Sometimes it's slow going. But another layer on today. I got some pretty good detail in the hat and a few suggestions in the robe. One step at a time. This week my days have all been one step at a time. There has been a lot going on the past month or so and sometimes it's a whirlwind and sometimes it's minute by minute. But, just like the painting, layer upon layer the tapestry of my life is create.
Layering
We now have raven black hair and a second layer on the foreground. Next I get to start on the real detail work. Everything else has been set in the background with soft edges and little detail. Not the real fun begins!
Blocking in the Foreground
As much fun as it has been to put in the background, now the real fun begins. I've started by blocking in the major shape and will then begin to develop the intricate details that we can see close up. This is getting exciting.
The Waters Appear
The scriptures say the Lord created all things. I'm getting just a small taste of that as I create dry land, and now water. I can't imagine what it would be like to create the real thing. It's fun to simply try to recreate it in 2D form. But to some extent creating is creating is creating. And no matter how we each do it, in our own individual ways, there is something about standing back, looking at it, and seeing that "it is good".
Rocky Cliffs
These rocky cliffs are home to the infamous Spanish treasure that was supposedly buried here. "Goonies" was based of the legend, as was the indy movie "The Legend of Tillamook's Gold". For me, the treasure is in the vista of the mountain and the breathtaking beauty of land meeting ocean. I must say, I do live in a wondrous place.
The Tillamook People
The Tillamook people are returning. Perhaps they were on a fishing expedition, or an exploration, or a visit to the neighbors. Wherever they have been, they traveled in their longboats. I can't help but wish I could be in one of those boats. I would love to hear the stories they would have to tell.
A Green Hill Far Away
Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain has been home to creatures of the forest forever. It was home to the Tillamook tribe for hundreds of years. And now it's iconic silhouette lets me know when I'm almost home. Apparently the Tillamook people, and later the pioneers, would burn the trees on the mountain in order to draw the deer and elk down for good feeding. Now, however, the logging companies are the ones to take from it, often leaving barren squares of brown where the green once was. I do like that Oregon has a strong re-forestation program, but I still don't like seeing the bare spots on the mountain. For this painting, I am using my artistic license to keep the entire mountain green.
The Hurrier I Go
I may have mentioned this in a previous post, but when I was growing up my Grandma Nina had a plaque on her wall that said, "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get". Today was one of those days. I thought the underpainting was dry enough to add a glaze of color. I was wrong. Instead it wiped out the paint that wasn't dry and left a big white spot that doesn't want to take paint. ARG! Lesson learned... don't rush the process...
From a Distance
Unforeseen circumstances kept me away from both my studio and my computer the past few days. There are just some things you can't do from a distance. But today you can see Manzanita Beach on the Oregon coast from a distance. I love how one single brush stroke can make all the difference between a muddy mess and exactly what I wanted I wanted to say.
Go Big or Go Home
I have an image in my mind of a painting that I can't wait to start. However, I need a model, a sunny day, and a good location. I may not be starting it any time soon. But I had a rare opportunity to go to an art supply store, so I decided to pick up the canvas so when I do get my reference, I will at least be able to start right away. I'm a sucker for a sale, but I've come know that "Buy two get one free" isn't quite as good as it sounds. So when I saw "But one get TWO free" I had to read it three times to make sure I wasn't mistaken. I ended up coming home with three 24 x 30 gallery-wrapped canvases. I was so excited that I had to start painting something on one of them. So "Neah-Kah-Nie Canoes" is going to be bigger than expected. I'll talk more about this painting as I go along. But for today, I've got a big sky on a big canvas. A big day for me!
Lookin' Good Soldier
Sometimes I can't figure myself out. I was making great progress on the face and feeling really good about it. But it has taken all my will power to get myself back to the canvas. Perhaps I was afraid I would mess it up. I don't know. But man, I have been fighting myself today. I finally did it though, and I think he looks quite handsome. I'm checking in with "Dad" to get his opinion before I go any further on it. But for now, I think he's looking pretty handsome.
They Make Me Sound So Good!
Most artists I've worked with suffer a similar plague, that of feeling like their art isn't good enough. I'm an artist, not a salesman, and I have a very difficult time promoting myself. So when I read the Hoffman Center of the Arts blog post and advertisement for my art class, I was pretty surprised at how good they made me sound.
February’s Oil Painting session starts Thursday, February 4. If you’ve been worried that oil painting might be too difficult, don’t worry. There’s no mistake you can’t fix because the medium is so flexible.
Materials don’t need to be cost prohibitive either, because Karen teaches color mixing with only three basic colors.
Once you’ve given oils a chance, you’ll never go back!
And here’s a hearty endorsement from one of Karen’s recent students:
“I love your teaching style, Karen. I’m enjoying your class very much. I have to say, I normally don’t take art classes, but you’ve changed my mind with this one. You take time with each student, and I’ve learned some great new techniques.” Jan Layne, student in the January session of Karen’s oil painting class.
