tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34090866759525007132024-03-05T12:05:59.325-08:00Dale Edwards Paints in his Basementtatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-11975929525971426012018-01-08T13:27:00.002-08:002018-01-08T13:27:56.793-08:00The Center of My Neighborhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just before Christmas, I finished and delivered another house painting, this one to my neighbors The Hoggards. Maybe I'm getting a little better at these house paintings, but this one gave me less trouble than the any of the other three I've done.<div>
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This one is also a historic home. When we first moved our family into this neighborhood, the Hoggards were among the first to welcome us. Their kids hung out with our kids. We sometimes attended their cookouts and parties. The Hoggards' front porch, which figures prominently in this painting, is the de facto center of the neighborhood. </div>
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They are good people and I enjoyed having the opportunity to capture their home on canvas.</div>
tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-48805010754736260502017-11-28T08:20:00.001-08:002018-01-08T13:29:09.615-08:00A Very Special House Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX4vd5bqoWTLWl1nMrdG4kffoCeRBoIms1x5we6tSCeA_2YXXjr05hm1dZUi4ALDpBcPBb2WsRLKEVRm9YjZWbSZCcE91wACm4DBYzCR-f-Ixm_FS6bFKM-4uoQfFk51-vI3gd0UhFtdJ/s1600/mebane+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX4vd5bqoWTLWl1nMrdG4kffoCeRBoIms1x5we6tSCeA_2YXXjr05hm1dZUi4ALDpBcPBb2WsRLKEVRm9YjZWbSZCcE91wACm4DBYzCR-f-Ixm_FS6bFKM-4uoQfFk51-vI3gd0UhFtdJ/s320/mebane+house.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I just finished my third painting of a house. This one is another historic home in Greensboro, and belongs to a friend and neighbor. Mebane Ham has played an instrumental part in my painting success. She encouraged me to take part in my first public art event, and has alerted me to other opportunities to help broaden my artistic interests. I owe a lot to Mebane.<br />
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So, it was a pleasure to paint her house. I did my usual round of struggling with colors, shadows and highlights. I wrestled with details and ultimately decided to do without some of them. In the end, I'm pleased with how the painting turned out.<br />
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And so was Mebane.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-72567655751502735842017-09-07T11:37:00.001-07:002017-09-07T11:37:05.504-07:00Arts and Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After I finished my first house painting for a friend and neighbor, I was pretty excited about trying another house. Another friend and neighbor -- who already owns several paintings of mine -- asked if I would paint his house.<br />
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I agreed to take it on and set about taking photos from different angles and directions. The Craft House, as I came to call it, just keeps going. I would argue that the impressive and beautiful front of the house gets much of the attention. There is so much detail and nuances.<br />
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And a lot of curves. I'm a straight-line painter, so I ruled out the front pretty early on. In the end, I settled on an angle from the rear of the house looking forward down the side. This angle gives a better idea of the length of the Craft House. It also illustrates the changes in the shape and lines.<br />
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To date, this painting was the hardest, most challenging I've finished. I started over twice, changing the colors more than once in one day.<br />
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I stepped away from the painting for a week or so to clear my head. I have a habit of forgetting I'm not the type of painter who goes in for detail. I had to remind myself that all of those amazing window panes are not my style.<br />
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"Stick to what you're becoming known for," I say to myself.<br />
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With the exception of the chimney, the painting is essentially a monotone: a collection of grays. And I love how it turned out.<br />
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I delivered it to the homeowners and they seemed very pleased with it.<br />
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I have since been asked to do the homes of two more neighbors. I'm glad to accept the challenge, but I do hope I can get through it with more ease than the Craft House.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-38780183102790525662017-07-03T11:01:00.002-07:002017-07-03T11:01:56.149-07:00To Build A House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a couple of neighbors who run a photography business. They are delightful people and have always been generous in offering their services to take photos of several of my paintings, free of charge.<br />
