Kurt Jacobson - Fine Art

Our Love Story

2012-02-15T12:53:00.001-08:00

http://alaskalockerhooking.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/second-chance-at-love/

My wifes story tells our love story. We celebrated Valentines Day going out to dinner and enjoying each others company. We truly love being around each other. I am one lucky man.

KAKM ART AUCTION SHOWCASE - PUBLIC TV

2012-02-03T08:49:00.000-08:00

MARSH FLOWER - 11"X14" ACRYLIC PAINTING

On February 16-18 KAKM channel 7 is having their annual Art Showcase Auction to raise money fot Public Broadcasting. Three nights of generously donated art creations by artists with the soul purpose of keeping Public Broadcasting on air. Our love for public television is what drives this event. We donate all our creations so that money earned goes directly to our local station. I urge you all to watch and bid on these artworks made with love and labor by the artists, you will not only be getting works at great prices you will be supporting your Public Broadcasting Station.

I have 2 pieces in this years Auction, on Friday night I will be a on air color commentator, and my Giclee Print (framed) AUTUMN KNIK RIVER will be up for bidding. On Saturday my original painting MARSH FLOWER will be up for bid.

Join me in the event and support of KAKM CHANNEL 7.

BTW: Marsh Flower made the cover of this years Catalog!

2012-01-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

TIDINESS

In the current Art Of The West magazine there is a article on Artist Greg Beecham, great article and he is a amazingly talented artist. But there is a picture of a note pinned on his studio wall that just cracked me up. I think it more or less is applicable to most artists, at least to my wife and I.

The note says:

" Tidiness is the artform for the non-creative"

So yes I made myself the same note and it now is pinned to my wall!

Plein Air Online Art Salon - November/December Competition

2012-01-19T15:36:00.000-08:00

GRAZING - 16x12 OIL PAINTING - ON RAYMAR PANEL

This painting was accepted into the 1st Annual Plein Air Online Art Salon - November/ December 2011 Competition.

I am honored to have one of my paintings in the Competition. I have no illusions as to it winning any award, but to be included in a international show is "awesome".

Grazing is for sale on my website also. Just click the "Grazing" link above to go to my website.

2 Small Paintings - using the same pallet of colors

2012-01-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

Using the same Pallet of Colors from One painting to the Other

I started with the lower painting 6x8 Oil "Homage to the Sunset" first. This painting is actually a reworking of a painting I did at a plein air outing I did with the Alaska Plein Air Painters last summer. That painting was a very loose exploration into a tonalist style. I liked what I had, but knew it needed refining, So on a whim I decided the other day to redo it and make the refining it needed. Also decided to add the 2 Swans. I am very pleased how this turned out.

The upper painting came from a pencil sketch I had done a number of years ago. I had a lot of paint still on my pallet left over from the other painting, so using the same paints I created this piece a 6x9 oil "One Last Cast". A note of interest is that originally the pencil sketch was the mirror image of the painting, thought it would read better to the eye going left to right, so with my photo editing software I scanned my sketch and created a mirror image to work off of. Both painting will be on my website for purchase next week.

www.kurtjacobson.com

Sketching out two compositions.

2012-01-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

ROUGHING OUT THE DESIGNS FOR TWO PAINTINGS

Scrapped my nymph painting I had started, just was not working out so started over. I kept the figure pose, but moved it to another area, and redrew a better composition. Have a much better idea where I am going on it now. It is a 22X28 canvas

Also sketched out another omposition on linen it is 24X18. From a picture I took last August at Byers Lake Campground. Depicts Kay Goodrich sitting at her table creating a pastel painting of the lake.

2011 the End

2011-12-31T12:52:00.000-08:00

The Day Ends and a New Year Begins - 2012 What Will You Have In Store For Us.

This last year has been a roller coaster ride for our family, great events and hard times also. Makes you reflect as to what is of importance in your life. Why we strive to become better each year with our New Years resolutions. The older I get the more I realize what is important to me and what happiness is: Love, Passion, Family and Intregrity.

Here is a recap of the year, more or less:

Our Grandson Joseph was in Alaska for his 1st Birthday, what a incredible pleasure that was.
Our Son Ryan graduated college, and was hired right away by the State Of Alaska.
Our Daugter Christina and Cameron were married in August. All the family gathered in the Blaine Washington area for the big event. So much fun, we are so proud of our kids and grandchildren.
My mom fell and broke her other hip this time, her dementia is getting worse. Dad being 91 and slowing down himself can no longer care for her so we spent about a month and a half getting Mom rehabed and finally into the Pioneer Home nursing facility in Anchorage.
Our Daughter Shaunna and Matt, gave birth to our second Grandson: Wyatt. He is healthy and doing well. I feel he looks like Shaunna a lot as a baby. We are so happy for them.
Art Shows and Events have kept me out of the studio most of this fall. But sales have been really good this year, so not complaining. Opened up a print sales shop in Fine Art America's website. Always trying to find a venue that provides good products of my work to the public and reasonable costs.
Work has been busy at Medical Park Family Care, wow I have over 30 years in there now.
Justin and Felecia spent some extra time with us here in May after the rest of the family left. Allowed us time to get to know Felecia well, great visit. So happy for Justin and her.
Sold 7 paintings in December to end the year. Now that was the way to close out the year in the Art World for me. The painting shown sold it is a 20"x30" Oil on canvas, went to some very wonderful friends. I am proud it hangs in their home.
Donna set up her Etsy shop to sell her products and patterns. My Daughter Christina also set up a Etsy shop and has been selling well.

Okay so now whats in store for us in 2012?

Not to sure, we have no real plans this year as to events and trips etc. I will be taking a couple of art workshops this summer.

Donna will be teaching LOCKERHOOKING & CROCHET CLASSES at JoAnn Fabrics in South Anchorage this year. She has been working hard designing her classes and making samples for the students to observe and follow. She is a excellent teacher and goes out of her way to make sure the students are able to learn no matter their skill levels.

My goal this year is to help get Dad and Mom settled more. My brother Chris and I will try and make sure we have taken care of all the finacial stuff. It is hard realizing they are at the twight of their lives. But they have been incredibly healthy and happy, so they have had a great lives together. Can only hope for the same for us.

Take a look around you, see what you have and how special it is. Family, friends that's what makes you who you are. Take the time to tell them all how much they mean to you.

Life is short, Enjoy the time you have, never waste in anger or hate. Those are days you can never recapture.

I wish you all the very best in 2012. Thank you for taking the time to follow my blog and artwork over the years, it makes it all worth while for me to create pieces that will live beyond me.

PLEIN AIR ALASKA RETREAT 2012

2011-12-19T16:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.pleinairalaska.com/

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

2011-11-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

9" x 12" TOOLS OF THE TRADE - OIL ON PANEL

Our Friday Painting Group decided to paint "Hats". So I set up my Plein Air hat and my half box easel and arranged a still life. Got it "blocked" in at our group and finished it off today. Kind of a fun piece for me. BTW I love my hat also. A great gift from my daughter Christina, I use it all the time when I paint out doors.

Higbee 6" X 6" Fall Art Show

2011-11-10T15:20:00.000-08:00

Accepted Into The Show - Moonlight Sail Oil On Panel

Thrilled to find out this little painting was accepted into the Higbee Fall 6 x 6 Art Show in California. Now got to get it packaged up and ready to ship off to the show. The last show, I had a piece in also, some incredible artwork done on this small format. Was amazing to see the high quality of paintings. I am honored to be in the show.

Giclee Canvas Prints Are Now Available On My Website

2011-11-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" to 16" x 20" Giclee Prints Stretched And Ready For A Frame

I finally have my Giclee Print Page up and running on my website : www.kurtjacobson.com

I have an assortment of Prints available of my work in affordable sizes, some Limited Editions and some Open Editions.

