Pomegranate Potential Exposed

©A.K.Simon Art - 7"x 5" -  Pomegranate Potential Exposed

Day 8 Painting a Day - https://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30-blog

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11 PM and I'm posting this for tomorrow. I rigged some foam core and set this little still life up with some directional light from the sun. The greenery has nothing to do with pomegranate. It's just here because I love red and green paintings. I'm not even sure what kind of greenery it is. It's one of those stems that is filler in a grocery store bouquet. I've learned that you can put it in water for almost a month after the flowers are dead and it keeps its suppleness. 

I've been reading so much about the benefits of pomegranates and beets. Wow, it seems there isn't anything that these luscious red fruits and veggies can't heal! A little info link: https://authoritynutrition.com/12-proven-benefits-of-pomegranate/

Radishes in the Raw

©A.K.Simon Art - 7"x5" Radishes in the Raw

Day 7 Painting a Day - https://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30-blog

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I apologize for this picture, I'm going to have to tweak this color and clarity. The radishes are more maroon than red. 

This is a set up in my studio using my kitchen towel and some radishes I just purchased. Another study in pattern but this time I tediously painted each section because the busy pattern messed with my brain as far as figuring out the form. The minute I washed all the mud off the tops of these they wilted and the stems broke. Now I have to figure out what to do with all these radishes because we tend to eat them more in the summer. 

Ah ha, found this online just now. I never thought of cooking them because I've only every eaten them raw. Seems you can saute them in butter. May give it a try now that I have a whole bunch.

Here's a link to some radish recipes: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/popular-ingredients/radish-recipes

  

Real Lemon

©A.K.Simon Art - 7"x5" oil on masonite

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Day 6 Painting a Day 

I know I could just whip off a lemon painting very quickly but If I'm going to make this project a true challenge I need to work on some things that really push me. A friend set us this still life a long time ago in our upstairs painting class. There is much more to the still life, teapot, etc. but I narrowed it down to this section. I've used the photo before but I didn't really push the pattern as much as I could have. So, thanks Mary, because I think I got it this time. It's never going to be exact but that's not the point. The point is the shapes following the form to make something believable. 

I tackled this, because I don't know a better way, by painting all the values of the white cloth then added the pattern like calligraphy and just changed values as the planes changed. It really did move along quickly because the form was already there. My work for tomorrow and next day will also include an edible with a patterned cloth. However, I think this may wear me out mentally. It can be pretty intense observation sessions. 

This one's all about the drama and I like that in paintings!

And just cause I like trivia, here's some about lemons: https://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30-blog

Just as an FYI, here's the blog where I read about the dibond panels and mentioned it in my post the other day. http://paintingstufftolooklikestuff.blogspot.com/2013/04/panels-that-will-blow-your-face-off.html

Slim "Pickins"

©A.K.Simon Art - 7"x5" oil on masonite - $75 plus shipping 

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Day 2 30 in 30 online challenge: https://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30.html

Second day, second piece in the 30 in 30 challenge. Got home from work late in the afternoon and started this then got distracted by dinner, TV and a phone call. So, here I am at 11PM finishing the photography and posting. Same size and same ground I used yesterday in painting this piece.

Hope tomorrow is smoother!

Pear Shaped Body Type

©Pear Shaped Body Type, 7"x 5" oil on masonite


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Well here we go again! I'm starting the Leslie Saeta 30 in 30 https://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30.html for the months of January. Can't say that I've ever completed the challenge but I can say that it has motivated me at the beginning of the year to try to live up to my own expectations. When I have participated in the past it has invigorated my art spirit. Participating in this challenge opens the door to communication through online relationships, exposure to techniques not yet used and the realization that discipline in daily practice is the only way to get to that point where your mind accepts what you do as worthy of being called art. What's funny about that for me is that several years ago mind thought my art was good and I do like some of the work I produce now but that is an ever changing target and I've come to accept that as the only way to grow. 

I think my theme for this challenge will be "edible" art. No, it's not meant for human consumption but the subject matter should look luscious enough to eat. That said, this first piece is a set up from Tuesday's upstairs painters (you didn't really expect me to paint on New Year's Eve did you?). I always have some kind of plan after I study the subject. I acquired a bunch of 5"x7" masonite panels and wanted to use them all up in this challenge (not sure I have 30). I know they have to be done quickly so I chose to use a spatula that is mostly used by ceramicists. I love these tools and I purchase them at Dick Blick - they get the paint on quick but it takes a little time to gain control. I also used my brand new tubes (I had run out) of gamblin radiants. Santa was generous this year!

Let the games begin!

It's that time of year

Happy Holidays to all! I painted this small painting 8"x8" this year as my Christmas card. Due to shipping issues it did not get to me until today's mail. Kind of funny that a card based on timing is late getting here. Life is full of this little dichotomies (time being untimely). 

The concept for the card is that magic starts to happen after midnight on Christmas Eve. So, the clock is set at 11:55 on December 24th but the magic has already started. I painted this as a warm gray grisaille them created the start of the magic in the hands of the clock, the date and the ribbon. The hope is that life will be renewed in the knowledge that a savior is born to bring hope (all colors) to all mankind. 

Here's the inside of the card. It's a little abstract prose that explains the picture.

Seeking Sanctuary

© Seeking Sanctuary - 6"x6" oil on linen 

Every year we try to make a trip in the Hocking Hills of Ohio which is about an hour from where we live. I've noticed this beautiful little church off to the side of the road each year but never really thought about painting it until this year. The older I get the more I seek sanctuary from the everyday grind, especially in a presidential election year. And, as simple as it sounds, what better place to find peace than in an actual sanctuary. 

At first I wondered if this particular church was even in use anymore because it looked so overgrown. Almost like the earth had decided it should be reclaimed. But, then I saw that the steps were clear though the bushes and grass were not trimmed. Maybe the earth is not reclaiming it, just protecting it from something we may not know is coming. The fall colors have enveloped it like a quilt and make it the perfect place to seek the peace that passes all understanding.

This type of fall scene makes me feel grateful for living in the midwest even if I do know what's coming next!