tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64097245019164600782024-03-13T11:23:58.664-04:00Observe Closelyart journey. eyes open.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.comBlogger712125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-56793217684118296452014-03-26T21:27:00.001-04:002014-03-26T21:44:13.625-04:00The Picnic<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G6AG8vsNmdE/UzN-hi2vgeI/AAAAAAAAGJI/__becIIuIJQ/5238B7E7-4620-403C-9B0C-3C11049C2402.png" height="224" style="display: block; float: left;" width="320" /></div>
Claude Monet<br />
1865<br />
Oil on canvas, 130 x 181 cm<br />
Pushkin Museum, Moscow<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>The Picnic </i></b>(the original is 6 by 6 meters!) was unfinished and later rolled up and then cut up by the artist. It's also known as <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Le déjeuner sur l'herbe. </i></b></span>There are <a href="http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/works-in-focus/painting/commentaire_id/luncheon-on-the-grass-18731.html?tx_commentaire_pi1%5BpidLi%5D=509&tx_commentaire_pi1%5Bfrom%5D=841&cHash=ebc08cb761" target="_blank">two large fragments preserved in the Musée d'Orsay</a>. All the versions and fragments show picnic guests in a clearing in the forest of Fontainebleau. [from the Web Gallery of Art]<br />
<br />Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-31338135156912516902014-03-26T12:30:00.001-04:002014-03-26T19:52:43.560-04:00We're done, thanks.<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n-NGYRs0dEY/UzMAjbeiyhI/AAAAAAAAGI4/HWFGiP-0bSg/F6D6E545-A5E0-4873-8F47-9F9B406D1FAA.png" height="178" style="display: block; float: left;" width="320" /></div>
<br />
Bye bye, Winter.<br />
You've worn out your welcome.<br />
Go home, Winter. You're drunk.<br />
Winter: the <a href="http://proof.nationalgeographic.com/2014/03/25/skunk-lovers-unite-a-look-at-pets-and-their-people" target="_blank">skunk</a> at the lawn party.<br />
Times up! Get out. Beat it!<br />
The bloom is off the rose, Winter.<br />
Pack it in, Winter. That's all for you.<br />
You've lasted an eternity. Get the hell outta here.<br />
We're sorry, but you're terminated.<br />
And finally: Make like a tree and leave, Winter.<br />
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Leaves! I must see leaves. Something green. LEAVES. Leaves on actual trees. Argggggghhhh . . . .<br />
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[The <a href="http://www.nps.gov/kowa/index.htm" target="_blank">Korean War Veterans Memorial</a>, on the Mall, Washington DC]Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-14826512211570161342014-03-21T12:49:00.001-04:002014-03-21T12:50:14.084-04:00Bach Brilliance<br />
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<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e82huKIrI1k/UyxtfGev70I/AAAAAAAAGIk/lA9bK_Plm88/B98E97DD-CB8B-4278-BFBC-5654BC109959.png" height="257" style="display: block; float: left;" width="320" /></div>
Happy 329th birthday to Johan Sebastian Bach. And thank you.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-24088182322597021132014-03-15T23:40:00.001-04:002014-03-17T15:11:34.265-04:00More Bento Ladies<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V_YvkpmvU9A/UyUeEGhB-zI/AAAAAAAAGIU/p-nJaAJE53A/D64FB884-674D-4658-8E7A-2522404CF2F8.png" height="400" style="display: block; float: left;" width="292" />What I especially like about this one is the nifty little outdoor picnic hibachi that the lady in pink is working with. Can't you just smell the teriyaki salmon and hear it sizzling? Spring can NOT arrive soon enough.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-26621648285911304352014-02-24T15:36:00.001-05:002014-02-25T16:10:17.291-05:00Sunny Spot<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZgMK1Zcm_dA/UwutNaWrjPI/AAAAAAAAGHw/Ra1FEwVVwgw/EF062E65-1E6D-4FC9-823A-250CD9CD1534.png" height="320" style="display: block; float: left;" width="320" />This is another small piece, 5" x 5", done with pastels, on 320 grit UArt paper. It's hopelessly overworked, in my opinion. But I got carried away. I do like that one spot of sunlight, just behind where the two slopes overlap.<br />