I would love to have you explore the page and give me your thoughts and suggestions.

ARTS & CRAFT EMPORIUM ANNUAL SHOW

2011-11-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

THE BIG SHOW IN ANCHORAGE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON!!

This show is 300+ booths of Alaska Artisans Creations. Great show, Great Holiday Gifts!

Once again I will have my booth #864 at the show. Looking forward to this seasons show, I have:

New Giclee Prints of some of my best new Paintings

Various sizes for you budget

Original New Paintings for you to purchase

Come support your Alaskan Artists. Stop buy ( Pun Intended ) and say "Hi"

Finished off the Demo Pieces

2011-10-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

Two Demo Pieces I started at Blaine's Art Supply Product Demonstration Weekend

Last weekend I was painting live all weekend at Blaine's demoing Graham Oil Paints. I worked both of these paintings close to completion. I went back to the top painting yesterday and made a few adjustments. Today I worked on the lower painting and brought in the shadows on the water and near marsh grasses. The are available on my website: www.kurtjacobson.com

Weekend at Blaine's ( Art Store that is )

2011-10-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

I got to demo Graham Oil Paints and Connesiour Brushes Friday through Sunday at Blaine's Art Store in Anchorage Alaska this last weekend. I had a blast, got to demonstrate painting techniques and talk with customers about paints and painting. My wife took a bunch of classes they were offering and we fully enjoyed ourselves.
One of the classes was using spray paint...my buddy artist Don Kolstad was willing to let them paint his truck. We joked about it all night. But it turned out totally awesome. See the pictures below.

Valley Farm

2011-09-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

Valley Farm 14x11 Oil on RayMar Panel -

Earlier in the summer fellow artist Don Kolstad and I took a drive from Anchorage out to the Palmer area. In the Mat-Su valley we have quite a few farms. Don and I found a spot between two farms and set up our painting gear we both did between 4 to 5 paintings that day. We brought our lunches and spent the day enjoying the weather and plein air painting.

This painting comes from that adventure. I had done a smaller plein air piece with out the horses. I decided to do a larger painting and add the horses to the painting. Took lots of photos that day so had the plein air piece and reference photos to create this painting. It is for sale and available on my website: www.kurtjacobson.com

Underpaintings: Symbols: The Thyrsus

2011-09-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

Underpaintings: Symbols: The Thyrsus: The Honourable John Maler Collier The Priestess of Bacchus oil on canvas 58 X 44¼ in. Common to many Classicist paintings of...

Very Interesting and enlightening post.

Watering The Flowers

2011-09-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Watering The Flowers - 9x12 Oil on Panel- Earlier this summer a friend hosted the Alaska Plein Air Painters for a paint out and picnic lunch at her home and garden. Did a little 6x6 painting of one of her statues and also took a photo of this statue that was in a different section of her gardens. This weekend I ran across the photo and decided to use the fairy statue, but move it to the woods, change the lighting and make it a fantasy/mystery piece. Lots of fun.

Internet copyright violations

2011-09-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

http://alaskalockerhooking.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/copyrights/

Sad but this not only happend to my wife. But in the past I found my fantasy pen and ink drawings used many different websites, used in online stories with out my permission and even credited to other artists!

Bike Path At Pt. Worznoff

2011-09-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Epxanded a Plein Air Color Study

BIKE PATH AT POINT WORZNOFF - 8" X 16" Oil on RayMar Panel

Earlier this summer I painted with the Alaska Plein Air Painters on a Friday morning at Point Worznoff Park. It is situated at the end of one Anchorage International Airports Runways, looking out over Cook Inlet. In the past I have painted Mt Susitna from the park the view is breathtaking. On this day though the shadows and dappled light coming through the trees and brush caught my eye. I love the different patterns created. The focal point is the Lighted area around the sign in the distance. The foreground is subdued and works as a good counter point to the highlighted area. My Plein Air color sketch was very rough, but captured the essence of the scene. I new that I would eventually expand on the piece and create a more complete painting. Keeping the foreground edges soft and counter point it with hard edges in the distance pulls the eye to the focal point. Lots of fun painting the different sections of this painting.

Web Article by Plein Air Magazine

2011-09-09T17:22:00.001-07:00

http://www.outdoorpainter.com/news/painting-parks-in-alaska.html

Need to "Ground Myself"

2011-09-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

I find myself in need of "time away" from the busy world for awhile. I use to call it my tine to get lost in the woods for a while. This has been an incredibly busy summer for my wife and I. I find I have misplaced my inner self. A good example is I have not been posting here on my blog hardly at all. Just kind of caught up in the whirlwind of our life. We have had family reunions, graduations, art shows, a daughter getting married and a weekend out in the woods at Denali State Park with the first State sponsored Art in Alaska's State Parks. Not to mention some unexpected home repairs. So what I am saying I need to get my "Muse" back. So one area I can walk away from is the internet for a week or more. I will be checking email for the correspondence that I will be needing to reply to, but everything else is going to the wayside. I treasure all of you, but I need to rediscover "my fire, my muse" right now. See you all soon. Off to the studio for a 3 day painting therapy session.

Chest Creek Painting

2011-07-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

Chester Creek 16"x20" Oil on Panel - I started this piece in the studio from a picture I took earlier this summer when we were painting at Chester Creek. I took it to the Plein Air Weekend Art show last weekend, work live on it there. Finished it today.

2011 Plein Air Weekend

2011-07-30T19:09:00.000-07:00

Video and article on the Plein Air Weekend in Anchorage Alaska

Above link will take you to the Article and TV Broadcast on Channel 11 KTVA in Anchorage Alaska of our Plein Air Weekend Art Show and Find Raiser for Clare House.

Underpaintings: Slow Art

2011-07-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

Underpaintings: Slow Art: "Sadie Valeri - Undersea - 15¾ X 20 in., oil on panel Sadie Valeri, who considers herself a slow painter, attains a high level of ..."

First Saturday Art Walk in Hope Alaska

2011-06-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

June First Saturday Art Walk In Hope Alaska - We had a blast enjoying the fun and painting at the event. Hope you can make the next 2 First Saturday Art Walks it is well worth it. What fun.

Peaches - My Daughter's newest painting

2011-05-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

PEACHES - BY CHRISTINA JACOBSON
This is my daughter's newest painting ( not sure why it load sideways sorry ). She is becoming a incredible painter, her talent is amazing.

Sherritt Fine arts Gallery - Hope Alaska

2011-05-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

SHERRIT FINE ARTS GALLERY & GIFTS

Saturday Donna and I drove to Hope Alaska, a charming little community hidden away on the south side of Turnigan Arm. A historical site in Alaska you need to visit and see. I took some paintings to Scott Sherritt's Gallery. A wonderful little gallery with some incredible artwork from well known artists. Going to Hope you need to stop in and visit his gallery, definately worth taking time to see. Scott and Fayrene are wonderful folks who will make you right at home. Have Halibut and Chips at the Seaview Cafe, a charming old Alaskan Cafe with YUMMY food.

This summer Hope is hosting FIRST SATURDAY SUMMER FUN IN HOPE. June 4th, July 2nd and August 6th. I am planning on being there for June and July and painting and enjoying the fun. It's a gathering of Alaskan Artists, artwork on location, and authors who will autograph their book for you. Discover one-of -a-kind arts and crafts on the lawn at the library. Visit Hope's charming historic district. Hosted by the Hope community Library & Scott Sherritt Fine Arts Gallery.