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Each time they finished taking photos of my work I ask them, "Can I paint something for you to pay you back?" Each time they would say, "We'll let you know if we think of something."<br />
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Finally, after taking a batch of photos of three of my paintings, my neighbor photographers messaged me and asked if I would paint a picture of their house.<br />
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"We'd love to see our house in your style," they said. I accepted the challenge.<br />
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I began by taking photos of their wonderful and large historic home. I began working on the painting, but shortly after that, I stopped. I just wasn't feeling it with this painting.<br />
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A month or so later, I flipped back through the photos I had taken of the VanderVeen House and found an angle I liked better than the one I had started. I was encouraged by the progress and became excited about the painting.<br />
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I finally finished the VanderVeen House painting and delivered it to the new owners. As a bonus, it was their wedding anniversary. I was thrilled this painting mad them so happy.<br />
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Also, it helped me attract a couple more possibilities for sales.<br />
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<br />tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-1031986592236400082017-06-05T14:15:00.001-07:002017-06-05T14:15:21.881-07:00This Train Has Left the Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think I started this painting about four months ago. It started as one large box car and quickly became a row of small boxcars. Then I lost interest in it. Something about it wasn't keeping my attention.<br />
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So I set it aside and moved on to other paintings.<br />
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Then, about three weeks ago, my wife and I were rearranging our dining room, which is where my painting "studio" is set up. She pulled the still-unfinished train painting out and said, "You should finish this. It's cool."<br />
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We placed it on top of a set of shelves to get it out of the way. And it looked good sitting up there.<br />
"Yeah, I should finish it," I said, suddenly finding interest in the train painting again.<br />
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So, I finished it and brought it to the Parisian Promenade. It's a large painting, so I had it sitting out front of my booth. The painting grabbed a lot of attention from passersby. And, it sold.<br />
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Which brings me to this conclusion: I'm going to take a break from grain elevators. I love those buildings, but I'm excited to do more work with trains. I've also been kicking around a idea or two for large cargo ships. And, I'm going to turn some of my focus away from the plains and direct it to the desert southwest. I'm even going to make a run at painting an adobe, or two.<br />
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I still have one more grain elevator to paint -- a commission for a friend and former co-worker. After that, this one track mind is going to try other routes.<br />
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Check back soon.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-88048665482705423872017-04-28T10:00:00.001-07:002017-06-05T05:40:46.231-07:00Going solo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aP6YKQrojgTo1pgpo1VhDhMBgboRz2VRnJdkOiQcOsHETb6a6p_WWlgbquIiV4Yt06Nwvr65443oIbELtBpXCMAYjhY6XnetpO75hZVKoxnZ-ttXN-OpndQh8Gsmnufrv1WB7_VqT9sC/s1600/IMG_2413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aP6YKQrojgTo1pgpo1VhDhMBgboRz2VRnJdkOiQcOsHETb6a6p_WWlgbquIiV4Yt06Nwvr65443oIbELtBpXCMAYjhY6XnetpO75hZVKoxnZ-ttXN-OpndQh8Gsmnufrv1WB7_VqT9sC/s320/IMG_2413.JPG" width="314" /></a></div>
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I have my very first solo art show coming up on May 12. It will be at Irving Park Art & Frame in Greensboro. I'm excited for this event. I'm partnering with Preservation Greensboro. The nonprofit will receive a portion of any sales on the night of the opening.<br />
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The show will run through the end of May.<br />
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Here are a few of the newer works that will be at the show and available for purchase. Hope to see you there.<br />
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The bottom painting has sold.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-78657507929754675402017-03-03T10:38:00.001-08:002017-03-03T10:38:34.381-08:00When the Going Gets Tough, Walk Away for a While<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I started this painting -- Grain Elevator No. 11 -- in early January. The painting and I have been through a lot together. I didn't like the angles. I didn't like the colors. I didn't like the new colors. I didn't like the shadows. I couldn't fix the shadows. I didn't like the area to the lower right. And so on.<br />