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It was inspired by <a href="http://www.gregoryhull.com/DawnsEarlyLight.html">work by Gregory Hull.</a>Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-78950699544849871042014-02-19T17:35:00.001-05:002014-02-25T16:11:28.297-05:00Brilliants<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5nuFqJrhxz8/UwUxrqV-5yI/AAAAAAAAGG8/w3XJH04HVa4/75EB90F8-70FC-49EF-9335-049693F462DF.png" height="222" style="display: block; float: left;" width="320" />This is a very small sketch on UArt 320 grit paper using mostly the new set of Girault pastels that arrived last night : the <a href="http://www.fineartstore.com/p-6523-girault-soft-pastel-sets-brilliant-colors-set-set-of-50-pastels.aspx">Brilliants</a>. Since the Girault line of pastels isn't loaded with what I would call brilliant colors, I was curious to see how they would manage to select a set of fifty so designated.<br />
<br />
Verdict: Nice try. Except for some bright and strong reds and oranges, it's a charming set of very usable colors. Nothing outlandish or garish. Or brilliant. Right in line with the Girault philosophy. (Well, there is one fairly outlandish phthalo-like greenish . . . . something. But I'll forgive them.)<br />
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I hope to use some of these new pieces to replace some other similar (but larger and softer) pieces in my traveling <a href="http://heilmandesigns.com/?product=heilman-sketchbox-double">Sketchbox Double</a>. But I do not ever imagine being able to fit out a traveler with nothing but Giraults. Too many light values and strong colors are missing. Plus, soft light bright pastels are a must for the last layer, as can be seen in this piece. Love that impasto!<br />
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<b><i>. . . and forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us . . . </i></b><br />
This is becoming a harder and harder exchange to make. As one grows old, selfish, and self-absorbed, one finds it more difficult to forgive trespasses in others. Not just forget about them and move on, but really sincerely actively forgive. It takes work. Which, now that I think about it, is the whole point.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-63065434912164928382014-02-18T13:42:00.001-05:002014-02-18T13:43:08.527-05:00Desert Breath<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mqaX43lYy5U/UwOpkupXyOI/AAAAAAAAGGs/-fC0fFSAH8E/14DF4C9B-5821-4127-811F-865AF1058398.png" height="212" style="display: block; float: left;" width="320" />This is a land art sculpture in Egypt. It is the most exquisite object I've seen in some time. Click on the <a href="http://www.danaestratou.com/projects/exterior/desert-breath">Project Page</a> for more views of this wonderful sculpture.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-6264041473004392162014-02-10T13:29:00.000-05:002014-02-13T15:11:21.953-05:00Bento Ladies<p>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZa0eDp-3Y4/UvkZb_7NwXI/AAAAAAAAGGM/okUI8Muip8I/s1600/bento-ladies-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZa0eDp-3Y4/UvkZb_7NwXI/AAAAAAAAGGM/okUI8Muip8I/s1600/bento-ladies-web.jpg" height="246" width="320"></a></p>
These <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bento">Bento</a> Ladies are wonderful.<br>
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Where are they? This seems to be a social outing along a wild river. Did they bring the dais with them? Just how many attendants did this outing require? Is the fellow in the rear their sushi chef or a bodyguard?<br>
<br>
In any event, we ought to be preparing for picnic season, rapidly approaching. The Bento Ladies are our inspiration.<br>
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ADDENDUM : Thanks to all who wrote suggesting source material that my <a href="http://jan777.blogspot.com/2014/01/nothing-flat.html" target="_blank">whim of the moment</a> craved. I did succeed in finding some very promising material. Merci beaucoup!Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-57364012069002540352014-01-31T12:17:00.004-05:002014-01-31T12:17:53.060-05:00I Did It.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlaJMdIuTH8/UuvaqSWqJFI/AAAAAAAAGF0/ZHJbMb1ehmU/s1600/IDIDIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlaJMdIuTH8/UuvaqSWqJFI/AAAAAAAAGF0/ZHJbMb1ehmU/s1600/IDIDIT.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-39193879181019469732014-01-30T16:38:00.001-05:002014-01-30T16:45:46.761-05:00Nothing Flat<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eqDKNh0sUP4/UurGZ12GgVI/AAAAAAAAGFk/_W3Vyb-C6Zg/9AF54E53-6734-48DA-AC4F-D15079FF78B5.png" height="320" style="display: block; float: left;" width="314" />It's remarkably difficult for me to find source landscape scenes (that I can steal/commandeer) that don't have central flat, calm, and securely grounded areas situated front and center. You know. Quaint recumbent meadows or serene marshes. Right now I am interested in making pictures of outdoor spaces that are insecure, roiling, precipitous, and worrisome. There aren't a gazillion models out there, in any format. (Other than the classic Grand Canyon overlook pictures.) I am experimenting with taking larger works and cropping out all but peripheral steep and sloping areas. It's not a very satisfying way to find or create this kind of source material. But, hell, hermits can't be choosy. So oh well.<br />
