Blood, Sweat & Tears

Seafarers Memorial - 18 x 24 - This is a Acrylic painting I have been struggling with for the last month off and on.   I am painting it for the Homer Alaska show I have next month.  This one has been a real struggle since the Statue is in the shadow you can't see much detail, its there but the shadow makes it hard to see.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated, I am going to let this one sit for a week before I decide to call it done or not.

A Special Moment

Flat Top - 6" x 9" - Acrylic on Panel

This small painting I painted last Saturday, Flat Top Mountain is a popular hiking destination, summer and winter in the Chugach State Park. Just above Anchorage in the Mountains surrounding us. Yes it really is Flat on top of the mountain.

I was watching Football on Sunday when I saw a commercial advertisement from one of our local Art Galleries, "Come meet the artist: Robert Bateman". I couldn't believe it, he was in town. I am a huge Bateman fan. His wildlife artwork is the work of a true Master. So I called my painting buddy Don, and we made plans to go to the one day show on Monday. Monday night I took one of my Bateman Fine Art Desktop Books and off we went. Both Don and I were so excited to get the chance to meet him in person, would be like meeting a Rock Star for aspiring rock muscians. When we got to the gallery it was packed as can be expected, and boy were they moving the artwork. Glad to see that in this economy. Don and I waited patiently in line for our turn. As we stood in line, I watched Mr. Bateman take the time to talk to each person in line and make the effort to find something out about each person he was meeting. I was very impressed, he did not rush anyone. When my turn finally came, I introduced myself, he asked me if I was a artist also, how he figured that out I don't know, he asked what medium, and if I was a wildlife artist also. I told him I worked in Acrylics and Oils; and did Wildlife and Landscape paintings. He wrote a very kind dedication in my book and we shook hands firmly. Both Don and I were charged up afterwards, instead of going home and driving our wives crazy with "We met Robert Bateman!" over and over we decided to go out and get a Hamburger for dinner. I have been on cloud nine for the last two days. Never ever thought I would get to meet one of my idols, a true living legend. He was kind and gracious. A very Special Moment in my life.

Colors of Summer Are Fading

Thunderbird Falls - 19x29 - This painting is Acrylic on Hardboard, available at Stephan Fine Art Gallery

We are going out Plein Air Painting this morning, and here in Alaska, the colors are changing, fall is starting to make its presence known. We did not have one of our better summers weather wise. But anytime we can get out, it is a great day, there is always a painting waiting to be painted out there, you have to just look for it. Usually on a overcast day, I do not look for the "Grand Vista" paintings, no shadows to work with. So I will narrow my focus and look for the smaller hidden pictures that nature has waiting for me to paint. I will post my results this coming week. Everyone have a great weekend, keep your brushes clean.
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