More Crack...

 detail image

 18 x 46 inches

 detail image

 12 x 16 inches

 18 x 24 inches

 8 x 10 inches

detail

with tinting

This is the most frightening point of this process. Having to cover the entire painting. It always kind of freaks me out. 

This is the color that stays in the cracks when I wash it off the canvas

Shar - after crack

Shar - on crack

Cracked...

I absolutely LOVE cracking my paintings. It's like the cracks provide a harmony that wasn't there before. Or maybe it's just me that's cracked...

Whatever.

This is the first seascape that we've cracked. I like it very much. I think it's the unpredictability that intrigues me the most. 

I've been working on Bubbles here, for almost 5 years now. I think I may have finished this time.

I had the bucket of gesso open and was about to paint over this lady. I'm pleased that I didn't. I really like the large blemish over the brick area. Unpredictable. It's a whole new work.

Not so sure I care for this. I really liked the painting the way it was. Here is where that unpredictability is a real drag. The cracks are way too big for the size of this work. It's bugging me. Sometimes that eagerness to keeping tweaking is a mistake. Sometimes you just need to leave things alone.
So now, do I leave it at this point and be unhappy with it? Or do I try to tweak it a bit more and get something better? Can I live with myself if I ruin it for good?

Easy Canvas Prints...

Greetings all!  I want to tell you about a wonderful little place called Easy Canvas Prints.

They just made this work for me. I emailed them a jpg image of an old photo. The did some editing work for me to remove a face in the back ground. They printed it on canvas and gave it a finished 1 1/2 inch gallery wrap with black edges. 

It was easy and quick and I love it! They did a fantastic job.

I haven't quite figured out where I'm going to hang it yet but who cares. I love this photo and it looks great on canvas. As soon as I find it a home I will take more photos.

For anyone that "Likes" them on Facebook they will give you 50% off your first order.  www.facebook.com/easycanvasprints

I would send you to my facebook page, but I do not facebook. So you can visit on your own. There is also a button in my side bar to go directly to their website.

Thank you Easy Canvas Prints.

I Shall Call Her...Bubbles...

Some of you may remember this Chadette. She is about 4 years old. She has yet to leave the studio as I have never been happy with her back ground. To date, she has had at least 5 different, completed back grounds and several variations of each. 

Well tonight I think I found the one I was looking for. Bubbles.

I like bubbles...we will see more of these.

The Beginning...

Something Different...

This is one of the studies for a new painting I was asked to create. This one is 36 x 48 inches, oil on canvas. The finished work will be about twice that size.

Still, In The Studio...

So, I've found a great model, Summer, and have now painted several works based on her.

Here are a couple more, plus my first diagonal.

oil 12 x 16

oil 12 x 16

oil 12 x 12

I'm thinking of doing more like this, in groups or patterns...

oil 8 x 24

In The Studio...Continued

Ok, so I've been busy this morning.

This one used to be called, "Where is this relationship going". After a few modifications... Now she is "Anastasia". 18 x 24 inches.

This one was just a brick wall. This morning I added the girl. 18 x 24 inches.

This one got a cheek reconstruction, eye brow shaping and a new hair cut and color. 16 x 20 inches.

This one is all new. Also very pleased with her. 16 x 20 inches, oil on canvas.

In The Studio...

Being sad is exhausting. But it also feeds creativity. So, meet the new additions. All are 12 x 16 inches, oil on canvas with varnish, and may or may not get cracked. No one sells the cracking varnish around here anymore.

There are four more waiting for the finishing touches. Maybe today.

I'm pleased with the first two, but the third, may be my favorite one yet.

As always, name suggestions are always welcome.

Before And After, Cracked Edition...

Meet the new Mikelle and Joan.

Before

After Cracking and tinting.

Detail

Before

After cracking and tinting.

Detail.

It's a little difficult to see, but trust me. It looks really cool.

So Far...

One of the greatest obstacles I face as an artist, is knowing when to quit. Actually, it's not just with my art. I have the same issue with everyday life. I never quite know when to stop.

I do know that trying to over analyze things only makes them worse. My instincts are fairly good and following my heart has taken me on an unforgettable journey. I regret none of it.

So why change things when a few minor adjustments would do the trick? Simple is almost always better.

What to do with paintings that just don't sell? Often I paint over them and create something new. This time I decided to be a little less dramatic and a bit more cosmetic. Maybe they could just be re-worked.

I picked out six works that have been collecting dust and gave them a little something extra.

Here are two of them at the, "so far" stage. So far, so good.

Before

After

Before

After

This is just fun with scotch tape. The first four strips are on my face. I eventually had eleven. Sorry, no photo of that. Mr. Man was beginning to freak out and ran to hide.

Always remember and never forget: Love only works if you give it away. So spread the love.

Paint...Cook...Paint...

Pelican Point Sunset

An almost perfect crustless quiche. Mushrooms, Ham, 3 Cheeses, Asparagus.

Dark Breakers

On Going...

Something New...

I started this painting tonight. There is something about this one I really like so far. I know that this photo is absolute crap. It's almost midnight and it's too dark in my studio to get a good shot. It might help if I didn't paint by M&M Christmas lights.

She's 12 x 16, and still a work in progress. Close but not quite. Maybe tomorrow I can get a decent photo before I paint more. Although I will most likely go back to the studio as soon as I hit the publish button.

I learned this afternoon, that the people at Dick Blick Art Store do not know everything about painting and techniques. I went to find Aging varnish. I need it to go under the cracking varnish. Well, the store didn't carry the aging varnish and told me that any varnish should work under the cracking varnish. They were wrong. The cracking varnish does not work with any varnish under it.

The Blick people are usually so good.