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.  Who knew?

Soon into the event of painting, I realized it would take a lot of work to end up with something Albright-like.  Ultimately what I got is not Mr. Gray but some aging zombie hipster, which nevertheless gives critical mass to a new series that I look forward to extending each Halloween.  And hey, with my fact-filled posting today you could possibly win up to 4 different bar bets; I conveniently highlighted them for you...  please have a boo-tiful weekend!

Paintbox of Horror IV:  Hey Dude, Got Any Brains?

Practice Makes 2013-W43

This week I struggled deciding what to paint, as every concept I thought of failed to coalesce or to inspire me sufficiently.  Eventually I reminded myself that singers warm up with scales and thus it never hurts to practice your fundamentals.  My artist friend Susan (of whom I recently painted two portraits) excels at painting figures in her landscapes...  I do not.

I hauled out my sketchbook to look at some plein air figure sketches I did during an August afternoon at one of the lakefront beaches near my home.  Some sketches are better than others, most are not great, but practice makes perfect as we know.  So this morning I simulated "plein air" in my dining room and practiced figure sketching using my outdoor painting kit.

A flat stable surface to paint on might have made some difference, as does
working from a photo (but no drawing!) & waiting for paint to dry between some steps.  Whatever, I got a better result and just in the nick of time; in a couple weeks I'll take a stab at nude live figure sketching at our Chicago Cultural Center.  To be clear it is the model and not I who will be nude, although should a distraction become necessary...

On a completely different note, I read an article Friday morning about alternative, more truthful slogans that could apply to products and I could not stop chuckling about this one which I have paraphrased:  Hot Pockets — every bite's a different temperature!  Enjoy meditating on the truth of that while you look over today's sampler of figure sketches.

A Bit Nippy 2013-W42

Fall weather has definitely arrived, hopefully to be interrupted by one more heat wave (fingers crossed, two more).  The apples are falling from my tree...  as they have been doing for a few months now.  Something about this growing season was conducive to apples because I've never had a crop so big.  Been using an old snowshovel to round them up for the recycling heap as most fall conveniently to a sidewalk.

I don't find these particular apples to be very good for eating, but they sure feed a lot of wildlife in my yard.  When I take the trash back to the alley, I am enchanted by the smell of sweetly fermenting apple rot.  I think the robin family that nests here has been getting drunk periodically for the past month.

So with all that, I thought instead of autumn leaves I'd go with an apple for the subject in the study I did today at Salon deWinchester.  Enjoy, and check out the other art on the salon blog.

Unfallen

Says You 2013-W41

Friday morning I was sipping coffee while browsing the morning web-news, when something got stuck in my craw and I fired up the bloggenator to get typing.  Here comes the rant.

Two things that reliably annoy me are (1) when I read claims that something is the world's finest/best/most <something>/tastiest.  Yeah... says who?  My first thought, normally, is that I would enjoy seeing the proof of that.  As a minor exemplar of this theme, it drives me crazy when Jim Nance and CBS try to anoint some team as this year's "Cinderella" in the NCAA tournament first round.  Sorry dudes, you have to wait for America to decide that, not your producer.

Which brings us to (2)...  I couldn't think of a concise word or phrase to describe this in English.  (Though I'm sure German has one long word for it.)   This weekend heralds the annual summit of the so-called "values voters".  As though other voters who vote differently are bereft of values.  Hah.  What this group should more honestly call themselves is "libertarian/conservative social values voters".  And let me emphasize they have a right to their viewpoint, but not to passively assert that my contrary viewpoint must mean I lack values.  That is malarkey.  If English vocabulary worked like German, we would probably describe this with something like baselesswordusurping (or, surprisingly similar in fake German: grundloswortusurping.)

There are dozens of similar examples of groups and individuals who co-opt words in this presumptuous manner, particularly "patriots" or "patriotic".  Now, fortunately Sarah Palin and I could not be more different other than that we're both still fit and trim for our age.  And like her (probably), I still get a thrill on July 4th when I hear the opening notes of The Stars and Stripes Forever.  I think America is pretty great despite its flaws and my family has no shortage of war veterans.  So what makes Sarah Palin think her views epitomize patriotism while contrary views must demark some stripe of anti-American?   Nothing but hot air, that's what.

I am sure there are comparable examples from the left-leaning side of the political spectrum, but I will leave it to Rush Limbaugh to carp on those baselesswordusurpers as that's his job. 

On a lighter and happier note, today we started up season 4 of the Salon deWinchester.  Please click the Awesome Link for that blog and go check out the great art there. 

My work today is the first stab at Propuesta 8 from Acuarela Creativa.  More about that another time.  And, large format or small, enjoy!

