En Plein Air

En Plein Air   oil on canvas   24 x 12 x 1.5

usually implies painting out-of-doors, on the spot, not in the studio, a situation that is more immediate,  more demanding, and one that requires a keen eye that can adapt to the constantly fluctuating movement of the sun.  In this case, it was the musicians who performed on the stage of a magnificent outdoor amphitheater in the botanical gardens in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  The group of musicians were a warm-up group for a fantastical puppet show entitled "Of Wings and Feet" performed by Paperhand Puppet Intervention company.  We have never seen anything quite like it!  (The closest thing I can recall seeing are the performances of the Cirque du Soleil) Creating a painting from this completely magical evening was a no brainer.  But, to me, a painting of the huge puppets and mystical movements would have diminished their power....there were no frozen moments.  But this young musician so in tune with her instrument gave me pause.  Photos were shot at quite a distance.

Some paintings literally paint themselves.  This was one of them.  I still find myself wishing that all communities could be treated to this kind of gentle magic.

Unruly Things

Strings   oil on canvas   30 x 40 x 1.5

tickle my fancy.  It is also the name of my son's San Francisco-based band.  Unruly adds spice and character to our oh-so-smooth-and-perfect-wrinklefree existence.  The disobedient strand of hair.  The out-of-sync beat that catches our ears.  The desire to step out of the normal.  Check out Unruly Things at: Unruly Things

I was blessed with three wonderful sons who all possess the artist's soul.  Strings has been accepted into Kaleidoscope 2013, an exhibition near and dear to my heart, here in Akron, Ohio.

Strings that connect.  Strings that weave.
Heartstrings.  The jazz of life.

Hanging Around...

Boston Beat   oil/canvas  40 x 30 x 1.5

is a term that implies a bit of laziness, without particular goals.  Hanging around was something we did as teenagers.....waiting for some excitement to stir us.  There are paintings that hang around in my studio.  "Boston Beat" was one such work.  I trusted my intuition as it resided there against the wall.  I was not ready to hang it, to wire it, to consider it finished.  It was just fine....all the pieces were in their places.  The forms interrelated to my satisfaction.  The color pleasing.  Still....I found it a bit boring.  Too much reality.  Values that, to my irritation, whispered.  Not to mention that dreaded green triangle in the upper left.  Painting is a process that requires continued learning and questioning.  I love work that has an immediate impact with its shapes and values.  There was only one thing left to do............surgery.  What it needed took its time to infiltrate my brain.  I am happier.

Resolution is always sweet.  Sometimes attainable.  Sometimes not.