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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Spring in Clintonville

Spring in  Clintonville   watercolor   18.5 x 16
was inspired by few days we spent with my son's family in Columbus.  Clintonville is one of those older inner city neighborhoods that one can see in any mid-size city where young families are moving in and adding a new energy to the old and tired.  I love these neighborhoods.  For me, they exude a charm that is hard to find in newer suburban towns. Frequent walks down the street helped me to understand the light patterns.  Plants and shrubs were blossoming.  The scene seemed to be flooded with light.

My aim here was to merge the home with the surrounding environment.  My sense of aesthetics seems to reject subjects that are too enclosed, too encased, too separate.  And, while I can see some passages that I would improve, this is, after all, watercolor, and "just one more correction" can easily slide into overworked.  I am gradually learning to ease into finish leaving a bit undone.  Overall, I am pleased.  The mood of the work is exactly what I wanted.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

The Wee Hours

Sophia   Sketchbook Drawing
are, for me, sacrosanct.  I greet the day, coffee by my side, as I take in my book-of-the-moment.  This is a luxury of my age to be sure.  Sometimes opportunities present themselves in a way that are impossible to resist.  While staying at our son's house, I chose a quiet corner to carry on my morning moments while both he and his wife prepared themselves for work.  Their cat Sophia, who is the quintessential lap cat, snuggled close by just beneath the reading lamp.  I had plenty of time to complete the sketch as she slumbered.  Sleeping beings are so relaxed that their weight literally melds into the support surface, in this case a soft hassock.  My day was begun in deep consideration, admiration and love.  Good Morning Sophia!

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Pink Hyacinths

Pink Hyacinths      Watercolor   11 x 14
...lacy bell-shaped blossoms atop thick and leek-like stems...quite the study of opposites.  Slow and steady to paint.  I think that I have finally learned how to suggest those small blossoms by generalization, for the most part, and a bit of detail on the small bell-shapes closest to the viewer. 

I have come to realize that reality and design in painting are often at odds with each other, and yet both have a world to offer.  And, again, as always, the recipe, the balance, between the two must be determined by each individual artist.  I am happiest when design rules...the place where reality becomes a supporting actor.  A growth spurt...another level of perception. 

I am pleased.