Monday, February 25, 2013

"BOY WITH SPOON II"


Remember the little boy with the watering can? It was a long time ago. Anyway I wanted to paint this image of him but never got around to it. In this painting you can see the spoon he carried everywhere he went. I have to ask his mom but it wasn't long after this he stopped carrying the spoon. I kind of miss those days.

ARTIST STATEMENT


Friday, February 22, 2013

"CHICKADEE FESTIVAL"

 "Chickadee Gathering"
4"h X 12"w
Oil on gessoboard 120.00

SOLD

"Chickadees Gone Wild"
6"h X 18"w X 1.5"d
Oil on canvas with 1.5" deep stretcher bars(painted black on the edges) 200.00
These paintings are wet and need 2 weeks to dry - they will get a light coat of varnish too!

OK so here are the chickadees from hell. I know you've been wondering about it. I should've
taken pictures along the way because you'd never believe the antics it took to get here.
Chickadees gone wild got wiped off twice. First thing I noticed the birds had no legs - then
I started with 3 added a 4th then wiped out the 4th - then wiped the entire painting - then the background changed and changed again. I went into the studio 2 mornings ago and
bumped up all the whites - changed some visual pathways and that's how it came to be.
It looks so simple in the end.


Thursday, February 21, 2013

"THE CAT EMPEROR"

Cat as in caterpillar - if you ever need to paint a - caterpillar - as in machine,  have I got the perfect yellow for you. Permalba makes an Indian Yellow Permanent which I purchased about a million years ago. I never knew what to do with it - well - it's the perfect CAT yellow. One interesting result from this commission is I had never used this color before and now I am using Indian yellow all the time. It turns out you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. I also learned what kind of photos work and what don't. I learned a lot about how I want to paint and what kind of portraits I'm after.
This commission was so much fun and the client was so trusting. She gave me a ton of photos, gave me an idea of where to start and gave me free reign. How's that for being lucky? It is truly an artists dream come true. Turns out this is what I love to do - informal portraits - nothing too posed or expected - a little creativity - and a little trust - and there you are.
I've had a lot of luck in this painting journey.  Thanks to everyone for their support and trust,  it's what I love to do. Thanks again!
MB

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

"SUNNY"

This was a special order. I did finish the chickadees but have no titles or prices. Maybe tomorrow. I'm working on a portrait for the show - trying to get it finished and dry. I have so much to do and all I want to do is paint. It's a real problem. Just gotta tell ya I love this bug!!! Happy Trails.
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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

"MAGGIE"

Maggie was a commission piece. She's a rescue lab and has the best home - her forever home! She's a  lucky gal. This is also the first all black dog I have ever attempted and it was quite the challenge.  How do you paint black without painting black? I would rather mix my blacks from colors than use a black tube of paint - why? Because there is usually more depth to the form with a combination of colors rather than just black. Maggie is a combination of burnt sienna and phthalo blue. I worked with the background for days, I couldn't find a color that worked. It was red, it was green, orange, pink, etc. etc. Every color I tried distracted from the dog. This was the only color that worked for me and I can't tell you what it is.
Also I wanted you to know I've been in chickadee hell - please excuse the expression but there is no other way to describe the last week. I hope to post the chickadees in the next couple of days. I need better photos and I'm not sure if they are ready for prime time.
I have to figure out the click to buy button for my blog - that could be another issue.
This is when you need a 6 year old!
Thanks
MB


Thursday, February 14, 2013

RINGO II"


RINGO II with orange background

Process shot. I made 2 display boards so that I could look at the work in progress. Every morning I'd walk into the studio and see the previous days work. I'd either take it back over to the painting wall and change it or hopefully be satisfied with the end product. It was a great way to see the process and keep my train of thought going in a direction. Even though it may seem like there was absolutely no direction most days there really was some kind of plan in mind. Some days it worked and others it didn't.
Yesterday I started a new larger chickadee painting. I was ready to go into the studio this morning and wipe it away but that's not what happened. I'll post it soon as it's ready and tell the story.
For anyone interested the 6" X 6" are 100 bucks. If you buy in multiples I give deals so e-mail me.
I can also send you a pay pal invoice. Let me know! I can also put a click to buy button on the site but haven't taken the time to do that. If you have opinions on the pricing or buying I can use any suggestions on the subject or you have ideas on what I should do please shoot them my way. I've never really been any good at the commerce side of things.
I will have all non sold work at the bookstore show in March.
Thanks again everyone!
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

"WITH LOVE" #106


Thanks everyone for helping me out and giving comments and advice. I need all the help I can get. That's it for now. Will post as stuff happens. Save the date MARCH 1st opening at the Bookstore.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

"WHAT'S MY LINE?"

OK - so today was a day off - goofing off and making some turns - it's why we live here. Also spent time in the studio getting stuff ready for the show in March. It's amazing how much time it takes to get a show ready. When you look at the show at the bookstore in March you'll go - what's the big deal?  - it will look like it took about 5 minutes to get it all together. In reality that's not the case. Anyway there will be a Valentine's day post so check your mail on the 14th. It's a silly little tribute! Thanks for all the support along the way I couldn't have done it without the e-mails and comments. You guys all rock. Thanks! 



