12-18-2023 - Willy Wonka Sketch

 

Willy Wonka was on and caught me in the right mood. So here's a quick little sketch. I began this last night, and touched up a few things this morning. Hard to fit it all in when you get up the same day you go to sleep! lol

Below is where I left off last night. I only spent a half hour or so to soften a few edges and adjusted some things I didn't like in the drawing... Been a minute since I've painted a head. It was a fun little diversion!

Oil on Panel - 7" x 5"

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11-13-22 -- Wires

 

I've been thinking about painting this for a while now. Had a super early start this morning, so I finally had a chance to sit with it. Managed to finish as the sunrise began to pour in through the windows. It was a nice quiet moment.

This arrangement hit me as odd, almost a self portrait really. When I noticed it, I was struck by the fact that I never got around to hiding the wires. For a little back story, the tv was a purchase from Offer Up... At the time, I was so interested in making sure it worked, that I simply never got around to cleaning up! This was right after lock-down, so it's been a minute ha! Anyway, the more I looked, the more I liked the soft sweeping quality of the wires against the hard edged flat-pack furniture. I found it interesting how the big shapes broke up the picture plane I had in my mind. Even the shadows felt important, they repeated the forms and almost acted like a gentle echo. I've probably lost you by now... But I dig it! Hope you will too. Until next time, thanks for looking!

Oil on panel - 8" x 6"

 

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8-14-22 - Stock - Mathiola incana

 

Saw this at the store the other day and it just called to me.  It's common name is Stock also known as Mathiola incana.  Seems to be a secondary player in floral arrangements, but it was fun to disappear into for a little while.

Stock - Matthiola incana
Oil on Panel - 7" x 5"
$100.00
 
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7/22/2021 - Water Pump at Wright Woods

Thursday seems to be the day I get to get out lately. Wasn't sure where I was going, but I ended up at Wright Woods in Vernon Hills. This was a fun little study, I'm glad I painted it in oil. It gave me a chance to soften some edges and adjust some other little things that might not have worked out in gouache. I really enjoyed painting the bike rack too. The sun was in and out as I painted. The news this morning suggested it was overcast due, in part, to the fires out west. I'm not sure myself, but I do hope this finds you all safe and well.

Have a great weekend! As always thanks for looking.

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Huddle Study

Couldn't sleep. Was trying to organize my files... and look for inspiration. You never know when you'll find a gem you missed!

 

Anyways, stumbled on this quick sketch from a number of years ago. Was meant to be one of the main figure groups...

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Bud Vase and Walnut with Rose

In keeping with my post vacation boot camp.  Another bud vase.  Haven't painted a walnut in years... They always remind me of little brains.  I swear the rose is just the slightest bit green too.  I guess that's what she meant when she said we kind of have white sprays available...

More soon.

Oil on Panel - 8" x 6"
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84 - Willow off Route 60

I went into work early today so I could try to get a painting in. Another quick sketch of the Weeping Willow by the Rustoleum building off route 60. This was fun! Completely different than it was in the fall... See here.

And this time I had some company. This big fella was no more than 10 feet away for the whole time. I watched him catch a little sunfish! Maybe some inspiration for a rainy day...

See it in the store.

See blog post on my site

Oil on Panel - 6" x 9"

$100.00 Shipped (U.S.)

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78 - Yellow Spray Rose and Purple Vase

Finally found some nice yellow spray roses!  I've been wanting to paint this vase for a while now!  There was a story attached to the string when I first purchased it... Seems to have disappeared on me...

Oil on Panel - 6" x 4"

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76 - Bulbs 2

Another quick value study.  Want to get these down before the bulbs burn out!  

Ma surprised me by taking a day off to go see the Bouguereau exhibit in Milwaukee!  (Bouguereau and America)  How exciting!  I may finally get to see on of my favorite paintings of his!?!  Don't want to jinx it... as I passed it twice on an east coast tour a number of years ago... Closed both times!

Oil on Panel - 6" x 4"
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75 - Spray Rose and Bottle

Woke up super early this morning.  Decided to do a little study to start the day. The yellow spray roses didn't survive the cold night... But, I thought this one was particularly nice!

Oil on Panel - 4" x 6"
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73 - Laundry Study

Doing some late night laundry for a trip next week.  Thought the lighting was pretty neat!

Oil on Panel - 4" x 6"
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71 - Plum and Bottle

Decided to skip the fancy dinner to just relax... This is the result.  A plum and a little bottle.  Another Goodwill find.  I wasn't sure how I was going to do the brush strokes on the bottle.  But it all came together fairly easily.

A quick shot of the piece in progress.  I meant to take one earlier in the session, but, I got wrapped up.  Hope everyone enjoyed the Holiday!

Oil on Panel - 5" x 7"

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70 - Brushes...

Pulled this one out today just as a reminder.  I painted this as an exercise in "selective focus."  Being a "realistic" painter, I'm always wrestling with the line of what to keep and what to leave out...  Sometimes it gets really complicated.  Especially when working from photos!  There's a whole lot going on here, and I wanted it all to be recognizable with out over doing it.  Truth be told, it was pretty tricky for me.  But, I think it worked out pretty well.  Until next time...  Happy Holidays!

4" x 6" - Oil on Panel
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68 - Off Wilson Road

 

A study of the edge of a farm off Wilson Rd... This is on the way to a friend's house.  They've added so much new construction along the way.  Tons of new subdivisions.  I used to drive out there just to clear my head or get to the water when we still had a boat...  They've set aside a bunch of land for forest preserves and even a massive dog park.  So it's not all gone yet!  It seems like they are trying to save enough of the land to keep it peaceful... 

Oil on Panel - 6" x 8"

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66 - Off Route 60

A quick sketch off Route 60.  I've been waiting for the Weeping Willows to start to change for a while now.  Most of the trees in the area are almost bare with the wind we've had this past week or so.  Better find some more time to get out and capture the colors!

Oil on Panel - 7.5" x 4.25
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64 - Jug and Egg

Another Goodwill find.  I've never seen a jug like this as a pitcher before.  Most of the jugs I've seen like this were used for music.  Either way it was a great way to play with different "whites."  And shine on the different surfaces.  The egg got a little over exposed by my camera, but hopefully you'll get the idea.

Oil on Panel - 6" x 8"
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