Plein Air Painting on Friday - Hot and Fun -- Facebook pages of interest

2011-05-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Plein Air Painters of Alaska - painted at Chester Creek on Friday morning

We painted at Chester Creek off Lake Otis Parkway in the morning. Awesome weather sunny and hot. What fun my artist buddies and painting in the sun. The painting was actually dry to touch in about a hour after I stopped working on it. The Plein Air Painters of Alaska is a open group to anyone who wants to come, check out our Facebook Page.

I then went and had lunch at Bennys Food Wagon, one of my favorite food hangouts. I have been eating there for over 40 years ( dating myself ). It happens to be right across the street from Blaines Art Supply (another fav hangout spot). So after eating I went across the street and set up on Blaine's patio and did a quick plein air painting of Bennys Food Wagon.

Some Facebook pages you may be interested in:
-- Plein Air Painters of Alaska
-- Alaska Artists Guild
-- A painting a day
-- Kurt Jacobson Fine Art
-- Alaska Locker Hooking
-- The Brushketeers
-- The Painted Ladies
-- Blaines Art Supply
-- Oil Painters of America

Perfect Shadow

2011-05-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

Perfect Shadow

Lower Summit Lake Stage 5

2011-05-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

Stage 5 Lower Summit Lake 18 x 36 oil on canvas -

Completed the background mid hills with all the fall colors today. Great fun lots of small strokes of broken color to let the eye blend together and tell the story. Next will be the midground trees in the back(dark color for the moment) then work my way forward. Had a great weekend painting really enjoyed myself and the painting process.

Weekend of Painting

2011-05-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

Weekend Of Painting

Friday I painted with our Plein Air group at Campbell Creek in Anchorage, had a great time. Then out to lunch with them, good food, great friends. Went home picked up my wife and we drove out to Palmer Alaska to pick up 3 paintings I had in a show out there. Also stopped and saw "The Painted Ladies" paint out set up at the Palmer Museum. They had a large tent selling their artwork and were painting outside also. Again a wonderful group of artists and friends.

Donna and I went out to dinner on the way home. All around a wonderful day.

Yesterday I spent the whole day in the studio painting away. Finished off the painting of one of our cats Maple looking out the window. Titled: WAITING FOR SPRING. Sometimes we forget that it is not just us humans that look forward to the snow leaving and spring coming, leaves on the trees etc., but out pets also wait with anticipation.

I also pulled out the 20x30 painting of Lower Summit Lake I had started before all our guests arrived earlier this month and got back to painting on it. Reworked the sky and then put in the distant mountains, then had fun smearing paint and just laying in some block underpainting colors of the midground area. Will head out to the studio today again and work on the midground more today.

Spring Has Sprung

2011-05-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN ALASKA

In the first week of May there were a few big events for our family. In the last week of April Justin and Felicia flew up from Washington, Shaunna, Matt and our Grandson Joseph flew in from Colorado. A family reunion for us all in Anchorage Alaska. The weather was sunny and warm for this time of the year. Still in the “brown” stage then, no leaves or grass yet. Now 2 weeks later everything is popping out green now, and all the snow is gone. We even had a Black Bear come up on our porch 2 nights ago and look in our door window. Had to shoo him away, he was looking for food. This is a yearly problem we have with living on the hillside in Anchorage, is bears and moose in our property.

Also on the May 1^st Ryan our youngest son graduated from UAA with a degree in Computer Science. So we all went to his Graduation and had a party at Gallos Mexican Restaurant afterwards, family and friends. Was a great time and the weather was sunny.

The next day was our Grandson’s First Birthday! Joseph turned 1, how cool we got to have him here in Alaska for his Birthday. We all went out to the Zoo in the morning then met at our house for a Birthday Party! Joseph loved his Birthday Cake, once he found out the frosting tasted good, he dug in. Was a blast. Lots of pictures and presents.

The day after Joseph’s Birthday was my Mom ( Ruth Jacobson ) 86^th Birthday. The whole family met at my folks place and went to the dining room for a Lunch to celebrate.

Then came Mother’s Day, a brunch at the folks again, Justin and Felicia were here still, my brother came, and Ryan also, so all the family was there to celebrate Mothers Day with Mom.

Now the family has all left and Donna and I are adjusting our life to back to our normal schedule. We loved having everyone visit and miss them all very much. At the same time we are so proud of how they all have created their own lives and careers and now have their own families. They all more importantly are “Good People” can’t express how happy I am for that. Now that they are home, Donna and I are back to our passions, Painting for me, Crafts for her. Sure missed painting while family was in town, but it was worth it to have them all visit.

Next reunion will be in August for our daughter Christina’s wedding in Washington. A busy family summer this year for us.

This weekend my brother Chris and I will go to the Kenai River and open up Dad’s Cabin for him. The Salmon are starting their yearly runs, and we will be fishing soon.

Beginning Summit Lake painting

2011-04-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Beginning a 18"x36" Summit Lake Fall Painting - I spent all last weekend "gutting" my Studio and turning 2/3 of it into a bedroom for coming family visit. But I could not call it a weekend without getting some paint on a new canvas.

Justin (my son) and his girlfriend Felicia will be using the Studio/Trailor as a bedroom for their visit. Shaunna, Matt and Joseph are staying in a hotel. Our other son Ryan is graduating from UAA and everyone is coming to Alaska for his Graduation. Also it is our Grandson Joseph's 1st Birthday. Another celebration!. It Will be Matt, Joseph and Felicia's first visit to Alaska. We are looking forward to the time together.

So will I get to finish this before, during or after their visits? Will let you know.

April First Friday Show at Stephans Fine Art Gallery

2011-03-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Yes a April 1st ( fools day - fits me just perfect ) First Friday Art Show at Stephans Fine Art Gallery in the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. The title of this show is " Sense of Vastness". I will have 20 new paintings at the show. Alaskan landscapes showing the beauty and color of Alaska, also will have one slightly different painting, come and see my new works, and learn a little about my paintings from me. Lets have a good time!

Spouses of Artists - Love you Babe!

2011-02-26T14:06:00.000-08:00

This little 7x5 painting was done in about hour and half. A little Oil - Lonely Vigil.

My wife and soulmate when I showed it to her was very thrilled with it. She gave all the praise she felt I needed, and then as I was heading back out to the studio she said "by the way the Light house tower is not straight" she did not want to point that out first, although it must have been obvious to her. ( I have straightened it out - but thought I would post the picture before I straightened it ).
Spouses of artists are special people, they put up with and sacrifice so much for their artist mates. Art is what we eat, drink, sleep and breath. In my case it is my Mistress, she is fickle and sometimes I have my way with her and everything goes well and magic happens. Other times she is crabby and obstinate and I get frustrated. But my wife is always there for me to come back to with a smile, hug and kiss. I know how much my spouse puts up with for me to pursue my passion.

Donna I can never express how much I love you and how much you are apart of my art. All I can say is "Thank You Babe! You are special!! XXX

Sunday Fun

2011-02-22T11:31:00.000-08:00

Two small 5x7 & 7x5 paintings I did on Sunday. Decided the skies would be the focal point in each painting. One winter night and the other summer sunset. In the first painting Winter Light I painted a remote Cabin and the Northern Lights. Our artic winter can challenge the best of us, but one of the joys of winter is the Aurora light show any dark and clear night. Always different and incredible to watch. In the second painting Susitna Sunset 4 in the summer we have 20 hours of daylight, awesome, and the sunsets are slow and amazing. This is the 4th in a series of them I have done, and many more to go. Because the sun takes so long to set we have a incredible display on light at sunset. A artists dream.