The Artist, Pixellated

An Opposing View 2013-W40

I'll offer a hypothesis contrary to last week's blog, which is:  Laughter leads to tears.

I remember my mother would sometimes utter this when our jollity tried her patience.  She in turn learned it from her (dour) grandmother, who raised my (often ornery) mother.  With the right provocation, granny would warn my mother, "laughter leads to tears," and then swiftly act to fulfill the prophecy.  Smack.  Of course, this was back when people paid heed to the Bible's admonishment to not spare the rod, thus spoiling the child.

Where the ranks of our 113th Congress are concerned, too many parents spared the rod it seems.  I'll refrain from naming which members I think could benefit from a sound spanking today, or why.  During times like these — when it's mostly noise and not news — what works best for me is to turn off the TV and avoid reading much about the situation.  After all, I'm powerless to affect the outcome in the short term and we have yet to see what all this means for the long term.  Why be bored with/enraged by the unfolding minutia?

Mostly I'm avoiding, but to the extent I am engaging with the political drama this October, I'm choosing to laugh instead of cry.  I am laughing at a certain caucus and network instead of laughing with them, and I do feel a bit bad about that.  But I think I'll get over my guilt... maybe not a guilt shutdown, but at least a guilt "slimdown" as Fox News likes to chirp these days.  How do they come up with their nonsense?!

I came up with my painting subject this morning — I thought his expression would be a good challenge, and let's face it:  many try but no one gets huffy like the English do.  And by the way, last week's subject liked seeing her unexpected portrait and...  it made her laugh!

Scowler

Laugh Already 2013-W39

Thursday night I was watching something or other on PBS when a throw-away line caught my attention.  Technically I guess it was a question:  Isn't it nice to be around someone who laughs easily?  It sure is.  Coincidentally, a couple days prior I was gabbing with one of my long-time friends and we reflected on how the foundation that underlies our friendship is simply that we make each other laugh without much effort.

Maybe this only means he and I are not very discerning about what entertains us.  Maybe we're both a little too clever for our own good.  I can't answer either question objectively.  What I can tell you is I come from a very funny family, so growing up I had lots of opportunities to be entertained as well as take my turn in the spotlight.  It's possible we spent more time at the dinner table laughing than eating...  which may be why in middle age my brothers and I are reasonably fit and trim.

I've often thought that while life presents us many small and occasionally large challenges, it is up to us how we'll react.  Laugh or cry — it's usually your choice.  Tears are wholly appropriate at times, of course, but as much as possible I will choose to try laughing and I invite you to join me.

An Artist, Poised to Laugh

p.s. Thanks to Marge Bolin for her unknowing assistance with today's painting.  I hope she and the unawares subject like it.

Equinoxious 2013-W38

Sometime this weekend the noonday sun will cross over the Equator and thus the southern continents can begin to enjoy their Spring and Summer.  We know what this means for us in the northern hemisphere.  Boo hiss.  I like Autumn just fine, and the first part of Winter is tolerable, enjoyable even, for things other than weather.  But then comes the new year and that awful 4-6 weeks before we get hints of Spring.  Sigh.

Continuing in the theme of dissatisfaction, I have mixed feelings about a couple of portraits I did recently of my friends Susan and Donna.  They're okay.   But I was on edge as I painted them because they're of people that I know.  (And like.)  With the "good" one out of the way, I thought I would do another painting of Susan with more reckless abandon and see what happens.  More satisfying to do?  It was.  More satisfying to behold?  Time will tell.

Susan Do-Over

I'b Sick 2013-W37

But not very sick, merely what's turned out to be a fairly mild cold.  This particular cold started coming on in earnest late Wednesday and by Saturday afternoon, as I write this, I'm much better.  I don't remember having had a cold for quite some time now.  Maybe as far back as 2010, and that's fine with me.  I think many women will agree, there is no bigger baby than a sick man.

My runny nose was inconveniently disgusting; the sore throat and headache were bothersome for a half-day each.  Yet the most miserable part of the whole experience has been: I have no one to listen to me whine.  As we know, misery loves company.

Along the way were the usual sneezing and coughing, with colorful mucus and phlegm.  Oddly, as I gazed upon these expectorated bits, I found myself thinking about what paints I would use to make that color.  I think women will find that remark gross whereas men will find it mildly amusing.

Changing topics completely, this week I got started on a portrait of my friend and fellow artist Susan Sylvano.  I did some of the underpainting on Tuesday and Friday.  Friday evening I kept going back to it and so by this morning I had pretty much finished everything but the hair.  I hope Susan enjoys the painting, and if not then I invite her to extract her revenge by painting one of me!

