Radish Rendezvous
© A.K.SIMON - Radish Rendezvous - oil on linen - $100
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Wow, radish leaves wilt really fast! This is a section of a larger still life set up. The radishes just seemed to be congregated around the cup like a group of people gossiping (notice I didn't say only ladies!) around a water cooler. Or, it looks a little bit like cup worship. I can't decide whether this is about the cup or the radishes.
Not much to say tonight. We just got back from a Good Friday service at church and no matter how many times I listen to the story of the crucifixion, it still tears my heart out. I just want to shout, "NO, can't we change the ending this time!" Man's inhumanity to man is unfathomable! We've seen the darkness, now we must look forward to the Light, Easter!
Peony In Its Element
©A.K.Simon - Peony In Its Element - oil on linen - $75
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Although I have painted this same peony before, I wanted to try out my new "handy-dandy" spatula tool that I just purchased from Dick Blick. Here's a link to the Princeton Wedge and Blade Tools they really work well for application and scraping. I want to start a series of landscapes and thought this would come in handy. I'm not sure how long they have been available but they're new to me.
Here's a funny story about the day I got the tool. Dick Blick is about a 45 minute drive from our home so we made it a little Sunday afternoon jaunt combining lunch and the art store. Well, if any of you are like me, the art store is like "cocaine to a coke addict". I could spend hours and think it's minutes. So, my husband suggested we eat first then go to the art store. When we finally made it to the Dick's he says, (and I knew it was coming) "mind if I wait in the car?" So he did (I hoped he would). When I was done (1.5) hours later (you have to look at everything, right?) I came out to the car - the seat was back, he was sound asleep sounding like the Baltimore & Ohio going through the station! He turns and looks at me and says, "wow, that was quick, I was just resting my eyes. (My grandma always said that too.)" And here I was worried about keeping him waiting - I should have known Men from Mars always sleep while their vehicle is resting! He never did look at the clock.
Polka Dots and Pear
©A.K.SIMON - Polka Dots and Pear - oil on cradled panel - $100
This is a painting I started Tues. from life and finished today in the studio from the picture I took on Tues. I really wish I could have had access to the still life long enough to finish it because I never seem to get a decent enough picture to portray what I remember. And, what I remember never seems to be quite enough. These are the times when I wish I had that kind of mind that doesn't let you forget anything - but then again I'm pretty sure there are some things that have happened in my life that I'd be glad to know I forgot!
You Bring Out The Best In Me
© A.K.SIMON - You Bring Out The Best In Me - Oil on Panel - $110
SOLD
I love white vases and I love flowers - what more can I say? Well I guess the vase is not technically white but close enough. I'm working on edges. I read in Richard Schmid's book Alla Prima (http://www.richardschmid.com/books.idc) that edge should be included in the elements of design. I'm working on it but know that each subject brings its own set of problems. If you haven't read this book, you should. It is one of my favorite and one of my favorite lines in the book is regarding talent. It goes like this, "Talent, don't bother about whether or not you have it. Just assume that you do, and then forget about it." He also says, "don't be afraid to learn."
About a year and a half ago I abandoned painting landscapes because I needed to learn more about drawing and painting from life and need to study light. I have come to the conclusion that painting objects from life is the best way to learn these things. I have come to love still life paintings through this process and have a greater respect for artists who do it really well.
One final point from Richard Schmid regarding confidence, "self-doubt is utterly crippling to painters. Nothing will mess up our efforts more effectively than believing that we lack 'what it takes.' Well, no one knows what it takes, so how could anyone possibly know if they don't have it?" Everybody's a critic, right? Don't let people or sales mess with your head!
PS: I've been working with Leslie Saeta on the Webinarts marketing series so I've been a little lax in painting and posting. I'm trying to create a "brand" so I've replaced the banner at the top of the page with the new one I'm using on FB, Blog and Website (adjunct pages - not home - I've made something similar for that.) Wish me luck, this is a lot of organizing that is long overdue!
Fixed on the Objects of My Desire
©A.K.SIMON - Fixed on the Objects of My Desire - Oil on Linen - $45
SOLD
Besides oil painting, I also work with copper enamel. A while back I did a rooster in copper enamel and loved it. So, when pondering what to paint today this came to mind. Moral of the story: When pondering the objects of our desire we should go after them with the confidence of a rooster after a chicken - head held high, chest out and focused like a laser!
I like the marks made with the palette knife so I decided I would do a series of small paintings with varied marks (brush, palette, fingers) just for practice. Surprising how fun painting can be if you don't fret the outcome! This guy looks like he could be saying,
"Oooh-la-la!"
