Stacks...

Stacks, oil, 40 x 18

Stacks, oil, 40 x 18

At school,  a professor challenged us to make a painting a day if we wanted to learn how to paint,  not a wimpy 8 x 10",  a substantial work. I wanted to finish this in a single sitting, however, the format is a bit large to tackle in one day.  Took about six hours over two days to complete this first in a new series of oil paintings, Working The River. 

The goal for the series is to lose the muscle memory of painting in oil since I was 15 and become as free with color as I feel with more recent pastel experiences. I've been tied to a traditional palette in oil and wondering why the pastels are so much brighter when I hardly pick up a brown in pastel. The goal for this series is to abandon all browns, ochres, earth siennas and umbers to create strong browns or lovely grays from clear reds, blues and  yellows.

 

Does it get better than having fun while you're working?

Photo courtesy of Carlotta Collette.

Tonight was a great evening, the opening of a wonderful show celebrating the history of Oregon City at In Bocca al Lupo Fine Art.  Six of the artists in the show, from left, Gary L. Michael, David Mayfield, Randall David Tipton, Leslie Peterson, Moi and Leland John, photo courtesy of Carlotta Collette. I had a good time hanging out with old and new friends talking shop. The mutual admiration and respect flowed freely, not to mention an abundance of good humor. Times like this I really love my job...