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So I set this one aside for a few days. When I came back to it, I made a few modest changes and -- voila -- we were friends again.<br />
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I hope you enjoy it. 20"X20"<br />
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<br />tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-89067041844990848492017-02-24T11:27:00.001-08:002017-03-02T06:51:43.060-08:00Plain and Simple<br />
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Some time ago, I read Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. It's a breathtakingly tragic collection of accounts of Native American tribes. It's beautifully and honestly written. For all the pain to be felt reading it, there's plenty of room for discovery, as I found. Turns out, I have a fair amount of Native American blood.<br />
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Shortly after reading Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, I drove across the country. I stopped and visited several places in the southwest that figured prominently in the book. It was thoroughly enjoyable.<br />
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This painting depicts dwellings for plains tribes, not what I saw in the southwest. Either way, with all that's happened with the Dakota Access Pipeline and the protests at Standing Rock, this painting filled an emotional need.<br />
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And it seems to fit rather well with some of my other paintings. I hope you enjoy it.<br />
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This painting has sold.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-40774228455838515112017-02-07T11:11:00.000-08:002017-04-28T08:51:46.705-07:00A Sweet Show in Winston-Salem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv45QLQCzLMiHN07TQ2-qoA0BcGeJ6QB-bRC2WOuVM1XsyS7O6LPaDoMXQaDuuM44JHWkV-ylLCCB9qVCykGWG0FFAwO-RWtRTIsDMApnVLhvT6jpb3cCTBFNRNVUD6jhF4-AzWMGgzrKi/s1600/redroof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv45QLQCzLMiHN07TQ2-qoA0BcGeJ6QB-bRC2WOuVM1XsyS7O6LPaDoMXQaDuuM44JHWkV-ylLCCB9qVCykGWG0FFAwO-RWtRTIsDMApnVLhvT6jpb3cCTBFNRNVUD6jhF4-AzWMGgzrKi/s320/redroof.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
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At last you can check out my paintings, drink coffee and enjoy sweet, masterful delicacies at the same time! Beginning March 3rd, Camino Bakery in downtown Winston-Salem will exhibit my paintings for the month of March.<br />
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There will be a small and casual opening on Friday, March 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be free cupcakes while they last. I plan to be there for the opening, but there's no "official" opening. Just an opportunity to get together with people who are interested in my work.<br />
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I hope to see you!<br />
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This painting sold to a very sweet neighbor who bought it (using tip money) for his mother's birthday.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-79928071049513882522016-12-29T06:35:00.000-08:002017-01-03T09:59:15.498-08:00The Evolution of Ability<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgRrwKV9PMSAxpQFxHw3CIQ-wkGN7Z5hHVtjdT0m6YINbhwHFrUeRyUgJ2GHYH6m9zyJxkP0yGqDIvA4EKG3aeZavjn6fmYPtD6E1MaeRHQD5OXi80vBwpxBSkCsMLYVmbVKmCN_809ik/s1600/telephone+poles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgRrwKV9PMSAxpQFxHw3CIQ-wkGN7Z5hHVtjdT0m6YINbhwHFrUeRyUgJ2GHYH6m9zyJxkP0yGqDIvA4EKG3aeZavjn6fmYPtD6E1MaeRHQD5OXi80vBwpxBSkCsMLYVmbVKmCN_809ik/s320/telephone+poles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsp4Er0u68Rr9bRhCvWrv-UHHqnW7Q_S_6PcuZXPAv55vziGz-3WXirn-b-s9BdJqYgL5WlOZVxiPqYZLgubxIsl8-il5_4ariwQL1Hug_av7boxpH_tSqb2QP3WZ8LmI1TXHbtL7_tMWv/s1600/sunny+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsp4Er0u68Rr9bRhCvWrv-UHHqnW7Q_S_6PcuZXPAv55vziGz-3WXirn-b-s9BdJqYgL5WlOZVxiPqYZLgubxIsl8-il5_4ariwQL1Hug_av7boxpH_tSqb2QP3WZ8LmI1TXHbtL7_tMWv/s320/sunny+side.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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I've had a few days off over the holidays. The time off has afforded me the chance to finish a couple of paintings and start a couple more. I don't have any shows right now, so the paintings I finish are basically taking up space. There are six or seven of my paintings hanging up around my house, but I started to wonder if I need to rotate in new works.<br />
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Part of this thought is because it might be nice to see something different hanging up, but more of it has to do with realizing my painting ability has come a long way in the years since I originally hung up some of those older paintings.<br />
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I'm willing to take more risks with my paintings and I'm less concerned when I make a mistake. I feel more confident in my ability to correct issues.<br />
