Keep it Simple

Ovo Trio 5x7 Oil on Double Primed Linen mounted on panel.

In Carol Marine's Workshop, we had just completed some timed exercises in which each brushstroke is carefully laid down where it belongs, all happy in its correct value and saturation and LEFT ALONE.
So what do I choose as a layout to further practice these concepts? Eggs. Not the best idea. I ended up blending a little just so I could call it quits and clean up for the day.

3 Lemons

3 Lemons 6x6 Oil Framed $150

I use lemons to both identify direction in my work and to return to the familiar. Painting lemons is kind of like listening to a piece of music that you know. I think it organizes me. Helps me to make the next decision.

This painting can be viewed during my solo show at the Spiral Press Cafe, adjoining the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, VT from November 18, 2009 through the holiday season. Please stop in if you happen to be in the area, look at the work, purchase your favorites, and leave comments on the blog! If you would like to purchase this before the show, please email me: daleblodget@gmail.com

Ascending Sun, Returning Tide done

Oil on REALLY coarse linen. At first I wondered if the texture was too much as I'm generally not too generous with the paint. But, I like the texture quite a lot. 30x36

These boats turn so much with the tides and the shadows change so much with the hours, I wanted to do another. Below is the first progress shot of Fan Out. More tomorrow.

In progress

Oil on linen 12x16 Still working on it.

Yay, I'm happier with the palette I used on this one. There are many areas that need addressing but I thought I'd post it before I wreck it. haha. I need to darken the chin and maybe make it a tad smaller. Reduce the contrast over her left eye? Undecided about leaving the background alone. this was very fun to do, though.

Thanks for looking. Reactions appreciated.

Hens on the Loose

Oil on Linen 6x6 SOLD

Another quick one of the neighbor hens. I kind of miss the red chicken coop (aka woodshed). She now has 6 more chickens of a different variety so I have my work cut out for me, I guess.

Thanks for your comments!

Manzanillo, Costa Rica

Oil on Canvas 6X8 We were very lucky, as far as weather goes. It had rained for 2 weeks, ending the day we landed in San Jose. It took us two days to get here to Manzanillo. What beautiful beaches. The painting has a sand fly in the middle of a wave. They deserve their bad rep. Scroll down to see my beach studio. I spread a towel on a log and straddled it. When I felt the sun on my shoulder, it was time to pack up. But my left foot had already been lunch for the sand flies.

My tubing around the edges of the painting has a serious drawback. A frame won't quite cover it, so I had to go back in just now and paint the white spots (and while I was there I opened up some thalo blue). Back to the design board.

Copper Guard

Oil on Canvas 6x6 SOLD
You may think this looks familiar. The pears are the same but I changed the cloth and the copper teakettle. The original version is in the older post section. Maybe next month I'll change the pears...... .

Abbott's

Oil on Board 6x6

Sorry to yank you from winter to summer. I had a great day yesterday reworking a few older paintings. This herd belongs to some friends down the road. One morning I was driving past when I noticed they had all escaped. I used my Subaru Forester to herd them across the road and up the driveway to the farm. Actually they escape a lot. One night I woke up to the sound of lowing. Looked out the window to see black and white in the moonlight, dangerously close to the garden. Out I ran to chase them back down the fields. I love Vermont.