Susan Wears Emeralds

Already?! 2013-W36

Actually it's Monday that marks the exact one-year anniversary of this here blog, but since we like to publish on Saturdays, let's say close enough and call this the anniversary edition.  I hope you join me in looking forward to this day in Week 36 for many years to come.

Keeping on with it all, week after week, hasn't been as hard as I thought it might be.  The normal challenge is to occasionally come up with a last-minute "new" concept after the planned concept just doesn't sit right during the first cup of Saturday coffee.

This week the unease struck sooner, but after a ponder I decided another well-pleased kitty in a birthday hat might be appropriate for today.  To make it a little more challenging I opted to not edit out the fussy ribbon from the source photo.  (p.s. The ribbon's not part of the hat, so all I can say is, that is one lucky cat!)

Besides first time visits from Serbia and Saudi Arabia this past week, it looks as though Painterly Thoughts will also have its 1,500th viewing today, which means we average 28 views a week and 125 a month.  I'll take it!  Few (if any) of those views are my immediate blood relatives... so to you more distantly-related viewers out there, thanks for your support and encouragement.  I appreciate it.

Anniversay Celebration Enthuses Cat; Hat Ices Cake

Just Don't Be Tall 2013-W35

One of my oldest friends (and former college roomie) was due in on Thursday for an overnight visit on his way to Alaska.  So for several hours on Tuesday and Wednesday I was occupied cleaning the house; by which I don't mean everyday cleaning and tidying but rather doing all those stupid things you can't be bothered with very often.  All the glass shelves and three mirrors in my vanity cabinet once again sparkle like new.  The big clunky furniture got vacuumed and mopped beneath.  Nooks and crannies and shelves have been dusted, except for the ones up top.  And only a very tall person would know that...

The innate joy of the housecleaning was further enhanced by the hot ambient temperatures, and though not quite a sweat lodge I nevertheless felt purified by the ritual.  And, pleased by the result; for the last two days I have thoroughly enjoyed walking around in my immaculate house.  Or I should say, immaculate for a person of my height or below.  I decided that it will behoove me to have a houseguest from time to time, if only to provide motivation to get the place cleaned up from bottom to nearly the top.

During the times I was cleaning in and around my studio, I gave thought about what I might paint.  I finally did pastel lesson two, and now those darn pastels are on a time out.  It's back to brushes, baby!  Eventually I decided to try another wet-in-wet painting in keeping with Propuesta 7.  Then, I'm going to attempt a special painting for a special event.  So y'all come back next week for that and meanwhile enjoy today's so-so poppies.

Pavement Poppies in Ravenswood

My Eyes 2013-W34

I can't say whether I'm noted for it, but I certainly do not mind rolling my eyes.   Sometimes the eye-roll stimulus is so over the top I feel I've rolled them back far enough to see my brain.  But this week I read something so incredible that I'm sure my eyes rolled completely around and back to the front.  A total 360° spin.  For this physiologic feat we can thank roughly 250,000 of Louisiana's likely bigots brightest citizens.

They compose the ⅓ of Republicans in Louisiana who believe Barack Obama was responsible for the Federal Government's poor response in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  Even though — as most people with at least half a wit know — the hurricane occurred in 2005, three years before Obama was elected president.  Heck, he'd only been a US Senator for 7 months.  Now, I admit, some of these bright citizens may have done better with the mathematics involved if only they had 2,008 fingers and toes... although shopping for shoes would be a nightmare for the poor dears.

It remains to be seen if Fox & Friends and their ilk will pounce on this breaking story, you know, about another Obama failure.  Or maybe they'll want to investigate what other mischief he's been getting up to in that time machine of his.  Meanwhile, I suppose the real lesson here is that our human nature is to bend over backwards to believe what we wish to believe, even in the face of clear facts that prove otherwise.  Perhaps moreso when our minds are typically closed.

Please enjoy today's art.  I fear there is no hope for Fox News, but to the intransigents of Louisiana and the world I appeal to you by quoting Shaw: "Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

Pastel School Study II

Oh, That Scurvy Wench 2013-W33

Enough procrastinating! said I, and went to pull the sixteen colors called for in Pastel School lesson 2: a study of a lemon, lime, and orange — which is what put the word "scurvy" in my mind to begin with.  The pastel set I got out comes with a handy color guide & index, and so using those I navigated through the reds and oranges okay.  When I turned to the yellows, something seemed a little quirky.  Yet I made do and then came the greens.  Now, I mayn't be able to tell Oxide of Chromium from Baryte Green, but I definitely can discern a pale green from a dark brown.  Yet per the guide, in the pale green slot was in fact a brown pastel.  How could I have gotten things so muddled up?  Ask anyone who knows me; I am nothing if not methodical.

