Paint Like a Millionaire

There is a saying among painters that I am trying to take to heart: "Paint like a millionaire!".  The underlying notion is that a thick, luscious paint application makes for beautiful paintings. But paint is notoriously expensive, and too often we are stingy with our paint, not putting enough on our brushes and canvases.  

When I moved into my new studio last fall, I bought big a glass storage jar. I put it on the shelf, and made it my goal to fill the jar entirely with empty paint tubes before my year's lease was up. Just a little extra incentive to squeeze more paint out of those tubes and get it onto my canvas! Here's a photo of the jar today. I need to get more aggressive if I am going to meet my goal.

Painting the Town, Part II

"Barclay House"

7 x 5

If you have been following along, you know that I posted several weeks ago about my plein air painting in the Town of Scottsville, Virginia. It's a lovely little historic village, founded in 1774. I love to paint village scenes--whether in the US or abroad--and so I really enjoyed working in Scottsville.

The above painting features Barclay House, circa 1825. It was the original parsonage for the old church that now serves as the Scottsville Museum. After painting several lovely antebellum homes, I found myself drawn to the odd little step van, which is something of a neighborhood fixture on Harrison Street. I could not resist giving it a go. See the result below.

I used these small plein air studies as springboards for larger paintings of the same subjects. I hope to post again soon and show the studies alongside the larger paintings.

"Step Van"

6 x 8

Reflections

"Crazy Reflections"

24 x 18
SOLD

This time, the title of my post ("Reflections") is not about my thoughts, but instead about my subject matter. I have been fortunate to spend a great deal of time in Venice, and have always been fascinated by the undulating images reflected in the waters there. The way that the palazzos rise directly out of the water creates reflections that are unrivaled by any others. Not a thing to be missed! 

"Crazy Reflections II'

24 x 30

As the art historian Paul Hills writes in his book Venetian Colour (p. 9):

On clear days, the water appears glassy,

reflecting either the blue sky or the ochres, peach and rust reds

of plastered walls.

The surface is laced with small ovals,

interlocking, rocking, molten, mercurial,

shimmering in their alteration of brilliant sky blue

and intense hues of orange.

Garments

Left: "In From the Cold", 14 x 7

Right: "Denim Jacket, 12 x 10

If you have been reading my blog, you know that I love to paint in series. I find myself intrigued initially by a particular subject, and then after the first effort, I want to explore the subject more fully. This winter I took that approach in painting a series of garments. Not fancy clothes, just well-worn and well-loved favorites from my own closet.  More info on the trench coat and denim jacket paintings can be found here. 

Through the years, the idea of a series has captured the imagination of many an artist. One of my favorite still life series is is the Sunflower series by Van Gogh. It is amazing how even so-called "repetitions" of the same subject can be so different from each other, and how the painter can grow in his understanding of the subject with each iteration. Makes me want to take this garment series to the next level!