Blakely Harbor Morning, 18x24

On the Sunday before last, the 3rd, I awakened early, heading out to the shore before the hub-bub of boat traffic got started.  The clouds were just beginning to break open and turn the day into a jewel.  I slapped on paint as fast as I could, trying to capture the light as it danced across the water, changing color and value by the minute.

This piece now sits on my studio floor.  I think it's finished....and yet we give each other the EYE when I'm in the room.  Someday I might figure out what is unsettling about this one.  In truth, for several hours after doing it I decided to again give up painting because the picture of what I wanted and what this was were not matching and I couldn't figure why not....still can't.

The next day at the 4th of July market I went into a booth and found a small scroll for sale with this quote from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama:

Never give up

no matter what is going on

Never give up

Develop the heart

Too much energy in your country

is spent developing the mind 

instead of the heart.

Be compassionate

Not just to your friends

but to everyone.

Be compassionate.

Work for peace 

in your heart and in the world.

Never give up

No matter what is happening,

No matter what is going on around you

Never give up.

What is that saying about things occurring when you need them?  So, among other things, it inspired me to keep on painting.....

Plein Air Workshop

Just a few pics from last weekend's Plein Air Workshop.  A small group of dedicated painters played with paint on a beautiful day at the spacious Fecher-Gramstad estate.  While the group was small in number, they were intense with desire to paint....and they wore me out!  What a nice group of people to be around on a great day.  Thanks to Debbie for the pictures....  (Don't you wish you had been there?)

Another Winner!

No, the cartoon has nothing at all to do with this post....just my own amusement.

Marcy was the first winner of a free painting and she picked 'Swauk Valley Spring'.  So back to the hat we went and Avy picked 'rguterson' as the other winner.  'rguterson' can choose from "Green With Envy" or "Roslyn Purple Haze " within the next 48 hours.  Just drop me an email with your choice.  Congratulations. 

Thanks again for all those comments....keep them coming.

Avy Picks a Winner!

(This post didn't send out for some reason on July 3rd.  Sorry if you get multiple copies)


Happy Fourth of July!

After careful deliberation Avy, our daughter's bird who is just recovering from a beak operation and needed an emotional boost, picked from all those comments stuffed into my plein air hat.  We have a winner....on a slightly mangled piece of paper.

The winner is Marcy Jackson!

But Wait!  If one winner is good, two are better.  Marcy will pick from 'Green With Envy', 'Roslyn Purple Haze' and 'Swauk Valley Spring'.  After she tells me which painting she's choosing Avy will draw again and the second winner can choose from the two remaining pieces.

Yay!  What great fun to give away a painting.

Thank you all for participating and sending all the comments.  Stay in touch.  This is the second free painting drawing in the last six months and there will certainly be another.

I also send out a monthly newsletter.  If you would like to subscribe just drop me a note saying so.  My address can be found HERE.

Two Day Plein Air Workshop!

OK, you brush swingers, here is your chance of the summer.  Two days of outdoor painting on a private property.  Still life set ups, farm implements, old buildings and home, lush landscape (and a park across the street.....all the charm of property that has been well loved for many years.

July 9th and 10th I will be teaching this plein air workshop for those working in oil, acrylic or gouache.  If you want to learn to see color, painting outdoors is the way to do it.  With lectures and demonstrations there will be much to learn from and enjoy.  This is the only two day outdoor workshop I will teach this year so if you can join us, please come.  Contact Oil and Water Art Supply for more details.  206-842-0477

Painting by Committee

Painting by committee.....what a terrific idea.  Sometimes I overwhelm myself with my brilliance.

(For you new here, this post is a followup to one about a week ago.)

Well, no one mentioned what I saw as a glaring error, so perhaps it wasn't so big a deal after all....but I'm happier with the painting now.  The shapes in the original were so repetitive it bugged me.  Some repetition in a painting is good and adds to cohesiveness but, as you can see in the one I marked up, it was too much of a good thing.