Sense of Vastness

2011-02-17T11:23:00.000-08:00

I have a First Friday Art Show at Stephan's Fine Art Gallery in the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage Alaska the First Friday of April. The title of the show is Sense of Vastness. I will be having around 15 new paintings, they will be highlighting the Vastness of Alaska. Alaska has over 5000 miles of coastline and if placed in the continental US it would stretch from the east coast to the west coast. The incredible beauty and different types of climates is amazing. Come to my show to learn more about my artwork and say "hi".

HELPING HANDS FOR NEPAL - Silent Auction

2011-01-25T11:21:00.000-08:00

EVENING ON SUSITNA FLATS - 12 X 24 Oil on canvas painted Alla Prima live on Saturday 1-22-2011 at Blaine's Art Supply in Anchorage Alaska. Blaine's is hosting Artist A Day Event the whole month of January. A different artist each day creates their artwork in the store live, and then we donate it to be auctioned off for HELPING HANDS FOR NEPAL. They will be auctioned off in a silent auction running through February 2011. You can see the artwork it will be posted on Blaine's wesite: http://www.blainesart.com/

All proceeds go to Helping Hands for Nepal.

The Dragon Moved - A True Story

2011-01-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

About 3 years ago I had a booth at the Make It Alaskan Festival Show at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. As a tradition after the show is over and we have packed up the gear, Donna and I drive over to the Mongolian Barbecue Restaurant to have dinner. That year a very interesting event happened.

We sat in a booth close to the front window. Donna went to the bathroom to wash up, and the waitress brought us our water glasses. I took a drink out of mine, set the glass down, .... and watched it slide sideways across the table to the window. Well that got my attention. I was sure the bottom of the glass must have been wet and it hydroplaned. So I lifted it up and checked the bottom, it was not wet at all, neither was the table. So I picked the glass up again, moved it back in front of me and watched it slide to the window again. Now you are thinking the table is tipped, NOPE, Donna's glass was right next to mine, it never moved. Okay now I was feeling the hairs start to stand up in the back of my head.

Donna came back, I told her what has been happening, and she looked at me with that "Look" wives give their husbands that says "you expect me to believe that". So I picked up the glass thinking she will never believe me if it stays put this time. Moved the glass next to hers and sure enough it moved again all the way across the table to the window again. Donna looks at me and says "we are moving to a different table. NOW". I know that tone, it is not to be argued with so we moved to a different table. After we ate and went up to the register to pay, I asked the person if they had ever had anyone comment on that booth and told her what happened. She calmly listened and then explained what happened, " Oh that was just the Dragon moving under the earth". Smiled and gave me my change.

A true story BTW.

Saying Goodbye To Grandma & Grandpa Lindsey

2010-12-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

This painting I painted as a surprise present for my wife, for Christmas. This painting has a emotional, poignant meaning to Donna. Last September Shaunna (in the picture) and Christina went to the site of where my wife and her siblings combined the ashes of their parents (Sherman & Rae Lindsey), Shaunna came to say goodbye.

As a artist I decided to use photo editing software to move Shaunna from the right of the picture closer to the tree on the left of the picture (see above picture).

I then took the edited photo out to the studio and sketched it onto the Gesso Board I decided to paint onto. I just did a outline sketch. Sometimes I do a full shaded black and white sketch, but did not feel I needed it I had a pretty good idea where I was going with this painting. I anchored the sketch with a fixative spray.

I then washed in a thinned paint layer to block in the main compositional elements. As you can see I was not trying to do any work up of the image. My goal with this stage is just to recheck the composition and its elements. I was satisfied with what I had so I then began by painting in the ocean and distant land. Working forward I began to paint the rest of the painting, taking time to stop and re-evaluate as I went.

Donna was thrilled with her Painting. Nothing is better as a artist to know you have created something that has meaning to someone. I painted this painting for my soul mate, and it came from the love I have for her.

Nymph's Prayer at Wonder Lake

2010-11-22T14:33:00.000-08:00

NYMPH'S PRAYER AT WONDER LAKE - 20" X 10" Oil on Canvas. Finished it this morning. Have to let it dry. Will take another look to re-evaluate it in a week to see if I am still happy with it. I have had this painting in my head for over 2 years now. My daughter Christina suggested the flower pedals (thanks Christina), that was the perfect addition to the painting.

Nymphs, Nixies are spirits of Nature, they represent fertility. They also personify the dangerous undercurrents of the depths below.

You will need to visit Denali National Park in Alaska and take the all day bus ride to Wonder Lake, and just maybe you will be lucky enough to spy the Nymph of Wonder Lake.

Test

2010-11-17T19:27:00.001-08:00

This is just at test.

Arts & Craft Emporium

2010-11-17T09:06:00.001-08:00

Brian Sherwin -- Art Critic: Painting Never Died

2010-11-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

Brian Sherwin -- Art Critic: Painting Never Died: "Painting Never Died: Lately I’ve been reading about the past claim that painting is dead. This bold charge still makes its rounds today on..."

Winters Kiss

2010-11-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

Winters Kiss 9 x 6 Oil on Richeson Panel - Small little oil painting. I really had fun playing with purples, oranges and pinks in this painting. Captured the mood I was looking for...cold, isolation and a peaceful snug warm cabin in the wilderness. I will more then likely do a larger major painting of this in the future after the holiday shows are over.

Holiday Food & Gift Festival

2010-10-27T22:39:00.000-07:00

I will be in booth 1058 along the East Wall, new paintings and prints

At Rest - Step by Step development of the Painting.

2010-10-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

P
Pencil sketch, then washed in purple over sketch to lock in the design. This gives me a better look at the composition and allows me to make any changes before I start, sometimes I will do more shading then I have here. But I want the sky to be the focus so letting that happen first.

Stage 2 sky colors block in. With a large brush I have put in the base colors for the sky. Slightly blended with a Badger Blender. Will work up the sky with finer detail as we go. Added some of the sky color to the water in front of Mt Susitna ( The Sleeping Lady ).

Stage 3 - The Sky is mostly done. I have painted Mt Susitna and the Alaska Range behind Mt. Susitna. Painted in the water colors and shadows. Started blocking in the Fishing Boat and foreground. Will definately have to cool down the forground. But it is time to run some errands and spend some time with my lovely wife Donna. Will get back to it on Sunday.

Stage 4 - Good start this sunday morning, cooled down the foreground. Worked up the water to a more complete stage. Will work the midground unpainted area next, then start on the boat.

Stage 5 - Finished. I cooled down the foreground even more. Painted in the Midground hills. Shifted the values so that the distance is the main focus, and the boat secondary focal point. Adjusted the water more and did some clean up and slight tweeking.

My Palette - Shows my palette colors and mixing area. Being Right handed I keep it on a cart on my right side. Learning to keep my mixes small areas and not use more paint then I need.

Gurney Journey: Epoch Times Interview

2010-10-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

Gurney Journey: Epoch Times Interview: "Two days ago, the international magazine Epoch Times published an in-depth interview. You can read it in German at this link to the online e..."

Denali Blue

2010-10-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

Denali Blue - Oil on 6 x 9 Panel - I orginally started this painting in totally different colors (see prior post). Was not happy with how it was going, so let it dry and redrew the composition and changed the colors to get the mood I was looking for. Much happier with it now. This is painted on a Jack Richeson panel which I had never used before so took a little while to work out how to apply the paint on it correctly. Painted in a Sydney Laurence style of work.

Autumn Knik River

2010-10-17T21:34:00.000-07:00

Autumn Knik River - 16 x 20 Oil on Panel - As you can see I toned down the "Radioactive Green" Pond as my buddy Don Kolstad called it. I also added the foreground foliage. To tone the water down and not loose the luminosity I mixed up a glaze of Ultramarine Blue, Paynes Grey and Burnt Umber. I did one glaze over and let it dry 24 hours they did a second glaze using the same mix. I am pleased how this has turned out. After it dries some more I will get it to the photographer then to the frame shop.

