The Morning News

                              6x6; Bid on This Painting

Wow! I can't believe I last posted over  month ago! I think that's the longest "dry spell" since I started this blog. We were in Arizona and I did do some painting there, but my improvised studio is not as compelling as my studio here in Seattle. The biggest reason, however, is that I have access to an AWESOME clay studio, and I was busy making totems and tiles. I made tiles for our bathroom backsplashes, and then barely finished the kitchen splash tiles before we left. I did a mosaic over the stove, and I'm pretty happy with it; all it needs is grout....

So....the first painting upon returning is my submission to the DPW Challenge. I like figurative, so this was a good one to start me off. I also did some revisions to the larger pieces I painted in Arizona. I'm working on ideas for more larger paintings, but hope to get back to doing frequent (if not daily) smaller paintings. It's good to be back!

Red Wall

                                  24x24 oil on canvas
Thi painting is based on a photo I took in Telluride, Colorado this fall. I was taken by the way the red wall reflected pink on the man's shirt as he walked by.
I've been neglecting the daily paintings in favor of working on some larger ones. More to follow. I do hope to return to the dailies, though- such great exercise!

Lunch Date

                                                  8x6 Bid on this Painting
Painting #2 of the DPW Challenge. It's been a delightful experience seeing all the paintings that evolved form the reference photo. I look forward to more this week.

Watching Bocce

 

24x24; contact me at laynecook@comcast.net if interested in purchasing

Here's the latest in my new Spain/Portugal series. These old guys were so fun to see with their various postures. We came upon them as we explored the streets of Astorga, Spain in the late afternoon. 

Poster Boy

                                               7x5 $90
This was taken from a reference photo of a man posting a notice. Somewhere along the line I decided that he was a boy instead. I also updated my photo on yesterdays post. It's funny how you sometimes don't notice errors until you see the photograph. I realized I neglected to paint the bottom portion of the black cup on the top. Thus it sat at an improbable angle in the glass below, and the perspective looked wrong as well.

Do I still have blog readers???? Since I returned from vacation I haven't received hardly any comments. I miss getting feedback! I would love to hear what you respond to- positive and (constructively) critical.

Brothers

                                     6x6 $90

Two boys by the fire; even as a girl I have memories of hours spent playing with a stick in the flames. This one may turn into a larger painting. My husband is leaving tomorrow for a one week trip, and that means lots of painting time for yours truly.

A Little Something

                                           SOLD
I really like to paint figurative, but I have a hard time creating strong compositions. I'm trying to use what I've learned from setting up still life compositions to apply to other subject matter. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. With this one, I think it worked. I tried to group my values and I also tried to mix nice neutrals. I also wanted to keep the painting as abstract as possible while maintaining the narrative.

Sand and Surf

                              5x7 $90
There's a  lot I like about this little painting. I think I may do a larger version, but I may change a few things. If you have any gut responses to the compositon- especially constructive criticism- I'd love to hear them! I really value the input I get from fellow painters.

Car Camping

                                     18x24
I felt the urge to paint larger and came up with this one. I like almost everything about it, but am wondering if I should re-paint the older guy with his head tipped down and a book in his lap. There's something  intensely intimate about the interaction (or lack of interaction) between the two of them that might alienate potential buyers. I don't paint specifically with sales in mind, but I'm not interested in storing a lot of paintings either!

Market Day

                          SOLD
I decided to take an image that I have painted before and try it small and loose. This is from my Asian series from early 2010. The original painting is 30x40 and includes some more background. The challenge was to crop it into a nice composition and create a loosely painted piece that conveys the feeling that inspired me in the first place. Part of me keeps wanting to go in and "tidy up" the things that don't make sense. The other part of me is learning to appreciate the movement of the paint and the captured moment. I know from experience that when I go in to "correct" it, I more lose the spontaneity that I liked in the first place.

"Sitting on the Stoop"

                                          6x6 $90

I have a number of old photos of my Dad when he was a boy. This one especially intrigues me. This is my Dad and his sister and father sitting outside their home.