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This is a good thing, I believe. I love my paintings, and I'm honored that people have loved my older paintings enough to want them in their homes. But I would be troubled and might even give up painting if I felt I'd reached the limits of my ability. Or that I was so satisfied with my work that I didn't feel the desire to push myself further.<br />
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Here's my latest two paintings. The top one is large. I call it "Telephone Lines." The second one is called "Sunny Side," and is in the running for my favorite painting I've done.<br />
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The top painting has sold.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-38158707732810718382016-11-07T13:08:00.000-08:002017-01-23T11:22:43.677-08:00"Boxcars of Dead Trains"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuhYmBnQnluA041OyaGgRqzhlCKrr_2C7BrgwMFKp3Y3P5EakT2a8ytkX79puIDeLwwXqPf91dUN06n-tPx2pBZ_leW189wgtEweb5kYrUMi_J_-UqYbsq-4UDTx_p-fFukI0suIKlwj_/s1600/20161107_132622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuhYmBnQnluA041OyaGgRqzhlCKrr_2C7BrgwMFKp3Y3P5EakT2a8ytkX79puIDeLwwXqPf91dUN06n-tPx2pBZ_leW189wgtEweb5kYrUMi_J_-UqYbsq-4UDTx_p-fFukI0suIKlwj_/s320/20161107_132622.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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This the fourth and final painting I'm submitting for the Winter Show at the GreenHill Gallery. I will be turning the paintings over to the folks at GreenHill later this week. I'm very excited about this show.<br />
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I was pleasantly surprised to find my Green Giants painting was a Curator Pick for the push email promoting the show. It's an honor to be recognized by these fine people.<br />
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Glad to have these paintings finished. I have some great big canvases waiting to come to life.<br />
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This painting has sold!tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-1198499519958910672016-10-06T12:09:00.000-07:002016-12-05T05:34:29.653-08:00The Train has Left the Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEovcy_MnGn3vJ8p7SmBEpJ9n-aCxf3HBGZS1FNaAn-_nTV9jYZjXIBHtPpco6sQczUCpG9FX1i-kGNP94IA6SyqTav-uy13OACr2ZvqHHPxa5Nzs1Jvfr3bq2MVI_-PRjKPqZLotYMt7N/s1600/building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEovcy_MnGn3vJ8p7SmBEpJ9n-aCxf3HBGZS1FNaAn-_nTV9jYZjXIBHtPpco6sQczUCpG9FX1i-kGNP94IA6SyqTav-uy13OACr2ZvqHHPxa5Nzs1Jvfr3bq2MVI_-PRjKPqZLotYMt7N/s320/building.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This might be my favorite painting I have done. I pulled it from a photo of a train station. I don't think I could have chosen a better color for the roof. The red is so vibrant against the blue/gray sky. There's a storm coming, but that roof couldn't care less.<br />
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I hope you enjoy it. This is the third painting I'll be submitting for the Winter Show at the Green Hill Center.<br />
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This painting has sold.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-7238123862253420622016-09-01T12:17:00.000-07:002016-10-03T05:48:47.577-07:00The Power of the Tower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-wrpqFeHigcrpzQW2bF-4usoIulxV9tGzg14hhSncHakMiUDzqMCWwbLfEEpaOlkccArcW8mMyxauIEa7btsf_xVZa0oOuZrFJhHV5aV53lahaeDmy6GkoWLQJ1qm_wAYW3ccCwlrcQS/s1600/20160901_075240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-wrpqFeHigcrpzQW2bF-4usoIulxV9tGzg14hhSncHakMiUDzqMCWwbLfEEpaOlkccArcW8mMyxauIEa7btsf_xVZa0oOuZrFJhHV5aV53lahaeDmy6GkoWLQJ1qm_wAYW3ccCwlrcQS/s320/20160901_075240.jpg" width="157" /></a></div>
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There are several structures I find really attractive: Barns, mills, grain elevators. And now the water tower has made its way onto this list. I painted this from a photo. On the whole, I like this painting. I actually painted the body of the water tower about three different ways. I settled on this showing of the progression of highlights to shadows.<br />
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Hope you like it!<br />
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This painting has sold!tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-76831343586108650152016-08-29T10:29:00.003-07:002016-08-29T10:29:58.813-07:00The Shadow Knows<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzsXAt3pU7lycPrezwVNTtObKGF0f50bEbmQK5vg0UmHjLxDMJ-_THjBu4FBAX7_sI6YL-krL1lfKq9_NeLxGBkNl8bUXyMzuLeWNrKGn9Zj2hwkcOrPIsfyFtcycZ1L5vHUEVJSqi-UQ/s1600/20160829_120346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzsXAt3pU7lycPrezwVNTtObKGF0f50bEbmQK5vg0UmHjLxDMJ-_THjBu4FBAX7_sI6YL-krL1lfKq9_NeLxGBkNl8bUXyMzuLeWNrKGn9Zj2hwkcOrPIsfyFtcycZ1L5vHUEVJSqi-UQ/s320/20160829_120346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is another painting of another grain elevator. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. What's different about this one?<br />
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I like for each of my paintings to give at least a small indication that I am improving as a painter. Whether it's a better combination of colors, better use of brush strokes, or a more accurate telling of perspective, I just want each painting to show growth.</div>
