California Sculptors Symposium

This blog is having to stretch and bend with my artistic activities, especially the next couple of months. Besides painting for 2 huge shows, I have 3 upcoming absences, where getting online will be impossible.

The first is starting now. Some of you know I have been a professional sculptor in stone for over 20 years. Over the next 8 days I will be an instructor at the California Sculptors Symposium in Cambria, California. I will take my painting gear, for any possible chance to paint, but during the last three years I haven't had a spare minute during the symposiums. With 40 plus carvers seeking advice and giving daily lessons, time flies.

This photograph is of a sculpture that I carved in Italian marble. The title is "Italian Twist".

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"Trail Shadows" ©

Trail Shadows, completed. If you look at the previous post, you will see the birth and process of this painting. The colors of the sandy riverbed and shadow on the trail are what captivated me when I first saw this scene.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

on reserve for Segil Fine Art exhibit "California" or "By The Artists' Hand" exhibit in June.

"Trail Shadows" © O/C 16" X 20"

On top of all the darks of the trees and brush I have added the mid values and some lights. Now I will really start to pay attention, looking at edges, patterns and brush work.

I will have to shoot this for you in the morning outside because my work lamp is creating shine and misleading lighting on the painting. The painting is very close to being finished. A few twigs to indicate structure in the bushes that are placed in the foreground and a final check on all the other elements and that should do it.

"Trail Shadows" ©

Over the next couple of months I must paint large paintings for 2 very important shows. One is a four women exhibit "By The Artists' Hand III", in Valencia, CA. and the other is a 2 woman show at Segil Fine Art Source, in Monrovia, CA. In order to keep the blog lively and somewhat interesting I will post the progress of these large paintings. The first one, is titled "Trail Shadows" after the small blog that acted as the model for this piece. Enjoy!

This is the very beginning of every painting. A quick line sketch of the composition. I am placing every element carefully and planning patterns of light and dark within the composition.

Because of the mountain range I painted the sky first so that I could melt the mountain edge into the sky paint with a soft edge. This gives the mountains a feeling of distance, rather then a cut out appearance.

Now I have added all of the dark areas of the mountain range. Leaving white canvas so that the sunlit areas will really glow.

The orginial blog painting can be seen, sitting on the mast above my painting. I have added the sunlight on the mountain peaks.

Working on the mid section to foreground I am painting all of the darkest values. At this point I am studying the patterns that the darks make and adjusting these shapes here and there, until I have pleasing forms. Notice that the darks on the left are very cool, while the darks on the right (sunlit side) are very warm.

"Spring Blooms" ©

Today a small band of painters traveled to Descanso gardens. This is my mornings effort. It was very lovely, till about 12noon, then the clouds blew in, wiping out all sense of light.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

sold

"Sunlit Palm" ©

I know, another palm tree. They are just so lovely and such fun to paint. Today was terrific all the way around, and the palm was a huge part of it.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

on reserve for June shows

"Hoopers Creek" ©

This morning I finished "Hooper Creek", in a large studio format for one of the June shows. I may tweak a bit, after looking at the painting as I pass by, peeking out of the corner of my eye. I have to admit I do glance at the paintings as I go about my day, hoping to catch that one detail that would make the piece better.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

sold

"Malibu Lagoon" ©

Late afternoon at Malibu Lagoon.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

sold

"Lakeside, LA Arboretum" ©

This morning the "Thursday Irregulars" got together to paint at the LA Arboretum in Arcadia, California. I could paint there for a year and not run out of views. I even purchased a membership, I was so impressed. One of the best parts of today's adventure was speaking with a group of kids that were visiting the Arboretum. They were awesome, curious and very polite. It was really fun to share with them what I was doing. I am sure there were at least two future artists in the bunch.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

"Hoopers Creek, Spring" ©

The lack of rainfall this year had kept the wildflowers of spring at bay. Tiny grasses and new leaves are the only indication that winter is leaving our valley.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"


sold

"Eaton Canyon Trail" ©

I have painted this view at the beginning of the Eaton Canyon Trail three or four times now. It must be the composition and the colors of the mountains always calling me back.

Oil on panel, 11" X 14"

Purchase from the artist

"Hooper Creek" © study

Driving home from the Train show in Filmore, I glanced out the window and saw this view flash by. A U turn and I was out of the car, capturing the creek. I am painting the scene on a 18" X 24" canvas because I think Hooper's Creek deserves more easel time.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

Purchase from the artist