STAGE 6 - WOLVES OF HOMER

Stage 6 of Homer Wolves - After letting it sit for 10 days, I went back and softened the edges on the two wolves in front. Softened the edges of the top of the trees on the ridgeline, and changed the color of the far left ridgeline trees to push it back some and make it less harsh. Now to let it dry and varnish. May make prints of this one.

Homer Bluff Painting Step By Step

Homer Bluff Painting 18 X 36 inches Oil on Canvas
This is a 18X 36 painting based on two pictures I took last March when I had a Art Show there. the first photo demonstrates how I put the two phots together for the reference. The second photo I have created a pencil sketch of the photo onto the
Canvas. The third photo, I have put a undercoating of Napho Red Acrylic paint overtop of my sketch, let it dry, then blocked in the far background, stay very loose at this stage.

Stage 5

Stage 5 - More or less done ( I think ). I will let it sit and in a week take another look at the painting. I am always open to critiques and suggestions. Need a title also.

Stage 3 Painting on Easel at the moment

Stage 3 - I have added more color to the snow. Finished the Alders in the Background and added small bushes in front of the Alders. Added some dead grass sticking through the low areas of the snow. Just put a light wash of color on the wolves. The wolves are my next area to finish, them and the tracks they are following and creating. When I am satisfied with the Wolves, I will work the foreground up. Any critiques and suggestions are welcome.

Art Challenge with Scott and Gail

Facebook Art Challenge - Scott Thompson and Gail Niebrugge art great artists and friends. They have been posting their works and the continued progress on Facebook. So I have excepted there challenge to paint and post also. Will do my best to post at least every other day, so I need to paint some each day. May be hard to do that working full time, but here we go....

Self Portrait At McHugh Creek

Self Portrait At McHugh Creek 14" x 18" Oil on RayMar Panel -
Two years ago I was painting with some Artist Friends at McHugh Creek and my buddy Don K0lstad took a picture of me painting with my Easel in the Creek. I have been recently experimenting with adding people into my Landscapes to express interaction between Man and our Landscape around us. Painting outside has increased my appreciation for our Country's beauty and grandeur. If you are interested in this painting feel free to contact me.

Enjoy The Adventure

Capture Your Life As A Series Of Adventures. One of the hardest and best lessons to learn is to except your life as a series of Adventures. All the hardships, joys of life if taken this way become more meaningful and easier to accept. Case in point the movie "UP", what a great lesson about what life is about, that it isn't the destination of the adventure but the joy of experiencing life.
It is winter here in Alaska, cold, ice on the roads, so everytime you go driving you can take it as a dangerous event or as a adventure and a challenge. Trust me painting outside in this weather is a true adventure.
I have a Show coming up next weekend to sell my art. The show are always a adventure, getting my truck loaded, unloaded and not damaging my works. Trying to match the right painting with the right costumer. Listening to all the comments on my artwork (good and bad). I take it as a learning lesson when I meet the public with my work. Live life to its fullest, you will have so many adventures to tell your grandchildren. Have a good adventure today! I'm off to the studio for a adventure with my creativity.

Modern Communication Effects

Sewing The Sail by Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida

Donna and I have four children spread out across the country now, one in Colorado Springs Co, one in White Rock Canada, one in Bellingham Wa and one here in Anchorage Alaska.

I am forced to keep in touch via the modern world ie: Facebook, and Skype technology. Actually it is very helpful, can call and talk and see each other on Skype for free, and have a conference call going. Facebook has allowed us to keep in touch via posts, even when we are not online at the same time.

Has also allowed me the ability to reach out to old friends, contact artists I admire and who have influenced my artwork.

As the President of Alaska Artists Guild, it has allowed me to instantly communicate with the members of the guild. Create discussions and has allowed me to be a much better officer of the guild.

Instant communication what a marvel. When used correctly the Internet is a amazing thing.

Evening With My Wife

Sunset At Beluga Point - 14x18 Oil - Last May on the First Really nice Spring day, my wife Donna and I drove down the Seward Highway to Beluga Point to have a late dinner and watch the Sunset. The Tide was a very low tide, was able to walk around on the mudflats with my dog and enjoy the incredible evening. Donna and I really enjoyed the peace, beauty and scenery. We were not the only ones, quite a few people were there also, including our son Ryan. This painting captures the "emotions" of the scene that evening.

Transitions

A YEAR OF TRANSITIONS This last part of the year, has been a period of many Transitions in our family. My parents have decided to move into a retirement home with "No Stairs". Mom has been falling a lot, and crushed a vertebrae in the process. So my brother and I will help them move into their new place soon. My son has moved into a place with his girlfriend in Bellingham WA. One of my daughters is engaged and living with her fiancee in Canada. Donna and I found out we will be Grandparents in May next year. Our youngest son seems to have found himself and is deeply involved in Modern Dance and the Alaska Dance Theatre and college. He has a new "girl" in his live also. At work Medical Park Family Care has transitioned over to EMR ( Electronic Medical Records), a work in progress. This last week we signed a contract to purchase a Digital Radiology system and will be installing that and make the switch to a film less Radiology Department by the end of the year. WOW all the changes since August. Looking forward to seeing how all of our lives settle into these new changes. Doing a little reminiscing, so the picture her is of a painting I did of my brothers old SuperCub and a Clam digging trip we went on in the 80's.

Corrected Picture of Painting

SOLITUDE & A BOOK - Color correct picture. I got the digital image back for the Photographers today, so here is the color corrected final image of this painting. I was doing a plein air painting at McHugh Creek. A painter friend Douglas Girard ( a good artist BTW ) and I were talking when a young girl sat on the rock in this painting and started to read. We both took photos of her and I knew I would come back to that photo to produce a major painting from it. It was a gorgeous day, everything was perfect. Hope you enjoy this image as much as I did painting it.

Denali & Veridian Sky

8 x 10 Oil Painting - Denali & Veridian Sky
This is a new little painting I will be taking to Stephan Fine Art Gallery in the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska for sale. Lots of rich color and emotion in this painting. Early morning magic in the Spring of Alaska. If you have never seen the Veridian color in the sky at the sunrise in Alaska you now have a chance to see it in my new painting.

My Daughters New Painting

Christina's New Painting - She needs help with a title. So all title suggestions are appreciated. I am a very proud Papa.

Time Moves Ever On

I have a birthday coming up, edging ever closer to the big 60, still a few years off. My children are young adults, I am so proud of the 4 of them. One of the cool things about aging is you see life in different ways at different times in your life. As a child the sense of wonder at everything new. Teenage years the years of self discovery. Young adults is about yourself and how you relate to the world.
Now in my years approaching retirement years, I see life with more appreciation for things. Every sunny day I treasure, I see the colors and appreciate them more. The cool crisp days of this fall, every day is special, we have had a incredible summer and fall in Alaska this year. Last year the weather was not that good. I think it helped me appreciate this year so much more. I love life, I love the feel of wind against my face. I look forward to this winter. As our home truly turns into a winter wonderland. My studio is called Snowbound Art Studios, for a reason. As we live in the hills above Anchorage, we get a fair amount of snowfall. Despite the challanges that come with where we live, we also get the beauty and glory of experiencing nature first hand. Bears, wolves, foxes and Lynx have all paid our home a visit at different times. Moose are a constant visitor in our property. We finally gave up planting flowers every summer, all we were doing was providing a feast for the local Mooses. In summer we have the long, long daylight hours, sun rises before 5 AM and sets at 11PM, you get to enjoy so much more of the day. In winter we have the Northern Lights in the sky to entertain us. When I used to live 45 miles out of Anchorage, at night when I drove home late in the evening, there was many time I stopped and pulled the car over and just watched the Northern Lights in the sky, and I was not the only one, usually there were quite a few cars stopped and enjoying the visions in the sky.
As a Artist, the 5 degree angle sun in the winter adds so much color in the sky and snow that you don't see in the Lowere 48 states.
I have learned with age to appreciate every moment of my life and the incredible gift it is.

Painting Process Final

Solitude & A Book - 18x24 Oil
Completed this yesterday after not painting on it for a while. Excuse my poor use of a digital camera, not quite as bright or as yellow as this image shows. Will take it to the photographers after it dries for a better image.
But I can still do some corrections between now and then, so all comments, suggestions are appreciated.

Make It Alaskan & Art For Alaska State Parks Shows

Stage 4 - 2/3rds done

Painting Progress Stage 4 - I would say I am about 2/3rds done now. I have the water where I want it to be. The Background trees behind the waterfall are done. I will add more shadows to the water in the waterfall. I need to add some highlight to the rocks on the sun side of the upper right corner of the painting. Have to add some Aldersl on the upper Left Rocks, then work in the Big Fir Tree. Will save the bottom left corner for last. After that is in I will evaluate what I have and consider any last minute changes and touch ups. If you want to see the prior versions as this painting progressed see the past posts to this blog.

