Downeast Shoreline

This gravelly beach reminds me a lot of my growing-up years in my native Norway. The scene is located at South Addison Public Beach, Mooseneck, Maine. The painting is done in oil on an 11 x 14 canvasboard and priced at $200.

"Writers Block" - tip of the day

Just like writers, artists occasionally get "writers block" - either we pull out a canvas, knowing just what to paint, then sit staring at the frightening blank canvas for hours, unable to get started, or, we stand there looking at an unfinished painting, not quite knowing how to complete it.

Solution?

In the case of the blank canvas, roughly outline your scene and get some underpaint on it - just a thin wash indicating the approximate colors (and values) of the scene - once there is something on the canvas, the process becomes so much easier.

In the case of the unfinished painting, just put it aside (but in view), and start another one. That way, your hesitation won't interfere with your productivity, and almost invariably, you'll be inspired to complete the painting before long. I sometimes have three or four paintings "in progress." (See the current four in the photo above.)

Happy painting!

Mossy Forest

Here's another pointillistic 5 x 5 "creative edge" mini, a sunlit mossy forest floor with lichens growing on the tree trunks. Nature is beautiful!

This one is also priced at $50, may be used as a companion piece to the Old Stump posted yesterday.

Call me for availability.

Old Stump

This old stump caught my attention while beachcombing along the Downeast shore. It's got a lot of character. This is "pointillism" number 2 - fun!

This painting is a 5 x 5 mini, has a "creative edge" (requiring no framing) and is priced at $50.

Call or email for availability.

Progress....

Working on it... One thing about triptychs - you have to keep in mind that they are really three individual pieces that each needs to meet normal design rules, then the three together must also meet these same criteria, just like any other painting...

Pointillistic Experiment!

Thought I'd try pointillism - a neighbor artist friend has done a fantastic job with it, and it looked like fun. Boy, is it ever! Requires some discipline and patience, but I love the technique. Will probably try a few more, from time to time.

This is a rock pile by the side of the road on nearby Cape Split.

Oil on canvas board, 11 x 14, $300.

Work in Progress

Working on three paintings today - one miniature beach moonrise scene (5 x 7), one experimental Pointillism - Cape Split Rocks (11 x 14), and my third triptych - Hancock Marshes - (3 x 12 x 6).