Where I Stand Sunday

This is a new 8 foot by 9 foot rug (although it is a hand-me-down from my in-laws in New Mexico) it is - all the same - like new and adds a lot of class to our little living room. We got one of those under the rug rubber mats, and it makes it so the dogs don't go sliding as they race across it for the couch...or when the wiener dog races happen - which is about daily. We like it! Our little house is such a hodge podge, I love decorating that way - it's very eclectic. So about 4:00 PM today, I WILL be standing (probably some of the time - maybe even jumping up and down on this rug) during the Super Bowl - GOOOOO Cardinals!

Finished the portrait below. Need to work on a few things that show up in photos (the mouth is a little wrong), just don't see them standing on the easel - photos of the artwork help in so many ways. Got a little sidetracked in the studio today. Gesso'd some canvas - actually painted over some of the work from this year, that I deemed not fit for showing or selling and also varnished several that I will keep and show. That takes up a lot of time.

Didn't make my goal for January of 15 portraits, which would have been one more animal or person. I was working on one today, a pastel, but it wasn't going anywhere. And I know why that is, the pose was dynamite, but the lack of contrast left MORE to be desired - it's hard to create that in a flat photo. That happens, although not as much as it used to. That makes me happy. So this is number 14 of 15. Almost - I tried! No biggie. Actually you could count one more, with some of the "didn't get off the easel" ones...about 3.

For February, I am not going to challenge myself with quantity, but quality and learn some new techniques for landscapes by practicing, checking out some books and DVD's that I have on my shelf and visiting other art blogs and websites of landscape artists. I am not good at trees, so will be giving them a try. Right now, there are such great skeletons out there, I may have to go shoot some photos or sit in the car and sketch. Wanna see a great tree painting - John Vanderstelt has a great tree painting here!

One thing I must say that is good about where I live...there are the most awesome sunsets...almost as good as the ocean ones - just no water. I have been noting in my mind the colors and the chroma that happens during a really great one. They are so great, that the camera doesn't always do them justice. Hmm...tree shapes in the sunset. Nice days ahead could mean some plein air painting. I'll also be working on some still lifes, getting back into using the shadow box. Stay tuned.

"Dad in the Phillipines"

8" x 10" charcoal and pastel on Canson paper

P.S. Check out my new profile photo, it is the DSFDF portrait challenge from Victoria in Okinawa. I think it really looks like me! Thanks Victoria!

Where I Stand Sunday is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing.
Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on.
The ground we tread on has its own stories to tell.