This is an ongoing oil painting class that takes participants from where they are to the next level. Karen has been teaching art for eight years and is experienced in teaching beginning students as well as those who have been painting for years.
Class participants will learn the elements of art and design, classic painting techniques, and color theory through the process of creating their own paintings. Each session is three hours long.
Tuition: Students pay $165 for 4 sessions at a time. There is an additional $20 supply fee per period if students don’t have their own (bring materials fee to class for the teacher directly). If students know they will miss one of the sessions there will be make-up session on Thursday, March 31st.
Time: Thursdays, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Hoffman Center for the Arts, 594 Laneda Avenue, Manzanita
A minimum of 4 students is required for the class to go forward. Please register no later than Thursday, January 28 to ensure the class will proceed.
Students who already work in the medium are asked to bring their own supplies. A complete list will be provided at registration. Students new to oil painting can use provided materials for an additional $20 (paid on the first day of class directly to the teacher).
Click here to register. For questions about the class, contact Karen at peasehouseart@gmail.com.
Local artist Karen Gale (peasehouseart.com): After a 16 year career in education, Karen studied in the Department of Art and Design at Southern Utah University. Since moving to the Pacific Northwest, she has created Pike Road Painters artist group in Yamhill, Oregon as an art teacher, joined Currents Gallery in McMinnville as an artist and art teacher, and founded Pease House Art in Oregon City. She now lives in Bay City with her husband, teaches art locally, paints, and is illustrating a children’s book.
The Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly
I was a little intimidate to paint all those stars on the flag. I tried to think of ways to make them suggestions rather than actual stars. But as I began it just kept flowing and pretty soon, there they were. They aren't perfect, but it was fun to pay attention to which ones were full stars, which would be lost in a fold here or there, and which would be more faded into the shadow. I always feel a great sense of pride when I stand for the national anthem, as the flag is presented, or the Pledge of Allegiance. Painting the flag was an honor as well.
Painting Private Ryan
It will become obvious as I paint the uniform that Ryan is not a Private. He is, however, a pretty private person. His dad, who commissioned the piece, is also a quiet and unassuming person. It's an honor to be asked to create an heirloom for their family. When I finished this session I didn't feel like I'd made much progress, but when I came back to it, I could see Ryan beginning to emerge. I have to say that I really enjoy what I do.
Mud On His Face
After applying the color to the various areas blended and softened them. This is the beginning of the layering process. It's a little tricky because if I leave it for too long and the paint dries, then I basically have to repaint everything. If I can get back to the canvas soon enough, however, the paint will still be wet and I can add more colors and layers and move the paint around and manipulate it. He's not looking so great today, but at least he's got a face, right?
Paint By Number Face
Well, it's back to Ryan. And boy has he got dirt on his face today. This is the stage where I play with colors and values, general placement of lines, and try to find the planes on the face. It looks pretty messy, but it's actually quite an exciting stage. It's the beginning of the puzzle, like when you get all the edge pieces in and now you can really start getting to work on the meat of the thing. Good times, good times.
Happy Birthday... And I Cried...
Today is my brother's birthday. He passed away in 1999. Painting this portrait of him has been an emotional journey on so many counts. Like I said, bad references were a major issue. My emotional issues were also a huge barrier. Then, I kept seeing my son instead of my brother on the canvas. But the other day I looked at the canvas and my brother was smiling back at me. I sat there and cried, and cried, and cried. I felt him in the room with me. I felt his love, and his approval, and the joyful essence of him. And I missed him. And I loved him. And I was filled with gratitude that I was able to do this. A month from today is our father's 80th birthday. This painting is for him. I hope he sees Roger too.
The Grandpa Shirt
When my boys were little and we would buy them a plaid or western shirt, they would say, "Oh! I got a Grandpa shirt!" This one isn't plaid, but I think it still qualifies as a Grandpa Shirt. Once again it was fun doing fabric. There are only subtle folds and wrinkles, but it was fun to make the collar twist and turn and pop and finally come out just right.
In the Twinkling of an Eye
His eyes are twinkling and so are mine. He is finally beginning to really look like himself. I've really struggled with this one and it's a relief to see him taking shape. There is still a lot of work to do, but hope is in the air.
The Barber Is In
I have been very hesitant to add the hair. For some reason I was thinking I needed to save it for a finishing touch. Today, however, it was driving me crazy not to have it, so I added it. And Ta-Da! He suddenly started to look like himself. It was a real turning point. I seldom approach a painting the exact same way. And when I try to force myself into a certain order or way of doing it, I end up stuck. Today was a reminder that I need to listen to my inner artist and allow myself the freedom to create and find whatever is ready to come forth. Fighting the inner self is always a losing battle.