"Garden in Cadiz"

Oil                     36"  x   24"

When I painted this painting, I had outdoors in mine for this model.  The back ground is in Cadiz, Spain, but the model was at my studio.  The colors are warm and rich.  I think the painting works well.

"Friends"

Oil        30" X 40"

This painting of two Spanish girls was painted a few years back. Another painter and I gave a workshop in Ayllon, Spain.  I lucked out because these two models were wearing costumes from a festival.  I have painted several paintings from that trip.  I'll have more to share with you later.

"Just A Walk"

Oil              24" X 18"

I was in Guanajuato, Mexico a few years back, and I saw these great facades on buildings there. So I thought of putting a figure in the path in front. I would like to go back to visit there again and do more paintings.

"Under the Persimmon Trees"

Oil            22" X 28"

 This model is wearing another Spanish dress I bought in Sevilla, Spain.  I took the model outdoors for this painting. This painting is at the J Space Gallery in Marble Falls, TX. If in the area stop by.

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

"CASTANETS"

OIL           16" X 12"

I found this Spanish dress in Sevilla, Spain, so I had my model pose in it when I returned. I painted many more paintings of the dress and another dress that I bought there.  I'll post them later. I think that clothing makes a statement on women.  It adds to the drama.

"Soft Spoken"

Oil          24"  X  18"

In this painting I wanted to show a small amount of allurement in her expression.

"Peaceful Happiness"

Oil   16" X 12"

Sorry that I have not blogged lately. I have been traveling a little.  I was making a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Virgin Mary, Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Now that I'm back I have been doing Christmas things, shopping and the like.  And also preparing work for the New Year that is coming up.  I'm doing light drawings and research on some of the paintings that I would like to begin the new year with.  Also, I've gone to the Doctor to get a check up, a good thing to do to start the New Year.

I will post some of the paintings that I've painted this year. Hope that you will enjoy them.

As I paint along next year I will post them. If you have any questions or comments, I would like to hear from you.

"Amber"

Oil/Linen Canvas   40" x 24"

This painting is available for Sale.  Contact me for info.

I believe that this is the finished painting. I'll call this painting "Amber" it is also the name of the model. I think it fits. I'll be evaluating the painting for awhile before I varnish it. The back ground gave me some trouble, but I think it works.

Any feed back is okay.

I'm close to finishing, maybe next week.

I'm working out the skirt textures and folds. I'm through with the arms and hands.

I'm working on the face and vest.

Other business has taken much of my time, but here is some of my work from this week. This painting of the girl has been fun to work on because of her stance and the movement and textures of the dress. Drapery can be hard work but it can be fun also.

If you have any questions about this painting, feel free to ask.

I'm working late on Thanksgiving, but I needed to get this painting started. This is the new model that came to my studio to pose last week. I will post the progress as I paint. Beverly and I and our family will have Thanksgiving tomorrow. 

Working Late.

"Reading a Poem"

Oil    12" x 16"

This model was working for me outdoors, as she lay on the grass I saw a quite moment.

This painting was one  that I had my friends critique. I trust them to tell me what is working and what is not.  So today  I was working on their recommendations. I usually look at my paintings for awhile before I call the painting finished.  

I have a new model that I will be working from and hope to have some paintings soon.

Friday night I invited my artist friends over for a critique to my studio. They brought their paintings so that we all could discuss their work.  But first we had a Mexican dinner at our home and then went to the studio for the critique. The photo below shows us sitting around and discussing the paintings. From left to right: Me,  my son Andrew, my friends Vie,  Steve, Heidi, Cliff, Sandra, Daniel, and Ric. Not shown is my wife Beverly and my son Adolph. They are the one's taking the photos.  

We all had a great time and fun talking about our paintings. We joked as well as were serious about what we critiqued. We all learned a little something that needed to be said about our work. We all agreed to meet again very soon when we have some new paintings to share and critique. This is all very beneficial to develop and improve our work.  

My artist friends looking over a painting on the easel.

Beverly and I and our friends are discussing a painting.

Dan is telling us about his painting and his trip to China that he and wife Sandra took early this year.

"Costume Trunk"

Oil   24" x 18"

Here is the painting I finished today. 

Yesterday I had a chance to finish a 24" x 18" painting; but, I didn't so I'll finish it maybe on Monday. I'll post it then. 

I was out of the studio all day today. Had home chores to do, we can't paint all the time. Saturday is my day to catch up and Sunday is church and dining out time, maybe see friends or family. 

For now here is a painting that was painted recently.

"Dancer 2"

Oil        24" x 18" 

If you wish to purchase any of my works, please email me at: studio@gvtc.com.

"Preparing to Dance"

This painting is a 36" x 18" oil painting. As the title suggests it is a dancer preparing herself for a dance. I put her in a setting of a back stage room. The lighting is sort of dim. I like the pose to be as if the model is unaware of others around her. She is concentrating on her costume. It will take a few weeks for this painting to be dry enough to put on a protective coating.

Besides painting this week I'll be getting the studio ready for my artist friends to come by to have a critique. We will all have paintings to talk over and give our opinions. This is always fun because no one will get away scot free. And also, we will talk about the art of making and selling art. It seems that the meeting is always to short. 

I started  painting late today. The background was added to give support to the figure .This painting is now 90% complete. I have the final touches and corrections to make.  It may be finished tomorrow.   After that I will look at this painting for awhile longer before I consider it complete. 

Todays work.

I started this painting today. I will post the progress.

"Caught in the Moment"

Oil     40" x 18"

This painting I painted awhile back.  I was inspired by a painting by Whistler. It is in the National Gallery in Washington.  It seem to fit what I saw in this model at the moment.  I wanted to use the least color and keep as much of the texture of the white dress apparent. I also wanted to keep her expression as simple as possible. Angelic comes to mine.

"Violin"  36" x 24"

This is a painting of a series with this particular model. She was generous enough to bring her own costumes. I couldn't help but want to paint not only the figure but the intricate costume. As you can see I like to paint fabric with warm colors. They seem to be more dramatic. Expression is important as well.  I'll show more of this particular series at later dates.