Monday, February 11, 2013

"BEST IN SHOW"



Here is my all time favorite 4 H participant. Why? Because I hung out with this boy for a long time in the animal barn at the Routt County Fair this summer. He pulled all of these animals out of their cages to show me each animal and tell me a story about them. The black rabbit is as soft as mink. He was so smart and interesting to talk to. He had so much feeling for the animals.  That's the feeling I'm trying to convey - compassion and caring - what a great kid.  He is also a chicken magician but I'll save that for another time( I haven't painted that image yet).
He was the nicest boy and it was so refreshing because he was not afraid to talk to me.  He was also a the best friend to a very young 4 H participant. They made a fun pair. I can't say enough about my experience. I hope you feel something too!!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

"RAIN DANCER" #99 & 100





 I just love painting informal portraits and the story they tell. I've had many visitors to the studio and they all get what I'm trying to convey. Do you remember the miss matched pair of shoes back on 
Dec. 23rd? well this is the wearer or non-wearer of those shoes. There was a large gathering of people in Strawberry Park last July(I think) and a short sun shower came through the valley while we were all enjoying the great outdoors. This little girl was so curious about the rain, not wearing her shoes or a sweater and playing in the water, it wasn't a warm evening by any means. She took her doll where ever she went. This is my memory of the event,  I was driven to paint the idea. 
I know this is 100 but I will carry it through Valentine's Day - because there's more if 
you can stand it!!!????

Saturday, February 9, 2013

"BREAKFAST CLUB"



Here's my first attempt at chickadees this was so much fun to paint. I love these birds their song changes with the seasons - you can hear them get happy as spring arrives. They are funny little characters to watch. What prompted this painting was an odd sized piece of gessoboard -  4" X 12" - and my neighbors new kitchen window.  I could sit in the warmth of her kitchen and photograph chickadees through her new - fabulous - well thought out kitchen window. I'm so lucky to have such great neighbors.
I just realized I changed the painting a little - got in the studio this morning and made minor adjustments - It's better now but you get the idea. I'm at #98!!! and I'm patting myself on the back. I've learned so much - 100 paintings in 100 days - I've had some successes - I'm not as frustrated now when things aren't going right. I highly recommend this exercise to anyone wanting to raise the bar with their painting. I can help you get started let me know.
MY WEBSITE(which needs a lot of attention)
MY BLOG

Friday, February 8, 2013

"CAT FISH"

This was the dress up your pet contest at the Routt County Fair. This cute little girl had a very cooperative black kitten with a straw hat on in a fishing basket. Each participant was suppose to write a story to go with their outfit and animal. I'm not sure what her story was because the event was so entertaining until the kitty got away. As you see below! Her mom had to come and rescue the kitty and the little girl - it was pretty tragic. I pretty sure they gave her a ribbon for her effort. I hope she isn't scarred by the event. For those of us watching it was pretty cute. 

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Thursday, February 7, 2013

"BETTY TOO!"

Here's another copy of sorts. I liked the first one so much I wanted to try another one. Getting down to the wire here. Someone asked me what I'm going to do next - I thought about it for awhile - I think I'll clean my house!
Save the date MARCH 1ST - First Friday opening at the book store 5 to 8 pm. I will send invite when the time gets closer. Please come and visit me cause I really dislike standing around. I don't htink I'll be able to paint there either just no enough room. So please visit - no purchase required.
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

"HOME TO ROOST" #93-94-95

Looks like I've missed something so here are 3 for thursday.  My assignment to myself was to duplicate the rooster as closely as possible.  As you can see It's not easy and I'm not sure if it's important. Just thought I'd give it a try! I also made a mistake in my count I forgot to write Tiny down so I am happy to announce that these 3 paintings put me at 95!!!!! I'll still go till Valentine's Day because I promised and I'll probably have plenty. If you want a rooster let me know!

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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

"COW - girl"

Here's another image from the Routt County Fair. These images were taken inside the animal barn with no available light and the light that was there was green.  I'm happy with the results. Might have another one tomorrow we'll see. I'm working on a couple of ideas at the same time. See how it all shakes out! 9 to go.
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Monday, February 4, 2013

"CRABTREE"

I needed some apple pictures so one of my students sent me photos of her apple trees and pear tree. This is new for me to paint from photos that I did not take. I've had these images since the fall - I wasn't sure how to interpret the vision of someone else but I'm over it now and may paint the rest of the images she sent to me. It was kind of fun to just let it go and paint.
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Sunday, February 3, 2013

"RINGO"

SOLD
Ringo is a cashmere goat. I had never met a cashmere goat - he was so silly and so much fun. He was eating his wooden sign with his name on it. Turns out his owner is a fellow artist but she never paints her animals. I think she's missing out. Now I know why cashmere is so expensive - you don't shear the goat you comb out the cashmere to harvest the fur. Sounds pretty labor intensive if you ask me. If you ever get a chance pet a cashmere goat - it's truly divine. I couldn't believe how thick and soft his coat was - must've been 6 to 10 inches deep. What a treat!
MY WEBSITE(which I really need to work on)
MY BLOG 

Saturday, February 2, 2013

"JUDGES CHOICE"

SOLD 
I wanted to try some more roosters so here's one of the first. I tried to duplicate the first rooster 
Mr. Big but it's not in my DNA to do replicas. This is something a little different. If you want a rooster painting I have 3 available. A strange quest I'd say. Thanks for following. 
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Friday, February 1, 2013

"JERSEY GIRLS"

 "Rosie"

"Violet"
I met these girls at the Minnesota State Fair. I learned why Jersey cows are prized for their milk. I met a little FFA girl and these were her cows. She told me the milk these cows produce has more protein, more calcium and it tastes better. It has the highest butter fat too which produces great cheeses.
These young farmers are so smart and they love to share info with us city slickers. If you get a chance this summer to attend a county or state fair I highly recommend a visit to the animal barns. Talk to the kids it's a wonderful experience. Thanks and have a great day!
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