Big River

Big River

8" x 8"

Oil

To purchase click here

While I wait for layers to dry on The Wasp Jar, I created a painting of an area I've had my eye on for a long time.  You know how you see a place out of the corner of your eye every day and mean to stop and capture it but you never do?  Well, today I did.

This river runs under a bridge I cross daily enroute to work.  Called 'Big River', its deep and fast moving and this is one of its narrowest channels, quite popular with fishing people.  I see this little corner of the riverbank with its dark water, flecked with foam from the fast moving water, but still as well further out.  The last colours of autumn are hanging in the leaves on alder bushes and the russet remains of taller plants constrast against the paling grasses.

Oil on 8" x 8" canvas board.

The Wasp Jar - update WIP

 The Wasp Jar - in progress

9 x 12 oil

canvas panel

I've added more layers to this painting.  Its slow going when I add thin layer over layer and these layers need a day or two to dry before the next is applied.

I continue to refine and have it pretty much where I want it in terms of form now - a tweak here and there will bring the bottle into form.  Detail comes next and adding the minute crinkles in the wax paper takes a lot of observation and careful paint placement.  However, the obsessive/compulsive part of me loves doing just that kind of inspection and detail placement.

There's a long way to go yet. The bottle needs glazes to bring out the rich brown tones that it has and that means more of the waiting game.  And the wax paper?  Well, one crease at a time...

Cold marble

 Cold Marble

8" x 8"

Canvas Board

To purchase, click here

I usually work on several paintings at once when I use oils, as I need a couple of drying days between layers.  I'm still working on sections of the Wasp Jar while I wait for other parts to dry.

Meanwhile, I completed the painting of the marble that I'd started a few days ago.  I liked the looseness of it.  Its good for me to forget about tightness and just paint some days.

If you notice on the right side of the blog, I've put a QR (Quick Response) code.  This is compatible with smart phones and newer iPods.  If you have a scanner program, you simply point your device at the code and let it scan.  This one will send you to my website.

I'll considering other ways to use the code which is slowly becoming more popular in the public eye.  I'm working on marketing and promotion tools that incorporate QR codes as well as making plans for projects for 2012.  I suddenly have more ideas that I jot down furiously in Evernote.  If you haven't tried this little piece of software, do.  I have it on several computers and use it to write down ideas and bookmark websites when I get ideas.  You can access from any computer that you have it installed on and its available as a free app as well, making note taking mobile.

The Wasp Jar - WIP

I was clearing out some shelves today and found this glass wasp jar.  A wasp jar, for those not familiar with them, were the original environmentally friendly method of eliminating wasps.  The jar has a raised dome inside with an open centre.  Sugar water is poured into the jar about an inch or so and it is hung in your wasp problem area. The wasp enters the jar from the bottom, slides down the dome in its efforts to reach the sugar water and, unable to climb the slippery slope again to find its escape, succumbs to a sugary death.

The shape and colour of it appealed to me and I played around with compositions and lighting for awhile before deciding on adding the marble as a stopper and some crumpled wax paper to soften the background.  I'd seen some of Sadie Valeri's work with still life and waxed paper and it inspired me to try painting some waxed paper and see what happens.

I drew the piece straight onto a 9 x 12 canvas with a small brush and diluted payne's grey in oils.  I seemed to get a little lost in the marble, but that went by the wayside as I started refining shapes and adding some colour to its current point.

This piece may take awhile or it may go quickly, depending on how the glass and waxed paper cooperates!