"Lucille, A Reworked Portrait", 16x20"

Old things CAN be new again, sometimes.  I took this old painting that had been hanging around since about 2007 and threw some new paint at it.  As long as I stayed in the correct value range (light to dark), I could add any colors that I wanted into all areas of the painting.  Here is a closeup of the area on her cheek and neck:

I was able to add notes of purple, green, blue, and orange into this area of the model.  Since each of these colors was the correct value, none of them stood out and away from the others.  Sticking with the correct value actually frees us to experiment with color!

New Class Announcement

"Floral Fantasy in Red"

Button Petter Gallery 

"Floral Fantasy in Yellow"

Button Petter Gallery 

"Tea Roses"

East End Gallery

Dear blogging friends, I have neglected you far too long, and I apologize for that.  In a nutshell, I have been painting like crazy.  In the spring, I had galleries to supply.  The three paintings above have sold in the last month, and interestingly, they are all florals!  Hmmm, perhaps I should pay attention to that...

After the gallery orders were filled, I retreated to my studio to continue my experimentation with the new techniques I've picked up in the last few months, particularly in CW Mundy's workshop.  My ratio of successes to failures at present is about 1/10.  The paint is flying and the canvases are filling the garbage bins.  But my hope is that I will eventually emerge from my garret with a new approach, and perhaps a new understanding of impressionist art.

NEW CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT: I will be teaching 6 week classes in Impressionism for new and continuing students at Mainstreet Art Centre in Lake Zurich, IL starting in September.  The classes will be held on Fridays.  I will also be teaching a portrait class on Monday evenings, beginning in September.  If you'd be interested in any of these classes, please call Mainstreet at (847) 550-0016.