Garden Sedum Bloom, 2001

One at a time I pulled out a half dozen greens, made test patches, compared them to the color guide and tried to sort things out but instead of clarity I just got more confused.  And vexed.

Disturbed by the disorder and perplexed about how it could have happened...  finally it dawned on me an hour later.  I'd let a friend use the set to dabble with one day.  And when she finished, (not knowing better) she put the pastels back willy-nilly.  "Oh, that scurvy wench!"  I might have lightly cursed just after having the flash of insight.

But quickly enough I calmed, relieved to have sorted out the "why".  Thus leaving only the undoing.  I decided that further efforts to repatriate the misplaced pastels is too tedious for now.  I'll leave that for another day.  Even though, sadly, that means a further delay in undertaking Pastel School lesson 2.

I'm out sketching en plein air today with the Truman College Regulars, and with no pastel study to post (ahem), I thought it might be fun to put up my very first sketch from my first sketchbook.  A life drawing in watercolor pencils, I think, of a common sedum in bloom.  As near as I can figure, I sketched it in August 2001, just before "9/11".

A dozen years later, the world has moved on and I've gained a little more skill at artmaking.  I like to look at this drawing every now and then because doing it made me feel as if I could create something more artful than doodles in the margin of my calculus notebook.

As drawings go it's not awfully good — but what matters is, neither is it awfully bad.

Scramble 2013-W32

I awoke with every good intention of savoring lesson 2 from Pastel School, and got as far as choosing the final pastels (greens, tricky) when suddenly I realized everything I'd prepared was for lesson 3.  Dang.  A quick glance at the lesson 2 materials list completely dampened my enthusiasm so I decided to paint instead.  But what?  The scramble was on.

After scouring my inspiration archives — and ruling out the first half dozen possibles — I came across this iconic image and coincidentally Bette Davis's name had came up yesterday.  That was enough karma for me.  It was nice to paint again after a few weeks of dry brushes; nevertheless, I hope to grit my teeth and get back to pastels lesson 2 on my mid-week art night.

I also hope to catch up with my Truman College art mates next weekend for their sketch outing, so heaven only knows what next week's blog posting might bring.  Please come back to surveil that (whatever it may be) and meanwhile enjoy today's portrait.

Two Blue

Fifty and Counting... Posts, That Is 2013-W31

An extra long post today, but hopefully justified...

This appears to be my fiftieth post on the Painterly Thoughts blog, which means the one year anniversary is coming up in a month or so.  In that time, the blog has had over 1300 visits, welcoming readers from nearly three dozen countries.  Whether you check in regularly or intermittently, thanks for your patronage!

While preparing the Salon deWinchester blog posts over the years, on two or three occasions I took the opportunity to write longer blogs to make up for the shortfall of picture content.  In retrospect, I see that these posts were the seminal force behind the Painterly Thoughts blog.  Re-presented below in its entirety is the last of these posts, the spark as it were, from September 1, 2012.  Enjoy, and y'all come back!

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

The late 1960's were a time of social upheaval and wars, hot and cold.  Fortunately I was a pre-teen who paid little attention to these boring matters as I rolled up my stack of newspapers for afternoon delivery—though I still clearly remember the day Judy Garland died in June, 1969.  That was a surprise.  Big headline.  But nothing to compare with what was to come a month later.

Like most families of the era, we had dutifully watched every NASA launch and splashdown on grainy black-and-white televisions.  We as a nation celebrated every incremental achievement in the space race.  We mourned the terrible disaster of Apollo 1.  And now, a month after Judy's passing, Apollo 11 was in orbit around the moon.  The Eagle was about to land...

I don't remember who was delivering the newspapers on my route, because I was 300 miles away on a solo visit to my Grandmother—and she had a color TV!  We watched tensely as the Eagle drifted downward but off course... finally landing safely on the moon.  Astronauts Aldrin and Armstrong began the six hours of preparations.  The moment was nearly upon us.

I remember vividly how my Grandmother and I, along with 500 million other people, sat awestruck watching the Eagle's hatch open.  Then came 17 agonizing minutes while Neil Armstrong slowly descended, finally lifting his left foot from the pad and setting it down on the moon.  A famous phrase was uttered.   I was amazed and elated.  What a time to be alive!  To this day, I earnestly believe that moment to be mankind's crowning achievement.

Often I wonder what marvels might yet be revealed in what remains of my lifetime.  Will someone walk on Mars?  Will we see proof that we are not alone in the Universe?  Time will tell.  Meanwhile, today's painting is in part to mourn Neil Armstrong's passing last week.  He bore the weight of being The First Man on the Moon with dignity the rest of his life.  But today's painting also celebrates the legacy left us by all the brave Astronauts of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions.  Hip Hip Hurrah!