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For this painting, which I have titled "Grain Elevator No. 10" (still need improvement in the naming department), I employed the use of shadows to help indicate depth and time of day. I go back and forth as to whether I should use shadows. And once I did on this one, I immediately regretted it. But I gave it a day, walked by it a few times. I looked at the painting from different angles. My feelings for the shadows changed and I embrace them now.<br />
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Doubt is a tremendous part of my art. Sure, there's joy, relaxation and satisfaction. But with every stroke of my paintbrush a fair amount of doubt is mixed in with the oils. Should I have used that color? Why did I use such a thin brush? Is it too late to start over? Should I just paint pictures of cats? Is it going to look like a five-year-old did this? </div>
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Why do I keep doing this? I guess because I know when I get it right. The feeling of satisfaction is huge and weightless. That feeling is closely followed by the desire to start a new painting.</div>
tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-49166627478239414872016-07-19T07:56:00.004-07:002016-08-01T11:44:43.782-07:00Bird Watching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvuAMvqJDtBhefn2jDVpAKq0JWT_D6Ag3fN4g4TI1DbI4luR1n8nuqQqb9iLYC_47ZLFY_Bvc0fKMcGhixaOKw1OBz-Yl62qZVNKMjjdmz1ih1qXkFDWlmcZBhLNUdRa7XynruwfoyNuY/s1600/20160716_114355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvuAMvqJDtBhefn2jDVpAKq0JWT_D6Ag3fN4g4TI1DbI4luR1n8nuqQqb9iLYC_47ZLFY_Bvc0fKMcGhixaOKw1OBz-Yl62qZVNKMjjdmz1ih1qXkFDWlmcZBhLNUdRa7XynruwfoyNuY/s320/20160716_114355.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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My brother-in-law recently asked if I would do a painting for him to give to my sister as a wedding anniversary gift. "She loves to watch the cats watching the birds," he said. He wanted me to do a painting that would include a cat watching birds.<br />
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I said I'd be happy to.<br />
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I'll try to paint pretty much anything (except portraits). I was a little concerned with how I would paint a cat in the style of the birds I paint. Or should I just change the way I paint birds altogether and make this painting different from any other bird painting I've done. How would I simplify the cat?<br />
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It took me about two weeks to come up with a design that I was willing to try. I found a photo of a cat looking up. The shape was simple enough that -- if I stripped away all the detail -- it still looked like a cat. I re-drew the cat without the texture of the fur. Should I include whiskers? Should I include an eye? A tail? The mouth? How could I paint this cat with just enough detail to convey a curious cat, without too much detail that would make it look out of place with the painted birds?<br />
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After a few sketches, I was pleased with a rough draft. I chose a canvas that was very vertical. The space between the cat and the birds was nearly as important as the birds and the cat. The space between the cat and birds represents tension and safety. The only way I could have that space was with a canvas that was this vertical.<br />
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I placed the birds. I wanted one bird to be watching the cat. There's a clear bit of communication going on between this bird and the cat. Curiosity at both ends. It's a good relationship.<br />
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The last detail I added was the mouth to the cat. I went back and forth on whether I should add it. Eventually, I drew the mouth on a white piece of paper and taped it onto the cat (which was dry). I asked Kimberly which she liked better.<br />
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Ultimately, we both decided the mouth was just enough detail. I'm so pleased with how this painting turned out. I admit dreading it a bit, but I really couldn't be happier with it. And I'm so glad it's going to my sister.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-63579769215181964282016-06-24T06:20:00.003-07:002016-07-18T08:02:50.600-07:00The Little Engine that Might as Well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOnomiP2-LDA2eebm0z_AaYyBAhmVycF1whA-a_RikeBLVsy-uMq9gm7v5TY9yIRva6rTrpaT-TmYN0V2Ud2pZym4j1GHfyQ2q-JvWY5O0CsNmhZeex0m5N7kfSbpxdYEHvRDPWxZxgGF/s1600/boxcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOnomiP2-LDA2eebm0z_AaYyBAhmVycF1whA-a_RikeBLVsy-uMq9gm7v5TY9yIRva6rTrpaT-TmYN0V2Ud2pZym4j1GHfyQ2q-JvWY5O0CsNmhZeex0m5N7kfSbpxdYEHvRDPWxZxgGF/s320/boxcar.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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I think I've done all that I'm going to do with this painting of a train boxcar. I started it several months ago, at a show. As we were leaving that show, the painting blew over and landed paint-side-down in the parking lot. I had to wait for it to dry so I could brush away all of the sand, dirt and small pebbles that had stuck to it.<br />