My working Title for this piece is "Reading in Solitude", that may change also. Again all comments and critiques are welcome.

Eric Deeter RIP

The Piano Teacher by Eric Deeter - Eric was lost to us on 9-17-2009.
My friend, fellow artist was killed in a auto accident last Thursday. Eric was a great man, father, husband and friend.
The Piano Teacher is one of my favorite paintings of Eric's. We did a show together in July, "The Alaska Plein Air Painters Show", had a great pot luck dinner after, Eric blessed us with his music that evening jamming on the Piano with John Kalter and Donny Kolstad on quitars. Eric had so much talent it was amazing. This kind humble man will be missed terribly, RIP my friend.

Fall Pallet Of Alaska

ALASKAS FALL PALLET OF COLOR -

Color is changing in Alaska, as fall starts to make itself felt here. So I load my plein air easel, with Naples Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Cad Yellow, Indian Yellow, Cad Red Light, Aliz Crimson, Indian Red, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Sap Green, Azo Green, Ultramarine Blue, Paynes Grey, White and Ivory Black.

Will be heading out this weekend to paint the color of Alaska. LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!

Painting Process Step 2

Step 2 Painting Process - The Undercoat Layer
I use a thin wash of Alkyd Paint ( a fast drying paint - dries in 12 hours ) to wash in the compostion over the pencil sketch. Then using a thicker layer of Alkyd paint I begin to block in the painting, just keeping lights and darks in mind. I am not trying to define the painting at all, just want it to be very loose and blocky. I will let this sit for a day, go back and evaluate the compostion, color, lights and darks, and figure out where I want my central point of interest. This is the stage where I can make major changes, and add or delete items in the painting. Alkyds have a very Matt apperance when they dry, when I add the oils the glossy appearance I like will take over. I will next start the begining of laying in Traditional Oils over top of the undercoat.

The Progress Of Creating A Painting

Drafted Some paintings today - Thought I would post the progress from the photo's I took to sketching them out on the Canvas Panels.
I sketched out 6 paintings I have 4 here to demonstrate my process. I will be using oils to create these paintings.

Fishing Boat In Alaskan Waters

Torrit Grey Competition at Gamblin Entry- Fishing Boat In Alaskan Waters - 8 x16 Oil on RayMar Panel I completed this painting this afternoon and entered it in Gamblins Torrit Grey annual competition. You use Gamblins Torrit Grey paint, Black and White to create your entry. A great way to practice Values for a Painter.

Silver Salmon Sunday

A Silver Sunday at the Kenai - Drove to Homer Alaska on Saturday (228 miles one way), picked up some paintings of mine, then backtracked to Soldotna, restocked a gallery with Prints, Cards and a few paintings. Then to my folks Cabin on the Kenai. My brother Chris and I finished off putting the rain gutters up Sat night. Sunday morning off fishing we go, first cast "Bamm" Silver on. Turned out to be the only one we caught. Chris is going to pickle it with a new recipe he has, can't wait to taste it.

FIRST FRIDAY ART SHOWING STEPHAN FINE ARTS GALLERY

FIRST FRIDAY ART SHOW - AUGUST 7TH 5:30-8pm Captain Cook Hotel Stephan Fine Arts Gallery. -- I am very excited about this show, I have some really nice little small paintings of Alaska and the colors that the artists sees. Colors evoke emotions, and when I paint Alaskan Scenery I am trying to capture the emotions of the moment that I see. I hope you can come to the show, see my new works and say "Hi".

Painting In The Rain, Day One

Plein Air Weekend Show - Well the firs day went well, despite the rain. Attendance was good, sales were ok, not great but not bad either. What a great group the Alaska Plein Air Painters is, the artist and families involved are the greatest people. I am so proud to be part of this group, we truly enjoy each other. We had our Pot Luck dinner after it ended tonight, we were seranaded on piano and guitar by Donny Kolstad, John Calder and Eric Deeter. Its Raining hard now, so hope it rains itself out before tomorrow.

