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Saturday, August 25, 2018

Tiny Dancer

Little Mermaid   charcoal, conte and gold leaf on toned paper   21.5 x 14
It has been so much fun to paint and draw from a live model again!  Due to the fine efforts of Cuyahoga Valley Art Center Center's new director Danielle Dieterich, young dancers from Ballet Excel OhioExcel Ohio have been modelling each Tuesday evening and will continue for some time.  We artists, mostly older, are treated to the movements and costumes of these young dancers. 

"Little Mermaid" was drawn in charcoal and conte crayon on a toned paper.  Gold leaf pieces were added later.  I had actually hoped for more covering on its application, but due to the fact that the adhesive was mostly dried up, and the high humidity, a more mottled effect was the result.  But I am happy. 

This pose, subtle yet powerful, is, I believe the result of a strong core and a slight curving of the small of the back.  I appreciate the strength and willpower of this young dancer!

Saturday, August 18, 2018

The Beach

is a place of ultimate relaxation for most...where schedules, compulsions and vanities melt away.  Such a vacation was ours to be had this year.  And, in the small square of condos where we stayed, I viewed at least three people taking up brushes, paints and sketchpads in search of the creativity that such freedom provides.  And, while making art is my profession, I don't aim my sites all that high at the beach.  Sand is everywhere, making its way into paint wells and brushes and eyes.  The light is all-too-pervasive, offering little in the way of contrast.  Values are skewed....when extreme light becomes the norm.  And the subject matter becomes a bit too sweet.

But what the beach does provide is the sense of playful painting, of painting without consequences.  I usually bring only a watercolor block and some pan colors, all in a small format.

These are my more successful results from this year's bunch.  There were others...not so successful.

But who cares?  I am on vacation.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Winter Mime

Winter Mime  oil   48 x 30 x 1.5
The date:  January, 2017 about 6 pm
The place:  The Short North; High Street; Columbus, Ohio
The temperature:  hovering around 1 degree F

As we exited a trendy restaurant where we had supped with our son and family, we turned right to head to our car, while they turned left.  Just ahead of us, performing in the frigid conditions, was a mime, an extraordinary mime.  He nodded in agreement at my request to photograph, while we were both amused and amazed at his skill.

This work is just one of what I hope will become a series dedicated to these wordless actors created from the many reference photos taken that day.

BTW....would anyone know who this is?