A Creek Runs Through It

50" x 40", oil on canvas

A recent commission for a really nice couple who wanted a scene from the creek on their ranch.  I really enjoyed painting this one. 

All she wrote . . .

Untitled, 42" x 42"

oil on canvas

Here it is, number four, the final of the four-painting campus life commission. As my daddy would have said, "that's all she wrote." The four pieces have been framed and installed in the brand new UAC building at Texas State University in San Marcos. I haven't visited the building yet but have received positive feedback on the paintings. 

Now for some nice simple landscapes!

Number three . . .

Untitled, 42" x 42"

This is the third in the four-painting campus series -- and another that almost rendered me goofy. I had eye strain from trying to sort out all those bicycle parts.

Polyptychs

"Lazy Afternoon"

Oil on canvas

Tetraptych, 32" x 32" overall,

each canvas is 16" square.

The big problem with painting polyptychs (multiple paneled paintings) is not how to keep them all balanced on your easel -- it's what to call the complete piece. Yeah, we've all painted diptychs; that's a no-brainer. Even knocked out a triptych or two. But what about four or five or six panel pieces??? And, if you don't remember that bit of trivia from school days, that, my friends, is what Wikipedia is for. Once I'd conquered the balancing act and finished this one, I thought I'd better figure out what it was in "tych" speak before someone asked. At least, I want to give the appearance of knowing everything about something I've produced. (No, that doesn't carry over to the subject of my kids.)

So here's the rundown on multiples: Diptych = 2; Triptych = 3; Tetraptych = 4; Pentaptych = 5; Hexaptych = 6; Heptaptych = 7; Octaptych = 8.  If you're working on nine or more, you're on your own.

Way Out West

"Way Out West"

14" x 56", oil on canvas

A road that wanders through the vast land known as Big Bend.

New Beginnings

"Pictures at an Exhibition"

(a San Francisco street fair)

oil on canvas - 24" x 48"

Happy New Year! Wow. It's been a while since I've posted. While I can blame a heavy workload for my dereliction of duty, it hasn't all been work at the easel. A couple of studio shows, plus some field research for a commission, plus all that holiday busy-ness has interfered with my computer time -- and my easel time. Oh, and one more little thing: my grandkitty, Zoe, has moved in for an extended visit while her mother (my daughter Carrie) is in other parts of the world. Zoe is a sweet, petite all-black kitty who demands lots of affection, and I am putty in her paws.

Now it's time for new resolve. 2012 is going to be a good year. I'm going to make sure of it. You do the same.

Taos Falls

I'm comfortable painting big; maybe more so than working on small pieces. I find I work faster and somewhat looser with big renderings. Here's one I've almost finished -- meaning I've reached the point where I let it rest  while I try to ignore it until I can go back to critique it with a fresh eye.  Then I'll either make changes or . . . not. If I do tweak it later, I'll post the finished product. Meanwhile, here's how this one has progressed.

Taos Falls

48" x 48" oil on canvas