Evolution of a Sunset or Pure, Unadulterated, Juicy, Delicious Paint.

This is all about pure, unadulterated, juicy, delicious paint.  

Requiem                                                                                 36"x36" oil 

Oh, I just started in one corner and
kept going. Phase 1

Phase 2

I've noticed something insidious lately.  I have been sneaking sable (!) brushes from my watercolor stash and putting them in with my oil brushes.  I have palettes set up in long rows in the studio as I work on at least 6 paintings.  It looks like a case of oil paints exploded in there.  I used to clean up for special events and classes but it's gotten too difficult to rearrange the furniture every time something new is happening.  So I don't.  The result is that I make my process very visible.  It feels a little vulnerable.  It's kind of like facing the world without makeup.

I decided a number of months ago to move back into large format paintings.  I've been working on small oils primarily outdoors and doing larger studio work in water media particularly on Yupo.  Check out previous blogs for some of that.  You'll have to check the archives.  

Phase 3

                                                           Anyway, I have been experimenting a lot with brushwork (how I move the paint around on the canvas) and learning about color and luminosity by slathering on the paint.  This particular piece is done from my imagination based on other paintings I've done over the years.  I'm doing dream landscapes and gradually moving to a more and more abstract approach.  

I kept painting on this one even when I could have stopped.  Quite frankly I was obsessed with beautiful paint!   In this painting I couldn't decide on "when" it was  so I captured a sunset over time.  All of these layers are visible to some degree in the finished work so it has movement.

I enjoyed capturing the memory of an ephemeral moment.  I hope you are able to come see it in person when we have Arts Alive at Studio Channel Islands on June 28.  I'll be in my studio and you'll get the chance to buy other artists' work as well. 

This piece is available.  Please contact me if you're interested.  If you REALLY want it we'll figure out a way to make it happen.  Every piece has a home... My friend Diane Hanley once told me that she believes the Universe brings the right person to a painting.  I love that.  

The final work, Requiem 36x36