I thought there were several good comments and in the corrected version I tried to include some of them.  The water area is larger, the right side no longer 'falls off', the trees are less repetitive and the enlarged sky area gives a greater sense of height and allows those birds more flying opportunity.  While it seemed like a good idea, I decided not to put in the ice cream stand that K thought should be there.  All those small corrections in shape and size made a more interesting painting to my eye.

With the fourth of July weekend upon us, this is the last post you can comment on and still be placed in the hat for the free painting.  I will be announcing the winner soon.  Good luck to you all, it's been fun.....have a good day of Independence.

Millers Creek, 8x10

Only one more posting after this one and the drawing for a free painting will end. 

This piece, although only 8x10, feels like it should be larger so I'm going to keep it around and see what might happen on a 20x24.  I like the color and the peaceful feeling, probably because it was a relaxed hour sitting by this little stream.  Mallards would peek around that corner to see what we were doing.  The females would float down sometimes but the courageous males never did.

I have gotten many comments this month and I thank you all for them.  Some people felt too shy to post on the blog, but sent me emails instead.  If you haven't posted a comment on the blog....or if you have....do it again.  I've picked out three paintings the winner can choose from.  Here is the blog address.....go post:  http://darrellanderson.blogspot.com/

Summer's Arrival, 11x14

Yellow California Poppies and purple Lilacs, exact opposites on the color wheel so it was only a matter of choosing composition.  Half way through the painting the owner came out with a plate of fresh chocolate chip cookies.  Plein air painting can be so rough....only true grit (and chocolate chip cookies) keep me going.

This painting and 'Speed Bump Ahead'  will be at the Roby-King gallery during July, as well as a few others I've done.  

The month is winding down and the painting giveaway is about to happen.  There will only be another post or two before relatives arrive for the 4th and blogging will cease for a week or so.   I still haven't chosen the painting but I think I'll give the winner some options.  Be sure to comment on any of this month's blog postings to enter.

Ferry Tales

OK.  No, it's not a painting.....but I want to tell you a story and this is the only visual I've got from it.  You see, last night we were coming back from painting and racing for the ferry when the police stopped us.

Well, they really stopped a whole line of cars because they were filming a chase scene through the streets of Seattle....so I missed the ferry.  This couple sat across from me in the terminal waiting for the next boat.  I only had a pen and one marker, but no paper.  So I scavenged in the paper recycling and found something passable.  It sort of reminds me of Don Colley's work.  Sitting across from them was a young man slouched down who looked like a hold over from the beat generation.

Getting on the ferry, I went upstairs to be followed a few minutes later by that young man.  He sat down with his head lowered and I went about my business.  Soon the sounds of a blues harmonica began filling the outdoor room, echoing off the metal walls.  Into his music, I couldn't catch his eye so I let him fill my ears with what became the absolutely best and most creative blues harmonica I have ever heard.

The concert continued for the whole ride and only when we were getting off did I get to talk to him and thank him for the music and, did I forget to mention, the soulful singing.  Is he a professional musician?  Yes, sort of.  Is he a wandering minstrel?  Yes, sort of.  How does he make a living?

He works for the Seattle Opera.

Morning Blossoms, 11x14

While walking up the street the contrast of the hard edge of the buildings hitting up against the amorphous plants caught my eye.  I've learned that what holds my attention even for a second is something to followup on.  The more I do it, the more in tune I get to what my vision of the world is.  I talk about it in my book on marker drawing....it's actually the point of the whole book.

The uprights of the power poles and their angular support breaks up all the horizontals in the sky, building and land forms, keeping the flow going around the painting.

To enter for the free painting remember to go to my blog at: http://darrellanderson.blogspot.com/ and make a comment to enter.  Every comment improves your chances.  If you select 'Anonymous' as your profile, be sure to include your initials so I can send you your painting should you win.