Imprint of a Small Step

p.s. This famous bootprint was made by Buzz Aldrin, testing the properties of the lunar regolith.  Good job, Buzzer.

Summer School 2013-W30

So last week we sweltered, and now at the tail end of this week we are downright chilly.  A happy medium would be nice.  I wonder, what does the wildlife make of this erratic weather...  do they notice or care?  I will say, it sure is good weather for sleeping (late)!

Moving on, sometime ago I bought a book titled Pastel School and I decided this week it was about time to matriculate.  All the requisite materials were in stock at my in-house art supply store; with no other excuses available I took on lesson 1 — which is simple as you would expect.  One beautiful aspect of pastels is, unlike a paintbrush or drawing pencil, it's not essential that you begin by holding the right end.  Challenge accepted! 

Evidently, as lessons progress I'll learn assorted techniques until (voila!) I ultimately combine the small subjects from the assorted lessons into one gigantic still life.  But if I were you, I shouldn't hold my breath waiting to see that...  unless blue goes with what you're wearing.

Pastel School Study I

p.s. to my art mates out there...  I drew this picture.  That's right, drew it freehand from scratch, no transfer paper.  So there!

Duh Week 2013-W29

Lawsy! did we swelter this week, along with most of America.  After a very productive Monday, this became a week of few accomplishments.  Who wants to move fast — if at all — in such heat?  Yet what always surprises me is how the heat slows the brain as well.  Me feel stupid.  Hard make plan for paint.  In the face of diminished enthusiasm for anything on my painting to-do list, I recalled it was about time for another Propuesta... lazy, but nevertheless decisive.

The theme for Propuesta 7 is painting wet-in-wet; today's painting is just the warm-up exercise from the book (meh!), although I do like poppies.  I wish I'd had the brainpower to translate the steps in the plan instead of relying solely on the photos.  In August and September I'll do a couple more w-i-w paintings with subjects (and plans) more to my liking.  Meanwhile, here's what I cranked out as the ceiling fan whirred silently above me.

Propuesta 7:  Field Poppies

Buen Viaje 2013-W28

Or, Bon Voyage for you francophones.  One of our art mates is moving to Mexico soon to teach for a year, and we are gathering today for a send-off party that includes the gift of a small painting from each of us to take along.

I pondered quite a while about a subject, but eventually it occurred to me that — during a year immersed in Latino culture and peoples — seeing someone "all American" could be an interesting counterpoint.  (Although the actual subject is a British soccer player, but close enough.)

While painting, my mind wandered to thoughts about current demographic trends; I realized that one day this century, sooner not later, the typical all-American youth would be a Latino...  the very thought of which gets Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck to foaming at the mouth.

Back in the day, the same kind of hysteria was aimed at the Irish and Italians and Swedes (to name a few) and that all seems to have worked out okay.  I'm confident America will still be pretty great, even when it has also become un poco más picante también.  Think about that while you enjoy today's painting!

Footballa

Not in Orange 2013-W27

Hello, hope you had a fantastic Canada Day or Independence Day or just any one excellent day this week, as applicable.  To my surprise, I got to enjoy our Chicago fireworks from the best open air "box seats" possible for the event.  That was a fun finish to my full week of festivals and et cetera.

Changing topics, back in Week 20 I wrote about my intention to burn off some orange paint...  the plan was to make a portrait of my friend Donna, but then I changed my mind at the last minute and did a quick sketch of Gustave Caillebotte instead.  And I used 0% orange to paint that one.

I felt Donna had gotten cheated though, so I forged ahead with her portrait this week.  It has plenty of orange paint but not in an overt way.  What came off the brush ended up much more illustrative than what I imagined at the start.  (P.S. I took liberties with her clothes and jewelry, the result being a little more Clintonian than Donna.)  I have warned her I might do another version, much less conventionally, now that I have a "safe" one in the bank.

In the meantime, here she is — a Woman of a Certain Age who is a defier, not a denier.  She is in Europe right now following Bruce Springsteen to a couple of his concerts.  Thus I'm pretty sure that by comparison with The Boss, the painting will not rock her world.  But I hope she and you all enjoy it moderately.

WCA:  Donna of Jersey

Thought So 2013-W26

Being that we're only human, on occasion we can be very thoughtless.  Which is unintentional, otherwise it's just being mean.  When we later realize we have been thoughtless, best to move swiftly to apologize and right the wrong.  As was the case with this class photograph.  In the original (lower), this cheerful boy had to lean in to the picture after he and his mobility chair were thoughtlessly placed way outside the main grouping.