On Saturday I had the pleasure of demonstrating Michael Harding Oil Paints at Blaine's Art Supply I got to paint all day in the store. It was the grand opening for the new store, huge turnout, great sales. What could be better. I worked up a 8 x 10 painting and gave it to the owner Rene. The Michael Harding Paints, were awesome to paint with, they are really high pigment loaded, and "silky smooth" to paint with. So yes I bought some new paints and brushes. I started a 6 x 9 painting, but was not happy with how it was going (see pictures below) so I decided to sketch over it and change the composition a little and the color choices to get the desired "mood" I was looking for.

Larry Seiler's Blog Post: Aiming for Minimal Essentials

2010-10-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have posted the link below to Larry Seiler's new blog post. It pretty much sums up my evolution as a artist. Like Larry I started out with Wildlife painting and extreme detail in my works. As I have grown in confidence as a artist I realize more and more that you can leave out certain details and let the viewers imagination fill it in. The skill is knowing what to leave out and how to "imply" detail. Read his post it is dead on. Thank you Larry for putting into words what I was unable to do.

http://larryseiler.blogspot.com/2010/10/aiming-for-more-minimal-essentials.html

Celebrating God's Creations Art & Music

2010-10-11T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Alaska Plein Air Painters paint indoors during the winter when it is to cold to paint outside. The Anchorage Lutheran Church allows us to paint downstairs there. When asked to display our art with a concert they were planning we jumped at the chance. Was a great evening of music and art.

3 Week Drought is over....ahh thats so much better

2010-10-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

Been 3 weeks since I have been able to spend sometime in the studio and get to work on this piece again.
Got up early and went out to the studio, started to work the water in the green pond up. Added the darks to the water and worked in the weeds and reflections in the water, wanted the bright color in the reflection but wanted it subdued, so it would not take attention away from the main interest the trees in the middle ground. Worked the green Alder trees in the right area. Will let it tack up over night and then bring in the foreground trees and bushes. Keeping in mind not to take away from the main area of interest. I am getting real excited to see this painting finished it has come together really well - so far.

Painting Adventures In The Rain

2010-10-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

20 Mile River Adventure - On Saturday Scott Thompson, Karen Mattson and I went up 20 Mile River in Scott's boat. Despite the constant rain we figured we would take our chances and see the country and hope for a break in the rain. After we got the boat launched and packed, I was about half soaked but a cup of hot coffee and a donut and away we go.

We worked our way up the river and took pictures through the rain. We went up one last tributary to take pictures. As we stopped on a sandbar, the rain let up and stopped. So we quickly set up our gear. As you will notice we were all "packing", bear country! Once we started to paint the rain said "Suckers" and the real downpour started. We gave it a valiant try but alas had to call "Uncle" and pack it up. Karen was painting watercolors, Scott was painting in Acrylics so you can imagine how well that went. I was using oils but had a senior moment and did not think to bring a oil primed canvas panel, instead the acrylic panel soaked up the water and the oil paint ran off just like a watercolor on wet paper. After all these years you would think I would know better. We had a great time, despite the lack of painting. Great photos for future work to come. But we promised ourselves when the weather is sunny next summer we will head up river once again.

Stage 3 Knik River - Work up the mid ground

2010-09-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

Mid Ground Area; Gravel, Main Trees, and the small trees on the right back.

Got to paint before the Football Games this morning. Worked up the dark low treeline on the water in the distance. Also added darks and lights to the gravel. Worked up the right trees in the mid distance. Then went to work on the main trees. What fun to play with bright colors of fall.

I have included a picture of the whole painting along with the picture I am working from. I took this picture with my friend Don Kolstad when we were Plein Air Painting a few weeks ago.

100K Trees? Nope Just Implied Them

2010-09-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

Stage 2 Knik River Painting - 16x20 on Gesso Panel - I finally got to paint after 6 days. I more or less have finished the background. Looks as if I painted a couple 100K trees, nope not a one, just implied the trees with color values. Took about 3-4 hours to work the background up to my satisfaction. Will work the mid ground next. Lots left to work on, but so far I am very pleased with how it is coming together.

Including a look into my small studio in the picture below, space is tight, so yes it is crowded. but it is home when I am creating. Me and Oreo (my dog) head out and loose track of the hours when I turn on the stereo and paint.

Knik River - A Begining

2010-09-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

Started a New Painting on Sunday - Sunday as I watched the football games in my studio I sketched out 5 paintings onto panels for painting. Took most of the day to get them right. I knew I wanted to start one and get a wash of color onto the panel. Was a hard decision which one to start I like all the compositions. But I decided since it was a Sunday and the image I was using was from a picture I tool Last Sunday. I would go ahead and work on this peaceful scene. The view is towards the Chugach Mountains and Knik River in the distance. this big flood plane area is a favorite for 4 wheelers, motocross bikes. It was a nice hot fall day, I loved all the colors and how green the little pond was in the foreground. The calm water shows the reflected colors of the trees so well. I included the picture for you to see where I am taking the scene from. This is just the start of the painting. I just wanted to get a wash in for a reminder for me of the colors. I intend to get the other paintings started also with washes then will work them up. Not sure which will capture my desire as the artist, sometimes you are surprised which ones you can't leave alone. Feels great to be painting again!!!

It's not Age .... It's the Mileage!

2010-09-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

This is a milestone month for me.   I have been working at Medical Park Family Care Inc. in Anchorage Alaska now for 30 years!   Where has all the time disappeared to.   Painting is my passion and second vocation. Like most artists my "real" job pays the bills.

I can honestly say I find it hard to believe it has been this long at MPFC.   I have managed the Radiology Dept. since 1980.   I still enjoy my job; which is a blessing.   This is a compliment to who I work for, who I work with and to the patients we serve.   Some of the patients I have watched grow up from children to now bringing their own children to our clinic.   Three of the doctors who originally hired me at MPFC have retired and one of the doctors sons is now a doctor practicing at our clinic.   Only one of the original Physicians is still working, Matt and I are the "Old Dogs" here now.   We have been through lean and tough times and good times at MPFC, through it all, I have come to love the people I work for and with.   The "Family" part of our name is truly accurate, we are a family and it has been like most families, some struggles, and some arguments but through all of that we have always had respect for each other professionally and personally.   I have learned so much about life from my peers at work and from our patients.

One of the gifts of working in Medicine is that you are reminded constantly just how good your life is when you have your health.   your health is so important.   Money and all the material aspects of life mean nothing without your health.   The other major gift of working in Medicine is that you learn how strong and wonderful some people truly are. I have learned more about personal strength from patients that have faced some incredible hardships in life and how their attitude has helped them through.   Some have battles that they lost, but they never gave up fighting and realizing how lucky they were to have another day of life.   I have always tried to remind myself of these lessons when life's little hardships come my way. Most of the time I succeed and take the curve balls with a grain of salt.   Sometimes I let them get me down, but usually not for to long.   As my body ages I can't do all of the things physically I could as a young man, and that is okay.  I have learned to enjoy life more as I get older and value family and friends as the true reward in life.   So the mileage has taught me good things.

In art I have a saying about learning to paint.   "It is not always talent that makes a good painter .... it is brush miles that make a good painter."   What I mean is talent will only take you so far, but it you are willing to paint, paint and paint you will become a good artist.   Practice and practice is what can teach you how to become better at all things, not matter at what age you are.

Remember "It's not the Age .... It's the mileage!"