Speed Bump Ahead, 11x14

I can't seem to stay away from Roslyn while the lilacs are still blooming.  For once I might get my fill (Nah!).  While the bushes in this painting are rather small, many of the plants are closer to tree size, reaching the height of these homes....all covered in blossoms.  Quite intoxicating for a lilac lover.

There are no right or wrong answers on the composition of the last painting.  Several of you sent great suggestions so I'm going to change the painting and include them and we'll see together if they work.  I'll also tell you what I found to be a problem....but I'll have to do it in a separate post in a day or so.

Going back over the mountains to Roslyn again this coming week.  I'm just getting warmed up.  Remember  that this is painting give away month so make those comments!  If you are shy about identifying yourself there is an anonymous category that you can choose.  Just be sure to include your initials so when you win you can be notified.

Madrone Skies, 10x12

   Earlier this Spring, when only the skunk cabbage showed signs of blooming, I painted this in a park in south Seattle.  Concentrating on the silhouette of the madrone (some say 'ma-drone' and some say 'ma-dro-na') I didn't notice what was happening in the composition.

What do you think bothers me?  It's painted pretty well, the colors are good...even interesting...but there is something about the way it was composed.  If you think you know, make a comment and enter for this month's drawing at the same time.  Go to: http://darrellanderson.blogspot.com/ and make a comment.

They say never to publically criticize your own work.  Nuts to that....  I'll let you know what bugs me about this one in the next posting and you can see if we agree.

Another thing...but not about art (or maybe it is).  One of my favorite places on the web is TED where I can hear talks from interesting people.  Here is an inspiring talk by a young man from Malawi who at age 14, in trying to help out his family and village, became an international star.  The human spirit can be so amazing.   http://www.ted.com/talks/william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind.html

Roslyn Purple Haze, 11x14

Bluish cast shadow, lavender house and lilacs.  How could I not try the challenge to make it work?

Usually the second painting of the day goes more easily than the first but I had to draw this six times before I got a composition that was passable.   Orchestrating the large blank spaces in the house and shadow also posed a few issues.  Many of those resolutions are too subtle to show up well on the web.  I kind of like the way it came out....especially if you like purple.  What do you think?

This is 'Drawing for a Free Painting' month so enter with your comments at: http://darrellanderson.blogspot.com/.   May the force be with you....

Mountain Lilacs, 11x14

Every year I wait for the lilacs to bloom hoping to spend a week painting them.  Every year something happens to prevent that....rain, wind, projects, emergencies....somehow they don't get painted.  It happened again this year, BUT....

Lilacs bloom later in the mountains...in Roslyn!  It was a happy day that I found that out.   How could anyone pass up a scene like this one?   Last Thursday the smells of spring were everywhere and changing every few minutes as the day progressed.  I loved it.

Remember that this is "Painting Give-Away Month".  You only need go to my blog and post a comment on my painting of the day to enter.  The more you comment the better your chances to win.  I will put all the comments in a hat and draw the winner at the end of the month so the more comments you get into that hat, the better your chances.  (I haven't yet picked the painting to give away.)  My blog is at: http://darrellanderson.blogspot.com/  and "Comments" is at the bottom of each post.  Click on it and make yours!  Good luck.

Convent Gate, 12x16

Two years ago on a hot Tucson day, my friend Mic and I stood in the shade and did some studies of this beautiful scene.  Getting home I used the material to do this larger piece.  The other day I ran across it along with the studies and with about twenty minutes work it coalesced into this....which I like.  The field studies emphasized the old cathedral tower but this version, which lets the gate and wall take over, seems to work best.

Remember to go to my blog and make comments this month for a free painting.  At the end of the month I'll draw from all the comments to pick the winner.  The blog is at: http://darrellanderson.blogspot.com/  Click on the word 'Comments' at the end of that days post.

Free Painting, 'Green With Envy', 8x10

The time has come for another painting drawing!  Some people comment on the flowers in 'Green with Envy', some on the colors in the pitcher, but I especially like the grapes, they have attitude.....hence the name.  Like the last post, this is oil on red gessoed board and is one of my favorite paintings for its color combinations and brushwork.