Alaska Plein Air Outdoor Art Show

Saturday and Sunday Outdoor Art Show This Weekend - Our 3rd Annual Alaska Plein Air Painters Art Show and Fund Raiser for Clare House. Once again it is being held at Don Kolstads Homestead 5801 Barry Ave, go up Abbott Road to Birch Rd take a Right onto Birch, then the First Left is Barry Ave, the first House on the Left is Don & Cindy Kolstads home. We have over Ten Artists exhibiting, Drawings for prizes, Raffles, Silent Auctions and goodies to eat. Come out and support Clare House - a safe home for displaced women with children.

I painted these two 5x7's yesterday for the show. Going to knock out a couple more before the show, so come and see my new pieces.

A Week With My Daughter

Christina & I spent a week together.
Christina my daughter flew up for a weeks vacation and we spent the whole time together. Went to Grandparents Cabin on the Kenai River, fished (no fish), Dip Netted with Grandpa and Uncle Chris ( netted 20 Red Salmon ). Went to the Town Of Living Trees Art Gallery and painted live there. Then we traveled north to Cantwell Alaska, took the Denali Highway to Paxon. That is the prettiest stretch of road in the whole State in my view. We camped out for the whole time. Weather was almost to hot at times. Great pictures, did a couple of color sketch paintings along the way. I really got to have one on one time with my daughter, that I will treasure. Now back to civilization.

Kenai Bound

Purple Majesty - 8 x 10 oil Painted this painting at the Girdwood Forest Fair, sold the next week (sweet). My Daughter Christina is visiting for a week, so we will be out and about this next week. Going to the Cabin on the Kenai River for Salmon fishing and painting at the Town Of Living Trees Art Gallery. I have work there and want to paint live for a day there also.

Weather this summer has been fantastic, such a blessing after our bummer of a summer last year. Alaskans are out enjoying the sun and good weather this year.

Girdwoodian Life At The Forest Fair

34th Girdwood Forest Fair - The Forest Fair ran from Friday through Sunday, the weather was hot and sunny the whole time. People are always in such a good mood for this fair, Art, Music and Food. How can you go wrong, Girdwoodians are our Hippies of Anchorage Area. It is always fun to do this fair it is like going back to the late 60's and early 70's of my childhood. Huge turnout once again. I slept in a tent behind my booth, didn't get a lot of sleep the music played till 1AM each night. But it was great music to listen to. Sales were good and it is always nice to end on a high note like that. Looking forward to next year once again.

Girdwood Forest Fair July 3rd - 5th

The Girdwood Forest Fair is this weekend July 3rd - 5th.

The Festival is back after a one year hiatus. This is one of the funest events I do all year. The rules are No Pets, No Politics, and No
Religion. Great music all day and night, Art, Crafts, Food and the Beer Garden.

I am at Booth 15 again. I will be painting outside also. Anyone wants to watch just come on down.
Hope to see you there. If not have a wonderful 4th of July!!!!!

Hanging Paintings

Hanging Paintings On Fathers Day -

My artist buddy Scott is opening a New Art Gallery in Soldotna Alaska. He offered me a chance to put my paintings in his gallery. He is a great Carver and Painter himself, so it was a honor to be among the first to hang paintings with him and his wife Joan. Donna and I had a great trip to and from Soldotna. We always enjoy Scott and Joan's company they are wonderful people. This gallery is shooting for a July 1st opening. I will post the opening date as soon as it is firmed up. It is locate at the Town of Tall Trees just north of Soldotna.

Ron Rencher Workshop

Ron Rencher Plein Air Art Workshop - We had a great 4 days painting outside and learning from Texas Artist Ron Rencher. Have to say I learned a lot, and am rethinking how I paint. Weather was mostly great. The only bad day was extremely windy, the rest sunny. 15 people signed up for the workshop, and we all got our moneys worth.

Time Out On the River (private collection) - Acrylic on Canvas
The salmon are starting to run in the Kenai River, the sun is up till about 11:30PM, aahh the best time of the year to live in Alaska. The summers make the winters bearable. And better yet I have a week off from work to enjoy it. The weather is suppose to be sunny and warm. Right now, it is windy and blustery. Going to go with a artist friend tomorrow and take his boat out for a test run, we plan to paint the sunset (so will be a late night) from his boat. Then wednesday - saturday have a artworkshop to attend, put on by the Alaska Artists Guild featuring Arizona Artist Ron Rencher. Turns out Ron is a college buddy of one of our Artists in the Guild. Small world. I hope everyone has a great week and takes time to stop and let the sun shine on them for a few minutes each day.