Oil Painters Are Interesting People

2010-09-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

Most of my Artist Friends are very interesting people. Most know how to enjoy life, look for the beauty in life. As we paint we know the light changes and every thing will look different in 2 hours. This helps you see the world as a constantly changing and amazing thing. One of the most pleasurable things is I look and think how that looks now, and what might it look like when the light changes how will the shadows change what will the composition appear like. In other words sometimes we see the world through a child's eyes, everything is new and exciting. Or maybe it's just the fumes from the paint thinner?

Below is a painting I have on the easel, It is about half way finished. No detail work is done yet. I have the lower half to work up and add more stuff to. I am thinking about possibly cutting the top quarter of the painting off totally. What do you think? Give me your thoughts please.

AFAP Award Ceremony

2010-09-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

AFAP AWARD CEREMONY 2010 - Last night was the Award Ceremony and First Friday show of the Top 30 entries in the Art For Alaska Parks competition. A wonderful turn out. Grand prize went to Robert Clayton for his painting Winters Blanket. Best Landscape went to David Rosenthal for his painting Stranded Berg. Best People in the Park went to Robert Clayton for his painting Clamming on Cook Inlet. Best Wildlife/Bird went to Suzie Althens for her painting Tides That Bind. People's Choice went to Robert Clayton for his Clamming On Cook Inlet. Peer's Choice went to Karen Crandell for he painting Portage Glacier. Honorable Mention went to Mark McDermott for his painting Eagle River. I personally want to thank all the artists who sent submissions in, they were the best we have had. I also want to thank our Judges John Van Zyle and Linda Infante Lyons, yu both did a great job and I know how difficult that was.

Link to my wife's Blog, a Alaska story

2010-09-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

http://alaskalockerhooking.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/alaskan-fireweed/

My wife and I spent 3 days in Homer Alaska, found the best Sticky Buns ever at Three Sisters Bakery while we were there. So for every breakfast we were consuming Sticky Buns. The Fireweed picture on her blog with Donna was taken outside of the Three Sisters Bakery

First Friday -ART FOR ALASKA PARKS TOP 30 ART SHOW

2010-08-31T17:08:00.000-07:00

FIRST FRIDAY ART SHOW - ART FOR ALASKA STATE PARKS TOP 30 COMPETITION - LAROMA BAKERY 9900 OLD SEWARD HWY, ANCHORAGE ALASKA 5:30 - 7PM - AWARD CEREMONY IS AT 6:30PM
We have the best group of paintings in the 5 year history of the competition. We have 5 awards that will be presented: Best of Show, Best Landscape, Best Wildlife/Bird, Best People in the Park, Artist's Choice and People's Choice. Come and vote for Peoples Choice.

Serenity Marsh Giclee Canvas Print Now Available

2010-08-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

Serenity Marsh 18"x14" Stretched Canvas Giclee Print - Only 15 will be printed.

I now have the prints in stock the Price is $210.00 for the print stretched on stretcher bars. The prints have been coated with a UV protected spray and varnished. So they are ready to be framed like a original painting and hung on your wall. I am really proud of how the prints turned out.

3 Small Paintings

2010-08-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

3 Small Paintings - 5x7's - I painted these 3 paintings just before I left on my vacation to visit my kids. They were a weekend work, lot of fun to scale down to smaller images every now and then. Forces you to simplify your composition and not get to detailed. So you learn what to leave out of your painting and to only include what is necessary. I also painted on Amperstand Gesso Board on 2 of the paintings. A slicker surface, but I like the look, so will keeping working with the gesso board now and then.

Art In Our Family

2010-08-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

A Art Filled Family Vacation. - I spent a week in Washington and British Columbia Canada visiting my two of my four children. I spent the first 2 days with Justin and his girlfriend Felicia. I had not previously met Felicia, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting her. I also spent 2 days with Christina and her fiancee Cameron. Then we all went camping up Mt Baker for two days. It was a great time for me as a parent to see my children as adults on their own. Also I got to draw and paint with them together. As a artist it is so cool to see how talented each of them is. We had a great time painting and drawing together. Being raised in Alaska we all love camping also, so we had a wonderful time. I miss them all terribly, but I am so proud of them and how they have their own lives and how happy they are.

I will look forward to our next Family Plein Air Adventure.

Lynn Brautigan Boots Art Show

2010-08-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

Lynn Brautigan Boots at Stephan Fine Artst Gallery in Anchorage Alaska (Captain Cook Hotel). My artist friend Lynn has a great showing of 40 paintings at Stephans Gallery this month. They are all wonderful. She is a very talented artist and I highly recommend that you see her show if you can. Stehpan Fine Art Gallery just click this link and you can see some of her paintings on their website if you do not live in the Anchorage area. Her art talent is only exceeded by her kindness.

Getting The Motor Started

2010-08-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

Prepping the engine for starting. - As I continue to paint I find that I have certain patterns that help me prep myself for a paining session. Usually I do my best painting in the morning. I get up early, have a bite to eat and 2 cups of coffee. Then read a little about art. Then head to the studio with my dog (Oreo). Usually turn on the stereo to jazz or early rock n roll. Sit down and think about what I want to do; if it is a painting I am working on I will take some time to look at it. Determining whether I need some changes, whats working & whats not. If I am starting a new painting i will think about composition, subject matter, color and what I am trying to express in my painting. Emotional Content is so important in a painting that communicates with it's audience. After I have done all this and my thoughts are in order I will start to paint. Once I am painting time flies by. I usually take a break at lunch and have lunch with my wife. Then back to the studio for another session.

Family Time - My Wife's Birthday

2010-08-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Celebration Of Life - It was my wife's Birthday yesterday. We went out for dinner, Ryan one of our 4 children came to dinner with us. We had a lot to celebrate, Donna and I just celebrated our 15th Anniversary together. We are grandparents now also, Shaunna and Matt have a little boy Joseph (see picture ). We are in good health and happy. My mom is in the hospital recovering from a hip fracture. Dad is doing great. So this summer has really made us reflect on what is important in life. Art sales have improved this year despite the eonomy, which is a pleasant surprise. Most importantly our children are all doing well and happy. Donna and I are hoping all is well in your lives too. Enjoy each day, take what life serves you and realize all experiences help you savior your life.

Appreciation For Artists Who Are Willing to Judge Competitions

2010-08-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

Art For Alaska Parks Top 30 Judging. Last night our two judges did a very appreciative and difficult job of selecting the 30 entries that will be displayed in the Art Show for the month of September at LaRoma Bakery on 99th Ave/Old Seward Highway in Anchorage Alaska. We had a really good selection of entries from all over the Northwest this year. I am so glad I was part of the committee running the show for the Alaska Artists Guild and not a judge. I have come over the last two years to really appreciate those artists that are willing to take the time and effort involved in selecting their choices. I have seen the Judges truly agonize over some selections that did not make the top 30 that will be in the show. The judges really do make a effort to pick the best based on Composition, Color and representation of the Parks the artist choose to paint.

Emotional Ups & Downs

2010-08-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

Wow what a Roller Coaster week- We had the Plein Air Art Show all last weekend, despite the weather we had a good turn out and raised a higher amount of money for the Clare House then the last 3 years.
My Mom and Dad ( 85 & 90 ) came.

Then on Monday afternoon Dad called me at work, Mom had fallen and broke her hip. Tuesday she had hip surgery and is in the hospital now.

Friday I took some paintings down to Stephan Fine Art Gallery in the Capt Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. Found out I had recently sold some more paintings. Always a good thing.

Yesterday Donna and I went and visited Mom in the Hospital. Found out she had tried to stand up on her own with out calling for help and of course fell again. This going to be a rough ordeal for Mom and Dad. Chris my brother and I are trying to help as much as possible. But there is only so much we can do. Painting has been put on hold for a while until there is a little more time.

