Can you ever have too much green?

 Rambling under Stargazers
24X36                       Acrylic on panel

I've worked this painting up through a number of weeks, it used a number of ideas, subjects and themes I'd explored in about 6 earlier, other paintings. I sketched them together and then used photoshop to do a loose composite using photographs of the original paintings.  From there I worked up the frame work of the painting and then planned the color.

Some of the elements even within the color plan were based on the earlier paintings, (for example the jug and papaya on the left), while others we're designed a new.

I think the overall painting turned out really well, I may work through this scheme again, it's a creative way to explore and breath new life into old subjects. An opportunity to revisit, but at the same time, adapt and evolve into a new iteration.

detail

A much travelled painting

This is a much traveled painting, with some broad changes along the way!  -  I originally started this painting, outside with reference material in Santa Fe. I then brought it home to my studio and finished it; at this time it had a bright orange tablecloth.

in progress in Santa Fe

As the weeks passed, I began to wonder if the cloth was a little overpowering? So, many weeks later I've gone in and found a more toned and I think pleasing color design to the cloth.

Summer arrangement of colors over blue

18X22             Acrylic on panel

The camera doesn't always do a good job of showing subtleties in reds with blues, but overall I think the painting hangs together well, when seen in person.

Small paintings and studies

Recently I've been working on a number of small studies and paintings. It's an interesting test for me, working small. I'm usually looking for large, loose free strokes with a big brush feel, that has space to breathe around the subjects; working in the confines of a smaller composition and canvas can prove challenging.

Subject matter needs to be simplified to it's bare essence, and content needs to be reduced (one of two elements, rather than a table full of subjects). Additionally the subject needs to be considered as 'small enough' to work within the format, e.g. Iris flowers are too large and elegant for these kind of sizes.

Small bouquet & lemons over blue

12X16              Acrylic on panel

A small grouping of lemons

12X12               Acrylic on panel

Study - Tangerine greens

12X9                  Acrylic on panel

Poppies, apricots and cherries

12X12                   Acrylic on panel

More wine?

Another 2 recently paintings from my wine bottle series. The inclusion of a bottle within my still life compositions has been a fun challenge, both in terms of position of the bottle, and choice of tone & color. I'm finding increasingly I am comfortable with taking liberties with the bottles apparent color and it's labeling; however I think it's important to keep the integrity of the bottles shape. It's a form we're so familiar with in society, that even when the labeling is missing and the coloration is 'creative', the identifiability of the bottle is still easy to place.

Irises on fish drape arranged outside

30X30                  Acrylic on canvas

A new and growing favorite of mine is the elephant tablecloth. I enjoy representational imagery within a design and these elephants are so engaging.

 Lemons & pears over Elephant patterned cloth

34X18                     Acrylic on wood

Recent paintings

Here's two painting I've recently finished, each very different in subject and mood.

Waiting for the seasons to pass
24X36 Acrylic on canvas

 This one was fun to paint, the changing of the season from winter to spring. I love the clarity of those winter days, and the skeletal structure of leafless trees before they burst with spring growth and foliage.

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Tulips & Oranges lying over red
18X36 Acrylic on wood

I always love working on this wide landscape aspect, it makes for a fun composition. Balancing the repetition of tones and color of the subjects; for example the placement of the lemons and plums as they stretch across the composition.

Sneak peak for Santa Fe

I thought you might like to see a few more paintings that are going into my Santa Fe show opening this Friday with Ventana Fine Art!

Call the gallery for more info. 1-800-746-8815




Such a wonderful range of sizes and subjects.

Alstromeria with lemons & cream jug 

18X14          Acrylic on panel

 Approaching storm (Rio Grande river,NM)
36X24           Acrylic on panel

  Tulips turning from purple

36X18        Acrylic on wood

Sunflowers lemons and bread

40X70        Acrylic on canvas

Peruvian lily with Pomegranate 

12x9      Acrylic on panel

Reds circling the fruit
32X18              Acrylic on wood

Plenty more paintings and events at the gallery, find out more here -
  http://ventanafineart.com/angus/ 

Terrible news

 
My poor gallery in Carmel had a fire last night! (New Masters Gallery) My heart goes out to everyone at the gallery! Thankfully no was one hurt and I think all paintings we're rescued. Though I dont know whether any will suffer from smoke damage?

 A kind passer-by, rescuing one of my paintings.

 Here's a shot of a passerby rescuing one of my paintings! Thank you to the kind people people who helped rescue everyones paintings, and wishes and thoughts to everyone involved.
http://www.ksbw.com/…/fire-in-downtown-carmel-art-…/33445512