In this internet age, the ensuing outrage quickly prompted a re-shoot (above) where the boy and his caretaker are fully integrated and he is just as cheerful.  His parents wisely did not show him the first photograph.  Good on them.

Another thing that struck me is how stiff everyone looks in the lower photo.  I guess the second picture was organized in a hurry and taken without warning.  And what a much better picture it makes... everyone looks so comfortable and real.  Maybe there is more than one lesson about school photographs to learn here?

While you think about that, please also enjoy the birthday card I made for my mother, 2013 edition.
It comes complete with a poem.

Tulips for Mum

Tulips 
By A. E. Stallings
 

The tulips make me want to paint,

Something about the way they drop

Their petals on the tabletop

And do not wilt so much as faint,

Something about their burnt-out hearts,

Something about their pallid stems

Wearing decay like diadems,

Parading finishes like starts,

Something about the way they twist

As if to catch the last applause,

And drink the moment through long straws,

And how, tomorrow, they’ll be missed.

The way they’re somehow getting clearer,

The tulips make me want to see—

The tulips make the other me

(The backwards one who’s in the mirror,

The one who can’t tell left from right),

Glance now over the wrong shoulder

To watch them get a little older

And give themselves up to the light.

Source: Poetry (June 2009)

Oh Dear 2013-W25

Today's WCA-series subject, bless her, is no doubt a cautionary tale.  I'm just not sure exactly what all those caution(s) might be.  Plenty to choose from.  At the tender age of 26, this Miss already appears to have reached "a certain age".  It's difficult to believe that in the decade's time since Mean Girls, she looks 30 years older and in her spiral has gone from having the world at her feet to having... possibly stolen borrowed shoes on her feet.  In another decade from now, she will reach the age at which her alleged idol, M. Monroe died.  In that time, L.L. could write a new story for herself or play out the one that's unfolded lately.   Let's hope she defies the odds and manages the former.

Some say youth is wasted on the young.  I don't know if that's true, but here in support of the hypothesis we have Exhibit A.  And if you think the painting is harsh, you should see the reference photo.  I have been kind.

WCA:  Early Arriver

Finally (epidsode 1) 2013-W24

I don't remember when I first beheld the inspiration for today's work, but I do know that I made a quick study in January 2011 during the early days of Salon deWinchester.  My overarching scheme was for a mixed media piece of watercolor & pastels.  I went on to make the awesome underpainting at right on March 12, 2011.  Pointless observation: not quite the Ides of March, but close enough.

In the fifty-one (‼) intervening months this much ignored underpainting has sat mostly in a drawer, occasionally on a table to "inspire" me toward finishing up, and probably in a crazy place or two — if only briefly.  No doubt I was paralyzed by my fear that I had bitten off much more than I could chew with baby teeth.

Until early last Saturday morning after I finished Seaview..., when I took a deep breath and got down to it.  This work is my most ambitious undertaking yet in pastels and I'm still a neophyte so even selecting the pastels was agonizing.  Whereas laying down the first strokes was terrifying.  And yet, before long I felt comfortable that my approach was going to work out.  Once begun, you're half done, right?  I tell myself that a lot.

From that point, it was like an open bag of potato chips...  every time I walked past the work table I'd pick up a chalk and work a little more.  And a little more.  Well, you know how it goes with potato chips.  Though I didn't eat the whole bag, figuratively speaking, that night as I shut down the house for bedtime I glanced at the work and realized I was near the midpoint.  Would there be anything left for Tuesday Art Night?  Well, there was.

Though if not, I have a handful of other projects that have all stumbled and stalled at varying points in their progress.  I aim to slay them one dragon at a time, many if not most if not all.  My friends at Truman College and the fellows of Salon deWinchester, they who have seen the body of preliminary sketches and studies, will doubtless look on these finished pieces and exclaim... Finally!

Peaceable Interlude in the Serpentine Grapery

p.s.  Long time blog readers: this is the very landscape to which I refer in the 2012-W40 blog.  You know, where I predicted I'd finish this mixed media piece on October 27, 2012.  Ha ha ha

"A Certain Age" 2013-W23

Having studied a foreign language (or five), I'm always fascinated by idioms and wonder by what path did some come to acquire their non-literal meaning.  Why does the Mexican Spanish equivalent of "better half" translate as "half of the orange"?  And in a similar way I appreciate euphemisms, of which today's posting title is a fine example.  "A certain age".  What a nice way to say "not young"... not officially "elderly".

More or less it's written the same in French except the "a" gets a funny hat:  un certain âge.  I don't know why as I haven't studied French, and if I want to learn it then I'm running out of time for I am a man of certain age.  Most of my friends are also of that certain age, and like myself may have come to accept that on the matter of your age, you can deny it or you can defy it. 

