Snow Cold Lonely Hellebore

Well, I looked out my kitchen window this morning and saw a very sad singular Hellebore who got very cold last night but was basking in the morning sunshine with snow all around.  The inside/out view resulted in this little watercolor sketch.

Today was Magnuson Park

Magnuson Park was bright and sunny with many cold spots.  In the sun it was warm, in the shade the ice never melted. Beth and I took the oils out for a spin for an hour or two.  Saw lots of snow capped mountains with blue sky and blue water.    Also, finished (for awhile anyway) my Self-Portrait #05. A pencil sketch on sketch book paper.   

Someday I'll learn how to take good photos of my work.  Neither of these are as bright or interesting as the originals.  

A few Plein Air outings produced the following

Well I actually decided to take a picture or two of a couple plein air images that I produced just to give myself a boost and say that "yes I did do some creating during the last six months."  Not much, but a little.  I'm not very good at getting a good image of the original product yet.  I keep trying but the photo process always seems to damage the color intensity and contrast of the original.  The photo never seems to be as intense.  Oh well, I'll keep trying.  In order:

1. Looking at Capital Hill from Gasworks Park
2. On the top of Discovery Park, old buildings and officer housing
3. Fisherman's Terminal view of the Net Sheds from BNSF yard

Newest Family Member - Bean

I guess I need to be more diligent in my postings.  Its been at least six months and there has been lots of activity:  FINA World Masters Swimming Champs in Goteborg, Sweden, a week on Muckle Roe in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, end of summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year 2011 and another birthday.  Oh, and a new addition to the family - Bean, the mini poodle with unknown mix.

Bean likes to chase the big dogs at the dog park who chase the balls their owners throw.  He has no interest in catching a ball, just in the chase.  He likes popcorn and squeaky toys.  With limited eyesight he has security issues and is a great guard dog that barks a bit too much when he feels threatened.  But, we are working on that, one loud bark at a time.  Cats have gone into hiding, chase is not their game.

Palette Knife Practice

During the last week or so I've been learning or practicing with a number of palette knives instead of using a brush in oil painting.  What an experience!  Here are a few of the studies.   The Lawn Chair was en plein aire while the others were done from photos.  But the process was both frustrating and fun. 

 

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Seattle Urban Sketchers went to the Center for Wooden Boats, Sunday, June 26th.  I went and practiced some with my fountain pen and a little water color.  Here is what emerged. I'll keep practicing

Spring Pics

Seems like I only get to the postings about once every three weeks.  Oh well!  I was taking a figure painting in oil class at Gage here in Seattle and actually have a couple of results to share.  The first more finished than the second.  The first was with one figure and 4 studio sessions.  The second was with two figures and 5 studio sessions.  The models alternated so we had one model at a time with the exception of the first session where both were present.  I missed the session when the female model posed for the first time.  The second time was the last studio session so I only got one chance at getting her into the composition.    The photos of the pieces didn't come out the best but at least give a glimpse of what I've been doing on the painting side of life.

Okay they loaded in the opposite order.  The bottom was done first.    I also learned to work with a very different palette.  It was fun and I learned quite a bit.

Six weeks until FINA Worlds in Goteborg, SW.  I'm hoping to keep a art travel journal while on the trip.  We'll see if it actually happens.  It will take a bit of tenacity and dedication to be consistent with it.  But I'll try.

Another post later.

Trip to Goteborg, Sweden and Week in Shetland Isles

It is all arranged and confirmed.  I'll be swimming in the FINA World Master's Swimming event in Goteborg, Sweden July 30 - August 7, 2010.  The air transport is booked, we have a house or two rented (there are about 10 swimmers plus a few others going in our group from Seattle), events have been entered: 200, 400, 800 meter freestyle,  200 backstroke, and the open water swim (1.5 mile). 

After Sweden, I am taking a week to go visit the Shetland Islands and to do some plein air journaling.   I'll fly from Goteborg to Aberdeen, Scotland routing through London.  Then take the Northlink overnight ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland.  It was nice to find a small bed and breakfast on the main island for a 5 night stay.  Afterwards, I'm flying from Sumburgh (southern tip of the Shetlands) to Edinburgh with a one night stay and leaving very early morning August 15th to fly back to Seattle. 


Painting/Drawing

I've been continuing to paint and draw but just not disciplined enough to document the process.  I'll get there.  Journaling is not something I've totally committed to and find hard to sit down to create.  

Legs, pencil 2H on white paper.

Fisherman's Wharf, water color, plein air in sketch book

I'll get back to doing more.  Meanwhile I need to figure out how to get from the Aberdeen Airport to the Northlink Ferry terminal on a Sunday afternoon.