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This one is 5" x 5" and is quite rough. I am not sure I like all the light specks of paper peeking through. This was done on an old piece of Wallis paper that has the deep grey tint, so I was reluctant to muddy it up with an underpainting. Next time I'll chance it.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-47159151792717861132014-01-28T16:34:00.001-05:002014-01-28T16:40:51.080-05:00Cantilevered Tree Line<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5DCRnH6Cg3U/UugiTkmv5PI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/PGPur7O1ZKU/11D28008-9FAF-4F76-84BC-319A3E9AE6C3.png" height="320" style="display: block; float: left;" width="320" />This one is 5" x 5", cropped. It started with a much large nearby tree on the left side. But as I worked the dark green limbs and played around with the foliage mass, that big tree kept growing across the page. Eventually it covered almost the whole left side of the sheet. Too big! The distant line of trees on the ridge line got lost in the shuffle. So I extended the 'scene' further to the right, and re-cropped into a square. I like it better now.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-55919019572357112352014-01-27T13:21:00.001-05:002014-01-31T15:00:55.954-05:00Mozart Miracle<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k4yYU_m3SxA/UuajstqzyDI/AAAAAAAAGFA/ae9RZLCk86w/5DCE0B64-AB7D-4282-80EC-5D0C2B8BE4C7.png" height="320" style="display: block; float: left;" width="320" />Happy 258th birthday to the miracle that was and still is Mozart.<br />
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[This a portion of a portrait painted by Joseph Lange, Mozart's brother-in-law. <a href="http://michaelorenz.blogspot.co.at/2012/09/joseph-langes-mozart-portrait.html" target="_blank">More here.</a>]Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-88151474768005316772014-01-25T15:48:00.001-05:002014-02-26T18:08:57.303-05:00Small and Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHc7qR0xj2E/UuUvndPEU4I/AAAAAAAAGEw/my1MrChLLi0/s1600/redtrees.web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHc7qR0xj2E/UuUvndPEU4I/AAAAAAAAGEw/my1MrChLLi0/s1600/redtrees.web.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a smaller one, 4" x 4". I like the red glow behind and inside the trees. I'm not sure what it is, but I like it.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-6274697134787844712014-01-23T12:42:00.001-05:002014-01-23T12:43:35.630-05:00Then what isn't, indeed?<br />
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<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ovvdiBUCtEI/UuFUgIP8eKI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/upEdtIVJmSE/E0CE73ED-4496-4E41-A8F0-530B9FD21DEB.png" height="243" width="320" /></div>
Adapted from <b><i>Is This Art?</i></b> (2010), Maciej RatajskiObserve Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-42642786465702058772014-01-21T09:09:00.001-05:002014-01-28T16:41:40.483-05:00Daily Pastel Again<br />
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This is 5" x 5" and is another in the series of daily (well, almost daily) pastels.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-35992318598866067232014-01-18T14:43:00.001-05:002014-01-28T16:41:58.724-05:00Daily Pastel<br />
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<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SA3HnAUeS0U/UtrZXl0vMeI/AAAAAAAAGDs/5VOHXwtZgDA/875ECE9E-125B-4803-82E2-6FD6A9C741CE.png" height="320" width="318" /></div>
This is another in the series of daily pastels. This is 5" x 5", which seems to be a optimum size both for speed and for avoiding being intimidated by the whole daily concept.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-27744764214293609832014-01-17T16:59:00.001-05:002014-01-18T14:45:52.102-05:00Small Pastels Daily<br />
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<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JDYbg-OGKhI/Utmn1V1RTLI/AAAAAAAAGDc/ycEewUX6JA4/AB9905CF-19E9-4049-8890-D1C082802D81.png" height="320" width="320" /></div>