Last week I painted the first in an intermittent series of fashionable women d'un certain âge who likely believe they are defying — though others might render a verdict of: denying.  Still, one can appreciate their immaculate dress and skillfully applied makeup.  Lots of slap as they would say in Britain.  Ultimately,  I perceive this embalmed-chic look as legitimate, albeit unintentional performance art.  In painting the Women of a Certain Age (WCA) series, I probably mean to mock the deniers, but I will slip in one or two defiers whom I celebrate.  I leave it to you to decide which those might be.

That explains last week's painting, whereas this week I did a landscape for my nephew that he requested a couple years back.  It's a view of a lesser lighthouse in Maine.  My first ever piece on panorama sized paper, so good for me...  I can check that off my list while I'm still d'un certain âge.  Enjoy!

Seaview toward Ram Island Ledge Light

The Wedding 2013-W22

If you read last week's blog early, then you should scroll down and see the finished painting.  I posted it on Wednesday.  Now, with that out of the way, on to today's painterly thoughts...

Last evening I attended the wedding of an old friend from college.  As often happens, we had drifted apart in the intervening years until the miracle of the internet put us back in touch sometime during the late days of the Dubya.Bush era.  It really boggles the mind that in the modern era, we have the potential on any day to see any living person on the planet.  I can't imagine what it must have been like a century or so ago when parents saw their children head off to make a life in the "new" world, knowing that probably never again would they see one another.

I guess the downsides are that so many voices now compete for our increasingly fragmented attention, and it takes a real effort to hide!  Computer, cell phones, social media sites and all them apps — wonderful inventions and fantastic tools.  But as I often remind myself and my friends: they work for you, not the other way around.

And now that I've set aside two chunks of time each week for painting, you can expect me not to return texts promptly on Tuesday evening as well as Saturday mornings!  I finished the dog series on Tuesday and wasn't quite ready to begin some of my summer plans this morning.  So today I'll offer this, the first in an intermittent series for those occasions in the coming months where I have nothing better to do.  I'll reveal more about the series in next week's blog.

WCA:  Miss Porter's (Very) Ancient

Double Down 2013-W21

What a crazy week!  For my own amusement, I keep a list of the countries whence (i.e. from where) my blog has international visitors.  I was bored on Thursday afternoon and found that since Saturday, I'd had my first visitor from seven countries, thus bringing the total up to 26.  In alphabetical order, the seven were Columbia, Cyprus, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Lithuania, and Pakistan.  Definitely pan-global.  And sometime on Tuesday my blog had its 1,000th viewing...  so, a big thank you to all who have visited.  I appreciate your support!

Meanwhile, about the same time that my 1,000th view was happening, I was reflecting on how I've been diligent about painting every Saturday morning.   Not just happy about successfully honoring the commitment, but happy to be spending the time that way.  So why not double the pleasure?  Being good with math, I figured that half a week from Saturday morning would be a three hour chunk on Tuesday evening.  And so starting the 28th, I'll do art Tuesday evenings as well.

But I think one blog post a week is plenty for now.  I might have two works to show, or maybe a small shot of the work in progress to accompany the finished product.  Time will tell.  All I can say is I'm looking forward to double the fun.  And, I hope you all will continue to look in from time to time too.

Speaking of works in progress, today at Salon deWinchester I only managed to get the background blocked in.  I may get back to painting later today, or I may leave it for Tuesday night.  Here in the meantime is an excerpt to add color to this posting until the completed painting materializes...

Well, as it happened, I did put in some time on the dreary Memorial Day weekend.  In the end, though, I finished up on Tuesday night and here you go.  Enjoy!

Driving Doggy III

Orange You Glad I Caught You Up? 2013-W20

Last week's blog talked about beavers and capybaras.  This week I could mention goats or sheep, (whichever eats more grass) because a wee flock of them would come in handy today.  During my absence the lawn has overgrown the maximum height for my push mower to fell.  But I will deal with that later.

Meanwhile, I have been industrious:  sorted out the remainder of my palette reworking as mentioned in blogs 2012-W42, -W43 & 2013-W01.  Glad to have that behind me!  Managed to finish reading Art & Fear, so I can cross that off my list of 2013 Art Resolutions.  With all that done, what next?  So this week I am pausing to ponder and plan for Summer...

I have a current canine series to finish, think I'll do the last(?) of those at the May 25 Salon deWinchester.  I've made studies for several large paintings, and since that is another of my resolutions I guess I'll bust out one or two of those in June.  And I'd like to try abstracts and acrylics — maybe I'll combine those into one super-maddening effort.  In fact, might as well save that until it's god-awful hot to really make the experience furstrating!

