Colorful Life - SOLD

The above image is from another recent plein air event that I participated in. This time in Casa Grande, AZ which is about a half hour south of Phoenix. I sat in the open hatchback of my vehicle to paint. My car provided temporary shade but didn't help much when the day's temperature heated up.

My choice in the subject matter may not always be the most obvious. Something like a note of color, a particular type of light, a pattern of shapes or maybe an object with a touch of humor/personality can catch my eye. Here it was a little mailbox painted magenta that made me say to myself, "Oh, I have to paint that!"   

Because the mailbox was such a unique color within the scene, I had to find ways to sprinkle it about to create a better color harmony overall. I added bits of magenta to areas in the roadway, buildings, and palm tree. If I didn't, the mailbox color would be disconnected from the surrounding color and would attract too much attention.

Color contrast is one of the many ways to create a focal point. However, it's the value contrast of the sun glare reflecting off the back of the stop sign framed by the darker tree shapes that sets up the primary focal point. The stop sign is the tool to get you to discover the colorful mailbox.

This painting now hangs happily inside the house of the magenta mailbox.

Title: Colorful Life

Painted on: RayMar Archival Panel

Medium: Artist Grade Acrylic

Dimensions: 12x12 inches

Composing the Urban Landscape

Occasionally, I like to challenge myself by entering plein air competitions. The painting above titled 'Northview' is a result of a local one-day event that was held in Glendale, AZ. Producing a frame ready painting within a restricted time limit is the actual challenge of these events. In this case a 16x20 inch in about a 3 hour period.

Naturally, the desert has been my main source of inspiration since relocating to the southwest. An urban setting like this was a nice change of pace and reminded me of subject matter that I would frequently paint out on the east coast.

What attracted me to this particular scene is the strong verticals of the lamppost, telephone poles and street sign. Making this an ideal reverse "L" compositional design. Example below:

The elbow of the reverse "L" creates a natural sweet spot to place the focal point. The dark patch of grass to the left of the white structure attracts more attention to the focal area by contrasting values; light against dark. The foreground shadow shapes and property walls create radiating lines pointing directly to the focal point. Example below:

Title: Northview
Painted on: Fredrix Archival Canvas Panel.
Medium: Artist quality oil.
Dimensions: 16x20 inches.
Status: Available.

2011 Cranford Plein Air Event - Continued

The Cranford Plein air event is nearing an end. The Pre-Sale Gala opens tonight and tomorrow (Sunday June 11, 2011) the show is free to the public. Click here for more info and show hours: http://www.jcas.org/HOME_page_Cranford_Plein_Air_20.html

I shared my first painting entry in my previous post. The following are my final two entries for this event. I actually painted 4 and a half total; one was started late in the evening and requires another painting session to complete. The other turned out very nice and I will post that one soon.

Water Under the Bridge; Oil, 6x12 inches

Painted at Sperry Park, Cranford NJ. On one of the hottest days of this summer.

 

Dinosaur of Nomahegan: Oil, 8x10 inches.

Painted at Nomahegan Park, Cranford NJ.

This one calls for some explanation. I spotted this fun subject in last years plein air event but I ran out of time to paint it. This dinosaur is set on giant springs as part of a playground activity for children...okay, so I may have hopped on it myself when nobody was looking.

I simply appreciated the humor of the subject. Also, after watching some of the other artists in this event paint the more predictable (yet still, very well painted) around the town subjects I just couldn’t pass up painting the Dinosaur of Nomahegan. After hearing a “That’s so cool!” from a kid zipping by on his BMX bike as I was well into this painting I knew I was on the right track.

If you’re in the Cranford area this weekend, stop in to see the show before it ends Sunday.

2011 Cranford Plein Air Event

I am participating in the 2011 Cranford Plein Air Event which is happening as I write this post. The event started on Tuesday June 7^th and ends Sunday June 12^th. The painting shown above is my kick-off painting for the competition: “Afternoon Reflection”, oil on linen, 8x10 inches; painted at the beautiful Nomahegan Park in Cranford, NJ.  

Each participant is required to complete 3 finished paintings that will be up for judging and prizes. We’re also allowed an additional 3 paintings to offer for sale that were not painted during the competition. The following are the finished 3 that I have entered.  

 Life Saving Station @ Sandyhook, NJ Oil 12x12.

US Coast Guard @ Sandyhook Oil 8x10.

Ellis Island Acrylic 8x10.

All of the paintings posted here were created on location. There will also be a “Quick Draw” Event Saturday. Paintings created for that event will also be for sale. All paintings will be on display and for sale at the Cranford Community Center this Saturday and Sunday.

Follow this link for more event information: http://www.jcas.org/HOME_page_Cranford_Plein_Air_20.html

I had better sign off and get back to painting.

Paint Out: New Hope - Best in Show!

My painting " The VanSant House" - the oldest building in the town of New Hope, PA won Best in Show this past weekend at the Paint Out: New Hope 2nd Annual Plein Air Competition. The competition was hosted by the BOI’s of New Hope Gallery located on 9 W. Mechanic St. in New Hope PA. All of the paintings created by the participating artists will be on display at the gallery through July 2009.

Medium: Oil.
Painted on: Fredrix Archival Canvas Board.
Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches.

Tuckerton Seaport Plein Air Competition Winner!

My painting “Tuckerton View” won first place at the Tuckerton Seaport Plein Air Competition this past weekend!

The weather was on our side and there was a great turnout of artists for the event. The location offers many picturesque views including charming maritime scenes to vast marshlands. Click here to learn more about Tuckerton Seaport.

Medium: Artist quality oil

Painted on: Fredrix Archival Canvas Board

Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches