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