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My interest in this particular painting has ebbed and flowed, but I'm now ready to call it finished and set it aside once and for all.<br />
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I have several paintings I'm gearing up for, including three for an upcoming show. I'm very excited and honored to have been invited to participate in the Green Hill Center's annual Winter Show. It will open the first week in December. 120 artists with ties to North Carolina take part in what I believe is the largest show of its kind in the state. The Green Hill Center's director saw my paintings at Scuppernong's Books and sought me out to invite me. I'll have four paintings in the exhibit. I'll post my paintings as I get them finished.<br />
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This painting has sold!tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-82088468010049338772016-04-15T07:44:00.000-07:002016-08-01T11:46:50.777-07:00"Boxcars Are Turning -- A Carnival of Sorts"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgbSD1VetaU44L3aWcCjJ6adWcEGp75-JB7ohSoL1X1Mfx37izip9Q4gEEmDldc4RzELcNsBvWuA9C3V5Rg25WHrQYaB5OBPj_zYed7l5B_ykaEMjLypvZOmrfsAjWGZCojIYL0YFCHEj/s1600/train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgbSD1VetaU44L3aWcCjJ6adWcEGp75-JB7ohSoL1X1Mfx37izip9Q4gEEmDldc4RzELcNsBvWuA9C3V5Rg25WHrQYaB5OBPj_zYed7l5B_ykaEMjLypvZOmrfsAjWGZCojIYL0YFCHEj/s320/train.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Tried something a little different with this painting. It's mostly finished. Maybe it's a little lonely looking -- an unremarkable line of boxcars being pulled along on a snow-covered gray day. But I find it relaxing. I can almost hear the slow, hypnotic, heartbeat-like clacking of the wheels on the track. No distractions.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">As I have mentioned before in another post, I paint from photos I find and print from the internet. When I find something I like, my first step is to figure out if there is a way for me to simplify the image to basic shapes and colors. The original photo of this line of trains is much more complex -- a lot more detail in the train cars. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">One technique I use for this is to put the photo across the room. I'll look at it from different angles. I walk by it a few times. I saw the basic rectangular shapes and the flatness of the colors. Bingo, I have a start.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I don't know why the text here is reversed.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This painting has sold!</span>tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-51922361155855549942016-03-08T08:34:00.001-08:002016-10-03T05:50:21.127-07:00Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Grain Elevator Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOMXphJf0qyu1NBTAUaFMws31aheq51WDL27b4_8hyphenhyphenqmd-L-aohUUp4gKHPGjVJzkJpF2xtxEPILD5i9rNTT2yrvohS5gJgTB3ymYARU9QXnkpBV9sNqQb_EIWPf_lGmcDJuh-_MqUT-2/s1600/20160308_080615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOMXphJf0qyu1NBTAUaFMws31aheq51WDL27b4_8hyphenhyphenqmd-L-aohUUp4gKHPGjVJzkJpF2xtxEPILD5i9rNTT2yrvohS5gJgTB3ymYARU9QXnkpBV9sNqQb_EIWPf_lGmcDJuh-_MqUT-2/s320/20160308_080615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I took a brief break from painting fruit. Partly because the weather has been so nice, but also because I've been looking through the photo collection of an artist who lives in Montana. Her photos are awe-inspiring. Seeing the photos of towns around Bozeman and other cities in Montana have instilled a desire to see the place in person.<br />
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Here's the link to her Facebook page. Go through the photos. You'll be glad you did.<br />
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https://www.facebook.com/MTPhotoJournal/<br />
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This painting has sold!tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-83090183842986047212016-02-24T06:33:00.003-08:002017-01-27T11:13:29.071-08:00Two and a Half Pairs of Pears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes I like to paint fruit. This might be my favorite painting I've done of fruit. I really like the arrangement of these five pears. This painting didn't take long to do -- probably about a week. It's nice to start and finish a painting in such a short amount of time.<br />
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I posted this painting on Facebook and it sold the next day. So, I'll be painting more fruit.<br />
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This painting has sold!tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-33514159900963352542016-01-25T06:52:00.001-08:002016-01-25T06:52:47.172-08:00You Got Yer Cherry Bomb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We were snowed/sleeted in this past weekend. It was just the opportunity I needed to get a few paintings rolling. I finished this small painting of three cherries. I have sketched out four or five more, including these three. Not shown are sketches of a lighthouse in Maine and a group of apples.<br />
