Where I Stand Sunday

The internet has opened up the global floodgate of information, along with an opportunity that I came to the realization of this past week.  We have a tractor that is Japanese, it was used to farm in Japan. All the placards and signage on it is in Japanese. Being an operator of lots of equipment over the years, hubster has no problem operating this one, but it would be nice to know what is written on some of the little signs splattered here and there.  I have been taking photos of these little plaques.  We are in communication with Victoria and her husband, who live in Okinawa. You may remember, Victoria and I swapped portraits last year for Karin Jurick's portrait challenge.  I asked, and they are going to try to translate for us.

We have spent the last week or so, doing the 'finish work' on our recycled kitchen.  The cabinets - are new to us...but are hubster's brother's old cabinets from New Mexico.  We finally got the crown moulding installed above the cabinets. It's been interesting taking a kitchen out of one place and totally reconfiguring it to fit in our little space...we have utilized the pieces to the best of our abilities.  This is part of the kitchen - probably as clean as it will ever get. 

Different angle, but this is what it used to look like on top and new kitchen on the bottom.  We have done lots of painting and patching and trim work...all tedious and measuring and time consuming.  All of it takes away from painting time...but life happens.  I am ready to get on to the tax prep now...argh.

Getting ready to HANG our show at the Salina Country Club in Salina, Kansas - along the I-70 corridor -  on Tuesday with Cher Olson, Gary Ozias and Jan Schoen. 

The show will hang for a month of March. 

If you are in the area, please stop by and take a look.

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. If you'd like to join me by posting a photo on Sunday of places you've been on your blog/photo hosting site/website, leave a comment on this post telling me where I can find you/your photo and I'll add a link to my sidebar so others can find you.

A Still Life Painting from an Online Painting Workshop by Susan Carlin

"Still Life with Sunflower Painting"

11" x 14"

oil on canvasboard

The sunflower painting within this painting is by Ohio artist, Barbara Pask.  Again, this is the subject of an online workshop with Susan Carlin (see previous post).

Ellipses are difficult.  They are the "extreme symmetrical" and it's so important to get them right - or it bothers the viewer's eye and mind.  I had to work on my ellipse of the teacup a little more..hope it reads right now.

A large benefit to this workshop...critique!

We had two great critiques of our work which is always helpful. 

You learn from the assessment of YOUR work as well as the work of others.  Valuable!

(P.S. I have a new appreciation for those who paint 'still life'.)

Where I Stood (Saturday)

Brought my painting equipment in the house due to an all day experience I will tell you about. Dogs couldn't withstand the cold and snow all day.  Set up my computer and tables and oil paints by the north light for an online painting workshop with Susan Carlin - all day - and into the evening, as well.

We all painted along with her, from the same still life photo.  I will include mine when I tweak the last bit of it.  About 16 artists participated. We had a good day, we got a lot done.  Susan's expertise was very helpful..she is a master.  I could listen to her every day and know that I would be a better painter for it.  She is going to offer some more of these online paint workshops, so please check in with her from time to time and be a part of it. It's fun and you definitely learn something new, even if you have painted for awhile.

http://susansartjournal.blogspot.com/

This is my temporary set-up in my small living room...notice it's snowing again...this morning we have several inches.  Brrr.
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. If you'd like to join me by posting a photo on Sunday of places you've been on your blog/photo hosting site/website, leave a comment on this post telling me where I can find you/your photo and I'll add a link to my sidebar so others can find you.


 

Pastel Sketches

These two chickens were my focus today.  They are small - done on brown canson paper.

I needed a little practice, as I haven't done any pastels in awhile.  On to bigger and better things.

Where I Stand Sunday

The good thing is...........it's melting each day...mud or not...that's ok with me!

Happy Valentine's Day!

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. If you'd like to join me by posting a photo on Sunday of places you've been on your blog/photo hosting site/website, leave a comment on this post telling me where I can find you/your photo and I'll add a link to my sidebar so others can find you.

Next Gig...Oz!

"Next Gig...Oz"

12" x 12"

oil on wrapped canvas
sold

Painted at my new easel...I am in love. So steady and sturdy and fixated in one spot. This protagonist is actually more true to height. I noticed in the practice piece, I ran out of room to give her those longer legs I was hoping for. Best reason I know to do a practice run, then you can decide what the particulars are and where you need to tweak and allow for.

Best thing is..Oz is just over the hill.

A Thank-You Portrait of the "Master"...Karin Jurick

"Karin"

6" x 8"

oil on canvasboard

As an appreciation for all Karin Jurick does for other artists and particularly this season's 'portrait challenge' on her Different Strokes from Different Folks blog, a call went out to all artists who participated - to paint a portrait of Karin. 118 portraits were finished and compiled into a book which was sent to Karin who should have received it today.  This undertaking was orchestrated by Jill Polsby.  She initiated the idea, collected the portraits and made the book.  These portraits are located at Jill's Picasa site.  Take a look and see some awesome paintings of her. Thanks Jill and...

thanks Karin!!

New Equipment

Good things come in BIG boxes.  This came yesterday on a BIG truck..

and it is a

BIG new easel for the studio!!

Don't you just love new things???  I will be testing it this afternoon and let you know how it drives ☺!

A Practice for a Larger Painting

"Next Gig...OZ"

6" x 6"

oil on canvasboard

this one is SOLD

This one is a practice and done to get the feel for the colors, the composition, the lighting - since it is put together from a couple of different photos.  It will be done next on a 12" x 12" in more detail and more opaque colors...this was just a quick run over it one time.

I usually paint over a cad red light/grumbacher red (wiped down) tint.  Works for me.

Where I Stood...

OK already, I know I requested some winter - awhile back in September/October...I remember I said, "Bring it on!!"  But now I would like to retract that statement and say, "Make it stop!!"

It wouldn't make any difference if I stood here on Friday, Saturday or today, perhaps there would be snowflakes falling today.  That's the forecast anyway.  This drab, no color landscape has a way of working on your nerves. Beautiful..in certain times and certain ways..like the first first or second snowfall.  It seems permanently stamped in front of my face, every day.  I know so many of you hold the same feeling.  So - here I stand..

make it go away!!

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. If you'd like to join me by posting a photo on Sunday of places you've been on your blog/photo hosting site/website, leave a comment on this post telling me where I can find you/your photo and I'll add a link to my sidebar so others can find you.

An Oil Painting...Finished

"Jee and Haw"

8" x 16"

oil on canvasboard

SOLD

This one is finished.  I could keep painting more, but I don't want to cross all the T's and dot all the I's.  I did want to include all those cool stud looking parts, as they are a part of the decoration that depicts the hames (harness get-up).  Some hames are pretty elaborate!  "Jee" is the word you say to go right and "Haw" is the word you say to go left.  Listing on Etsy here. 

Snowing here today...it's like a Spring snow...very wet.

 

Workhorses - Work in Progress

Work in progress is oil, from a very dark photo of very 'dark in color' horses, but I have worked it lighter and made the horses a different color and breed.  The horse on the right needs a little tweaking...after I get the horse on the left, up to speed.  Loved painting the mane on the 'right side' horse and horse on the left, has same kind of mane.  I also get a kick out of painting the harness pieces or 'hames'. It's like putting a puzzle together.  The pieces on their foreheads are part of the decorative harness set.  Check back soon, for the finished piece.