Enter to win by making comments on any postings I make during June.  Every comment will be an entry to win.  Make comments by going to: http://darrellanderson.blogspot.com/ and at the bottom of that day's posting will be a 'Comment' word which you can click on.  While you are there why not sign up to have my blogs emailed to you if you haven't already done it.  Good luck!

(If making comments is new to you and you are having trouble, drop me a line.  My email is in my profile or on my website under 'Contact'.)

Harbor Tourboat, 10x10

The quirky shape of this little boat was attractive to me so I spent a lazy afternoon doing a quick sketch of it.  Oil on gessoed museum board works well for fast work as the board tends to absorb the oils making it easy to paint over the top of other paint.  This board was coated with a red gesso that is peeking through in places.

Another drawing for a free painting is beginning soon.  You will be able to enter by commenting on any postings after I announce it.....but why not practice and make a comment now by going to: http://darrellanderson.blogspot.com/  and putting in your two cents.  You could even put in three cents if you wanted to....

Cathe Gill Webinar:  If you go to: http://www.catherinegill.com/webinars.php , Cathe and Beth Means give a free one hour lecture on Powerful Watercolor Landscapes, based upon their new book.  This is like getting a workshop for free!  (Be sure and click the icon for full screen mode so you can see it well.)

Above the Dam, 10x12

The Spring runoff looks so calm before it plunges into whitewater chaos going over the dam.  Just under the glassy surface can be seen subtle movements of the current as it rushes to join the maelstrom.  The roar was constant.

Buckets of rain began coming down half way through this piece and I huddled under some protective branches to finish it.  Walking back to the car my solvent spilled in the backpack giving me a chemical burn.  The discomfort, however, was well worth the result and not all plein air painting is so riddled with difficulty.

I like the orange buoys against the green background.  They complement and compliment each other.  "Hey, you are looking especially spiffy today!"  "Like that color.  Where did you get it?"

I'm starting another painting give-away soon.  This time I will enter anyone who goes to the blog and puts in a comment.  The more comments, the better your chance to win.  Additional info to follow....

Alamos Alley, 10x10

This is another 'stumbled upon' painting that was done a few years ago in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico at the home of some friends.  Originally intrigued by the bougainvillea I began this with the intention of minimizing that door.....only people kept going in and out and slowly it became more interesting.  One person would go in, a different one come out.  It opened for a dog and two minutes later a child skipped through.  This went on for the 90 minutes it took to make the painting.  I have no idea what it was all about.....should have named it 'Sonoran Mystery Door'.

Anyway, I didn't like it and threw it in one of my boxes.  Pulling it out today I have no idea why I originally didn't find some value in it.

'Boots' and a Great Day

 

 'Boots' is an old painting that showed up as I was digging through a box and it reminded me of a magical day.  We (family and some other painters) were on a week long plein air trip aboard an old wooden boat (the Hyak) going around the Queen Charlotte islands.  We were headed to visit Boots later in the day.  A friend of Cathe Gill, Boots lived with her dog in an inlet only serviced by boat or float plane somewhere across from Ketchikan.

On the way to her house the skipper anchored by an abandoned seldom visited Haida village.  The totems were on the ground, the roofs were off the long houses and the moss was taking over, but the paths were still there as were the shucked shells and other signs of long habitation.  The skipper said you could sometimes find small Venetian glass beads brought by the Spanish explorers by sorting through the beach sand.....so of course I did and found four.  It was like reaching back three hundred years to another time.  I imagined all the hands, from Venice to these Northwest islands, that had touched such small gems and felt the depth of time and change that has occurred.   What must it have been like to live there?

With rain approaching we hopped back aboard the Hyak and continued on to see Boots and to spend an hour painting in her kitchen, out of the rain and cold.  She is no longer with us but her independent spirit, as well as all the other spirits I felt around me that day, are not forgotten.