Glad Mom made it to our show though that will be a special memory for me.

Photos from The Plein Air Weekend

2010-07-28T12:32:00.001-07:00

Sales down the drain - sort of

2010-07-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

LIFE HAS A WAY OF KEEPING YOU HUMBLE - Last Sunday Stephans Fine Art Gallery called and told me they had sold all my Marine paintings I had there. Great news, money coming in. And as of Monday money going out -- our drain in our laundry room is blocked all the water backed up and flooded the basement and soaked everything. As my daughter said when she heard about it " Your sales from the paintings just went down the drain"! Alas oh so true. But at least I had some money to take care of the Plumbers. Thank you collector that bought the paintings you have no idea how helpful those sales were.

Change Is One Constant In Your Life

2010-07-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

The world and life keeps changing and I have to keep trying to catch up....Argh!

I am in my late 50's and technology has changed so much in my lifetime. Personal computers have changed how we interact in life and how we do business (good and bad). As an Artist we used to create our work, head to the galleries and attempt to get representation and hope they actually sell our creations. Do the local art show circut. Now a lot of the galleries have gone out of business and it is a online world ( not that this is bad ). I have my website ( www.kurtjacobson.com ) and my blog. Whether or not anyone goes to either is the question of merit. Also on Facebook and Twitter. Most artists are semi reclusive, so the online world has forced us to become more communicative with our collectors ( good thing ), and to start to take a more active roll in marketing our wares. In other words we have to consider the marketing just another continuation of the creative process. Now that is taking this "old fart" out of his comfort zone and making me expand in ways that are new to me. Now having said all that my dad is 90 and online also, so if he can do it I should be able to; right?

One part of the online world is awesome is the ability to stay in contact with all of our children and their lives. We are grandparents now ( baby Joseph Newton Rose ), and with Skype we can video call and see the family while we talk on the Internet. Shades of Startrek! Smart Phones have changed how we live also. When I grew up we had rotary phones, then the touchtone phones they were the coolest. Then the first massive cell phones, batteries lasted maybe 30 minutes, but you drove around in your car and it was cool and unique. Now everyone has a cell, you can't survive without them in the business world, my galleries can contact me with questions whether I am home or out painting or fishing. Frustrating sometimes but a good thing for business. I can upload pictures, videos, search the Internet, send texts etc all from my phone anytime anywhere.

My how life has changed.

The one thing that has not changed is we still need a break once and a while. To take time for ourselves and family. Recharge our batteries so to speak. For me that is when I paint or am out in the woods, camping, fishing or hunting. For Donna and I that is our time alone. We go out to dinner at least once a week our 'Date" we hold hands, sit next to each other in the restaurant, not across from each other and court each other. A wonderful feeling.

Turnigan View

2010-07-17T08:54:00.001-07:00

Plein Air Painters Of Alaska - Paint out and Pot Luck on Friday.
We all met at the Lowenfeld's home, what a gorgeous place, it overlooked Turnigan Arm. Although a little overcast, it still was a awesome day. About 20 of us were there, it was a pot luck lunch also, so great food and great friends, how can you go wrong.

Fire In The Sky

2010-07-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

Fire In The Sky - 16 x 8 Oil Painting on RayMar Panel -
Woke up this morning in a Sydney Laurence frame of mind. Sydney Laurence is considered the father of Alaska Painters. So I went out to the studio and painted this painting before lunch today as homage to Master Alaska painter. He spent a lifetime painting Mt McKinely (the great one ) and none have ever done it as well as he did. Every now and then I go to the Anchorage Museum to tour the artwork there and study his paintings. His use of color is amazing to see.

Friday Plein Air Painting

2010-07-10T09:01:00.001-07:00

Plein Air Painting Friday with the Alaska Plein Air Painters - Had Friday off from work, and as it turned out it was the nicest day we have had in over a month. The group met for coffee at LaRoma's and then off to McHugh Creek to paint. I hiked back up the trail to above the Bridge and did this little 8 x 10 oil plein air painting. I am so thankful to have the day off.

4th Annual Plein Air Weekend

2010-07-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

The Plein Air Weekend - July 24th & 25th 2010
5801 Barry Ave., Anchorage AK 99507

Artists painting on location, Art for Sale, Prizes and Games!!! Free Fun for All Ages!!! Prizes donated by artists and Blaine's Art Supply. A portion of the Proceeds to Benefit Clare House.

Artists include: Betty Atkinson, James Belcher, Diane Block, Lynn Brautigan Boots, Nancy Angelini Crawford, Nancy Brandt-Erichsen, Lorri Davis, Romie Deschamps, Bob Hansen, Paul, Dawn Gillette, Teri Jo Hedman, Kurt Jacobson, Don Kolstad, Cynthia Calder Kolstad, Pat Munz, Jean Shadrach, Andy Sonneborn, Dot Tideman and special guests artists.

In Loving Memory of Our Frien & Fellow Artist, Eric Deeter

Painting by Eric Deeter

Presentation Picture

2010-07-07T09:18:00.001-07:00

The Last Fly By

2010-07-06T23:38:00.001-07:00

The Last Fly By - 24 x 30 This is a commission piece I did on Medical Park Family Care's request for F.Leland Jones MD. I have had the pleasure and honor to have worked together with Dr Jones for almost 30years. Lee not only has been a great boss, he has been a mentor, friend and a big brother to me all these years. I am thrilled for him and Carolyn and their life together in retirement. I will miss you at work. But I thank you for all you have taught me over these years.

3 Plein Air Paintings

2010-07-03T16:20:00.001-07:00

Three small Plein Air Paintings from this summer. I have painted these this summer. A color sketch of Homer Beach in May. Cindy Kolstads Flower box and her home. A view of Anchorage from the Small boat harbor in May also.

Kenai Stage 7 and 9

2010-05-23T20:16:00.001-07:00

Kenai Stages 7 & 9 - Added the trees in the foreground. After letting it sit overnight, I went back and added the color from the orange/brown water to the grass. Also to help pull the eye to the focal point I highlighted the trees in the distance. Then the final step was to add a purple wash to the orange/brown colored water. This cooled it down and also added color harmony to the painting. I have not decided it I will add 2 swans to the painting (as I originally thought I might. Will take another look after it has dried some.

Kenai Painting Step 6

2010-05-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

Kenai Painting Stage 6 - Got a chance to spend a little time in the studio today. So worked in the Tree reflections, and the grass and Alder reflections. Then brought in the sky colors. Oh I forgot, I did do 3 glazes of Azo Green over the water first, to darkened the color some. I did that 3 days ago. Still have a ways to go, but will work on it when I get back from my First Friday Homer Art Show this Friday. Will drive down, take pictures and maybe a painting tomorrow.

Kenai Painting Step 5

2010-04-24T16:12:00.001-07:00

Kenai Painting Step 5 - block in base of foreground

Okay I laid in the underwater foreground, basically pushing paint around until I got what I wanted. I will TONE it down later. Letting it dry so I can paint over it, will bring in the shadows of the tall trees on the left and then add all the sky colors over top of the water. I will end up painting out a lot of what I did today, but I wanted to put it in, so I could have it there when i paint over it and not worry about going back and trying to add the dead fall under the water. So far this has been a fun painting. After the water is done I will be adding some foreground foliage, no sure how much yet.

Kenai Painting Back on the Easel

2010-04-19T14:12:00.001-07:00

The Kenai Painting is Back on my Easel - I got to work on it for a little while this last Sunday. Worked up the sky, mountains, and distant grass and trees. Now am working in the near trees. Will start the water next with the dead trees under water and some coming up through the water. This will be the fun part as a painter. Will be using a negative painting method to start this out. Quite a volcabulary of strokes so far in this painting. This is the largest painting I have done to date.