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I cannot wait to get these going. Check back soon. There will be more to come. Until then, though, enjoy the cherries.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-87516671114141974792016-01-04T09:15:00.001-08:002016-01-04T09:15:33.791-08:00Coming Out of Hiding<br />
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It has been a long, long time since I've posted anything here. It has been equally long since I've even painted. The last nine months have been busy for many of the wrong reasons. But much of that is behind me.<br />
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So, now I can paint. This one will be finished soon. I have several others underway. And I have ideas for more. I'm hoping this will be a very productive winter/spring.<br />
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It's good to be back. Stay tuned....tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-71603562684785788852015-04-01T09:52:00.000-07:002015-04-01T09:52:25.195-07:00Barns, Boats, Birds and ……. Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm having my first art opening this month. On Friday, April 10 at Scuppernong Books in downtown Greensboro. The event begins at 6:00. I'll have more than 20 paintings hung throughout the bookstore.<br />
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If you've never been to Scuppernong Books, it's a wonderful place to visit. It has coffee, wine, beer, food and a terrific selection of books, new and used. There are events going on there every day. Greensboro is lucky to have it.<br />
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And for the month of April, it will be home to many of my paintings.<br />
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I'll be on hand for the opening to talk about my paintings and answer any questions you've been dying to ask.<br />
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I hope you can make it down.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-41792160517358257672015-03-03T09:07:00.000-08:002017-01-12T14:06:56.343-08:00Silos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just finished this one. Gearing up for upcoming shows. I call it "Silos." Given all the recent snow, try not to think of it as a winter landscape. Think of it as fog. Really thick, white fog.<br />
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Someday, I'll take good photos of my paintings.<br />
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This painting has sold.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-72782630695121703762015-02-23T11:10:00.003-08:002015-03-04T07:54:05.715-08:00Even Better Than the Real Thing? The Prickliness of Influences<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First, this painting is now finished. I enjoyed documenting it from start to finish. It's called "Grain Elevator and Blue Sky." It is 12"X12".<br />
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In one of my earlier posts I mentioned my intent on writing about my influences as a painter. I am a fan of many, many artists -- some well-known (Edward Hopper), some less well-known (Jean Jack). If you ever see me and my paintings in person, I am often quick to point out my influences and how much I adore their work. In fact, I get so excited about the works of my favorite artists that I will, when possible, contact them via email and tell them how much I enjoy their work. I'll even send them a picture of a painting I have done that illustrates their influence on my artwork.<br />
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It is a tremendous thrill to get a response. Kristiana Parn (http://kristianaparn.com), whose work influences my bird paintings, gushed her appreciation at my email. Jean Jack, whose breath-taking landscapes I am heavily influenced by, twice responded with 'thanks,' and also told me where I could see one of her original paintings in Cary, NC. William Steiger, whose work directed me to a more minimalist technique, has never responded.<br />
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I used to link to Jean Jack's website of her artwork. I frequently visited her site for inspiration, and to see what new works she had completed. She is a very productive painter. I might visit her site every two weeks and find one or two new paintings each time.<br />
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I used to. I can't anymore. Whereas some artists are thrilled to be influential and to have inspired, some are not. Although she twice responded to my emails of praise, she obviously paid no attention to the picture I sent of a painting I did that was based on her style. Somewhere along the line, though, she saw one.<br />
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"Stay off my website and stop stealing my work," read the Google+ comment from Jean Jack.<br />
