Monday, October 27, 2014

Selective inclusion

A part of being a painter is being a designer. You can’t always find a scene with perfect composition and just paint it as-is. Most of the time what is in front of you needs editing or designing. Moving a tree, adjusting the angle of a road, altering the relationship of subjects to the horizon, or just leaving something out. This can be done to simplify a scene, take away a distraction, or just because you find it more aesthetically pleasing. Artistic license.

In the case of this painting, I preferred to have a more natural scene of paradise than to include the Hyatt Hotel sticking up above the palm trees.

Island Shore, oil, 9" x 12"

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

From Maui

I am just back from a week-plus of painting on Maui, Hawaii. Beautiful, inspirational views in every direction for me (except for the last two days when hurricane Ana was passing just south). I also get inspired when visiting galleries, which I did on several parts on the island, including Village Galleries where I am represented. Friday evening in Lahaina is art night. You can walk around town and visit all of the galleries which stay open late and serve libations and pupus. I was invited to do a demo at the gallery along with Rich Kenny, another of Village Galleries’ artists. A very enjoyable evening.

I was able to leave a couple of new paintings with the gallery, one of which sold the first day it was hung. Here are a few from my week, more to come.

Morning at Charlie Young Beach, oil, 11" x 14"

West Maui Dusk, oil, 8" x 10" SOLD

Three Canoes, oil, 8" x 10"