Behind Main Street

Behind Main Street

I found this alleyway very interesting as a subject for my second of 3 paintings while at a plein air 'paint out' over the weekend.  It was hot, but I managed to squeeze myself into a seated position (which I usually don't like, and don't do) behind a shed, of sorts in this alley...
     I was so HOT, that I decided to sit, thinking that I'd stand a better chance of actually finishing the painting, and not giving up, because I was dripping wet... ha !  Well, I had fun painting, and then noticed a distinct odor of sort of rotten garbage, only to then recognize the dumpster directly behind me... well, I had to finish, anyway, and I really was pleased with the results....  Perseverance ! 

 

Jason's home in Chicago

     Here is a commission for a painting I did of a former students home in Chicago.   His mother wanted to surprise him with the painting.  I also completed a painting of his residence in Indiana, which was a challenge of angles and shadows, and I had lots of fun with that one, too.  

    

I'm back... Here's Steinberg......

Sorry, folks, it's been a long while since I've posted..... I wasn't able to figure out how to get the photos off my iphone and onto the blog.....         Oh, Whoa is me.....

     I've been busy with commissions, and having a great time in my studio, when I can get the chance... (the garden is looking a little forlorn with a new, terrible weed this year)  Anyhoo, I think that by emailing my photos from phone to email I can then retrieve them to the blog...YAY !

     Here is one of the newest paintings I've worked on, and the picture of the new plein air setup I was able to purchase because of the commissions I've been doing.... YAY, again !
    This is a commission of the Steinberg Skating Rink in St. Louis' Forest Park.  It is one of 2 that were commissioned of the facility by the manager of the rink.

Steinberg skating rink- update

     The person commissioning the painting asked for a few more skaters.  Here's the final draft for the painting, which will be quite a bit larger.  This one is only 11 x 14...

     More skaters, a good idea, I think..

Steinberg skating rink

     Here is a small study for the larger painting commission of the Steinberg skating rink in Forest Park, St. Louis.  We have a wonderful park, right inside the city, with great facilities that are used by citizens constantly.     The Forest Park began with the 1904 World's Fair, which was hosted in St. Louis.   Our Art Museum, Muny Opera and fabulous St. Louis Zoo are three main attractions. 
     The one buying the painting wanted the hospital buildings in the background.  Steinberg is very close to one of the city's main streets, Kingshighway, with it's row of great hospitals. The one to the right is Barnes, where I was born.  
     My friends and I would skate every Saturday at this winter rink.  Great memories.....

Maplewood shadows

 

          I thought I'd change it up a little, making the empty space at the end of the driveway the focal point of this one.....   I really enjoyed the shadow play on the side of this red brick home in neighboring community of Maplewood.   These trees against the light background were a challenge, for sure.....

Tuxedo Park

  

 

  I have taken lots of reference photos, walking down the sidewalks, scanning the various views..... People that are outside on their porches, or on their lawns usually notice that I am there, I never felt any need to be sly about what I was doing.   While taking this photo, the man from across the street was pulling out of his driveway, made a U-turn and came back around to stop next to me.... He rolled his window down and said, "What are you taking pictures for?"   He then asked me if I tried to come back to the homeowners and sell them the paintings, which I've never really done, except for the time I participated in the 'Paint Webster' event last year....I don't know if it's curiosity, so much, or fear of strangers...
     Anyway, most of the pictures don't get used.  It's really hard to get just perfect shots to use, but this one I really loved the shadows on the side of house, and the way the sunlight was catching here and there....

Sweet spot

     I had lots of fun at the ribbon-cutting yesterday for the new Kirkwood business called 'Sammysoap".   My artwork is for sale there, and it's a great new little shop in the heart of Kirkwood, Missouri on Argonne across from the landmark train station.    Sammysoap is a for-profit business which was created to provide jobs for developmentally challenged adults.   Their products are made right on site, and they plan on distributing them nation wide.   The soaps they make, dozens of kinds, are great, thoughtfully produced from natural organic materials, and smell great and make your skin feel wonderful ! 
     I was able to meet most of the local business owners in the area, and talk with lots of new friends about the 'arts' in our community.   I got excited about getting involved in the community art functions.   I've never been to a 'ribbon-cutting' before, and it was fun being part of it !

     Here is another of my "Webster" homes in our community.   This one I changed the original view just a bit by re-locating a tree !

Windows into the past

     I live, and was raised in a community which contains many century homes.  Owners take much pride in displaying their certified plaques next to the front doors, telling of the history of these dwellings.  While taking pictures one sunny day, I ran across some very interesting homes, and hopefully will create some paintings of these 100 year old beauties !

     I'm working bigger and bolder, using more color, and trying to get more excitement and energy.  Here's a new one, 11 x 14, from a photo I took in Webster Groves a week ago.   Lovely community with big older homes, many with Century placques by the front door.   Having fun with warms and cools, too !

Lafayette Park houses

     I almost finished this painting, DID NOT like it.... because it was 'too tight', so this morning I just started completely over.  This one I'm happy with.  The only reason I'm putting myself through this is because it's a commission.   With every single painting I LEARN something.   It's amazing how at my age (just had a birthday, #68) we can all learn SO many things, if we are open to it !  Life is so cool, that way... Each new day we can start again, and reinvent ourselves.

Muny Opera St. Louis, plein aire

     Restful lunch by the bridge over the pond.  Plein air is so much fun, and so challenging.  Finished this one in the studio.  16 x 20 oil on canvas.

Plein air on the Mississippi River

     I joined the St. Louis plein air group for another jaunt to the park, south of the city, on the river.  Beautiful sunny, yet a bit hot day.  I guess I'll look into a shade umbrella as my next purchase....

Plein air Sunday July 27, 2014. Lagoon at Steinberg skating rink

          My second meet up with the MOPAPA group on Sunday July 27, 2014.  We met again in front of the skating rink by the lagoon.   I stationed myself under a big tree and worked on this little bridge over the  water.   It was challenging to get the correct dynamics of the bridge, and yet keep the brushwork loose.   I think these kind of challenges are beneficial to help me learn the process.

Plein air Forest Park, in St. Louis, July 18, 2014.  Clear skies, beautiful day...16 x 20 oil on canvas.

PAINT WEBSTER event May 10

Our neighboring community sponsors an annual event for artists to paint and draw the city, it's business district, churches, wonderful old houses, etc.  There were over 150 participants in their 8th annual plein aire event.  I decided to paint this lovely home in the area, with the early morning sun casting interesting shadows on it's face.  The biggest 2 challenges for me were the hot sun shining on my back, neck and canvas, and the constantly changing arrangement of the shadows on my subject.  I had a great time and had fun seeing all the entries at the award ceremony later in the afternoon.  The collection of paintings will hang at a nearby gallery for the next week.

Sleepwalking

     This reminds me of the middle of the night, when I can hardly make out the shapes in my own house, as I wander to the kitchen at 3:00 in the morning.   Sleeplessness is baffling, and bothersome, but not so much that I'd take a medication for it.... ever.  The moon is sometimes surprisingly bright.  Bright enough to read my book.... who knew?
 

Mediterranean abstract

     Reminder of the beautiful blue Mediterranean sea, the red sunset, and the hint of focus, in the darks.

"Illusive"

     These are challenging, although you might not see why.  They require a different type of "educated eye" to evaluate and work to get the desired results.....
"things that make you go, Hmmmmm"