This is one of a series of small pastels that I am planning on completing every day.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-91202496090008617412013-07-16T19:01:00.000-04:002013-07-16T19:01:44.626-04:00Two Dimensional View<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W20M3R4gvzE/UeXP1H_SufI/AAAAAAAAF_s/-osUpGO5h-g/s1600/mono23-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W20M3R4gvzE/UeXP1H_SufI/AAAAAAAAF_s/-osUpGO5h-g/s400/mono23-web.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
More monotypes today. My goal today was to try to achieve some depth. To leave the 2D realm behind and see if I can make pieces that you can peer down into.<br />
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Mixed results so far.<br />
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More <a href="http://observeclosely.portfoliolounge.com/work/3318" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-58067792971692520652013-07-15T11:12:00.004-04:002013-07-15T13:05:44.956-04:00Grip It and Rip It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3wQtfM7WXU/UeQPG2WzJLI/AAAAAAAAF_U/phVVli1zjqU/s1600/mono22-cropped-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3wQtfM7WXU/UeQPG2WzJLI/AAAAAAAAF_U/phVVli1zjqU/s320/mono22-cropped-web.jpg" /></a></div>
This is another of my gelatin monotypes. Fun with geometry!<br />
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The gelatin print process is an interesting exercise in envisioning the result of various sequences of events. Mentally keeping track of the probable outcome of alternative catenations is a real trick. Because (naturally!) as the process unfolds in real time, who the heck has time to keep notes? Yeah, okay, hold on. What did I do first on this one? Oh ha. Best to just let 'er rip.<br />
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More monotypes are in the portfolio <a href="http://observeclosely.portfoliolounge.com/work/3318" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-19697355028077484182013-07-11T11:20:00.002-04:002013-07-12T19:00:03.331-04:00Jelly Belly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmQL744dIWA/Ud7MvqTpWyI/AAAAAAAAF-8/Ef9njhcFMXM/s1600/monoprint1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmQL744dIWA/Ud7MvqTpWyI/AAAAAAAAF-8/Ef9njhcFMXM/s320/monoprint1.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
These are monotypes made with my brand spanking-new gelatin printing plate. Great fun and the potential to make a whopping big mess.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tjcRxfCmFCs/Ud7M0Q03HgI/AAAAAAAAF_E/K4a_HcC4PX8/s1600/monoprint2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tjcRxfCmFCs/Ud7M0Q03HgI/AAAAAAAAF_E/K4a_HcC4PX8/s320/monoprint2.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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My portfolio of Gelatin Monotypes is <a href="http://observeclosely.portfoliolounge.com/work/3318" target="_blank">here</a>. Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-8070335788343135772013-07-10T10:20:00.004-04:002013-07-10T16:41:39.429-04:00Park Slope Texture Re-Attempt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcuwE0trrUw/Ud1q0PF2weI/AAAAAAAAF-o/2NFUEwBC8tI/s1600/park-slope-texture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcuwE0trrUw/Ud1q0PF2weI/AAAAAAAAF-o/2NFUEwBC8tI/s400/park-slope-texture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is about 7-1/2" x 9" on textured board, done with pastels.<br />
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Here I chose a board that was lilac-toned and textured with random-directional strokes of the brush that I used to put on the ground. Next, I decided where the foreground/background ridge line was going to be -- where the tree is growing -- and put down a more radical texture below it, using wrinkled tissue paper and bright white ground.<br />
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I am not sure if this is a too-obvious use of texture. Yeah, that's supposed to <b><i>suggest</i></b> a grassy, weedy foreground. But not <b><i>scream</i></b> it. (And perhaps the background slope could have been less textur-y.) So we'll see how I end up liking this notion.<br />
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Wait! I wonder if this piece would benefit from some more radical cropping too. Hmmm. Take some of the bottom off and align the ridge line more at the one third mark. Lower in the frame.<br />