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I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. I've done nothing but praise her work and style in my blog. I have gone on and on about how her paintings make me feel. It was surreal to get this email, but it was also a little annoying. Who is she to say who is 'stealing' a style. She lists Edward Hopper as one of her influences, and the similarities are obvious. Why is that not stealing?<br />
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I responded to her, "All good artists borrow. All great artists steal." (Picasso) I also said that I link to her website from my blog because I want people to see just how amazing her paintings are. I added that my work doesn't even compare with her wonderful paintings.<br />
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She was not won over by this. "All good and great artists are inspired from within themselves. You are nothing more than a stalker. Stalker's go to jail."<br />
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I didn't like where this was going and I wasn't interested in getting into a flamewar with an artist whose work I admired. I responded to her one more time:<br />
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"I most certainly am not a 'stalker.' If you have an issue with someone regularly visiting your website, then maybe you don't fully understand how the Internet works. However, I will refrain from ever returning to your site and have removed the link to your site from my blog."<br />
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She responded with a simple "Thank you."<br />
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There are many ways she could have handled this, but she chose a somewhat heavy-handed approach, I think. Maybe she has more fans than she knows what to do with. Her paintings run $4,000 to $9,000 (and they sell). Mine run $45 to $500. I don't think I'm much of a threat.<br />
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One thing's for certain: she did see my paintings.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3409086675952500713.post-75985776729552976452015-02-12T11:09:00.000-08:002015-02-12T11:09:11.597-08:00How the Sausage is Made, Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now, with the image sketched, I can decide on colors. I tend to use brighter, sometimes bold, colors. My preference is to use the colors right out of the tube. Mixing colors can be tricky for me. I don't like to waste paint (oils are expensive) by mixing too much. But then, if I don't mix enough, I might not get the same shade. I like to keep my colors modern and bright. I'm not afraid of gray, but I don't use many earth tones.<br />
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From there, it's just painting. Level and weight of brush strokes depends on my mood. Sometimes I show lots of brush strokes. It's a good tool for indicating wind. Sometimes, I pull the brush straight across the canvas to imply flatness and stillness.<br />
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You should pick brushes according to your style and preference. I like short-handled brushes with very straight and angled tips. Again, it's part of my obsession with trying to achieve straight lines.<br />
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As the photo indicates, I'm a very messy painter. And, I don't bother with a painter's palette. I use paper plates. (I know, I know. It's wasteful. I try to offset my waste by not buying Starbuck's coffee.)<br />
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I used to be very cautious about the colors I choose to use. Just a general fear of using the wrong color and ruining the entire painting. But I have since grown more comfortable with painting, making mistakes and then just painting over my mistakes.<br />
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When I feel like I've finished a painting, I let it sit for a couple of days. Part of this is drying time, but I also like to look at my work in different lighting and at different distances. My favorite way to see my paintings is to walk by them. I know if I can't look away, I've hit on something. Also, I might see something that needs touching up or painting over.<br />
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After that, it's a matter of waiting for the oils to dry. This can take weeks, so be careful moving around that 'finished' painting.<br />
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One of the last things I do is sign the painting. I could devote an entire post to the signature. I've screwed up my signature so many times, I've started simply using a Sharpie marker to sign my name. I just use my first name because I don't want the signature to take away from the painting.<br />
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I'll add the title of the painting and the year I completed it on the back. Sometimes I'll go ahead and wire it for hanging.<br />
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I hope this insight into my painting method inspires you to try painting. Just find a method that you're comfortable with and give it a shot.<br />
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Thanks for reading and I'm sorry about the length.tatestreethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987097051661434928noreply@blogger.com0