Recycling and P. R. Miller

OIL/CANVAS 20 X 16 X 1.5 P.R. Miller haslong been a fixture in the Akron, Ohio art scene. He is, admittedly, eccentric and calls himself The Grizzled Wizard. And he is quite a character. Many years ago, he posed for our local art group for, I believe, three sessions...that was 2007. Recently, I unearthed this painting from my archives. While I still enjoyed the likeness, the pose and the painterly quality, I was highly disturbed by the background. Texture, texture, too much texture everywhere! So....taking brush to hand, I gave the background a new sparse look. While I am happy with the improvement, it is definitely not the way I would approach the subject at this moment in 2021. And, yet.....I cannot help but think that this newer treatment is appropriate for P.R. Miller, the ultimate and foresightful recycler!

Winter is Long in Canada

Winter is Long in Canada   oil   20 x 16 x 1.5

is a work half-completed from a live session with a model.  For years and years I faithfully attended the Friday model sessions provided by my local art group Akron Society of Artists.  Gradually I became tired of the static seated poses that resulted in order to keep the model from becoming too weary...that, I understand.  Creating more lively poses from photos was more exciting to me.  But there is much to be learned from painting from life.  Recently, I had a free Friday morning and decided to return to the model.  This was to be a two-week session.  As I was not free the following week, I scurried to get correct shapes and values, as well as a sense of movement.  The painting was fine-tuned at home using photos I took during the session.

Our Canadian model was apt and professional.  I thoroughly enjoyed making this work "my own".  I am hoping to find more time for live work this coming year.

The Three Stages of Saturday Night

Saturday Night's All Right   oil/canvas   16 x 20 x 1.5

My notion of a great Saturday night has evolved a bit through the years. When we were a young couple, Saturday night was a night to be with friends, drink a little too much and stay out too late. Sleeping in the next morning. After the children came along, Saturday night included shampoos and some pretty bad television shows. Now, my notion of a fabulous Saturday evening is painting....nonstop....terrific. This Saturday evening is the Akron Art Walk and our ASA Studio is on the list of open venues. We will paint from a model from 5-9 pm on the third floor of the Summit Artspace building which is located at 140 E. Market Street in Akron. Painting from a model for 4 straight hours is my notion of Saturday night bliss.

The fun continues on Sunday when we continue the open studio from noon until 5 pm in collaboration with The Sunday Sampler program (FREE admission) sponsored by The Akron Art Museum.

Be evolved. Avoid drinking too much and staying out too late. Avoid bad television. And put off that shampoo for another day....it really doesn't look that bad. Saturday night ART's all right.