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Anyway! It was inspired by Donna Timm's wonderful red box, in <a href="http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1321610" target="_blank">this posting</a> on WC.<br />
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Bonus! ---> <a href="http://heirloomphilosophy.blogspot.com/2011/11/road-lined-with-trees.html" target="_blank"><b><i>The Road Lined with Trees</i></b>, from Heirloom Philosophy</a>Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-29508386934451711472013-07-06T12:30:00.000-04:002013-07-06T12:32:43.466-04:00Growth Time Lapse<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/69225705" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Onj_U9alik/UdhF2ZAgbPI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/OJvtL6WXiao/s320/flowers-time-lapse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/69225705" target="_blank">Delightful two and a half minute long vid. Watch THIS.</a>Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-28128345205218343542013-07-06T12:20:00.003-04:002013-07-07T18:17:03.688-04:00Texture Experiment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1r40iXhMRY/UdhCkPC5ZSI/AAAAAAAAF-I/-1zM0qwmbdE/s1600/texture-tree-slope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1r40iXhMRY/UdhCkPC5ZSI/AAAAAAAAF-I/-1zM0qwmbdE/s400/texture-tree-slope.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is about 6-1/2" x 9" on watercolor paper prepared with a radical texture and pastel ground.<br />
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My plan on this one was that the heavy texture would preclude any kind of fussy mark-making. That it would force me to be looser and freer.<br />
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Wrong. I kept dabbing and stabbing at it and fooling around with it all day yesterday until it wailed STOP. A lesson I need to learn is how to s-t-o-p.Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-51801429417252583042013-07-02T15:57:00.003-04:002013-07-02T15:58:19.459-04:00Wolf Kahn<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://issuu.com/amy-nyc/docs/wk13final/1?e=0/3608062" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGIsVPjI3YY/UdMwWXf7k_I/AAAAAAAAF90/W-38UMQRjwc/s400/wolf-kahn-web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://issuu.com/amy-nyc/docs/wk13final/1?e=0/3608062" target="_blank">This is a treasure. </a><br />
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I found it on Casey Klahn's website. Thanks again, Casey!Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6409724501916460078.post-80520140822918796132013-06-30T16:52:00.001-04:002013-07-07T18:17:26.555-04:00Yellow Tree Line<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1bu0wKmLUY/UdCZFtRFk1I/AAAAAAAAF9E/xy6eZxhKwmw/s490/yellow-tree-line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1bu0wKmLUY/UdCZFtRFk1I/AAAAAAAAF9E/xy6eZxhKwmw/s400/yellow-tree-line.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is about 9" x 12" done with pastels on sky-blue tinted sanded paper.<br />
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It's inspired by the plein air paintings of <a href="http://www.bjstapen.com/" target="_blank">BJ Stapen</a>.<br />
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I am enjoying the notion of a very high (or non-existent) horizon, where I can play with the layers and the texture of the intervening mid- and foreground. Kind of the exact opposite of my skyscape interest of a month ago.<br />
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Que sera, sera. You gotta follow your nose.<br />
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yHtJFu_Co8/UdHCVZ50DZI/AAAAAAAAF9U/SEY_wy5ek-E/s500/yellow-trees-two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yHtJFu_Co8/UdHCVZ50DZI/AAAAAAAAF9U/SEY_wy5ek-E/s400/yellow-trees-two.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is about the same size, but done on salmon-tinted sanded paper. Quite a different all-over tone and mood.<br />
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This was my first piece painted on Sennelier <a href="http://www.dakotapastels.com/pages/paper-lacarte.aspx" target="_blank">La Carte pastel card</a>. The sanded surface is delicate and can be dissolved very easily with just a touch of moisture or a drop of water, leaving a plain shiny white card stock below. Interesting. (Annoying?) I have a stack of this La Carte paper and need to begin to use it!Observe Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12395405127041255946noreply@blogger.com2