2nd of 2 New Paintings

2010-04-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

Today is the day for reworking old started paintings - 36x24 - I actually started to paint this one last August, was not happy with the realistic look and how it was going so put it away to work on other projects. Today as you can see, I wiped out the just about everything and went back at it with a whole different look. This should be fun to see how it will work out. I will eventually bring the large trees on the left back into the painting after the sky dries and is easier to paint over top of, so will go to the Sheep Painting tomorrow and let this painting dry.

First Of 2 New Paintings Started Today

2010-04-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

Sheep Off The Highway Close to Beluga Point 18x36 This will be a study in high contrasts will pump up the shadows and highlights. I actually sketched this out about 6 months ago, just never got back to it. Today I did a small 4x6 pencil value sketch to work out my dark and light values. Then I sprayed the canvas with a fixative to hold the pencil sketch. Will start to do a light under painting monochromatic tomorrow to block in the light/dark values.

Stage 7 Meg Fowler Portrait

2010-04-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

Final Stage of this Portrait Study - 18x14 Oil on RayMar Panel - Lots of changes made since the last image.
1) Raised the Jaw Line
2) Softened all the skin lines, smoothed the face out
3) Changed the Lips
4) Changed the left side eye and nose
5) Moved the right eye in closer to nose
6) Brought the right side of the face in towards the center by taking about 1/3 inch of the right side
7) Added some more shadow to the right side

Fairly happy now. Will take it to portrait class for one final critique.

2 Paintings In Progress

2010-03-31T18:14:00.000-07:00

2 Paintings In Progress - Raven Moon 8x6 Oil & Portrait Study From a Portraiture Class -

On Friday I was fighting off a head cold. And it reflected my mood in the this little Night Raven piece. Not really sure where the idea came from. But it is different then what I usually paint thats for sure.

The second painting is a from a portraiture class I am taking from Linda Infante Lyons at the Anchorage Museum. I have been struggling with this one. Will take it to class for critique.

ADDENDUM: I got some wonderful suggestions from my class teacher. I made some dramatic changes to the portrait. Will finish it this weekend, and post a picture for you to compare with this one I took before my class.

Seward Parl Stage 3 & 4

2010-03-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

Seward Bay Stages 3 & 4 Final - Oil 11 x 14 on RayMar Canvas Panel - In Stage Three I blocked in the Near Trees a little more. Then worked on the Water, added more shadow to the rocks underwater and to the shadow cast buy the near shoreline on the ocean. Then went and added highlights and reflected color to the water.
Stage 4 basically was finish up the trees and a few touch ups. Now it is drying, will look again in a week and see what changes I may make.

Seward Park Stage 1 & 2

2010-03-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

Seward Alaska - 11 X 14 Oil on RayMar Canvas - Last Summer Donna, Oreo (dog) and I took a trip to Seward, it was a incredible sunny day. We went to the beach park and I did a small 6x8 plein air painting of this rock sticking up out of the water. Going back through my studies, I decided to do a major painting of this one. Sketched it onto the canvas board. Layed in the base colors.

After 2 weeks I finally got back to this painting yesterday, reworked the sky and water, blocked in the close shoreline and defined and detailed the rocks. I made the decision early on to play with the colors and make this a colorful painting.

Plein Air Paintings From Desert Center

2010-03-12T08:32:00.001-08:00

Two Plein Air Painting

I did these two paintings while I was in Desert Center CA last week, driving around in my dads 4 wheeler, what a blast.

Dad's 90th Birthday

2010-02-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

Flying to California for my Dad's 90th Birthday. - Leaving on the Red Eye Express tonight to be in the Calif Desert with my parents. Dad is celebrating his 90th Birthday. I am so amazed at his and mom's good health. Hard to believe they are that old, and going strong. Well bags packed. Donna and I are going out for lunch and spending the day together before I leave tonight. See you later.

Finshed Bishop Beach, and Sharing Fish Stories

2010-02-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

Sharing Fish Stories #2 & Bishop Beach March 2009
Sharing Fish Stories is a larger rendition of a small 4 x 6 painting I did last year. I really like the concept so decided to make a major work out of the original study painting. It is 11 X 14 oil on RayMar canvas panel.

Bishop Beach is "Finally" done. This little 9 x 12 oil painting was more of a challenge then I anticipated. But happy with the results. Lots of little colors and values throughout the painting you don't see in this small picture.

Stage 3 Painting on Easel at the moment

2010-01-31T20:22:00.000-08:00

HOMER BEACH STEP 3 I have more or less am at the final stage now. Will work the figure up next. This has come together much fast er then I would have guessed. It is a 12 x 9 inch oil painting on linen.

Homer Beach Paintiing Started.

2010-01-23T17:44:00.001-08:00

Homer Beach Painting In OIls I have sketched out the painting and blocked in the composition in midtones, this stage is just to see how the composition is working out. Need to decide now what to add, keep or change. I plan on really playing with the colors in this composition.

Final Stage of Mountain Lake?

2010-01-23T12:05:00.001-08:00

Mountain Lake - I went back to this painting this morning and added some white with a touch or cadnium orange to the sky and distant water, added more life to the scene. Also started to bring the reflected light over top of the rocks. Decided not to do to much to it, looks pretty good as is. I did also go back to the treeline and brought some dappled light through the top of the treeline. A nice 2 day painting.

Painting Rocks Underwater

2010-01-22T17:49:00.001-08:00

Technique of Painting Rocks Underwater - Last week I gave a demo to our Friday painting group, this week Don Kolstad gave a painting Rocks Underwater demo. I was so intrigued by his simple technique that I had to give it a try. This is a little 8"x10" I started today. I will let the oil paint dry some tonight and then continue and bring the reflected light overtop of rocks in the forground to simulate water overtop of the rocks. Thought it would be interesting to put this first unfinished image and then follow up with a finished image. Thanks Don, great demo and I will use this technique in the future.

Stage 6 Homer Bluff Painting

2010-01-17T17:58:00.001-08:00

Homer Bluff - Stage 6. - Pretty much done now, will let it dry and take another look in a week. Have to get some more paintings going. Since last point, I reworked the ocean, Homer Spit, and added the close foreground. Went back over and tweeked a number of small areas. The size is 18X36 inches. All comments, critiques and suggestions welcome.

2010 Art Showcase Auction KAKM Public TV

2010-01-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

2010 KAKM Art Showcase Auction -That will bring public television viewers Alaska’s finest artworks from many well-known Alaska artists including Alaska Native artist and other prized art pieces such as framed 2-dimensional art, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and glass art. Art Preview, Pre-Buy, Pre-bid Open House Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6 and 7, 1 pm to 5pm at the Broadcast Center 3877 University Drive, Anchorage. Live Televised Auction Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February, 11, 12, and 13, 2010, 7pm to 10:30pm on KAKM Channel 7 Bid by phone and live bidding. Limited in-studio audience with catered dinner $50/person or $200/table. For more information go to http://www.kakm.org/auction or call 907-550-8432 www.kakm.org or kska.org and click on the button or call 907-550-843 List of artist and art, auction details and updates.
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Stage 4 Homer Bluff Painting

2010-01-10T18:17:00.001-08:00

HOMER BLUFF STAGE 4 - Since I posted last I have added the fir trees, worked up the Alders and blocked in the buildings. Worked the brush into the near hill. Added a little more detail in the spit. Will go back ad work the water now more. and the distant mountains also. Once that is done I will bring in the near foreground ( haven't started that yet ). After that, work in the fine detail. I have stayed at this little motel many times in the past, and also stayed in the little house (closest ) with my family also.