Yet with all this clarity about what to do in the weeks ahead, I was stumped about what to do today.  For inspiration, I looked back through my photo files and reviewed the "hierarchy" of genres.  (Plus I wanted to use up a particular pair of paints in my palette.)  After I put all that in a mental jar and shook vigorously, I first opted for an orangey monochrome portrait of my friend Donna.  This explains the juvenile pun in the blog title.

When suddenly, I managed to pop those unwanted colors out of my palette — so at the last minute I elected to do a quick portrait study using a couple of new-to-me cobalt pigments.  In my defense, I painted this in under 45 minutes using only green, violet, and a touch of magenta.  The portrait depicts the great French artist Gustave Caillebotte, whose forgiveness I beg.

 

Caillebotte

Like a Beaver 2013-W19

Like a beaver, today I am busy.  Probably too busy to paint.  A few weeks back, though, I had to make two paintings in a single sitting — one of which I held in reserve for today.  Also like a beaver, today's subject capybara is a rodent.  The biggest, in fact.  Beavers are #2 in heft but possibly try harder than capybaras, which eat grass instead of chewing down trees.  Unfortunately for the vegetarian capybara, it seems they are the favorite food of jaguars and (gulp) anacondas.  Finally, during my prep work for the (so-so) painting, I was fascinated to discover that the Spanish word for capybara is in fact carpincho and not capybara.  So maybe you can win a bar bet with that, regardless of whether or not you enjoy the painting.  Peace!

Yo Soy un Gran Carpincho

Propuesta Six 2013-W18

I've been concentrating on my 2013 Art Resolutions this week, grinding through a boring part of Art & Fear.  And it's about time for another Propuesta.  The propuestas arise in a Spanish-language book on creativity with watercolors, and so far they have been interesting...  I've picked up a trick or two.  And scraped some rust off my limited Spanish.  Gracias, Google Translate.

All of which brings us to the next, Propuesta 6 — a fantasy landscape featuring oriental buildings.  And as they say, I am not feeling it.  Too specific, and the subject matter barely interests me.  Whereas I explored all the prior propuestas at least twice, I predict #6 will be a one-and-done.

In any case, my lack of enthusiasm for the project was offset by my cheer painting and socializing with my fellow artists at Salon deWinchester after many weeks.  Happily, our hosts have a painting that provided better inspiration for this propuesta.  I'm glad to have it behind me!

Propuesta 6:  Fantastic Village

I'll Be With You... 2013-W17

I've been keeping busy down in Texas lately, and savoring an early taste of the warm temperatures that we in Chicago will enjoy for a day or so in the coming week.  Fortunately, I got back home before my apple and cherry trees blossom.  Yay!  For me, the highlight of the spring displays is the fruit trees in flower.  I often want to paint that image but ultimately decide watercolors aren't right for the job.  But never say never.

This week in the studio, I be on the scramble.  In defiance of the low odds, two family members have the same birthday.  Thus two cards to paint and post.  Today features the first card, an interpretation of a painting I did a few weeks back, channeling the spirit of Cezanne in the process.  And possibly Pollock in the background.  Card number one is already in the mailbox; as soon as I click "publish" I'll get card two on the easel.  (I suspect you will see it on the May 11 blog entry.)

After all the industry indoors, I think I will give my lawn its first mow.  Then I can sit back and wait on my fruit trees.  How I love this time of year...  I hope you, too, find your best way to enjoy apple blossom time!

Le crocus à la manière de Cézanne

p.s.  As you may know:  (I'll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time  is a popular song written by Albert Von Tilzer and lyricist Neville Fleeson, copyrighted in 1920.

To the Point 2013-W16

Posting to the blog from the road it turns out is a royal pain.  But the good news for you is:  this week's post may possibly be the briefest ever.  Enjoy that as well as painting two in the new series.

Driving Doggy II

A Dog's Life 2013-W15

Who wouldn't want to reincarnate as a family dog?  Think about it... your job is taking the day off!  Sure, an odd bark here or there just to demonstrate that you're not always asleep, but otherwise lounging, napping, eating and walkies constitute 23+ hours of your day.  Pretty sweet deal.  I also think that compared to most of the animals & people on the planet, dogs do the best job of enjoying their enjoyment.  They really embody what it means to have a good time.

To balance the scales, after painting my series of Cats in Hats & Wigs I intended a companion series of dogs — not in Hats & Wigs.  My first thought was Dogs with Pipes & Ties, which was not a fruitful field.  (I eventually painted one dog with a pipe, and now that's done.)  Finally, I stumbled upon the perfect theme for the dog series and off we go with two or three paintings.  I hope you will enjoy them on a par with the enjoyment expressed by their subjects.  Whee...!

Driving Doggy I