Sunshine on the "Pair"

I love backlighting, it just creates such a romantic ambiance which is perfect for a valentine's day painting. What you don't see, and the reason for the paintings name, are the two flowers hidden outside the frame. What are they doing up there? They make the perfect "pair." Now, time to go spend time with my special valentine! Hope you enjoyed the day thinking about love, relationships and peace - not politics . . . on and on ad nauseum.

Fragile as a Feather


sold 
 
When I painted this little Asian vase I was thinking about the Japan earthquakes and how fragile  we are at any given moment. The vase stands alone in the center of the painting, graceful and poised while all eyes are focused on it - yet still so fragile.  The feather lies beside it symbolic, dashed to the ground, severed from what once was.  Sometimes there is far more to a painting than just a pretty picture (assuming you think this is a pretty picture). 

Hotter Than a Habanero

©A.K.SIMON - Hotter than a Habanero - 6"x6" oil on linen $40

First, let me just say I did it! I made it through the whole week blogging and posting paintings every day. It really has not been that easy and I have a renewed, great respect for those of you who have been doing it for years. Whew, how do you do it? I do know that I have learned a little about myself in the process so that can't be all bad.


Also, my sincerest thanks to all of you who have been sending such nice comments about the work and to those of you who are now subscribed to the blog or following my auctions on http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/a.k.-simon-2572. Your support of my efforts means so much to me. Painting has always been my dream and I am so fortunate to have loving family and friends who tolerate my addiction (and enable me).


Now, about this painting: these three guys were sitting on the studio table at the base of the easel opposite of where I was struggling with another still life. My eye caught the strong light and in one fell swoop with my ever-ready bounty paper towel, I wiped off what was there and this became its replacement. I often find it better when I'm struggling to just wipe it off and start over with something new. Sometimes the painting is better because of that nice underpainting. You'll never catch me eating one of these though!

Onion Vase

©A.K.SIMON - Onion Vase - 6"x6" oil on linen $40

Again with the drama - Red against white is so appealing to me. Everything else in the painting takes a back seat. Someone recently asked me about these last few paintings and why are they so "up close." I explained that I paint these all from life. These works are from a larger still life setup done by Donna Noice at our loft painting sessions on Tuesdays.  I hone in on a small section of it and try to make a good, closeup composition in a limited time frame.  A "mouse over" view I call them. I must be judicious with my time because these works are done alla prima (wet on wet) in whatever timeframe I have and need to be completed that day. After all, aren't all paintings "mouse over" views? You never really get the whole picture no matter how much of the scene is painted.

Coming from a Place of Need



© A.K.SIMON - Coming from a Place of Need - 6 x 6 oil - $75

I found these shoes in Robert Warren's studio one day when I wasn't too moved with the still life that was set up so I made my own. They just had such character and sense of history that I was intrigued past. I imagined them belonging to a male child who lived through the depression years. I added the ball and only one jack so I could tie the painting to my concept. Who can play jacks with only one? This child was not only lacking in physical needs but more importantly lacking in a sense of youthful play and spirit which can be and were far more damaging. Many depression era children grew up only knowing how to shoulder responsibility. How sad is it to hunger for a sense of security and not knowing where to turn for help? Many children around Appalachia still wear these shoes. What is our responsibility to them?

Sunlit Copper Teapot

I love copper. In addition to painting, I also make jewelry that is very "earthy" so I use copper when I can. I like the colors I can get when heating or combining other chemicals with it to force a reaction. This painting says "nostalgia" to me. Again, red and green just work! Shout out to Robert Warren for the loan of the copper teapot.

Apples in Leaning Brass Pot

sold

This piece is all about the drama. The lighting was so strong and everything so shiny that it reminds me of those "glitz" pageants on "toddlers and tiaras" (yikes, some of those kids scare me). This pot has a little lean which I almost corrected until I decided that imperfection can be charming - what harm is a little side swagger. I did this piece in the fall so there is a plethora of fall color - including the little baby pumpkin on the left trying for its 10 min. of fame in the spotlight. 


So, when I decided to show red paintings as a precursor to the upcoming valentine holiday I thought it would be difficult. A teacher once told me that a painting isn't finished until you add the red. Apparently I took that to heart because I'm having no trouble finding works with red - the power color. This piece made it as a meritorious entry in the 2011 Small Works exhibit presented by Jack Richeson Art Supply/School. I forgot to mention the other day that the painting, "My Favorite Things" made it in as a meritorious entry this year.