Blog

I have been working hard this Fall to finish this large Studio painting to take to "The Good Art Company Gallery" in Fredericksburg next weekend. The cliffs are from a pleinair painting done in Sicily. (Painting below) and a cactus painting from Mexico. These cliffs might as well be from West Texas as Sicily, but there would not be palm trees in West Texas, so I did a switch-a-rue. The sky is pure Texas Hill Country Summer Sunset! Inspiration can come from many sources.

Commissions are an important part of my business, and I am honored whenever a client asks me to create their vision. This couple had a large wall in their dining room decorated in Peaches and Greens. They had recently purchased a summer house in the mountains of Tennessee and wanted a painting to celebrate the new house. I was asked to create a 48"x 48" painting, which took about 6 months from concept to completion. After submitting 2 small paintings, I painted the large canvas vermillion, which is the color of the light at sunset. Then I drew in the placement of the different elements, placing the darkest and the lightest elements first. Then, working from back to front and front to back, I was able to get a better idea of how the areas worked together. After that, it was just taking the time to get all the areas up to a finished piece. Time is not as important as being sure you are pleased with each part of the canvas. Never settle for less than your best. The painting will be here long after you are gone.

Galveston Island Artist Boat's goal is to preserve and restore 1,400 continuous acres from beach to bay. The Preserve is adjacent to Galveston's West Bay, part of the Bay system, and an estuary of local and National interest. To raise money for this worthwhile endeavor, they offer Kayak Adventures, where you will discover that the coast is unique, beautiful, and alive from the seat of your kayak. You will also be given a small watercolor set to create a plein air of your adventure. In addition to conservation, Artist Boat educates youth during Aco-Art Camps, Workshops, and stewardship programs. On November 14-15, they will host dinner each evening from 4:30 to 9:00, including beer and wine, live music, and a silent and live auction. There will also be remarks from Jack E. Davis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished Professor of History at the University of Florida. I have donated the painting above for the auction. For more information or to purchase tickets to the event online, go to www.artistboat.org

Years ago, I purchased a book of Joaquin Sorolla's paintings of gardens, created between 1902 and his death in 1923. They are magnificent! Many are painted in his garden in Madrid, which he designed; however, some are in other gardens around Spain. I have spent many happy hours drooling over his work, and this is what he taught me. First, link your dark shapes and squint to see them as shapes. Symplify your lights so that they read as a shape as well. Pay attention to the negative spaces and vary the size of your shapes. There are many good artists, but few Great ones. Look only at the Best!

The painting below is Sorolla's painting of his garden. Dang! I've got a long way to go!