Beyond Limits of Human Perception

Thought I might try something a little different today. After a week of wipe off after wipe off, this one was challenging and fun and turned out to be a survivor. Top photo is a close up. The painting is 18 x 24 oil on linen.

I was intrigued by the comment left by Debbie Lincoln  about the values in this painting and how it appears without ny color. I had not thought to look at it in black and white and was pleasantly surprised to see what Debbie had noticed - the values are working well! I thought I would post it here in black and white for all to see. Thank you, Debbie, for stopping by my blog, for being kind enough to leave a comment and for leaving such a though provoking one at that - much appreciated! And in case anyone is interested, that beautiful sheen on the wildebeest's coat was obtained by using  Rembrantd Silver - it is awesome and I love experimenting with new colors now and then. I discovered that even when mixed with other colors, it retains its glow.

Work in Progress

I spent today working on this 24x18 piece. I think its about 80% done now - needs refinement here and there. I really like the composition, the subject (unusual as it is) and the hint of the jockey rolling free. I will post the next update when its done. I call it Chaos Theory! All comments are appreciated!

Down to Business

My new business card! I love having a memorable card to give to prospective collectors. I try to design it to be colorful,  representative of my current work and  style and to be - well, simply unforgettable! Its fun to hand them out at art show receptions, social events and serendipitous meetings. I create mine online at VistaPrint. At this site, you can  upload photos of your own and design your card exactly as you want it to be. I have ordered from them in the past and found the cards to be of very nice quality and the prices to be reasonable. This time, on a whim, I also ordered a few refridgerator magnets - I don't know why but  I sure hope I can find a use for them! In case you are interested, the link is: VistaPrint Business Cards.

Sporting Art With Punch-Article by Norm Fine of FoxHunting Life

You can find the article here: http://www.foxhuntinglife.com/. Scroll down a bit to see - there is a slide show of some of my steelechase paintings. Unfortunately, you need a subscription to the site in order to see the entire article and the slide show! But please don't feel bad - I am not able to access it either and have only seen a copy of the article! Next week my Santa and his zebra will appear as the heading banner for the site! Many thanks to Jeanne Chisholm of Chisholm Gallery for  arranging this and to Norman Fine of FoxHunting Life for his wonderful article.

Quantum Poetry

Oh, I am loving the color in this - glorious color! The sky is a mixture of Winsor and Newton Vermilion (a pinkish red) and Rembrandt Vermilion ( an orange red) with buff titanium to lighten and a dash of white for good measure. This one  I have titled Quantum Poetry. 36x24 oli on stretched canvas. Please click on the photo to view it larger - I am sure you will enjoy it more!

The Principle of Uncertainty - Finished

I added a few details, tweaked the shadows, added some warms and I am calling this done now. Oil on canvas panel 24 x 18

The Principle of Uncertainty

Continuing with my steeplechase series - my imagination is on fire from this subject! This one needs a few final adjustments yet but is close to being done. 24 x 18 oil on canvas.

Steeplechase Series - Quantum Leap

I have been working on re-writing my artists' statement as my  inner voice and my creative thinking have undergone a recent transformation. With paintbrush and canvas, with oil paint and a sense of unrestrained energy, I hope to evoke a sense of wonder and enchantment that transcends the subject and goes beyond the limit of human senses. My goal is to paint representations of nature that are harmonious and beautiful and, simultaneously, to engage the viewer in a reality that is beyond perceptual appearances and expectations.

I have always been inspired by horse and rider and the relationship between the power of the magnificent beast and the intellect of the rider. In my Steeplechase Series I have drawn upon this inspiration to paint dramatic, rhythmic renderings of an instant in time, in space and in emotional gravity. My desire is to move beyond the complexity of the subject alone and to advance toward a representation of that which is not perceived by the senses but is intellectually known. In my artistic eye, I am conceiving my subject not only as the harmony of horse and rider but as recognition of their connection to the intricately woven unseen forces of time and space.

I feel that I have moved a little closer to that goal with this painting and I would love to hear your reactions to it as you view it on my blog.

American Art Collector Magazine

Be sure to check out page 95 in the October issue of American Art Collector magazine. My painting  group 10 Everyday Painters  has a beautiful full page ad! I am so thrilled to be part of this wonderful group. Here is the link to our web page in case you missed it: http://teneverydaypainters.com/

Final Approach

I have been in a real slump this past week or so. Work has taken a lot out of me and I have not been able to do even a successful study. I finally finished this one today - I had started it over a week ago and just let it sit on the easel through my doldrums. It always amazes me how vulnerable my creative spirit is to external factors, stress in particular. This one is 24 x 18 oil on Blick canvas panel. These Blick panels are just wonderful - the canvas has a nice medium texture that grabs the paint and the panel itself is substantial and of good quality. Also, they dont break the bank and are perfect for me to paint on right now.

Touch Down

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures." Henry Ward Beecher

Back to the steeplechase subject. This one is 10x20 oil on canvas panel. I decided to play with color today and this is what it led to.

Aproaching the Landing Zone

I just can't seem to get enough of this subject and perspective - it certainly has me fired up. I have shown two close ups so that the brushwork and paint application can be more easily seen. Its hard to get a feeling for the painterly aspect and the color nuances of a piece this large (20x24) in such a tiny photo.

Takeoff

"To ride a horse is to ride the sky" - author unknown. Oil on canvas panel 24 x18.

Coming in for a Landing Too

More mid flight drama. This one is 12x24 oil on canvas.

Cross Country - Coming in for a Landing

16x20 oil on canvas. I am so intrigued by horse anatomy. Of coure, my intention is not to render anatomy in scientific proportions but to render it as a fleeting impression conveying movement and energy - recognizable and yet unique. A horse in midflight - it just allows the creative spirit to run free!