Two Student Works Completed

Roland finished his light house painting.   Good Job, Roland!  Mike finished his still life and it has good contrast and color.  Another good job, Mike!

Working on an Iris

I started a painting of an iris that I photographed at the Ingram Senior Center.  I am using an ultra-smooth canvas with five coats of gesso rolled and scraped on.  Each coat was sanded after it was completely dry.

This is a departure from my usual method of painting.  I am applying very thin coats of acrylic paint on a pure white canvas with no under painting.  The white of the canvas is reflected through the thin coats of color.  I hope it works out well!

Update on Student’s work

Gerry F., a new student, has started his first painting. Jim S. is working on a new landscape. Mike H. is closing in on his still life with glass. Bob H should finish his covered bridge next week.

Murphy’s Chickens Completed

The painting of the Murphy’s Chickens is complete.  This was a fun piece to do, and I think I’ll try a couple of more chicken paintings.

One New Student Work Added

Tom L. has finished his painting of a sewing machine.  An excellent job on a difficult subject.  Tom has already signed up for a second class at the Ingram’s Seniors Center.

Chicken Painting Added

A small portrait of one of the Murphy’s chickens has been added to Paintings, 2010.

Another Painting Completed

I completed this painting today.  See the Paintings, 2010 page for the details.

Student Work Update

Here is an update on three of my student’s paintings.  Mike is creating a still life using several photos as a reference, and working on glassware with reflected and refracted light.  Jim has finished another dog and will start a large (24 x 20) landscape next.  Tom’s sewing machine is coming along well and almost done.

All of the class is doing well and taking on more challenging work with each painting.  Keep up the good work!

Mann’s Apple Orchard Show Update

The recent show at Mann’s Apple Orchard on June 12th and 13th went well.  This was the first time the Art Institute Group of the Merrimack Valley (AIG) has held a show in this venue.  Saturday was warm and muggy, but that didn’t stop the scores of attendees.

I set up on the front porch, adjacent to the tent that held just over 100 art works from the AIG artists.  I continued working on a new painting of a Red-winged Blackbird I photographed along the Pow-Wow River in Kingston, NH.  This painting is now 75% complete.

There was a steady flow of patrons stopping by to chat, ask questions and admire all of the terrific art work shown by these talented artists. I had four paintings in various stages of progress, and was able to show folks all of the steps, from canvas preparation to finished painting, using the “story boards” with progressive photos of the work.

I won a third place ribbon for September Beets and received many wonderful comments about the painting Apples in Sunshine from the visitors.   Jim Collins painted a pair of swans and won Best in Show and the Popular Vote for his beautiful work.  Congratulations, Jim.

Sunday was cool and damp with a slightly smaller attendance.  The folks at Mann’s Apple Orchard provided a great venue, and were extremely helpful with the arrangements and support for the first Art in the Orchard show.  Thanks to all for coming to the show.

Study of Cilantro Peppers

I just completed an 8 x 10 study of Cilantro Peppers.  This will be among the paintings being raffled off at the Mann’s Apple Orchard Show this coming weekend.  See Events page for details.